Bespoke Experiences prides itself on our attention to detail, our connections within our vibrant cities, and the expertise of our outstanding personnel. From our operations team researching the hottest happenings for custom itineraries, to our multilingual experience architects accompanying our friends on their private, luxurious excursions, we are all fully engaged, and committed to your needs.
For your convenience we offer localized licensed private tour services in English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, and Japanese with other language services possible with enough notice. If you would like to join our team, click here.
An energetic entrepreneurial Canadian extrovert with an obsessive passion for details, flying single-engine aircraft, reading non-fiction history, laughing at cat videos, and doting on her beloved family. Well-traveled, well-read, well-spoken and well put-together.
Accredited CMP (Certified Meeting Professional),
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide, Licensed Chauffeur.
A number-crunching, visionary perfectionist with a flair for the creative when it comes to treating people right in the hospitality and entertainment realm. A man’s man, a family man, a gentleman who enjoys life, food, and the people he shares them with.
A Floridian with a marketing degree and an MBA, plus 20+ years marketing and operations experience in the cruise and hospitality industry. Russ has traveled the globe by land and sea discovering new and unique places with his wife and their two children. When he's not grilling or cooking for his friends and family, Russ is a serious History Channel junkie.
Elizabeth has been cultivating her insatiable thirst for knowledge of the best of the best for more than 30 years. From her editorial career in the New York media - Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Details - to launching two luxury magazines - Atlanta Peach, PaperCity Atlanta - as editor-in-chief, she knows what the discerning reader craves. She was seduced by an Asheville sunset in 2012 and has since translated those skills as the local source for the quintessential experiences, whether in print or in person
Proficient in Spanish
This world traveling San Francisco native chose New Orleans because of its phenomenal music scene and enigmatic food culture. As a previous elementary school teacher Rebecca now enjoys local real estate and renovation adventures, international travel writing, festivals and exploring within and beyond her eclectic Faubourg Marigny, Bywater neighborhoods.
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide,
Licensed Chauffeur
When she’s not beach-combing, fishing and spending time on the water with her family, Carrie is at her desk analyzing sales strategies, making calls, and building her reputation of going above and beyond for her guests. This creative and fun-loving Canadian incorporates her passion for culinary adventures, entertaining, music, and sports (Go Jays!) into creative experiences, having learned early in her career how motivating it is to be rewarded with incentive trips for career excellence.
Molly began her professional life as a Logistics Coordinator for an international non-profit organization, working throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. She brought her passion for travel back home with her and has been creating and guiding tours in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than a decade. A life-long performer, when not showing people around, Molly spends her time making things up as a musical theatre improvisor.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Member, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Jennifer first discovered her love for sharing stories and experiences while obtaining her Master’s Degree in Art History. She began working in the travel industry in 2014 and has since cultivated her passion for history, culture, and the great outdoors working as a tour director and local guide. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Jennifer now lives in Tucson with her husband, two children, and cat named Cat. Jennifer is an avid reader who spends her free time hiking, practicing yoga, and watching football with her family.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Brock Hancock grew up on a large ranch in Arizona and New Mexico. He originally studied Kinesiology and received his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. After guest lecturing at a local college, he fell in love with teaching and went on to get his MBA and a doctorate. He has lead many diverse workforces including tourism on the Alaskan Railroad, cafes for Nestle, and multiple universities. He has traveled the world with his family and loves spending time at his home in the mountains of NC.
Ed.D in Organizational Leadership
Kristina is a lifelong native of New Orleans: a metropolis being reborn. Her passion for the city and extensive hospitality connections, combined with a broad background in sales, inspired her to realize her potential in servicing guests by paying attention to the smallest detail, thereby helping them have a world class experience in her hometown. In Kristina's free time she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, volunteering with local non-profits, and Pilates.
David considers himself a Nashville native, having lived in Music City (with no musical ability) since graduating from Vanderbilt University in 2002. After spending 12 years traveling throughout North America, he left his career as an engineer to pursue his passion by starting David Bragg Travel. As an affiliate of SmartFlyer, a full-service Virtuoso agency, David works with clients to curate unique experiences.
Licensed Travel Agent
The man behind the scenes, Catalin is a Strasbourg, France adopted computer science major from Romania. With a passion for sports, mixed martial arts and traveling throughout Europe, he enjoys applying the problem solving skills he learns on the playing field to the technical challenges he faces and conquers on the computer screen.
Fluently multilingual: English, French, Romanian and several computer languages.
Jason’s passion for hiking, history, architecture and exploration led him through 25 countries, 150 wineries, numerous cities and national parks throughout the west along with marketing writing assignments in South America. He’s been Board Chair for San Francisco City Guides and the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. Jason’s most unusual custom experience was leading a tour for a European President, in a Secret Service motorcade.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Growing up in New Jersey, Sharon now lives with her husband and dogs in Silicon Valley. She reinvented herself in 2010 as a tour guide building on her interests in books, movies, hiking and cuisine. Along the way she’s added interests in geology, art, and the tech industry to her skill set. She hopes her travelers leave San Francisco with a deeper appreciation for the area and a resolve to return.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Born in Italy, Roberto enjoys experiencing foreign languages and cross-cultural interaction. His background in liberal arts and community journalism created opportunities to work and play in Mexico, Spain and the US, yet the "The City by the Bay" and its vibrant Italian-American community, eventful history, and open-mindedness has him fully embracing all that is San Francisco.
Fluently trilingual: English, Italian and Spanish
San Francisco Tour Guide Guild Associate Member
Official San Francisco Travel Ambassador
Certified Tourism Ambassador, Wine Country
Inspired by family recipes, self-taught culinary savant, Barbara, seized the opportunity to cook for her family in childhood. Following her degree at UC Berkeley she refined her culinary specialties during life abroad in Germany and Italy, then back in California during her eight years as Resident Chef at Sur La Table she managed events and classes with famous chefs and cookbook authors. Today, she shares her passion via multi-generational cooking classes and neighborhood exploration with an eye on the influence of San Francisco cuisine on its culture.
Fluently trilingual: English, Italian and German
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Japanese interpreter, published author, and educator, Mark and his wife invest their lives in the pursuit of quality experiences for family and guests. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Mark lived in Japan, and ultimately settled in Sonoma, California. As a three time Olympic interpreter and host, he knows service at that level and delivers it, daily. Mark specializes in wine country travel, music tours, and San Francisco Bay area excursions from Napa to Yosemite.
Fluently bilingual: English and Japanese
International Tour Management Institute, Instructor & Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Lance’s friends describe him as professionally eclectic, as he has successfully initiated and managed businesses in education (public speaking instructor, training consultant), private investigation, financial services, fitness, and tourism. In 2008, Lance discovered his passion: professional raconteur. Today, his purpose is sharing stories while exploring the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and dog, the home he chose 35 years ago after living abroad for much of his life.
Fluently bilingual: English and Spanish
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Certified Docent, Presidio of San Francisco
Licensed Washington DC Tour Guide
Steve’s first job as a tour guide was during college, driving horse-drawn carriages on Michigan's famous Mackinac Island, near where he grew up. His career in tourism really began in 2000 as a Tour Leader with theAmerican Orient Express Railway, a deluxe cruise ship on rails. Steve has visited all 50 states, and 13 foreign countries. He has served on the Colorado Tourism Office board of directors and with the Fremont County Colorado Tourism Council. Steve has earned professional certifications from the International Guide Academy, National Association for Interpretation, the Netherlands Institute for Tourism, and Colorado Tourism Office. He is a member of the Rocky Mountain Guides Association, and International Association of Tour Directors & Guides.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Molly pursued her passion for tour guiding in Rome and Florence, Italy, for five years where she received a Master’s in Renaissance Art and began leading tours with Rick Steves’ Europe. She now guides from St. Augustine to Savannah and teaches college Art History and Humanities. In her free time she loves swing dancing, reading, and traveling.
Fluent in Italian
MA in Renaissance Art
Licensed Guide in St. Augustine, FL
Brandon brings over fifteen years of guide experience to Bespoke. A former National Park Service Park Ranger, Brandon was voted Best Tour Guide in Savannah by Connect Savannah's readers. Though he spends most of his day behind a desk as a Legal Ethics attorney (he knows, an oxymoron for sure), he is constantly preparing for his next tour. Brandon is as comfortable giving recommendations for the city's finest bourbon pours, vegan restaurants, or duck confit as he is discussing the 1779 Siege of Savannah. Quickwitted and always up for a good time, you'll find Brandon to be even funnier when taking advantage of Savannah's lack of open container laws.
Licensed by City of Savannah
Certified Tour Guide by Tourism Leadership Council, admitted to practice law in Virginia (active) and South Carolina (inactive)
A 35-year resident of Asheville, I have been in leadership positions within the tourism industry here both in my position as an executive of The Biltmore Company as well as in my role as a member of the Buncombe County Tourism Authority Board of Directors. I have three nationally published cookbooks, including one containing the history of the city. I've also had the great honor of welcoming and escorting a lengthy list of public figures including HRH Prince Charles, Walter Cronkie, Lady Bird Johnson, singer Judy Collins, Bill and Melinda Gates. I had also had the pleasure of being the recipient of premiere travel experiences so my goal is to strive for equal standards of excellence. Asheville is my home. I am proud of my community and love its creative spirit.
I moved to Asheville in 2013 and fell in love with all it has to offer. As an experienced world traveler I love to share our magnificent outdoor opportunities, thriving arts community, and rich history. In my spare time I enjoy exploring and discovering new fun facts and unique places to share with visitors. I've always been a "people person" and spent several years working in the hospitality industry. My professional background and life experiences allow me to relate well with people from all walks of life.
Tebbe Davis wasn’t born and raised in Asheville but got here as fast as he could. He is a beloved resident for the past 20 years, and recognized as one of Asheville’s finest artists, specializing in cosmic abstracts. Tebbe is also a humorist and entertainer; performing in numerous local productions and performance art projects. He truly loves sharing the extensive history of Asheville through its distinctive buildings to anyone who will listen. Tebbe is also the owner of Creative Seekers Tours which hosts tours of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Fluent in: Spanish, German
Master Story Teller
George is a highly motivated tour professional with refined knowledge of the history, culture, flora and fauna of western North Carolina. After retiring from three decades as a trial lawyer George embraced his passion for the outdoors, joining Outward Bound as an assistant instructor, and becoming a Park Ranger for the National Park Service guiding tours in national parks throughout America. His adventures always brought him back to his vacation home in Asheville where he became a tour guide at Biltmore Estate and is now a full time resident active in the local tourism community.
Certified through Interpretive Development Program with the following: Interpretive talk; Informal contact
After 10 years working as a paralegal in Complex Litigation, it was time to take a leap into something different. I walked downtown and applied for a job as a narrator for a 3 hour boat tour company in Seattle, and they hired me on the spot. From there, I went on to lead land tours in the Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Eastern US. What began as a one year segway between careers, developed into an all encompassing passion for travel and connecting with people. I’ve lived in Seattle for over 25 years, and love showing people this wonderful part of the world! With two mountain ranges, three National Parks, and vibrant forests all around us, we are so fortunate to have a wealth of beautiful surroundings and wonderful food to make your visit to the Northwest corner complete.
Conversational in Spanish
Danielle has been enjoying the laid-back beauty of the Pacific Northwest for almost 30 years. After traveling the globe working on editorial travel and advertising projects she is excited to invoke her passion for travel and begin a new journey sharing her beautiful city with others. An avid cook, voracious reader, beachcomber and art lover Danielle would love to take you throughout the Seattle area and beyond to explore incredible cuisine, wine, music, nature, and all the different cultures that make the PNW such a rich and enchanting place. Whether it's enjoying the freshest hyper-local oysters with a fine WA wine, paddle boarding with the local harbor seal population or catching a killer local band she will ensure your visit is beyond memorable.
Fluent in Spanish
Tom's passion and curiosity have made him a leader and explorer since childhood. He explores every space in Seattle, where he settled after leading tours of the Pacific Northwest since 2002. Tom loves sharing his discoveries with others and personalizes experiences for guests. Having traveled around the world four times, he understands the importance of experiences that are felt and remembered, not just photographed. When Seattle's rainy winter arrives, Tom travels the world, documenting his adventures in his travel blog, and occasionally taking small groups abroad.
Intermediate in Spanish
The first question asked of a true New Orleanian is, where did you go to school? To this, Edmond (Woody) proudly exclaims, Warren Easton Charter then Southern University. After graduation he earned accolades as the Louisiana NCO of the year while serving over two decades with The National Guard seeing action overseas during Operation Desert Shield. Once home he used his business education, service training and natural charm to gain a solid reputation in luxury retail and the automotive industry. Today, he keeps his wife and dogs happy completing ‘honey-dew’ projects when he’s not riding his motorcycle or out fishing.
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide
Licensed Chauffeur
Trish has lived in Santa Fe, Los Angeles & New York but grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She recently returned to her favorite of them all, New Orleans, where she enjoys a new experience every day: from the vast array of great dining options, nights on the town with the great musical offerings, the unique architecture of the Crescent City, and exploring the fascinating Cities of the Dead.
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide
Licensed Chauffeur
As a true multi-generational New Orleanean, Janice is an expert on the influence of food, culture, and history within and surrounding the Crescent City. You may recognize her as a TV contestant on Master Chef Season 8, as her Creole cooking skills helped her get into the Top 40. Janice’s passion for learning is shared as a gift with new visitors through the unique qualities of the city she has called home for her entire life.
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide
Licensed Chauffeur
As an award winning photojournalist, author and jazz historian, John delves deep into his New Orleans Spanish Colonial roots and city connections to ensure guests are presented both facts and anecdotes based on his authentic lens. He’s able to refine his pioneering perspectives on oft-overlooked jazz-greats, Hurricane Katrina coverage and his collection of rare Victrola phonographs from the gallery of his newly restored shotgun-double on Algier’s Point while photographing the sun setting on the French Quarter across the Mississippi.
Licensed Professional New Orleans Tour Guide
This 9th generation Cajun is a proud ambassador of Southern culture, history and people. Born in San Francisco, he grew up down the bayou in Thibodaux, Louisiana, then settled in New Orleans after studying film-making in Hawai’i and traveling the world making movies. He is passionate about storytelling, cheering on the Saints and enjoys adventures with his wife Penelope and cat Stella.
Foreign Language(s): Italian (basic).
Licensed New Orleans Tour Guide
Award Winning Filmmaker
Founder of the International Koozie Hall of Fame.
Tad is a 30 year veteran of the travel industry, owning and operating his own tour company where he coined the term Anthrotourism to describe his approach to the business of Travel. Before that he traveled his own journey around the globe. He is perhaps more interested in Why you travel than Where you travel. His love of the Blues and the history of American music led him to Memphis and the Mississippi Delta. He agrees with Willie Nelson who said, "Most people love that fantasy of catching the train that whistles in the night."
John is a fifth generation Mid-Southerner with a passion for both travel and history. His previous career in International Sales and Marketing led him to over 40 countries and a wide variety of world experiences. As a lifelong student of Southern as well as Memphis history, John feels compelled to tell the fascinating stories of our local and regional culture. He agrees strongly with the William Faulkner quote, “The past is never dead, it is not even past”. John also believes that quoting Faulkner makes him seem really smart!
Vincent's background is in luxury hotel management. He has traveled the world working in various hotels from Geneva, Switzerland to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. From his 10+ years working in hotels, he has developed a passion for travel and client services. He has been a private tour guide for 10 years, as we wanted to bring the same delight of discovering a new city to others. He has a passion for finer things in life and loves to learn how things are made.
Fluently trlingual: English, French and Spanish
Adrian is a professional tour director and guide who started his career in his family's inbound tour business. Now, with more than two decades of experience in the travel industry, he’s developed extensive knowledge and skills in international, domestic, and local touring, group procedures, safety rules, documentation, emergencies, and creating engaging narration. He has also worked as a documentary filmmaker, journalist, and instructor. His strong organizational, managerial, writing, public speaking, teaching, research, and interpersonal skills enable him to connect with people from all backgrounds and ensure that each trip is unforgettable for all.
Member: IATDG Tour Director Assn
Member: Southern California Tour Guide Assn
Professional Tour Management Training With Cherie Anderson
Patti’s continued interest in history and travel, combined with her enjoyment of being with people, provided the catalyst for becoming a tour guide. Even though she has lived in Southern California for most of her life, she is still amazed at how every event, newly travel backroad or venue can still quench her thirst for learning something new. She is further energized when she can share these insights with guests who visit San Diego.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association, Certified Tour Guide
Licensed Washington DC and New York City Tour Guide
Born and raised in San Diego, Victor has shared for years the heart and soul of the city and its people from a local perspective as a tour professional. Both his personal and professional life are an example of the culture he grew up in, enjoying surfing, sailing, kayaking and biking throughout the city as it evolved to the vibrant international metropolis it is today. He is passionate about sharing the unique places and events of San Diego in California’s history with fellow explorers.
San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association, Certified Tour Guide
Natural History Museum Hiking Program, Certified Canyoneer
National Parks NIA Certified
Carole has over 20 years’ experience in sales, marketing, event planning, business development and management. Her personal passion for sailing was soon turned into a business venture as she started a successful corporate and leisure charter company in San Diego. Today, she is our partner for sailing, whale watching, and kayaking, catamaran, and yacht charter experiences. If its water related, Carole is our go-to-gal for the best on the blue.
Japanese interpreter, published author, and educator, Mark and his wife invest their lives in the pursuit of quality experiences for family and guests. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Mark lived in Japan, and ultimately settled in Sonoma, California. As a three time Olympic interpreter and host, he knows service at that level and delivers it, daily. Mark specializes in wine country travel, music tours, and San Francisco Bay area excursions from Napa to Yosemite.
Fluently bilingual: English and Japanese
International Tour Management Institute, Instructor & Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Lance’s friends describe him as professionally eclectic, as he has successfully initiated and managed businesses in education (public speaking instructor, training consultant), private investigation, financial services, fitness, and tourism. In 2008, Lance discovered his passion: professional raconteur. Today, his purpose is sharing stories while exploring the San Francisco Bay area with his wife and dog, the home he chose 35 years ago after living abroad for much of his life.
Fluently bilingual: English and Spanish
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Certified Docent, Presidio of San Francisco
Licensed Washington DC Tour Guide
Growing up in New Jersey, Sharon now lives with her husband and dogs in Silicon Valley. She reinvented herself in 2010 as a tour guide building on her interests in books, movies, hiking and cuisine. Along the way she’s added interests in geology, art, and the tech industry to her skill set. She hopes her travelers leave San Francisco with a deeper appreciation for the area and a resolve to return.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Born in Italy, Roberto enjoys experiencing foreign languages and cross-cultural interaction. His background in liberal arts and community journalism created opportunities to work and play in Mexico, Spain and the US, yet the "The City by the Bay" and its vibrant Italian-American community, eventful history, and open-mindedness has him fully embracing all that is San Francisco.
Fluently trilingual: English, Italian and Spanish
San Francisco Tour Guide Guild Associate Member
Official San Francisco Travel Ambassador
Certified Tourism Ambassador, Wine Country
Jason has a passion for exploration, and has visited 25 countries and about 150 wineries. He has led visitors to cities and national parks throughout the West. Previous work as a marketing writer included extended assignments in South America, and travel industry leadership has included being Board Chair for San Francisco City Guides and the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. His major interests include California history, architecture, and the natural history of the Western U.S. He also loves hiking and building backyard landscape projects. Jason’s most unusual custom experience was leading a tour for a European President, in a Secret Service motorcade.
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
Inspired by family recipes, self-taught culinary savant, Barbara, seized the opportunity to cook for her family in childhood. Following her degree at UC Berkeley she refined her culinary specialties during life abroad in Germany and Italy, then back in California during her eight years as Resident Chef at Sur La Table she managed events and classes with famous chefs and cookbook authors. Today, she shares her passion via multi-generational cooking classes and neighborhood exploration with an eye on the influence of San Francisco cuisine on its culture.
Fluently trilingual: English, Italian and German
International Tour Management Institute Certified Tour Director
Certified Tour Guide, San Francisco Tour Guide Guild
This upstate New Yorker has lived in the Nashville area for several years showcasing the city as a local tour guide and exploring the landscape as a professional photographer. His background as event coordinator and AV technician exemplified his keen multi-tasking skillset, which now enhances each experience with careful consideration and execution. He’s most keen on exploring the local distinct cultures and complex history of the places that he travels.
Originally from Indianapolis, Robin has called Nashville home for twenty years and has spent most of her digital media career showcasing country music and those who’ve helped make Nashville “Music City.” When Robin isn't introducing Nashville’s outstanding food, music, architecture and history to her active twins, you’ll find her trying to sneak in a round of golf. But as Robin will tell you, it’s the people of Nashville that make this such a special place to explore and discover.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Anita has made her home in Nashville, Tennessee for over twenty years. She moved to Tennessee to pursue her singing career and is very thankful for the opportunities she has experienced within the music industry. For over ten years, she worked as a Guest Relations Specialist and Tour Guide for the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum. She has a deep appreciation for country music and she loves sharing the history of Nashville.
Professional Accreditation: Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
Raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Nashville, Tennessee resident since the late '90's, Bennjin aspires to be a true southern gentleman. He has a deep and abiding love of travel, especially for sports, music, food, and adventure - not always in that order. When he's not exploring the incomparable music and culinary scenes of Nashville, his other passions include backwoods camping and the never-ending chase of an errantly hit tennis ball.
Fluently bilingual: English and Fujien Chinese
With twenty years in Chicagoland and seven years as a guide, Marlin earned the ranks as the chairman of the CTPA certification committee, testing all new candidates for their Chicago tour guide certificate. His goal is to ensure everyone visiting Chicago enjoys the same depth of knowledge, and each storytelling experience includes the essential ingredients of being enriching, fulfilling, meaningful and memorable. His mantra is to make friends and have fun while being treated like family.
Chicago Tour Guide Professional Association
A vibrant part of Chicago’s cultural scene, Liz Garibay got her start as a spry intern at the Field Museum with an interest in anthropology and archeology. With time, her interests created opportunities for positions at almost every museum in the city where she’s curated exhibitions and public programs while regularly giving lectures at cultural institutions and centers of higher education such as Harvard and MIT. As a renowned pub historian she specializes in the history and culture of alcohol, and is the founder of the Chicago Brewseum, America’s first museum dedicated to beer.
Fluently trilingual: English, Spanish and Italian
Chicago Tour Guide Professional Association, American Alliance of Museums, Organization of American Historians.
Dennis is a Chicago historian and geographer passionate about its architecture, transportation, history, ethnic neighborhoods, and the economic and geographic threads from which the city is woven. In addition to being a certified Chicago Tour-Guide Professional, he is well known as an expert on the city’s-built environment, quoted regularly on TV and radio. His design firm, Chicago CartoGraphics, produces specialized maps and tourist resources, and his work is featured in books such as the AIA Guide to Chicago Architecture and the Encyclopedia of Chicago
Certified Tour Guide (CTG), Chicago Tour Guide Professional Association
Born and raised in Italy, Cristina has a degree in conference interpreting and translation from Bologna University. In the tourism industry since 2003, she moved to Chicago in 2009 and has not stopped falling in love with the vibrant, energy-filled city she calls home. Her ability to share her enthusiasm for local art, architecture, society, and the environment crosses cultural barriers, unifying global guests who appreciate an international perspective.
Fluently trilingual: English, Italian and French
Certified Tour Guide (CTG), Chicago Tour Guide Professional Association, ATA - American Translators Assn, MATI - Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters CHICATA - Chicago Area Translators and Interpreters
In the 4th grade she fell in love with history and has since made a career from that passion of sharing all things “Southern” with others: the history, the culture and of course the delicious food. She knew she found home when she first visited Charleston almost 30 years ago, then made the move 11 years ago, simultaneously changing careers from advertising and publishing to tourism and hospitality. Today, there is nothing more that she would rather do than show off this enchanting city to you.
Certified Tour Guide with the City of Charleston and Member of the Palmetto Guild
John's entrepreneurial background in tourism, food and beverage, banking and money management has led to business ownership, and senior executive roles nationwide. He pursued his passion for hospitality as GM of the Old South Carriage Company where he founded the industry trade association, Charleston C.A.R.E.S. Today, his role as tour guide and elected Board member of the Charleston Tour Association grants guests access to his in-depth knowledge of city history, local culinary adventures and the spooky stories that light up the night. He's never too busy to support an inner city high school foundation in Chicago, Illinois where he serves as President. John and his wife, Lynn, enjoy living in the Low Country on James Island near Folly Beach.
As a Charlestonian, Julia grew up exploring her historic city and surrounding Sea Islands known as “The Lowcountry” by foot. She obtained a History and Education Degree from Furman University and came back home to teach history before spending 37 years living across the U.S. becoming a Manager in IBM’s Global Solution Center.
Certified Tour Guide with the City of Charleston and Member of the Palmetto Guild
As a Charleston native growing up downtown, Paige has experienced first-hand the lifestyle so many seek to get a glimpse of when they visit the Holy City. A hostess at heart, she’s happy to greet you with a batch of her homemade traditional St. Cecelia Punch, and toast to a great experience together as she shares Charleston traditions, food culture, social protocol and local color through storytelling, with a dash of humor.
With a last name like Toy, how can he ever be expected to grow up? After attending Clemson for engineering, Ben-Jamin quickly realized his life could never be behind a desk. After changing fields from manufacturing to sales and container trucking, he has spent the last decade in adventure tourism. His passion is helping others reconnect with the outdoors and others through unique experiences. He traded in an office with no windows, for one with no walls and looks forward to your office visit.
Fluently bilingual: English and German
SC Coastal Master Naturalist, ACA Level 3 Kayak Assessed and Level 2 SUP Instructor
Born on the East Coast of Canada, Jennifer has called Toronto home of the last 20 years. Having been bitten with the travel bug at an early age, she spent several years in the skies as a flight attendant before planting her feet as a Corporate Event Planner. She loves introducing visitors to the diverse cultures within Toronto.
Fluent in French and English
Laid back, carefree individual who enjoys cooking, reading Hemingway or non-fiction military history, and enjoying a smooth whisky/whiskey or bourbon on the rocks, with a splash of water. As far as travel goes, you might catch him in Disney World on one of his yearly trips,or possibly in a honky-tonk on Lower Broadway in Nashville.
Born and raised in Montreal, Felicia pursued a career in the Photographic Industry, lived and worked in the UK (London), then returned to Toronto. After her return, she started a new career as a tour guide/tour director, after many years as a volunteer Gallery Guide at the Art Gallery of Ontario, which first opened her eyes to a passion for guiding. Felicia is an active and engaging guide, and loves sharing her knowledge and experiences with groups of all ages and backgrounds. She has extensive experience working in and around Toronto and the Niagara region as well as some other destinations in Canada. Her specialist areas include Art, Culinary, Wine, Walking and Cycling Tours.
Foreign languages : French conversational
Tourist Guide Association of Toronto certified guide
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