In his guide book for the region of Campania, Italy, Rick Steves recommended Giuseppina Esposito as a local guide. Having charted her services several times during the course of my 18 day stay in the region I just wanted to write a quick review.
As an intro, I'd like to take just a moment to say that Rick was spot on for this region. Every restaurant recommendation, every tourist or historic site he listed, all top notch. And the travel tips on the Amalfi Coast were priceless.
That said, the highlight of our trip was undoubtedly our days spent with Pina. As an archaeology and history buff, I was blown away by her qualifications. It is hard to imagine someone more qualified to give a tour of the region. She not only has multiple Ph.D.'s concerning the history of the region, but she also has the personality so rare among academics to convey the information and make history really come to life.
No matter your interests in the region, she has a tour to take you there. I had originally only intended to take a walking tour with her through Naples. However, having spent 4 hours with her that went by in just a flash, I knew I had to book another tour! In reviewing her proposed tours, I actually decided to avoid some of the better known Roman archaeological sites of the region, like Pompeii, in favor of a day spent investigating some smaller, more out of the way places that would have been nearly impossible to reach, or even know about, without a guide. I was blown away! And the best part was that we had most of the sites to ourselves!
I really wish there was a way to attach some of the amazing photos I was able to take but alas....
Vive Rick Steves !! Keep on travelling !!