Testimonials:

What a  wonderful week of touring the Umbrian hill towns with Anne Robichaud! We visited during Easter as we were interested in the Easter traditions here and she came through with flying colors. The Holy Thursday Scavigliazione (“de-nailing”) in Assisi was unbelievable. And the Holy Saturday blessings of the cheese breads and the lovely lunch with Giuseppa, are memories we shall treasure forever. We also toured several hill towns from tiny Collepino to Deruta to Perugia to Gubbio and Orvieto. 
In every town, Anne knew the locals so we visited the finest artisans and ate in the best restaurants everywhere we went.
Her knowledge of the history and the beautiful artwork in every town is unsurpassed and you will be in awe of the treasures you will see with her, and the authentic experiences that you will have. If you are looking for a tour guide who is fluent in English and Italian, we highly recommend Anne. You won’t be disappointed!

Dear Anne and Pino,
We’ve had many tours of Italy but your Gubbio tour, Annie, was simply the best! Exuberent, authentic, lively, and colorful . . . and somehow you pulled it all together and gave us the history, customs, food, and culture all in ONE day! We’ll be back–where will we go next? How can the Festival di Ceri be beat?

We appreciated your attention to detail and all of the little things you pointed out that made our experience so much fun!

Staying at your place was so peaceful and lovely–all of the art and nature, your sweet animals–the peace and quiet, the smell of flowers. I’d love to do a cooking lesson or two from your blog after meeting the wonderful Peppa nearby at her farm.

Again, thank you–this was simply the best stay, the best tour, the most fun place to be.

Hi Anne, I love your tours! Your insights of all the fascinating details, for me the attention to architectural and cultural background are really amazing!
I would never notice on my own the the different eras of construction and artistic embellishment in the various hill towns we have toured with you.
You made the past come alive–just imagining how it must have been! And to see the Festival of the Ceri in Gubbio was fantastic! To be there witnessing the life and enthusiasm of thousands of people celebrating their traditions! Wow!

Thanks so much

Once again  fun, crazy, informative tours of beautiful Assisi and surrounding Umbrian hill towns. Our first visit with Anne was in 2010, then 2015, and now 2022.  Hopefully, we will be back in 2024.

Love you, your family, your stories.

Thanks

I have enjoyed several of Anne’s “Zoom” presentations. The subject matter is always thoroughly researched and presented in a coherent, knowledgeable and humorous manner. I particularly enjoyed the presentation on Italian hand gestures and their meaning. I have Italian ancestry, and after viewing the lecture, I immediately called one of my cousins to discuss the content, and we laughed hysterically about our memories of these long-forgotten gestures used by many family members. I also particularly enjoyed the most recent lecture on the restoration of the St Francis basilica frescoes (by Giotto and Cimabue) after the 1997 earthquake. My husband and I had visited the Basilica about a year before the earthquake, and had wonderful memories of the frescoes, so the description and photos of the painstaking efforts to restore them was fascinating and illuminating. When we can safely travel again, i look forward to contacting Anne for her wonderful tours.

The photography Anne has presented during her talks has been captivating and very visually expressive complimenting the marvelous details and nuances she provides verbally. Having the familiarity of her voice in our ears rather than just written words to go along with the pictures brings this touring experience on par with being there live. The question and answer segment at the end of each tour has been fascinating to hear and participate in. Thanks, Anne for another great experience about our beloved old country.

The photography Anne has presented during her talks has been captivating and very visually expressive complimenting the marvelous details and nuances she provides verbally. Having the familiarity of her voice in our ears rather than just written words to go along with the pictures brings this touring experience on par with being there live. The question and answer segment at the end of each tour has been fascinating to hear and participate in. Thanks, Anne for another great experience about our beloved old country.

This virtual tour was a really fun hour, filled with so much information and beautiful photography. I especially appreciated how thoughtful Anne is in describing the many locals she has come to know; and seeing the blue waters of the Mediterranean made my heart sing.

My husband and I feel as though you are our friend, as I think do the other 200 people online for your talks. Thank you so much for them!! It truly allows us (former) frequent travelers to have a taste going somewhere during these bizarre times. We love them and have passed on info to others. Again, thank you for you, your knowledge and information, your wonderful talent in communicating your life and your adopted country (we are Californians). I don’t know how all 200+ of us are going to fit into your Assisi accommodations in 2022, but we will probably all try.

Anne, David and I have been on many guided tours; but this was our first experience with a private tour, let me assure you that there is no comparison, our daughter Lisa picked a winner when she chose you. Your love for all things Italian and your talent for finding the unusual seldom seen antiquities, make your tour unique. I could go on forever, suffice it to say that my daughter Lisa, her husband Greg Maloney, David and myself Will never forget our time with you.