Emiliano Tufano is an archeologist and tour guide, specializing in archeological tours of Campania, Italy. He has worked as a field director in several excavation projects across Italy and undertook academic research projects in Sicily, Tunisia and Libya. In 2010, he became a qualified guide with Emiliano’s Archeological Tours, offering tours in English, Italian and Spanish. He shares with visitors the wonders of Campania: the Vesuvian archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the historic centres of Naples, Caserta and Salerno, and the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Coast.

How did you transition from archeologist to Campania guide?

When I felt the need to disclose my findings and the beauty of art.

What types of tours do you offer?

Above all, cultural and historical tours. I can offer pre-arranged packages, customized tours and excursions based on the customer’s needs and wishes. The most popular tour is, of course, the tour of the ancient site of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Do you have a certain style of guiding?

I am a friendly and cheerful person and tend to treat my clients as if they were my friends. I like to give interesting insights (into) Italian life, and I’m always happy to offer advice. I am used to working with small groups as well as big groups. I can guarantee punctuality, amusement, professionalism and cultural enrichment.

What’s the best part of your job?

Meeting new people. I receive great satisfaction (meeting) with people from diverse cultures, and at the same time I’m proud to show them the beauty of my region.

What’s the most challenging part?

To satisfy the different needs of each client.

What’s the most interesting experience you’ve had on a guided tour?

There are many (interesting) experiences. Recently I took part in the shooting of a documentary about the wonders of Campania.

What’s the benefit of hiring a guide?

Hiring a guide means to know history — in particular, details and special anecdotes that no book can tell you, especially if guides are people like me. I love my job and even before a guide I am a researcher.

What’s a unique tidbit about Campania that most people don’t know?

If you come to visit Campania you will definitely discover many unknown tidbits — there is one at each corner. … Neapolitan “pastiera” cake was invented in a Neapolitan convent where a nun wanted that cake, a symbol of the resurrection, to have the perfume of the flowers of the orange trees that grew in the convent’s gardens. She mixed a handful of wheat to the white ricotta cheese (and) then added some eggs, symbol of the new life, some water that had the fragrance of the flowers of the springtime, candied citron and aromatic Asian spices.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

In the East, because despite globalization I believe that it is a place where they still preserve a culture and a way of life different from that of the West and I would love to better know it.

If you like this, you might like: Explore Pompeii and Explore Italy.