< Custom Tours in Tuscany


THE DIRECTORS

Custom Tours in Tuscany is directed by mother-daughter team Vivian and Laura Kramer, who have been happily planning historical and epicurean adventures in Tuscany since 1991. The Chicago booking office is directed by Vivian, who travels several times per year to Italy to freshen her knowledge for each individually crafted tour. This enables her to give detailed explanations and great advice to clients as they plan their trips.

Laura, has lived in Florence for more than 15 years and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in art history with a specialization in Medieval Italian painting. She loves to recreate what it was like to live in Tuscany in the middle ages by getting a close-up look at the homes, art works and sacred places.

She has collaborated extensively with well-known food writer Faith Heller Willinger (Gourmet Magazine, Condé Nast's Epicurious, books Eating in Italy and Red, White and Greens, and PBS’s “Cucina Amore”).


Laura also studied wine in a 3-year accredited sommelier school (AIS). As food and wine are so dear to her heart (as they are to many of our clients!), visits to markets, food artisans and top wineries are strategically woven into the fabric of our tours. Laura heads a team of expert guides, both Italian and American, who all have similar backgrounds and passions for art-history, cooking, wine, antiques, walking, hiking, and shopping. All the guides are completely fluent in English and Italian, and will enthusiastically for detour off the beaten path to discover Tuscany's most enchanting hidden treasures.

Tell us your interests and we will match you with the best guide for your adventure.

Custom Tours in Tuscany works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine to make dreams come true.


PUBLISHERS WHO RECOMMEND US

Our many years of experience has made Custom Tours in Tuscany into the perfect guide service for satisfied clients from all over the United States. We are now recommended in:

Frommer’s Italy 2005 (Page 250): “If you value a tour guide whose focus is customized to your interests, consider the offerings of Custom Tours in Tuscany...”

ACCESS Florence & Venice, Fourth Edition (page 13): “Custom Tours in Tuscany arranges customized historical, food/wine and shopping tours, day long walks in Florence, and driving excursions throughout Tuscany.” On page 145: Laura Kramer of CTT gives her “best list” of places in Florence.

WINE SPECTATOR magazine (Feb. 28, 1995): This was an issue devoted entirely to Florence. CTT was singled out as the only recommended guide service. “[CTT] is well-prepared to discuss the city's art and architecture. [They are] also part of the food and wine network, a boon for those who love restaurants as much as churches.”

WINE SPECTATOR magazine, May 2000 issue on Tuscany


WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

Madeline Schnapp, Sepastapol, California: “Our day with Laura couldn't have been more enchanting. Captivating a modern 12-year-old preteen in history and art can be a challenge.  However, Laura kept my daughter and me interested and fascinated on our tour of Florence with her stories of the lives of Dominican monks, the death of martyred saints, the intrigues and politics of the Medici family in Renaissance Florence, and the grace and beauty of the Michelangelo scupltures in the Medici tombs. Laura's voluminous knowledge of the history of Renaissance Florence was astonishing. As a result of our day with Laura, my daughter was so intrigued with the life of Michelangelo she promptly located a book on the life of the sculptor and has been reading it ever since. Thank you Laura for a wonderful and educational day!”

Theresa Mackey, Renton WA: "I have told all of our friends and family that if they ever travel to Italy that they must contact you for tours.
You and your guides really were the reason that our trip was so wonderful."

Stephanie Maierson, Houston, Texas: “It was absolutely the most fantastic trip I have ever taken. Tuscany was breathtaking; better than I ever expected. It is the only place that I have traveled to where my photographs don't do the scenery justice. Our guide was delightful-knowledgeable in every aspect. The 4 days that we spent touring the area were informal and informative. We saw sights and artisans that we would have never seen on our own plus everything that a tourist would want to see in the area. We also laughed until we were hurting. I can't wait to return to Italy. My first call will be to Custom Tours.”

Jill Leiderman, New York City: “Laura is a gem. Her love of Italy's culture, art, history, architecture, food and people is infectious. She infused me with an immediate appreciation for the country and prompted me to crave eating, smelling, tasting, touching and seeing everything possible throughout my visit. Not only is she well-educated and willing to share her knowledge with her clients, but she also has a wealth of creative insight which encourages people to go further and farther in their travel pursuits. I only wish she'd master all the countries of the world the way she knows Italy and then take me with her on a once-in-a-lifetime global journey!”

Sallie and Mike McKetta, Austin, Texas :“Our family cannot thank you enough for our wonderful visit to Italy. We know that we got to see Italy in a way that is reserved for the lucky. We not only learned more than we could have in any masters program, but we also got to meet your friends, eat at your favorite hangouts, try new foods, consume way too much wine and feel like special friends. We miss those wonderful days of striding behind our precious guide, rounding corners to special surprises, looking up at masterpieces, stopping for gelato (too many times), enjoying our guide's many friends who would run out of doorways to give us warm Italian greetings, and having big lunches and early bedtimes. I miss talking to you, planning and laughing...”  |  Tours

~ Top of Page ~