About Private Italy...

Private Italy was founded in 2003 by author Mark Gordon Smith.

Mark explains, "Private Italy was founded on the premise that far too many visitors come to Italy, hardly see it, and leave. Private Italy’s explorations are structured to give clients the opportunity to enter Italy, live the Italian experience, and return home transformed by the beauty of the country and her people. By providing private chefs in our villas, and ensuring the highest quality restaurants available, we also ensure clients return home satiated by incredible meals.

Mark is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. After serving with the Army he worked for several multi-national companies in Human Resources. After nearly twenty years of work in HR, he made the decision to write and to establish Private Italy.

He has visited, or lived in, the country for over 30 years. In the summer of 2001, he lived in Florence and wrote the first book in his Italian Trilogy, Tuscan Echoes, A Season in Italy. The second book in the trilogy, Tuscan Light, Memories of Italy, was released Spring 2007.

Our testimonials provide ample evidence that clients leave Italy with both unforgettable memories of exceptional service and the desire to return.

Private Italy’s Italian Staff

Throughout all of our explorations in Italy, we work closely with local guides who speak excellent English. The company operates with bonded and insured drivers to ensure the safest and most comfortable transportation possible. In keeping with our goal of exploring Italy with Italians, we often have guides with us throughout an entire day so that our clients can further understand the country and its culture.