Andrea Grisdale

I truly believe I have the best job in the world! For over 25 years, my team and I have been crafting bespoke itineraries for discerning travelers to Italy. From my early days starting IC Bellagio on Lake Como to celebrating our 25th anniversary in November 2024, it has been an extraordinary journey filled with passion, purpose, and discovery. At this milestone event, I proudly launched the IC Bellagio Legacy Foundation, reflecting our commitment to creating lasting, positive impacts through travel.
At IC Bellagio, we curate authentic experiences that connect travelers to local communities and people because we believe only people can make people feel special. Our mission is to ensure travel remains positive for everyone—not just travelers, but also the locals who bring destinations to life. By offering immersive opportunities to experience Italy at its most authentic, we create moments that are meaningful, transformative, and unforgettable.
As the Founder of the Community Conscious Travel Campaign in partnership with WTTC, I am proud to promote slow-season travel while educating travelers about the power of tourism to create opportunities and support local communities. I am also honored to serve as Vice Industry Chair for SMEs on WTTC’s Operating Committee, supporting the Together in Travel Campaign and working to ensure tourism’s inclusive and sustainable growth.
I’m deeply passionate about mentorship and lifelong learning. Each year, I join 60 exceptional entrepreneurs from around the world at the MIT Endicott House in Boston to challenge myself and exchange ideas across industries. These experiences fuel my dedication to using the power of travel to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Whether mentoring up-and-coming travel professionals, collaborating with like-minded industry leaders, or speaking on the global stage, my mission is clear: to ensure travel remains a force for good, transforming both the traveler and the communities they visit. If you’re interested in discussing travel to Italy, the future of tourism, or entrepreneurship, let’s connect!
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In 1999, I founded Italian Connection Bellagio, using my experience in the travel industry to create tailor-made Italian experiences for discerning clients. Now, after 20 years in the business, IC Bellagio has become Italy's premiere destination specialist, winning award after award from such prestigious organizations as Conde Nast, Travel + Leisure, Virtuoso, Wendy Perrin and Luxury Travel Advisor Magazine.
The top travel agencies in the world come to IC Bellagio to provide their high-end clients with the best personalized travel experiences in this beloved destination, with services such as villa rental (including ICB's own Villa dei Sogni in Bellagio), event planning, chauffeur driven tours and transfers, unique luxury accommodation and custom itineraries for individuals and families. But the real appeal of IC Bellagio's services are the unique experiences they can offer thanks to their stellar reputation and extensive network across Italy: from a private fashion show in one of Milan's couture ateliers to sampling estate wine on a palace terrace with the lord of the manner himself and much, much more.
In my quest to make IC Bellagio not only the best company to travel with, but also the best company to work for, I have assembled a staff of international experts that provide high-quality, personalized service. Ever conscious of staying on the cutting edge, ICB seeks inspiration from its internationally recognized Advisory Board and seeks to inspire young people interested in the travel industry through its Academy and internship and work experience programs.’