Gianluca Canalicchio was born and raised in Rome, where his parents moved in 1960 from Umbria, when they left their life of hard work on their farm in search of new opportunities. He has a degree in accounting, speaks four languages (Italian, Spanish, French, and English), and loves dancing, singing opera, and cooking. Gianluca is a devoted follower of the Italian food channel, Gambero Rosso, and friend to many noted chefs. "My cooking teacher is my mother, whose love for cooking always amazed me. She's from Umbria, the region of truffles, pigs, game, and roasted meat. I opened a pizza restaurant in Rome and a restaurant in San Francisco, but the problem is I prefer to be a client, not a chef!" Besides enjoying trip leading as a profession, he loves taking people to his favorite off-the-beaten-path places and introducing them to the local people.
Gianluca had great energy and enthusiasm. He was a true leader and treated everyone with respect and consideration. He was fun to be around and knowledgeable about everything, and never seemed to tire of the unceasing questions we all peppered him with. He was in tune with each of our likes and requirements and made sure we were all as comfortable as we could be. And he loved sharing good meals!
This was our third time to have Gianluca as a guide and he never fails to please and impress us. He is such a wealth of knowledge, personable, and just fun to be around. We love hiking with him and we have total confidence in his guiding and his judgment.
Gianluca was a pleasure to be with, every day. He is professional, knowledgable, accommodating, and downright FUN.
Gianluca really knew the territory and made the trip ‘more than the sum of its parts’ with his effervescent personality and know-how.
I could not have asked for a more thoughtful, warm, experienced guide. He thought of everything and was devoted to making sure we had the best possible experience. And we did!
Gianluca made the trip absolutely fantastic! Knowledgeable, funny, and accommodating. Would love to travel with him again!
Gianluca was wonderful—funny, knowledgeable, patient, attentive. I can't imagine how he could have been better.
Gianluca was just the best in every way. Warmth, humor, intelligence, and organization were all fabulous. I learned a tremendous amount about the history of Italy.
Gianluca truly cared about his guests and it showed. He was thoughtful, kind, funny, and warm. A great leader!
Gianluca is an excellent guide balancing trip design, great hikes, culture, excellent hotels, and outstanding restaurants. He made sure everyone enjoyed the trip and included something for each person’s enjoyment.
Gianluca has all of the qualities one could wish for in a guide. He has a genuine interest in making sure his clients have their ‘perfect’ trip. His kindness and sense of humor made each day a pleasure.
Gianluca was delightful. As a native Italian, he provided a perspective that really contributed to the experience.
Gianluca—a great guy, excellent conversationalist, fantastic singer. He was a real asset to the trip and always made us feel comfortable.
Our second trip with Gianluca and we love him! He is kind, tactful, helpful, responsive, thinks ahead, always seems to be in control, funny, sincere, and knows this area like the back of his hand.
Gianluca is an outstanding guide who develops wonderful itineraries. It was a joy to travel with him again!
Gianluca is the best trip leader in so any ways. He has a natural instinct with people and travel, loves the adventure, and passes it along to the group.
Gianluca is a fabulous trip leader. Enthusiastic, energetic, knowledgeable, and utterly charming! His trips are not to be missed.
Gianluca is a gem. Totally delightful, upbeat leader with terrific interpersonal skills. He did an excellent job introducing us to the Lakes region. A++!
A true gentleman, Gianluca is knowledgeable, kind, articulate, funny, and always entertaining.
Gianluca is a terrific trip leader. He is very flexible and accommodating, quite personable, and goes the extra mile to make the trip worthwhile.
Gianluca is an experienced, capable, engaging guide. He could not have been better.
Great guide, great personality, great sense of humor. It's just plain fun to be around him!
So relaxed, genial, sensitive, happy, he immediately and throughout the trip sets a tone for fun!
Gianluca is one of the best Trip Leaders I have had the pleasure to know.
Gianluca is congenial, hard working, funny, light hearted, and loves to have fun. I would like to sign up on his other trips. He kept us in good spirits and made sure we were all happy.
He is fantastic! Positive, upbeat, and fun. The best!
Gianlucca was wonderful and entertaining us with opera and dancing. He was also very easy going and pleasant. He was very knowledgeable about the region, food and wine.
Gianluca was charming, very helpful and professional.
Gianluca was a great leader with a good sense of humor. I would love to have him lead another trip for me.
Gianlucca had a passion for all things Tuscan and Italian.
Gianluca Canalicchio is the consummate professional.
Gianluca Canalicchio was superb, knowledgeable, hard working, and caring.
Gianluca Canalicchio is the consummate professional.
Gianluca was superb, knowledgeable, hard working, and caring.
Gianluca is a doll! He was great fun and great support and help to all.
This was my third trip with Gianluca and I hope to do more with him!
Gianluca was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the area, the food, and the wine. He was a joy to be with.
