Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Giuseppe Aruta
With an extensive background in geology and deep roots in his Italian heritage, Giuseppe Aruta leads guests through medieval hill towns, the Dolomites and Italy’s Lake District, paying special attention to how people travel through their sense of taste, ...
Teresa Baldi
Teresa Baldi, daughter of veteran WT Trip Leader Stefano Baldi, grew up on a farm owned by her family on the hills surrounding Florence. She has a degree in art history at the University of Florence and when she is not helping on the farm, a working agriturismo, she ...
Amy Barnes
Amy Barnes was raised in France, Germany, and Turkey until the age of seven. While working on a liberal arts major at the University of South Florida she traveled to Italy in 1978. Visiting a friend in Florence she met the fellow next door, an Italian documentary film ...
Irene De Benedictis
Originally from Rome, Irene began traveling at the age of 17, and has lived in various countries including the UK, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, and Finland. Her love of different cultures and languages (she knows seven!), paired with her love for pilgrimages (she walked ...
Lisa Halderman
Departure Dates: September 28-October 8, 2019Lisa Halderman experienced Italy in 1973 as a high school exchange student. She earned her degree in Italian literature, completing her final year at the University of Padua. Her studies have immersed her in the world of Italian art, architecture, politics, and ...
Isabelle Johnson
Isabelle was born in the UK and has lived in the Italian Dolomites since 1999. She is an Oxford history graduate and loves connecting travelers to the history of the area, and has nearly 20 years experience leading small group walking adventures throughout Italy. ...
JoAnn Lantz
Departure Dates: October 19-29, 2019, May 18-26, 2020, October 19-27, 2020From hiking the scenic peak of Monte Solaro in Capri and staying at the picturesque Lagazuoi lodge in the beautiful Dolomites to ice-breaking (and often hilarious) karaoke nights in Naples, Trip Leader JoAnn Lantz manages to weave together unforgettable highlights ...
Tania Masi
Departure Dates: October 19-29, 2019Born in Florence, Italy, of an American mother and proud Florentine father, Tania Masi was raised with an appreciation for both American and European cultures. Her passion for hiking has started at a very early age and today she holds an International Mountain Leader ...
Ellen Santucci-Masi
Departure Dates: September 28-October 8, 2019, October 19-29, 2019Ellen Santucci-Masi was born and raised in New Jersey, but always knew she would travel someday, and she did. She studied French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Latin, knowing that languages would allow her gather insights into different cultures. She eventually ...
Vicky Sotriffer
Departure Dates: September 28-October 8, 2019Vicky Sotriffer thrives in new places as an adventure-seeking traveler and Trip Leader. She has led trips on nearly every continent for more than 10 years, including safari hikes, city tours, and sea kayaking trips. Originally from South Tyrol, Italy, Vicky now ...
