Born from a love letter to Italy

Bella Ciao Travels began with a simple realisation: that the way I had always planned trips for the people around me could become a real service — personal, structured, and built entirely around the traveller.

I'm Annalisa De Carlo. I was born and raised in Diano Marina, a small village in Liguria, in the north-west of Italy. I studied there too, completing a bachelor's degree in human sciences focused on Italian landscapes, rural culture, and environmental heritage — a background that has shaped how I read a place and how I design travel through it.

Before moving to Australia, I worked across Europe as a tour representative, tour leader, and tour guide — primarily in Italy and France, and later in the Principality of Monaco. I led groups, delivered cultural experiences, and guided travellers through everywhere from Liguria and Tuscany to Umbria and Puglia. I've also lived in Rome, Milan, and Turin, which gave me a feel for Italy's cities and the regions around them.

I had always wanted to create something that reflected who I am — my interests, my heritage, my professional experience — but the moment never felt right. That changed when a manager I worked with asked me to help organise her Italian holiday. From there, everything took shape naturally. I realised there was real demand for this kind of personalised Italy planning, and Bella Ciao Travels grew gradually into what it is today.

My strongest belief about Italy is that its true beauty lies beyond the famous landmarks — in the connection between people, landscapes, and local traditions. That belief is what every itinerary is built to deliver.