Meet Tom Mardegan & Leti Anzalotta, N2S Italia, London

Could you tell us three things about you both?

Tom 

• Northern Italian 
• Beauty driven 
• Always looking for the next adventure 

Leti 

• Southern Italian 
• Rooted to the traditions 
• Kind soul looking for peacefulness 

What is the story behind N2S Italia?

After 5 years in the industry, we had the need and the ambition to open our own business in order to finally promote our very own travel vision and philosophy. 

On your website, you mention you are committed to promote real people and inaccessible places. How would you define real people and inaccessible places?

By real people, we mean local Italians – full of soul, talent and character. Italy has beautiful landscapes but it’s the people who made it an exceptional country. They’re the foundation of Italian excellence.
Some of our partners include the proud owner of a boutique winery in Tuscany with a passion for astronomy and architecture – each wine is dedicated to a constellation and the tasting takes place into a converted chapel. Or a Venetian Countess who will host you for tea in her 16th-century palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice, surrounded by works of art she has collected during her trips around the world. Or a writer who converted an ancient stone quarry into a cozy “nest” overlooking Lake Como where you can enjoy dining al fresco while learning about legends of the famous lake.
By inaccessible places, we mean unique places that you would not necessarily be able to find on a travel guide. Places that are off-the-beaten-path, so they haven’t lost their local flair. Places that aren’t overcrowded because people don’t know about them and places that aren’t normally open to the public.
Inaccessible places can be the private island you can only reach by helicopter, or an offshore villa accessible exclusively by private boat. “Inaccessible” doesn’t necessarily mean difficult to access physically or cost-prohibitive – it could even be a hidden corner or neighborhood that only locals know about or a place you can only access thanks to our relationships on the ground.

How do you think this pandemic has influenced the way we travel?

Thanks to the Pandemic we will see a return to traveling with a purpose. Like during the Grand Tour era when people traveled to discover new cultures and learn new languages, modern-day travelers are eager to discover new ways of living and seeing.

There will also be a renewed appreciation for nature experiences and remote destinations, and with 20 diverse regions, Italy has a lot to offer including wonderful outdoors experiences that we are eager to share with our clients.

People are also seeking wellness when they travel, as an antidote to the technology that is keeping our minds always busy. More travelers will be looking for JOMO (the joy of missing out) rather than FOMO (the fear of missing out).

Ultimately, we will see more bespoke and segmented travel which is why we’re dedicated to creating tailor-made experiences for each of our clients.

More travelers will be looking for JOMO (the joy of missing out) rather than FOMO (the fear of missing out).

Your favourite experience to do in Italy?

Tom

Sailing Expedition in the Aeolian Island, admiring Stromboli erupting in front of you at night 

Leti

Sharing stories with locals – Meeting for example Corrado, the proud owner of a Masseria in Puglia, he will tell you the story of his family, bring you around the estate, telling you all the secrets (like an escape tunnel that was built in the 1500). You are there to taste the olive oil but everything comes first.