Audrey Fastuca
Founder
I had the great fortune of calling Naples and the Amalfi Coast home for 10 years. For the first few years, I assisted in the opening of the Vesuvian International Institute in Castellammare di Stabia (Pompei), where I managed on site study abroad programs. My experiences in the world of archaeology taught me that it is the farmers, artisans, artists, fishermen, and the like who define the culture of Southern Italy. Nonetheless, there is often a gap between the desire to access true “authenticity” while being a traveler in a new place. It was my dream to change that, and in 2012, I started Serendipity from my studio apartment in Naples. My expertise lies in my passion to share unique and personalized experiences with others in the efforts to expand educational travel to include personal exchange. I am passionate about the crossroads of literature, culture, and geography, and I hold a PhD in Italian Literature and Language from Johns Hopkins University. I currently reside in Baltimore, MD.
Group leader
UK-born Usha Waygood came to Naples in 2012. She soon fell in love with the city, which she called home for three years, during which she learned fluent Italian. Usha studied anthropology, has traveled the world, and speaks fluent English, German, and Italian. In Naples, she has a knack for the off-the-beaten-path routes…but don’t be mistaken, her British sense will get you to your destination! Usha often leads groups during Spring Break..
Usha Waygood
On site transportation
Native Neapolitan, Diego Sardella is proud to share his beloved city with anyone who visits. Diego’s private bus company has partnered with Serendipity since its opening, and we count on Diego for efficiency, hospitality, and warmth. If you need to get somewhere, he will get you there! We don’t know what we’d do without him.
Diego Sardella
Culinary Expert and “Our Nonna”
Adelina Foschini was born and raised amongst the vineyards of Benevento. A native of the wine town, Guardia San Framondi, Lina has been farming these fields her entire life. She now devotes her time to teaching people from all over the world how to cook fresh, local food from Naples and the Vesuvian region. The lucky person is the one sitting at Lina’s kitchen table.
Lina Foschini
Peppe De Angelis
Farmer by day, sound engineer by night.
Peppe has worked with some of Italy’s most famous rock bands, but he chooses the beauty and solitude of the Amalfi Coast where he was born and raised. Peppe runs a private farm near Positano where he grows olives and vegetables using traitional terraced farming. Visitors can camp in one of his cabins in the woods, swim in the Mediterranean sea, make pizza in his wood-oven, and learn how to grow the produce of Italy. He is often the highlight of the trip.
Amedeo Foschini
Owner, Vintner of Cantine Foschini (Benevento, Italy)
“When anyone visits the Cantina Foschini, they are immersed in the various stages of wine production, from the management of the grapes in the spring and summer, to the wine production that begins in the fall. Offering our clients the ability to visit our cantina is without a doubt the most interesting point of this experience. We have had the pleasure of hosting students from Canisius College (Buffalo, NY) since the spring of 2017, and a tour of the vineyards and lunch has now become a fixture of their study abroad program in Italy. We have also taught them how to make pasta and cheese in the traditional way, by hand. The interest that the students demonstrate makes us very proud of our work, and at the same time helps us understand how important it is today to pass on these traditions and to continue to host foreign students. “ Amedeo Foschini