Europe Trip Leader
Gianluca Canalicchio
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, 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. 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!" Gianluca also loves sports and has competed in triathlon races for many years. Another passion of his is history, which he says “is essential for our times: not understanding the past makes us see the present in a distorted way.” When guiding, Gianluca loves taking people to his favorite off-the-beaten-path places and introducing them to local people.
Our Team
Client Testimonials
Gianluca Canalicchio was superb, knowledgeable, hard working, and caring.
Alan Press
Demarest, WI
Gianluca is the best overall guide we have had on our numerous travels. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional and fun! He was very patient with our slow pace and many questions. A sincere thanks to him for providing us with a wonderful Puglia trip!
Barbara O.
North Wales, PA
Gianluca was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the area, the food, and the wine. He was a joy to be with.
Barbara R.
San Diego CA
Great Hikes & Chefs of Northern Italy
Gianluca—a great guy, excellent conversationalist, fantastic singer. He was a real asset to the trip and always made us feel comfortable.
Bill B.
Morris Plains, NJ
Medieval Hilltowns and the Isle of Elba
Gianluca is a gem. Totally delightful, upbeat leader with terrific interpersonal skills. He did an excellent job introducing us to the Lakes region. A++!
Bill K.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Italy's Lake District
He is fantastic! Positive, upbeat, and fun. The best!
Caryn G.
Littleton CO
Gianluca is a terrific trip leader. He is very flexible and accommodating, quite personable, and goes the extra mile to make the trip worthwhile.
David S.
Arlington, VA
Hiking in the Cortina Dolomites
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.
Dawn F.
Ashland, OR
Tuscany to the Sea
So relaxed, genial, sensitive, happy, he immediately and throughout the trip sets a tone for fun!
Douglas and Elizabeth M.
Providence RI
Gianluca was charming, very helpful and professional.
Elaine M.
La Jolla, CA
Hiking in the Dolomites
Gianluca was a great leader with a good sense of humor. I would love to have him lead another trip for me.
Gretchen B.
Los Gatos, CA
Hiking in the Dolomites
Great guide, great personality, great sense of humor. It's just plain fun to be around him!
Jim P.
Franktown, CO
Great Hikes & Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
Gianluca is a fabulous trip leader. Enthusiastic, energetic, knowledgeable, and utterly charming! His trips are not to be missed.
Julie R.
Bainbridge Island, WA
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
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.
Karen T.
Los Angeles, CA
Rome to Ravenna
This was my third trip with Gianluca and I hope to do more with him!
Larry W.
Edmond OK
Mountains & Legends of Romania
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.
Linda L.
Dallas, TX
Great Carpathian Traverse
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!
Linda N.
Newport Beach, CA
Italy's Pilgrim Trail
Gianluca really knew the territory and made the trip ‘more than the sum of its parts’ with his effervescent personality and know-how.
Margaret W.
Palo Alto, CA
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
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.
Marsha S.
Scarsdale, NY
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
Gianluca was wonderful—funny, knowledgeable, patient, attentive. I can't imagine how he could have been better.
Martha P.
Atlanta, GA
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
Gianluca Canalicchio is the consummate professional.
Meg W.
New York NY
Mountains & Legends of Romania
Gianluca Canalicchio is the consummate professional.
Meg Walsh
New York, NY
Gianluca made the trip absolutely fantastic! Knowledgeable, funny, and accommodating. Would love to travel with him again!
Namrata A.
Greendale, WI
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
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.
Nancy F.
Sarasota, FL
Bergamo to Innsbruck
Gianluca is one of the best Trip Leaders I have had the pleasure to know.
Natalie S.
Howard PA
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.
Robert M.
Great Falls, VA
Italy's Lake District
Gianluca was a pleasure to be with, every day. He is professional, knowledgable, accommodating, and downright FUN.
Robin W.
Wailuku, HI
Italy: The Tour of the Giants
Gianluca is a doll! He was great fun and great support and help to all.
Sally W.
Atlanta GA
Hiking Haute Provence
Gianluca is an outstanding guide who develops wonderful itineraries. It was a joy to travel with him again!
Sandy C.
Seattle, WA
Great Carpathian Traverse
Gianluca made sure every day went smoothly and we were able to learn about each area and have a wonderful time! His experience and personal connections with guides, hosts, restaurants, as well as the history and cultural aspects of this area made it truly a great trip! His friendliness and professionalism were always evident.
Sarah H.
Little Rock, AR
Gianluca truly cared about his guests and it showed. He was thoughtful, kind, funny, and warm. A great leader!
Sarah I.
San Diego, CA
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy’s Gourmet Trail
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.
Shelly G.
New York NY
A true gentleman, Gianluca is knowledgeable, kind, articulate, funny, and always entertaining.
Stephanie R.
Baltimore, MD
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
Gianluca was delightful. As a native Italian, he provided a perspective that really contributed to the experience.
Susanne R.
Brewster, NY
Medieval Hilltowns and the Isle of Elba
Gianlucca had a passion for all things Tuscan and Italian.
Tom F.
Sarasota, FL
Tuscany to the Sea
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.
Verna K.
Naples, FL
Across the Grand St. Bernard Pass
Gianluca is an experienced, capable, engaging guide. He could not have been better.
Virginia H.
Frisco, TX
Great Hikes and Chefs of Northern Italy's Gourmet Trail
Book Your Trip Today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our adventures around the world. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!