Born and raised in North Carolina, I have nurtured a lifelong passion for history, art, and travel. I first discovered my passion for all things Italian while studying abroad in Rome in 2010. It was that year that I first visited Florence and was struck by this city’s rich artistic heritage and the ongoing Tuscan appreciation for the finer things in life. I returned to Italy the following two summers to take part in an archaeological excavation in Chianti, where I studied Tuscany’s ancient roots (and learned a thing or two about wine in my free time!) After graduating with a B.A. in Visual and Performance Art History from the University of North Carolina Asheville, I decided to continue my education by earning a Master’s degree in Art History from Syracuse University, where I focused on the Italian Renaissance. In 2014, I moved to Florence for research, and I couldn’t tear myself away! From 2015 to 2017, I worked as a teaching assistant at the Syracuse Florence study abroad campus, and discovered the excitement of teaching others about Italy’s fascinating history and its critical role in promoting the importance of art in society. I wanted to continue to share my appreciation of Italian culture and decided to pursue a career as a tour guide, completing an 800-hour intensive course on the art, history, and culture of Florence and the surrounding area to earn my license in 2016. I’ve been working as a guide ever since, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to help others discover the secrets and fascinating history of this unique city!