The heart behind Travels with Ciao Bella
Meet Elisabeth
Ciao bella,
My name is Elisabeth, or as I'm known in Italy—Elisabetta.
My love for Italy didn't begin with this business... it began with a feeling.
How Tuscany became part of my life
The first time I visited Italy in 1998, something stayed with me. Even after returning to California, I couldn't quite let it go—the way life slowed down, the beauty in everyday moments, the warmth of the people, the deep appreciation for living well.
Years later, after a difficult chapter in my life, I made a decision that changed everything. I sold my belongings, left California, and moved across the world to Tuscany in 2019—following a dream that had quietly lived inside me for years.
Not long after, I met my husband in Italy, in a small town called Magliano in Toscana, along the Tuscan coast. What started as a dream turned into a life—one filled with love, culture, and a completely different way of experiencing the world.
Today, I live between the United States and Italy, and I've come to understand something deeply: Italy isn't just a place you visit… it's something you feel.
Why I created Travels with Ciao Bella
Over the years, friends, family, and even strangers would ask me the same question: “How do I experience Italy the way you do?”
Not the rushed tours. Not the crowded itineraries. But the real Italy.
The Italy of hidden villages, long lunches, quiet moments, and meaningful connections.
That's why I created Travels with Ciao Bella.
To offer something different—an experience that goes beyond tourism and into something more personal, more intentional, and more unforgettable.
What makes this experience different
This isn't about checking places off a list.
- Slowing down and truly being present
- Experiencing Italy through the eyes of someone who lives there
- Discovering places you wouldn't find on your own
- Feeling taken care of every step of the way
Every detail is curated with intention, heart, and a deep love for Italy.
A personal invitation
You're stepping into a world I've built—one that I now get to share with you. Whether it's your first time in Italy or your tenth, my goal is the same: to help you experience Italy in a way that stays with you forever.
Benvenuta. I can't wait to share this beautiful life with you.
— Elisabeth