Who are we?
Rome Today Tours organizes custom tours of Italy. The idea came from Rome Today TV, a television production company specializing in news, food and wine segments for private and public organizations in Rome and Italy. Rome Today TV cameras have documented many of Italy’s untold stories — large and small, old and new. We’ve produced segments for the City of Rome and the United Nations, the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Conclave, and the election of Pope Francis.
Our food and wine segments feature Italian towns and vineyards near and far. Whether it's a local gelateria opening its first location in Istanbul or visiting a tree producing the world's most ancient olive oil, we’re not afraid of getting our hands a little dirty.
Araceli Cardenas-Bon
Araceli Cardenas-Bon is an independent consultant who specializes in communications and multimedia at the United Nations in Rome, where she has worked since 2006. Prior to the United Nations, she was a producer for two major networks, Telemundo and NBC.
Cardenas-Bon is the host and executive producer of Rome Today TV. The show includes food and wine segments, art, history, culture and more. When she’s not in the kitchen, she dedicates her expertise to covering international news with Rome Today TV. The company offers its own correspondents to report breaking news on behalf of television networks worldwide. Throughout the year, she hosts Rome Today Tours for first time visitors or Italian enthusiasts to enjoy the best sites, food and wine in Italy.
Cardenas-Bon is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. She has a Master of Arts in communication studies from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and speaks Italian, Spanish and English fluently.
Desiree Prieto Groft
Desiree fell in love with Italy while living in Rome during college. Afterwards, she worked for the Vatican exhibit touring North America and for a European tour operator, during which she continued exploring the continent. She reviewed five-star hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury trains, castles and hidden gems. In the last decade she has also lived and worked in London, Chicago and New York City. Originally from Texas, her work has appeared in the San Antonio Current, NBC Chicago, VH1, Rome Today TV, and more. Desiree has an M.A. in English Literature and an M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing from The New School.