| Evelyn Hannon
Though
I love the freedom of solo travel, I always consider it an absolute
bonus to have someone show me around a foreign destination on my
first day there. Sometimes it's another Journeywoman welcoming me
to her city, pointing out the female-friendly cafés or shops
that gals will be sure to love. Other times it's a representative
from a tourist bureau who will be introducing me to the major sightseeing
highlights of the region. And, when language is a barrier (as it
was in China), I was delighted to have somebody to explain what
I didn't understand and to speak on my behalf.
This
article is a compilation of recommended guides and drivers that
other JourneyWomen readers worldwide have tried and now generously
recommend to others. Perhaps these suggestions will come in handy
for other females looking for assistance at their destinations of
choice.
 If
anybody else has a favorite guide they'd like to share with our
JW Network, please send your recommendations to: editor@journeywoman.com.
Please put the words, 'great guide' in the subject line.
However,
a small word of caution
before we begin. Journeywoman has not tried all of these guides
herself and therefore cannot personally vouch for those she hasn't
met. To avoid the smallest possibility of safety issues, we ask
that female travellers always use common sense when connecting with
potential guides on the Internet. Be careful about revealing personal
info, like your home address, to anybody you are networking with.
If you plan to meet a guide, make sure that it is done in a busy
place like a café, hotel or a museum. Cyberspace is imperfect;
treat it accordingly, stay safe and have loads of fun!
Laurent,
a guide in Paris...
I
just returned from a few days on my own in Paris. I
had the most fabulous guide while I was there -- Laurent Guariglia.
He was extremely knowledgeable about all the areas we visited
and he spoke wonderful English. At the end of our times together
Laurent always made sure to put me in a cab and give the driver
complete directions to my hotel so I wouldn't have a problem.
I will definitely contact this nice man on my next visit to
Paris. Email: laurent.guariglia@free.fr
Mobile: (33) 6 77 49 27 37.
Paula, California, USA |
Karen,
a great guide in Paris...
 My
friend and I recently hired Karen Henrich of Nuit Blanche
Tours for her one day Paris orientation. Karen first told
us lots of things by email even before we arrived, including
the best way to get from the airport and how to choose a hotel
which saved us a lot of hassle and money. Also before we arrived
she determined our likes/wishes and then picked us up at our
hotel and escorted us all around the city, made us comfortable
using the public transportation, showed us her bargain shopping
places and wrote down many things which helped us plan the
remaining days of our stay in Paris. I would highly recommend
using this guide; we felt instantly comfortable with a fellow
English speaker who, because she lives there, knows the ropes
of Paris intimately. We had lots of laughs and heaps of fun
too! Her email is info@nuitblanchetours.com
|
|
A great guide in Rome...
 I'd
like to recommend a lovely female guide in Rome. Theresa Potenza,
is an American, an historian and art history graduate who
has been giving private tours in Rome for several years. My
travelling pal and I were so pleased with the information
this young woman gave us, and she was so delightful, that
we arranged another tour the following day. Theresa can be
reached via email: theresapotenza@hotmail.com
or via mobile phone: 011-39-347-086-7517. We felt her rates
were reasonable and she was very accommodating.
Marilyn, Manhattan, USA
|
 Nan,
a great guide in Venice, Italy...
I
know a fabulous guide: Nan McElroy. Why is she terrific? How
shall I count the ways? She lives in Venice, for a start,
comes from the US so there's no language issue but of course
she speaks Italian; she's written an incredible little guidebook
called Italy: Instructions for Use which is a treasure trove
of practical information; she's smart and sassy and knows
her stuff. You can contact her via her site: http://italyinstructions.com/
I know you're going to like her!
Linda, Venice, Italy |
Svetlana,
a guide in Prague...
 In
Prague, contact Svetlana Radova at: svetlana.radova@tiscali.cz.
Her English is perfect and she is licensed to guide in Prague
and has the additional license to guide in the Jewish Quarter.
Svetlana's partner, Ondrej is available to drive you in Prague,
(they are driving us to Krakow and back) and available for
airport pickups as well. I met Svetlana three years ago and
we have stayed friends ever since we first met!
Rosalyn,
Chicago, Illinois, USA
|
Dana
Chaloupka, a guide in Prague... 
My
husband and I recently visited Prague. Since neither of us
knew one word of Czech, we were concerned about the language
barrier. We learned of a guide called Dana Chaloupka from
an online message board and emailed her about our pending
visit. She responded with a broad range of itineraries and
prices. Dana spent time in the United States and speaks English
very well. She knows her history and all the sights of Prague
and patiently showed and taught us about her city. We also
traveled by train to a small town outside Prague (Uvaly),
where she grew up. We visited her family home and her neighbor,
and we went into several shops, getting a glimpse of normal
life in a small Czech village. She was a wonderful guide and
a very pleasant person. Dana does not work for tour companies
-- she hires drivers when needed. We feel her services made
all the difference in the world in enjoying this beautiful
historic city. We heartily recommend her. Dana can be reached
at: danachal@volny.cz
/ or dachal@quick.cz
Sherri,
Iowa, USA |
 Michael,
a great guide in Prague...
I'd
like to recommend guide and driver, Michael Jakubuv. I just
got back from our choir tour in Prague and we found Michael
to take us on a castle tour and also to take us to the airport.
His prices are very reasonable and he is very informative.
His English is great. I would recommend him to anyone looking
for an airport pickup or a tour of the country side. You can
email him at: mike.chauffeur@cmail.cz.
Cathy, Newfoundland, Canada |
Ab,
a great guide in Amsterdam... 
Last year we
found a guide in the Netherlands who was recommended by Rick
Steves. Ab Walet (abwalet@yahoo.com)
is a retired history teacher and he's just great. Ab took
four of us on a wonderful four hour walking tour of Amsterdam.
He showed us sights never mentioned in guide books as well
as giving us history and background information about the
usual places. My favorite was the Theater Kadinsky which looks
as if Judy Garland should appear at any minute to introduce
the premier of 'The Wizard of Oz.'
Pinkie, Brevard, USA
|
More Guides Worldwide: 2/3/4/5/6
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