Stefania Grillo
Travel Expert in Italy Write a reviewAbout
I was born in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria, where Taste and Slow Italy is now located. I grew up surrounded by water, fishing nets, seagulls and islands. Though I deeply loved Umbria, I was not interested in its tourism sector initially. My first love was actually singing, but being a practical girl, I completed a PC specialization after high school. Then, in 1991, I was immediately hired by an aristocratic, elderly woman who loved to travel and wanted to “dabble” in tourism.
I spent years travelling, learning the “biz” and studying her competitors’ best practices. Slowly, the agency took on a new identity and ultimately became known for its innovation. Patience and tenacity paid off.
In 2004, the original owner of Trasimeno Viaggi (my first employer) decided to make me an offer I could not refuse — and I acquired the business. Then in 2005, I met Samuele, my future husband from Perugia, an agricultural researcher and economist, who was impassioned by the idea of combining a love of Italy with the knowledge of local resources and territorial treasures. In 2007, the brand Taste and Slow Italy was born.
Stefania's Travel Expertise
My strong points are history, culture and local lifestyle. Our clients ask us above all to live or experience just like locals. In particular, this means exploring the culture, art, food and wine. I also specialize in hidden places and I make sure that I do not offer “overtourism” or just standard solutions. Even when travellers ask us to visit crowded destinations, I always come up with more inventive and unique travel ideas.
Expert Destinations
- Milan
- Bari
- Pompeii
- Rome
- Barletta
- Andria
- Matera
- Otranto
- Corato
- Lecce
- Altamura
- Trani
- Amalfi Coast & Campania
- Florence
- Maranello
- Venice
- The Vatican
- Colosseum
- Last Supper
- Assisi
- Montepulciano
- Verona
- Siena
- Naples
- Sorrento
- Positano
- Loreto
- Cinque Terre and Liguria
- Puglia
- Tuscany
- Palermo
- Mount Vesuvius
- Pisa
- San Gimignano
- Portofino
- Ferrari world
- Lucca
- Chianti
- Carrara
- Levanto
- Lake Garda
- Procida
- Sardinia
- Catania
- Riomaggiore
- Calalzo Di Cadore
- Herculaneum
- Abetone
- Lake Como
- Trentino-South Tyrol
- Genoa
- Minori
- Pieve Fosciana
- Taormina
- Thures
- Calascio
- Caramanico Terme
- Spello
- Benevello
- Sicily
- Orvieto
- Oliena
- Santa Maria Navarrese
- Polignano A Mare
- Sanremo
- San Quirico d'Orcia
- Cagliari
- Palinuro
- Cuneo
- Palazzolo Acreide
- Soligo
- Lecco
- Moneglia
- Moena
- Lipari
- Pian Melze
- Turin
- Cannigione
- Alghero
- Agerola
- Milazzo
- Dorgali
- Riccione
- Crissolo
- Pianillo
- Cabras
- Syracuse
- Armeno
- Mantua
- Piombino
- Carlazzo
- Volterra
- Tresnuraghes
- Alberobello
- Versciaco Di Sopra
- Montecatini Terme
- Alba
- Lake Molveno
- Cala Goloritze
- Civita Di Bagnoregio
- Cortina d'Ampezzo
- Bologna
- Lazio
- Piedmont & Valle d’Aosta
- Liguria
- Lombardy & the Lakes
- Venice & Veneto
- Emilia-Romagna
- Umbria & Marche
- Abruzzo & Molise
- Basilicata & Calabria
- Ragusa
- Monopoli
- Cogne
- Chianciano Terme
- Treviso
- View More
Expert Activities
- Trekking
- Climbing
- Wine tasting tours
- Running
- Segway tours
- Walking tours
- Pub and bar crawl
- Hiking
- Cooking classes
- Rickshaw, cycle or local transport tours
- Sailing, yachting and motor boating
- Mountain biking
- Spas
- Bicycle tours
- Adventure
- Day Tours and Excursions
- Food tours
- City sightseeing
- Food, wine, events and nightlife
- Sightseeing Tours
- Bus tours
- Helicopter Tours
- Fishing
- Cruise
- Concerts and shows
- Beer and drinks tasting
- Local culture
- Museum and gallery visits
- Music
- Romantic
- Honeymoon
- Getaways and short breaks
- Volcanoes
- Photography
- Spiritual or religious tours
- Nightlife
- Golfing
- Motorcycle tours
- Yoga
- Self-guided walks
- Beaches
- Mountains
- National parks
- Flight tours
- Train tours
- Scooter and electric bike tours
- Skiing and Snowboarding
- Festivals and events
- Nature and bush walks
- Waterfalls
- Countryside and village visits
- Natural landmarks sightseeing
- War sites
- Cultural, religious and historic sites
- Culture shows and excursions
- Classes and workshops
- Amusement, theme or water parks
- Self-drive or vehicle rental
- Art and architecture
- Party and nightlife
- Local boat rides
- Shopping and markets
- Adventure and sport
- Coffee and tea tours
- Wildlife, landscapes and nature
- Lagoons
- Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife
- Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history
- Air tours, road trips and transfers
- Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation
- Special interests and hobbies
- Meditation
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Stefania's best travel experience
As a professional, I sometimes deal with very particular and unique requests. One time a group of bankers from Norway asked us to plan an academic seminar focused on Machiavelli, the famous renaissance politician and economist, so I organized it.
In another example, a historian researcher from Taiwan requested an authentic experience in Sardinia and a private concert of local traditional music. The result was a travel experience lived like locals among locals. Simply amazing…!
Why is Stefania the right travel expert
Aside from my many years of expertise in travel, I know that the right connections and territory knowledge are the basis for a perfect and inventive tour in Italy. Well, I was born here in the heart of Italy and I know every hidden place of this enchanting country! Above all, I understand the culture and can introduce you to the authentic Italian lifestyle and show you how to experience the country like a local. I also believe in personal experience and I am always happy to connect with clients via Skype and share my tips and advice that way if that is something you are interested in.