Bret Thoman has a master’s degree in Italian from Middlebury College, a BA from the University of Georgia, and a certificate in Franciscan Studies. He is an FAA-licensed pilot and flew professionally for six years logging over 3,500 hours of flight time. After leaving flying, Bret started organizing and accompanying tours to Italy for St. Francis Pilgrimages, the company he founded in 2004. Bret has written numerous articles, eight books and translated a dozen more from Italian to English. He spends his free time reading, watching films, sailing in the Adriatic Sea, hiking anywhere off-road, and wiping noses Bret lives in Loreto, Italy with his wife and three children. He can be contacted at: bret.thoman@gmail.com