In 1991, three brothers from an Italian-Australian family came together to take the first steps in developing their own citrus packing company under the name, SimFresh. The three brothers were part of a family which had arrived in Australia from Italy in 1956 and were enjoying the natural beauty of Australia when they hit upon their idea for a citrus packing brand. Soon after its launch, the company had outgrown the single packing machine the family owned and began a hand-packaging project remaining in place to the present day.

SimFresh remains in the hands of the same Italian-Australian family and is headed by the latest generation of family members including Operations Manager Larry Simonetta. The Simon Etta Group of companies Larry Simonetta is a key component of are one of the largest citrus packaging brands in Australia and have recently been expanding around the world. Simonetta is a committed executive who has played a major role in the development of some new locations being explored by the brand. Outside of his work, Larry spends a large amount of time watching and playing various sports and is a committed traveler who explores different areas of Australia and the world on a regular basis.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

I’ve traveled much of Australia and many places around the world, and I am always amazed at the different cultures I come into contact with. Exploring new areas and finding out about the culture of the people who live in a region is my favorite thing about traveling.

Is traveling something you consider a hobby or a lifestyle? How did you get started?

It is sometimes hard to differentiate between a hobby and a lifestyle choice because traveling has taken up such a major part of my life since I was a child. Recently, I have been traveling a lot for work as SimFresh looks to expand into new global locations. However, I did head to Europe for a Summer when I was in college to join the thousands of Australians traveling over there every year. I’d say it is both a hobby and lifestyle choice for me.

Do you have any exciting travel dates or itinerary planned for the future?

This is going to sound like a cliche but I’m a huge sports fan, and I’m heading to England in the Summer of 2018 to take in the cricket. The Ashes cricket matches between Australia and England are a great spectacle I’ve watched live in Australia, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the English crowds compare to the loud Aussie fans. I’ll be over in England for around a month, so I’m hoping to explore some of Europe and maybe head to Italy to explore my family’s history.

What are some travel tips you’d give to an inexperienced traveler?

No matter how much you prepare, you will always have something go wrong so prepare for the unexpected. I also tend to prepare my belongings a few days before I leave then thin down what I am going to pack to leave space for everything I will amass during my journey.

Where would you like to go?

I’ve always wanted to visit Brazil to take in all the sights and sounds of a culture I admire greatly. Heading out of the traditional tourist areas of Rio and spending some time in the rainforest is an idea which excites me. After doing some research, I believe there is much more to see than just the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, and I hope to get there one day.

Where would you like to revisit?

This may not seem like the most exciting place, but when I was last in England, I spent some time in the Lake District in the Northwest of the country. It was an amazing place and used to be the home of Wordsworth, so I gained a little culture while enjoying the beauty of the lakes and valleys.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I have traveled with friends, but lately, I have been traveling for work and have had the opportunity to explore new locations alone. Traveling alone really does stretch you a little more in a positive way as you are relying solely on yourself to get around and find new places to explore.

If you could pick the top three places every person should go, what would they be?

That is a difficult question to answer. As an Australian, I’d say as an Australian every person should visit the island of Tasmania off the Australian coast. When I visited, I was amazed at the range of nature regarding both wildlife and plants I experienced. New York was another place I enjoyed as this was just a non-stop city everybody should experience at least once in their lifetime. Finally, I did love the English Lake District, and I think it’s a unique place with something for those who love the outdoors.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I try to travel light. It doesn’t always work out but I know I’m going to pick up some items as I’m traveling, so I always try to leave a little space in my luggage.