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Our Guides
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Private tours are highly recommended for all those who wish to gain more than just a superficial impression of each city. Indeed, a private tour with an expert guide can make all the difference to one’s enjoyment and appreciation of a city.
Each city though only has a handful of outstanding guides. Over the years therefore, we have worked hard to ensure the services of these elite local guides in each major Spanish city. We are now very fortunate to be able to offer the services of a ‘team’ of truly exceptional professional guides who provide fascinating insights into the past and present of their home towns. Furthermore, their expertise, knowledge, warmth, sense of humour and flexibility are invaluable in making vacations to Spain with Madrid & Beyond so memorable.
Please bear in mind that only licensed local guides are permitted to give guided visits in museums and monuments. Madrid & Beyond’s Local Guides: |
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Federico
Descendent of a long line of generations of Madrileños, Federico knows Madrid like few others. He was brought up on stories and anecdotes from Madrid's past, yet fully grasps the contemporary Madrid, which enthuses and fascinates him. His guided visits prove very popular, especially as he is always so sensitive to each person's interests and preferences. Federico is an expert on several facets of Madrid and Spain, including the monarchy, Spanish music and modern art. An excellent companion as you discover the jewels of this vibrant city. He was recently featured on Samantha Brown’s Travel Channel. |
Juanjo
A gentleman in every sense of the word, Juanjo is a pleasure to work with and we believe the best guide in Toledo. He loves his work and carries out all his personal tours with enthusiasm, dedication and warmth. He is extremely well known and respected in the city of Toledo, so don’t be surprised if you constantly receive salutations as you pass through the streets with Juanjo! He possesses an in-depth knowledge of Toledo’s past, and cultural riches and is first rate on the city’s Jewish Heritage. No surprise that Juanjo was asked to guide the following on their last visits to Toledo: Kofi Annan; President of Israel Mr. Katzav; President of India; Mrs. Putin and many more. Rest assured, you’re in the hands of an expert. |
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Cristina
Daughter of Madrid born parents, she spent part of her childhood in Virginia, USA and Mexico before returning to Spain to study History at the University of Madrid. After working for several years in advertising, she opted for a career change and became a licensed guide in Madrid, which she performs with a dexterous touch. She also rivets all those who accompany her on visits to Segovia and Avila, as she offers her special insight into each town’s fascinating history and imprint on Spanish art, architecture and culture. Warm, friendly and always modest, Cristina is one of our very best guides. |
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Norbert
Charismatic, charming, extremely knowledgeable and surely one of Barcelona’s best three guides (we also work with the other two!). Well travelled himself, Norbert has spent much time in North and South America. He has also worked as a licensed pilot in many countries but is most at home in Cataluyna. With a background in archaeology and history, Norbert’s interest and passion in his work is self-evident as he thrives on intellectual dialogues. His tours are engaging, entertaining and fun as he adapts each tour to each person’s particular interests. |
Ana
Born and raised in a typical Andalucian village outside Córdoba, Ana came to Córdoba to study and fell in love with the city. However, she decided to travel and work in other parts of Spain before settling in Córdoba several years ago. Ana's guided visits are always full of interest as she seems to become more enthusiastic and passionate about her city the more she unravels its secrets and mysteries. She is popular and well-liked so don't be surprised if several locals greet her as you turn the pages of Córdoba's history and culture together. An excellent guide to open your eyes and imagination to the wonders of the Mezquita, Jewish quarter, the famous patios, to mention but a few of Córdoba's highlights. |
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Marta
Ever since her childhood years in Algeria, North Africa, visiting the small colourful villages of the Berbers, the desert, Roman remains… she has always wanted to be a guide. Lured by Rome, Marta began by guiding small groups to Italy, and later to France, Germany, Austria and the Low Countries. However, for most of the last 10 years, she has concentrated on Madrid where she excels, as anyone who has accompanied her on the main museums of Madrid will agree. Marta is held in high esteem, often being asked to teach the art of guiding to those guides yet to sit the Official Guide Exams of Madrid. As with all our guides, Marta is no stranger to high-brow or official visitors to Spain, having guided British Museum Members, the Royal Academy of Medicine L’Hérmitage as well as the Embassies of China, Chile, Pakistan, to name but a few. However, her love is guiding, and she thrives with private tours of families, friends or couples. |
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Martina
Martina is one of our most experienced guides. With an English mother and a Spanish father, her childhood was spent on farms in Southern Andalucia in the early 1960s. She has two degrees, Tourism Business Management and History (BA Granada University) specialising in Archaeology. Whilst working as a guide in Granada, she met and married a fellow guide, which led to extensive travels in North Africa and more doctorate courses in Anthropology. In following her keen academic interest, Martina worked as an Ethnoarchaeologist in a research centre before finally, the appeal of Granada, its history and culture, lured her back in to guiding work. When she isn’t guiding, she spends long afternoons cycling near her home in the foothills of Sierra Nevada and still finds time to study languages, the latest being Arabic, French and Syrian! |
Please note that these are just a handful of the expert guides we work with. There are many more that work with Madrid & Beyond whose names and photographs do not appear here.
Also… for special interest tours in Granada & beyond… |
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Jim
James Hughes is a Canadian of Latin American parents who has made both Canada and Brasil his home. However, after travelling for several years around Latin America, North America and Europe, James finally settled in Spain, where he has now been for 4 years and still loves showing it off to anyone who's interested. When James isn't guiding he's biking around Spain, hiking in the many mountainous areas, or enjoying a tapa and a beer in one of the numerous bars in Granada where he lives. Everyone on James' tours welcomes his warm approach and infectious sense of humour. |
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Jonathan
After graduating from Cambridge, Jonathan was for 12 years an entertainment lawyer in London and freelance travel writer almost everywhere else, during which time he became steadily captivated by Andalucía and Granada in particular. Having completed a course in Hispanic Studies at Granada University, he now divides his time between introducing the delights of this fascinating region to clients and friends and day-dreaming about a house with views of the Alhambra. |
As well as private city tours, spoil yourselves with some Special Experiences |
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