When I started planning our trip to Italy, I wasn't even considering Siena, and now we will be spending 3 full days there.
I am about to book some small group/private day trips with Tuscan Escapes. But before committing to that company, I would like to know if anyone has another Siena-based guide or company to recommend.
Thanks
No experience with but toursbyroberto is RS recommended
I have not taken a tour with Roberto Becchi. But over the last couple years, I feel as though I've gotten to know him, "virtually', and I like the way he thinks/feels about his region. He has a home just outside Siena where he rents cottages, makes wine and olive oil and runs his tour company. You can become "acquainted" with Roberto by watching, "Tuscany Beyond Expectations" on Amazon, or by looking at the Guide Collective (created by RS former guide, Sarah Murdoch) website/facebook page.
And anyone that enjoys beautiful scenery, and cinemaphotography should watch "Tuscany Beyond Expectations", produced by Brian Gendece and Roberto. It's stunning.
There is another guide based in Siena that RS et. al., recommend, Anna Piperato.
We used the recommendations from Rick’s nook and Siena video. It was fun to explore on our own. The main attractions are easy to find and very walkable. English is spoken by most businesses. Personally, I enjoy having days in cities that aren’t overbooked.
Anna Piperato!
I took the bus from Siena to Monteriggioni, but I’d also seen that Tuscan Escapes offers a group hike there along the Via Francigena. I would have loved to do that, but it didn’t fit into my schedule. Were you planning that as one of your Tuscan Escapes excursions?
I also highly recommend Tours by Roberto. We did the Clay Hills tour with him in 2016. He picked us up at our hotel in Siena old town, then a couple at the train station and two more couples at a B&B outside of town. The tour included a stop at a 14th century monastery and a great lunch at a family farm that cured their own meats, made cheese and Brunello wine. We also made several stops for scenic photo ops. Roberto has a great sense of humor and did a good job of making the day fun for the whole group. Upon checking the current tour offerings on his website, it appears that the Brunello farm has been replaced by a different farm venue for lunch. His website: Tours by Roberto - clay Hills.
Anna Piperato with no hesitation. She was our guide on Village Italy tour and was wonderful. American expat, lives in Siena, amazing guide. www.sienaItalytours.com
https://www.antonellapiredda.com
Antonella is lovely. knowledgeable, and fun. Great for walking tours of Siena or more far-flung wine and gastronomy tours in Tuscany.
I took the bus from Siena to Monteriggioni, but I’d also seen that Tuscan Escapes offers a group hike there along the Via Francigena. I would have loved to do that, but it didn’t fit into my schedule. Were you planning that as one of your Tuscan Escapes excursions?
inbsig - I looked at that one but decided against it. We're doing the San Galgano/Hidden Tuscany, San Gimignano & Volterra, and the Transfer Tour to Rome via Montalcino. Can't wait.
Another recommendation for Roberto Bechi of toursbyroberto.com. We took the clay hills tour a few years ago and were impressed by his knowledge of and love for his Siena and countryside.
A friend and I did 2 days of private tours with Giovanni of Tours around Tuscany a few years ago. He and his tours were awesome. We did both the red tour and the blue tour; these hit most of the major towns in the area (e.g, Montepulciano, San Gimignano). We also did a transfer to Florence with one of his associates. Giovanni only does private tours. https://www.tourintuscany.com/our-tours.html
