Too Much Tuscan Sun: Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide

by Dario Castagno, Robert Rodi

Over the past several years, "the American in Tuscany" has become a literary subgenre. Launched by the phenomenal success of Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, bookstores now burgeon with nimble, witty accounts of this clash in cultures-Americans trying to do American things in Italy and bumping against a brick wall of tradition. Too Much Tuscan Sun is Dario's, a Tuscan guide whose client base is predominantly American, account of some of his more remarkable customers, from the obsessive and the oblivious to the downright lunatic.

Genres: Italy, Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Italian Literature, Travelogue

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Author Dario Castagno is Italian through and through despite being born in the Wimbledon district of London to Italian parents who at the time were importing fine Italian wine and spirits to England. At age 9, he moved back to the Chianti hills, a region first settled by the Etruscans, and embarked on a deeply personal exploration of its landscape, legends and lore.

Dario later began guiding small groups through the riches of the province of Siena's countryside, and first wrote of his experiences in 2004's "Too Much Tuscan Sun" originally self-published - and that later was named as a New York Times Bestseller as "Too Much Tuscan Sun-Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide," published by Globe Pequot Press. That same authentic spirit infuses his subsequent books, 2007's "A Day in Tuscany-More Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide" (Globe Pequot Press) and 2009's "Too Much Tuscan Wine".

Dario also produces a number of HD film presentations, notably, "My Chianti," which is based on his second book and in which the author is featured during encounters with Chiantigiani neighbors and friends. (www.DarioCastagno.com)"

Reviews

[Dario Castagno]

Hello or perhaps Ciao from Chianti! Honestly I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing…I mean is it correct that the author of the book intervenes in the discussion regarding his own book? If anyone herein believes that I’m breaking some rule please do inform me and I shall refrain immediately.
Having said this (that if ever proves my plain Chianti backdrop so far from the cyber-world of today) I would just like to state that I adore, respect and profoundly esteem the American populace. I can’t express enough gratitude to all those people that have been so generous with me both when touring as my guests through Chianti and as well when hosting me on my whirlwind crazy book tours throughout the US.
I have been a tour guide for almost two decades (gulp getting old!) and I consider myself extremely fortunate since more or less 100% of my clientele is from the States. So if in my books the most out of the ordinary characters and bizarre episodes that occurred during my career happen to have Americans as protagonists it’s simply because I practically exclusively was dealing with Americans. I can guarantee that if I was working with my own fellow countrymen I would
A) I wouldn’t have resisted twenty years
B) The book would be the size of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
Having said this I hope to meet you all in Tuscany one day (I need some material for my 4th book!) and I will send a personal autographed DVD to the first person that contacts me through my private mail.

Ciao

Dario

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

To keep it short, I loved this book. You will probably love it too as long as the following things are true for you:

1. You've been to Italy, namely to Tuscany and the surrounding towns and attractions.
2. You're an American traveler who has routinely face-palmed due to embarrassment brought on by fellow American's actions when traveling and how piss-poor they are at being diplomats for the USA.

You will probably not like this book if the following things are true for you:

1. You haven't been to Italy, don't care about Italy, and have no desire to read about Italy. And/Or you're not a traveler or interested in travel.
2. You ARE one of those embarrassing American travelers who want everything written in English, want to walk no further than 50 feet, and have no patience for a culture not your own.

If you're in the former group, give it a shot. If you're in the latter, give it a shot to learn what not to do, and then, if still unchanged, please just throw away your passport so the rest of us can stop having to explain ourselves.

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I prefer this one over vol #3. More funny stories about clueless tourists (mostly, but not only American ones) and less about getting drunk in various places. Quite funny with the added bonus of offering a glimpse to those ancient times when you get to do stuff through such strange devices as fax machines. Old school.

[Ver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect mix I like - interesting and funny stories from the author's personal experience working as a tour guide mixed with history. They were really amazing at times but pretty possible. It makes me wanna get the author for a tour but I doubt I can afford a privite guide in Italy. I'm definitely going to read other parts of the book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has alternating chapters of information about Chianti and stories about uncouth American tourists there, as told by an Italian tour guide who lives and works in Tuscany. Although I haven't read "Under the Tuscan Sun," I imagine that this book is intended to be the Italian response to the "quaint local characters" who appear in books of the "Under the Tuscan Sun" sort. And the Italian response, at least in this book, is that, although there are "normal" American tourists, there are also streams of rude, ignorant, and crazy American tourists. There is no doubt that there are many rude, ignorant, and crazy American tourists out there, and the author presents himself as a friendly enough guy, but ultimately he seems to suffer from the same basic flaw as so many of the unbearable tourists he describes-- namely much more of an interest in himself (and the things that pertain to him) than in others.

Castagno's prose can be a bit purple but not unpleasant to read, and he is clearly passionate about Chianti. Those who want to learn about Chianti and Siena will find this book interesting. Those who are interested in Italian impressions of Americans would do much better to read Beppe Severgnini's excellent Ciao America!

I have spent several summers in Chianti, and I have seen the region change drastically with the flood of tourists and money that have arrived there in the last twenty or so years. Is this a good thing? I really don't know. The money has raised the standard of living, and the tourists have caused some Chiantigiani to appreciate their artistic, architectural, and archaeological heritage more than they did before. (Of course, there are those who have always appreciated it.) At the same time, the flood of tourists also seems to have undercut some of the aspects of life in Chianti that Castagno waxes so poetically about. It's toss-up. I do know, however, from looking at Castagno's web page for his touring company, that the services he offers seem designed to continue to attract the same kind of vulgar tourists that he himself complains about.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Even tho the author mentioned the rise in popularity of the Tuscan area due to the popularity of recent novels, I didn't feel it was in any way a 'response' to Under The Tuscan Sun'. The book takes you throughout the year in the Chianti region. The lush descriptions of the seasonal changes made me long to be there. The author obviously knows and loves his area of Italy. The chapter on the Palio alone was worth the price of the book. I read it out loud to my husband. It was so funny and dear. Interspersed with the monthly chapters of the area, were chapters devoted to some of the more memorable clients (tourists) that Dario toured with. Some were happy and funny and others were more of the oh-my-goodness variety. I did not feel any time that he was taking shots at Americans. Absolutely not. His mentioned clients included other nationalities as well. He stated how many of his clients are now friends. If he had filled a book with clients that just enjoyed their tours it wouldn't make for much of an interesting read. Those chapters were funny but I more so enjoyed the chapters regarding the area and scenery. His descriptions of the abandoned houses and the neighbors and friends in Chianti. I loved the back and forth of the chapters - one about the area, the next about a client experience. It was a good mix.

I highly recommend this book. It is a great one to just pick up and read a chapter at a time - like a short story. It stretched out the pleasure of a vicarious visit through Dario's eyes. Loved it.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming collection of anecdotes that serve as a Chiantigiano's mirror of American culture. In all honesty I adored this book, but I will admit that I'm biased. I had the pleasurable opportunity of meeting Dario in person on a mini-guide in his heartland of Siena (I'm not sure he gives tours anymore as he describes in the book) and it takes a normal person only a few minutes to really admire the man.

If you didn't know him, you might think that this foreigner is just complaining about all the uncouth behavior that Americans typically show abroad. But this is not just about that (as funny and true as they are); even more compelling are the times that he makes you laugh out loud or start tearing up at the sentimentality and love people in general have for the Tuscan culture and people.

What's also entertaining is trying to make out the timeline in his stories. While I believe his stories are pretty universal to any decade, it's pretty funny to remember that once upon a time there were no cell phones and that fax machines were a means of communication, and that the euro wasn't always Italy's form of currency. But take out any anachronistic details and these stories could have happened yesterday.

Admittedly, I did not understand the charm of Tuscany until I went to see the hills for myself, but if you have gone, this book is a great antidote for any Tuscan withdrawal you might be going through abroad.

[Linda Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have met Dario and read his books. His books do provide an insight to Italian Culture, specifically the Chianti region of Tuscany, an area in which everyone has their own agriturismo and private labels of wine. His observations about the differences between American Culture and the Local Tuscany Culture are entertaining and amusing but don't get your feelings hurt about his characterizations of Americans and their mass consumption of everything. His books are not overly complex but they are entertaining and an easy read. He also has a large following of Italian afficianados here in the USA.

[Cerealflakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty entertaining. As with all books of this sort, if you don't like the author you'll hate the book. The author was corny and thought himself hilarious, but he did provide some interesting info while also talking about how dumb many Americans are. Are there really Americans who believe Pompeii was covered in ash only 30 years ago? Hard to believe, but it's in his book. We did go to the restaurant he recommended in Siena and it was really good.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Recent years have seen a virtual flood of books about Tuscany -- first-person accounts about Americans trying to do American things in Italy and bumping up against a centuries-old stone wall of tradition. It's only fair that we now have a native Tuscan's side of the story. Who better to provide that view than Dario Castagno, a British-born, Tuscan-raised tour guide who has spent more than a decade leading Americans into the heart of Tuscany's Chianti region. In this lively, candid memoir, Dario looks at the Americans who have stormed through his life and his homeland. Some tested his sanity, others became lifelong friends.

"With wry humor and affection, Dario recalls some of his more remarkable clients -- the delightful, the vain, the silly, the ignorant, the ambitious, the amorous, the condescending, the lovely, and the out-right crazy. He also shares an account of his own life and times -- his transformation from bohemian layabout to thriving tour guide -- an offers an enchanting introduction to the charms of Tuscany over the course of a year."
~~back cover

Isn't that lovely description? It's my experience that the more detailed and exquisite the back cover blurb, the less than enchanting the book itself is. Sadly, that's the case with this one -- the writing is unsophisticated and not very engaging. I got to page 37 before calling it a day.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, light read that takes you into Chianti - great stories of the local history and descriptions of countryside’s natural ebb and flow of the seasons. The stories of the visitors were sometimes charming, but the local perspective was the most compelling.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

We picked this up in Siena after seeing it in various bookstores over tuscany and not being able to help ourselves dipping into it every time we saw it. Great book for train rides between cities while touring Italy - funny, touching at parts, intimate, and overall well organised and written by someone who is clearly a raconteur. Each chapter focuses on a particular month of the year, which allows Dario to describe what is happening in Tuscany in terms of weather and the wine cycle, as well as introduce a type of tourist - the honeymooners, the wine lover, the cranky old folks, the spoilt rich wives, the culture lover, etc. these portraits are hilariously drawn and make me suspect there is some artistic license or conflation of different people into a single extreme archetype... Whether or not that is true they are a good portrait of the type of people he meets, and also in a way his reactions are a good reflection of himself and Italians. Our favourite parts though are the interspersed parts where he talks about his youth in the Siena area, exploring old houses and castles, how he started his tour company and his first clients. In particular the final chapter is touching -, in which he relates how he meets a couple of young artists in an abandoned house and together they recreate a photograph of the family who originally lived in the house, which happens to be an old man that Dario knows, who abandoned the house to rebuild his life after the nazis stormed it in ww 2. The chapter gives a sense of what he means by community, the drawing together of generations through story, engagement and place. It's a good read to fill in the concrete details while reading more abstract and broader histories such as 'the pursuit of Italy'.

On the whole, funny, enjoyable, unambitious (in the sense that it does not pretend or attempt to draw any deeper meaning or philosophise) and successfully so.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am loving my intersplicing of non-fic books lately, but this book really pissed me off. Generally, it was about a Dude in Italy that takes people on tours around the Chianti region. It was interluded with chapters about the Dudes up bringing and how he came to love the region, which I actually liked a lot. The chapters about the people he took on tours, while kind of entertaining, got really really annoying after a while! Yes, I know Americans are idiots, but the kind of tours this guy caters too, there is no way around it! He offers personalized tours of the region, which of course cost a pretty penny. Think about the people that can afford these types of tours! Of course most of them are going to be morons! When you have to fend for yourself in a foreign country, you are more adapt to blend in and accept whatever comes your way. But if you have the money, of course you want it to be like what you are used too. I liked the chapters more about the people that would just accept the culture and became friends with the guide. Reading about idiot Americans gets both annoying and boring after a while. A quick, easy read, esp. since I have once again been to the region and can somewhat picture it. But annoying to some degree, seeing to just want to cash in on America’s recent interest in the region. Lame. God, I love the library when I pick up books like this.

Grade: C-

[Chana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tour guide in Chianti tells us some of his stories of taking Americans on tours. He starts off telling us that he likes Americans and then proceeds to tell story after story in which his American tourists are rude, lazy, impossible to please and won't eat or drink much of anything except diet coke. He tells us he has lots of nice American tourists but those are not, for the most part, the Americans he tells us about. His story about the Dutch he brings on tour is much funnier and enjoyable, but maybe someone who was Dutch would take offense and think the American stories were funny.
I much preferred his stories about Italy, minus the tourists. His best story was the Conclusion called La Macia. This story wasn't putting anyone down in order to get a laugh, nor did it carry that air of superiority that slightly tinges most of Dario's stories. The story about the lovers was also a sweet one. One thing he does that I really like is describe all the things growing in the different seasons. Sounds gorgeous.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book the outrageous characters the tour guide encountered were amusing and the descriptions of Tuscany were given with such love that I wanted to visit.
After awhile, I started to feel mortified that if I ever visited, he would be silently judging me the whole time. They seem to drink soooo much in this book. Granted, it is a wine producing area. He also puts a disclaimer that he loves most of the people he works with and he is giving the most extreme examples of the "ugly American". I think I would have done better reading this book in small parts over time so I could enjoy the different type of stories interwoven about him and the area within the book. The story of the bullet riddled house was the most heart-wrenching but beautiful. (I wasn't too excited about his teenage activity of trespassing that seemed to be perfectly acceptable to him,either.) Nothing too dirty but subject matter is for adults (a couple swear words, drinking, vandalism, trespassing, "amorous" pursuits lightly touched on)

[Sylvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading Dario's books. He's such a real guy; down to earth. I was especially interested in this book as my husband and I have spent many years hosting groups of vacationers in France. So much of this rings true to my experience. It was fun to be reminded, through Dario's stories of clients, about scenarios lost in the back of my mind. He comes across as such a sweet person. My highest compliment: I would love to have him for my neighbor!

P.S. As my partner Richard points out, it's so highly unusual, and incredibly commendable, that someone writing a descriptive travel sort of memoir should have an entire chapter devoted to the maddening practice of capital punishment in the U.S.
Grazie Dario for your truth and spirit!

[Turi Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Much Tuscan Sun is the stories that Dario Castagno has collected during years of being a tour guide in Chianti, Italy. I picked this up because I noticed the sequel to it at a bookstore, and wanted to check it out. Turned out I really liked it. Castagno is very earnest about his work, his life, and his home area. He seems like a really honest, well-meaning person who would be a pleasure to take a tour with. Of course, most of his stories focus on the weird or demanding clients he has had. They are at turns funny, poignant, sad or maddening. But through it shines Castagno's love for his land and for sharing it with people. I hope our library orders hsi new book; I'd really like to read it.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this book. Not that it was extraordinary, it was just the descriptions of the life, wine, food, and scenery in Tuscany were wonderful. At times I felt like I was actually there, drinking the wine, eating the food. Be prepared to have a bottle of chianti when you read this book, because you'll definitely be craving a glass as you read.



Overall, the book was a delight to read. Dario's descriptions of his clients, their demeanor and actions were probably a little reserved than how he actually experienced it- (I'm sure the thoughts that crept through his head were probably more cynical and toned down for the readers), but it was a humorous and enjoyable tale of the life of a Chianti tour guide.

[Dana Nucera · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say...I am Italian....so I loved this book. Not a story, not a plot, not a mystery, not a memoir....just a fun, interesting read about the Chianti region of Italy. I wanted to think that the author was exaggerating the rudeness of some of the american tourists, but, I doubt he was. Castagno had a dream, and followed through with doing a job that he loves. Of course I want to jump on a plane take a tour with Dario Castagno......maybe some day.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was HILARIOUS. (Granted, I'm pretty biased given that I lived in Tuscany for four months and have a soft spot for any books related to Italy.)

It's true that we have a long string of books by foreigners who write about their journeys to Italy to "find themselves" blah blah blah, but it was nice to get the other side's perspective. As I've played both the role of American tourist and student resident embarrassed by American tourists, these anecdotes were quite funny and relatable.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great blend of funny anecdotes and information about visiting Tuscany. I especially appreciated the explanation of the Palio. The sort of book that repeat visitors to Tuscany will really appreciate.

[Kate Okelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lost in translation. I believe that original story teller was funny—
In Italian. The British translator made this read quick. I plunged on because I kept hoping he wud capture the silliness of the guide’s experiences. Instead, it read as prejudicial and mean spirited.

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of cliches and the writing was cringeworthy. To Dario, every American woman drinks Diet Coke. Stick to your day job. I gave it one star for the descriptions of Tuscany.

[JoEllen Hothem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this memoir of working as a Tuscan tour guide.

[Simon Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's obvious devotion to the landscape of his heritage is expressed in his astute observation of the flora and fauna, their seasonal appearances and changes, descriptions of which he uses as a strategy to package his typical year of interactions with clients and countryside. Rich in sensual appreciation but also perceptive and engaging he captures the imagination, entertaining as well with reminiscent tales of his personal growth. His passions are explored and owned in a selfless sharing, an insiders view of a colourful, unique culture and it's expressions. Coming from a family with strong racing connections, I can vouch for the confessions of obsessive participation in the rituals of the Sienese annual horse race, the Palio. This a very human memoir in that respect, also in the way he values the rich historical, cultural and oeneological heritage of his region.

Relating the hilarity of some encounters with his wide range of clients is his other strength, I laughed so much I had to take a break at times and marvel at his professionalism and patience, despite eventually expressing his frustrations privately. The semi biographic 'confessions' also reveal some amazing synchronicity in experiences, candidly yet deftly presented and left for us to consider without too much analysis.

The whole book is well paced and thoughtfully structured with anecdotes and 'diversions' enhancing and embellishing the continuity of an annual overview. A very satisfying read, and a reminder for me to revisit Italy speedily and hopefully spend some more time there instead of drinking its exports at a distance!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descriptions of Tuscany (Chianti) very good. I originally thought the descriptions of his clients were funny, but by the end of the book I thought, yikes! He really is caught up in the importance of Dario. A light read. Ok if you want to know what to expect to see in this part of Italy, but I'd avoid him as a tour guide or you may be highlighted in his next book as another ugly, classless, tasteless American client...unless you are a beautiful 20 something female student...oh, and then what of Cristina (said girlfriend, not mentioned in those chapters...hmmm). Those ugly Americans paid and tipped you well in most cases. Thats business. Anyway his friends all sound pretty cool, it would be fun to visit their establishments. Finally I am really curious about all the empty (or temporarily un uninhabited vacation) houses these teenagers squatted in!

[Desiree]

Too much Tuscan Sun is an entertaining read about Dario Castagno, who starts a career as a tour guide in Chianti. I mostly loved the story's about how he became a tour-guide and how as a young man he loved to discover abandoned houses in the countryside. I also loved the stories about the Palio.
The story's about his, mostly American, clients were also amusing, although they sometimes felt a bit exaggerated.

It struck me that there wasn't much variation in the tours he did and that, whether spring, summer or fall, he always went to the same restaurants and his guests got the same extensive and heavy Tuscan menu.

I spend about 6-10 weeks a year in Tuscany and I recognised almost all the special places the auhor mentioned. I also know that there really are a lot more of other interesting, less known, places.

[Lisa Saltagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth about too much Tuscan Sun

As someone who has worked for almost a decade in the tourism industry in Tuscany, reading this book was like chatting with a friend. I know some have been off put by Dario's descriptions of Americans in particular, but I could add a few chapters of my own that'd mirror his exactly. Because I know these tales so well and have lived so many myself, I did truly enjoy the chapters about Dario's personal life and his adventures around Chianti. The last chapter absolutely moved me. Overall this was a wonderful read - and for those traveling to Tuscany in the future, it's also a great guide as how NOT to act - your tour guides will appreciate if you take note of the frustrations here!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written book which makes you want to immediately book a flight to Italy and experience Tuscany with author Castagno. The book is filled with details of Tuscan life, particularly in/around Sienna, as well as anecdotes about various tourists Castagno has escorted across his country. I particularly enjoyed the escapades of The Dutch and that of the amorous couple who ended up naming their son (born 9 months after their visit!!) after the author as he had squirreled the lovers off to a secluded grotto of sorts where they could have some 'alone time'. Hilarious, entertaining, and informative, a fun novel about the region.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just taken a bus tour of Tuscany last summer, I really enjoyed reading the stories about the region from a local's perspective. It was interesting to learn more about Siena's Palio and the city itself since this was one of the stops on our tour. On our tour, we also enjoyed the beautiful scenery, great food and wines of the Tuscan region described in the book. Reading the book brought back great memories and made me want to return again soon!