An extraordinary journey, not for the faint of heart or limb, but for those who value fine cuisine, great wines, historical sights, and gorgeous scenery, along with vigorous, sustained hill hiking. A perfect trip for athletic types seeking to imbibe in Tuscany's fabulous food and wine, but don't want to go home 10 pounds overweight.The hiking cancels out all the calories and enables you to eat and drink heartily. Luca is an expert on the region and guides you on ancient Roman and Etruscan roads, through forests laden with the rare porcini mushrooms, and across the glorious grape-covered countryside...an experience your average tourist will never have. Our 5-day hike from Florence to Siena was surely a trip to remember.
Laine and Ed (Florence to Siena Hike)
USA
Kate, Leanne, Judy and I loved the time we spent in Italy, but the absolute highlight was the 7 days we spent exploring Tuscany with you. Your knowledge of nature, history and culture brought life to every step we took together on our hikes. It was a privilege to see a small part of Tuscany through your eyes. You were able to share and express your love of Tuscany with four people of different ages and interests and I promise that we will all be back to continue the adventure. As you kept on saying, the best is yet to come. It was all the best!
The MacLachlan’s (Chianti and Val d’Orcia
Canada
Luca, we want to thank you very much for making our time in Tuscany so wonderful. It was even better than we had imagined it would be! And that is mostly because of the experiences and the good company you
provided. You are very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, and so are we.
Tom and Julia (The trail of S.Francis in Casentino)
New Zealand
Thank you very much for a truly memorable and special time spent with you in Tuscany. Your enthusiasm and love of nature made for a wonderful exploration of a truly unique place.
It is hard to try and isolate any particular instance that was more special that the rest; as our week as a whole was something that we will never forget. Our walk through the forest along the Etruscan trail and being invited to leave a token on your cairn is something we will always carry close to our hearts. The care you took to ensure that we enjoyed special attention and wonderful views at the hand-picked restaurants you chose to take us to made us feel like 'roses'.
You went to so much trouble to ensure that our every need was catered for; down to ensuring regular 'toilette' visits!
We feel truly privileged to have been able to share part of your world in this way.
Love from all of us and don’t forget: “It’s hard life to be a guide!”
Ann, Tarryn, Hilary, Karen & Junette (Hilltowns of Tuscany)
South Africa
I've survived my first week back at work but my head is still in Tuscany! I bought a mousepad for my computer in Rome - it shows a map of Italy, so every morning when I get to work I click the mouse over Chianti just to remind me of a wonderful trip. I know I keep saying it, but it really was a dream come true for me! I had such a good time and I can't remember when I last laughed so much. I hope we weren't too noisy for you!
Luca, thanks for a wonderful 6 days. I enjoyed everything - but especially the peace of the forests and the churches. Such a simple thing, peace, and sometimes so difficult to find. I appreciate the time you took to show us so much and how well you looked after us - even finding watermelon on a hot day. Your kindness added so much to our trip.
Hilary (Tuscany Hilltowns)
South Africa
It was very hard coming back to real life after that magical honeymoon that we had.
Thanks again and hope to see you in the near future for another unforgettable experience in Tuscany.
Ciao,
Maya & Modi (Chianti hike)
Israel
Ciao Luca,
ti faccio i miei più sinceri complimenti, riesci a trasmettere emozioni, che, al giorno d'oggi, sono cosa rarissima. Conta pure su di me per tutti i tour che vuoi organizzare in Garfagnana.
Un abbraccio.
Antonella (Garfagnana Trekking)
Camminare finchè la filastrocca incantata dei miei passi scioglie piano fortezze ed eventuali tristezze per diventare, insieme ai passi degli altri, musica per strumenti diversi.
La luce diagonale dell'imbrunire cristallizza lo spazio nel tempo e la nostra fila indiana, ondeggiante in rivoli di silenzio sacro, è un mandala colorato tra le colline scure di segreti e di sere antiche.
Maris
Ciao Luca,
Ieri sera mi sono addormentata con la mente ai colori, ai profumi, alle
emozioni provate durante il giorno, è stata veramente una bella giornata,
erano anni che non camminavo così e pensavo di non esserne più capace.
Quando sono tornata a casa stanchissima ma con gli occhi felici, ho tirato
fuori dalla tasche le piccole cose raccolte durante il cammino, castagne
ghiande ecc., il mio piccolo cucciolo d’uomo con amore le ha fatte sue, è
stata un’emozione anche questa.
Ho avuto la certezza di essere con persone
che come me amano la natura fanno di tutto per proteggerla, e di questo
hanno fatto una filosofia di vita.
Grazie, un saluto affettuoso a te e alla tua famiglia.
Santina
Luca,
You are so special and your hike was incredible. I
loved the whole experience. You made it happen and I am so happy to have had
this experience with you and the fearless women. We
were a good group in many ways. I look forward to returning for the hike in the
Alps. I also look forward to seing more of the
historic sites.
The trails you made were fantastic.I loved the
challenge and the beauty.
Love,
Joanne (Florence to Siena Trek)
Dear Luca,
We wanted to let you know that the four and a half days we spent in
Tuscany with you were without question the high point of our two weeks in
Italy. You took us for wonderful hikes (willingly making adjustments to our
fitness level), and you showed us parts of Chianti we never could have
discovered on our own. You arranged tastings of wine, olive oil, and
cheeses, showed us some of the beautiful art and architecture of the area,
and provided cheerful and supportive company every minute that you was with
us. We wanted to let you know that we could not have asked for a better
guide, and we will enthusiastically recommend Luca, "the Supertuscan"to our
friends visiting Italy. We thank you for a fantastic Tuscany experience.
Nancy and Bill (Chianti)
Hi Luca:
You are in our thoughts often, especially when we think back on our wonderful trip in October. I would hop back on the plane tomorrow if I could!
I envy you being in the Chianti area, it must be incredible with the snow all around. The sound of silence and nature – a perfect combination.
Donna and Bruce
(Medieval Tuscan Hilltowns)
Dear Luca,
It was such a fantastic trek. Every time I think about it I get a bit of the excitement back. I am planning a walk in Japan. It will be lovely but not as exciting as what we did in the Apuan Alps and Garfagnana.
Thanks again
Ciao Lorna (Garfagnana and Apuan Alps Trek)
Dear Luca,
