Private tour in Bologna Elena S
5.0
(21) reviews
2 hours
30 minutes
1
2 hours
30 minutes
1
Elena S.
5.0
Guide rating
50
Reviews
Tours delivered
7 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello everyone! My name is Elena. I was born and I live in Imola, a medium-sized town not far from Bologna. Imola is well-know among Formula One lovers because the F1 Grand Prix of San Marino was held there for many years. I actually live close to the Racetrack, even if I prefer good wine & food rather than races! I've got a foreign language background: in 2000 I got my university degree in interpreting and translating but my passion has always been art and painting. That is why I decided to become a tour guide! This is a very rewarding job as it gives me the opportunity to meet people and to share with them my knowledge about my favourite cities and towns: first of all Bologna, the capital city of Emilia-Romagna region, then Modena, featuring a complex of Romanesque style buildings and internationally renowned for Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and Parmigiano Reggiano, and finally Ferrara, whose city centre is a nice mix of medieval and Renaissance sites. I've got special ties with a little medieval village, Dozza, offering highlights such as a perfectly-restored castle, about 100 wall paintings and an enchanting hilly landscape. I'm also very fond of food and wine: my brother owns a winery on Imola's hills where he produces red grapes such as Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and white grapes such as Pignoletto, Albana and Chardonnay. In order to know more about the fascinating wine world, I decided to attend the AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) qualifying courses and I became a sommelier. This explains why I also offer a walking gourmet tour in Bologna focused on local specialties matched with local wines. I consider myself an experienced tour guide, I'm responsive and flexible, therefore I would be happy to develop tailor-made art & food experiences for you in Bologna and its surroundings. Get in contact with me and let's build together unforgettable tours in my land. I'm a licensed tour guide in Italy. I'm a licensed tour leader that allows me to manage incoming tours all over Italy and outgoing tours in any country of the world. I qualified as a sommelier attending the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS) courses. In the year 2000 I got a University degree in interpreting and translation. I am not a driver. I can arrange for a separate car and driver.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Elena S.
Bologna is the very heart of Emilia-Romagna. Maybe you have heard about it as the "Learned city": it is home to the oldest university in the Western world (dating back to late 11th century). That is why I would like to show you the Archiginnasio, a beautiful building featuring thousands of shields of noble families from Italy and Europe. Let's discover together the link between them and old time students! It also contains one of the earlies public operating theatres (Teatro Anatomico). IF YOU WANT TO VISIT TEATRO ANATOMICO PLEASE TELL ME BECAUSE IT MUST BE BOOKED AND PREPAID Another highlight of Bologna is its main church, the Basilica of San Petronio, featuring the longest meridian line (a sort of sunlight dial) in the world! Then, strolling along colonnaded streets - I'll bring you through the colorful and lively marketplace area of Bologna. Don't miss it! It is full of historic shops selling delicious produce and eating places where you can try local and regional food and wine specialties.
Elena was among the best guides we’ve had. She was easygoing, flexible and she fit a lot of information into a short period of time. She answered all of our questions with confidence and she was very good company. She was prompt and her English was excellent. I would highly recommend Elena for any tour she offers in the Bologna region.
Elena was a fantastic tour guide! We enjoyed learning about and seeing/experiencing this beautiful city — from the piazzas and towers to the food markets. Wonderful!
Elena is a lovely guide. Very informative about the history and architecture of Bologna. An insightful well spent tour. Highly recommend her to others visiting Bologna for the first time.
Elena was great. English was excellent. Tour was thorough. Learned a lot. Highly recommend
We would like to visit Bologna again, and for longer. Given our short stay, we were able to learn much about Bologna with Elena. She is quite knowledgable, and we would be pleased to tour with her gain.
Wow what a fantastic tour. Elena proved to be a source of endlessly fascinating information about all aspects of Bologna’s history, architecture, and art. As it happened, a fairly committed rain was falling which didn’t slow her down a bit as she took us through the city’s highlights near the main piazza. I and my traveling companion enjoy knowing the particulars and so threw plenty of questions Elena’s way; she had informed answers for every one. She also organized the tour exceptionally well so that we didn’t waste time standing in line for one site when we could hit another and swing back around once the prior site lightened up. Elena has a relaxed manner that’s easy to listen to. Allin all a great job of showing off her city. Don’t get someone else, this is the right guide to get!
Piazza Maggiore (the main square) Neptune Fountain Church of San Petronio (Meridian Line) Archiginnasio (Anatomical Theatre) Medieval Market Piazza and Palazzo della Mercanzia (the medieval Merchant's building and its square) Two Towers (the very tall Asinelli and the leaning Garisenda) NOTE - I'm available to extend this tour to a full day, including a visit to other interesting sites such as Santo Stefano (a complex of 4 interconnecting churches based on the design of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem) or San Domenico (this church contains a magnificent marble shrine with St Dominic's remains, decorated with several marble statues, 3 of them carved by young Michelangelo)… Please, contact me for a customised tour.
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This is a walking tour
Piazza del Nettuno, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Neptune Square, near Caffé Vittorio Emanuele
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2 hours
30 minutes
1
2 hours
30 minutes
1
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