WHO WE ARE
Get to Know Us
Ciao!
we are Mediterranean travel experts
Bella Vita Travels’ Mediterranean Travel Experts has worked in the travel and hospitality industries for decades. We have an insatiable desire for travel and to deliver extraordinary Mediterranean travel experiences for our clients to enjoy. We constantly visit the places we send our clients and we have built decades worth of relationships and expertise over those years.
Our Difference
What distinguishes Bella Vita Travels from traditional travel agencies: first, our ability to create 100% custom itineraries including accommodations, guides, drivers, and experiences. Secondly, these itineraries are based around your travel preferences and our first-hand experiences and knowledge. Thirdly, we have developed a vast network of partners in the destinations we send clients. Additionally, we form our own opinions based solely on-location research. And last but not least, we work with partners who provide the only highest standard of quality and service. We are quintessentially Mediterranean travel experts.
How it all began
Megan McCaffrey-Guerrera, founder of Bella Vita Travels, made her first visit to Europe with her parents at age 13. it was love at first visit. While sitting in a cafe in Saint Mark’s Square in Venice, she proclaimed that she would live in Europe someday. And so, a few decades and over a dozen trips to later, Megan pursued her dream. She bought a one-way ticket to Italy.
The business started out as a “travel concierge” service. While working at a B&B, Megan helped friends, family and guests organize their precious travel time in Italy. It wasn’t long before Megan realized she had a knack for planning unforgettable, custom vacations. As a result, she founded Bella Vita Italia in 2004. In her first year, she arranged 22 Italian vacations and never looked back. Over the years and after many requests from happy clients, Bella Vita extended beyond Italy. Gradually, Bella Vita expanded into France, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Croatia. Since then, the Bella Vita team has grown to 5 principal Mediterranean travel experts. The team continually travels the region in search of new gems and travel experiences to provide clients.
Meet your Mediterranean Travel Experts
Our luxury travel specialists are at the heart of your custom vacation. Our Italian-based team has traveled extensively through the region to research and hand-select the finest destinations and experiences for you.
Megan McCaffrey-Guerrera
Founder & Mediterranean Travel Expert
A Southern California native, Megan grew up in Laguna Beach and attended the University of California at Los Angeles. She spent 15 years in the event marketing & promotion business before making the bug move to Italy. The rest, they say, is history! Megan oversees sales and marketing and the “big picture” of business development/strategy for the company. Additionally, she writes for such guidebooks as Fodor’s, Frommer’s and DK Eyewitness and received her “Travel Associate” certification from the prestigious Travel Institute and considered a top Mediterranean travel expert. Off duty activities include finding a sublime cappuccino (and view to go with it!), swimming in the Med, yoga and being a “basketball” mom to her and Luigi’s son, Pietro.
Luigi Guerrera
Italy Operations, Vendor Relations & Travel Specialist
Luigi is of Sicilian & Ligurian decent, as well as a native of Le Cinque Terre area. He manages the Italian side of the business from suppliers to banking and getting through the Italian red-tape as only an Italian can! – as well as any further business development of the company. Favorite off-duty activities include working out, playing the guitar with son, Pietro, being a “guinea pig” to Megan’s cooking whims and the occasional marathon viewing of Italy’s Master Chef!
Kate Little-Paradiso
Sales & Mediterranean Travel Specialist
Certified sommelier with a masters degree in Italian Gastronomic Culture & Traditions, authorized tour guide/coordinator and travel research whiz, Kate acts a sales rep, director of client relations, marketing guru, travel host and tour guide for the beautiful Italian Riviera. She has also received her certification as a “Travel Associate” from the prestigious Travel Institute and considered a top Mediterranean travel expert. Favorite off-duty activities include hiking, boating with her family off the gorgeous Cinque Terre coast, and preparing and eating good food, with wine of course!
Christine Mitchell-De Fina
Marketing & Mediterranean Travel Expert
Christine’s love for Italy started at a young age. Of Calabrian descent, she fell in love with her grandparents’ homeland on her first visit. Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre is now her home. Christine has a MA from New York University in Food Studies and Culture with an emphasis on Italian gastronomy. She also has a master’s certificate from the Alta Scuola di Turismo Ambientale in sustainable tourism. Christine is our marketing guru handling our social media, blogs, and newsletters and research. At home, Christine is a new “mamma” to beautiful, little Lilia. She writes part-time about Italy in various online and print journals, spends time working in her husband’s family restaurant or savoring an Italian craft beer.
Lisa Dunk
Italy Travel Specialist
Lisa came to Italy to pursue her career as an opera singer but everyone knows she really stayed for the food! A native Texan, she studied music and European history in Indiana and Germany. She has lived in Venice for nearly a decade. Lisa learned the art of hospitality with working at an upscale B&B in Venice before joining the BVT team. She also certified sommelier and currently working on her business masters in tourism. Being a part of the Bella Vita Travels team gives her the perfect outlet to share her passion for the Italian lifestyle. Her job includes designing tailor-made Italian itineraries and welcoming guests to her “hometown” of Venice and taking them on the occasional Cicheti Stroll!
COME TRAVEL WITH US
We believe no two getaways should be the same and a busy life deserves the very best. We take the time to get to know you so we can help you find your perfect escape.
