About Niche Italy

Experience the five senses of Italy! Niche Italy will take you on an exploration of the sights, flavors and cultures of the most authentic locations throughout our beautiful country. We are a small business specializing in unique, intimate food and wine tours throughout Italy. We offer luxury group tours as well as private tours.

The focus of the trips is getting to know the culture of a particular region of Italy through local chefs, winemakers, farmers, artisans, archaeology and history guides, and family-run restaurant owners. Much like us, these are people who are passionate about their profession and put a piece of their heart into everything they do.



Our popular activities include:

• Traditional, interactive cooking classes with talented local chefs
• Beautiful meals and aperitivi overlooking breathtaking panoramic views
• Tours of historic areas
• Visits to authentic producers and manufacturers of local delacacies
• Luxury villas immersed in luscious gardens
• Private boat tours in select locations


Every NicheItaly tour includes amazing food, incredible wine and great company from our friendly and knowledgeable hosts.


Marco Scapagnini

Founder, Italian Wine and Travel Specialist

Marco Scapagnini is an expert tour operator, and a food and wine journalist who focuses on authentic Italian regional specialties. He began his career in Italy with the Mondadori Editorial Group, writing 23 guidebooks on travel and the food and wine of Italy. He then became the Italian specialist for DK Guides, published in London under the name Eyewitness Guides, where he discovered and reviewed hidden spots in Italy, including charming inns, secluded restaurants and small and authentic food and wine stores.

Marco worked then for Rizzoli Corriere della Sera Group (RCS) on their editorial column called Chat@Winwriting, featuring 50 destinations in Italy and the rest of Europe (he also authored an online blog for them!). A new turn to Marco’s career was its consulting activity with Italian food and wine purveyors, advising on how to sell their products on the world market. He also consults with foreign travel agents about how to create unique, customized tours of Italy, utilizing his personal contacts with restaurant owners, their chefs and the owners of charming hotels. Marco has spent the last decade between Italy, especially Sicily, and the United States, consulting and writing for top food and travel magazines such as CDG, the inflight magazine of a major European airline. Marco is an enthusiastic ambassador of authentic Italian food, wine and tourism.

Maia Lo Mauro

Maia Lo Mauro works closely with Niche Italy's Founder, Marco Scapagnini, to research, develop and deliver amazing travel experiences for clients. Maia coordinates with the various vendors from hotels and transportation to restaurants, activities and more. She takes care of the little details that make traveling with the Niche Italy team comfortable and fun.