Italian Tours by Diana - Our Staff - italian tours and travel by diana

OUR STAFF

Piacere! Pleased to meet you!

Fluent in English, Italian, and French, Diana understands the needs of the International traveler. Creative, enthusiastic and always having one foot on each side of the Atlantic, Diana divides her time between private residences in both the U.S. and Italy. As a child, Diana was captivated by the wonders of Italy. Returning frequently to visit family and friends, her love for this country compounded with each and every visit. Eager to share this joy with others, personal and family trips often included friends from the states. Each journey built upon her knowledge of the art, the history, the culture, and the simple day to day life characteristic of La Bella Italia. With 40+ years of experience, Diana is truly an expert on the wonders of this magnificent country.

Diana Maiola

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

As a first generation Italian American, Angelica is passionate about everything Italian, particularly its exquisite food, rich history and vibrant culture. With a 15 year retail buying and marketing background, she has always aspired to work with Italy in some way; she is thrilled to now be able to assist others in experiencing all of the wonderful things that Italy has to offer. She studied abroad in Rome for a semester in college and has been fortunate enough to have traveled to Italy many times throughout her life to visit family. She is extremely grateful for the countless warm memories of being in Italy and for the many opportunities she has had to fully experience the Italian culture.

Angelica
[Di Lalla] Gauntner

SENIOR TRAVEL PLANNER

Carla is a native Clevelander with family roots in northern Sicily. As a 2015 graduate from The Ohio State University, Carla double majored in Communications, in hopes of pursuing public relations, and Italian, in order to reconnect with her heritage and family in Italy. After studying abroad for five months in Rome, she ignited her passion for all things Italian (especially gelato!) and enjoyed visiting relatives. She loves being in a career that combines her two fields of expertise and giving others the opportunity to experience the “la vita bella” she so adores. In her free time, Carla cheers on the Buckeyes and the Indians, hangs out with her pup Apollo and is working towards a Master's Degree in Organizational Communication. She loves visiting new places - recently she explored Scotland and Ireland, and Puerto Rico!

Carla Mazzone

SENIOR TRAVEL PLANNER

Carol (Carolina) is a first generation Italian/American. She was
3 ½ years old when she took her first transatlantic voyage to Italy with her mother, father and brother. Her younger sister, Diana (yes, THAT Diana) was not born yet. Carol has traveled back to Italy many times since then, visiting family and friends abroad. She brings years of experience from her positions with large corporations in their business and finance departments. She joined Italian Tours and Travel by Diana in January of 2016 as the Manager of Finance & Accounting. Carol’s passion for Italy is expressed in her stellar cooking and baking with authentic recipes. She enjoys spending time with her family and her granddaughters, Ella, Abagail and Olivia.

For the past 22 years, Stacey had been working as a Kitchen & Bath Designer, bringing her clients' visions to life. Now, with a change in careers, she is still able to bring visions to life- but in the form of amazing trips to beautiful locations that her clients will remember for a lifetime. Since her first visit to Italy with Diana in 2003, Stacey has been captivated by all things Italian! In her spare time, she loves to cook and bake, read, and travel with her son, friends and family. Although not Italian by ancestry, she is thrilled to be a part of her adopted family at Italian Tours by Diana!

Nancy (Nunziata) has been associated with, and a huge cheerleader for, Italian Tours by Diana since its inception. She is a first generation Italian American. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Nancy grew to embrace travel and her Italian roots. She counts herself blessed to have traveled numerous times, in particular to Italy, to visit family and friends. She brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning and relationship management. She serves on various charitable and faith-based boards and committees, and considers herself a student of life. Her favorite pastimes are cooking, reading, art, and most of all – time spent with family and friends.

Carol Pulito

MANAGER OF FINANCE & ACCOUNTING

Stacey "Anastasia" Pratt

RESERVATION SPECIALIST & ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

Nancy DeSantis

MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Shirley was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virgina. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from WVU. Upon graduation from WVU, Shirley moved to Cleveland with her husband to work for East Ohio Gas Co. as a customer service representative. After taking time off to raise their two daughters, she resumed working for the Illuminating Co. and then Key Bank. She enjoys spending time with her grandson and indulging in many wonderful culinary delights (like the giant Ferrero Rocher pictured here!)

Shirley Pascuzzi

BOOKKEEPER

Simona has always lived in Italy- she was born and raised in Florence, where she lives with her husband and son, close to her hometown. She has been working for twenty years as a tour guide in Florence, thus fulfilling her wish to share the city she loves deeply with others. She collaborates with Italian Tours and Travel by Diana as a Reservation Specialist for Italy- which means she verbally reconfirms every detail of every trip, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients! She loves to deepen every aspect of Italian culture, especially food, and she cooks often for her family and friends. She also loves travelling, reading and writing fiction.