Cristiano Bonino

Cristiano Bonino is proudly 100% Italian (from Turin, Piedmont), living in the Boston area, which has allowed him to broaden his experience, “hybridizing” through the balance of two cultures.

Before his career in travel, he worked as a personal financial planner in Italy, helping families manage their savings. The experience taught him how important it is not only to respect the value of money, but also, and above all, to care about the people he meets and works with through life!

Cristiano has been a devoted cyclist for decades. He sees the bicycle as an ideal way to visit a new place and, whenever possible, scouts new tour routes from the saddle.

In 2001, he started to design, sell, and guide cycling tours, mostly in Italy, with an American company, bringing his enthusiasm and energy to helping fellow travelers discover new foods, wines, cultures, and landscapes. Across many miles, Cristiano has honed his understanding of Italian regional distinctions, the importance of conviviality at the table, and the value of sharing the stories of our lives. 

On moving to the U.S., he was at first surprised by how passionate many Americans are for Italy. It has helped him little by little to grow his pride in his heritage. He is happy to live in the U.S., provided that life and work allow him to return a few times a year to reconnect with roots, friends, foods, wines, recipes, and the special atmosphere of a country that, given local differences, could easily be called the “United Regions of Italy!”  

In 2013, Cristiano launched Food.Stories.Travel., a small tour operator offering educational, guided journeys around the Mediterranean, by foot or by bicycle. Food.Stories.Travel. focuses on the specificity of place and on local farmers and foodmakers, hearing their stories and tasting their works.