Testimonials
Dear Marcello,
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It is with great pleasure that Owen and I send you this thank you for another wonderful trip to Italy You researched everything and the hotels and choice of restaurants was perfect.
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You hired a wonderful driver that maneuvered his way thru the winding coast road of the Amalfi Coast. We saw everything you could possibly fit into each of our daily trips for 10 days. Your energy is limitless and your love of the country side is so heart warming.
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As you know this was our 3rd trip with you and each one has been so wonderful and different. We actually didn’t have to think about anything.
So I end this wonderful thank you to you and of course Carolina for taking us everywhere
Thank you again Marcello.
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Arriverderci
Daria & Owen Cosgrove
We went on the Tours of Italy with Chef Marcello for our 50th wedding Anniversary..in 2020…it was absolutely amazing!!
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we are looking forward to going again in April 2023..
Christine & Ciro Riccardi
We took our granddaughter on a trip to Italy that Marcello planned for us. He knew the ideal hotels for us and everyone and everything he recommended was spot on. The trip was skillfully planned to maximize our use of time without overwhelming us. The cooking class he arranged was a spectacular experience that we will never forget along with so many magnificent sights.
Wendy & Randy Eigen
Marcello helped my fiancé book a lovely trip to Southern Italy & Sicily last November.
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Last night, he graciously recommended one of the finest dining experiences I've ever experienced (which is a pretty bold statement) in Venice.
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Signor Marcello - your next venture will be an amazing experience for those smart enough to engage your services.
Miss Paula and I will always treasure the memories created by your amazing recommendations and experience.
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CN FLETCHER & PAULA STAINBACK
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We just wanted to say thank you for planning the perfect trip to Italy for us - we had the best time! We never would have been able to find the hotels and restaurants that you found for us. We saw so many beautiful places and ate such fabulous food that we can't wait to see more of Italy. Hopefully, you will help us plan our next trip. We have so many great pictures from the trip, but here are some of the best ones of the sights, art, churches, hotels and food that we loved the most. Thanks again for planning the most amazing trip ever!
Tony & Kara Mega
Montebello NY
"Marcello created a one of kind Italy tour for me and my husband. In Rome., Marcello set us up with a private driver. Besides seeing the many specular sites, like, The Vatican, The Colosseum, St. Peters Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, the driver took us around and gave us a personal tour of this historic city.
Our trip to Italy was extremely memorable and we cherished every minute of it. We can’t wait to go back and visit other areas of this beautiful country.”
Geralyn and Joe Duffy
This is Andrew.
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It’s been 17 hrs since I said goodbye. Very sad.
I miss being told what to do, where to sit and most importantly hearing “ANDIAMO”. Somewhat liberating. After I said goodbye last night I walked all the way back to the hotel - ALL BY MYSELF.
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I do want to say thank you. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Truly an awesome trip.
My husband and I had wanted to go to Italy for a long time but we had never been to Italy and not knowing much, we were unsure about where to go and how to get around. When I heard Marcello was introducing a Sicily trip, I was intrigued. I knew Marcello as an excellent chef and restaurant owner, and had heard he was starting to take small groups of people to Italy for amazing tours.
In discussing the trip he was planning, Marcello said, “If you want a boring, get up at 7am and get on a bus to visit every tourist spot all day, every day - then this is NOT the trip for you; this trip is all about the culture, the food and the wine of Sicily.” All 4 of my grandparents were from Sicily, so I knew this was the trip I was waiting for. And the timing was perfect for us - my husband and I were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, and the trip became our special gift to each other.
My husband and I had a fabulous time! We met great people - were a group of 16 including Marcello and his wife, Carolina. We have such fond memories from everyday of this Sicily trip. Just as Marcello said, every special detail was planned out for us - I realized half way into the trip that I had never put my reading glasses on and we never put our hand in our pocket to pay for anything. Literally everything was done for us, we didn’t have to think about anything, we just enjoyed from start to finish. We ate amazing meals paired with great wines, enjoyed a wonderful tour and lunch at a stunning winery, climbed beautiful Mt Etna, were entertained by an authentic Italian band during dinner in Syracusa, experienced the “street food” of Palermo, I entered the church my grandparents were married in, visited a castle on the highest hill, toured and learned about the historic sea salt factory … danced, laughed, ate pasta in the unique special shapes from each town, sat on the beautiful beach in Cefalu where my cousins spent their summers, dined on a magnificent roof top with majestic Sicily views, shopped in gorgeous Taormina, absolutely fell in love with the cobblestone streets and village of Erice … and so much more!
The trip was more than I could have ever imagined. And experiencing it with someone as cultured as Marcello was truly a one of a kind experience! I can’t wait to visit Italy again, and I wouldn’t even think of doing it without Marcello. We’ve recommended his talents to so many of our friends who have raved about their experience as well. Thank you, Marcello!! The memories are still so magical and we can’t wait to visit another region in Italy with you again very soon!
Gina M. Palumbo
We couldn't have changed a thing. Weather was perfect, venues were fantastic. The restaurant choices varied and were all interesting and unique. The food was amazing and Marcello and Carolina were both fantastic host & hostess!”
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Daniel & Dorothy Contegiacomo
We want to thank Chef Marcelo and Carolina for a trip of a lifetime to Sicily. Sicily is an island full of various cultures , peoples and food. They took us on a tour that excited our minds and our palates. We had culinary delights we would never have experienced without them. The vinos were amazing. The sites from the mountains of Erice to the beaches of Cefalu were a delight.we could never have experienced Sicily like this without them. Prego with all our hearts. Hope to spend another tour with you again.
Antonio and Maria.
Thank you Marcello and Carolina for another beautiful scenic tour of Italy. We loved everything about it and your expertise on everything is so enjoyable and places of interest filled with beauty. And to our Sicily 2023 friends what a wonderful time.
- Daria & Owen Cosgrove
Wonderful group trip to Sicily filled with lots of memories of wonderful food and scenic excursions!​
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Sicily tour 2023
Cathy & Andrew Somple
So much better than I dreamed of. Marcello and Caroline made all of us feel safe and that we had all of our requests answered. We became a little family I never envisioned doing a trip like this and was wow! I’m so happy I did!
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Sicily Tour 2023
Lisa Uvanni
Truly an adventure for the eyes, heart and soul. For the eyes, you see the cities, visit the historic sites and temples, and shop quaint shops and markets. For the heart, you experience the sites and sounds of a warm and welcoming people. For the soul, you experience the epicurean delights of a myriad of cafes and restaurants. All combined with the personal oversight of an energetic tour guide that wants to share his love of Italy its sights, history and especially love of great food.
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Sicily Tour 2023
Lewis Aubry & Jean Causey
Marcello had again put together a beautiful trip in Italy’s northern region and over to the coastal towns to Cinque Terre sights were so beautiful and he narrates the whole tour and records it for your keepsake.
Thank you Marcello and Carolina.
Daria and Owen
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2024 CinqueTerre, Milan
“Another great tour of beautiful Italy!
You and Carolyn are the best! Thank you for all you do to make the trip enjoyable!”
Joanne & Kent Kildow
Best trip EVER …. Best tour ever and Marcello and Bella Carolyn .. could not have seen so much or enjoyed so much without you !!!
Thank you truly for an adventure of a lifetime … can’t wait for Lake Como .. Venice … Milan etc . This trip would never have been such a success without you from the food ordering .. to the hotels to the transportation to your knowledge of everything and add in all the laughs and smiles
See you soon and again grazie
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-Marcia Vardi
This trip was UNBELIEVABLE! The value created by Marcello and Carolyn's knowledge of EVERYTHING we visited made it so. Chef Marcello negotiated our menu items in Italian at every amazing restaurant!
Every hotel, train, taxi, limo, golf cart, and admission to destinations and attractions were seamlessly taken care of because of their knowledge, experience and hard work!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT THEM!!
-Mike Tomasulo
Undeniably the best tour we have ever taken! Chef Marcello took care of everything on the tour including cool places to visit, hotel accommodations, transportation, great restaurants and his food selections were fantastic! He made sure everyone’s needs were met including any special dietary requirements. He filmed and photographed all of our experiences and shared them on a daily basis. We will be back!
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- Rich Bischop
The tour to Puglia,Matera and Molise totally exceeded my expectations in every way. And I had high expectations to begin with!
We enjoyed so many interesting and fun experiences –a bread and foccacia baking class in Italy’s oldest bakery, learned how mozzarella was made including a cheese tasting, a winery tour and tasting followed by an amazing lunch in a wine cave, a boat ride.
One of the unexpected highlights was attending the annual Grape Festival in Marcello’s home town of Riccia. So much fun! Lunches and dinners were fabulous, not just for the food and wine, but also for the beautiful settings. After the tour ended, I and my friends continued our stay in Italy and Marcello assisted with getting us a driver to our next destination and helped us plan our itinerary for our remaining time. Marcello and his wife, Carolyn, made this a most memorable trip. Grazie mille!
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- JANET RANUCCI
This trip was unforgettable and because of Marcello I saw and did things i would have never been able too! I look forward to another some day!
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- LYNN HANSEN
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Fabulous trip!
Marcello & Carolyn give their all for their customers. He loves his country & it shows in everything he does. Great tour! Great food! I can't wait till the Spring! Thank you Chef Marcello!!
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- LAUREN MILANO
What can I say as a first timer on a trip to Italy ?Chef Marcello & his lovely wife were just so perfect ,his timing & recommendations,& history/knowledge made my trip absolutely PERFECTO
I’d never go back to ITALY without them!
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- JAMES FREGARA
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This was a fabulous adventure, exceeding all expectations. Marcello showed us the major sites of Rome, Umbria and Tuscany as well as places would never find on our own. Wonderful sights, food and wine every day. The small group enhanced the experience. We highly recommend you book a tour as we are looking forward to another journey with Marcello & Carolyn in the near future.
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- THEODORE TROTZ
The best trip of my life!! What an incredible experience and what great people our host and his wife are looking forward to other trips with them in the future!
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- MOUREEN LA FORET
It’s hard to put into words the fabulous experience I had during my trip. Chef Marcello and his wife, Carolyn, we’re attentive and took care of every detail. Their knowledge of Italy and the places they took us were unbelievably awesome.
I would highly recommend them for an enjoyable and memorable vacation!
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- MAUREEN OLLWEILER
What a great trip!! Everything was excellent. Would recommend to do this tour. Couldn’t have been happier with everything you presented.
Your patience and kindness with everyone was amazing. Marcello you and Carolyn went above and beyond to please us all!!! Thank you for a wonderful trip and great memories!!!
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- GAIL WILLIAM
Truly an adventure for the eyes, heart and soul. For the eyes, you see the cities, visit the historic sites and temples, and shop quaint shops and markets. For the heart, you experience the sites and sounds of a warm and welcoming people. For the soul, you experience the epicurean delights of a myriad of cafes and restaurants. All combined with the personal oversight of an energetic tour guide that wants to share his love of Italy its sights, history and especially love of great food.
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- LEWIS AUBRY CAUSEY
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We couldn't have changed a thing. Weather was perfect, venues were fantastic. The restaurant choices varied and were all interesting and unique. The food was amazing and Marcello and Carolina were both fantastic host & hostess!
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- DAN CONTE