The families who already came home.

“I knew my paternal grandfather’s name and the name of the village in Sicily he left to immigrate to America. The idea of visiting the village to research names and locations was daunting. However, my desire to connect with living relatives was real. I asked Rita, my Italian friend, to accompany me to Sicily in my quest. I knew through her knowledge, experience and passion she could navigate her way through historic records at Town Hall and the Catholic Church.

Beyond her technical skills Rita is exceptionally warm and genial. There was no doubt she could easily communicate and translate if and when we connected with family. With Rita’s help we accomplished what we set out to do. My Italian family has shown me nothing but warmth, generosity and acceptance. We have maintained contact for four years and I will soon visit them for the third time. I am truly grateful to Rita. Through her efforts I have a deeper appreciation of my heritage and a family I never knew I had.”

“Years ago my parents asked Rita to try to connect with their relatives in Sicily. She collected as much info as possible and found them! She contacted them and everybody was welcoming and open to meet us. My parents, my aunt and I flew to Italy to meet and spend some time together. It was the most incredible and emotional experience! My father had the chance to meet some first cousins and an aunt (his father’s sister) still alive, fulfilling the dream of his life. Rita also drove us around the south of Italy and took us to visit some beautiful towns.

Thanks to Rita my family had this amazing and life-changing opportunity to reconnect with close relatives and went back several times to be with our Italian family.”

“Rita is amazing! She has a wealth of knowledge, resources and connections for myriad Italian experiences whether culinary, historical or cultural. In early 2026, on my first trip to Italy, I spent several days with Rita exploring the best of Emilia-Romagna and surrounding regions. I could not have had such a fabulous introduction to Italy without her and I can’t wait to go back!

Grazie mille Rita! You forever have my gratitude for your generosity and friendship while I was in Italy and ever since.”

“Rita is awesome! I am an American of Italian descent. I met Rita when I began studying Italian. I travelled with her in Sicily and in the US. She has endless positive energy, a great sense of humor, is intelligent, has never met a stranger. She is your ticket to a trip of a lifetime.”

“Our two days with Rita in May 2026 were truly magical and among the highlights of our trip to Italy. She took us through Bologna, Modena, and Parma, helping us make the most of every experience, from the Ferrari Museum to an incredible Parmigiano Reggiano tour. She also pointed us to a wonderful wine tasting that became one of our favorite memories.

Rita’s warmth, charisma, and local knowledge made every moment special. By the end of our time together, she felt like family. We feel incredibly fortunate to have met her and recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience in Emilia-Romagna.”

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Rita as a person and as a guide in Italy! From the moment our family of six met her, she treated us like old friends. We had a full day where she guided us around the highlights of Modena, it’s history, architecture and culinary treasures. Not only did we see the big ticket items, she shared a lot of smaller local gems that we would never have found on our own. Visiting a small family run traditional balsamic vinegar operation was one of our favorite things we did in Italy.

Rita also guided us through Bologna, where she shared her extensive knowledge of the history and cultural environment. She knows the city so well, she even studied there! So we really benefited from her insider knowledge. She also knows the best authentic cafés and restaurants, so we avoided any tourist traps.

Rita is a delight to tour with, she is warm, friendly, knowledgeable, easy-going, and has a wonderful sense of humor. I cannot recommend her enough ❤️”