Should I have a tour guide? That would be a question that you could ask the Jones and Battey couples I travelled Italy with in April 2019. They wanted to make sure their time was spent wisely at some of the very best museums Italy offers. So that is exactly what happened. As a travel planner it is my job to make sure you get the most of your time in Italy. With this group we did many walking tours of each city but also they wanted to take advantage of the art of Italy. This group was well versed with all the artists of Italy from Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bellini, Caravaggio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Artemisia Gentileschi. It was clear to me that I had to make sure they had the perfect professional guides to help them better understand viewing creations by these artists.
When working with clients I always recommend at the major museums we have a tour guide. There are several reasons for a professional tour guide but the “no wait” lines and the expertise they bring to the experience are most important.
It is hard to think of paying good money for a tour and not being able to understand your tour guide (we have all been there). The most essential part of a professional tour guide is that they can be understood. I calibrate with licensed professional tour guides having many years of experience and several degrees from art history, history, and archeology just to name a few. It is a must to have the proper guide for the venue of the museum. The example would be when in Pompeii it’s great to have an expert in archeology so you can understand Pompeii in a unique informed way. Also it is important to note that I only book private tours with highly professional tour guides. This means you are not in a large group with strangers.
The answer of tour guide is YES, with this caveat, the guide would be educated for the particular museum, no wait line service, and the proper language. Then it is well worth having a professional. This means you are not just buying a ticket to the museum and walking around aimlessly not understanding what you are looking at. If you have a good professional tour guide you are totally engaged and time passes so fast because you are completely interested. I am very lucky to work with some of the very best!
Taking a look back at the time with the Jones and Battey clients makes me smile. I am so very thankful for their trust in me on their Italian adventure. This group enjoyed the time in the museum with my professional tour guide colleagues and all our adventures together.
Rome – Vatican – Borghese Gallery
The terrace of the Hotel in Rome!
They stayed in a Hotel in Rome at a prime location at the bottom of The Spanish Steps.
Meeting up with Suzanne for a tour of the garden of Borghese and then on to the gallery
Borghese Gallery with Professional Tour Guide Suzanne. She is a mother of two boys, has a husband that is from Florence Italy where she now lives with her family. Suzanne comes from the great state of Nebraska but has the knowledge and passion that makes us hang on every word.
Still in Rome we meet up with Suzanne for the Vatican “no wait” line. We had a great time learning and expanding our knowledge of this amazing place.
Walking the streets of Rome with me we made our way to the Trevi Fountain
Meeting up with Suzanne again in Rome we made our way to the colosseum but before we go in we learn a few things about this Arch of Triumph Suzanne helping us understand the ins and outs of this colossal structure. Having a sunny day with a intelligent professional like Suzanne is fantastic for the Roman Forum. Learning through the eyes of the Romans puts a whole new perspective on this eternal city. We made some great memories
Still in Rome, we pass by the mouth of truth. The story goes like this if you put your hand in the mouth and are asked a question you must answer truthfully or your fingers are gone! Ready to give it a try?
Region of Tuscany
April in Tuscany the vines have just started to leaf out! 6 months and ta-da grapes/wine! Driving through several small Tuscan villages just as you image they would be. Above the city of Siena Italy Above the Basilica of Siena with the Jones. What a view!
A ceramic story. For many years a Cindy has collected ceramic plates from a local craftswomen/artist in Siena. She gave me the name and we found the artist! Photo of Cindy with the artist! Very special experience!
Tuscany landscape around the beautiful village of San Gimignano! Skyline Towers of San Gimignano only 13 still remain of the former 72 of the fourteenth century
We stopped for lunch and a glass of Chianti in the village of Greve in Chianti! It was a photo opportunity with the famous Black Rooster!
A glass of Chianti makes for some good smiles Greve in Chianti
We had an afternoon with Elvio another one of my amazing professional tour guides. of Florence! We learned so much about the history and culture of the Florentina People. Elvio had met the Jones family 10 years earlier on a tour so they where happy to learn he was a colleague.
Visiting the Santa Corce church with our Professional tour guide Elvio was a great perceptive on the art and history. It was informative and incredible to see the resting place of Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli, and Galileo Galilei with the tutorial of Elvio. Here ya go! A must when stopping by Pisa! It took me some time to talk them into it but what a great memory!!!
Marble Quarry of Carrara Italy
Up high in the Quarry! Looking down the valley standing in the middle of the famous marble quarries of Carrara Italy. Standing in the place where the marble meets the clouds! It was Land Rover & Marble, and making memories! Tour guide/owner Heikie. Below and behind them is the city of Carrara Italy.
Palazzo Torriani – Brisighella
A tour of Palazzo Torriani with AnnaMaria and Mariaemilia their family home for over 500 years.
Private tour of the Cantina of Palazzo Torriani build from a 2000-2500 year of Roman Tower. I typed it right 2000-2500 year old Roman Tower!!!!!
First Class all the way at Palazzo Torriani!
A special treat, and the answer is it tasted as good at it looks (yummy).
After a good nights sleep, homemade dinner and the memories in this amazing place, it is time for us to head out through the countryside as we make our way to Venice! No this is not a photo shop! A real place the Rock Tower of Brisighella Italy. Stunning views Brisighella Italy!
Back in the Van time for Venice!! Saying good-bye to the Clock Tower of Brisighella Italy
Ok one more stop in Brisighella the gas pump wine! True… pump your wine into a jug and off we go!
Venice – Murano – Burano
Meeting back up with Suzanne our professional tour guide we take on the Doge Palace of Venice. My question is where she holds all that knowledge in the brain?
Here we are hanging on every word learning the culture and art of Venice with Suzanne. A little rain is not stopping us we have Suzanne to help us understand the Basilica of Venice. One of the most majestic church fronts ever! Basilica of Venice! The Rialto Bridge! The colorful homes on the Island of Burano!
A boat ride to the Island of Murano!
The Island of Murano is know for it’s famous glass of Murano.
I would like to again thank the Jones and Battey families for trusting me with their time in Italy.
Anyone interested in finding out more about a trip to Italy. Make sure to send me a message and I will be happy to help in anyway. Italy is made of amazing places, food, and most of all the Italian people many of them I call friends. Come and meet my friends!
