About Me

Today, we have access to endless destinations, hotels, restaurants, experiences, reviews and itineraries with just a few clicks. Yet, with so much choice, planning a truly great trip can sometimes feel more complicated than it should.

I believe travel should feel different, it should feel personal. And this belief comes from more than an idea. It comes from experience.

Twenty years across the travel industry

I'm Manuela, the founder of Canvas Travel Club. I was born and grew up in Milan, Italy, before eventually moving overseas and building an international career in travel and hospitality. I have been working in the travel industry since 2006, and over the years I have had the opportunity to experience travel from many different perspectives. My career began in a traditional travel agency, where I learned the foundations of travel planning and, most importantly, how to understand what different travellers are really looking for.

I then moved into the world of tour operators, gaining experience in how trips and travel products are created, organized and delivered. I have also worked in hotels and hospitality, which gave me a different perspective on travel that goes beyond simply booking a room. Working on the hospitality side taught me how much the details of a stay can influence the overall travel experience, from service and atmosphere to location and the little touches that make guests feel welcome.

As the travel industry evolved, so did my career. I moved into online tour operations and experienced first-hand how technology changed the way people discover, compare and book their holidays.

From Italy to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Malta

My professional journey has taken me to different countries and travel markets. I have worked in the travel and hospitality industry in Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Malta, gaining experience in different working environments and learning how travellers' expectations can vary from one market to another. But my experience with travel doesn't stop at my professional life. I have also travelled extensively in my own time, and some destinations have given me the opportunity to stay for much longer than a typical holiday. I have spent more than a month in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States, which I have visited several times. I have also taken several longer trips around Europe. You get a better feel for different neighbourhoods, how people move around, where locals spend their time and how a place changes from one area to another. You also learn that the hotel, the location and the pace of a trip can make just as much difference as the attractions themselves.

• In travel since: 2006
• Background: Travel agencies, tour operators, hotels & online travel
• Worked across: Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Malta
• Longer stays and extensive travel: Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, United States & Europe
• Now running: Canvas Travel Club

"The world is your canvas.
Some places are meant to be seen.
Some moments are meant to be felt.
And some journeys stay with you forever."

Why Canvas Travel Club

Canvas Travel Club is a travel service built around the idea that the best journeys are not simply booked. They are thoughtfully planned around the person taking them.

Get in touch

If you'd like to ask me something about travel, share an idea, or simply say hello, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach me at [email protected]