For years we had been comfortable in our corporate stressful life, but, what happens when that life takes a full 360 degree turn: we have the birth of Italian Encounters, of course.

The founders of Italian Encounters, Marianna Di Marino and Liana Di Stefano, after much soul-searching and reflection, decided to take the plunge to pursue their great passion and bring to life their nostalgia for their Italian heritage. 

Marianna was born in Torricella Peligna, a small township in the province of Chieti, in the central Italian region of Abruzzo--in the 1950's an impoverished and isolated region of Italy. The land many of the families cultivated produced barely enough to provide for their own needs.  

Seeking a brighter future, her family uprooted, making the long journey by boat to resettle in Australia. Separation from the rest of the family made the first years in this foreign land very lonely. So, over the years she made many trips to reconnect with her heritage, which deepened her love for the land of her birth, its language, natural beauty, architecture, art, cuisine, etc.

Marianna Di Marino

Liana was born in the 1960‘s in Australia of Italian parents who themselves had migrated from the same town in Italy’s Abruzzo region. Her first trip to Italy was as a five year old when her family boarded the cruise boat Marconi and took the long trip back via the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.  She has fond memories of being on her grandmother’s farm, picking fresh figs from the trees, playing with cousins in a room where the floor was covered in shucked corn up to their knees and riding on a donkey with her sister, each of them sitting in huge wicker baskets the animal wore across its back. She remembers riding in a tiny Fiat 500 with luggage strapped to the roof while her family made the huge holiday trek from central Italy to Switzerland. She went to Italy not speaking Italian and came back not speaking English. Having gotten the travel bug at that young age she has since returned numerous times and lived in Italy for a year at the age of 21. 

For the first years of their life in Australia, Marianna’s and Liana’s family shared a house together in Sydney’s suburban Five Dock. Over the years their lives took on different directions, but they have remained constant friends and with their paths crossing once more, are now partners in Italian Encounters.

Marianna's Mum: Annina & Liana Di Stefano

Liana with her parents Leandro & Vincenza

Marianna and Liana are very excited about their new venture, and through Italian Encounters want you to share the passion for all things Italian.