Tour guide in Stresa Monica M.

If dates and numbers count for anything, I grew up in the 1980s in a small, strategically located town, a stone's throw from Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, and not far from Milan. These lakes became my sea: the places closest to my heart, where I could enjoy that wonderful holiday feeling, surrounded by beauty, art and history, whenever I wanted, even just for a weekend. Milan, on the other hand, was where I studied, went to the theatre and cinema, visited museums and galleries, and discovered new corners of the city. As an adult, I decided to continue living very close to the places where I had spent my childhood, teenage years and early adulthood. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered that I wanted a job allowing me to meet people from other countries, study and travel. I dreamed of moving from one place to another, nourished by languages and cultures, and sharing the beauty of the places I love most. After studying languages, I began travelling and worked in sales and purchasing. At the same time, I specialised in translation and worked as a translator and proofreader. Then I became a mum and spent a few years as a full-time mother. In 2014, I returned to professional translation and proofreading, while also beginning to teach. I later decided to combine my love of languages, art, culture and travel with my passion for people and places, studying first to become a qualified tour leader and, more recently, a qualified tourist guide with National Level Certification. What I enjoy most is creating tours that connect art and tourism with people, literature and lifestyle. I love describing not only landscapes, art and architecture, but also the relationship between the places I have loved and known all my life and the people who have lived there, and continue to live there today. In recent years, I have also had the opportunity to teach English at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, an experience that keeps me connected to the future generations of the art world while allowing me to reflect on the extraordinary artistic heritage of my region. My greatest joy is helping visitors fall in love with this region just as I did while growing up here. If you are looking for an authentic, memorable and tailor-made experience around Stresa and Lake Maggiore, Lake Como or Milan, I would love to be your guide. I cannot wait to welcome you here and show you the art, culture and lifestyle of this extraordinary territory. Let's start our journey!