Hi, I am Marco Palermo, I was born and raised in Rome where I graduated as an air traffic controller at the age of 19. I also flew small planes as part of my training. Flying has always been a passion of mine, like traveling and exploring new places. I was a teenager when I made my first trip to America to visit cousins in Wisconsin, and I’ve been sharing time between my “two homes” ever since.
My father was a driving instructor, and when I was young he often took the family to different regions (Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany, Puglia and Basilicata to name a few) to discover the rich history of medieval towns and mountain villages. In the summertime we spent a month (the average vacation time for an Italian family) in places such as the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and the Volcanic Aeolian Islands.
By the way, I am a beach aficionado, and I’ve fallen in love with Sardinian beaches and Sardinia’s unique culture. Sardinia is one of the 20 regions of Italy and the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily. I plan to retire there someday.
At the age of 27, I moved to the US to attend college and pursue the American Dream. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, I started my 23-year career in the telecommunications industry, becoming a Director of Marketing for a major cable/high-speed data company. I also worked as a translator and interpreter. I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I moved in 2000 and where I spend my Winter months if I am not traveling.
When my children were growing up I took my family to Italy every year, where we visited family and also explored other European countries by car.
I also took many friends and collegues to Italy, where they experienced its beauty and culture at a depth that ‘no group tour’ could offer. Plus, we had FUN! They told me that I should do this for a living, so in 2015 I decided to start my own business, Italy à la CARte. Since then, I’ve helped customers design and fulfill their vacation dream. Some toured for a few days, some for weeks. And some have returned again and again. (That’s what can happen when you toss those coins into the Trevi Fountain).
Additionally, I also scheduled and took customers to meet their relatives in Italy for the first time. This is one of the things I enjoy most about my job…witnessing the emotional connections that form when people meet their family for the first time in Italy).
My customers agree that the only way to really see Italy is by driving. In 45 minutes we can go from the mountains of Abruzzo to the Adriatic coastline. Within a few hours we can experience more of Italy than you ever could from a train (when public transport workers are not on strike). When you’re ready for a coffee or pastry or gelato, I know who makes the best. When a little shop or art gallery or a stunning church beckons, we stop. You can visit and take pictures. You are on your private tour of Italy, not on a bus with 40 other tourists! If you’re interested in wine or olive oil let’s talk about the best tasting tours. And when you’re ready for dinner, it’s time to relax and enjoy the specialties of the region.
Please check out https://visititalyalacarte.com/testimonials/ to discover what others have said about their ‘Trip of a Lifetime’.
…then, let’s start planning yours!
Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany
Italy à la Carte creates memories that last you a lifetime!