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Join guided tours in Lucca and Freiburg im Breisgau with a professional tour guide: discover the old town, the main attractions and the cultural heritage of Lucca and Freiburg. Discover also my tailor-made tours and contact me for a customized experience.

Qualified Tourist Guide

VITTORIA CALAFATI

Lucca and Freiburg are the two cities where I live: the city of the heart and the city of love; I am truly excited to share these wonderful places with visitors.

TAILOR-MADE TOURS

Your itinerary, your story

Don’t hesitate to contact me for a personalized itinerary designed just for you!
Every person, every group has their own wishes: art, history, nature, gastronomy, photography, relaxation... Tell me what you prefer, how much time you have, and what pace you enjoy. Whether you are with family, friends, as a couple, or traveling solo, I will create a tailor-made route that reflects your passions.
As a licensed guide with studies in art history, I bring not only knowledge, but also curious eyes to show you hidden corners, local curiosities, special viewpoints, and unusual paths. I help you optimize your time, to truly discover, not just to see.

What I include in a tailor-made tour:
• Flexible duration (half day, full day, multiple days)
• Language of your choice (Italian, German, English)
• Itineraries adapted to your passions and your pace
• Complete logistical information (entrance fees, transport, extra activities...)

Write to me today to create your ideal tour together: I’ll be happy to suggest original ideas and build an experience you will fondly remember!

Contact for LUCCA
vcalafati@gmail.com
Mobile: (+39) 335 589 3057

Contact for FREIBURG
vittoriafreiburg@gmail.com
Mobile: (+49) 1575 2416709

VISITING FREIBURG IM BREISGAU

Freiburg is a city full of history, art, and curiosities waiting to be discovered: the small canals, called Bächle, with water flowing through the historic center; the decorative pavements made with stones from the Rhine River; and the Münster, with the most beautiful Gothic tower in Christendom, surrounded by charming buildings and the picturesque market. A truly fascinating discovery!

FREIBURG: DISCOVERING THE CITY

The old medieval town, with its picturesque canals, is truly enchanting. Our itinerary allows us to explore the birth of the free city from the 13th century.

Tour duration: 2 Hours
Languages: Italian, German, English
Learn more about this itinerary, click here

FREIBURG: DISCOVERING THE CITY

The Capital of the Black Forest

Located at the gateway to the Black Forest, close to Switzerland and France, Freiburg is a crossroads of international culture, art, and history. We retrace the birth of the free city from the 13th century through its monuments: admire the construction of the splendid Gothic cathedral, dominated by what is considered Germany’s most beautiful spire; discover the picturesque city towers and richly decorated palaces. Pay attention to Freiburg’s unique feature: the Bächle, small water canals running along at least 15 km of the old town’s streets. Fed directly by the Dreisam River, they accompany our stroll through the lively historic center.

The Münsterplatz

The Cathedral Square, Münsterplatz, is dominated by the magnificent Gothic church and its tower, called the most beautiful in all Western Christendom. Built between the 13th and 18th centuries, it houses some of the most significant works in art history. Around its perimeter, gargoyles portray a variety of figures and fantastic creatures. On the square stands the Historisches Kaufhaus – the Old Merchants’ Hall, built in 1378 with a lavish façade and two richly decorated corner turrets. Its façade displays statues of the great Habsburg rulers, who protected the city from the 14th to the 19th century.

The Political Center: the Rathaus

The Old Town Hall and New Town Hall in Rathausplatz are richly decorated with Habsburg coats of arms and fine Neo-Baroque details. Built in the 16th century, they showcase Freiburg’s architectural style, from bay windows to stepped gables. Overlooking the square is St. Martin’s Church in Neo-Gothic style, and nearby stands the famous Whale House, richly decorated with late Gothic details and known for having hosted Erasmus of Rotterdam.

Picturesque Streets and Quarters

Wandering through the city we discover charming medieval quarters such as Konviktstrasse, the most picturesque street in Freiburg with its unique, varied houses. We admire the Schwabentor, with a curious fresco tied to the legend of the Swabian merchant, and the Martinstor: the two medieval gates with Renaissance and Neo-Gothic additions that introduce us to Freiburg’s history. We explore Little Venice, a characteristic district divided by the Dreisam River: on one side the fishermen’s quarter (Fischerau), on the other the tanners’ quarter (Gerberau). In between we find the “Freiburg crocodile,” a quirky curiosity waiting to be discovered!

The Bächle and Mosaic Pavements

Freiburg’s most distinctive feature is its network of small water channels, the Bächle, built when the city was founded to ensure a permanent water supply in case of fire. Found along both small and large streets, they are accompanied by beautiful mosaic pavements depicting heraldic symbols and typical local products. Decorations can also be admired on historic buildings: from timber-framed houses to stepped gable façades such as the Kornhaus; the splendid Renaissance façade of the Basler Hof; and neoclassical buildings around St. Martin’s Gate.

The Green and Sustainable City

Freiburg is one of the best examples of a city shaped by ecology, renewable energy, sustainability, and climate protection. Many historic buildings have been adapted with energy-saving solutions. Research is strong at the University, founded in 1457, home to renowned scholars and students who distinguished themselves in literature, philosophy, art, and especially science. We admire the university buildings, including the new library, one of the largest and best-equipped in Europe.

SULZBURG: THE GATEWAY TO THE BLACK FOREST

Sulzburg and a walk towards the gateway to the Black Forest, a paradise for hikers: gentle hills, woods, pastures, valleys, ponds, waterfalls, and romantic villages.

Tour duration: 2 Hours
Languages: Italian, German, English
Learn more about this itinerary, click here

STAUFEN: THE TOWN OF FAUST

The charming town of Staufen, located in the heart of the Nature Park in the southern part of the Black Forest. Overlooking the Rhine Valley, it is surrounded by vineyard hills, Black Forest mountains, and the Vosges range.

Tour duration: 2 Hours
Languages: Italian, German, English
Learn more about this itinerary, click here

HEITERSHEIM: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS

The strategic location of Heitersheim made it the ideal place for the construction of a manor residence of a Roman squire in the 1st century BC. Recent excavations have brought to light its remains.

Tour duration: 2 Hours
Languages: Italian, German, English
Learn more about this itinerary, click here

FROM THE RHINE GRABEN TO THE BLACK FOREST

The Rhine Graben is a rift valley formed between 33 and 1 million years ago. About 30–45 km wide and nearly 300 km long, it stretches south–north across southern Germany.

Tour duration: 2 Hours
Languages: Italian, German, English
Learn more about this itinerary, click here

For all tours

Visit: on foot
Tickets: not included
Bike rental: not included

Qualified Tourist Guide

VITTORIA CALAFATI

I have a degree in art history and I love showing monuments and works of art in their artistic beauty and historical charm, without forgetting everyday life and the most evocative corners of the place we are visiting.

My tours are a pleasant walk, like being among friends, strolling through the cities and discovering little-known details, so as to keep a beautiful memory of what we have seen and experienced together.

I have two children who taught me to see the world around me with different eyes: this is how I discovered new ways of visiting a city. Thanks to them, I created tours that are alternative and fun, suitable for curious visitors, and some of these have become a book.

Contact for LUCCA
vcalafati@gmail.com
Mobile: (+39) 335 589 3057

Contact for FREIBURG
vittoriafreiburg@gmail.com
Mobile: (+49) 1575 2416709

Vittoria Calafati did an excellent job explaining and showing the history and culture of Freiburg. She highlighted details we would never have noticed without her help and adapted the tour flexibly to include parts of special interest to us. With her charming style, she gave us a perfect overview of this beautiful city.

— Hermann_S
Vittoria guided our group in discovering Freiburg. She organized a bilingual tour in Italian and German, including elements designed for a family visit with children. The youngest members of the group received a folder with various activities to do at the stops where we listened to her explanations. It was the perfect tour, tailored for us. Everyone went home with wonderful memories of the trip!

— Family
I highly recommend this walking tour of Freiburg. Vittoria was incredibly knowledgeable, and we learned so much about the city. She studied art history, so she has a deep understanding of architectural styles as well as the artworks throughout the city. We greatly enjoyed our experience — absolutely worth it!

— Family

Backpack with DIY TOUR KIT

This tour lets you discover Lucca by following the instructions in the included booklet. Children can color, draw, and learn to observe the squares and monuments around them while reading and exploring the images shown in the booklet. Included: backpack, book about fantastic animals, a small notebook with materials for coloring and drawing, pencils, and detailed instructions to follow the itinerary. Cost: €25.00 per person
To reserve your backpack and arrange the delivery location, please write to vcalafati@gmail.com.

I am the author of three books about Lucca.

Book cover - The Treasure of Paolo Guinigi

Il tesoro di Paolo Guinigi. Un viaggio fantastico nella città di Lucca

👉 To purchase this book, only italian, feel free to contact Vittoria Calafati: write to vcalafati@gmail.com.

Book cover - Itinerary in Search of Real and Fantastic Animals

An Itinerary to discover WILD and domestic animals Real and fantastic

👉 To purchase this book, only italian and english, feel free to contact Vittoria Calafati: write to vcalafati@gmail.com.

Book cover - Lucca, a Small Great City Told to Children

Lucca, una piccola grande città raccontata ai bambini.

👉 To purchase this book, only italian, feel free to contact Vittoria Calafati: write to vcalafati@gmail.com.

TAILOR-MADE TOURS

Your itinerary, your story

VISITING FREIBURG IM BREISGAU

FREIBURG: DISCOVERING THE CITY

FREIBURG: DISCOVERING THE CITY

The Capital of the Black Forest

The Münsterplatz

The Political Center: the Rathaus

Picturesque Streets and Quarters

The Bächle and Mosaic Pavements

The Green and Sustainable City

SULZBURG: THE GATEWAY TO THE BLACK FOREST

SULZBURG: THE GATEWAY TO THE BLACK FOREST

The Romantic Entrance to the Black Forest

The Historic Center

Historic Buildings on the Forest Path

STAUFEN: THE TOWN OF FAUST

STAUFEN: THE TOWN OF FAUST

The Romanticism that Inspired Goethe

The Historic Center

Between History and Landscape

HEITERSHEIM: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS

HEITERSHEIM: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS

From Roman Villa to the Castle of the Maltese Priory

The Villa Urbana and the Castle of the Maltese Grand Priory

Among Vineyards, Wineries, and Tastings

FROM THE RHINE GRABEN TO THE BLACK FOREST

FROM THE RHINE GRABEN TO THE BLACK FOREST

From vineyards to forest

Triberg and the cuckoo clock

Titisee: “the love and delight of mankind”

For all tours

Qualified Tourist Guide

VITTORIA CALAFATI

Backpack with DIY TOUR KIT

I am the author of three books about Lucca.

Il tesoro di Paolo Guinigi. Un viaggio fantastico nella città di Lucca

An Itinerary to discover WILD and domestic animals Real and fantastic

Lucca, una piccola grande città raccontata ai bambini.