This Is My Story

My name is Mara Cresta, and my story begins in a small village nestled in the quiet hills of the Langhe. I was born here, in a family whose roots run deep through the landscapes of this area — generations of people who have lived this land, breathed it, and passed down its sense of belonging.

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Growing up in this corner of Piemonte meant living surrounded by vineyards, seasons that truly change, and a rhythm of life that teaches patience and authenticity. Perhaps that’s why I was drawn to the world of travel from such a young age — because travel, at its best, is about belonging somewhere, even just for a moment.

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I studied Tourism, then Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Genoa, and later continued my academic journey in International Marketing & Management at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.
But my education has always gone hand in hand with experience. I worked in a local travel agency, where I learned how to listen to travellers and translate their ideas into real journeys. Later, I became International Mobility Manager for a global company in the maritime sector — a role that took me into the world of complex itineraries, worldwide destinations (sometimes remote ones), logistics, permits, and international visas. It taught me precision, strategy, problem-solving, and how to manage every detail behind a journey.

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Then came one of the experiences that shaped me most: my work at the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board.
There, I discovered the territory from the inside — its hospitality ecosystem, its hidden gems, its stories, its people. It deepened my connection to the land I come from and showed me how much there is still to unveil, if only someone guides you beyond the obvious. Today, I work as a freelancer in my region, collaborating with municipalities and cultural associations, organising events and supporting local projects. My professional life is now woven into the same hills that shaped who I am.

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But there is another place that holds part of my heart: Scotland.

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My love for Scotland began almost by accident — a university course on UK culture and a spontaneous trip that changed everything. The moment I stepped onto Scottish soil, I felt a connection I still can’t fully explain. The landscapes, the people, the atmosphere… something resonated deeply, almost as if I had found another home.
Maybe because its rough mountains and quiet valleys reminded me of the places my grandfather used to take me to as a child — places that were his home, too. I moved to Edinburgh in 2019 for my master’s degree, and despite the pandemic forcing me back to Italy, the bond with Scotland has never faded. Every time I return, I feel that same sense of belonging. Two lands, two souls — both part of me.

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And this is where Bespoke Routes was born. From the desire to reconnect these two worlds I feel tied to.

From the idea that Langhe & Monferrato, just like Scotland, are places you discover slowly, respectfully, with curiosity — places whose beauty isn’t always mainstream, and whose true value reveals itself only when experienced through a local perspective. From the belief that travellers deserve more than generic itineraries and overfiltered destinations.
They deserve authenticity.

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Bespoke Routes is my way of sharing my land the same way I learned to love Scotland: step by step, with intention, with respect, and with genuine wonder. It’s a bridge between places and people. A way to help travellers discover differently — the way locals live it, feel it, and treasure it.

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This is my story.

And I’m here to help you write yours, among the hills of Langhe and Monferrato.