We take a tremendous amount of pride in our guides and believe that they help us stand apart from other tour companies. We're very fortunate in that we've developed very close relationships with some amazing guides all over the world. We travel with them in their home countries and they often visit us during the off-season (giving us the chance to play guide in La Jolla!).

We scout our trips with our guides, and involve them in all decisions about the trips before, during and after each departure. We also chat extensively with them throughout the year, which provides us a chance to hear about some interesting antics and anecdotes about their personal lives and what has taken place on tours they've recently guided for Classic Journeys.

Below you'll find some short bios and interesting personal information about a selection of our guides. Since there are now over 125 Classic Journeys' guides ambling around the world from Argentina to Zion National Park and Barcelona to Vietnam, we don't have space to showcase all of them at the same time, so check back with us from time to time as we feature a variety of our beloved guides. Happy reading! Our guides look forward to welcoming you on a Classic Journey soon.

Canada

Canadian Rockies: Cultural Walking Adventure, Family Journey and Deluxe Camping
Guide: Craig
Residence: Jasper, Canada
Background: Craig first came to Jasper as a university student in the summer of 1994. Like many people he fell in love with the area and the outdoor pursuits the mountains offer. Craig began his guiding career in 1998 as a certified whitewater river guide. He has gone on to receive certification as an ACMG day hiking guide as well as a fully accredited interpreter from The Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association. When not guiding in the Canadian Rockies Craig has spent his time traveling and hiking in North America, New Zealand, and Europe.

Canadian Rockies: Cultural Walking Adventure, Family Journey and Deluxe Camping
Guide: Trevor
Residence: Jasper, Canada
Background: Trevor was born and raised in Ontario but moved west at the age of 19. Here he fell in love with surrounding mountains and the opportunities they provided. After years of climbing and hiking Trevor began his guiding career in 1999. In 2004 he became a member on the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides as a Hiking Guide and completed he Backpacking exams in 2006. Having traveled extensively in Nepal, New Zealand, Central America, and South East Asia, Trevor returned to the beautiful mountain environment of Jasper. He now guides throughout Western Canada and also guides polar bear tours in the sub arctic.

Costa Rica

Guide: Jorge

Residence: Heredia, Costa Rica

Background: Born and raised in Costa Rica, Jorge spent time in the US earning his degree in International Politics. Now he is a naturalist guide and practicing biologist involved in several projects for conservation and intelligent plant production in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The natural diversity of Costa Rica provides a never-ending source of subjects to learn, but Jorge tells us that the most rewarding part for the guests in his country is that, “In learning about the natural diversity of Costa Rica, you will also learn about the rich cultural and human diversity in this small section of the Central American isthmus.”

France

Guide: Bart

Residence: Les Eyzies, France

Background: After a period of extensive traveling in Africa and Asia as a convoy-leader for the F.A.O., Bart chose to live in the Dordogne region because of its natural and cultural richness. Studies of prehistory and history at the University of Bordeaux led Bart to begin his work as a lecturer and guide in the Dordogne Valley. He has worked with NASA, the Leakey Foundation and other institutes, museums and universities, including aiding Michael Crichton with the research for his book, Timeline. When he’s not guiding and uncovering the fascinating history of the Dordogne region, Bart enjoys walking, swimming, skiing, snorkeling and dining.

Loire's Châteaux and Burgundy's Canals

Guide: Dominique

Residence: La Bouille, France

Background: We find it ironic that one of our guides who likes to fly airplanes and ride motorcycles is also the one who has taught us so much about the importance to slow down and “smell the roses” during our travels.  One of Dominique’s favorite things about the region of Loire and Burgundy is that it evokes the way people lived before cars and computers. This reward is definitely evidenced during our tour as you meander down the Burgundy canals on a luxurious barge during sunset and the world seems to slow down a bit. When Dominique is not guiding, he is the director of a school where people learn French as a foreign language. Asked about his favorite part of the Classic Journeys tour, he replied, “My greatest interest in guiding this tour is to meet people, to give the opportunity for guests and natives to share experiences—to realize that we are all very close, on board of the same planet.”

Provence Family Journey

Guide: Henriette

Residence: Provence, France

Background: Henriette was born in the Netherlands, but moved with her whole family (dogs, cats and chicken included) to Carpentras, France when she was sixteen. After high school she studied art history in Aix-en-Provence where she met her husband and started a family. When asked how she began guiding, Henriette smiles and tells us, “I had already shown the secrets of Provence so many times to my Dutch friends who came to visit!  It only made sense to become a full-time tour guide in this beautiful region.” In addition to guiding, Henriette loves to cook, read and travel.  She is also currently studying Chinese.

Ireland

Guide: Donal

Residence: Kenmare, Ireland

Background: A 30-year career with Irish Telecom provided Donal the opportunity to travel extensively through South Kerry. An expert on the people, history, culture and sites of Ireland, Donal spends his spare time playing badminton with his wife and football with his four children, or continuing his studies at the University College of Cork. His favorite element of the Classic Journeys tour is the boat trip through the Lakes of Killarney to Ross Castle—“It is a beautiful trip, and the guests can’t stop laughing at the stories and antics of the boatman, Pat O’Callaghan”.

Italy

Guide: Luciano

Residence: Tuscany, Italy

Background: Luciano tells us that it wasn’t until he left his native country of Italy to travel the world that he realized fully the beauty and cultural richness that radiates from his homeland. When we initially met Luciano, we were reminded why we hold our guides in such high esteem—he’s fluent in six languages, studied music in Florence and has traveled extensively around the world. And as worldly as he is, his greatest jobs are tutoring children in languages, teaching guitar lessons, and sharing his passion for Italy with our guests. Besides Italian, Luciano speaks English, German, French, Spanish, Russian and Polish.  When not guiding and tutoring children, he organizes entertainment and events for his local community.

Tuscany & the Cinque Terre

Guide: Flaminia

Residence: Rome, Italy

Background: You might expect an expert in the modern and contemporary art department at Sotheby's in Rome to be long on the academic study of Italian history and short on the cultural interactions that make our trips so unique and enjoyable. Fortunately, in Flaminia's case, nothing could be further from the truth. With her own travels as a backdrop-living in Rome until 18, off to the US for college, working in London and Washington DC, then back in Milan and Rome since 1992, she brings her own fun sense of discovery and worldly perspective to the culture and history of our trips. And when we asked her recently what was her most enjoyable guiding experience, she broke into laughter and described dancing the tarantella with one of our guests in Santa Margherita's main square during a recent festival!

Southern Tuscany to Rome

Guide: Lorraine

Residence: Florence, Italy

Background: How did a young lady from a dairy farm in England by way of Africa become one of our most popular guides in Tuscany? Arriving in Italy to study art at the age of 16, Lorraine met her future husband—a Florentine—and never left! A dance therapist, she also runs a day center for handicapped young adults. She enjoys hosting American students while they study at various universities in Florence. In addition to guiding, Lorraine enjoys travel, cinema, reading, horseback riding, dance and music. When asked about the best-kept secret in Umbria, she replied, “Both the delicious food and excellent wine in Umbria are relatively unknown and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone on tour, including myself!”

Morocco

New Zealand

Guide: Ian

Residence: Greymouth, New Zealand

Background: A native Kiwi, Ian has traveled around the world, including his time spent in Fiji with Volunteer Service Abroad, the equivalent of the US Peace Corps. Ian has always been beckoned back from his travels to New Zealand’s South Island, where the contrast between the Canterbury plains and rainforests of Fjordland continue to energize Ian and amaze Classic Journeys guests. His guiding career has been full of fun with some very interesting highlights—guiding three Indian ladies dressed in saris through the rainforest, assisting the rather well fed US ambassador into a lifejacket, and as a young man, sharing a cup of tea with the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary!

Turkey

Guide: Cemil

Residence: Antalya, Turkey

Background: On Cemil’s last trip to the Classic Journeys office, he arrived in California with his infectious smile, and a bottle of raki.  What followed was a real departure from our normal office routine and an education for us all on the traditional Turkish liquor. Cemil has lived all over Turkey, growing up in Ankara, living in Istanbul as a young adult, and finally moving to Antalya to settle down with his wife and daughter in the quiet and naturally beautiful surroundings. As such, he is an expert on all parts of the country, and is always eager to spread his love of Turkey to our guests. When he is not guiding, Cemil enjoys gardening and skiing.

Turkey—The Turquoise Coast & Cappadocia

Guide: Yasemin

Residence: Antalya, Turkey

Background: Yasemin grew up in Ankara and met her husband, Cemil in Istanbul. After enjoying several years in the city, they traveled along the south coast of Turkey to find a place to settle down and ended up in Antalya—surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Termessos National Park. Yasemin has been so inspired by the natural beauty around her that she has written a book on local wildflowers that she hopes will be published soon. When asked about the most interesting part of Turkey for visitors, she replied, “The women in Turkey are very liberated. We have female doctors, lawyers and professors—and even voted in a female prime minister ten years ago. Women are very highly regarded in society.”

United Kingdom

Guide: Wendy

Residence: Warks, England

Background: Befitting a graduate of highly regarded Trinity College and the daughter of an Irish clergyman, Wendy is our favorite wordsmith, and keeps us on our toes with charming local phrases like, “Mulligan’s Mother“—meaning a complete and utter mess. She moved to Stratford on Avon in the mid 70’s and now has three children who, she informs us, are now gainfully employed (most of the time). Wendy tells us, “I enjoy all aspects of guiding, but especially establishing a relationship with the individual members of a group. I do find people endlessly fascinating, and it’s so rewarding when a disparate group suddenly ‘gels’, and when they spontaneously burst out laughing or become absorbed in something new.”

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands

Guide: Gordon

Residence: Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Background: It takes a real man to look good in a kilt, and Gordon pulls it off (no pun intended) with great flair. A life-long Scotsman, Gordon offers a deep knowledge and fresh perspective into his country for our guests. He’s quite involved in his local community, and is often the host of talks and events including songs, poems and stories. Gordon is a professional entertainer in a local band that plays Scottish music, and much to our guest’s delight, he has been known to show up on Classic Journeys tours for a rendition of his favorite song dressed up in a kilt! As a complement to his love of music and Scottish history, he’s made appearances on BBC Radio, Grampian Television and other stations, and also wrote the material for Wallace in Braveheart. When Gordon is not guiding, he enjoys mountain climbing, sailing and skiing.

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