Italian Tours Team

Tour Tuscany

Dario Castagno

Author Dario Castagno was born in the Wimbledon district of London to Italian parents (who were importing fine Italian wine & spirits to England). He moved back to the Chianti hills - a region first settled by the Etruscans - at age 9, and embarked on a deeply personal exploration of its landscape, legends and lore that forms the heart of his writing.

Dario later began guiding small groups through the riches of the province of Siena' s countryside, and first wrote of his experiences in 2004' s Too Much Tuscan Sun - Confessions Of A Chianti Tour Guide (Globe Pequot Press), which Publisher' s Weekly called, "Brain candy to be enjoyed with a bottle of red." While authored in English, the book' s soul is pure "Chiantigiano," and the New York Times deemed it an, "engaging jaunt into the Italian countryside, unfiltered by an outsider' s prejudice and romanticism."

That same authentic spirit infuses his new book - also from Globe - 2007' s A Day In Tuscany - More Confessions Of A Chianti Tour Guide. Originally subtitled "Chianti sensations collected on a one-mile walk," the new work is set on the very day Castagno returned back to his beloved village of Vagliagli after his first trip to the U.S., a three-month book tour odyssey. As the author reacquaints himself with the rhythms of home in a place where everyday life is still infused with magic, a flood of recollections of its people, places and sensory pleasures come to life. The reader is transported into that magical space as well through the observations and emotions of a real Tuscan reaffirming what is so unique and enchanting about a region that captures the imaginations of people worldwide.

Dario will select some favorite impressions from his books to share during his lecture, and will also talk about his "green gold" - the limited bottling, extra virgin olive oil he makes from hand-picked, stone-pressed, extremely rare Chianti olives. A proud member of Siena' s Bruco (Caterpillar) contrada and venerable raconteur of all things Palio-related - certain to be another discussion topic - Dario Castagno is also involved with several filmed projects being shot in high definition throughout his corner of Tuscany. Currently in the midst of writing his third book - centered on Tuscan wines - and he will sneak some thoughts regarding that as well.

Franco Fadda

Franco Fadda is thirty or something. From Sardinian origins he was born and raised in the southern part of the Siena province. He has worked in his fathers farm for a decade before deciding to extend his knowledge of the countryside to tourists who are willing to learn and discover the hidden treasures of the hills of central Tuscany-Chianti, Crete and Montalcino. Well versed and reserved Franco will be honored to host you and show off his home lands to a selected and limited number of guests. He is licensed and has been conducting tours gathering priceless experience for quite a number of years now. Unlike most Italians he is very punctual so be ready when he comes and pick you up!

Annalisa Angelini

Anna Lisa Angelini was born in Siena in 1965,she grew up in Siena where she attended the local university and became an expert in art history. Her first job was in a private school for foreign students where she taught art history and architecture. Since 1995 she is a licensed local guide specialized in Siena and its surroundings and has been conducting tours with the same enthusiasm of her early days. She adores art and literature, swimming ,good food and good wine...and good people. She is a passionate member of the Nicchio (Shell contrada) and doesn't like to be messed about on this subject

Elena Sardelli

Leonardo Alessi

Leonardo Alessi was born in Florence forty years ago. He gained a degree in English literature that he obtained with top marks and speaks fluently English French and German. His passion for art history and the environment has made him become one of the most appreciated licensed tour guides in Florence and its province and also collaborates with the prestigious Cultural Institute Dante Alighieri. Leonardo is our exclusive guide for Florence and has assembled a vast variety of tours to satisfy everyone's needs.

Alessandro Dionisi and Mara Gepponi

He is 32 years old and was born in Rome but lives in Siena since he was 8 years old; the passage from a big city to minute Radicondoli, he considers "a wonderful place" located between Florence and Siena, had been quite difficult at the beginning but soon he understood how lucky he was to have the chance to live in such a paradise. He began helping farmers raising cattle and sheep and created a personal passion for the countryside, so much that you can't tear him away from these hills any longer. When he moved to Chianti he started gaining experience a number of prestigious farms such as Aiola, Terrabianca, Dievole, Caparsa just to name a few. Here he mastered learning everything about wine production. Now he is a qualified English speaking driver and about his job he says: "Conducting tours around Tuscany and the Sienese countryside is wonderful, it gives me the chance to meet interesting people and help them to understand the real essence of the places we visit". He loves drinking Tuscan wines (don't make him drink too much when on duty) and spending time with his friends listening to good music.

She (Mara) is Alessandro wife; she is 30 years old and was born in Siena. Her grandparents were farmers and taught her a bounty lot of anecdotes and stories about life in the countryside. While other children were playing in kindergarten, she was playing with goats, chickens and dogs, in the little farm that was owned by her parents. She graduated in English and German literature and adores books. She is a tourist assistant and loves helping Alessandro with his job and making people satisfied of their stay in Siena. "When people come back home and write thanking you for the friendship you offered them, it is truly really great satisfaction for me. I treasure the fact they will always remember such a holiday and me to have been part of it".

Maria Libera Zarro

Maria is our chef was born in Australia but has been living in Tuscany for more than twenty years now. She has managed with success two prestigious restaurants in Chianti and currently runs her own catering company. She will be happy to come and prepare sumptuous meals in the comfort of the villa you have rented.