Let’s explore together! Custom curated experiences in Rome, Orvieto and southern Tuscany
Information overload!
If you are planning a trip to Italy, you’ll find tons of information out there about what to see and do. Google searches and all the websites and apps out there can be sensory overload!
Intimidated?
Whether it’s uncertainty about which information you can trust, feeling nervous about not knowing the language, or navigating Italy on your own – I’m here for you!
- I have 20+ years experience in hospitality, travel & tourism here in Italy and I became a naturalized Italian citizen in 2015.
- I’m a curious person who is interested in the world around me and am enthusiastic about sharing with others on a more personal level what I have learned and love about my adopted country.
Me and my daughters, gelato lovers through and through
Let’s walk!
I offer private, personal accompaniment in Rome and Orvieto and a curated experience taking you to places that are not on typical itineraries. Here are just a few examples of the things we can see and do in Rome and Orvieto:
- an ancient pyramid near an 18th-century cemetery
- a drink in a gorgeous hidden cloister
- deciding which of 10+ chocolate gelato options to try at one of Rome’s best gelaterias
- visiting a magnificent church with the largest circular floor plan in Europe and macabre frescoes
- exploring the greener spaces in Rome and a park with aqueducts
- rediscovered frescoes in Orvieto’s oldest church
- a tasting and the history behind the liqueur made from a centuries-old recipe
- a nature walk within Orvieto’s city limits amongst vineyards, olive groves, and an Etruscan necropolis
Let’s hit the road!
I offer private accompaniment in my own car to places that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach by public transit. Here are just a few examples of some places we can visit:
- a 16th-century garden filled with gigantic mythological statues
- a hauntingly beautiful “dying city”
- a local goat farm for cheese tastings and if we’re lucky, a cuddle with baby goats
- a local winery for a tasting and a walk in the vineyards
- a stroll along the water’s edge of Europe’s largest volcanic lake and lunch in the hills with breathtaking views of the lake
About an hour from Orvieto is the stunning Val d’Orcia area in southern Tuscany. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a visually stunning area that also has two towns that I highly recommend – Bagno Vignoni and Pienza.
- drive along cypress-lined roads and rolling green or golden hills (depending on the time of the year)
- walk the streets of a gorgeous Renaissance town
- taste a variety of the area’s famous sheep’s milk cheese (pecorino)
- soak in outdoor thermal baths with spectacular views
Custom curated itineraries
We can chat by email, Skype or WhatsApp before your arrival to hone your particular interests which will then help me decide on places we can go together that are not on typical itineraries. We can also discuss options if you have a specific agenda or goal in mind.
The options are endless! Let’s have fun exploring Italy together!
Rates
Walks: €50/hour for private walks. In Rome, I recommend a minimum of 3 hours and for Orvieto a minimum of 2 hours. Keep in mind that we will NOT be able to cover all of Rome or Orvieto in that time period so it would be best if we keep things specific. These are private walks and the maximum group size is six people. We’ll chat beforehand and answer any questions you might have.
Outings by Car: €350 for up to 4 hours, €550 for up to 6 hours
This rate is for 1 or 2 people and is not per person. A third person would be an additional €50. I am unable to accommodate more than 3 people in the car.
Outings do not include meals, church, museum or thermal bath entrances.
Additional Services
If you want some assistance, but want to travel independently, I offer travel planning. If you are moving or have moved to Italy and have questions not related to Italian bureaucracy, I charge €50/hour at a minimum of 1 hour.
What I don’t offer
- Retirement or relocation service & all the legalities that implies
- Advice on starting a hostel or a business in Italy
- In Rome, I do not include the Colosseum, the Vatican or museums on our walks.
A brief bio
My husband Steve and I are Americans who moved to Rome in 1999 to open our hostel, The Beehive. While we still work at our hostel, several years ago, we moved from Rome to the beautiful hill town of Orvieto located in the region of Umbria. Over the years, I have often had guests ask me to take them personally around Rome or other parts of Italy. I am now offering this service for a more in-depth and meaningful Italy experience for guests and non-guests alike. These are not tours as I am not an art historian, archaeologist or architect. I have a BA from Colorado College in English Literature.
For more information
To check my availability and reserve any of my services or if you have any questions and want more information send me an email to linda@the-beehive.com