About Us
ABOUT US
Meet Igor Scomparin
Founder of Tour Leader Venice & Tour Leader Treviso | Licensed Tour Guide & Tailor-Made Travel Designer
Ciao! I’m Igor Scomparin, a Venetian by birth, a licensed local tour guide, a certified tour leader, and the founder of Tour Leader Venice and Tour Leader Treviso.
Born and raised in the Veneto region, between Venice and Treviso, I have dedicated my professional life to helping international travelers discover the beauty, history, traditions, and hidden treasures of Northern Italy.
But we are much more than local tour guides. We are a fully licensed incoming travel agency specializing in luxury private tours, tailor-made itineraries, exclusive experiences, and personalized travel arrangements.
Our philosophy is simple: 100% private services, no shared tours, and no one-size-fits-all itineraries.
Every journey is created around our guests’ interests, preferences, and expectations, combining genuine local expertise with professional travel planning and exceptional personal attention.
My Professional Background – A Lifetime in Travel
My passion for travel began at a young age.
After studying at a specialized tourism school in Italy, I started my career working in luxury hotels near Venice and later in London.
These experiences taught me the importance of international hospitality, attention to detail, discretion, and the personalized service expected by discerning travelers.
I subsequently worked as an international tour leader with the Globus family of brands, accompanying travelers throughout Europe, including Portugal, Greece, Russia, and the North Cape.
Traveling across Europe gave me invaluable experience in organizing complex itineraries, coordinating transportation, working with international guests, and ensuring that every journey ran smoothly.
In 2007, I returned to Venice and obtained my official professional tourist guide qualification.
My professional credentials also include qualifications as a licensed tour leader (Accompagnatore Turistico) and travel agency technical director (Direttore Tecnico di Agenzia di Viaggi).
In 2018, I founded my own licensed incoming travel agency, transforming my experience in hospitality, international travel, and professional guiding into a business dedicated to exclusive, personalized travel.
Today, my team includes more than 15 experienced travel professionals, including licensed tourist guides, qualified tour leaders, local hosts, and trusted travel specialists.
Together, we provide personalized travel experiences throughout Venice, Treviso, the Veneto region, and Northern Italy.
Two Travel Brands, One Philosophy
Tour Leader Venice – Discover Venice Beyond the Ordinary
I created Tour Leader Venice to offer travelers a more personal and authentic way to experience my hometown.
Venice is an extraordinary city, but its unique geography, canals, bridges, and transportation system can make travel surprisingly complicated.
Our mission is to make every visit comfortable, memorable, and stress-free.
We specialize in private walking tours, exclusive boat excursions, Grand Canal cruises, Venetian Lagoon experiences, artisan visits, food and wine activities, and personalized cultural itineraries.
We also arrange private airport transfers, train station assistance, cruise transportation, and other travel services.
Rather than following standardized routes, we help guests discover Venice through its history, traditions, local people, and hidden corners.
Our goal is to show you not only the Venice everyone knows, but the Venice we know and love.
Tour Leader Treviso – Discover the Extraordinary Veneto Region
I later created Tour Leader Treviso to introduce international travelers to the remarkable destinations beyond Venice.
Treviso is one of Northern Italy’s most charming historic cities and an ideal gateway to the beautiful Prosecco Hills, the spectacular Dolomites, historic Venetian villas, medieval villages, and outstanding wine regions.
Through Tour Leader Treviso, we organize private excursions, Prosecco wine experiences, luxury transfers, Ferrari and supercar adventures, helicopter experiences, and personalized journeys throughout Northern Italy.
Whether you dream of exploring the Dolomites, tasting exceptional Prosecco, or enjoying an extraordinary private driving experience, we can design a journey around your interests.
More Than Local Guides – A Fully Licensed Travel Agency
One of the most important differences between our services and those of an individual tour guide is that we are a licensed travel agency with the professional expertise to organize complete, tailor-made travel experiences.
We can coordinate much more than a guided visit.
Our services include:
Private Venice walking tours and personalized cultural experiences.
Exclusive private boat tours, Grand Canal cruises, and Venetian Lagoon excursions.
Private airport, train station, and cruise transfers, with professional assistance.
Tailor-made itineraries throughout Venice, Treviso, and Northern Italy.
Private Prosecco wine tours and exclusive winery experiences.
Dolomites excursions and scenic Alpine journeys.
Ferrari and luxury supercar experiences.
Private helicopter flights and extraordinary panoramic experiences.
Artisan workshops, culinary experiences, and private cooking classes.
Personalized travel planning, including selected reservations, transportation, and cultural activities.
Our services are exclusively private, allowing every guest to enjoy Italy at their own pace.
We believe that true luxury travel is not simply about expensive hotels or exclusive transportation. It is about having every detail thoughtfully arranged, with the freedom to experience a destination your own way.
Featured in International Press, Radio & Travel Media
Over the years, my knowledge of Venice and Northern Italy has attracted the attention of international journalists, travel writers, television producers, and broadcasters.
I have had the pleasure of contributing local insights to internationally recognized publications and participating in travel programs that introduce Venice to audiences around the world.
My media experience includes Rick Steves, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Weekly, The Guardian, NBC News, TODAY, SmarterTravel, and Johnny Jet, alongside professional work connected with Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Il Gazzettino, and regional heritage and tourism initiatives.
Rick Steves – Travel Guides, Radio & Monday Night Travel
My professional connection with Rick Steves is a particularly meaningful part of my career.
Since 2008, my name has appeared in Rick Steves’ travel guidebooks, and I have participated in travel discussions about Venice and its extraordinary lagoon.
Travel with Rick Steves – Program 812: What’s New in Venice
In this radio program, I joined the discussion as a local Venice expert, sharing insights into the city, its evolving tourism landscape, and what visitors should know when planning their stay.
Listen to Rick Steves Radio – Program 812
Travel with Rick Steves – Program 833: Venetian Lagoon
In this episode, I discussed the Venetian Lagoon, its islands, local communities, history, and environmental challenges.
The program also included an additional audio segment about San Michele, Venice’s historic cemetery island.
Listen to Rick Steves Radio – Program 833
Venice Travel Tips – Rick Steves Audio Europe
An additional audio recording dedicated to practical Venice travel advice and local insights.
Monday Night Travel – With Ben Green
I also participated in a Monday Night Travel presentation with Ben Green, sharing my knowledge of Venice with an audience of American travelers.
Watch the Monday Night Travel video
Monday Night Travel – With Rick Steves
Another video presentation connected with Rick Steves’ travel programming and Venice.
Condé Nast Traveler – 10 Things Locals Want You to Know About Venice
August 13, 2014
I contributed local advice and insights to the Condé Nast Traveler article “10 Things Locals Want You to Know About Venice.”
The feature explores the city through the eyes of residents, highlighting local traditions, cultural insights, and the importance of discovering Venice beyond its famous landmarks.
The article acknowledges my contribution as a Venetian local host.
Read the Condé Nast Traveler article
Travel Weekly – Dispatch, Venice: Our Own Local Expert
May 23, 2014
I was featured in Travel Weekly, one of the leading publications serving the American travel industry.
In the article “Dispatch, Venice: Our Own Local Expert,” journalist Michelle Baran described my work as a local host with Monograms, part of the Globus family of brands.
The article highlights the importance of personal assistance, local expertise, and practical travel advice when visiting Venice.
It also offers an insight into the professional experience that later inspired me to establish my own travel agency.
Read the Travel Weekly feature
The Guardian – Venice and International Celebrity Tourism
January 16, 2026
I was interviewed by The Guardian for an article exploring the international fascination with locations associated with the Venice wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez.
The story examined how celebrity events influence visitor interests and how travelers have become curious about the city’s famous hotels, waterfront locations, and historic settings.
My contribution provided a local guide’s perspective on the changing interests of international visitors.
NBC News & TODAY – Venice in the International Spotlight
Venice’s role as the setting for the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez attracted extensive international media attention.
My local knowledge and professional experience have been relevant to news coverage about the city, its historic venues, and the logistics surrounding major international events.
Related coverage includes the TODAY article exploring the locations connected with the wedding.
SmarterTravel – What Locals Want You to Know About Venice
My local knowledge has also been associated with SmarterTravel, an American travel publication offering destination advice and practical recommendations.
The article “What Locals Want You to Know About Venice” explores Venetian traditions, local customs, and ways to discover the city beyond conventional tourist experiences.
Read the SmarterTravel article
Johnny Jet – Monograms: Venice, Italy
My earlier professional work with Monograms also connects with travel coverage published by Johnny Jet, a well-known American travel website.
The article describes a Venice travel experience and the personalized local assistance offered through the Monograms travel program.
Read Johnny Jet – Monograms, Part 1: Venice, Italy
Lonely Planet, National Geographic & Regional Tourism Projects
My professional journey has also included work connected with Lonely Planet, National Geographic-related travel coverage, Il Gazzettino, and destination promotion initiatives involving the Veneto region and UNESCO-recognized heritage sites.
These experiences reflect my commitment to sharing the cultural, historical, and natural treasures of Northern Italy with an international audience.
From Venice’s lagoon to the Prosecco Hills and the Dolomites, I believe that the Veneto region deserves to be explored with curiosity, respect, and genuine local understanding.
Our Mission – Private, Personalized & Stress-Free Travel
After years of working in luxury hospitality, international tour leadership, licensed guiding, and travel agency management, I have learned that exceptional travel is about much more than visiting beautiful places.
It is about the people you meet, the stories you discover, and the feeling that everything has been thoughtfully arranged.
That is why we specialize in private, tailor-made experiences rather than standardized group tours.
We take time to understand what our guests enjoy, whether that means art and history, food and wine, traditional craftsmanship, spectacular landscapes, or extraordinary luxury experiences.
Our approach combines local knowledge, professional organization, and personalized attention.
We also believe in responsible tourism, supporting local artisans, family-owned businesses, and experiences that encourage respect for Venice’s delicate environment and living traditions.
Our goal is to make your Italian journey personal, authentic, memorable, and as stress-free as possible.
Let’s Design Your Perfect Italian Experience
Whether you are planning a short stay in Venice, a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a fully customized journey through Northern Italy, my team and I would be delighted to help.
From a private boat through Venice’s hidden canals to a Prosecco wine tasting, from a Ferrari adventure to a helicopter flight above the Dolomites, we can create experiences tailored to your interests.
And if you simply need a reliable local partner to organize transportation, private guides, and personalized travel arrangements, we are here to assist.
Tour Leader Venice – Private Venice tours, exclusive boat experiences, and luxury tailor-made travel services.
Tour Leader Treviso – Private experiences, Prosecco wine tours, Dolomites adventures, luxury transfers, supercars, and helicopter excursions throughout Northern Italy.
I look forward to welcoming you to my part of Italy.
Igor Scomparin
Founder – Tour Leader Venice & Tour Leader Treviso
Licensed Tourist Guide | Licensed Tour Leader | Travel Agency Technical Director
More than local guides. Your trusted boutique travel agency for exclusive, tailor-made experiences in Venice and Northern Italy.
