Life as a Guide

"Come on, Follow Me!"

Guide tour for kids into Biopark of Sicily

Impressing people is my passion. But if these people are children, I receive even more satisfaction.

My first jobs in the world of tourism have always concerned staying in contact with people, and especially with children. In my native town, Carini, I started to be a tour guide for school children both at Bioparco di Sicilia and at La Grua-Talamanca Castle.

Guide into Castle of La Grua-Talamanca

The Castle La Grua-Talamanca is particular for its structure of Arab origin, and for the changes it has undergone over the years, but especially for its history. One story in particular has marked it forever: the crime of Laura Lanza Baroness di Carini, killed by her father for dishonour. This story involves so many tourists who come to visit it, and children are always fascinated.

Me that explain the crime of Laura Lanza to the kids into the Castle of La Grua-Talamanca of Carini

The most important thing to do while you guide a group is always to involve the audience by looking them straight in the eye. I use a very bright tone of voice, and I help with gestures to tell the story of the place.

Another fundamental thing, especially when dealing with children, is to say little about art and architecture, but to tell a lot about curiosities and stories. The castle allows me to mix all this and involve them completely.

Another section of the castle that has been in existence for three years and is very popular with children is the MOPS, the Sicilian Puppets Museum. It's the perfect setting for my stories: here echo the stories of the Orlando Furioso, the Paladins of France fighting for the king and the struggles for the beautiful Angelica.

The stories keep the children's attention active and at the same time I can teach them the old Sicilian traditions.

Me explaining a "cartello" used into a show of Sicilian Puppets

Guide into Biopark of Sicily

Biopark is the place where I best express my being: lover of nature and children

For two years I have been working with Bioparco di Sicilia to accompany schoolchildren and let them enjoy the wonders of the park. It is a place where nature lives in perfect harmony and children are always fascinated by this perfect balance between flora and fauna.

I always try to let the children go with a good memory of me and the day spent with me. For me, being a guide means not only accompanying them and simply describing the various animals, but also involving them emotionally, arousing their curiosity and fun.

The smile first of all. My motto is: smiles connect people. Sunday 27 May was a wonderful day for me. I had the pleasure of driving a group of Enna made up of 30 adults and 20 children. I found a way to get adults back to their childhood! We painted our faces at the workshop areas, we joked often and we told each other a lot of stories about my town, about Sicily and other little curiosities.

Me and some members of the group of Enna. They insisted to paint me too! :D

The result? We keep in touch, they sent me a lot of photos and videos of that day, and next year they will come back and they will contact me to spend another wonderful day together with me.

For me, driving is not just a job, but a passion that enriches me more and more. As an expert on local resources, it is essential to know how to relate to others: only if you can involve your audience can you really teach them something.

If you need an expert guide who can not only show you the wonders of Sicily, but also have fun with you, contact me. I will be happy to help you and tell you about my land with passion.