Rita Madrigali

I joined Travel Experts in 2013 and have 17 years of travel industry expertise,  however my passion for travel started  much earlier in my life at the age of 8 when I experienced International travel for the first time on visits to relatives  in Italy and Ireland. I was hooked for life!  Weekends in Chicago spent cooking with my Tuscan-born grandmother further developed my culinary sensibilities  and set the stage for  a career combining a love of cooking, food and wine with travel.  

 Fast forward several decades and over 40 trips to Europe later,  which allows me to truly excel at crafting for my clients unique and amazing itineraries to Europe in general, and Italy , Ireland and France in particular.  I am a certified Italy Specialist and France Destination Specialist. Whether by independent stay at a Tuscan Villa  or private car and driver, Escorted tour , a  River Cruise through  Provence or a Mediterranean voyage, my frequent travels allow me to  determine the style of travel that will result in the  best possible trip for each client, as well as step-by-step preparation on what to expect and most importantly , instilling  the same sense of wonder and excitement for travel I felt on that first trip so long ago (not to mention sharing my secrets for where to find the best sandwich  in Florence or the tastiest tapas in Barcelona ! ) 

 My recent travels have focused on discovering some of the lesser known regions and cuisine of Italy that would be perfect for travelers who have already visited  "the big three" Italian cities  and are looking for something different- from an Alpine picnic lunch after hiking in the Dolomite Mountains , to exploring medieval villages along  Lake Garda, to learning how to make Eggplant Caponata at a luxury B & B in Sicily, there are so many possibilities ! 

 As a native Chicagoan,  I am also no stranger to our endlessly long,cold winters , the perfect antidote to which is a few days in the sun.  In between visits to Europe,  I keep myself educated on the latest in-the-know destinations and newly opened hotels, and have visited many of the best beach and Spa Virtuoso resorts in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.

 I am very fortunate to have a career that allows me to continue to travel to fantastic places and then share my experiences with my clients. I look forward to helping you design your  next exciting journey somewhere amazing !