A Literary Pursuit with Joe Bennett
19 September – 3 October 2025
CONNECTITALIA-NZ is delighted to present its first tour in the United Kingdom led by the legendary author
and columnist, Joe Bennett. This special interest tour is designed to be both instructive and fun. Since 2016, CONNECTITALIA-NZ has successfully organized nine small group tours in Italy and New Zealand, reflecting the backgrounds of the company’s two directors, Beniamino Petrosino and Anne Scragg. The idea of a literary tour in the United Kingdom has never been far from our thoughts however and with Joe Bennett as our expert guide and assisted by Richard Scragg, our clients can be assured a cultural experience with a difference. Over 15 days, the tour party will visit homes both grand and humble, where some of the greatest works of English literature were created. As with all our tours, this tour is land-based, which means you can join us from anywhere in the world. Whether you are travelling on your own or with others, you will travel in comfort and style and receive individual care and attention from us.
Our Expert Guides
Joe Bennett
Joe Bennett was born in Eastbourne, England in 1957. He attended Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School and then Queens' College, Cambridge where he gained a lowly degree in English Literature but still managed to have a good time. After graduating he taught English, more or less by accident, in Spain, France, Canada and the UK before coming to New Zealand in 1987 with the intention of staying for a year. He taught at Christ's College for ten years before resigning to make a living as a writer. Since then, he has written about three thousand newspaper and magazine columns, has been NZ Columnist of the Year several times, and is now the author of more than 20 books published both nationally and internationally. His work has been translated into Chinese, Korean, Czech and American. He lives in Lyttelton.
“Some writers are rooted in place. Dickens is synonymous with London. Hardy is Wessex. I've been to a few of the places on this itinerary but most will be new to me. I look forward to discovering them all with a party of the like-minded.”
Richard Scragg
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Richard Scragg is a former Dean and Head of Law at the University of Canterbury. He has also been an Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Auckland. Richard is a Londoner with a life-long interest in English literature. Over the years he has spent many hours and much shoe leather exploring literary London and he has visited many of the homes of literary figures throughout England. A published author himself in the field of law, Richard has taught writing as a skill at the University of Canterbury. Richard looks forward to creating the opportunity for members of the tour party to experience the excitement he himself has felt in visiting the homes and haunts of leading English writers.
A Literary Pursuit with the legendary Joe Bennett and Richard Scragg promises to be an extraordinary journey!
Join us !
VACANZE ITALIANE – Come with us!
Beniamino Petrosino
I grew up and it would give me great pleasure to introduce you to this magical land and its people. In late 2015 I met Anne Scragg when she became one of my Italian language students.
I am the founder of CONNECTITALIA-NZ. I came from Italy to live in New Zealand in the 1980’s and have worked as a chef, restaurateur and consultant in the hospitality industry in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and the United States of America. I have taught Italian in schools and privately and also English to refugees. In 2003, Hazard Press published my novel “The Passage of the Frog and
The Wild Strawberries of 1942” set in the Mezzogiorno regions of Italy where
In 2016 we ran a successful cultural programme in Christchurch showcasing many special Italian foods and wines and introducing our guests to delightful Italian locations off the beaten track. In 2021 and 2022, because of the Covid-19 pandemic we were sadly unable to visit Italy so we organized local tours in our home region of Canterbury New Zealand with great success. In 2023 we returned to Italy with two groups. With our first group we visited the magnificent gardens and villas on Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. With the second group we then proceeded from Lombardia on a journey trough Piemonte, Emilia Romagna and Toscana soon after the grape harvest. In 2025 we plan to visit Sicily and also travel to the United Kingdom for a very special literary adventure.
Anne Scragg
I initially trained as a lawyer and worked in private practice for some years. I had a few years off work while my family was young and then returned to work as an adjudicator and mediator. Over time I became involved in designing and establishing specialist dispute resolution schemes in the public and private sectors. In 2015, I retired from a senior management role with the intention of doing something entirely different. One day my husband came in from the letterbox with one of Beniamino’s business cards and I thought Italian language lessons might be just what I needed! I have been to Italy several times and have loved every visit. I am confident I know what non- Italians need and want when travelling and I want to share my passion for Italy with others.
I also want to show our guests from other countries the treasures that my homeland, New Zealand, has to offer. Wherever we travel, we guarantee our clients will enjoy a unique and memorable experience with us.
Exclusive Tours of Italy
“Over the last few years we have got together to bring people a genuine glimpse into Italian culture and customs. Now our intent is to take you there for an experience unlike any other.”