Stefano is an outstanding guide for custom private tours in Tuscany. - We spent 2 days with Stefano - one in Cinque Terra and another in Chianti for wine tasting and lunch. He is very charismatic and engaging. He listens to what you would like to do, makes some suggestions and then you both decide. He cares about the culture and history of the region and is eager to share it. He loves to talk and laugh. It’s a lot of fun to be with him! He’s an avid runner and bicyclist and is also a certified wine sommelier. He drives a very nice 7 passenger van - very comfortable, and he’s an excellent driver!! We hope to spend more time with him in the future!

An Unforgettably Brilliant Day - Yesterday was a day I'd been dreaming of for literally decades and actively planning for 9 months. I'm fairly well travelled and not normally a tour taker, but I wanted to treat my adult children, one girlfriend and my boyfriend to a special day where everything was taken care of for us. I would normally balk at the expense and just figure out how to do it myself, but I'm so glad I pulled the trigger on this tour. It was one of those rare days where my high expectations were dramatically exceeded. Communication with our guide leading up to the tour was seamless. Stefano was prompt in responding and willing to make changes to the trip if necessary to accommodate various needs. He was ready and waiting with an immaculate van on our tour date and adeptly navigated extra traffic due to Tour de France preparation. He was friendly and chatty along the way, pointing out various sights and feeding our curiosity about all we passed. The tour itself was nothing short of magnificent, but certainly not for the faint of heart. It was physically demanding, but we had been well prepared for exactly how long and how difficult in terms of elevation gained and lost. The stairs are no joke, but with that said, every step is worth the effort with the views given in return. Each village has its own unique charm and the well worn path in between is equally enchanting. Our guide shared just the right amount of information along the way, giving us time to rest but keeping us on schedule without pressure. The highlight of the day was a lunch at a family owned restaurant featuring fish caught that morning and a rotating menu determined by the catch. The setting was rustic and ethereal, the service warm and impeccable and the food was nothing short of remarkable. We were a party of 5 and each of us felt it was one of the top 3 meals in our life just based on the food. In combination with the setting, the effort in getting there and the overall experience, it was the best meal of our lives. With healthy carbs coursing through our veins, the rest of the hike was entirely manageable and we blazed easily to Vernazza for a perfectly refreshing and well deserved dip in the Mediterranean. This was like swimming in a coffee table photo book, but better. Colorful boats, frolicking children, clear deep teal water, bright buoys, throngs of happy tourists, lively village and ancient structures to gaze at from the cool clean water. Pure heaven. We grabbed gelato before boarding the boat to return us to our starting point. Every penny spent was worth it. All we had to do was show up. Everything else was taken care of and we were in our own beautiful bubble all day. Our guide felt like a member of our family by the end of the day. We loved watching him greet vendors and friends throughout the day, a clear sign of his knowledge and love for the area. He spoke of the many people he has trained along the route and I'd trust anyone under his tutelage. This tour was a slam dunk day we will never forget - one of the top 5 experiences of my 54 years on the planet.

Unique, Genuine, Unforgettable Experiences - We had 2 private customized tours in April2024 and both days proved to be once in a life time experiences! Our first trip was to Cinque Terre with our amazing local tour guide who handled all the transportation logistics, including our hike from Vernazza to Corniglia with a stop for lunch at a restaurant with an unforgettable view and fresh grilled seafood! Unforgettable! Our second tour was off the beaten path through the countryside for private wine tasting and honey producer tours, followed by a trip to Vallombrosa for some trekking and exploring the monastery and forest. We were surrounded by beautiful landscapes on our drive , and then greeted by such gracious wine and honey hosts. Truly wonderful experiences as they each shared their insight with great love and pride in their work. That’s what made it so special. The views and scenery on both tours were so breathtaking, and was made extra special thanks to our phenomenal tour guide. Thank you for sharing so many stories and history as learned a lot and laughed just as much. Your genuine passion for love of nature of this precious Tuscan land is obvious and infectious. So to Out of the Box, THANK YOU AGAIN for creating such special unique memories, and showing your love of Italy to us. We will be back and would love to have you guide us for a third tour someday!!

Stefano is an outstanding greatest guide! - Stefano is the best guide you could ever hope for! His level of excellence is truly outstanding. You can feel the sincerity in everything he does; it’s not just a job like most of other guides we met. His hospitality, infectious positive energy, and extensive knowledge of the area are unparalleled. From the moment we met, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Our hiking day trip in Monterosso al Mare was nothing short of spectacular, with breathtaking views and unforgettable moments. Stefano's enthusiasm and expertise made the experience truly exceptional. Wishing you all the best, Stefano, and I hope to see you again next time, Stefano!

The ONLY guide to use when in Florence! - WOW! Probably the best day of a 20 day trip to Italy! Stefano is amazing and it felt like we spent a day with a long lost friend! He had everything set up and answered any questions we had. He is so knowledgable and an absolute pleasure to be with. His goal is to make your day memorable and he surely achieved that with us. The hike was just awesome and a great workout. The lunch reservations were perfect and food was amazing! I wish we could have spent another week in Florence and done every tour Stefano has available. We will be back and spend a lot of time with Stefano!