Would you like to visit Siena and its surrounding area?

Are you eager to measure the height of the towers in San Gimignano, know everything about the Palio of Siena, visit the Classic Chianti area, taste the Brunello wine in Montalcino, discover Pienza and Montepulciano or learn everything about the Francigena way?

My name is Viviana Girola, after attending  high school in Como and university in Milan I chose to live in Tuscany. I won a contest in Siena to become a guide in 1996 and this land became my passion. Later I wrote a best selling guide book about San Gimignano and this place has been my second home.

My tours let my guests live the Middle Ages and in this area history and art are continuously and closely related. A visit with me actually becomes a real experience. I am also an oenotourist guide, I really like shopping and I know the most interesting and hidden shops or boutiques in the area.

I currently do private walking tours for individuals as well as for agencies and American, Canadian, Japanese and Italian tour operators.

When I am on holiday I enjoy visiting history and art exhibitions both in Italy and abroad.

I love visiting new places and discovering new flavours. I attend also yoga and pilates courses and I love a lot reading to relaxe myself.

Why choosing me?

By choosing me, you decide to have a qualified tourist guide, selected through examinations. Being a guide is my full time job and I gather information and vary it for different audiences. I allow you to understand in depth and appreciate this corner of Tuscany, a land rich in history and legends, art and artists, palaces built by rich merchants and bankers. With me you can become familiar with deep rooted but still living traditions and discover a land where great attention is given to environmental preservation, maintained also through the practice of a rich and fruitful agriculture.

Your guided tour would be a great opportunity to become familiar with such a fascinating place in a different and very enjoyable way.

Private tours with me will be perfectly tailored to your wishes.

You could ask to personalise your experience and your itinerary according to your interests and personal need. I will also be available to give you suggestions regarding where to sleep or taste some excellent local food and to give you any other information that might help you enjoy your time in Tuscany as much as possible.

I am also part of a web of tourist guides and I can help you to find out the availability of other colleagues working in the same area of mine or in Florence, Pisa and Arezzo areas