Massimo (Max) Malpezzi 

This month we interviewed Massimo (Max) Malpezzi, who’s worked for ExperiencePlus! longer than any other full-time employee or tour leader. Max is both Director of European Operations and a well-loved tour leader, and he also happens to be Paola’s nephew!  When he is not busy leading tours or coordinating our European Operations, Max enjoys photography, sailing, deep sea diving, and cycling. Most of all he enjoys spending time with his beautiful daughter, Eleanora. Massimo says what he enjoys most about his job is meeting great people and sharing his love of Italy with others.  Read on to hear Max’s thoughts on bicycles, wine, smiles, and women!

How many bikes do you currently own?
3—one race Colnago C40, one Lefty Cannondale mountain bike and a working road bike I use on tour: red with some chalk powder. 

Do any of your bikes have a name?
The Colnago’s name is IRBAS, the Lefty’s name is Sinister and the working bike’s name is “Slave.”

What is your bicycle thinking when it is idle and you are not riding it?
The bike thinks it is lucky because I weigh a lot!

Do you follow any particular professional cyclist?
Yes, I like Bettini and any other short riders.

Most people don’t know that…
You have to use cold water while washing your hands to take bad odors away!!!

Have you completed your sommelier training? Any wines to recommend?
Not yet; I have the third exam to do! I like a red wine from Tuscany named Barco Reale di Capezzana Tenuta di Capezzana, from the hills around Florence, and a white one from Piedmont named Gavi di Gavi DOCG. This is all I can say when I have only a line to write….
 
How would your colleagues describe you?
Now with long hair, they call me “long-haired.”  Otherwise my belly has a lot of importance and recognition! Sometimes I get “mouthy” but it doesn’t last for long….

Counter to that, how would customers describe you?
Wonderful! Beautiful! Superb! Hyper! ……what a question! Read the evaluations!!  I always think “If you like them you have a chance they are going to like you.”

Your smile is famous throughout the world, but why are you always smiling?
I do not know! Maybe its one way to get away from the risk of giving away my secrets. I like to say that I’m content, probably not happy, but for sure content! I’d like to quote a song of Angelo Branduardi that says “E la brava gente è felice tranne che per cattiva sorte”—“Good people are happy except for bad luck.”

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Working as a Tender Captain at a summer yachting club: the summer couldn't end soon enough!!

What region in Italy really has the best cuisine?
Piedmont!!!

What would we cook you for your birthday dinner?
Meat! I love meat.

What’s your favorite ExperiencePlus! tour?
This is a marketing question!! I’ve got your number! I like the Dordogne bike tour in France.

If you have a week off…
I would love to bike and dive in Egypt! One thing is for sure there—it is not going to rain….

Would you consider yourself a morning or night person?
Both!

What’s your favorite American phrase? How about your favorite phrase in Italian? What does it mean?
Think twice! That means: Hup!!! It is already too late!
In Italian I like “Chi vive degno di sè vive da re.” In your language it means: “He who lives a worthy life, lives as a king.”

I wish…
To have a world ruled by “women!” The time of the “men” is finished! We failed pretty well…..

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Meet Our Tour Leaders!

Like Massimo, all of our fabulous tour leaders are multi-lingual, creative and entertaining, with a passion for sharing their love of the outdoors, people, culture and local food.  To find out more about them, click here!