Tours by Roberto

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Tours By Roberto, Inc. offers both exclusive, full-service customized tours, and single day and half-day tours that can be joined by those traveling independently.

Full Service Tours

Our customized full-service tours are the ideal choice for people who plan to spend several days in Tuscany. We can make arrangements elsewhere in Italy too but, for a package tour, we'd like you to spend at least 5-7 nights in Tuscany! You do not have to be a large group; even two people or a family can have a full-service tour customized just for them.

Enjoy traveling with the comfort of knowing that arrangements have been made by locals but with a full say in your itinerary, unlike when you join a traditional package tour. Revel in the level of personal service that can only be offered by a family-run company that both makes the arrangements and leads the tour, and all within the budget YOU set!

We can arrange a tour that caters to your group's special interests, such as:

PAINTING the splendid and diverse natural scenery of the area;

visiting local WINERIES;

learning to COOK Tuscan specialties from qualified chefs; finding lecture space for writer's WORKSHOPS or college courses;

RIDING mountain bikes through the panoramic countryside;

hunting for TRUFFLES (in season;)

lessons in elementary or conversational ITALIAN;

lessons in local CRAFTS (mosaic or ceramics, for example;)

and experiencing the incredible PALIO of Siena to the fullest, with seats for the pre-race dinner, a terrace spot to watch the action, and Roberto to make it meaningful and even more memorable;

and at the same time:

provides a taste of the many cultural, historical, natural, and culinary TREASURES that Tuscany offers;

respects your need for INDEPENDENCE, including as much or as little free time as you wish;

values FLEXIBILITY, allowing you to make adjustments to the itinerary if new needs or inspirations strike, where at all possible;

includes thorough, expert, and attentive guide SERVICE both in the cities and in the countryside;

includes office SUPPORT before and during your stay -- we'll do our very best to help you relay personal messages, make reservations, choose destinations, phone home, etc;

respects your BUDGET, balancing comfort (transfers from airport to lodgings, and meals at top restaurants) with cost (perhaps a train ride between or to final destination rather than car, and hearty meals from country trattoria); and

keeps you in CONTROL -- you needn't book through a travel agent.

Tour Liaisons and Tour Packages

What's a liaison? Our contact in the U.S. for a group of like-minded people who would otherwise be independent travelers. Instead, they choose to join together for a tour to exploit the benefits of small group travel. The common link between them may be any particular thing; such as, they're all artists, members of the class-of ..., aspiring cooks, extended family, etc.

The liaison has certain tasks to perform. They gather the group, whether through personal contact or advertising. They also administer the group by mailing/distributing information, arranging meetings, and collecting/sending money. In return, the liaison travels free or at reduced rate. A liaison DOES NOT 'sell' a pre-packaged two week tour of Italy for us; we don't have them.

Perhaps you'd like to be a liaison? Sure, it involves some work and time commitment but planning ANY trip well entails these. Alternatively, perhaps you'd rather just take advantage of the financial and social benefits of being a member of a tour group but don't know enough like-minded people to arrange one? In that case, contact us!

Single Day and Half-Day Tours

Guide Service Only

Perhaps you've already booked accommodation and planned most of your trip? Now you're surfing the Net to find out more about Tuscany, to make your trip that much more special? We can help. Allow some time to see Tuscany through the eyes of a Tuscan rather than only your guidebook. Explore the area and bring it to life by engaging Tours by Roberto for full or half-day guided excursions, using your transport or ours.

Suggested Day-long Tours

Below are some of the most popular of Roberto's excursions. Many include sights that aren't easily accessible to a lone tourist, and all are infinitely more interesting with Roberto's expertise and commentary! Obviously there are many more possible destinations, in both the towns and countryside, throughout the diverse regions of Tuscany. Too, all travelers should visit Siena and Florence of course.

ROBERTO'S ITINERARIES

For first-timers or folks with only a day to tour, Roberto generally suggests the Chianti region or a modified version of the Montagnola tour. See our Schedules page for a weekly-updated calendar of scheduled tours that can be joined by others, or find free days available for your group's particular tour choice. Email us with your requirement, or for further details on a tour.

We consider tours "sequential." At the start of any itinerary Roberto will plan an introduction to the history and culture of the Tuscan region. For the remainder of that day, and on subsequent days, he will enlarge and enrich this first picture. As such, those planning to book or to join in on a tour, note it is imperative that it begin with a "first day."

Roberto's itineraries are subject to substitution on rare occasions, and normally only for reasons beyond his control. Sometimes, too, he'll spontaneously suggest a different itinerary altogether for folks that share a particular interest, such as archaeology. Here are the typical itineraries that Roberto offers:

First-Day Options:

Chianti

We begin with a scenic drive through the rolling, vineyard- covered hills of the Chianti region. On the way you'll hear about its colorful history.

Typically, we then visit an Etruscan tomb, see a small medieval village of immaculate alleys and flower-adorned stoops; and taste wine at the cellars of a local vineyard.

We can include lunch at a fantastic trattoria, for an extra cost. With six or more people we can arrange also a private visit to a splendid padronal villa where the movie "Stealing Beauty" was filmed.

Montagnola

We introduce the tour at an Etruscan tomb-site rarely seen by tourists, near Montagnola.

We then go on to visit the hill-top town of Colle di Val d'Elsa; the first medieval town in Tuscany to develop a crystal and glass industry. The town, characterized by deep-set traditions and picturesque architecture, has tall buildings and concentric, narrow streets.

We can visit the lab and shop of a famous local glass artist to see hand-fashioned crystal that, naturally, is a local specialty.

After lunch (an extra cost), we go on to visit first an antique, still-functioning mill from the Medici era, and then a Roman bath.

From here we return to Siena.

Second-Day Options:

Montagnola

First we visit the unique 12th century cloister of Torri (Monday or Friday only.) Constructed in black and white marble, its decorated with a mixture of pagan and sacred art.

Then we go on to an extremely evocative 13th century abbey of San Galgano: A hauntingly elegant gothic-style structure, missing its roof, with the sky for ceiling and the grass for pavement.

From there we visit a little-known Roman bath with a spring.

We then go on to visit the hill-top town of Colle di Val d'Elsa; the first medieval town in Tuscany to develop a crystal and glass industry. The town, characterized by deep- set traditions and picturesque architecture, has tall buildings and concentric, narrow streets.

There we can visit the lab and shop of a famous local glass artist to see hand-fashioned crystal that, naturally, is a local specialty.

Crete Senesi (Clay Hills of Siena)

The clay hills, alternating cultivated fields with patches of pure milk-gray clay, display an ever-changing palette of color according to the seasons: Brilliant yellow sunflowers, rich green young wheat, or neatly ploughed undulating rows of deep brown soil. Groves of silver-leaved olive trees sweep across other fields, and flocks of sheep graze in open areas.

We visit first a 14th century monastery with fascinating frescoes, masterpieces by Sodoma and Signorelli.

Then we move on to the tiny village of Serre di Rapolano that is our home. Typical of Tuscan villages, Serre is located on the top of a hill with panoramic views out over the Crete. Its anchored at one end by a castle of travertine and at the other by the commanding presence of the Grancia, once an important granary for the hospital of Siena. The town's narrow streets are lined with travertine from the local quarries. We'll visit the village and the Grancia, and see the travertine quarries, and possibly artisans working.

Alternatively, reversing the tour, we could first drive through the clay hills and then visit the monastery. Afterwards we could then trek to the Montalcino area for a private tasting of the world-famous Brunello di Montalcino at a family-run farm.

If you're staying in the area for a while longer, the nearby hills and fields are perfect for mountain-bike riding. By rented bike, or car, see a castle, unchanged since the 14th century, in the distance.

Maremma

The Maremma was home to the Etruscans, ancestors of whom Tuscans are very proud. This area, in southern Tuscany, can be partially visited on a longer full day tour, for which a small supplementary charge applies to groups of less than four, or totally visited with an overnight stay in the area. To see all of my favorite places would require three days. For a one- or two-day more off- the-beaten-path tour we choose from the following:

The half-abandoned town of Sorano, surrounded by a gorge in which the holes of ancient tombs can still be seen. We see some up close too. At my favorite restaurant in Sorano we can lunch on local specialties and taste the uniquely Pitigliano white wine.

The tiny, neat Etruscan-origin town of Sovana, perched high up on the "terra", tufo, for which "terra cotta" is named. We visit this charming, quiet place, with narrow streets and memorable vistas.

The ruins of Vitozza, a rare and amazing town carved out of rock. We see houses fashioned out of caves that remind us of the Flintstones!

Cosa, once a Roman port and city now in ruins, with walls inspired by the Etruscans. Especially notable is its "tagliata", deep channel, next to the port. We also see some other impressive, little-known sites; such as, a church carved from rock.

Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio (a small supplementary charge applies for groups of less than four)

This is Umbria, not Tuscany, but I love it anyway. It offers a lot to see and we would choose some of the following for a one-day tour:

The rich Etruscan offerings in the Orvieto Museum;

the majestic Orvieto cathedral with its intricately carved facade and frescoes by Signorelli;

the grottoes beneath Orvieto, adjacent to a fabulous Umbrian panorama;

the chance to try a different and also delicious cuisine; and

the unique town of Civita, "dying" on its pinnacle, surrounded by wonderful hills.

Suggested Overnight Tours

Maremma

Once home to the Etruscans, the Maremma area in southern Tuscany can only be partially appreciated on a day tour. For a comprehensive visit, at least an overnight stay is required. In fact, to see all of my favorite places would require more like three days! See above for a description of the off- the-beaten-path tour options we can combine to suit the days available.

Elba Island (Spring or Fall only)

The combination of mountains, hills topped with small medieval villages, bustling ports edged with pastel houses, and brilliant blue seas on rocky shores, is intoxicating and makes a visit to Elba the highlight of a full Tuscan tour. At least an overnight stay is needed for an Elba tour.

We explore the island for a day

We experience an unforgettable meal of fresh local seafood.

We visit the local mineral museum. For its size, Elba has an exceptionally high percentage of precious stones and minerals. The mines, though touristy, are also open to the public.

Suggested Half-Day City Tours

We are very happy to arrange city center and major museum tours of Siena, Florence and Rome with our favorite, hand-picked, fully licensed guides. Those we recommend are top-notch: Knowledgeable, flexible, with an excellent command of English, and city savvy. We trust them to give you a great tour rather than merely fill you up with names and dates.

As part of a city tour booking we will also happily make museum reservations for no additional fee. However these require advance notice. The half-day tours also need to be booked at least the day before. The cost of each tour depends on the number of participants and its duration. Most half-day tours take three hours; for some we recommend four hours.

Siena

A typical three-hour long morning or afternoon tour of Siena city would include external visits of its principal monuments, including: Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica of San Domenico, and Banchi di Sotto and Sopra (the main walking routes.) The Duomo (Cathedral) would also be visited inside. For an additional cost you also might see, for example, the frescoes of Good and Bad Government inside Palazzo Pubblico, and the Santa Maria della Scala archeological museum.

Florence

In a three-hour tour of Florence you will need first to decide whether to see its famous art museums, such as the Uffizi, Accademia and Bargello, with or without a guide. A guided visit of the Uffizi, for example, while offering a personal insight into famous collection of artworks, will occupy at least half of the allotted tour time. On the other hand, you can visit Michelangelo's David and still have time to see some other sites as well.

Other principal sites of Florence you might consider visiting with a guide, in addition to or instead of the art museums, include the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) and Baptistry, Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio. Not all of these are do-able in a single tour. A longer visit might also include Dante's house, Palazzo Medici, Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, and Orsanmichele.

Rome

Generally we recommend Rome be seen in two half-day tours: One of these dedicated to the city's ancient history and corresponding sites, including the Forum, Colosseum and Pantheon, for example. The other dedicated to the Vatican complex, including St Peter's Cathedral, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel. The second option is best contemplated only as a four-hour tour.

Other Side-Trip Options

Roberto notes 'as the years pass I am less inclined to take my groups to places that have become overrun with tourists, can be reached quite easily by public transport, are well documented in an enormous number of guidebooks, and for which official city tours are readily available.' However, if you are contemplating a full-service week-long tour, we will happily consider combining our more off-the-beaten-path tours with a visit to such places as Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Cortona, and San Gimignano.

The most important aspect of our business is customizing tours to meet your needs. We aim, therefore, to remain as flexible as possible. As such, should Roberto have discovered a new local treasure, for example, or there is an entertaining and colorful local festival scheduled on the same day you've planned a tour somewhere else, we may suggest a change in your itinerary so you could take advantage of them.

Email: info@toursbyroberto.com
toursbyroberto@gmail.com

Telephone- 011-39-320-1476590
Facsimile- 011-39-0577-717292

Tours By Roberto, Inc.
c/o Patricia Bechi
Podere Casalciccia 17
Località Vescona
53041 Asciano SI Italy

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