Francesca Mannino came to St Louis when she was only 10 years old with her entire family and spent an entire 15 years of her life in the Gateway City. Now, she is back in her Sicilian hometown as a personal tour guide. Being bi-lingual makes her job fairly easy. Having lived in the United States, she is a perfect fit for first-time American tourists who want the freedom to explore things themselves on their own schedule but don’t have any knowledge of the Italian language.

Today, Mannino travels all over Italy guiding tourists to see the ancient treasures of the Roman Empire and the renowned sculptures and paintings of the Renaissance but she also enjoys showcasing Italy’s hidden gems which are not so riddled by tourists. Her clients are small groups, families, or just couples who want that personal touch to their journey.