Our very serious team and founders
SAMANTHA MEARINI
Novanta chef – obsessive marmalade maker – Gello “mama” – a true feeder
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I taught myself to bake cakes, then afterwards took courses to become the best pastry chef I could be
What is your favourite thing about Gello
The view from the Fattoria down to Bibbiena – it’s just spectacular
Your favourite Italian dish
Lasagna. Without a doubt
What is your worst habit
checking, checking, checking
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Alice in wonderland
Alessandra giovannetti
Bookings guru – Admin + Planning expert – Spreader of positive vibes – Control queen
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
Mmm..I don’t know if I have one, but for sure a diplomatic aptitude and smile are my superpowers.
What is your favourite thing about Gello
The amazing view and the countless fireflies on summer nights
Your favourite Italian dish
Spaghetti alla chitarra with amatriciana sauce
What is your worst habit
Procrastination and biting my fingernails
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Remy, the mouse in Ratatouille he is idealistic and determinated in fulfilling his dreams
Isa van der Sanden
Operations overview steam train – mountain lover – get up and goer – a true fixer
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I do cry and laugh at the same time.
What is your favourite thing about Gello
Community, living with people, but mostly the view into the valley that’s not a day the same.
Your favourite Italian dish
Crostini Toscana, for sure!
What is your worst habit
Procrastinate, for example answering these questions… !
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Lagertha, bold, strong and female!
Giulia Rossi
Finance fantastic – opinionated pasta taster – all round fixer of infuriating Italian mind numbing administration and processes !!
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I know all the songs of Pinguini Tattici Nucleari and never get bored by it
What is your favourite thing about Gello
the relaxing vibe
Your favourite Italian dish
PIZZA for sure! But napolitan style with bufala
What is your worst habit
not being able to say no, I will always say yes even if I will end up not doing what I really wanted
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Stitch – Strange animal with a big heart
mart hijmans
Building + Developing whirlwind – Photomaking Genius – #1 Novanta Enjoyer
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
People have called me the “human Swiss army-knife”, love to learn new things and finding a solution to any challenge
What is your favourite thing about Gello
Being part of our beautiful valley in Italy and creating a unique experience for our guests together with the team
Your favourite Italian dish
There are many but spaghetti allo scoglio is definitely in the top 3!
What is your worst habit
Eager to jump to the next project before the last one is finished
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
– Macgyver, for obvious reasons…
– Madmartigan, in the movie Willow. If they would let me, I would run around swinging my sword on the back of a mighty steed. And I have a soft spot for little people….
Igor sancisi
Concept builder – rule bender – out of the box thinker – fantasy book indulger
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I can get people to do the craziest stuff and I do a great sales pitch at funerals
What is your favourite thing about Gello
That we can enjoy the whole valley and everything that grows, lives and is built in it
Your favourite Italian dish
The strozzapreti (prieststranglers) in tomatosauce my aunt Iride used to make. The sauce had two ingredients, olive oil and her own home grown tomatoes.
What is your worst habit
The one I can mention in polite company is falling asleep while talking in the middle of a sentence
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Chewbacca, mainly because he fits in the Starwars adventures I play out with my kids
amy carr (+ Nettle)
Nature geek – Sustainability nagger – Designer + Maker – Animal rescuer
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I can pick things up with my toes and touch my nose with my tongue (Nettle just the latter, apparently!)
What is your favourite thing about Gello
The bird song, the secret ancient gardens, the wilderness nature + the endless possibilities
Your favourite Italian dish
Spaghetti Vongole and a glass of Vermentino, hands down
What is your worst habit
Constantly attempting to turn our hotel into a rescue centre of un-rescuable creatures, much to the frustration of my colleagues!
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Merida in Brave, and yes I mean the Disney character! I just need the red curls and perhaps work on my archery skills and I am there
leonard crijns
Team whip weilder – Adventure creator – Limit pusher – Storyteller
What is your most bizarre / cool talent
I have been known to host a wine tasting for 2 hours, and not once really talk about wine … the stories I did tell however were unforgettable
What is your favourite thing about Gello
The location is so remote, so isolated, the possibilities are limitless
Your favourite Italian dish
Leo “Cereals with yogurt,” … Amy “That’s not Italian Leo” … Leo “Ok Italian Cereals with Yogurt!”
What is your worst habit
I turn everything into a competition!
If you could be a Fantasy film character, who would you be
Batman – Everybody knows him, but he is just a normal guy with glasses!
