Meet Serena, your expert in Tuscany!
🌍 Lives in: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Regions of Expertise: Everywhere in Tuscany, but specialized in the province of Siena - Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Cortona, the Val d’Orcia, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia, and other towns/areas
Languages: English, Italiano
Experience: 25 years as a tour operator and local guide
Serena’s specialties:
Get to know Serena!
A note from Serena
"Ciao amici miei (Hello my friends)!
If you're dreaming of the gentle rolling hills of Tuscany, well, you've come to the right place. My friends often call me the "Queen of Tuscany", and while they mostly mean it in jest, I really do feel that this wonderful land is my personal kingdom!
Born and raised in the city of Siena, I moved to Montepulciano 25 years ago and have lived here ever since with my family and my 3 dogs. I'm totally, madly, completely IN LOVE with Tuscany and I feel very lucky to have been born here. It's just a special place in the world.
So, when you love your home, what better thing is there to do than become an ambassador for it? That's why I began working as a trip designer for local tour companies in the late 1990's, and then, in 2008, decided to set off on my own and became licensed as an official local tour guide. That was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and for the last 17 years, I've turned my passion into my profession and I can't think of a better job!
In addition to being a local guide, I'm also a certified Sommelier III level, food connoisseur, official EVOO taster, and a certified Master of cheese. I think you can probably tell by now that I'm a big fan of food and wine. :-)
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So, now that you know a bit about me, let me tell you more about how I can help with your trip to my region: I especially enjoy working with travelers who want to get a bit off the beaten path and who aim to discover the real essence of Tuscany. Travellers who are willing to try true authentic experiences, who want to immerse themselves in local life, and create memories of a lifetime.
To that end, I will share with you more than... half a century (that makes me feel a little old!!) of life experience here. It would be my absolute pleasure to help you discover the immense beauty of Siena, the breathtaking landscapes of the Val d'Orcia, the gorgeous medieval hilltop towns, the family-run vineyards, and the sights, scents, and flavors or Tuscany, my home!
Whether you decide to book a consultation with me or we spend a day or two on tour together, it's my goal to help you see the real Tuscany: getting away from the maddening crowds and discovering our hidden treasures.
So what are you waiting for? Let's start planning your once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Ci vediamo a presto! See you soon!"
Q&A with Serena
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In addition to the lovely medieval towns and the fantastic wineries that this part of Tuscany is globally famous for, I personally love the authenticity of this area, and the opportunities it gives to enjoy a more leisurely, stres-free way of life.
The peacefulness here is one of the things I most love, along with the magical food and wine, the wonderful nature, and the happytand welcoming people.
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After a leisurely start to the morning and a nice breakfast, I’d head Montepulciano, to see the ancient town and taste some of its delicious wine.
From there, I’d continue on to Pienza, for a look around town, lunch, and a stop for a very yummy cheese tasting.
Afterwards, what better way to end the day than with a leisurely stroll in the countryside, enjoying the gorgeous, unending views.
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When in this part of Tuscany, wine and medieval hilltop towns are the standout attractions, so I’d say you absolutely must visit a small, family-run winery and go for a walk in at least one of the old hill towns.
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My favorite place in my area for a very good meal is Enoteca La Dolce Vita in Montepulciano.
Farm to table food, local dishes, nice atmosphere, pretty plating/presentation, and most of all... a lot of excellent wines from the region, available by the glass.
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Pici aglione: thick, egg-free, hand-made noodles dressed with a tasty tomato and "elephant" garlic sauce.
Pici al cinghiale: the same past as above, but served in a rich, wild boar ragu sauce.
Panzanella: this is a classic summer salad in Tuscany and Umbria, comprised of soaked, stale bread, mixed with lots of fresh vegetables and dressed with olive oil and vinegar. Delicious and very refreshing on a hot day.
Peposo: beef cheek cooked over an extended period of time in a broth of local wine, rosemary, sage, bay leaves, and plenty of black pepper.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina: A huge t-bone steak from local free-range cattle that must be enjoyed rare, with cannellini white beans on the side. One steak is enough at least for 2 people.
Bruschetta al pomodoro: Lightly toasted Tuscan bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
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First of all I'm a dog person, and really love animals. I also love o grow cactus plants (I have more than 400 of them) and of course.... I'm a very good cook. My mum and my granny passed down all their knowledge and passion for our food, and their teachings are like works of art!
In winter, when the weather isn’t so good but I have more free time, I like to read books about the Middle Ages and go for long walks with my pets, taking pictures of great views, colors, sunsets, and all the miracles of Mother Nature.
Currently, I'm planning to create a little pond in the my garden for some fish and loud frogs - I love hearing their songs during the night!
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I’ll describe my outlook on travel with three “loves”:
Love to skip the crowds as much as possible.
Love to discover hidden gems and local life.
Love to stroll around without rushing, spending some time in the sun (or shade if it is August...), and enjoying a foamy cappuccino or delicious gelato.
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Sri Lanka and Guatemala for the gentle mentality and philosophy of the locals, as well as the magnificent, lush nature.
New York for its incredible modernity, architecture, and... cheese cakes!
Tuscany Travel Consultations
Plan a better trip with some help from Serena
Sit down with Serena for a one-hour planning session to get her expert advice and the best local tips and recommendations.
Our travel consultations are the perfect solution for do-it-yourself travelers who want to plan on their own, but could use some expert local advice. Each consultation is personalized, and Serena is available to help in whatever way you need.
From working on your itinerary and advising on routes and transportation, to ideas for off the beaten path destinations and truly authentic experiences, she's got you covered.
For the best local advice, go ask a local!
Why plan with Serena
Spend 60 minutes tapping into Serena hyperlocal expertise to plan a better trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Consultations cost $150 USD.
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Consultations are held over Google Meet. Once you’ve scheduled your call, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing the link for your video call. On the scheduled day and time, just click that link to join.
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Each consultation is different, but here are some common things that our experts typically help with:
Itinerary planning
Transportation, driving routes, and tips for how to get around
Practical travel information; culture, safety, weather, language, money/tipping, etc.
Suggested hotels/accommodations and advice on where to base yourself
Local recommendations for restaurants, activities, and unique experiences
Advice on reputable tour guides, tour operators, and excursions
Pro tips on how to best visit popular sights and attractions
Ways to avoid overcrowded destinations and tourist traps
Insider ideas on off the beaten path places, authentic experiences, and ways to connect with locals
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What you can get done in an hour depends on your goals for the consultation and how organized you are coming into it.
In most cases, an hour is ample time to create a solid itinerary, answer your major travel questions, get practical advice on how to travel in your destination, and discuss lots of great local tips and recommendations.
To ensure that the hour is used efficiently, when you schedule your call, our pre-consultation questionnaire will ask you what your primary goals for the consultation are. Prior to the call, your Local Expert will review your questionnaire and prepare detailed information addressing those goals.
They’ll come into the call ready to share specific advice, recommendations, itinerary ideas/revisions, and useful links and resources for you to review together.
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Yes! Each consultation is guided by a comprehensive pre-consultation questionnaire that you fill out immediately upon booking.
We’ll ask you a series of 30+ detailed questions that really dig into you, your trip, your interests and travel style, and what you want to discuss with your Local Expert.
The questionnaire will cover things like: the dynamics of your group, the things you enjoy while traveling, your budget, how early you want to start your day and how late you want to end it, whether you want to hit the highlights or roam the back streets, and even what types of restaurants you want to eat at.
Your Local Expert will focus only on your interests and travel style.
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Our Local Experts are seasoned travel professionals who have spent decades working in their countries/regions. While their personal interests may be different from yours, they’ve worked with thousands of travelers and have recommendations and advice for every type of individual.
They know their destinations in-depth and can help plan a trip for every traveler and taste.
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No, this is not a part of our service. Your Local Expert will share lots of links, notes, and other written resources via the Chat Box during the call, but they cannot provide post-call notes, documents, or ongoing planning assistance via email.
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No. Our service is geared toward independent, do-it-yourself travelers who intend to make bookings on their own.
Our goal is not to plan your trip for you, but rather to help you plan a better trip independently. To that end, our Local Experts will give you all of the information that you need to confidently put your trip together yourself.
When Local Experts recommend things like restaurants, hotels, excursions/activities, tours, drivers, etc., they’ll provide you with contact details and links so that you can make the final arrangements on your own.
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Almost every Go Ask A Local expert has at least 10 years of professional travel experience as a guide or trip planner in their country/region.
We work with a vetted team of seasoned professionals who know their destinations inside and out.
Unlike other companies, when you book a call, you’ll always be connected directly with your chosen Local Expert. We never pass anyone on to a junior sales associate or some anonymous back office team. With us, what you see is what you get.
Ready to plan with Serena?
Here’s how to schedule your consultation:
