Gary Portuesi and Jennifer Schwartz are the Co-Managing Partners of Authentic Explorations. They met in 2015 while managing their separate businesses and quickly realized that they had the same travel philosophy and a complementary skill set that needed to be fused. By 2019, Authentic Explorations was born, an amalgam of delirious love of travel, passion for food and wine, and most importantly, an obsession with showing people the best time one can have by going deep into the terroir and culture.
A little bit about the team
Gary Portuesi
Gary fell in love with travel at an early age when he and his family made yearly trips to Italy. Spending summers in Sicily and exploring the northern, central and southern regions through the years, Gary realized that the American idea of Italy fell decidedly short of the real deal. And as he explored other countries, he found the same was true. That’s when he was struck by an idea: why not allow people to explore the authentic sides of the world?
In 2002, Gary launched Authentic Sicily, in 2014 expanded to become Authentic Italy and joined forces with Jennifer creating Authentic Explorations in 2019. With a culinary focus, Authentic Explorations specializes in custom-made, high-end regional-specific travel programs. He has been selected both as a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist and to be on Travel + Leisure's A-List from 2017 through and including the current year. He and Jennifer are among just 21 selected global Travel Masters in the Robb Report.
Gary is also the co-owner of De Gustibus Cooking School in New York City with his husband, Sal Rizzo, and is certified as a Level 3 WSET wine expert.
Jennifer Schwartz
Since 1999, Jennifer Schwartz has created and run specialized itineraries throughout Europe for her clients allowing them special and private access to sites and events closed to the general public. Graduating from NYU in 1993 with a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Jennifer has followed her entrepreneurial spirit and founded several businesses including the catering and consulting company The Tuscan Turtle and in 2008, the enogastronomic association POM613. Jennifer is also a licensed truffle hunter and lives in Florence Italy with her daughter Amelie Lola Sylvia, truffle dog: Big and faithful beagle Roxanne.
She has been selected as a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist and to be on Travel + Leisure's A-List from 2022 through and including the current year. She and Gary are among just 21 selected global Travel Masters in the Robb Report.
Marco Palermo
Born and raised in Calabria in the south of Italy, Marco Palermo is the Account Director and partner of Authentic Explorations. With a passion for learning languages, exploring new cultures and tasting food and wine from around the world, Marco moved to New York in 2016 to join the Authentic Explorations team. From 2022 through and including the current year, he was selected for Travel + Leisure's A-List.
Prior to moving to New York, Marco worked in Rome in the hospitality business as well as at the US Embassy providing logistical support to US diplomats, including Secretary of State John Kerry and President Barack Obama.
The Authentic Explorations family continues to grow. Our expert travel consultants customize visits for families, groups of friends, business associates, individuals, and couples. We are on a mission to seek out the most unforgettable upscale experiences for your interests—from breathtaking accommodations to world-renowned restaurants to exclusive sightseeing excursions and more.
Five Principles We Live By:
Go regional and dive deep
We believe that the only way to truly get to know the authentic essence of a country is to focus on specific regions and explore each one deeply.
Go regional and dive deep
We believe that the only way to truly get to know the authentic essence of a country is to focus on specific regions and explore each one deeply.
Always listen
We learned early on to chew with our mouths closed and listen with our ears open. The more we get to know you, the better we’ll be at matching your interests with memorable local experiences.
Wherever you go, make friends
The principle that makes Authentic Explorations what it is today. Every single one of our local collaborators is someone we personally know, trust and dare we say love? Yes, we dare.
Wherever you go, make friends
The principle that makes Authentic Explorations what it is today. Every single one of our local collaborators is someone we personally know, trust and dare we say love? Yes, we dare.
A history lesson in every meal (and glass of wine)
Every regional dish and drop of wine has a unique story to tell. We live to hear them. And taste them.
Keep an eye on the new
We love exploring the history of every country we visit, but we also understand that they’re also constantly evolving. We always keep a finger on the pulse of each country so we have new experiences to share with you.
Keep an eye on the new
We love exploring the history of every country we visit, but we also understand that they're also constantly evolving. We always keep a finger on the pulse of each country so we have new experiences to share with you.
Let’s start planning
We’d be delighted to discuss designing a customized travel program for you.
Give us a call at +1-646-767-0089
Or write to us at info@authentic-explorations.com
Begin your exploration
