My name is Claudia Cesa, and I was born and raised in Siena. I hold a diploma in Classics and a BA in Art History from the University of Siena. After completing an internship at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, I attended a professional school for Tuscan tourism and became a licensed tour guide in 2015. In 2021, I obtained an additional license for hiking tours in the Tuscan countryside.
In addition to my work as a guide, I have a deep passion for gastronomy. In 2016, I earned the title of Official Olive Oil Taster from AICOO (Associazione Italiana Conoscere l’Olio d’Oliva), and in 2023, I became a certified professional sommelier through AIS (Associazione Italiana Sommelier).
My family has owned Villa Santa Chiara since the early 1900s, and I am actively involved in managing our business, which includes producing high-quality olive oil and renting holiday apartments on the estate.
We loved our time with Claudia! Sharing her secret spots, the many nooks and crannies, and getting a private tour of the Aquila museum were such unexpected treats. We also learned so much while visiting the usual tourist spots that we would have otherwise missed on our own. We plan to cheer on L’Aquila from afar in this summer’s Palio! Her pride in her beautiful city is evident, and we would not hesitate to recommend her wonderful tour. We appreciated her recommendations for lunch and shopping following the tour as well.
If you want a fantastic, local experience; book a tour with Claudia Cesa. She is a member of the Eagle neighbor. I was thrilled by her expertise of the Palio, their flags room, church and Siena. She took us into a shop for treats. I felt like a local with her. I plan to book her on each trip to Siena just to walk around Siena with a local.
Thanks for a grand tour through Siena and sharing so many great stories and back alleys! I really enjoyed getting see Siena through Claudia’s eyes and absorbing as much knowledge as I could through such a short time. The side stops into the wine shop and the bakery were nice hidden jewels. I really enjoyed learning about the deep history and pride of the neighborhoods. Looking forward to coming back to explore more and spend more time! Maybe some day I’ll even get to see the Palio in all its glory!
Claudia is absolutely amazing! My wife and I have been to Siena several times but we knew we needed a better understanding of the art, architecture, people, and culture. Claudia is incredibly knowledgeable and very adaptable. She’s able to talk about and expound on so many interesting aspects of Siena and Tuscany. After spending a wonderful day together, she invited us to join her contrada (L’aquila) for a wonderful celebration. We were a bit hesitant because we felt like we were outsiders, but Claudia and her neighbors made us feel like family! Thank you Claudia, Nikki and I can’t wait… read more »
We had a fabulous 3 hours with Claudia and wish it could have been longer. We’ve been to Siena before, but it came alive in new and charming ways as Claudia talked about the Contradas while weaving us through back streets, slipping into a special church just before it closed, took us wine tasting in an ancient Etruscan cave and more. She’s gracious, speaks perfect English and knows her stuff!
We just finished the most magical tour today! Claudia was incredibly knowledgeable and very engaging. I am traveling with my twin 9 year olds and they were so engaged the whole time. She did a great job personalizing the tour so that all ages could enjoy! I truly would have missed so many hidden gems without her guidance. It’s a must do. Incredible value to have such a knowledgeable guide and to have such a private tour. It was amazing to have someone born in Siena who can really share the history, arts and fun city secrets! I could not… read more »
Claudia is fantastic! She is very knowledgeable about many aspects of Sienna culture and history! Her English is perfect! She showed me all the highlights of her beautiful city. You will be happy you booked a tour with her! She is very kind and also very interesting!
I visited Siena with my 75yr old mother who doesn’t get around very well. I’m so thankful that Claudia was available for a private tour because it was a highlight of our trip! She is kind, knowledgeable, and exactly what we needed. I highly recommend Claudia and I hope our paths cross again!
We had the great fortune of a day-long tour with Claudia in Siena.The love she has for her hometown is evident, and translates into deep knowledge that she shares so enthusiastically. We visited San Domenico, Siena’s magnificent cathedral, among several other stops, met a living legend at his marble workshop (Mr. Emilio Frati), and learned in wonderful detail about the neighborhood traditions and Palio (the Aquila museum was spectacular). Being from the city, she knows things about Siena that you don’t get to learn otherwise (like where a hidden Etruscan tomb is!). Her art historian background really adds wonderful color… read more »