MEET THE TEAM
Guides and contributors
Meet some of the people behind Ladies Adventures, city guides, country guides, contributors, art historians and more.
SARA TESTI
Nature and City Guide
Sara has been working as an Environmental Hiking Guide since since 2003 and as a Tourist guide since 2009.Â
She is passionate about meeting people, and whenever she can , she takes to the road to live in a new place and sit and laugh and cry and immerse herself in her new surroundings.
She hold her degrees in cultural anthropology and sharecropping close to her heart. She lives in Chianti and has learned much from the people who have lived there for generations about what the sky tells them of the weather and the land.  Even though she spends most of her time outdoors , she love coming in to a nice warm home and cooks with passion.  She would love to discover more with you and you will enjoy her knowledge , wit and a terrific sense of humor.
LORENZO ANSELMI
Nature and Bike Guide
Born in the countryside of Siena and now living in Florence, Lorenzo has been guiding walking and bicycling tours in Tuscany and other Italian regions for more than 20 years. Despite his university degrees in languages and ethnology he never opted for any other career as guiding became through time a profession and a passion for him. He enjoys meeting people from all over the world and sharing with them the knowledge of his territory.  Lorenzo does tours in Italian, English, French and German. Due to the long pause in work he took the opportunity to also learn Spanish.
ELAINE RUFFOLO
Art Historian
Elaine Ruffolo has been teaching Renaissance art history in Florence for over 30 years and is a popular instructor for students and adults. Elaine holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Syracuse University and first came to Italy as a Florence Fellow in 1989. Ruffolo has lectured for many American programs in Italy including Syracuse, Stanford, and Vanderbilt Universities, and currently develops academic travel programs for small groups such as the Smithsonian Associates, Yale Alumni, College of William and Mary, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. She is on the advisory board of the Friends of Florence and consults for CEO and YPO programs in Europe. Ruffolo recently began online art history presentations (Art History Encounters) as a way to bring the art and culture of Italy directly to people's homes.
OUR ETHOS
Connect with Nature
There have been countless articles about how immersing ourselves in nature, as long as you feel safe, is a natural antidote to stress. Nature has medicinal, spiritual, and intellectual properties. The sense of well-being we feel after a day in nature takes care of the whole person. Our minds, our bodies, and our spirit. We aim to provide this space for you.
Connect with People
There are no rules on the trail. We are all the same, enjoying meeting new people, talking without boundaries, and having a true sense of belonging.
The feeling of human connection is so important for maintaining our overall emotional and physical health. How refreshing and soul-filling.
To Challenge Ourselves
We believe that growth means stepping outside that comfort zone once in a while to achieve unimaginable things. Taking a risk to achieve a goal requires courage to face the fear of uncertainly. No matter the outcome, either way, we grow through the process and become more resilient and confident. New experiences shared with a supportive group of ladies encourage you to go for it in a safe space. You can do this!
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Enjoy the journey
Practice mindfulness as your adventure is all organized for you. Take time to slow down from the daily grind, and smell the flowers. Nourish and engage your minds with informative, first-class guides that give you a different way to look at the world. Take time to walk alone with your thoughts or to share your thoughts along the way. It’s your journey. Be present.
MEET THE TEAM
Guides and contributors
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SARA TESTI
Nature and City Guide
Sara has been working as an Environmental Hiking Guide since since 2003 and as a Tourist guide since 2009.Â
She is passionate about meeting people, and whenever she can , she takes to the road to live in a new place and sit and laugh and cry and immerse herself in her new surroundings.
She hold her degrees in cultural anthropology and sharecropping close to her heart. She lives in Chianti and has learned much from the people who have lived there for generations about what the sky tells them of the weather and the land.  Even though she spends most of her time outdoors , she love coming in to a nice warm home and cooks with passion.  She would love to discover more with you and you will enjoy her knowledge , wit and a terrific sense of humor.
LORENZO ANSELMI
Nature and Bike Guide
Born in the countryside of Siena and now living in Florence, Lorenzo has been guiding walking and bicycling tours in Tuscany and other Italian regions for more than 20 years. Despite his university degrees in languages and ethnology he never opted for any other career as guiding became through time a profession and a passion for him. He enjoys meeting people from all over the world and sharing with them the knowledge of his territory.  Lorenzo does tours in Italian, English, French and German. Due to the long pause in work he took the opportunity to also learn Spanish.
ELAINE RUFFOLO
Art Historian
Elaine Ruffolo has been teaching Renaissance art history in Florence for over 30 years and is a popular instructor for students and adults. Elaine holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Syracuse University and first came to Italy as a Florence Fellow in 1989. Ruffolo has lectured for many American programs in Italy including Syracuse, Stanford, and Vanderbilt Universities, and currently develops academic travel programs for small groups such as the Smithsonian Associates, Yale Alumni, College of William and Mary, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. She is on the advisory board of the Friends of Florence and consults for CEO and YPO programs in Europe. Ruffolo recently began online art history presentations (Art History Encounters) as a way to bring the art and culture of Italy directly to people's homes.