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| That's Stella with the green lanyard in San Gimignano |
People always ask us why we so often stress that our city Tours and Wine Estate Tours are "Private..." It's because it makes a huge difference in your experience... You'll see lots of Tours happening around you while you're there; a guide usually walking with something like a yellow umbrella held high in the air and 50 people (a full busload) straggling in a long line behind her with what we, in the travel industry, call "Whisper-phones". They have to use the earphones, as a group this large typically can't get close enough to the Guide to see or hear what's going on with the tour... After a while, it can be very difficult to stay interested in what's going on... and many people on these large tours end up just straggling behind and just start window shopping...
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| this is what your standard 50 person Bus Tour with stragglers looks like |
On all our Tours, it will just be us... our small group... No whisper-phones needed... Everyone will have a front row seat to be able to see and hear Stella as she brings the colorful history, culture and magic of these amazing medieval cities to life for you. You'll be able to easily interact with her personally and ask questions... And the best part is that with a small, exclusive & manageable group like ours, we'll get into the unique places the large tours just can't get into... Ultimately, you'll leave with a much better understanding of the magic of how & why these famous cultures developed!
Stella is The Best of The Best, and has an amazing academic background in Fine Arts, History and Tourism... and is one of Tuscany's very top Tour Guides... And best of all, Stella's FUN! She keeps the tour casual and knows how to add a little humor and keep it light! She's considered by her peers to be "Il Meglio della Toscana" (The Very Best of Tuscany). Stella consistently wins TripAdvisor.com's Certificate of Excellence, and has been bestowed the prestigious "Luxury Tour Guide of The Year" award for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019! We've asked Stella to tell you a little bit about herself below... Stella's been with us for many years and she's the best there is! Touring a Tuscan medieval city with Stella adds a dynamic that's just fascinating!
Bongiorno! My name is Stella Soldani, I was born here in Siena, Tuscany and spent most of my life in this gorgeous city where I live with my two kids. Tommy tells me you guys are excited to come to Tuscany... and I also am so excited to meet each of you.
For the last 24 years, I am an official licensed tour guide in Siena, the Chianti region, San Gimignano and the Valdelsa, Montalcino, Pienza and the Valdorcia and Montepulciano and the Valdichiana. I speak four languages and guide tours in Italian, English, French and Spanish.
I received my B.A. in humanities from the University of Siena with a Major in English and South American literatures mastering with great passion Fine Arts and History, and my MBA in Tourism Economics from Bocconi University in Milan.
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| Stella leading one of our Adventures to Tuscany Tours in Siena |
I've worked as a journalist covering art, travels, cinema, theatre and politics. I was always interested in meeting people and exchanging ideas and passions, so it was a great opportunity for me to welcome and guide guests as a Tour Guide in my hometown.
I’ve been guiding art and kids tours, wine and food tours in Siena, San Gimignano, the Chianti wineries, Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano from the year 2000 and I’m enjoying my tours every day more!
I am honored to be working with Adventures to Tuscany over the many years... I work with many Tour Operators; and in my opinion, Adventures to Tuscany is The Best of the Best! Their extremely small groups allows me to engage & interact with each of you individually, something that just can not be done with larger 50 person Tours. I look forward to showing all of you my two favorite cities; my hometown of Siena, and everyone's favorite Tuscan "City of Towers" - San Gimignano! I look forward to meeting you guys in September! ~ Stella
