My wife along with my best friend and his wife have enjoyed many private tours through ToursByLocals in numerous countries over the years, and without hesitation we would rank Valentina among the very best guides we have ever had. We spent two separate three-hour tours with Valentina in Rome—one exploring the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica, and the other discovering the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Both experiences were exceptional. Valentina is remarkably intelligent, extraordinarily knowledgeable, and a gifted communicator. Her Ph.D. in Art History was evident throughout both tours, but what impressed us most was her ability to bring Rome's history, art, architecture, and people to life in a way that was engaging, understandable, and memorable. She has a true passion for her subject matter, and that enthusiasm made every moment enjoyable. The depth of information she shared about the Vatican treasures, Michelangelo, Raphael, Ancient Rome, and the fascinating stories behind the monuments greatly enriched our visit. We learned far more than we could have from guidebooks or group tours, and her explanations helped us appreciate many artistic and historical details that we otherwise would have missed. Valentina was also warm, personable, patient, and attentive to our interests. She tailored the experience to our pace and made us feel like valued guests rather than tourists. Our time with Valentina was one of the highlights of our visit to Rome. She transformed two outstanding tours into unforgettable experiences. We recommend her enthusiastically and offer our sincere thanks for helping make our Roman holiday so enjoyable and meaningful.
