our story

Growing up, Lara spent summers visiting family in Venice and Northern Italy, sparking a lifelong love of travel and culture. After studying abroad in college, she made the most of her dual citizenship by moving to Florence to pursue her passion for all things Italy. During her time living abroad, she attended culinary school, worked for a winery in Chianti Classico, and perfected La Dolce Vita. After returning to Charleston, SC, Lara built a rewarding career in the wine industry, traveling extensively throughout Europe—especially Italy—and earning her accreditation as an Italian Wine Ambassador. After a decade in wine, she set her sights on a new path that would unite her expertise in hospitality, storytelling, and connection. She now thinks of her years in wine as the scenic route that led her to travel, saying, “Italian wine was the key that unlocked the whole world for me.” From that vision, Unpairalleled Travel Co. was born.