My husband and I just returned from our second tour with Marcello and Raffi. The first time we went we did the vegetarian tour in Emilia Romagna and it was fabulous as you can read in my comments from 2003. This time we booked the Le Marche tour so my husband could eat fish. Marcello customized the tour to provide me with vegetarian foods. We had, if it was possible, an even better time than the first. I think we were more comfortable with the Italian lifestyle this time. Once again we met amazing people who were so very friendly as they opened their homes to us. Marcello works very hard to find just the right mix of experiences for each tour. By the time we were ready to go home we really felt immersed in the Italian culture.
I want to say one more time just how amazing the whole Tori family is. They do everything imaginable to make your Italian experience spectacular. So now we will go again in a few years because we feel like we have friends in Italy.
Thank you Marcello and Raffi for sharing Italy with us!

Dear Raffa and Marcello,
having been to many areas of Italy, I was looking for something new and different.  Your website was so intriguing when I looked into le Marche,  I decided to experience that part of Italy this year.  I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see it as I did on your tour, Marcello.  When more people discover it, I truly think it will be "the next Tuscany" in popularity.  The area is so beautiful with its soft flowing hills and green forests along the blue Adriatic Sea.  Senigallia was a perfect base for the tour.  Avid shoppers will be more than satisfied to spend their time strolling along the pedestrian streets in old Senigallia where they will find anything from tourist mementos to high fashion. Eliminating the trip to the outlet shops was perfect for me. Replacing our shopping day with exploring hill towns was very rewarding  These hill towns varied from large fortified cities to small hamlets.  Loretello, with only six inhabitants was my favorite and being invited into Rosa's home there was so special.  Entering a real forest with Fabrizio and his truffle hunting dog was a true adventure and having his mother prepare a beautiful luncheon for us that included mounds of truffles was amazing and delicious.  Baking bread and cookies with Lida and the tour of Luigi's vast estate made me want to never leave Italy. Our visit to Fabriano was another highlight - coming across Sandro who gave us an in-depth look at the ancient art of paper manufacturing.  Sipping olive oil was surprising - the Bianchiniis were so gracious and generous.  We were seated at a table filled with plate after plate of delicious meats and cheeses; when it came time to leave, the table was crowded with olive oil bottles and little tasting cups, wine bottles and empty glasses and plates. Standing on the wind-swept pier at 7:30 one morning to watch the fishing boats come in was an exciting adventure; another great experience was to be able to buy our seafood straight off the boat and bring it to Roberto's restaurant where it was cleaned and prepared especially for us!  One evening,  while being treated to a celebration feast at the Frula home, someone asked me which experience was my favorite and I am afraid I was unable to answer that question.  How could I choose when every day was special and the Marche people were so friendly and generous?  I don't have words to express my thanks, it was a wonderful week.

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know what a fantastic time we had. From the moment we arrived at the airport, until we left for Florence, we were well taken care of.
I loved the whole experience. It would have taken us twice the time to do these things on our own and some of the things not available to a regular tourist. The hosting vineyards families were most gracious.
One thing when traveling that helps you have a great time is to enjoy the moment and to be flexible. We had a little rain which changed some plans, but you cannot control mother nature.
I have the highest respect for your profession and your associate, Marcello. He was great.
I think it must be a bigger challenge with a small group dealing with different personalities / abilities. Marcello really looked after each person individually as well as in a group.
Our days were filled with plenty of activities and the bus allowed for viewing the countryside.The cooking day at the culinary Institute was great, we went to the boat to pick up the fish with the Professor chef, we learned how to clean and prepare many dishes, and had a beautiful formal lunch service. Really great.
The truffle day was unbelievable, great. Marcello discussed with us what our hopes were for visiting this town of my mother's grand father. He offered to take us personally. My mother was thrilled of this idea. Marcello said that if we didn't do everything that we wanted there we could still do Saturday.
Marcello took us to the town, we went to the town offices, met with the vice-mayor of the town. We took photos for the newspaper, They gave her a book on the city, and toured us thru the town, to see the church where my Great grandfather was baptized and sang in the choir. They opened the theater for us. Marcello really did his thing for us.
My mother was so happy. Everyone was so emotional. We did everything and more than we could have hoped for.
I can't thank you enough for putting this trip together.
Best Regards

Bravo! Bravo! Marcello,
Thank you for a life changing experience.
Thank for the lessons learned.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with my son and share this wonderful experience.
Thank you for the opportunity to meet young, intelligent and incredibly talented people.
Thank you for the varied experiences all enlightening and educational.
Thank you for making time to take us to Montemarciano. To be in the town where my grandfather was born was a life long dream finally realized. Words cannot describe my feelings....only tears of joy.
Most of all, Marcello, thank you for your genuine hospitality which cannot be described, but felt and put us at ease.
Please thank all who so warmly greeted us and made us feel like family.
Oscar Wilde once said..."The memory is the diary that we carry about with us"....thank you, again for all the wonderful memories that I now have in my diary.
Ciao, Marcello......most sincerely.
Regards to your wonderful wife and daughter.........