After a well-traveled childhood, Martino completed a Ph.D in philosophy at Cornell University. He then taught philosophy for a few years in the States before returning to Italy. Here, he teaches college courses in ethics, Italian culture, and history at various study-abroad programs. He has lectured at the British Institute in Florence on contemporary moral topics. Teaching rekindled his interest in Dante and "The Divine Comedy," as well as the controversy between Galileo's astronomy and the Church. Martino lives in the countryside with his wife and their too many dogs.

Italian but with French schooling in the US and in Rome, followed by a degree at the University of Florence, Manoli is passionate about history in general and Florentine history in particular. After several mission appointments with the United Nations, he returned to Europe where, for the past twenty years, he has worked in the art-world, both on the commercial side, in art auctions, and in publishing of art books and catalogues. Today Manoli lives in Florence where he enjoys sharing insights about the city’s fascinating history and heritage. He’s been a member of ICOM since 2004.

Valerie received her BA with distinction in Art History and Museology at the University of Florence, focusing on the Renaissance art market. Although German, Valerie was born and raised in Rome, making her eager to build bridges across different cultures. She also works for the educational department of the state museums in Florence, where her mission is to communicate art and culture as a means of understanding the visual signs that surround us.