It’s no secret that in Italy, ‘knowing a guy’ can cut the time you spend tackling your to-do list in half. But what if you could count on one go-to guy to help you conquer everything from chores and errands to travel and leisure? Concierge consultant Matteo Pierattini of Florence On Call is a walking database of expat resources, with one foot in every door in town.
This Renaissance man’s services run the gamut from dishing out foodie hotspots to tracking down English-speaking electricians. Drawing on 20 years of experience working with household-name hotels and international brands, Matteo’s principal goal is ensuring that his clients maximize their time and enjoy Tuscany to the fullest. Got a broken pipe and no plumber number on your fridge? Want to surprise your spouse with a weekend getaway, but can’t find a suitably romantic spot? Matteo can take care of you. His expertise can save newbie expats from costly, time-consuming rookie mistakes. He can help you tear down red tape, save time shopping, plan a marriage proposal: truly, the only limits are in the client’s imagination.
Matteo offers a variety of packages, and regularly deals with discerning tourists, corporate travelers in Florence on business and even longtime locals. The two most popular packages are priced based on the type of communication and the extent of availability involved. Clients can purchase a month’s worth of services or invest in a long-term arrangement. Matteo guarantees prompt responses and solutions. Company packages are also available.
Want to have Florence on Call? Learn more at www.florenceoncall.com.
Client testimonial
“A friend of ours suggested we use Florence on Call during our stay in the city and in Tuscany. It wasn’t my first trip, but I was extra eager to learn more about the region upon hearing my friend’s advice, so I set up a meeting with Matteo. We met in a hole-in-the-wall bar in central Florence, and I immediately saw that his passion for Tuscany is what drives him. We wanted to spend a day in the countryside, and he helped us plan a full day hunting truffles and indulging in the region’s finest food.
A minivan picked us up from where we were staying, and we took a smooth ride about 90 kilometers outside Florence. We enjoyed chatting with our driver so much that the ride seemed to last only a few minutes.
I would never have guessed how fun and interesting truffle hunting could be! I was also surprised that such an expensive truffle could be hunted and enjoyed for such a low, fair price. But the best part was the warm welcome we received from the truffle hunter’s family. We spent about two hours on the actual hunt, with the help of two tail-wagging, friendly dogs. We ended up finding twin truffles that weighed about 130 grams each!
To help us unwind afterward, the family offered us a delicious 4-course, truffle-based lunch, made with local ingredients, of course. On the ride back to Florence, we stopped for a wine tasting at a little farmhouse in Chianti.
The day ended up being so much more than a truffle hunt–we got to make new friends and, thanks to Matteo, see a side of Tuscany that we never would have discovered on our own.’’
Truffle Hunt
As the autumn truffle season approaches, there’s no better time to plan the ultimate Tuscan treasure hunt. Azienda Loghi, a truffle farm in the Tuscan hills and partner of Florence On Call, offers an unforgettable experience guiding its guests through a traditional search for truffles.
Owner Valentino is a charismatic young tartufaio who will teach you the ropes, taking you through the woods with trained, loyal dogs whose life revolves around this Tuscan gold. Beyond sharing his expertise, he’ll keep you entertained with quirky stories from his family’s long history in the business.
A day can’t get much more memorably Tuscan than it does on a truffle hunt. Be charmed by how the dogs sniff out the truffles and triumphantly present them to their master, like a trophy. And, of course, after a hard day’s work, you can kick back with delicious DOC wine and taste your trappings atop tagliolini.
Roll up your sleeves and join the hunt–it’s an authentic and rewarding way to see a rugged side of Tuscan life.
Getting there
Florence on Call is in it for the long haul: Matteo can make transportation arrangements for you through partner company Tasting Tuscany Roads. Whether you need a lift to the truffle farm, a guaranteed airport transfer, a limo for a special occasion or a custom countryside tour, Fabrizio from Tasting Tuscany Roads provides reliable, flexible services and hourly availability.
