Passionate, creative, competent and never boring touristic guides.
My name is Naima, and I was born and grew up in Bologna, where I graduated in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in 2004. In the same year, I won a two-month scholarship to study in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the most exciting and stimulating experiences of my life. Here, during a period of work experience in the municipality’s archaeology department, I began working as a guide for school groups, explaining the various archaeological findings, the purpose of archaeology and how it is studied, how archaeological digs are carried out, and so on.
My name is Claudia.
I am an art Historian and a qualified City of London Guide.
Growing up in Rome, I spent endless time wandering around the Eternal City, looking for its fascinating ruins, amazing artwork, but also the hidden corners and quirky spots people may not know.
I moved to London in 2003, attracted by its cultural diversity, wishing to expand my professional horizons.
While studying a Master degree in Visual Cultures, I worked at the Royal Collection
When I returned to Italy, I began working for various museums in Romagna, in particular with the San Domenico museum complex in Forlì, and with the MAR art museum in Ravenna, a city where I lived for 10 years, continuing to work as a tour guide while continuing to develop a sort of “parallel life” as a journalist and press agent for local daily newspapers and radio stations: something I still love today, and which allowed me to become a freelance journalist in 2017.
In 2013 I became a licensed tour guide for the Region of Emilia Romagna, transforming what I had always considered a secondary line of work into my main source of employment. Working on a freelance basis since 2014, I am a member of the Bologna tour guide federation (Confguide Bologna) and of the cultural association G.A.I.A.. But most importantly of all, I have returned to live in Bologna, a city currently making a name for itself throughout the world: not only for its incredible historical and artistic heritage, but also to the indisputable renown of its cuisine, with its superb ingredients and exclusive dishes.
I fell in love with London in 2009, when I went there for the first time, a city I’ve visited ever-more frequently since. It was during one of these brief British getaways, through mutual friends, that I met Claudia, in a location that only the British capital could truly provide.
It was partly by chance, partly for fun, and perhaps in part due to that very special friendship with Claudia – the kind we rarely have the fortune to experience in our lives – that this project came to life. It is one we believe in wholeheartedly, and to which we are dedicating in incredible amount of energy, so that as many people as possible may share in our passion for Bologna and Emilia Romagna, its history, its people, and its culture.
as one of their in-house guides for Clarence House and the Royal Mews.
My art background and a special interest in English history proved beneficial in showing tourist and visitors the glorious past of Royal London.
This experience also gave me a taste for tour guiding. Once I completed my MA I worked for various museums and cultural institutions in London, while keeping my passion for urban explorations alive.
Since 2014 I am a member of the City of London Guide Lecturers Association and an Associate of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. My main interests are art and architecture, botany and gardens, British and European social history between the 18th and the 19th century, and also the practice of urban walking in connection with space and memory. As I didn’t forget my roots, I lead with passion special tours about Roman London. I am also part of a team of City Guides who welcome visitors to the archaeological site of Billingsgate Roman House and Bath.
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I met Naima through common friends on a gloomy and rainy London afternoon. We spent some time chatting in a popular cafe, set in the crypt of one of London’s most beautiful 18th century churches!
Our friendship, consolidated by common interests, brought us to develop this project. Our aim is to highlight and share the cultural aspects of our places of origin and adoption, and present them to you with passion and competence.
