We are Here to Help You Dive into and Treasure the Many Cultural and Natural Pleasures of Italy

From Made in Italy Products to Cultural Tourism

Our story began in 2014 with our desire to help promote Italian Artisans.

Our early efforts helped to employ five young Artisans and for one business, to open several other boutiques.  Proceeds were donated to children's charities and schools in the United States to continue to build awareness of and appreciation for art. We believe that the beauty of art brings joy and sparks curiosity in humanity.

The history of Italian artistry is legendary.  Sadly, the income of Artisans, as author Edoardo Nesi describes, "is being swept away by hurricane globalization."  Thousands of their products are being made with cheap labor in other countries, and manufacturing in the guise of copy-cat products.  Along with globalization, the flight of young people to the cities in Europe has left fewer students to learn these ancient skills which has led to the decline of the Artisans. Of course, the economic crisis and Covid have also added enormous strain to the Italians.

With over 40 years of traveling to Italy, and witnessing fewer artists practicing their crafts, we wanted to participate in encouraging the Artisans in their work so that their secrets and skills live on. So, we began, The Best of Italia by bringing our US community some chic, elegant, Italian products made by Italy's Artisans, while also sharing the stories of their extraordinary workmanship.  This was a small step toward supporting some of the artistic masters who protect the culture.

Our aim is and continues to help protect, preserve, promote and share our Italian heritage through its rich cultural and economic achievements.

Our refreshed mission is to promote our rich Italian heritage with sensible, safe ways to travel and experience the boundless joys of Italy through cultural tourism.

Evolving to Cultural Tourism

As of 2017, we redirected 100% of our focus on bringing “our” Italy to you with a few recommendations on what to see, who to meet and things to do on your trips to experience the “real” Italy. All of these recommendations are based on the personal experiences of the founder. We encourage you to travel to some commonly known cities and to many places relatively untouched by tourism with a special emphasis on art, history, food and the beloved Italian people.

Since we are not offering products, we can direct you to our go-to “store” for Italian-made gifts. Gorgeous products truly made in Italy, can be found at the Gioia Company, in Los Gatos, California. The founder is the lovely Kathy Brigantino Winkelman who has developed relationships with Italian Artisans for the last two decades. Her arrangements support Italian Artisans and their families. She imports fabulous pottery from several regions, masks and handmade glass jewelry from the Veneto, fantastic linen from the Busatti family, inlaid wood music boxes from Sorrento and more. You can visit Gioia in Los Gatos or order online. Italian Gifts online - Italian Art and Products (gioiacompany.com)

As of August 1, 2022, we launched a publishing leg, Antonia’s Italy, a series of brief pocket guides with the first publications featuring Florence, Rome and Bologna. A fourth guide is in the works to treat you to the divine food in and around Umbria which will be released in the Fall of 2024. The content is compact and focuses on walking tours, people to meet and places to eat, side trips to explore, hotels to check out, museums and ruins to explore, all accompanied by historical information to deepen your experiences. All of the content comes from the founder’s visits and recommendations. You can find the pocket guides in paperback or as an eBook at Amazon.

Bologna, released March 23, 2024 on Amazon.

Email: Service@TheBestofItalia.com
Tele: 1 - (415) 717-6158
Copyright 2024  By: The Best of Italia, a Division of Sterling Consulting Services, Inc.