Our Story
No, we are not Italian! We get this a lot. We are simply two well-travelled Australians who love the Italian people, culture, food and way of life.
After several Italian holidays, both on tours and independently, we started dreaming of spending a year there, to live simply. We longed to explore but also to allow ourselves the time to really live life.
In 2015, we made that a reality. To live in another country and not just be a tourist is definitely a whole different experience. We chose the tiny village of Acqualoreto in Umbria, population 80. The warmth and welcoming we felt there soon made us feel not just part of the village, but part of a way of life that’s hard to find. We lived a short passeggiata from the piazza, in a 16th century villa set in its own 15 acre olive grove with delicious cherry, fig and walnut trees. Neighbours would drop by, delivering fresh cauliflowers, tomatoes, lemon cakes and wild boar stews. Others would offer toys to our son and invite us for meals with their family. It was a wonderful time, allowing us for the first time in years to truly slow down and feel the rhythms of nature around us and the beautiful change of seasons.
Friends and family came to stay and we would enthusiastically show them our favourite towns, homemade pasta shops, the local dairy farm, cantina and of course the best coffees & gelaterias! We derived such pleasure from sharing the local secrets and experiences that Umbria offered.
We experienced this slower way of life, loved embracing the more relaxed and unhurried pace than we were used to. We also discovered how much we enjoyed taking people on these impromptu tours, sharing our passion for Umbria and Italy.
No wonder that when we returned to Australia, we had another dream: to host small groups to the area and help others breathe in that magical Italian way of life.
Villa Santa Croce, Acqualoreto (our Umbrian home)
Melanie McDougall
Founder and Tour Leader of Verde Italia has always loved people and food. She can’t go past a slow lunch in a beautiful hilltop town or vineyard unless she’s shopping in a great Italian boutique she has found!
She spent many years in management in the fashion industry -- and naturally, was always drawn to Italy, admiring the style and elegance of Italian designers. Melanie also has extensive experience in event management, marketing and hosting people.
Her passion is in bringing the hidden secrets of Umbria to her groups - and seeing the beautiful friendships that blossom from the connections made through shared experiences.
In 2015, Melanie worked alongside a wonderful mentor and local, Mario Santoro of True Umbria, assisting to host overseas guests in beautiful Umbrian villas and deliver wonderful authentic experiences. Verde Italia is excited to continue this relationship to bring some local magic to our journey!
Nicola Barbieri
A long-standing family friend and trusted colleague of Verde Italia, Nicky brings an exceptional depth of local insight and warmth to our curated journeys. Having lived extensively throughout Europe, she now resides in Lugano, Switzerland—an Italian-speaking region—where Italian is just one of the four languages she speaks fluently, making her an invaluable asset on tour.
With a professional background as a highly organized and experienced personal assistant, Nicky is also a well-traveled epicurean with an impeccable eye for discovering the most exciting new restaurants and hidden culinary gems. Her discerning taste and insider knowledge elevate every experience.
Nicky is no stranger to Umbria, having visited numerous times—including during our residency there in 2015—and has played a key role in the success of our two most recent tours. Her presence adds a personal and polished touch that our guests truly appreciate.