Summers spent travelling across Spain and winters harvesting olives on her family’s estate fostered Ainoa’s early appreciation for heritage, hospitality and the joy of shared moments around the table. A decade in the global fashion industry refined her eye for detail and strengthened her understanding of design, craftsmanship and service. She now brings this unique perception to her role curating Italian villa stays across Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Lakes, Puglia and beyond.
How long have you worked in travel?
I’ve been specialising in Italian villas since 2023, but I spent almost ten unforgettable years travelling the world in fashion before that.
What do you never travel without?
My trusty slippers! After a day exploring or travelling long haul, nothing beats slipping into them and feeling instantly at home.
What would you wish you had with you if you were stranded on a desert island for six months and why? You can choose a luxury and something practical.
Coffee!! Picture this: enjoying your morning cup while watching the sun rise over the ocean…pure bliss. For something practical, a solar-powered water purifier. Let’s face it, water can taste horrendous sometimes, but clean water keeps you going – and is essential for brewing good coffee!
If you could travel with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
The perfect blend of Antoni Gaudí and Ernest Hemingway. Gaudí’s creative, visionary spirit paired with Hemingway’s adventurous soul – it would be a journey full of beauty, stories, and unexpected discoveries.
What is your most memorable travel moment?
Harvesting olives in a tiny village in Puglia, working alongside the villagers, and tasting freshly pressed olive oil – it was grounding and deeply soul-stirring.
What was your worst travel disaster?
What I thought would be a relaxing evening quickly turned into a full-blown comedy of errors. I locked myself out of my hotel room…in my nightgown, face mask, hair curlers, and holding a handful of beauty potions. I’d simply stepped out to fetch ice when the door clicked shut behind me – key card safely inside. There I was, wandering the corridors in full pampering mode, trying not to cry with embarrassment. Lesson learned: always call hotel room service. Mortifying at the time, but now it gets guaranteed laughs at dinner parties!
What’s your secret hidden gem (such as a little bookshop, restaurant, café, little-known museum/gallery, artisan shop)?
A secluded vineyard in Tuscany where the ancient art of winemaking is still honoured. Walking between the vines, watching traditional barrel-making, and tasting wine crafted with centuries of care.
What’s the most unusual client request you’ve received and were you able to fulfil it?
We had a brilliant group staying at one of the most luxurious and renowned villas on Lake Como. Their request? Chicken nuggets for their arrival. The chef was initially baffled and offered every sophisticated alternative imaginable, before realising they were absolutely serious. We arranged a full American-style bucket of nuggets for their welcome. Everyone deserves a taste of home – even in the lap of luxury!
If you hadn’t worked in travel, what would you have liked to have done?
I’d likely still be in the fashion world – sourcing fabrics, discovering hidden ateliers, and curating beauty around the globe. Travel and aesthetics go hand in hand for me.
If you could retire to anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Australia! Without a doubt. It has the perfect mix of beautiful coastlines, amazing marine life, vibrant cities, great food, and an easy outdoor lifestyle. There’s so much to explore on this incredible continent, and with New Zealand just next door, the adventures never really end. It feels like the ideal place to enjoy a relaxed yet endlessly interesting retirement.
Favourite book(s) and why?
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery – for its celebration of beauty in everyday life; and A Moveable Feast by Hemingway – for its irresistible sense of place and wanderlust. Both whisk me away the moment I open them.
