• Maurizio Tagliavia prepares tea at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia prepares tea at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia sets up a table for lunch in a suite at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia sets up a table for lunch in a suite at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia holds a tray at Villa Del Quar, near Verona. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia holds a tray at Villa Del Quar, near Verona. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia carries luggage from a helicopter at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia carries luggage from a helicopter at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia sets up a table for lunch in a suite at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia sets up a table for lunch in a suite at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia walks with a drink at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia walks with a drink at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia serves drinks to guests at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia serves drinks to guests at the Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia sets the room for guests at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia sets the room for guests at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
  • Maurizio Tagliavia instructs the chef as he prepares food at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters
    Maurizio Tagliavia instructs the chef as he prepares food at Villa Del Quar. Max Rossi / Reuters

In pictures: Life of a modern-day butler


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Maurizio Tagliavia, a 56-year-old one-time parachutist for the Italian army, had been unemployed since 2012. In February he was selected for an intensive course to become a modern-day butler and is now employed at the Villa Del Quar, near Verona, as butler for the high-end guests who rent the master suite at the estate-turned-hotel.