Saltafila: Il Duomo di Siena e tour a piedi della città

Elio was great. Engaging, passionate and fun - we very much enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend him

Claudia did an excellent job of describing the history of Siena, the rivalry among the contrades, and the horse races which occur in July and August. She also did a fabulous job of informing the group about the architecture of several buildings and places. Her affection for the Duomo and its architecture and artwork was obvious.

Excellent way to start the trip in Siena. Learned our way around the city. The guide was excellent! She pointed out hidden gems we would not have seen on our own.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We learned a lot and had a wonderful time. We recommend it.

Great time walking around the city & learning about the history of Siena! We were here during the Palio di Siena! To learn about the horse race and all the neighborhoods. The Duomo was beautiful! Sylvia, our guide, did a fantastic job of explaining everything!

Some people simply know their subject. Others know how to teach it. Elio has mastered both. Our walking tour of Siena and its magnificent Duomo was far more than a history lesson. It was an engaging journey through one of Italy’s greatest medieval cities, where art, architecture, engineering, politics, faith, and daily life came together in a way that made centuries of history feel remarkably alive. His knowledge is extraordinary, but what impressed me even more was his ability to manage people. Every participant arrived with different backgrounds, interests, and questions. Somehow, Elio made each person feel heard while keeping the group moving effortlessly and on schedule. Watching him bring together so many different perspectives reminded me of Michelangelo. Just as Michelangelo transformed marble into masterpieces by revealing the beauty hidden within, Elio transformed a diverse group of strangers into an engaged community of learners. He thoughtfully addressed every question, connected seemingly unrelated ideas, and ensured that each person left with a richer understanding of Siena than they ever expected. His enthusiasm is genuine, his explanations are clear, and his love for Siena is contagious. Whether this is your first visit or your fifth, you will leave with a much deeper appreciation for the city’s remarkable history and the people whose vision shaped it. If you have the opportunity to tour Siena with Elio, don’t hesitate. You won’t simply visit Siena—you’ll come to understand it. As the Italian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas wrote, “Love is to will the good of another.” That simple truth perfectly describes the care, patience, and generosity Elio extends to every person on his tour.

We as a family of 4 adults really enjoyed this tour. Our guide Elio made it so interesting with his sense of humour and also by interacting with us and asking questions to keep us engaged. He was very knowledgeable and could answer any question put to him. I would highly recommend this tour.

The guide was wonderful - easy to follow, very informative and helpful, and a wonderful host. Unfortunately, the tour itself was a bit lame: there really wasn’t any food that I hadn’t already tried before, and for the main course everyone was asked to order individually - there were no dishes to share or taste. The pace of the tour was quite slow.

Interesting and informative tour lead by a guide with good local knowledge and with the right blend of historical and cultural content.

Had this 2 hour tour with Elio - it was brilliant! He had a fun personality, was passionate, excellent English and imparted heaps of knowledge. 2 hours flew by.