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Testimonials
My wife, Avin, and I were fortunate enough on this week that the Colosseum was closed on Wednesday morning, and our tour was delayed till the afternoon – with you as our guide.
I just want to say that the Colosseum tour you gave yesterday was simply amazing!! The next time I'm in Rome (hopefully soon) I am definitely going to make sure you're my guide. Thanks again.
Adam
I have to admit it. When our friends referred you to us, we were skeptical. We have traveled Italy countless times and were living there on and off for extended periods. A guide seemed to be an unnecessary expense.
Were we ever wrong. You people truly know and love this country. And the special extras our hosts and drivers delivered made the whole experience that much more memorable. Grazie Mille
Bob and Angee
We’re still looking at pictures and telling anyone who will listen what a wonderful time we had. When you told our 12 year old you would concentrate on her and ignore the parents, I thought her face would split from smiling. And you did just that. Thank you for "edu-taining" our kid. It is a true gift to make art and archeology interesting to a "tween".
Ignore us anytime you want. We appreciate it.
Sarah and Bud
Thank you for escorting our US Senate delegation through the Vatican. And thank you for honoring my request and calling me "Chuck". It's nice to have an informed host who suspends ceremony and treats people with casual respect.
United States Senator "Chuck"
The people of Caritas thank you for your organizational skills and services to our workshop delegation and visitors.
Michelle Caritas Staff, Vatican City
Members of my congregation wanted me extend their gratitude to you. Your knowledge of Christendom is impressive. And we loved how you navigated the backrooms of the Vatican.I personally appreciate the bad puns and corny jokes. Keeping it light and interesting was the best part. God Bless
Monsignor Chris
This was the best tour we ever had anywhere. Not just in Italy. Anywhere. You Rock!
Edna, Mom and Grandma
The military history theme itinerary was a huge success. I look forward to building a "Hanibal" tour with you and sharing it with my fellow battle-field buffs.
US Marshall Mike
You made our trip to Rome, absolutely amazing. We cannot thank you enough. It was perfect in every way. Not a bad moment, but a million incredible ones. We saw everything we wanted to see and more than we could have expected. Your pace, your knowledge, your humor all made for a perfect vacation and a lifetime of beautiful memories. The sights,the food, the wine, your friends all incredible. Christine is an absolute delight and very gracious. We had her Limoncello on arrivng home and shared it with our family. Needless to say we loved it and can't thank her enough.
Your advice on what to do on leaving Rome was invaluable. We followed it to the letter and had a blast in Orvietto and in Tuscanny. We had a nice long lunch at the place you recommended near the Orvietto Duomo and bought ceramics in the place you told us to. Florence was great and Emma was just unbelievable! I learned an amazing number of things from her that I would never have known.
We will recommend you to everyone we know that goes to Rome and we hope to have the opportunity to spend another great time with you in the future, both in Rome and down south.
The pictures we took are outstanding overall. Most are really good... I will work on them and get you a set.
Anyway, we can't thank you enough. We will never forget this trip and we owe a lot of those memories to you. Thanks!!!
All the best,
John
PS: Remember to let us know when you are either in Boston or Philadelphia or NYC.
My wife, Avin, and I were fortunate enough on this week that the Colosseum was closed on Wednesday morning, and our tour was delayed till the afternoon – with you as our guide.
I just wanted to write and say how much we enjoyed and appreciated our few hours with you, you really brought to life the history Rome and have sparked a new interest for both Avin and I. Our trip was 2 weeks long and covered four cities in Europe, and the three hours with you was my favorite part of our trip, thank you.
I’ll be sure to give you a hard time next time the Badgers beat up on the Wolverines! Take care.
Dave & Avin
I just want to say that the Colosseum tour you gave yesterday was simply amazing!! The next time I'm in Rome (hopefully soon) I am definitely going to make sure you're my guide. Thanks again.
Adam
I have to admit it. When our friends referred you to us, we were skeptical. We have traveled Italy countless times and were living there on and off for extended periods. A guide seemed to be an unnecessary expense.
Were we ever wrong. You people truly know and love this country. And the special extras our hosts and drivers delivered made the whole experience that much more memorable. Grazie Mille
Bob and Angee
We’re still looking at pictures and telling anyone who will listen what a wonderful time we had. When you told our 12 year old you would concentrate on her and ignore the parents, I thought her face would split from smiling. And you did just that. Thank you for "edu-taining" our kid. It is a true gift to make art and archeology interesting to a "tween".
Ignore us anytime you want. We appreciate it.
Sarah and Bud
Thank you for escorting our US Senate delegation through the Vatican. And thank you for honoring my request and calling me "Chuck". It's nice to have an informed host who suspends ceremony and treats people with casual respect.
United States Senator "Chuck"
The people of Caritas thank you for your organizational skills and services to our workshop delegation and visitors.
Michelle Caritas Staff, Vatican City
Members of my congregation wanted me extend their gratitude to you. Your knowledge of Christendom is impressive. And we loved how you navigated the backrooms of the Vatican.I personally appreciate the bad puns and corny jokes. Keeping it light and interesting was the best part. God Bless
Monsignor Chris
This was the best tour we ever had anywhere. Not just in Italy. Anywhere. You Rock!
Edna, Mom and Grandma
The military history theme itinerary was a huge success. I look forward to building a "Hanibal" tour with you and sharing it with my fellow battle-field buffs.
US Marshall Mike
What a Story! Read this one!
We were standing and waiting for our next transfer when a guy came up and asked us about his ticket. We answered and he left. Then I told Michael to go validate our tickets. He walked off and I looked down and MY BACKPACK WAS GONE. It had my white shirts that Brent had gotten me, my purse and wallet, and the real kickers, my PASSPORT CREDIT CARDS and CELL PHONE. Also on the list of important things lost were my only set of car keys, my sudoku books and a bag of ring pops we got from the dollar tree. AHHHH!! I started looking around, but I knew it had been stolen. Understandably I freaked out a little and we talked to the station security who directed us to the police station, down the stairs and to the right. So we went down the stairs and there were a bunch of crossroads at weird angles so we said screw this, we don't want to miss our train, too. So we went back and waited for the train.
At the port we were told that I couldn't get on the boat because I didn't have my passport. But, if we got a temporary passport the next day from the embassy in Rome then we could join the cruise at the port in Sicily (Messina) after flying to the airport in Catania then taking a taxi for an hour to the port. Ugh, another freak out (how were we going to do all this by ourselves?!?) and then we walked out to look for a taxi to take us back to Rome.
This was where we met Tom Shaker. Michael saw him standing by his van as we walked out. Michael asked if he was a taxi, he looked at us, asked where were going and then shrugged his shoulders and said put your stuff in. Turns out he was just dropping off another honeymoon couple that he had been taking around during the week and wasn't really a taxi, but was willing to take us to Rome because he was heading back there. We told him our story and he took pity on us. He laughed and said it was definitely in his top four horror stories. Then he said let me call some people and he set us up with a hotel at the base of the Colosseum and showed us his friends restaurant that was on that block. He then said he would pick us up in the morning and take us to the embassy, then to the airport. And, even better, he would be at the port next sunday to pick up the other couple so he would take us back to Rome as well!!! Basically this guy was our angel.
So we set up in the hotel then saw all of the sights (since we couldn't do anything else). We had a nice, cheap dinner and then talked to our parents and set up everything for the next day. Sure enough, Tom came back the next morning, and getting my temporary passport went flawlessly. We met a couple from New York who had had the woman's purse stolen at dinner the night before and a Chinese-American family who had had all four of their passports stolen out of his backpack. It made me feel a little bit better to stand near a bunch of others who had had their passports stolen too.
This morning at the end of the cruise we got off the ship and met up with Tom Shaker and the other honeymoon couple, Megan and Taylor.
Have I mentioned that Tom is our hero? :)
At the port we were told that I couldn't get on the boat because I didn't have my passport. But, if we got a temporary passport the next day from the embassy in Rome then we could join the cruise at the port in Sicily (Messina) after flying to the airport in Catania then taking a taxi for an hour to the port. Ugh, another freak out (how were we going to do all this by ourselves?!?) and then we walked out to look for a taxi to take us back to Rome.
This was where we met Tom Shaker. Michael saw him standing by his van as we walked out. Michael asked if he was a taxi, he looked at us, asked where were going and then shrugged his shoulders and said put your stuff in. Turns out he was just dropping off another honeymoon couple that he had been taking around during the week and wasn't really a taxi, but was willing to take us to Rome because he was heading back there. We told him our story and he took pity on us. He laughed and said it was definitely in his top four horror stories. Then he said let me call some people and he set us up with a hotel at the base of the Colosseum and showed us his friends restaurant that was on that block. He then said he would pick us up in the morning and take us to the embassy, then to the airport. And, even better, he would be at the port next sunday to pick up the other couple so he would take us back to Rome as well!!! Basically this guy was our angel.
So we set up in the hotel then saw all of the sights (since we couldn't do anything else). We had a nice, cheap dinner and then talked to our parents and set up everything for the next day. Sure enough, Tom came back the next morning, and getting my temporary passport went flawlessly. We met a couple from New York who had had the woman's purse stolen at dinner the night before and a Chinese-American family who had had all four of their passports stolen out of his backpack. It made me feel a little bit better to stand near a bunch of others who had had their passports stolen too.
This morning at the end of the cruise we got off the ship and met up with Tom Shaker and the other honeymoon couple, Megan and Taylor.
Have I mentioned that Tom is our hero? :)
A Former Guest who sent her Client over
She loved you, the tour and the lunch. She said you were amazing and was going to send lots of folks your way. You did me proud!! She raved about you for half an hour.
From a VP with staff and family
after a Seminar in Bologna
Will connect with pictures and some future tourists soon.
Good luck with the show tonight - we're sorry to miss it!
A Cruise Group with one day to see Rome
(READ ALL OF THIS ONE)
Just wanted to send you a BIG thank you for our tour of the Vatican Museum 11/8/06 . You are a great, knowledgeable and "so entertaining" guide!!! We are the folks from the cruise ship who live in Columbus , Ohio Italy
I have to tell you a funny thing that Kathryn, our older lady said after she toured the Sistine Chapel with you. On the way back to the ship she lamented that we did not see the Sistine Chapel. After "filling her in" that we were indeed there hours earlier, she told us "Oh was that it, I was so happy visiting with Tom that I must of missed it!”
Keep up the good work and let us know about villas.
A 5 star Travel Agent who heard
from the Client right after the trip
I did get an email from Diane. They had a wonderful time on their trip. Thanks for doing such a great job. It’s rare I get an email back from Europe . She said you were charming.
My favorite, the happy Family
I am back from my vacation and I am just getting to my e-mails when I noticed yours. I was already in Italy
By the way, I won’t hold you to your guarantee, “Kids will have a blast and become great friends or the tour is free”
My kids had a blast…
Best of luck in your new home. We’ll be watching the film credits for anything filmed in Rome
One of our fabulous drivers
I just wanted to write and tell you our day with Marco to Pompeii Italy Italy
And the little quips of contentment
Hey Tom! Thanks, you were great too - we will definitely touch bases with you if we ever return to Rome
We arrived home safe and sound earlier this afternoon. The flight even arrived a few minutes so the trip back was seamless. I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised to hear that most of us slept for the better part of the flight.
What a pleasure to meet you. Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and your expertise with the tours and transfers certainly made the trip much more enjoyable!!!
I will be sure to share your company's sales brochure with my colleagues and recommend your services.
Thanks again for your kind hospitality.
What a pleasure to meet you. Mike and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and your expertise with the tours and transfers certainly made the trip much more enjoyable!!!
I will be sure to share your company's sales brochure with my colleagues and recommend your services.
Thanks again for your kind hospitality.
My husband and I were recently in Rome Italy
You have been highly recommended to me by my partner.
Tom is the American guide I told you about. See if he's available for your trip. It will definitely be worth it!
Art Treasure Tips from Tom
Bernini at the "Steps" of Saint Andrew
Visitors in Rome flock to many "must see" sites. Two of these locations are the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Crowds of tourists walk between one and the other, many never realizing that they are passing by an outstanding team of angels sculpted by the baroque master, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Just south of Piazza di Spagna (and north of Fontana di Trevi) on Via di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte is a church of the same name. Inside, framing the main altar, are two "prototype" marble angels.
One of the last and largest projects for an aging Bernini was to replace the deteriorating stucco angels of Raffaello da Montelupo that stood on the bridge that crossed the Tiber, endeding at the entrance of Castel Sant'Angelo. Logically named Ponte Sant'Angelo, this span over the present day Tevere River (Tiber) was to become a showplace for ten Bernini angels, each one depicting a moment in the Passion of the Christ.
Not a bad gig for a seventy year old sculptor!
In fact, Bernini personally completed only two of the ten (while his assistants worked on the remaining eight). One holds the superscription I.N.R.I., the other delicately grasps the Crown of Thorns.
The Pope who commissioned the project, Clement IX, was so fond of these two angels that he kept them for himself! Fortunately for the faithful and the curious, they now reside inside Sant'Andrea delle Fratte.
It was normal in the time of the Imperial Papacy that the CEO of the Catholic Church surround himself with riches, materials, accolades and servants. The glory of God was measured in stuff more than sacrament and artists cooperated in order to have the canvas and medium necessary for their creations. Bernini was no exception.
The generous sponsorship of the Holy Father gave him resources necessary for creating mammoth masterpieces throughout Rome. Yet, controversy and intrigue swirled around these works as well.
Whether or not the elliptical colonnade at St. Peter's pays homage to Galileo's solar system treatise is substance for discussion. And the Ecstasy of Saint Theresa statue in Santa Maria Vittoria clearly begs consideration between the sacred and the profane. The same tenets apply to these angels in Saint Andrew as well.
Looking at the two statues, one can only marvel at the power and passion that was Bernini. Bringing something so inanimate as marble to life is a stroke of genius. (In this case, a hammer stroke). But Bernini exceeds this by giving the duo an appearance of human character.
The angel holding the I.N.R.I. banner seems to be pious, instructive and focused on the presentational task at hand. The other however is reacting logically to the slightly thorny duty at hand (literally). We empathize with the story of the Passion and contemplate the interpretation etched in metamorphic majesty.
Ouch. It hurts to get stuck in the finger by a thorn.
This is classic Bernini: a combination of force, piety and just a little pain.
Tom Shaker
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