TEAM TALK: BARBARA CESARIO
At Synergy, the magic isn’t only found in inspiring panel debates or engaging experiential classes —it's created in the quiet spaces in between. It’s the barefoot conversations before sunrise yoga, the shared discoveries during moments of down time over a coffee and the genuine warmth exchanged between people who arrive as strangers but leave as collaborators, friends and sometimes even different versions of themselves.
This alchemy of human connection is intentional. So in that spirit, we sat down with Barbara (Babi) Cesario, our Sales Manager and main POC for Buyer / Retreat Leader Enquiries, to get to know the person behind info@ — the traveller, the dog lover, the entrepreneur and one of the original team that brought Synergy to life.
Q: WHAT DREW YOU TO SYNERGY AND EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
A: I’ve known our founder, Laura Montesanti, for many years. We first met while working together at Dive Butler & Life Butler, where we quickly discovered how well we collaborated. What began as a great professional relationship has grown into a beautiful friendship built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared passion for creating meaningful connections.
When Covid hit, life took us on different paths, but one day Laura reached out to share her vision for a new project: Synergy. Having spent most of my career in the travel industry, Laura recognized a clear gap in the market: the wellness and travel sectors weren’t communicating with each other. Synergy felt like the perfect bridge between these two worlds, and I said yes straight away.
Now, as we approach the 5th edition in 2026, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how right Laura was and how much the industry needed this platform. What excites me most about my role is the opportunity to connect with inspiring people from around the world, discovering new properties and brands that truly embody what Synergy stands for. I love watching our community grow each year more diverse, more collaborative, and more aligned with the values of mindful, meaningful travel.
Q: WHAT KIND OF TRAVELER ARE YOU?
A: Travel has been part of my life since the very beginning. I was born in Rio de Janeiro, and my mother who works for an Italian tour operator specialising in South America — was the first person to teach me the true meaning of travel. Thanks to her, I grew up with a deep love for discovering the world and its people.
I took my first flight alone at just ten years old, and from that moment on, I never stopped exploring. I’ve been lucky to live in South Africa, the Maldives, Bali, and London, and each place has shaped the way I see the world.
I would describe myself as an independent and curious traveler, passionate about authentic experiences, meeting new people, and discovering cultures beyond the tourist path. I love the raw, genuine side of travel — those off-the-beaten-path places that touch your heart and still move you deeply, no matter how many journeys you’ve taken.
Q: FAVOURITE COUNTRY THAT YOU HAVE TRAVELLED TO?
A: Galapagos, Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Japan.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE HOTEL OR PROPERTY?
A: Playa Cativo in Costa Rica, Banyan Tree Alula in Saudi Arabia, Naoshima Ryokan Roka in Naoshima Island in Japan.
Q: WHAT’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT GUESS AT FIRST GLANCE?
(A hidden skill, a fun quirk, a passion, a past life…)
A: Most people don’t realise that beneath my calm, professional side, I have a real adventurous streak. I can jump on a plane with just a backpack and no fixed plans, completely happy to see where the road takes me.
I’m also quite spiritual, I believe deeply in energy, intuition, and karma, and I love connecting with people on a real, human level.
And the fun quirk. I have an obsession with good coffee and reggaeton… if the rhythm is right, I’ll start dancing anywhere!
Q: WHAT KEEPS YOU GROUNDED AND CENTRED?
I was lucky enough to be partially raised by my grandmother on my mother’s side. When my parents divorced, my mother and I moved from Brazil to Torino and she became the heart of our little family.
She was one of those strong, powerful Italian Nonnas — almost like an officer — who had lived through the Second World War. She was strict, disciplined and had this incredible inner strength that, as a child, I didn’t fully understand.
Now that I’m older, I realise that so much of what keeps me grounded comes from her. She taught me resilience, respect, and the importance of staying humble and steady no matter what life throws at you. Whenever things get chaotic, I can still hear her voice reminding me to stand tall, stay calm, and never lose my sense of self.
Q: A TRAVEL MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOU?
My time in the Maldives completely changed the course of my life.
I started my career in the fashion industry in Milan, working for prestigious brands like Loro Piana and Pomellato. Then, an event in my life made me realise I needed a change not just of job, but of rhythm, purpose and environment. That’s when I decided to leave everything behind and move to the Maldives.
It was my first experience living far from home, and it opened my eyes in so many ways. I connected with people from all over the world, discovered the beauty of simplicity and fell in love with the underwater world, eventually becoming a Divemaster.
That experience was the real beginning of my journey in the travel and hospitality industry and it shaped who I am today — more grounded, open-minded and grateful for the paths that begin when you dare to start over.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT EXPERIENCING PLACES THROUGH WELLNESS AND CONNECTION?
A: I love how wellness travel slows you down and helps you truly feel a place, its people, rhythm, and energy. It’s about being present, finding balance, and creating real connections that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Q: WHAT’S MOST SHAPED YOUR APPROACH TO WELLBEING AND PERSONAL GROWTH?
A: Life itself: the changes, challenges and new beginnings. Moving countries, changing careers and starting over taught me resilience and the importance of balance. I’ve learned that wellbeing comes from staying true to yourself, embracing change, and always finding light, even in the hardest moments.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
A: On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I love how it captures freedom, movement, and the search for meaning that feeling of being constantly on a journey, both in the world and within yourself. It’s a book that always makes me want to pack a bag and go.
Q: WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT, AND WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU’D DO THERE?
A: I’d love to go back to Japan, it’s a country that truly stays with you. I’d spend more time exploring the Setouchi Islands, slowing down to enjoy their calm rhythm, art, and sea breeze. The first thing I’d do? Find a small local place, sit by the water with a cup of green tea, and just take it all in.
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