My third and final article in the three-part Culture Campania series, not only pays homage to the extraordinary experiences I shared with a group of Campanioli, but acts as an in-depth exploration of who they are — the people, the culture, and the essence that’s alive in this rich region.
This article takes you on a journey of humanity, discovering a deeper understanding of the people of Campania — an experience that is as giving as travel can be. One of the most important lessons we can learn as travelers is how we see fragments of ourselves reflected in different people, across different cultures. This is the essence of interconnection.
I have always had friends from the region and spent time with them, but being with this group offered a different experience altogether. From the sage to the dyslexic boy turned Buddhist man with a dream, the tour guide in ancient Pompeii, the cultural heritage lawyer, and the coffee shop owner who lives between two worlds — each person I met provided a unique perspective- a unique lived experience. Their stories are enticing, leaving you more curious about the land, the culture, and the people who shape it than ever before.
This reminded me of Dr. Ancel Keys’ experience years ago when he was in Campania. It wasn’t just the energy of the region — it was the energy of the people themselves. There is something ancient, mystical, and alluring about them. It draws you in- revealing the many dimensions of their existence that prompt introspection into different parts of yourself. That was the experience I had with these extraordinary people, the experience I wish to convey to you.
After the official Italea conference, I gathered with the Italian delegation for espresso. I was invited by Mrs. Rosanna Romano, the Director of Culture and Tourism at the Campania Region and keeper of ancestral wisdom, along with Mr. Ciro Adinolfi, Manager of Culture and Tourism at the Region of Campania. Ciro, known as the sage, shared his knowledge of Iranian poetry and the elegance of fashion, adding yet another layer to our exploration of culture, craftsmanship, and artistry.
Roberto Lauro, founder and owner of Sorrento Luxury Yacht Experiences shared stories about the diverse guests he has hosted — from celebrities like Michael Jordan to travelers seeking intimate encounters with Campania’s landscape and culture. Yet beyond the luxury and elegance of yachts and excursions, Roberto was candid about his own life, revealing a deep connection to the land and its people, and the ways these interactions shape his understanding of humanity and hospitality.
In an in-depth exclusive with La Media New York he shares with me,
“I was born in Sorrento, in a place where the sea is not just a landscape — it’s part of your soul. As a child, I used to draw boats. I didn’t know exactly what my future would be, but I knew that somehow my life would always be connected to the sea.
Growing up in the Sorrento Peninsula means living surrounded by beauty: Capri on the horizon, the Amalfi Coast just around the corner, and centuries of history everywhere you look. At some point, I realized something important: people travel from all over the world to experience this magic. I felt that my mission could be to help them discover it in the most authentic and unforgettable way.
Sorrento Luxury Charter was born from a dream: to create experiences, not just boat rentals. For me, a yacht is not simply a boat. It’s a gateway to emotions — from hidden coves, to sunsets over Capri, to the silence of the Mediterranean sea.
We built the company step by step, with passion and dedication, always focusing on one idea: sharing emotions. That’s why our philosophy is “Share the Emotion.” Today, we organize luxury yacht experiences, concierge services, private tours, and unique moments that allow travelers to truly connect with this extraordinary part of Italy.
I believe tourism should create value not only for visitors, but also for the community. My dream is to help build a system where local businesses, artisans, captains, chefs, and guides all grow together. The Sorrento Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but beauty must be protected and organized with intelligence.
This is why I’m also working on projects related to hospitality, nautical infrastructure, training academies, and initiatives that support the local economy. For me, it’s about building something that lasts — something that future generations can be proud of. I want travelers to feel something that is difficult to describe with words.
When you arrive in Sorrento, you don’t just visit a destination — you enter a lifestyle. The colors, the flavors, the warmth of the people, the smell of lemons and the sea… it’s an emotion.
If at the end of the day they say, “This was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life,” then we have achieved our mission. Roberto is the dyslexic boy turned Buddhist man that had a dream. Through Sorrento Luxury Yacht, his dream is alive.
These conversations around philosophy, Buddhism, and religion revealed the heart and soul of the region — the same depth that makes Neapolitan music extraordinary, with its poetry, lyrics, and celebration of life and love. Music became a bridge that connected the evening, from dialogue to lived experience, culminating in dinner and dancing at Executive Chef Pasquale Cozzolino’s infamous Neapolitan restaurant, Ribalta.
At Ribalta, I sat with Anna Giusti, an international lawyer specializing in cultural heritage. She and her partner Fernando Scialla shared with me the vision behind the luxury concierge business, 5DiamondExperience. Their dedication to creating immersive, personalized experiences illuminated how expertise, passion, and a deep connection to the territory can transform travel into something truly unforgettable.
“5DiamondExperience is a boutique luxury travel company born from the vision and expertise of its founding partners, each a specialist in key sectors of the luxury travel industry, including aviation, yachting, hospitality, and exclusive excursions. Their combined experience allows the company to design highly curated, tailor-made journeys where every detail is managed with precision, discretion, and the highest standards of safety and reliability.
Deeply rooted in the territory, 5DiamondExperience benefits from an authentic local perspective that only those born and raised in the region can truly possess. This strong connection with the destination allows the team to understand the dynamics of the local luxury ecosystem and to create experiences that go far beyond traditional travel.
Through a careful selection of the most prestigious partners in the luxury hospitality and tourism sectors, combined with the discovery of hidden natural and cultural gems, the company offers exclusive access to places, traditions, and experiences that remain unknown to most travelers. From exceptional landscapes to regional culinary excellence and artisanal heritage, every journey is designed to immerse guests in the authentic soul of the destination while maintaining the highest standards of luxury, personalization, and discretion.
At the heart of 5DiamondExperience lies a simple philosophy: to transform every journey into an unforgettable experience, anticipating clients’ desires and consistently exceeding expectations.” Fernando Scialla is one of the founding members and an expert in aviation. He has worked as a general manager of an aviation company and is currently a consultant to the Italian Civil Aviation Authority.
Anna’s perspective, shaped by her work as a humanitarian lawyer, reflects a deep curiosity about the world and the people within it. Among the other guests, including Sara Stinga, conversations naturally unfolded around life in New York and Sorrento, as each shared their lived experiences across continents.
Sara, who recently relocated to New York for a temporary role in public relations, became a bridge between generations. Through her, I discovered longstanding connections, as she knew Roberto Lauro and Maria Di Martino through her family.
Felicetta Stanco, also sat with us. She was genuinely curious about fashion in New York. Felicetta is a member at the Unione Industriali Napoli (Confindustria Naples), and serves as the Secretary for the Tourism Section as well as within the Healthcare section (Sanità). Her interest turned our exchange into a rich discussion that spanned heritage, artisanal tradition, and the pressures of modern fashion.
Before Italian unification, Naples and the surrounding regions were incredibly wealthy and culturally vibrant. Artisans thrived, and luxury craftsmanship was deeply intertwined with social identity. From fine textiles to intricate tailoring, the city’s fashion scene was a symbol of status, sophistication, and pride. The tradition of handcrafting garments, tailoring suits, and creating accessories was not only an economic engine but a cultural statement, preserved through generations of workshops and families.
Naples has long been recognized as a hub of fashion and craftsmanship, with a heritage that stretches back centuries. The city’s artisan workshops and ateliers are known for meticulous attention to detail, particularly in tailoring, ties, and luxury menswear. Icons such as Marinella carry forward a legacy of elegance that Naples has cultivated for generations.
The conversation about textiles and craftsmanship naturally grew as I explained my perspective and experiences, trying to make sense of NYC’s fast-fashion trend, which reflects a globalized shift in the market that has been changing and influencing society — a topic I covered in my thesis interconnecting the business of fashion, society, psychology, sociology and branding nearly 20 years ago. At the heart of it, us women shared the same values — values that make up what is known as “la sistema italiana,” the Italian system. It’s not just daily living — fashion, travel, food — it’s all interconnected. It’s all a way of life. More than anything, it reminded me of the importance of inherited culture in our lives — the one passed down through our lived cultural roots and shaped by our unique experiences.
For me, this exchange led me to deep reflections about my own life. Being Mediterranean, born in Lebanon, I arrived in NY at 3 months old. My parents raised me within “la sistema Italiana”, the Italian system as they were two immigrants that migrated from Italy in their 30’s from Sicily and Tuscan. The “sistema Italiana”, the Italian lifestyle is my cultural and lived heritage. Within my foundation, fashion has always been an integral part of my life. I studied fashion in Florence, immersed in the city’s deep‑rooted traditions of design, textiles, and innovation. My mother, Adriana was a weaver and fur designer by trade, born and raised in the Tuscan Hills of Lucca just 46 miles From Florence. Lucca is a city renowned for its craftsmanship and beauty. My mother, Adriana worked on Via Firlungo, where she created exquisite fur designs and even modeled her own work for the famous Bertolli family, known internationally for their olive oil. This was before the rise of fashion shows, models and the catwalk. She was a pioneer of her time. From her, I inherited an appreciation for craftsmanship and a respect for the artistry behind every stitch, weave, and fiber. My parents, in this case my mother deeply shaped who I am today.
These stories I shared were understood naturally by Sara as she was raised in the “sistema italiana” in Italy and now experiencing NY life. She offered thoughtful insights into navigating life between Campania and New York—perspectives that proved particularly compelling for Maria Di Martino, whose passion for travel and culture is unmistakably vibrant.
Maria, the tour guide of the underworld in Pompeii, fascinated by archeology and culture was so passionate sharing her fascinating career with us. Most importantly she is an avid lover of life. We spent the night dancing, laughing, and sharing stories. From starting as an assistant to becoming a tour guide in the ancient city, she balances her time working with Roberto for Sorrento Luxury Yacht Experiences. The openness, warmth, and kindness among us felt like a friendship that had existed for centuries. It created a space for shared learning, joy, and connection.
Interesting enough, the evenings conversations reminded me of a conversation I had the day before with my dear friend, Antonio Alderisi. Before Antonio introduced me to the Mayor of Polica, Stefano Pisani, he offered some interesting perspectives into his life living between two worlds. Antonio shares,
“Growing up in America while having roots in Cilento taught me how to live between two worlds. Even as a child, my parents frequently traveled back and forth between the United States and Italy, so it’s something that has been part of my life for many years. Today, I divide my time between Salerno and New York, where I opened my café, Arvaci Coffee East, in Manhattan together with my family. In the end, I bring a little bit of Cilento to New York and a little bit of New York to Cilento.”
Being with this group — from Felicetta’s curiosity to Ciro’s wisdom and Rosanna’s guardianship of tradition — I was reminded that the Region of Campania is more than a city of artisans, luxury, and history. It is a place where values, culture, and human connection are intertwined-where what we inherit shapes who we are - and where each encounter becomes an opportunity to reflect on our own lives. I am proud of what was passed down to me from my mother, Adriana, my late father, Filippo, and my family, as it has deeply shaped the person I am today. They provided me with opportunities to travel the world, a significance that is reflected in a press announcement by the Region of Campania’s Tourism Councillor, Enzo Maraio.
Tourism Councillor Mr. Maraio shares,
“This mission represents an important opportunity for international promotion and positioning for Campania and Naples, resulting from a strategic collaboration that strengthens the region’s attractiveness and generates positive impacts for the entire regional system.“ This official statement reinforces how initiatives like this mission connect broader strategic development of Campania and Naples with the personal experiences, cultural heritage, and artisan traditions of the ancient land.
These new initiatives are making Campania not only more accessible, but more deeply within reach. In partnership with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, direct flights now connect New York to Naples from May to October, with additional routes from Chicago and Philadelphia.
More than access, this marks a return—positioning Campania as a gateway to its neighboring regions, expanding reach through Naples and Salerno airports, and strengthening roots tourism in alignment with Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a full-circle moment on the first day of the conference led by Caterina Orlando, Head of U.S. & Mexico Territory for the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT), she shared with me these routes are not simply connections, but bridges—relinking generations of the Italians to their ancestral home. The sacredness of her job proudly felt as she holds one of the distinct responsibilities unlocking worlds from the past and present.
To know who we are, we must start at our roots- and this experience evoked much emotion in myself and my family’s legacy. It has never been easier to stay connected, and crossing the bridge to the Old World, to ancient wisdom and centuries of tradition, has never felt so within reach.
I am grateful to the Region of Campania for the privilege of journeying into its soul—an experience that deeply awakened something within my own soul.
