At Contessa Vacations, it's all about ensuring you have a wonderful experience. To that end, we have assembled a team known for exceeding expectations.
Your team consists of:
- Shelley D’Angelo – La Contessa/Hostess
- Pippo Boccadifuco - Cuisine Count and his team
- Nicoletta Blundo – Excursion Contessa and her team
- Marina Korobko - Interpretation Contessa and her team/UE Operations Manager
- And our many friends…! And our very special mascot – Miss Gavi!
Shelley D'Angelo
Shelley baked her first cake at age 12 and she was hooked, on cooking that is! A trip to New York City and the Guggenhiem was the cultural hit. It was after a trip to a cooking school in Provence with some friends that the idea of a vacation cooking school in Italy, a country she had fallen in love with and the homeland of her husband John began to run through her thoughts. After a career as an art dealer, restauranteur and fundraiser her dream took shape and became a reality in the beautiful province of Ragusa Sicily. Known as a gracious hostess and talented chef she now brings her talents and love of people, food and culture to all who visit.
Marina Korobko
It was love at first sight- that is what she tells everyone. When Marina met Giorgio, her Ragusan husband of six years, he was on vacation in her hometown, St. Petersberg, Russia . A multi-talented linguist she flourishes on fast paced conversations – a unique ability. Her love of travel has taken her to American, England, and several European destinations. Educated in Russia with additional studies in Italy Marina has owned a language school, is skilled in Italian, English, Russian and French and recently translated on a film set here in Sicily.
Nicoletta Blundo
One would have to say that both curious minds and deep Sicilian roots run in the Blundo family. Both grandfather and father are recognized Italian journalists and Nicoletta is rarely without the answers for even our most inquisitive guests. With a doctorate in Forigien Languages and Literature, specializing in Tourism Marketing we are delighted to have Nicoletta manage our tours and excursion. With language skills in English, German and Italian and extremely well traveled our guest benefit not only of the depth of her knowledge about the region but her ability to link ideas to other parts of the world. We call her our Ragusan treasure.
Pippo Boccadifuco
When you enter the pastry shop of Pippo Boccadifuco you notice that the name of the Piazetta is a family name. No one is surprised, Pippo has made the art of pastry worthy of naming! The twinkle in his eye when he tells you he loves his work and that "my life is pastry making" you know the passion runs deep. Working as an artisan for over 25 years the love of his works runs deep in all he makes, which includes ice cream (gelato) as well as chocolate and marzipane. A true collaborator and just a bit of a flirt - he ends our chat with "my strength is my smile and the love I put into my pastry"
Miss Gavi
At ten years of age, Gavi - the trusted Shitz shu of La Contessa is quite the world traveler. Named after the elegant white wine of Northern Italy she luxuriates in her life both in Sicily and Canada. It sees only fitting that she should be the mascot of Contessa Vacations. Making friends comes with ease for this little Miss as she so enjoys meeting people from around the world.
