Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Gabriele.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nancy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I opened an Italian language school back in 2004 to respond to an ever-growing interest in the community for Italian language classes. Being of Italian origin and having taught classes before, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. There was also a demand by my students and friends for Italian specialty food products that were hard to find in my area so that led to opening a small gift shop as part of the language school classroom. As interest grew, more people wanted me to lead groups to Italy. In 2007 I launched my first trip to the region of Puglia – the area where I was born. Since then I’ve led groups to other parts of Italy as well like Sicily, Sardinia, and the Amalfi Coast. The groups are generally small (14-16 people) to provide a more intimate “friends traveling together” type of feeling. All that my passengers need to do is to get themselves to the airport and La Gabri-Elle takes care of the rest. The tours are virtually all inclusive and exclusive with respect to the quality of the hotels and other aspects of the trip.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge was during the last recession where it was difficult to fill up my groups because people had cut back on travel. I did however manage to do some trips to Italy during that period, compared to today where I can virtually sell out a given trip in weeks.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with La Gabri-Elle – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
La Gabri-Elle is really a three part company. The first aspect is the Italian language classes that not only focuses on language alone but also the culture and culinary heritage of Italy. The classes themselves are like mini social events, a gathering of friends while learning Italian.
The Gift shop provides an opportunity to my students and others to try some specialty Italian products which they may have never tasted before in addition to the tried and true products most everyone is familiar with.
The third leg of the company is the tours, which has grown today to be the largest piece of La Gabri-Elle. This is my opportunity to share the culture, language, and foods in Italy itself, and is the part of the company that has given me the greatest visibility and for which I am the proudest. The popularity of the trips has been so great that I have led groups not only to Italy, but also to France, Israel, and Greece in 2018. But Italy remains my specialization in leading groups a bit “off the beaten path” and culminates with my most exclusive tour which is a culinary tour on the Amalfi coast of Italy.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is a wonderful city with a mix of different cultures and languages. Italians who generally visit other cities like New York, LA, or Miami, are very often amazed that the city offers some much diversity and is in their mind a hidden jewel of our country.
Contact Info:
- Address: 223 North Route 21,
Suite 6, Gurnee, IL 60031 - Website: www.lagabri-elle.com
- Phone: 847-219-3678
- Email: nancy@lagabri-elle.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaGabrielleInc/
Image Credit:
La Gabri-Elle
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