Why Choose Meet Piemonte: A Registered Italian Tour Operator
Our Story: From Local Piedmont Experts to Nationwide Italian Small Group Tours
Meet Piemonte was established in 2015 as an association of tour guides in Piedmont, which explains the name of our brand. However, due to an increasing number of requests for multi-day tour packages, founders Marco and Alessandra decided to make a significant brand evolution, drawing on our team and connections with local Italian travel experts and focusing on small group tours in one Italian region at a time.
The process of becoming a licensed boutique Italian tour operator, adhering to the strict requirements of Italian law, was quite long, as organizing and selling tour packages in Italy necessitates mandatory insurance, legal support, and a complex taxation system. Moreover, it was mandatory to appoint a Direttore Tecnico, who is legally responsible for the entire operation. Marco Scaglione now covers such a role.
Meet Piemonte: a Licensed Italian Tour Operator Based in Italy
In 2018, Meet Piemonte officially became a registered tour operator in Italy under the legal name Meet Voyager srl, enrolled with the Chamber of Commerce of Asti (REA: 131678) in Piedmont, northwest Italy.
Since then, the company has expanded from a regional operation focused solely on Piedmont to offering small group tours throughout Italy. Despite this brand evolution, we chose to retain our original name – Meet Piemonte as a reminder that we are a boutique Italian tour operator rooted in Piedmont, dedicated to carrying our style and detail-oriented travel philosophy across the country, exploring one Italian region at a time, rather than hurried long itineraries.
The Advantage of an Italian Team Crafting Small Group Tours to Italy
While each Italian region boasts an incredible array of resources, activities, hidden gems, and local traditions, the logistics of a tour in Italy are much more complicated than they may seem.
- Hailing from Italy, our team of destination specialists is based there, allowing for easy, constant access to new venues, refreshed itineraries, and the most up-to-date information for our clients and guests.
- With nearly two decades of industry experience, we take pride in our comprehensive knowledge of the Italian territory, rooted in the insights of co-founder Marco Scaglione, expert local tour managers, and travel professionals.
- Consequently, our licensed Italian tour operator engages directly with suppliers in Italy, bypassing third-party organizers to maintain complete control over the travel experience and receive ongoing updates.
Meet Our Local Team
MARCO SCAGLIONE
Co-Founder, Tour Operator General Manager
Marco Scaglione is one of the co-founders of the Tour Operator Meet Piemonte, where he serves as “Direttore tecnico” (Chief Operating Officer) and CEO of Meet Voyager SRL.
Marco believes traveling is one of the most powerful experiences one can achieve in life. The outcome is personal growth and the development of our mental boundaries.
With the ease of access to so many travel options, nowadays what makes the difference is the ability to plan a trip that focuses on quality, a slow pace (less is more!), authenticity, and cultural exchange with locals.
Former tour manager and tour guide, Marco has led tours in Italy, Iceland, and Switzerland since 2007 for some of the most prominent luxury and mass-market North-American travel companies. He worked with different targets of guests and oversaw contrasting ways of planning and leading similar itineraries.
His broad perspective and understanding of the Italian territory combined with his experience with some of the most discerning guests, play a key role in hand-crafting itineraries and laying the groundwork for the overall experience with Meet Piemonte.
Marco’s secret is to pretend to be a guest on the tour he’s planning, making sure the pace of the itinerary allows some quiet time to take in the vibe of the destination. He is also an advocate of local small food purveyors and organic farms where he likes to take his clients, exposing them to the most authentic traditions of Italy.
Best preferred Piedmontese recipe: vitello tonnato (boiled or slowly-roasted veal topped with tuna, eggs and capers sauce).
ALESSANDRA GALLO
Co-Founder, Finance and Reservations
Born and raised in Nizza Monferrato, a small town near Asti, Alessandra moved to Turin to graduate from the Faculty of Architecture.
Back in her hometown, Alessandra’s engaging and outgoing personality, combined with her passion for art and history, proved key to working as a Tour Guide.
Alessandra is one of the co-founders of the Tour Operator Meet Piemonte, where she serves as Chief Finance Officer and Account Manager. She oversees the suppliers vetting process and the daily operation of the Tour Operator.
Best preferred Piedmontese recipe: “bonet” (a flan made from milk, cocoa powder, eggs, and amaretti cookies).
Meet Piemonte: A Reliable Destination Management Company in Italy
In addition to the small-group tours to Italy published on this website, Meet Piemonte Tour Operator is a reliable Destination Management Company for independent travelers, wine clubs, private organizations, travel advisors, and travel companies.
We work behind the scenes and arrange “white-labeled” tours that delve into lesser-known regions of Italy, ensuring a smooth experience from planning through on-tour assistance.
Good Reasons to Travel to Italy with Meet Piemonte
- A reliable Italian Tour Operator with a network of trusted and vetted suppliers across Italy
- Insightful and engaging licensed Italian tour guides and experienced tour managers.
- Firsthand Italian travel expertise of most regions of Italy
- On-site assistance when dealing with emergencies and last-minute changes
- A team of destination specialists in Italy with long and extensive experience in the travel industry
- Understanding of the expectations of the most discerning international guests
- Efficient and precise communication throughout the planning process
- Top-notch booking software for secure and tracked payments, with a choice of payment methods and currencies.
The Meet Piemonte Philosophy: Slow Travel, One Region at a Time
Our curated small-group itineraries to Italy are hassle-free travel experiences for curious travelers seeking the perfect balance between off-the-beaten-path gems and popular must-sees.
Our off-the-beaten-path Italy tours focus on selected regions, exploring smaller areas in depth rather than hurried, superficial itineraries. We believe that most Italian regions have a strong, unique identity rather than a national identity.
Our small group tours include the following regions:
- 9-Day Grand Tour of Tuscany from Rome to Florence
- Our Signature 9-Day Lake Como, Piedmont & Portofino Tour
- Sicily Small Group Tour from Palermo to Taormina
- Naples, Positano & The Amalfi Coast, including Capri
- 8-Day Puglia & Matera Tour
- Sardinia Small Group Tour from Cagliari to Olbia
- 9-Day Dolomites & Friuli Tour from Venice to Trieste
- A shorter 6-day Food & Wine Tour in Piedmont in our home region.
A smaller group size with only 6 to 12 travelers ensures personalized attention for guests, enhancing their overall experience and fostering a deeper appreciation of the destination. Additionally, guests enjoy the advantage of sharing costs for luxurious inclusions such as private boats, drivers, local guides, access to exclusive venues, and more, making our tours more valuable.
When organizing a trip to Italy, the goal is to immerse guests in the essence of a specific region rather than rush from attraction to attraction. Meet Piemonte’s small group tours focus on cultural exchanges, elevated culinary experiences, and free time to soak in the destination, allowing travelers to engage with Italy like a local.
Learn more about the style and benefits of Experiencing Italy with our Small Group Tours, all the Things We Don’t Do – why our tours are Different – and how we embrace Slow Travel and Sustainable Tourism in Italy by visiting offbeat local hosts, food and wine producers, and remote communities across Italy.