We spent a lovely day with Martina, visiting San Gimignano and Volterra, with lunch and wine tasting in between.
Martina is very personable, knowledgeable and easy-going.
She has developed personal relationships with artists, shop keepers, winemakers and others, which gave us numerous opportunities to meet and converse with locals.
We booked Martina again because we had two wonderful days with her in Pisa and Lucca three years ago, and recommend her highly and unreservedly.

Martina tailored the Tower tour around our curious 5 yr old granddaughter & within 5 minutes they were holding hands & we were all chatting like old friends. Martina gave her enough to think about & look at that made her ask for more. We saw the 12 months sculpted on the baptistry & learned how each represented weather & crops. Shared a great lunch & got to ask lots of questions. Martina's knowledge of history & architecture is vast & she brings it to life! She is so genuine. Our day was a treat!

I found Martina in a Rick Steve's guidebook (the only private guide that I could see listed in his book) and was able to line her up with only a few days notice. My daughter & I were very lucky that she was available! During our stay in Florence, we had only one day for a day-trip into Tuscany and chose Pisa. She gave us instructions on how to take the train and we met her at the main archway of the Square of Miracles. From there she toured us through the hidden treasures of Pisa, inclulding a lovely lunch at a local cafe and authentic gelato. She has an excellent knowledge of the history, art & architechture of the area.
She ended our day near the train station & directed us on how to get back to Florence in time for a lovely dinner there. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Tuscany with her in the future!

We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Martina walking Cinque Terra trail. Being from the area, she offered a unique perspective on history of the area. My teenage son was totally engaged as much as I was for the tour.
Would highly recommend Martina!!

We did a day tour of Pisa and Lucca with Martina. It was a great experience and we learned a lot about these places. Martina's knowledge helped us greatly with the trip. She organized the taxi ride and booked tickets in advance that greatly helped with maximizing our experience. She is very easy to communicate with. She also shared tips on how to get great family photographs during the tour. We did local shopping with her in Lucca. We highly recommend her as a guide to enjoy Tuscany!!

Guide Martina is amazing! Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by her . Martina is such a warm personality and highly motivated guide (recommendable!) truly enjoyed walking 4 of us with her for the entire Pisa tour. She captured unique pictures for kids and family at the tower . She is very patient and responds very promptly to emails and WhatsApp msgs. Highly recommend Martina.

Martina was wonderful and have a fantastic tour in Pisa! With every tour, my kids say “ that was my favorite!"

We had the pleasure of spending the day with Martina in both Cinque Terre and in Volterra. She has a beautiful way of sharing her knowledge of the area while making you feel like you’re learning it all from a friend. She’s very knowledgeable and cares a great deal for the education and enjoyment of her clients. She speaks well to all levels, great with questions, and adaptable to what the clients are interested in. We wouldn’t hesitate to hire Martina again for future travel in Italy and We’d feel confident recommending her services to anyone we knew making a trip to the region.

We absolutely loved our day with Martina!! We toured San Gimignano and visited two wineries where we enjoyed tastings. In the planning process, Martina was so easy to work with and on top of all communication! She tailored a tour for our 6 person group based on what we wanted, and also made great suggestions for a truly wonderful day! She is extremely knowledgeable about the history of San Gimignano and it was clear that she wanted us to have a high quality experience. She was also flexible as we took some time to detour into a shop or stop for a coffee! She is a lovely person and we shared many laughs and had a terrific time together! We absolutely recommend Martina for your travel experience! Thankful we found her!

We hired Martina twice and each time enjoyed both her vivacious personality and her depth of knowledge in history, art, and architecture as well as the local culture. Martina brought history alive in an engaging way for our tour of Lucca. In Riomaggiore (Cinque Terre), she arranged an intimate tour of a local vineyard and wine cave for a private tasting. Along the way, we really felt that Martina became a treasured friend, and hope to see her again in the near future. If you are looking for a delightful guided tour in Tuscany or the Cinque Terre, you must hire Martina.

We (me, wife, 13 year old daughter) did 2 tours with Martina - half day in San Gimignano and full day in Pisa. She was really a great guide - sweet, genuine person who is incredibly knowledgeable about anything you’d want to know. As Martina is the owner and sole guide of her tour company, you are guaranteed to get a personalized high-quality tour from a local expert on history and art.

Martina arranged a private and custom shore excursion for us from Livorno to Pisa and Lucca. Logistics worked great, with pickup and drop off right at our ship, in a newer, comfortable van with A/C. Martina is a wealth of knowledge, and made it an interesting day for our family of four. Besides the obligatory Tower stop, the tour focused on other parts of Pisa and how the locals live. We had a great lunch of Tuscan favorites at an outdoor cafe out of the way, that Martina brought us to. We then spent the afternoon in Lucca and explored this historical town, and the famous wall around it. Martina explained so much to us about the fascinating history and little known facts. In all it was a great day. Private tours are so worth it to make the best use of your time, and Martina created an enjoyable tour. Highly recommended!!

Having decided to take a couple of day trips during our week in Florence, we thought having a local guide in Pisa would help us find more to the city than the leaning tower. We couldn't be more pleased with our decision since spending part of the day with Martina. Her depth of knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for the city enriched our experience far beyond what we would had on our own. By the time we arrived at the Field of Miracles, she had given us enough of a background that we could appreciate that marvelous architecture as much more than a photo op. And THEN, she spent another 30-40 minutes giving us fascinating details about the tower and surrounding buildings! As retired educators we give Martina an A+.

Martina was AWESOME!! Both myself and my husband are history fans, and so being able to do a deep dive into the history of some of Pisa's biggest landmarks, as well as the trip out to Lucca was a big plus! We started the day in Pisa, of course seeing the Tower, but also going into the Cathedral, the Baptistry, and the Cemetery. Martina was so knowledgeable about the Art History as well as Local history, we spend hours going over the small details in the carvings, frescoes, and architecture in the buildings here- as well she even came to the top of the tower with us to point out some of the geological curiosities! Then we went out to Lucca, and spent the afternoon touring the city and walking the walls - Definitely bring your walking shoes, but you will not be disappointed! Lucca is such a peaceful and relaxing place, when we come back to Italy we're definitely spending a few days there. Martina herself was so wonderful too! She really got a feel for what we were looking to explore and experience, and customized our tour to to take us slightly off the beaten track for some absolute gems that only locals would know about- Cannot recommend her enough!

My family and I love Martina so much that we planned another experience with her this summer in Volterra and San Gimignano. Last summer, we toured Pisa and Lucca with her. Not only is Martina warm, friendly and fun to be with, she is extremely knowledgable. She takes you to off the beaten experiences you wouldn't otherwise know about. You will find a friend in Martina! TEN STARS for Martina!

Our family had a wonderful time with Martina on our bike tour in Pisa. From the moment she met us at the train station, we knew we were in for a memorable experience. Martina is full of enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion, sharing valuable insights about the sights we saw, and places we explored. She was patient and accommodating, customizing the tour to our family’s pacing and interests. She helped us get the best photos possible, timed it so that we were at the top of the tower to hear the bells chime, took us to an authentic goldsmith, a delicious lunch, and the best gelato in Pisa. She even surprised the kids with personalized certificates for climbing the tower! We enjoyed her insights, stories, and personality, and all my kids agreed bikes were the best way to travel through Pisa. I would love an opportunity to tour with Martina again, and can highly recommend her to all future travelers!

Our private tour of Cinque Terre with Martina was absolutely unforgettable! From the moment we met her, it felt like we were exploring this stunning region with a close friend. Martina’s personality is warm and inviting, making the entire experience not only informative but also incredibly fun. The tour itself was wonderfully diverse, as we traveled by boat, train, and of course, navigated the many stairs and hills that define Cinque Terre. Martina’s deep knowledge of the history, culture, and hidden gems of each of the five villages really enhanced our appreciation of the area. She shared fascinating stories and insights that you just wouldn't get from a guidebook. What made this tour stand out was Martina's ability to adapt to our pace and interests, ensuring that we were comfortable and enjoying every moment. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she had us laughing and engaged the whole time. Whether we were admiring the stunning coastal views, exploring quaint village streets, or enjoying a delicious local meal, Martina made every part of the day special. If you're considering a tour of Cinque Terre, I highly recommend booking with Martina – it’s like traveling with a knowledgeable friend who knows all the best spots!

My family and I had the pleasure of spending two wonderful days with Martina—one in Pisa and another in San Gimignano. Both days were absolutely perfect, thanks to Martina's deep knowledge of the history of each place. She was so engaging and personable that it felt like we were exploring the towns with an old friend. I can't wait to return to Italy and explore more with Martina by our side.

My recent tour with Martina in Cinque Terre was nothing short of magical, thanks to an unexpected storm and our phenomenal guide. What began as a perfect day taking the ferry boat between the villages quickly turned into an adventure when a sudden storm forced us off our planned route. Instead of being deterred, Martina turned the situation into an extraordinary experience. With expert navigation and a calm demeanor combined with her flexibility, she led us on a fascinating impromptu exploration of Portevenere and she got us back on track to finish our original itinerary. From insightful stories about the Cinque Terre’s history to unexpected discoveries, this detour became a highlight of our trip. Martina’s ability to adapt and her passionate storytelling transformed what could have been a setback into an unforgettable adventure. We loved our experience so much that we spent another extraordinary day with her exploring San Gimignano and Volterra in the Tuscan countryside. Martina has become so much more than just our tour guide in Italy, and has truly become a family friend! If you’re visiting Cinque Terre or Tuscany and want a tour that goes beyond the ordinary, I highly recommend Tuscany at Heart and Martina. Her exceptional skill and dedication will ensure you have a remarkable and memorable experience.

What a treasure! Fabulous command of Lucca, showing fantastic treasures in a beautiful city. We have travelled frequently and to be candid one of the “Greatest “ and thank you for making our visit truly memorable.

We almost did not make the stop to Pisa. Friends and strangers had told us all you see is a tower that is leaning and that is about it. WELL, I started reading up on possible tours that might show us more than the tower. I found Martina's information in Rick Steve's book and contacted her (his guide recommendations have not let us down yet). The options she provides were wonderful, plus she would tailor it to our needs/wants. We chose to follow the life and times of Galileo Galilei. Martina took us to areas of Pisa we would never have gone on other tours. She made the history extremely fascinating. For the end of the tour, she was able to secure tickets to the Cathedral, Cemetery and Baptistery (we chose not to climb the tower). Martina arranged for transportation from our ship in Livorno and assisted us to secure train tickets back (she would have arranged a taxi back, but we chose to do the train...so easy). The part my husband is still talking about is the little historic pizza restaurant that Martina stopped at for lunch...I need not say more on this subject.

When saying goodbye to Martina two years ago after privately touring some towns in Tuscany with her, we mentioned that we may return one day to tour Cinque Terre. She let us know that she conducted tours there too, and two years later we reached out to her to plan a couple of days privately touring. She worked relentlessly to put together an incredible agenda for us, including a visit to a cliffside winery and its cellar from the 1350s. When the weather turned bad, she tirelessly revised the agenda and had flexibility to change days with us so that we could tour with her in better weather. Aside from her incredible depth of knowledge, she is a warm, caring, friendly individual. She maintained great communication with us all through the planning and revision process. I strongly encourage anyone reading this to choose her as their guide. The highest compliment that I can give Martina is that we have now become friends.

Martina was our tour guide for 3 days in Cinque Terre and was wonderful! First, she arranged a full day trip to CInque Terre and delicious lunch for our group of 7. When 5 of the group had to leave to travel home, we stayed on in Monterosso and hiked for 2 days with Martina in the local area. She took us on amazing trails we would have never known about. She is so friendly, caring, and full of knowledge as well as going out of here way to make sure all of your needs are met. 100% recommended!

We thoroughly enjoyed Martina’s tour of Pisa. She is so warm and friendly and showed us some beautiful sights of the city. The knowledge she shared gave us an insight into Pisa and the ‘field of miracles’ and we were treated to some less well known sights and a lovely walk through the city. Martina made our Pisa visit particularly enjoyable and I would thoroughly recommend her tours.

Martina was amazing, she took us around Pisa showing us all away around, well knowledgeable & very friendly. She new hidden spots for good photos and we didn't feel the time with her We felt like we had a stroll with our friend rather than a normal tour in the city She also gave us advises to visit nearby city like Lucca which was a hidden gem.