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We spent two one-half day tours in Rome with a young woman named Alessandra. We wanted someone who would fill our family with wonder and excitement. Keep in mind, we were parents and three kids, ages 9,13,15. Being a parent herself, she related to all the kids on there own levels. We went to pretty typical locations (our choice)...and with her we skipped a lot of lines and made good use of our precious time in Rome. If this is what you're looking for: [email protected]. We had gotten her name from a Rick Steve's guide that was too busy to take us. Hope this is helpful. She does have a web-blog ask her for the address
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Have booked with Gianni of Tours Around Tuscany for Oct, 2010. Will report when we return.
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I also have used Luca from Hills and Roads numerous times and he's like one of the family. This trip I will spend time in Umbria. Can anyone recommend a guide there?
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I strongly recommend Walks of Italy for booking guided tours in Rome and Pompeii. After reading many great reviews about Jason Spiehler (the founder) and some of his guides on tripadvisor and rick steves I decided to book with them. They were prompt with replies to my questions and Jason even called to check that everything was going smoothly. I first did their Pristine Sistine Chapel tour which was wonderful, getting us in to the Vatican Museums before they opened to the general public. I also did the Pompeii tour which included the archaeological museum in Naples, which I think is a must if you're going to see Pompeii. Overall a great and smooth experience. Their general e-mail is [email protected] and Linda, the tour coordinator, is very nice. The website is http://www.walksofitaly.com
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RE: Carrara guide. We used Sara Paolini (Sara from Carrara!) for a very informative 3 hour tour of the city, a studio and the quarries in June of 2010. She can be reached at [email protected] mobile 347-888-3833. It made for a great day along with lunch in Colonnata--lardo--yumm!
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I am also looking for a guide in Umbria, specifically with an emphasis on olive oil production and tasting. Any suggestions?
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Great idea. Thanks for creating this thread, ekscrunchy!
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Fantastic information!
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I can't believe I didn't see this before.
We have taken two guided tours in Italy. The first with Luca Garrapa of Hills and Roads (mentioned above). This is another vote for Luca. We had a very lovely day with him in Tuscany. We also had an excellent guide in Hilary Bockham from Context Rome. She took us on our Vatican museums tour and it was great. She made us feel like she knew the artists personally! :) Wonderful tour guide! Thanks, EK, for starting this last year. Hope it keeps going! |
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I think this is a valuable thread, with just one MAJOR drawback... EK asked people to give prices -- yet himself/herself did not do so ... only noted that price was "moderate". Well, some people's moderate is other peoples' "cheap" and for yet others, it's "alas unaffordable."
Follow ekscrunchy 's lead (of omission) only 2 of this long list of rsponses gave a Euro figure ... it does tend to give one the impression that for the average Fodor's traveler, budgets are not that crucial. Lucky for them, but not as informative for those who must count the pennies. |
On the other hand...prioritizing for a tour my become important enough so as to rearrange the all important budget (to this fodors traveler) reagrdless of the cost of the tour. It my become that important enough to bump other things.
It is also an easy click of the mouse to visit the links given to see what prices are being charged. Not hard to do even for those counting their pennies. |
The price of my four hour tour with Francesca Caruso was 70 euro per couple, based on two couples sharing. Taht information, and more about the tour, is in my trip report.
I am not sure how much help this will be since I took this tour in 2007 but I am adding it to respond to the post by Travelerjan. Maybe this thread is not of interest to the "average Fodor's poster" but it is certainly helpful to some. There are also hotels and restaurants mentioned on these forums that are beyond the reach of many, including myself. That does not mean that some people might not find the information interesting of useful. It is certainly easy enough to inquire about prices if one is interested in a particular guide mentioned here. These may change depending on time of year, number of people in a group, state of the guide's business, etc etc. |
Agree with eks- prices may be subject to change based on number in group, area toured and seasons. So links are best, imho. :)
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We used Gianni of Tours Around Tuscany - www.toursaroundtuscany.com. Gianni was every thing I hoped he would be. We used him for driving in Tuscany south of Siena for several days. We went to Bouncovento, Montalcino, St. Antimo Abbey, Pienza, Montepulciano, Mont Olive Maggior Abbey and many small towns in between. This was for 2 days, Including lunch. He then drove us to Olivieto, were we had the day to ourselves (Gianni will transport you anywhere, but only guides in Tuscany). We also spent a day at a thermal spa for massages, etc. He drove us to Assisi with a stop in Perugia. After 2 nights on our own in Assisi, he picked us up and drove us to Florence for our flight home the next day. His prices were reasonable compared to others that I had researched. E170 per person. I also compare this price to our driver (not guide) in Amalfi 3 years ago who charged us E450, and all he did was drive. He would drive us to each town on the Amalfi coast and ask how long we would need, which we didn't know, since we hadn't been there before. He (Salvatore) spent 90% of the time us with a cell phone glued to his ear. Gianni was great-look up his web sight.
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Amalfi Coast Private Driver
A few years ago, I engaged Francesco Marrapese for a day of touring along the Amalfi Coast. He was outstanding. Francesco is a charming man who speaks excellent English and drives safely along the winding roads. You can reach him at his website: www.francesomarrapese.com |
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