I can’t say enough good things about Majla  (last name?) and the crew at
the Accidental Tourist company. From the moment I called them, Majla
was responsive, creative, and flexible.  Majla speaks perfect English and
has lived all in several different countries—though her family originates
in Tuscany. She worked with me to create a wonderful experience for my
entourage of three which consisted of myself, my teenage daughter,
Savanna, and her best friend, Laura.  The girls wished to see the Tuscan
countryside but didn’t want to take a cooking class or be part of a wine
tasting.  Majla suggested that we go on a hike together and finish up with
a banquet at her house.

While we hiked, the girls took photos of the gorgeous Tuscan hills and
vegetation. It was a spectacular day--the clearest in weeks. My daughter
snapped photos constantly.  Her shot of of poppies was one her favorite of
all of the photos she took on the trip.  In between describing the history
and current day facts about the region, Majla would stop to pick and munch
on wild dandelions and other herbs—and offer them to us for a nibble.
While the girls ran ahead, she told me the story of why she returned to
live in Tuscany and how she and her husband Marco, somewhat miraculously
found one another in the airport after having known each other when they
were younger.  The two now live together with their children in their
villa. And Marco is an amazing cook who provides the meals for the
Accidental Tourist company.

The two teenagers love to recount the experience at Majla’s house. The
meal,cooked by Marco, was completely homemade. It consisted of sheep
cheese (?) with honey on fresh bread, pasta, zucchini frittata, spelt
salad, and pizza. Dessert was the best cantelope sorbet the world has ever
known—made surprisingly with no milk or cream. We ate with three
thirty-something female lawyers who were warm and personable and reached
out to the girls and myself.  We all shared stories from our lives. The
lawyers had partaken in a separate Sunday morning wine-tasting session led
by a different Accidental Tourist staff member and were feeling very
relaxed and happy.

We took turns swinging on Majla and Marco’s swing which was positioned
near a window in their living room so that you felt like you could fly
into the olive groves in the Tuscan countryside.  Finally, when Majla
found out that the shy Laura was an budding  artist, she handed her a
print of a drawing of the family villa that was rendered by a local artist
friend.  Laura was very touched by this gesture and carefully tended to
the print as we travelled throughout Italy.   My guess is that at this
very moment it’s on her dorm room wall at college--which she just started.

I came across Accidental Tourist accidentally.  There was a tasteful cream
and pine green colored pamphlet sitting on a table in the common room of
my pension(sp?) in Florence.  The brochure looked completely different
than all of the other tour pamphlets—and this proved to be the case. I
recommend Accidental Tourist highly.  It’s affordable and friendly and
offers you a unique experience in Tuscany that you will never forget.

Susan Sklar, Interfaith Program Manager
Equal Exchange
50 United Drive, West Bridgewater, MA 02379

Tel: (774) 776-7418
Fax: (508) 587-5955

www.equalexchange.coop

Susan Sklar Interfaith Program Manager at Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Products

Just a short email to say a big "Thank you" for a wonderful day out in Tuscany yesterday.

The tour guides, Enzo and Alexander, were excellent English speakers, very friendly and flexible, and indeed quite excellent hosts.

The rest of the tourists were a great bunch - a nice mixture of ages, cultures, and personalities - and all there to have a good time

Enzo's wine-tasting and pasta-making classes - with Pavarotti and Bochelli in the background - were relaxed, informative, and most of all, great fun!!.

The wonderful villa, in the middle of acres of olive trees and vines, was quite a magnificent setting for the day-out - thanks to Christina and Johhny for inviting us in to their wonderful home.

The Beatles music in the background, though not too Tuscan, only added to my personal pleasure!!

Thanks to all at Accidental Tourist for helping make yesterday a 35th wedding anniversary that my wife, Agnes, and I will remember for ever!!

A top-notch event all round!!

From Walter and Agnes Speirs, from Dunblane, Scotland

Walter and Agnes Speirs

Dear Majla,

I cannot believe that its been a week since the party in Florence!!
It was the most wonderful, amazing night of my life and certainly the best birthday party I've ever been to!!!
The stunning setting, the order of the evening, the delicious food (please thank the chef for letting us wander into her kitchen...please also could I have a copy of the evening's menu?)were all out of this world!
I know from Ashok that this was all largely down to your personal care and meticulous organisation.
I cannot thank you and the wonderful team at Accidental Tourist and all the staff at the Cavalli estate enough for giving me and my friends an
evening we will always remember....many of them have already shared their accounts of the evening with their friends and workmates
about how a party SHOULD be done.
The 'icing on the cake' was definitely the lovely guys from Anonima Armonisti who were absolutely fabulous  with their singing!
Thank you so much for suggesting them...they were perfect! I know they agreed to come up because of your personal connection with them.
The girls (even us older ones!) were simply bowled over (most of them are determined to learn to speak Italian now;))!!) and the boys (especially my sons) were very impressed.
Please thank them from us for adding to the magic of the evening and also for letting Amman and Izak sing with them.
Amman will certainly suggest their names to the festival organisers that he knows and perhaps we will be able to see them in concert in England soon.
Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Anna x

Anna Kallumpram

My husband and I were picked up by a friendly young man who turned out to be our driver, guide, teacher, and friend. We enjoyed his company as he drove us into the Tuscan hills for a wine tasting, then to a private home for a cooking lesson and the best meal we had the entire two weeks of our Italy trip. The entire day unfolded so naturally that it was more like visiting family than being a tourist. After the bustle of the museums, shopping, and traffic of the cities, this day was just pure pleasure. The food was outstanding, complete with a sorbet dessert prepared with cherries right off the tree in the farmhouse yard.
  It really was a wonderful day.

Susan Name

First thanks to Majla,Steve and Marcos for a most wonderful day. The seven of us from Canada has so much fun; my teen granddaughters still say it was the best of the trip. they are in the process of planning a pasta night with friends and have colledted the machines from the rest of the family!My request is for the recipe for the eggplant dish that was served with the spelt salad and the bread with cheese and honey I couldnt find it with your recipes. It was so so good I would appreciate it if you could send it to me.Thanks again for a wonderfull day. Your sincerely Rosemary Russell and family Wendy Coderre. Teri Ingram, Leslie Norman and Katie and Beth Norman and Karen Russell. All the Best.

Coderre Family

Grammy i would like to make a comment say    "i am a huge pasta lover and learning how to make pasta was awesome"       xoxoxoxoxo LOVE LILY

Lily Watt

Majla,

Thank you for sharing this! You are definitely building quite a cathedral in San Donato in Collina as you invest your life in Giotto e Eva. I hope to start my own construction too one day ;) - have to find the bello Italian first! Ha!

I'm sitting on the plane in Fuimicino pleading with reality for just one more day here. Here I find myself at the end of my journey with no better experience than my time in your home (and cooking class) and with no purchased souvenir superior to the print you gave me. Grazie mille!

It was an ultimate joy to be an onlooker of God's grace to your family for a weekend! You have quite a platform to extend to the four corners of the earth as you welcome people into your home and into your life. Thank you for welcoming us. Please know that I am forever grateful for the chance to experience a "through the back door" glimpse into the Italian family dynamic. If you'll receive me again (and accept more rent!) then I plan to be back for Olive harvest!

I look forward to staying in touch with you as God continues to write the story He has so beautifully scripted thus far!

A presto Majla!
Cierra

CIERRA COOKE

It rarely snows in Tuscany or Florence and when it does its usually just a
light dusting.

Lucky for us we planned our trip to Tuscany on the perfect day- it was the
biggest snow storm to hit Italy in 20 years.

We had planned for a day of cooking, great food, dinning and drinking
local wines.  All was going to plan with just a few flurries falling as we
set off from Florence to the Tuscan Villa for our adventure.  By they time
we arrive at the adorable and historic villa (built circa 1100) and climbed
to the tower to see the panoramic view, the snow and wind had already built
to a huge blustering storm.  Our plan was to be back in Florence by 430pm
but mothernature had a different plan in mind and dropped over 8 inches of
snow upon the little town and the city of Florence.

Luckily we passed the afternoon with new friends, an amazing guide, cook
and gourmet cooking teacher (Jessie).    We were warmed by a romantic fire
and the charm of the 6th generation family that owned the Villa, Majla and
Marco.  

We learned to cook amazing spinach ravioli and tagliatelle from scratch, and
drank delicious hot wine with orange zest to keep us warm throughout the
blizzard that raged outside that afternoon.    After crafting these pastas
we sat down to amazing and delicious meal cooked by master chef and world yacht captain Marco.  

We had a delicious meal, with Tuscan sausage bruscetta, Tuscany pizza and of course our fresh made pastas with rich sauces. We followed it all with a delicious dessert of a persimmon ice cream cake made from persimmons picked from the tree right outside the door. 

Everything we ate was incredibly fresh and local and delicious.  

We had a great afternoon talking and eating and drinking and when the snow decided to trap us in for the evening the Villa owners didn't skip a beat to offer us a delicious dinner of fine Italian delicacies and a warm bed to sleep in.  The next morning they even gave us breakfast.  

The whole afternoon and evening were magnificent and the
total experience unforgettable.  If you have a day to spare in Florence you
have try this authentic, fun, educational experience of traditional
foods, wines, cooking, and new friends. The charming and gracious owners
pulled out ever stop to make this an amazing experience for us and I am sure
they will be happy to do the same for you.



JAMIE NEWMAN
cell 917-204-9077 
office phone 212-982-1909 
fax 646-304-4111 
email jnewman333@gmail.com 

Jamie Newman, NYC

While researching our honeymoon in Italy last year, a friend of ours recommend we look up a local business in Florence called Accidental Tourist.  The website was listed in our travel book so I checked it out.  There was an obscure link with tantalizing mystery that simply stated "Best Deal." (Now called "be my guest") The "deal" was simple: come stay with the Accidental Tourist group at their 12th century villa in the tiny Tuscan village of San Donato in Collina and give nothing but two hours of your time and 20 Euros to help cover electricity.  We arrived by bus after a day in Florence.  We knew the villa we'd come to stay in was the highest one in the village, so we timidly approached the foreboding old home.  When we asked one of the people in the yard for Majla, they led us inside.  Majla greeted us at the base of a great turret in the middle of the villa - our home for the night.  She led us up the stairs into a three-level "suite" with dining room, living room, kitchen, a wonderful bedroom and the best part of all: a roof top veranda with 360-degree views of Tuscany and Florence in the distance.  We watched the sunset from the rooftop while watering the plants and drinking a bottle of Chianti one of the past guests had left.  In the morning, we had breakfast with Majla and her two children.  Then my wife taught them an hour of Pilates before we spent the rest of the day lounging about the villa grounds.  Finally Majla drove us into town for one last night in Florence; our 18th century guest house there seemed brand new.

Daniel Jessee

I wanted to send an overdue thank you to you and your team!  Joel and I attended the wine and cook on May 8.  Without a doubt, it was the best day of our trip!  To start, we had made a mistake in failing to confirm our reservation, but you graciously worked with us by allowing us to do the wine tasting portion of the tour on Saturday.  Anna, our tour guide, was friendly, interesting to speak with, and quite knowledgeable.  Afterward, we attended the cooking class with another couple.  It was so much fun!  We learned much, had fun, and really enjoyed all of the company!  Christiana was the perfect hostess!  She made the best food, was kind, entertaining and just a joy to be around.  Since coming back, when people ask about out trip, our day in Chianti with this group is the first thing we talk about!  We've encouraged anyone who plans to ever go to Italy to take part in this! 

Marybeth Fortner

If you read this Jesse, we send a special helloOo to you ;)
I added pictures so you can see who we are.
We were there in March for our anniversary and we have to say Accidental Tourist was the best part of our trip!!
Unforgettable. Now all of our friends and family want to go :D

We had a super dinner made by Christiana and I remember Jesse saying that if we wanted the recipes of the food we were served on that day that we could mail and ask for them.

Can you please, please be a dear and send us what we would consider as the best souvenir ever? The recipes ;)
I added picture of what we ate on that day and hope to recreate them for years to come.

We still have our 3 bottles of wine, waiting to pop the bottles on special occasions.

We want to thank you guys in advance.

If you want to share more recipes with us, we won't mind!! ;)

Greets,

Solange & Arjen

Solange & Arjen Gietel

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon in your lovely villa.  We really enjoyed learning how to make the pasta and eating it!  The lunch, the scenery, the weather, the wine and the company were superb.  Definately the highlight of our stay in Florence. Here are some photos from the day.

Best wishes

Judith and Chris

Judith Payne

Hello Majla,
    We did the cooling class and loved it!  Steve and Christiana were outstanding and this excursion really made our trip!
Thanks!

Mike Ginter
Sent from my iPhone

Mike Ginter

How are you?  We had the most wonderful time when we were in your home several weeks ago.  We just got home from our journey, and last night we had a reunion and tried to recreate the meal you taught us to make in your castle!  We had fun doing it, but it didn't taste nearly as good as your husband's cooking!!  You are very lucky!  It was so delicious that we told all our friends that it was the most memorable part of our trip, and they all want to attend the accidental tourist class when they visit Italy next year!  Attached are some of our pictures from that day.  Thanks again for everything!  Your hospitality was a delight! 
And the white peach and mint gelato!!  That was amazing! 
Thanks a bunch,

Christine

Christine Chan

Hello!
 
I took your cooking class in July. We had an amazing time in your home. I was so glad that your husband was home to cook that beautiful meal! . We had the ravioli with sage and butter, fettuccini with tomatoes and basil, and the spelt dish. Oh and you can't forget that wonderful peach sorbet too.
 
Thank you for your time. I have recommended this to many of my friends that are planning on going to Italy in the future!
 
Cheers!
 
Angie and Tom

Angie Tantarelli

Hello Accidental Tourist Leaders!
 
My husband and I had a wonderful time on the wine and cook tour on Friday... we did several organized things on our two week trip in Italy, and this was by far our favorite excursion.
 
Jesse, our guide, was wonderful!
 
I look forward to getting the recipes online so we can try them for our friends and family!
 
Michele Melton

Kevin and Michele Melton

Dear Majla,

We recently participated in your 1/2 day cooking class in Tuscany, on October 1st.  Because of a transportation "glitch" and that we were the only couple who did not take the full day tour that day, you and your cousin picked us separately.  I'm emailing you to thank you for pitching in to make everything work well. 

My husband and I enjoyed our roller-coaster ride in Tuscany with you--climbing the narrow roads to discover a beautiful villa surrounded by lush greenery and gentle mountains.  But the best part of arriving early was having time to talk with our wonderful Tuscan hosts. What a terrific job you've done in finding these hosts. I can't tell you how heartwarming it was to interact with them and learn about their past experiences.  Please convey to them how memorable and touching their hospitality was.  (Our host had previously been an alpine parachutist, a race car driver, and the owner of a Caribbean charter boat business, and his beautiful wife was a terrific cook and gracious hostess.)

Again thank you.  The Accidental Tourist created for us one of our most enjoyable experiences in Italy.

Arlene Schler and David Flanner

Hello,
 Thanks again for a wonderful and memorable day in Tuscany, we'll be sure to recommend Accidental Tourist to everyone we know heading to Italy!
Elise

Elise Sousa, USA

We enjoyed our tour with you and will recommend it to others.
We had a fantastic time with Steve and Alex visiting Villa Gondi and having
the best meal with Patrizia.   This definitely was a highlight of our trip
to Tuscany.  Thank you again for the great tour of Chianti!

Debbie Dedman

Hello I took your wine tour and cooking class and had a fabulous time! It was an amazing day and I will do it again upon returning to Florence. Thank you!!!! Cindy Norris

Cindy Norris

I recently joined the wine and cooking tour during the week of October 18.  Steve was our guide.  The tour was great and Steve was fantastic.  He has an amazing singing voice and wonderful personality.  It was also a pleasure meeting other tourists from around the world so open to learning from and having fun with each other.  Additionally, I never knew how beautiful Tuscany would be up close.  Pictures can never describe what it is like to experience the hills of Tuscany.  I feel so blessed to have found this tour at the last minute.  
 
Thank you again for such a great experience.  It was completely worth every moment.     
 
 Best regards,
Lisa

Lisa Annor

My husband and I were in Florence the week of October 5th.
We took the wine tour and pasta making class.  Such fun!
It was wonderful.  Such beautiful country.
We loved the lunch of home made food.

I would recommend this tour to everyone.  It was amazing...
Thanks for the great day!!!!

Helen Sectzer, Chicago USA

We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our day trip to Chianti with Jess. The day was amazing. Although it was a bit chilly...we loved seeing the olive groves and oil making process. The wines at Grignana were very very good! BUT the olive oil was to die for. We never tasted ANYTHING like that before. YUM.
Of course the highlight was Christiani’s farm house. What a kick learning how to make pasta with Jess in that lower level kitchen area. How very cool. Plus the pasta we made came out really great.
Christiani is UNREAL! We all agreed that she cooked the MOST DELICIOUS meal we have ever eaten in our entire lives. Seriously! I want to live with her and eat her food every single day of my life. She was so kind to sit with us and tell us about her love for cooking. What a treat.
So glad this all worked out...fantastic experience.
Grazie,
Rose, Bruce and Will Sheifer

Rose Sheifer

"My friends Christine and Silvia and I can't stop talking about one of the best experiences we had in Italy on your tour. (july 14). Amazing! So glad we did it on our last day otherwise the rest of the trip would have had too high of an expectation to meet. The great experience was due to the GREAT HOSPITALITY you all showed, the way you all made us feel at home, the beautiful home of course, and the AMAZING food. We literally talk about it all the time and how good it was. There are so many great places in Italy that I want to check out so I try not to go back to a place I've already traveled to but Accidental Tourist and Tuscany would be my one exception to the rule.
Thank you again!"

Cherry Lyn

"One measure of friendship consists not in the number of things friends can discuss, but in the number of things they need no longer mention."

Clifton Fadiman

"Thank you so much !!! I work at a hotel in the States and I have never seen anything like this before!! So much kindness and warmth!!
What a beautiful spot!! I feel so blessed to have this opportunity!! Amazing food and wonderful people!!90"

Aime Occhipinti, NYC, USA

Perfect Day of Pasta, by Susan Fish

"Wherever I go, I love to see how people live, and cooking and eating are among the best ways to be part of someone's ordinary life. Dave and I were excited to go to Italy for the food every bit as much as the art. We decided early on that we were interested in taking a cooking class while we were in Italy - to be able to bring skills and taste home with us. We looked at all sorts of classes in Florence - we could spend our whole time abroad studying how to be chefs (and spending our children's inheritance as we went!) Finally we discovered The Accidental Tourist www.accidentaltourist.com and it sounded like a great fit: for a very reasonable price, they would pick us up in Florence, drive us to an old farmhouse, teach us how to make pasta and feed us the pasta as part of a Tuscan lunch, before driving us back to the city.

Perfetto, as they say.

That it would be a great fit was confirmed when I sent an email to book our spaces in a class, and the enthusiastic response was: Canada! We love Canada! If you bring us maple syrup, we will trade it for our olive oil.

Our kind of people indeed!

Majla, the brains behind the operation, picked us up in her car and drove us to an ancient farmhouse ("Most of the house is over a thousand years old, but the kitchen is only 850 years old," she explained, while we swallowed our New World tongues in shock.) En route, we talked about our families, our soccer-loving sons and why she encourages her son not to play soccer ("It's like a religion here - they end up as underwear models!")
She pointed out the lack of suburbs around Florence, how the line between city and country was abrupt. She talked about the care that has been taken by small villages to prevent urban sprawl that could destroy the land they depend upon for their olives. Passionate about preserving a culture and its food, Majla herself returned to Italy after a decade in the United States when she inherited a house with a tower. Now, after eleven years of juggling her business and her family, her enthusiasm has not diminished. She talked about the lower rates of depression in Italy, about how Italians mix work and pleasure - and how her business was an example of that.
She told us about real Italian olive oil - how the best of it is hand picked from steep slopes, pressed within 48 hours of picking, never heated (even though that increases the yield dramatically) so that the taste and healthful properties remain intact. She says that the olive oil we will take home with us is never sold overseas, that there is never enough even for the local families. All this we learn while negotiating winding woodland roads where fields and groves fall away from us into beautiful sunlit valleys.

We arrive at the ancient farmhouse and are greeted by its owners and their cat, who pounces each time the wind rustles the grass. Our fellow pasta-chefs-in-training have opted for the full day with the Accidental Tourist and are not yet back from the morning wine tasting. Majla sets us up at a stone table outside where we can watch the clouds stream past the hilltops and trace the road we have come from. She brings us a bottle of fresh red wine, two tumblers and a plate of bread drenched in olive oil and salt. She apologizes for starting late but we have not a single regret as we eat and drink the most delicious simple meal.

Finally the others arrive and we meet Alex, our young teacher. A musician by night, Alex shares tour duty with his father, which enables them both to stay in the region that is home to them. We begin to realize how important place is to Italians.

We slip into the cool basement of the farmhouse and don aprons. There are ten of us: four Canadians, two British, and four Americans. Alex walks us through each step (I am sworn to secrecy about the process. And really you must go and try it yourself.) with good humour and good teaching. We laugh and make friends. Our first accomplishment is to make spinach-ricotta-parmesan ravioli and then we use the rest of our dough to make fettucine. Alex says we are quick learners.

Majla takes our pasta upstairs on trays to Christiana, the lady of the house and a cook among cooks. (A recipe she sends me later of one of the dishes she made for us says of basil, "For God's sake, do not use dried basil."). We talk and sip more wine from brilliant mismatched turquoise glass tumblers. We find seats around a large oval table that takes up much of this "new" kitchen. Christiana and Alex start us off with a zucchini frittata and a cauliflower dish as antipasti. There is much debate about which one is better - and no clear winner. This is followed by squares of pizza, and then comes our pasta: the fettucine has been tossed with the lightest tomato sauce, with a hint of olive oil and hot pepper, while the ravioli have been cooked and then rolled in butter melted with sage leaves. We are magnificent chefs - with Christiana's additions. Alex takes orders for coffee and brings us tiny cups of espresso while Majla passes us bowls of homemade tiramisu.

We all bow down to Christiana who smiles. She loves to cook and loves having her cooking appreciated. Majla shows us gifts that have been sent to Christiana by her fans around the world. Christiana may appreciate the rasp the most, but I liked the little statue of Barack Obama.

On the way back to the city, I tell Majla we won't possibly be able to eat supper. She says that everyone always says that, but she suspects we will. She wants to know later, wants me to tell her when I email her some maple recipes (in exchange for Christiana's recipes she promises me). We pick up a couple of slices of pizza on our way back to where we are staying, but that night I am still too happily full to take more than a few bites."

Dave and Susan Fish

"YOU GUYS ARE PHENOMENAL! I've been on this tour before (May 1999) and it only gets better! The house, the guides, the selection of foods... You guys have outdone yourselves! I will recommend you to everyone... It's a guaranteed magical time. Thank you!"

Amy Wurschum

"Thank you so much !!! I work at a hotel in the States and I have never seen anything like this before!! So much kindness and warmth!!
What a beautiful spot!! I feel so blessed to have this opportunity!! Amazing food and wonderful people!!"

Aime Occhipinti, NYC, USA

"THIS HAS HONESTLY been one of the best days I have spent in Italy!
The tour , villa, food and wine were exceptional. The people were particularly fantastic, enhancing the experience. La Dolce Vita indeed.
Thank you for a beautiful peak the tuscan life. i will never forget it."

Sara Matsuzaka, Darien, CT

"WELL WORTH COMING 12,000 miles for. What a pity New Zealand is so far away from Firenze"

Kevin Hayes, Whanganee, NZ

"THANK YOU SO MUCH for conceiving and executing this idea so wonderfully. A unique tour to say the least. Well done. Grazie!"

Krista Blair, CA USA

"FABULOUS! The best italian experience I could have hoped for! Gianni and Cristiana were wonderful, Amy and Elisa were knoledgeable and open and the perfect tour guides. I would reccomend this trip to anyone!"

Shelley and Dan Joslin, Portland OR

"A GREAT DAY. Weather was perfect, bike ride terrific, and lunch was a special treat - in a 900-year-old farmhouse, wow!!
All staff were great, and impart a unique view, Thanks!"

Marshall Ferholy

"MOLTO BENE GRAZIE! I feel that I got closer to the real italian lifestyle.
I don't even know what else to say, I am so amazed. Thank you."

Mike Dematteo, University of Connecticut, CT

"WE HAVE DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN! Fantastico!"

Karl and Emma Fletcher, Mudgee Australia 06820

"THIS HAS BEEN ONE of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
Your countryside is absolutely beautiful - better than words could ever express - your hospitality is beyond excellent.
Thank you so much for a truly happy time."

Eun and Matt Gwopole

"THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL, authentic italian experience.
This will be one of our favourite memories.
The country and the people were amazing. Grazie!"

The Jordans, Atlanta, GA

"WOWIE, this day has been AWESOME! Each hour was a new surprise...!
I wish this tour was a week long! Thank you to the amazing chef and hostess who left a real taste of Italy in our mouthes, and of course the wonderful guides! Cheers,"

Cecily Kaiser, Brooklyn NYC

"THIS DAY GOT YUMMIER and yummier from the olive oil to dessert! I am so glad I did this - you really got a great operation going. Thank you!!!"

Lisbeth Kaiser, Glen Rocks, NJ

"A FANTASTIC TOUR I would recommend to anyone. Thank you for a lovely time and the opportunity to see and learn about the tuscan counstryside. A very well done and well organized tour. Thanks!"

Ryan & Lee Mc Gwenn

"BEING WITH YOU in your beautiful country delighting in your cuisine has been a joy for a lifetime. Grazie, grazie, forever grazie."

Sharon Hajek, West chester, OH 45069

"GRAZIE! Today exceeeded my expectations by far:
my tour companions - delightful
The food - delicious
The music - haunting
The countryside - breathtaking
Our hosts - gracious beyond measure
Our guide - excellent
I'll recommend to those visiting Tuscany"

Michelle Owens

"THANK YOU THANK YOU for this incredible experience and your wonderful hospitality. You all are the heart and soul of Tuscany and I will never forget any of you!"

Geena Moberg, Cincinnati, OH USA

"THANK YOU FOR A WANDERFUL DAY. Especially thanks for your excellent service to me being a handicapped person. Best regards."

Kelle Madsen, DENMARK.

"PROBABLY THE BEST DAY SPENT SO FAR. Spectacular scenery, great food, delicious wine. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I learned about this tour from folks in Baltimore and I will pass the word along."

Bear Stiffler, BALTIMORE, MD.

"I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD BE MY BEST DAY IN FLORENCE. It was probably my best day in Italy. The food, the scenery, the knowledge and encouragement of the guide all added to a great experience.
...
The day in Chianti with The Accidental Tourist group was one of the best days we spent in Italy. The combination of biking, wine and olive oil tasting and lunch made for a perfect day. I would highly recommend it for someone looking to get away from the maddening crowd of Florence for a day! PERFECTO!"

Steve and Maureen Stricker, RIVER FOREST, IL.

"I'M AT A LOSS OF WORDS! It was a serendipitous that I found your flyer. Our tour leader was the perfect blend of experience and encouragement. There is no way we could have had this experience without the accidental tourist. The size and composition of our group was wonderful and fascinating to talk to. I wish you great success and hope that you don’t have to change the nature of this trip, as it was the highlight of our 3 weeks in Europe."

Christina Weaver, RAHWAY, NJ.

"THE TOUR WAS EVERYTHING I HOPED IT WOULD BE. Beautiful scenery, great exercise and knowledgeable friendly guides."

Julie Lubin, LONG ISLAND, NY.

"THIS TOURS WAS EXCEPTIONAL. By far the highlight of our trip to Italy. The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable of the area; the restaurant had a wonderful atmosphere and food. My wife and I are on our honeymoon and wanted to do something not so tourist like, and this was it. I cannot say enough about the experience. BRAVISSIMO!"

David Herbert, DALLAS, TX.

"INFORMATIVE, WELL-PACED, WELL DESIGNED - AND LOTS OF FUN. Thank you for a truly memorable day."

Martha and Lilly Smith, ARLINGTON.

"AFTER THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF FLORENCE, this was a welcome retreat. Totally relaxing, and we got a glimpse of Tuscan life that I am sure is very rare. The scenery is indescribable, and our guides made the day an experience that we wont soon forget. GRAZIE!
      We will recommend this tour to anyone we know planning a trip to Italy."

Jennifer Bishon, MINNEAPOLIS, MN.

"THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST TOUR WAS ONE OF THE BEST TRIP I HAVE EVER BEEN ON. The guides were wonderful and the scenery was magnificent. Definitely a day not to be missed when visiting Tuscany."

Ali Ritt, CHICAGO, IL.

"WHAT A WAY TO START a new month. Was absolutely fantastic to have such a scenic outlook in Tuscany. The ride was excellent, food very tasty, great company and very good value. Will do my best to spread the word about you guys. Won’t wish you luck because your company can only get stronger. Keep it up."

David Mc Carthy, MELBOURNE, AUSTRTALIA ("a very satisfied customer").