Our People and Partners

Claudia Reynolds Harris is the founder and president of Adagio. A native of Charlotte, NC, Claudia lived in Southern France, Venice, Milan and Florence as part of her undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University and her JD/MBA program at New York University. From 1993 – 2002 Claudia was an international corporate lawyer who worked in New York as well as several major European cities. She had the good fortune of spending several years working in northern Italy in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

Claudia’s unique approach to travel combines the gracious hospitality of her Southern upbringing with a spirit of adventure and years of experience living and working around the world. She founded Adagio in 1999 to seek out other curious souls like herself and to create and cater their journeys of a lifetime.

A DOC (born and bred) Venetian, Fiona Giusto graduated with a Degree in Foreign Languages and Literature (German and English) at the University Ca’ Foscari in Venice.

Two decades ago, Fiona started working as a qualified city guide in Venice and the lagoon. In English, German and Italian, she enjoys showing guests the unique sides of Venice, from several perspectives: art and history, architecture and painting — all seen through a lens of Venice’s past and present. Fiona especially loves to introduce guests to local artisans and handicrafts, secret gardens and privately-owned palaces.

Explore the timeless classics: Saint Mark’s church, the Doge’s palace, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto area and its markets, the Accademia Art Gallery, and so many others. Or, venture with Fiona to explore an old silk weaving company, a traditional gondola yard, an atelier of a Carnival mask maker or of a marbled paper maker.

She is ready to lead you to discover Venice’s hidden gems!

Arianna was born and raised in the Chianti region, and is passionate about her beautiful countryside, its people, and its traditions. She studied abroad in Russia and Australia, and graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature. In addition to Italian, Arianna speaks fluent English and Russian.

Arianna is a qualified tour guide and began her career working in international business, including wine exporting. In 2014 she and her partner Alessio started an innovative boutique travel business focused on “slow” travel experiences. Together, they present their beloved Tuscany from a deep, authentic and personal perspective aimed at meeting talented producers, artisans and chefs and and getting to know their homes, families and stories.

Alessio, Arianna’s husband and partner, is a qualified sommelier. He graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences. After having spent 6 years working as a pastry chef in Bologna, Alessio graduated as an official Sommelier at AIS (Association of Italian Sommeliers). He was born in Abruzzo but he now lives together with Arianna in San Casciano, a hilltop Chianti town — otherwise known as “heaven”!

Born and bred in Bari (capital of the Puglia region in Italy’s heel), Giovanni Guadalupi graduated with a Degree in Foreign Languages and Literature (English) at the University of Bari. He later specialized in Tourism, Sport and Leisure Sociology, then traveled to Cambridge University where he earned the Certificate of Proficiency in English (in which he is fluent). Giovanni spent a period of time in Rome, working in women’s fashion and as an interpreter and translator for a comics publishing house. Eventually he followed his heart, moved back to Bari and became a qualified tour guide in Puglia and a skilled tour manager across Europe.
Giovanni has over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry and still works with the same passion and enthusiasm with which he began. He thrives on introducing guests to the incredible wealth of art, history and culture that Puglia has to offer.

Susan Eckis hales from Conroe, Texas and currently resides in Richmond, Virginia. She has excelled over the years at event planning, sophisticated catering, and teaching others methods for entertaining that dazzle the guests without killing the cook. Her latest venture is a pop-up private restaurant, open only 24 nights a year, where diners are treated to ever-evolving menus of interesting seasonal ingredients, crafted with unexpected combinations. Claudia was completely wowed by Susan one evening at her restaurant and the rest is history. Susan adores travel, and since 1990 has hosted villa vacations for family and friends in Italy and France. Her flawless taste and gift for bringing people together make Susan a fabulous addition to the Adagio team.