Founder & CEO, Cassandra Lena Santoro

 Italian Travel Expert and Your Travel Consultant

I grew up like many other Italian-Americans—helping Nonna cut the mozzarella in our family-owned pizzeria, pasta on Sundays and learning from Nonno how to grow the perfect tomatoes in a garden.  

Life was simple. My only worries were if I would ever understand that crazy Sicilian dialect that was being spoken throughout the house. 

The family life was great until 2002 when everything changed. 

This was the year I lost my father to cancer.  It was through him that our family  had been blessed to be part of this Italian community, so not only did I lose him, I lost a part of my culture.

After his loss I grieved, but not in the way I thought I would....

See, prior to this tragedy I had everything planned—buy a big house in the suburbs, start a new career in New York City and fill my weekends with fancy parties, restaurants and people.

Just upon accepting an event planning job in NY, I suddenly had an idea that I may want to go abroad and find my heritage once again.  Days later, appeared a "pop-up" on my screen promoting internships in Italy.  It took one click on that link to make me realize what I needed to do.

Three short weeks later I was on my first trip ever to Europe.  When I arrived, I felt more at home than I have any where anywhere else in the world. At that moment I realized that my paths had changed and I would never be the same.

In Italy, I soon learned that fantastic meals can cost under 10 euro, a great coffee does not have to be longer than a shot of espresso, and that it is possible to love every day of your life. 

Upon returning from those three months abroad I knew I must live in this country. After two years I applied for my dual-citizenship and with a few bags in hand I moved to Florence.

During this time I was determined to find the real and authentic Italy. So I began to travel throughout Italia making wonderful local friends, tasting amazing regional specialties and I even had the opportunity to work for two fantastic tour companies.

It was a wonderful life changing adventure and I dreamed that one day I could bestow this very same experience upon others. 

This is what inspired Travel Italian Style and inspires me to empower women all over the world.

Now I am here to personally guide you on an amazing trip/journey that will open up the doors to discovering the simple joys of Italy and quite possibly even life and yourself.

Quick Fun Facts about Cassandra

• I am a want to be Wino! Not only do I love it, I worked for 4 years at a vineyard on the North Fork of Long Island, NY!
• M & M's and Swiss chocolate are my weakness 
• Currently I am being certified in Integrative Wellness & Life Coaching
• My event planning background started at the age of 19 when I organized my parent's vow renewal
• Fifty-four is the number of times I have walked the scavi of Pompeii (and I still love exploring the site)
• Besides my travel career, corporate companies such as Sleepy's & the YES Network are on my resume
• I learned Italian from working at a restaurant in Italy & the bus drivers (from being a tour guide) during my first travel job
• Seven chapters are completed in my upcoming book (Stay Tuned)!
• A few of my favorite things (besides all things Italian): Autumn, beaches, NYC rooftops, sparkling wine, laughing and sunshine :)