We are people
Vera Italia was created to connect travellers with Italians and preserve the future of our traditions through meaningful, authentic experiences.
We believe that traditions are the beating heart of a place’s culture — and that is why they must be protected, celebrated, and passed down through generations. Jump to our story.
Our mission
Our mission is to discover and share Italy through its most authentic treasures: the local people who keep our traditions alive. We explore streets, alleyways, and hidden corners to meet the families, artisans, farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, and storytellers who represent the true beauty of Italian culture.
We call these people Culture Creators. They are the ones who bring colour to their towns, give life to Italy’s culture, share their heritage with travellers, and carry forward the traditions that shape Italian identity. Without them, Italy would not be the Italy we all love.
Vera Italia exists to celebrate these people and to offer travellers the chance to step inside the world of the true Italy.
Our purpose
Our purpose is to create moments of wonder, bring smiles to people’s faces, and make them feel valued.
If we achieve that, we’ve already won. Along the way, if we can build a brighter future for our traditions, then our purpose feels complete.
Caro Viaggiatore! (Dear Traveller)
With your help we can turn traditions into an opportunity and show appreciation to the people who continue to uphold and pass down the practices of their parents and grandparents. We thank you for your interest in discovering, appreciating, and preserving Italian traditions and cultural heritage. May God bless you on your journey with us. Thank you!
To our cherished Culture Creators
You are the ones who inspire us to keep going. With every smile, every moment of appreciation, your humility, and your unwavering determination to preserve the beautiful and wholesome customs of Italy, you give us strength. Thank you for your collaboration. We are honoured to showcase your crafts and cheer you on.
Our Story
Connection, tradition, and purpose.
If you’ve ever wished to experience Italy beyond the tourist paths—to feel its true essence and be part of something meaningful—then you’re in the right place.
Piacere, I’m Chiara Barbera, and this is the story behind Vera Italia.
Born and raised far from Italy, I grew up with the stories, values, and traditions of my four Italian grandparents. With courage and sacrifice they left Italy for a better future. It’s from this legacy that my passion was born: to honour the beauty of Italian culture and return to the homeland of my grandparents to do something meaningful for those who remained.
Vera Italia was created with a simple purpose: to build a future for Italian traditions by supporting the people who keep them alive.
By choosing to explore Italy with Vera Italia, you become part of this movement. With every experience, you’ll meet the real people behind the culture—the artisans, farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, chefs, and storytellers who dedicate their lives to preserving la vera Italia. I like to call them Culture Creators, and your journey with them is what makes this mission possible.
For me, this is more than a mission; it’s a calling. I believe God placed me on this path to fulfil this mission, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to share it with you.
Grazie di cuore per essere qui. I can’t wait to welcome you.
Buon cammino,
Chiara xx
Every step of this journey has been guided by faith and made possible thanks to the incredible people God placed along my path.
Click here to meet the ‘village’ that made this dream possible.
