PRIVATE GUIDES IN ITALY--MASTER LIST
Jun 3rd, 2014, 02:12 PM
#143
Join Date: Oct 2013
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I just want to mention that Daniella Hunt, mentioned several times, is a licensed guide. Here is a list of licensed guides in Rome:
http://www.provincia.roma.it/sites/d...al22052014.pdf
Most provinces have similar lists you can consult.
I once, over ten years ago, took a tour of the Roman Forum with Daniella Hunt, and I agree that she's both very knowledgeable and also personable. She is a classics scholar who came to Rome to do some research and never left. Besides her work as a tour guide, she's a consultant on archaeological digs. She's really ideal for ancient Roman sites, but I imagine she'd be good for other periods as well.
However, I wouldn't agree that there's no excuse not to get a license as a tour guide. The decks are a bit stacked against non-Italians, because in most provinces you either have to have an Italian degree in a field such as art history, archaeology, architecture, or the like, or else take a course, taught in Italian, and typically you have to pass three exams (written, oral, and practical) again, in Italian. There are many non-Italians who would make excellent tour guides for foreign tourists, with a good knowledge of Italian history and culture, but whose Italian isn't at a level that would allow them to meet the requirements.
Italian tour guides would oppose any change that allowed foreigners to get licenses more easily, with, for example, exams in a language other than Italian. However, the number of Italian guides who speak a foreign language fluently is limited, which is why so many foreign tourists suffer with authorized guides whose English is incomprehensible, or else make use of unlicensed guides, many of whom really aren't qualified to be guides. I've overheard all sorts of ridiculous things said by guides in the Vatican Museums and Roman Forum.
http://www.provincia.roma.it/sites/d...al22052014.pdf
Most provinces have similar lists you can consult.
I once, over ten years ago, took a tour of the Roman Forum with Daniella Hunt, and I agree that she's both very knowledgeable and also personable. She is a classics scholar who came to Rome to do some research and never left. Besides her work as a tour guide, she's a consultant on archaeological digs. She's really ideal for ancient Roman sites, but I imagine she'd be good for other periods as well.
However, I wouldn't agree that there's no excuse not to get a license as a tour guide. The decks are a bit stacked against non-Italians, because in most provinces you either have to have an Italian degree in a field such as art history, archaeology, architecture, or the like, or else take a course, taught in Italian, and typically you have to pass three exams (written, oral, and practical) again, in Italian. There are many non-Italians who would make excellent tour guides for foreign tourists, with a good knowledge of Italian history and culture, but whose Italian isn't at a level that would allow them to meet the requirements.
Italian tour guides would oppose any change that allowed foreigners to get licenses more easily, with, for example, exams in a language other than Italian. However, the number of Italian guides who speak a foreign language fluently is limited, which is why so many foreign tourists suffer with authorized guides whose English is incomprehensible, or else make use of unlicensed guides, many of whom really aren't qualified to be guides. I've overheard all sorts of ridiculous things said by guides in the Vatican Museums and Roman Forum.
Jun 5th, 2014, 01:03 PM
#144
Join Date: Mar 2005
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I wanted to say that like DebitNM, I had a similar experience with Hills and Roads. I emailed Luca three separate times in late February - mid March and never received a response. I was very disappointed.
I did however book a wine tour out off Orvieto with Roberto Sanipolo [email protected] who also does tours throughout Umbria and he is just fantastic. He is fun and knowledgeable and really goes the extra mile to make sure that you are happy with the tour. He and his brother Mauro both conduct tours and are excellent guides and very reasonably priced.
I did however book a wine tour out off Orvieto with Roberto Sanipolo [email protected] who also does tours throughout Umbria and he is just fantastic. He is fun and knowledgeable and really goes the extra mile to make sure that you are happy with the tour. He and his brother Mauro both conduct tours and are excellent guides and very reasonably priced.
Jul 24th, 2014, 06:42 AM
#148
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Happy to recommend Salvatore Lucibello of DriveAmalfi http://www.DriveAmalfi.com , have used him twice for shore excursions from Naples and there is no better guide to tour the Amalfi Coast with
Jul 24th, 2014, 01:24 PM
#150
Join Date: May 2009
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We also tried to use Francesca Caruso, but she was not available and she recommended Alessandra Mazzoccoli at alemazzoccoli AT gmail.com. We met her at the Colesseum and toured the Palentine Hill and Forum area and ended at the Pantheon. Her rate (in the fall of 2011) was 50E per hour and she would not take a tip. She was excellent and we would use her again if we needed a private guide in Rome.
Some other thoughts: for our 2012 trip to Rome, we tried out the “free walking tour of Rome” (met at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.) As I recall, there is another similarly-named tour that also meets at the same location. I do not remember which one we used (and I realize that sort of information is not really much help.) In any event, our tour was fine and provided a lot of information, including a stop at a small jewel of a church (Basilica di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte) that includes two Bernini angels here, and they are magnificent. What Bernini did with marble is beyond human comprehension, in my opinion. Apparently, his home was nearby so the ruling pope allowed the statures to remain.)
On our 2014 trip this spring, we did not use a guide, and probably missed out on some information.
Another thought, we have used a driver in Tuscany twice, Giuseppe Mirossi (“Beppe”). He can be reached at gmiross@ tin.it. He has access to a variety of vehicles and is knowledgeable. His rates were reasonable, as I recall.
Some other thoughts: for our 2012 trip to Rome, we tried out the “free walking tour of Rome” (met at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.) As I recall, there is another similarly-named tour that also meets at the same location. I do not remember which one we used (and I realize that sort of information is not really much help.) In any event, our tour was fine and provided a lot of information, including a stop at a small jewel of a church (Basilica di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte) that includes two Bernini angels here, and they are magnificent. What Bernini did with marble is beyond human comprehension, in my opinion. Apparently, his home was nearby so the ruling pope allowed the statures to remain.)
On our 2014 trip this spring, we did not use a guide, and probably missed out on some information.
Another thought, we have used a driver in Tuscany twice, Giuseppe Mirossi (“Beppe”). He can be reached at gmiross@ tin.it. He has access to a variety of vehicles and is knowledgeable. His rates were reasonable, as I recall.
Mar 31st, 2015, 06:28 AM
#153
Join Date: Sep 2004
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I submitted a similar report in an other post but feel it deserves to be here.
In our first visit to Rome, in 2013, we hired a private tour guide named Marlene Sommer, [email protected]
We asked for a general tour of the city with a strong focus on the architecture and history. We couldn’t have been more pleased. We had an exceptional time as the amazing ruins came to life in her descriptions and made sense within its own period in time. She is an exceptional guide, happy, very intelligent, ridiculously knowledgeable and with a good sense of humor. At the end of our tour we spent some time with her at a café and she laid out places for us to visit on our own for the next few days. In particular we wanted to see 15th century and older church mosaics and artwork. Her recommendations were excellent, gave us a plan to follow and helped us see many sites we would have likely overlooked.
Last year we hired her again; to visit the Galleria Borghese and the next day for a five hour visit of the Vatican Museum. Once again her knowledge of art, history and architecture, which is without limit, made the visits completely understandable as well as enjoyable. She also seems to know everyone at the tourist sites, how to visit in the way to avoid the most crowds and, should you find yourselves in the midst of huge crowds she will protect you like a lioness with her cubs.
It was a bit sad saying our goodbyes as she is not only an exceptional guide but a very nice human being. I can’t imagine we would have had a better, more enjoyable or tailored tour with anyone else.
Most heartily recommended - [email protected].
In our first visit to Rome, in 2013, we hired a private tour guide named Marlene Sommer, [email protected]
We asked for a general tour of the city with a strong focus on the architecture and history. We couldn’t have been more pleased. We had an exceptional time as the amazing ruins came to life in her descriptions and made sense within its own period in time. She is an exceptional guide, happy, very intelligent, ridiculously knowledgeable and with a good sense of humor. At the end of our tour we spent some time with her at a café and she laid out places for us to visit on our own for the next few days. In particular we wanted to see 15th century and older church mosaics and artwork. Her recommendations were excellent, gave us a plan to follow and helped us see many sites we would have likely overlooked.
Last year we hired her again; to visit the Galleria Borghese and the next day for a five hour visit of the Vatican Museum. Once again her knowledge of art, history and architecture, which is without limit, made the visits completely understandable as well as enjoyable. She also seems to know everyone at the tourist sites, how to visit in the way to avoid the most crowds and, should you find yourselves in the midst of huge crowds she will protect you like a lioness with her cubs.
It was a bit sad saying our goodbyes as she is not only an exceptional guide but a very nice human being. I can’t imagine we would have had a better, more enjoyable or tailored tour with anyone else.
Most heartily recommended - [email protected].
Apr 1st, 2015, 04:09 PM
#155
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Naples, Pompeii, and beyond:
Fabrizio Bellini
www.leisure-italy.com
I have used Fabrizio for group tours of Pompeii and Herculaneum and he is fabulous!
Fabrizio Bellini
www.leisure-italy.com
I have used Fabrizio for group tours of Pompeii and Herculaneum and he is fabulous!
Feb 16th, 2016, 03:04 AM
#156
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Hi, A friend and I are looking for a guide to Etruscan sites -we have our own transport but would like an English speaking expert on site -anybody know of suitable guides or have an idea of where to find one?
Thank you
Thank you
Jun 20th, 2016, 02:05 AM
#157
Join Date: Jun 2016
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@hilarywears did someone mention Etruscan?? Alas I am only a passionate amatuer.
As for knowledgeable guides in Tuscany,
For Wine/Vineyards/Tuscan countryside: Simon at Slow days.
For Food/Cooking/Italian recipes: Manuela at Cook Eat Italian.
As for knowledgeable guides in Tuscany,
For Wine/Vineyards/Tuscan countryside: Simon at Slow days.
For Food/Cooking/Italian recipes: Manuela at Cook Eat Italian.
Jun 20th, 2016, 09:42 AM
#158
Join Date: Mar 2008
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etruscan - yet another hook to promote Slow days & Cook Eat Italian.
Either you work for them or are on a commission.
Always very suspicious when a new Fodorite (June 2016) continues to suggest the same links in nearly every posting.
Either you work for them or are on a commission.
Always very suspicious when a new Fodorite (June 2016) continues to suggest the same links in nearly every posting.
