We're (fiance and I) are going to be in Siena for 3 days in May and we are inquiring about a driver or a tour of the surrounding area. We're staying at Palazzo Ravizza so I emailed them about some recommedations. Check out the thread below...Pricing is interesting.
'Cor Magis' = much cheaper (half the cost) than 'Country Tours'


(to my fiance)
Wow, the difference in price is incredible. Check it out, by comparing the two companies in the emails below. There's one of two things going on here... Either this tour is 'bad and the car will break down, guide will be mean', etc. or 'With further inquiry, you can sometimes avoid paying the American dumbass price'.


(the exchange)
-----Original Message-----
From: Palazzo Ravizza

Sent: 3/10/2006 3:18 AM
Subject: R: Tour or Driver recommendations?

Dear Wonderbar
Please find below the contact information of another company:

COR MAGIS TRAVEL
TEL: + 39 0577 596181
FAX: + 39 0577 589510
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
www.cormagistravel.com <http://www.cormagistravel.com/>

Very Best Regards
Federica
Palazzo Ravizza.

-----Messaggio originale-----

Inviato: giovedì 9 marzo 2006 20:21
A: 'Palazzo Ravizza'
Oggetto: RE: Tour or Driver recommendations?

Thank you for the quick response! This company looks to be very good
and well established. We will definitely consider them. Can I inquire
about any other options that might be more budget friendly? We are a
young couple who don't need much more than a driver to do some
exploring.

Wonderbar


-----Original Message-----
From: Palazzo Ravizza [mailto:[email protected]]

Subject: R: Tour or Driver recommendations?

We could suggest you the tour company COUNTRY TOURS, one of the best of
the area. Please find below their contact information:

COUNTRY TOURS
WINE TOURS & TRASPORTATION
Tel: + 39 0577 247650
Fax: + 39 0577 269697
www.country-tours.com <http://www.country-tours.com/>
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

Always at your disposal for any further information you may need.
Very Best Regards
Federica
Palazzo Ravizza.


A: '[email protected]'
Oggetto: Tour or Driver recommendations?

We have reservations to stay with you on May 3, 4 and 5. Do you
recommend any certain person or company for a day tour of the area
surrounding Siena?

Thanks,
Wonderbar

Wonderbar, based on the numerous recommendations on this board, I used Luca Garrapa from Hills and Roads to tour the countryside of Tuscany for two days in February. All the glowing praise heaped on Luca is very deserved. He speaks excellent English, is extremely knowledgeble of the area and goes above and beyond to make sure his clients have a fantastic time. He will work closely with you to design a tour that covers what your interests are. Best of all, based on the quick look I took at your other options, his rates are VERY reasonable. He also lives in Siena.

Try searching on his name, or "tour guides Tuscany" and you can find many postings about him on this board.

Contact information:
http://www.hillsandroads.com/
[email protected]

Yes, a trip report WILL be forthcoming!

Shadowcat

We also went out with Luca two years ago. He is a delightful guy, and offers incredibly reasonable prices for his tours. We had a wonderful time with him, and are still in contact.

Another recommendation for Luca. I used him in Sept. I knew where I wanted to go and just consulted with him to make sure it was feasible. If you need some guidance, he can give you great ideas for itineraries.

We used Country Tours! They are excellent!! Check out the website for Picollo Hotel Oliveta. Country Tours is run through them. We did a day trip with a driver, Fabio, in an air conditioned jeep. Fabio grew up in Siena and knew everything and was so much fun! We had a blast! I would highly recommend Country Tours. They are excellent. Feel free to email me at [email protected]

Leaning toward Luca, just emailed hills and roads...thx for all the responses!!! detailed trip report on the horizon...

cheers...

Excellent choice of lodging! My husband and I loved it there - Lovely accommodations, excellent food, pretty garden, close proximity to everything, and a helpful, courteous staff.

Enjoy!

Thx, Pamnc. I'm an NC'er too.

Well, I emailed Hills and Roads and no response for almost a week now. I'll try again.

Yes, I would try again. Luca tries to reply to e-mail within three days, but he had told me that, because of his long days, sometimes it takes him a little longer to get back to people. I looked at my correspondence with him and it was almost always about two to three days for his response. I also e-mailed him last night, just to thank him for my tours and to let him know that he was, once again, getting lots of recommendations on Travel Talk!

I agree wholeheartedly with shadowcat. I also had to sometimes e-mail Luca twice before he answered. He has long touring days, and he actually sometimes goes on vacation for 3-4 days within Italy and does not always have the ability to check e-mail. But he is reliable and dependable. I would not give up and try writing again.

Speak of the devil, he emailed back! So I only had to be patient. He's booked on May 3, and 5, so we got him on May 4.

Now, Hmmm. where to go? Time to do more research. We do like vino... He suggested Chianti, Crete Senesi or Val D'Orcia. But my fiance wants to know if Deruta is too far for this day trip w/ Luca. She's into the ceramics, as well as wine. Remember it's our first time. I honestly don't really care where we go, I think I'll be content and in love with it all. But feel free to shout out if you have an opinion.

Thanks for all the responses.

W

www.mappy.com shows it's about an hour and a half from Siena to Deruta, so it could certainly be done as a daytrip. But you can find nice ceramics all over Tuscany, so although I haven't been to Deruta, I don't think I'd spend my one day with Luca going there just for the ceramics. I saw lots of nice ceramics in Siena, San Gimignano & Pienza. Just a thought.

If you want to see what I did on my days with him, here is my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34687434

I agree with SusanP. I don't think I would spend 3 hours going into Umbria to Deruta (and back), when there are very nice ceramics in other areas. Having been to Deruta before, I am not sure that I would spend the time, when you can spend the time in the Chianti region tasting wine.

There are nice ceramic shops in Pienza. Unfortunately for me, Luca and I got there a little late and many shops were closed, but I did go into one where they had very nice pieces, plus beautiful olive wood salad bowls and serving trays. I bought a lovely small ceramic canister that now lives on my countertop and holds my Rose and Verbena tea, purchased in Venice.

Just mention that to Luca, and I am sure he can include stops where you can get very nice ceramics.