Silvia Benetti

I grew up in Veneto, where the bicycle is not just a sport, but simply part of everyday life. It has always been my favourite way of getting around, and over the years it has taken me from everyday cycling to working as a bike messenger in the streets of Rome. Alongside cycling, I discovered climbing and hiking, and worked as an environmental guide with both adults and children. These experiences taught me to pay attention to the landscape, observe, listen and, above all, stay curious.

I have lived in England and travelled through Europe, South America and the Middle East. After seeing so much of the world, I realised how much I still wanted to discover in my own country. I now live in Rome and spend my free time exploring Italy by bike and on foot

I love good, seasonal food and good wine, especially when they are produced with care, respect for the land and a genuine passion for what people do. I love sharing them with friends and with people I have just met. I believe that travelling is not only about the places we see, but also about the people we meet and the stories we share along the way.

“As long as there’s someone who sees what I see…” — Alfonsina Strada, a pioneering Italian cyclist and the first woman to ride the Giro d’Italia, in 1924.