Spring 2019

80 Oct18648 Simply the Best DrivingTour forWine Enthusiasts In October, Cooltours ® was recognised as the ‘Best Driving Tour Operator in Tuscany’ in LUXlife Magazine’s 2018 Global Travel and Tourism Awards programme. Following this well- deserved win, we spoke with the firm’s Owner and expert Sommelier, Anna Maria Madaffari, who offered a remarkable insight into her work and experiences. Certified by the Informazione Accoglienza Territoriale e Turistica (IAT), Anna has long held a passion for utilising her expertise for tourists eager to get an authentic Tuscan experience. Indeed, as a talented Sommelier and with experience working in award-winning wineries, it might be fair to say that she offers a truly unique offering, guaranteeing an ‘insider’s look’ into one of the most celebrated of wine regions, as Anna is keen to discuss further. “We provide a full day experience in the gorgeous countryside, made of stunning views and free visits in the hot spots of Tuscany – such as San Gimignano, Siena, Valdorcia and the Chianti region, catered to each customer’s needs. In the case of wine tours, they are all lead by a professional wine expert as part of an educational experience to learn and enjoy upscale wines by visiting unique wineries that are usually family owned and not commercial. “The services are provided by professionals and experienced people who will take care of each guests and its needs. We have Mercedes minivans equipped with all comforts and English-speaking guides. Usually daily tours are based on a private basis and a small group tour of eight people can be provided on clients’ request just to keep the costs down for them.” All of this is more impressive considering that Cooltours is entirely managed by Anna alone – “the company is basically a one-woman business, but all provided guides are trained and friendly.” Naturally, working in the hospitality and travel industry, Anna has become adept at attaining client satisfaction, honing a particular talent for exceeding incredibly high expectations. “In order to make sure clients are always satisfied, I make sure that the members of the company have an extended and in-depth knowledge about the area, the culture, the architecture of the major visited sites and – of course – the wine making process and industry.” With the boom of the experience economy, Anna has chosen to focus on the unique offerings of the region, becoming specialised in wine and food experiences. This has proven incredibly popular, leading to increased demand from clients in the USA, UK and Australia. Finally, the discussion moves to the future of Cooltours on the back of this increased demand and Anna’s considerable reputation in the region. “The plan is to give clients new and more experiences, which are coming soon – most likely in the next year. We foresee a higher demand for private and exclusive services, especially in the wine and food business, made up of unique, tailored experiences and off the beaten path solutions and destinations. Contact: Anna Maria Madaffari Company: Cooltours ® Address: Via di San Quirico 20, Incisa Figline Valdarno, Florence, 50064, Italy Website: www.cooltours.it Telephone: +39 347 70 71 332 Taste