Robert Schmits

Born in The Hague, The Netherlands, Robert is the founder of Italian Adventures. He spent 7 years in the Royal Dutch Navy as an engineer and more than 20 years as a technician and manager in the international oil business, working all over Europe, the Middle East and Africa.​

During one of his assignments in Italy in 1983 he met his wife Anna and after having lived in various places in Italy they finally settled in Rome. With a lifelong passion for history and archaeology, he started extensively to explore and to study the Roman archaeological sites in the city.

In 1990, it was time to leave again, this time on a long assignment to work in the town of Gijon in Asturias, Spain. During that period Robert acquired a love for hiking by going on several hikes with Spanish and American friends on trails in the Picos de Europa mountains. Back in Rome this passion continued by walking and getting to know most of the fantastic hiking trails north and south of Rome in Latium and Umbria.

These trails are exceptionally beautiful and interesting since they are a mix of a spectacular nature with hidden Etruscan and Roman ruins to which he has taken many friends and clients. All persons he guided there remained astonished since they had no idea of all the interesting and mystical archaeological objects that are hidden in the green countryside around Rome.        

Further, as a franchisee Robert opened the company DiningCity Italy in 2006, a web portal for medium high to top level restaurants in Rome and Italy. Apart from a free booking service DiningCity also organised several culinary events, the last, “Dining with the Stars” in 2014 with the participation of more than 50 Michelin Star restaurants. In 2015 Robert opted for a change in business and lifestyle and started Italian Geographic ltd/ Italian Adventures together with his business partner Paola Fiamin.

​​In 2022, Intrigued by the ancient Roman road at a stone throw from his house Robert organised, escorted by 3 friends, a walk on the “Regina Viarum” or the oldest paved long road in Europe called the “Via Appia” from Rome to Brindisi. Unfortunately, because of some setbacks and theft of material from their support van the team did not manage to walk the complete 530 km. All four friends walked the road in historical correct Roman clothing and on Roman shoes.     

Robert speaks Dutch, English, French, German, Italian & Spanish.