What People Say
Our guide Mattia was delightful in every way. He was knowledgeable, informative, entertaining, charming and more. He was perfect in every way. The visit with the blacksmith was the high point. I could never have imagined how impressed we would be with the experience. It made a memory that will mark as a highlight of this trip. Thank you for your good work. It is most appreciated. I hope our future travels will include a return visit and chance to experience your gift of tour design and Mattia’s gift of gracious hospitality.
PF, USA, Day Adventure, September 2022
Our time learning to taste olive oil with Elisabetta was not only a highlight of our trek through Italy, but it also changed how we cook. Elisabetta's clear expert advice, detailed tasting instructions, and wonderful cooking gave us the confidence to be able to discriminate between potentially great oils and expensive, but poor quality oils. After returning home, we've been able to source great oil reasonably and can finally use it for all stages of cooking instead of sparingly at the end while letting it die on the shelf. Cooking is simpler and our food has never tasted this good — the flavors of the ingredients shine and have wonderful depth. Plus, there's more time to sit around the kitchen table and enjoy each other, and maybe another amaro, just like at Elisabetta's.
Erin & Dave, USA, Day Adventure, December 2022
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. Please tell the truffle hunter that the ladies loved their time with him and his dog Turbo and enjoyed the meal very much. Mattia, you were a great guide and singer, the talk of the bus on our trip home. I look forward to seeing you again when we hopefully come back for another trip.
JR, USA, Day Adventure, September 2022
Most fun activity in Lucca. Making gelato with Mirko was so educational, interesting and fun. We created our own flavor that was delicious. Erica thank you for making this happen for us. We have eaten Mirko's gelato twice a day ever since our class from Caffè Casali in the evening and Cremeria Opera during the day. It’s simply the best.
Barbara Albert & Sally Moore, USA & UK, Day Adventure, April 2022
Our adventures with Riccardo, tromping through the decaying leaves of the poplar and hazel trees together with his intrepid partner, Turbo, transformed our understanding of truffles. In the States, their rarity confine them to being primarily an ultra-luxury item. The reality was considerably more down to earth, and a lot more fun. Eating at Riccardo’s house later, where truffles were the focus of almost every dish, was not only delicious, but deeply personal in a way that one rarely gets to experience on vacation. Thanks, Erica!
Erin & Dave, USA, Day Adventure, December 2022
We really enjoyed our time with you in Garfagnana, we are still talking about the experience, the friendly people that literally welcomed us into their home, truly unique. The fantastic quality of the food, nothing processed and made fresh, I went online and ordered a sausage stuffer and mincer, we will keep you posted of our attempts at recreating the sausages.
Breffni & Marta Doyle, Australia, Day Adventure, May 2019
Thank you again for the wonderful trip to Sant'Antioco! It was great from so many perspectives. The people we spent time with—making cheese, going fishing, baking bread, doing ceramics—made it much more engaging. Culture, history, food, landscape, laughter and song—all beautiful.
Claudia Conlon, USA, Celebrating Sardinia, April 2017
We wanted an authentic olive harvesting experience for our family—a full immersion in the whole process. We stayed at the farm in a fantastic apartment, and we worked with father Augusto and son Claudio and a small crew to pick the olives from the terraces for four days. It was wonderful—quite hard work but very satisfying to see the fruits of one's labour being carted to the olive mill (in house) and to taste the end product, the very special Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil to give it the full name. We had picnic lunches sitting in the warmth of the afternoon sun, and there was time most afternoons for a trip to Lucca and elsewhere with Erica’s comprehensive guidance. She's a real expert and totally passionate and knowledgable about all things artisan and food.
O'Regan family, UK, Family Adventure, October 2017
I came away from the trip wishing that there was a company like Sapori e Saperi in every country that I visit. We are both inspired by what we experienced with you.
Gabrielle Robertson, USA, Day Adventure, July 2017
I am so glad we found Sapori e Saperi Adventures. Erica was very professional and planned the most amazing tour for us in the Garfagnana. My husband and I traveled Europe for a month for our honeymoon and this tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Our tour guide Francesca was FANTASTIC! She was so friendly and clearly experienced based on her outstanding knowledge of the area. She was able to connect us with the local people making us feel so welcome. I highly recommend this company and look forward to booking through them again in the future.
Jordana Kokoszka, Canada, Day Adventure, July 2017
We have so many great memories of the tour—it was a huge privilege to be able to have such a personal glimpse into the lives of real people, and we so enjoyed focusing on a small piece of Italy at a relaxed pace. It was exactly the kind of experience we were hoping for—thank you so very much!
Penny & Jon Stewart, Canada, Tastes & Textiles: Hanging by a Thread, May 2016
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Francesca. After touring with her, we were especially happy not to have to manoeuvre the roads she took us on! Francesca is charming, knowledgeable and entertaining. We immediately felt as if we were old friends. The villages and scenery in the Garfagnana are truly wonderful.
Anna & Bill C., USA, Day Adventure, May 2017
The time spent in Tuscany with you was the best of our three weeks in Italy. We loved it all. Our guide Giulia was amazing and really someone we connected with and enjoyed spending time with. She went out of her way to make the trip as personal and intimate as we could have asked for. The artisans we visited were also fantastic with Riccardo and Turbo being our favourite! Such warm and generous people who were genuinely happy to share their art with us. Our only complaint is that we had to leave…
Troy Feener & Desiree Tech, Canada, Personalised Adventure, May 2017
Thank you, Erica, for not only letting us ‘peek behind the curtain’, but allowing us to walk through and personally meet the artisan wizards! You took us on the path less travelled while we intimately observed what truly makes Italy—its food and its people—so wonderful.
Natalie Herman, Canada, Autumn in Tuscany, November 2016
Thank you very much for a wonderful experience. The memories will last a lifetime. So many fun and interesting activities, beautiful sights and lovely tastes.
Polley family, Scotland, Family Adventure, October 2015
Our Tastes and Textiles tour was so unique! You took us to destinations I would have never found on my own or with another tour. We met enthusiastic and inspiring people who have created a rich and sustainable lifestyle which also preserves the traditions they hold so dear. Our textile and fiber workshops were fun and intriguing. And, we met plenty of characters along the way! With both gorgeous scenery and charming lodging, this trip was a hit with me! Thank you, Erica! In December 2016, Carol wrote: Since returning home, the impact of our September trip has slowly yet continually percolated up to my consciousness and I’m blown away by how much it meant and has influenced my thinking.
Carol Bingaman, weaver, USA, Tastes & Textiles: Wine to Dye For, September 2016
We want to thank you again for an absolutely unforgettable time away in such a diverse landscape. The people are as beautiful as the country itself. And the food sure measures up as well. The artisans you have found are real gems and we enjoyed seeing them perform their crafts each day in and around Barga. Thanks for going in to this line of ‘work’! It is the BEST….
Tina & Peter MacPhail, Canada, Personalised Adventure, September 2015
I cannot tell you what a wonderful day we had with Francesca. This was the most amazing tour and much more than I had hoped for. I will recommend you to everyone I know!
Merrill Crawford, USA, September 2015
My expectations were high, and were exceeded… Apart from the general delights of the day it has sparked off some fascinating thoughts about quality food. I find it wonderfully ironic that possibly the best ricotta in the world is only available to a handful of peasant farmers, and no amount of money will enable the richest people to buy it unless they make the journey up into the Tuscan hills.
Bill Samuel, UK, Day Adventure, June 2014
The most unfortunate part of our trip was that we were only able to spend two days with Erica. Her passion for the Tuscan culture is exemplified by the lasting friendships she has created with the local artisans. As a result of these relationships, we were able to enter into these artisans’ homes and learn about and participate in their crafts. Words cannot describe the intimate, personable experience that she provides. If you want a unique and memorable experience, Erica will exceed any expectation.
Kellie Lagasse & Eric DeRoche, USA, Personalised Adventure, August 2013
We knew spending the day with you would be fantastic BUT we were blown away with how amazing it turned out to be!! Thank you so much for sharing your passions with us and connecting us with the heart and soul of Italy—this wonder-full little pocket in the Garfagnana. See you again!!
Kristy Rowe & Donnacha Russell, Australia, Day Tour, April 2012
This is a tour for those who want to get below the surface. You will meet extraordinary people, share meals with them in their homes and watch as they keep ancient traditions alive. Erica’s knowledge comes from her love for the Garfagnana and its people and it is infectious.
Janette Gross, USA, Tastes & Textiles: Hanging by a Thread, May 2011
Your tour was the highlight of our seven-week absence from home. There were so many highlights that it is difficult to single out one experience above another, but I must say that the contact with the olive trees was very special. Above all it was your preparation and organisation and great communication with us all that will remain with me forever.
Gillian & Max Poole, Australia, Slow Food Tour to Lucca & Slow Food Salone del Gusto, October 2008
Thank you so much, Erica, for your marvelous hospitality and for giving us a delectable “taste” of the wonders of northern Tuscany. While many have taken Italian “trips”, they don’t realize that they’ve missed an Italian “adventure”.
Jeff & Sue Blaine, USA, Day Adventure, May 2008
