Our Guides
Marco
Marco is originally from Florence but now lives in the verdant hills above Lucca. His love of travel has taken him on hiking adventures all over the world, from the Sahara to the Amazon to Nepal. A man of many skills, he has worked in the fashion industry in Florence, as a chef on a super-yacht, and as an artist and mosaicist from his home studio. Marco fervently supports “La Fiorentina”, the Florence football club, and is a diehard fan of the Rolling Stones. He is happiest when scrambling up a mountain, or savoring a Brunello from one of his favorite producers. Occasionally, he trades in his hiking boots for a Vespa and leads our Vespa tours in Andalucia, and his home region of Tuscany. Languages: Italian, English, and Spanish.
Francesca
Francesca is a lover of music, books, fine food and wine, and—above all—travel and adventure. For her, travel is a vital part of life, feeding both the mind and the soul. She has explored Europe extensively, forging friendships along the way. Long hikes to hidden beaches or historical sites are her favorite, as they let her indulge her lifelong passion for archaeology. Born and raised in Arezzo, Tuscany, Francesca earned a degree in Classics before diving into a vibrant career. She has worked in a press office for cultural events, served as a production manager for music and theater festivals, and even ran an arts center in her hometown. Now, she devotes herself to guiding full-time, sharing her enthusiasm and expertise. When she’s not leading adventures, Francesca spends the off-season working in a sports trekking store and writing reviews for an online music magazine. “Franci” leads our Vespa tours in Tuscany and Puglia, as well as our Customwalks hiking tours in Andalucia, the Cinque Terre, Piedmont, Sicily, Puglia and Basilicata, Tuscany, Amalfi, the Dolomites, our boat-based hike in Croatia. Languages: Italian, English, and Spanish.
Samantha
Samantha, originally from England, spent her childhood in Wales before moving to Tuscany 20 years ago, where she raised her two sons with her Italian partner. Traveling across Italy with her extended family, she’s seen how travel can bring joy and connection to all generations. Before becoming a guide, “Sammy” embraced a variety of adventures, from running her own bar in a charming Italian village to working in Tuscany’s high-end fashion industry. Guiding has been the perfect way for her to bring together her passions for nature, travel, meeting new people, and creating memorable experiences. Sammy leads our our Scooterbella Vespa tours in Puglia and Tuscany and our Customwalks hiking tours in Sicily, Puglia and Basilicata, Lake Como, and the Dolomites. Languages: English and Italian (with a pronounced Tuscan accent!).
Brett
Brett, originally from Ottawa, Canada, discovered his passion for travel early on. After earning a Master’s Degree in International Relations in 1990, he spent a summer guiding bike tours in France before setting off on adventures through Nepal, India, and Indonesia. By 1994, he left behind a budding career with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs to follow his true calling: travel and adventure. Settling in Tuscany, Brett founded Customwalks in 1996 and then started Scooterbella ten years later. He has personally developed all the Scooterbella tours. A bon vivant, avid hiker, and natural storyteller, he brings infectious enthusiasm and deep knowledge to every tour he joins. His love for history, cuisine, and wine shines through, making each experience unforgettable. With over 35 years of guiding expertise, Brett now focuses on mentoring his talented team of guides, though he still personally accompanies many departures to ensure every tour embodies the "ScooterBella Way." Languages: English, French, and Italian.
Rachele
Rachele is proudly “Comasca,” born and raised in the stunning lakeside town of Como in northern Italy. At just 16, she spent a transformative year in Australia, living with a local family and attending high school. Back in Italy, she pursued a degree in management, tourism, and languages at university in Milan. Her love of exploration has taken her to Spain, Greece, Central America, and India, yet she always returns to her beloved Como. When not leading tours, Rachele helps her mother run a charming shop in the heart of Como and unwinds each year on the Greek island of Folegandros, where her family has a home. She guides our Scooterbella Vespa tours in Puglia and Tuscany, and our Customwalks hiking tours in Sicily, Puglia and Basilicata, Tuscany, the Dolomites, and her home region of Lake Como. Languages: Italian, English, Spanish, and a little German, Russian, and Greek.
Chiara
Chiara was born and raised in Tuscany but soon after school she spread her wings to live in Spain, France, and Germany. However the lure of home was too strong, and she returned to her home provence of Arezzo a few years ago. Besides her professional interest in multimedia arts, web design, and event planning Chiara teaches Hatha Yoga and sings Italian folk music. Chiara helps us out with our tour management and other back office projects. Languages: Italian, German, French, English, and Spanish.
Lisa
Lisa hails from Romagna, a region in Italy where cycling and rolling out fresh pasta are simply part of daily life. Her natural curiosity and childhood dream of exploring the world eventually led her to California, where she earned a Master’s degree in Museum Studies and spent seven years working in the museum world. But Lisa’s adventurous spirit couldn’t be contained. She left her job to explore the world, quickly realizing the best way to experience it was slowly—by bike or on foot. She turned her passion for travel into a profession and has been leading biking and walking tours across Europe ever since. A bold and fearless adventurer, Lisa once spent an entire year cycling solo through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and finally back home to Italy. Her latest passion? White-water kayaking. Lisa helps look after certain back office projects for Scooterbella and she guides our Cinque Terre and Sardinia hikes. Languages: Italian, English, and Spanish.
Sagra
Sagra’s first language is Spanish, but she’s equally at home speaking Catalan, English, French, and Italian. When she’s not guiding our Andalucia Scooter or Hiking tours, she teaches secondary school in Spain and is pursuing a Master’s degree in anthropology. With her playful sense of humor and warm personality, Sagra is a joy to travel with. She loves hiking, swimming, and sharing adventures with her daughter, Carla.
Josko
Josko, a native of Split, knows the Dalmatian islands like the back of his hand. As a certified guide for the city of Split and its renowned Diocletian Palace, he combines his deep knowledge of the region’s history with his passion for adventure. Josko also loves exploring the islands by foot and by scooter. Traveling with Josko is an insider’s experience—you’ll meet dozens of locals as he takes you to enjoy meals with friends, and introduces you to olive oil producers, brandy makers, and, of course, talented winemakers. Languages: Croatian and English.
Manuela
Manuela grew up surrounded by the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside near Siena, where her love of nature and adventure took root. Her curiosity led her to study abroad in Ireland and Spain, earning a degree in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. After graduation, she spent five years in Ireland before returning to sunny Tuscany. Back home, Manuela worked at “Dievole,” a renowned Chianti Classico winery, and at an eco-hotel near Siena, combining her love for sustainable living with her career. Manuela has guided numerous Vespa tours and hiking tours in her home region of Tuscany. Languages: Italian, English, Spanish.
Licia
Licia hails from Taranto, in the heart of Puglia’s “heel,” but her journey has taken her far and wide. She left her hometown to study pharmacy at the University of Siena, eventually working as a pharmacist in various Tuscan towns and villages. However, her love for travel and a desire to learn English led her to embark on a three-month adventure to New Zealand—a trip that unexpectedly turned into a year and a half due to the pandemic. She joined our team part-time during the 2022 season and became a full-time member in January 2023, handling payments, supplier relations, and a host of other essential administrative tasks. When she’s not working or hiking, Licia loves to unwind with her watercolors. Languages: Italian and English.
Sara
Sara is proudly 100% Tuscan and calls the charming city of Arezzo home. Her adventurous spirit took her across Europe as a young traveler, exploring new cultures and mastering languages. While studying in Seville, she became fluent in Spanish and developed a lifelong love for all things Andalucian. Her passion for dance led her to spend six months in Santo Domingo learning Latin rhythms, and every year she hosts a lively Salsa music and dance gathering. Despite her travels, Sara’s heart remains firmly rooted in Arezzo, where she works as a licensed guide, sharing the rich history and traditions of her hometown and its surroundings. Her warm and generous nature shines as she helps visitors discover the beauty of Tuscany and beyond. Sara leads our Vespa tours in Andalucia, Puglia, and Tuscany, and our Customwalks hiking tours in Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia and Basilicata, and Lake Como. Languages: Italian, English, Spanish.
Heidi
Heidi was born in Gibraltar and grew up in Plymouth, U.K. She studied Social Policy and Administration at Brighton University and worked in Social Care before her adventurous spirit took over. A round-the-world trip became a life-changing experience, especially the seven months she spent in New Zealand, a country she fell in love with. In 2013, Heidi made the leap and moved to New Zealand with her husband, where she has built a new life and is busy raising her two daughters. Part of our team since 2016 Heidi works part-time handling issuing trip agreements and receipts for payment, bringing her organizational skills and friendly touch to everything she does.