Guides
B&R guides are an exceptional group. They are consummate hosts, mind readers and raconteurs. Think teachers, painters, travel writers, architects, botanists and biologists. You should see their CVs. They’ve lived all over the world. They speak a gazillion languages. And they’re ridiculously fun to be around. Here are just some of B&R’s talented guides:
ABBY VAN OERSEven though Abby may have farmed cattle in Alberta and sheared sheep in New Zealand, you’ll never feel like one of the herd in her company. She also reveals some gentler skills, as her time in a Parisian bookshop and freelancing for Disney Comics would attest, though this native of Holland is always geared to go. Hence, her love of yoga, speed skating and, believe it, renaissance dancing. |
AGUSTIN CALVETTIAfter studying anthropology at the University of Buenos Aires, Agustin Calvetti followed in the footsteps of both George Butterfield and B&R president Norman Howe, abandoning academia in favour of more hedonistic endeavours. But ever inquisitive, for Agustin hedonism means assisting archaeologists and palaeontologists with field work when he’s not busy researching or guiding for B&R. |
ALESSIO FRANGIONIAlessio is an experienced guide, veterinarian, and carpenter with a keen ability to put the intricacies of local life into context. This Italian has been seeing the world and guiding with B&R for over 8 years. He loves to hike, bike, fix up old houses and really get to the heart of the region, and its people. |
ALEX GRAEFEAlex is a Berliner who loves all things Tuscan and spends his winters biking in New Zealand. Having guided over 25 trips, he recently returned from biking in Argentina and Brazil. He is such a kind-hearted and caring person, he even drove a dog home after it joined the group walking. |
ALICE VAN DER VOORTAlice was born in the royal town of The Hague. Growing up in Holland meant learning to ride a bike and to skate right after learning to walk. Being a real Flying Dutch(wo)man, she has lived in many parts of the world and now has her principle residence in Italy. Her penchant for dancing on tables is legendary. |
AMANDA GARYTo say Amanda Gary’s resume is varied would be understating things slightly. Unless, of course, you know someone else who’s CV includes ski patroller, bookkeeper, a stint in a lawyer’s office, Italian tutor, freelance writer and, briefly, sandwich board—wearing empanada saleswoman. Such diversity has been a driving force in Amanda’s career and has translated into her travels. Now based in Buenos Aires, the native of Malibu, California has guided more than 20 trips in regions ranging from Italy to Ireland. |
AMINA ABDELJAWADCare to have that phrase translated into six languages? Meet Amina, our inveterate adventure seeker from Sweden whose irrepressible enthusiasm has found her diving to the depths of Lake Malawi, high atop the hills of Burgundy on her bike, and shaking it down in the dance clubs of Andalucia. Now, how would you translate ‘dynamo’? |
CHRIS GOODWINIt’s a not-unfamiliar tale among B&R guides and staffers: Chris Goodwin was on the fast track to retirement in the corporate world before giving up the safety of the office for the allure of the road. Teaming up with B&R in 2004, Chris has guided more than 40 trips in locales as diverse as Iceland and Vietnam, but focuses primarily on his native continent, guiding countless trips in South Africa and Rwanda. |
CHRISTINA NICKFrom sculptor and art teacher, to wildlife guide and naturalist for the Provincial Parks of Canada, Christina’s life experiences are comprehensive. Her talent shines through in her artwork and outlook on life as she continuously searches the world for inspiration. Christina has led biking and hiking trips in France, Spain and the Galapagos Islands—her illustrations have appeared in B&R brochures and our favourite (of a blue-footed boobie) adorns a wall at the Toronto office! |
DALE SHERROWA Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua, Dale is an adventure seeker whose passion revolves around learning the intricacies of people, culture, and most importantly local cuisine. An avid surfer and snowboarder, he can just as easily explain corporate finance as Volnay Premier Cru. |
DANE TREDWAYOver the last ten years, Dane’s travels have taken him across the globe, from Cape Town to Katmandu, and finally to London, England where he’s settled now. Dane’s love for the outdoors and sense of adventure are infectious. He’s a runner and skier who loves trekking, spelunking, and scuba diving, but at heart, he’s also a creative guy who has an equal appreciation for photography, a hidden-gem hotel and a farm-to-table meal. Dane is a Toronto native and a writer when not guiding for B&R. |
DANIEL BOWERBiker, snowboarder, scuba diver, mountaineer, bungee jumper, and ultimate frisbee pro, Daniel has a thirst for adventure that seems to never be quenched. Living in Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand & Ecuador, and travelling throughout six continents, have left Daniel with an infectious sense of curiosity and enthusiasm. |
DENIS LUCCANTONIYou’ll be excused if you can’t keep up with Denis, given he is a former Olympian and short track speed skater who won the European Championships not so long ago. A natural athlete who loves biking, hiking, surfing and, of course, skating, Denis guides summer trips and then spends his winters teaching skiing in the French Alps. Seriously. Oh, he’s also is fluent in French and Spanish. |
ERIN REEDFor Erin, traversing countries under her own speed is a quiet obsession that she embraces with characteristic enthusiasm. If not walking or running the route, pedalling the roads or climbing the hills and mountains, she can be found at her seaside home anticipating her next excursion and living her mantra of, “Life is short but sweet for certain, let’s celebrate.” |
FANNY VIRETSwiss-born Fanny’s natural curiosity has led her to some of the world’s most out-there destinations: she lived in the Congo for six months while working with Médecins Sans Frontières, and just recently rode her bike through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. France is essentially her backyard, and she’s a regular feature on our trips in Burgundy, Provence and the Loire. Her current challenges: learning Finnish and working towards a diploma in Environmental and International Development. |
GIACOMO FANOGiacomo is an avid traveller and certified sport climbing instructor who enjoys rock climbing, sailing and skiing, but he believes that the best way to see the world is on a bicycle. A rarity as a true Venice native, Giacomo he can be found guiding throughout Italy – Puglia, Tuscany, Piemonte, the Dolomites and his home-Venice. |
GIORGIO VALVASORRIGiorgio is a speedy Cortina d’Ampezzo-born cyclist who dreams of steep hills and Tuscan vistas. When he’s not guiding with B&R, Giorgio lives on a boat moored off the Tuscan island, Elba. |
GIOVANNI BETTIOA student of oenology, Giovanni can’t get enough of the deep blue sea, the smiles on the faces of travellers after an uphill ride, and Puglisi pasta. He enjoys wine tasting classes, hiking on glaciers, skiing in the Alps, and discovering the world. |
JAMES BOYDA true adventurer, Boyd has travelled throughout the world to pursue his loves of climbing. His specialty coincides with his love for Morocco, where his career in guiding began by instructing and accompanying novice climbers. Since then, James has visited Argentina, Peru, Chile, and most recently Bolivia to photograph the Bolivian High Lands and its people. |
JUDIT ILLESA Hungarian native, when she isn’t guiding she might be bike racing in South Africa. She is an oeno and once worked in a wine shop in Chianti and now owns an online wine shop and organizes wine tastings for wine lovers. |
LEWIS EVANSA man whose backyard for guiding includes France, Italy and Spain, Lewis is a battle-hardened traveller who has many entertaining chapters of his travel escapades to share with others. Hitchhiking races to Amsterdam, intrepid bike tours, theatre productions in Switzerland and one notorious story that involves a flamenco dancer—this is just the tip of the iceberg. Best inquire further in an up close and personal sort of way. |
LISA LILJEBERGNever before has the word ‘guide’ encompassed so much than with Lisa, who does it all for B&R, from maestro to interpreter to picnic artist to plumber and mechanic! She’s been called an unguided missile in the career department, but this former aerobics instructor now channels all of her awesome energy and knowledge leading expeditions into the crooks and crannies of this big old world. |
LUCA PACCHIONIWhen Luca’s parents loaded him into the camper van at the age of eight and toured the coast of Portugal the seed of adventure was firmly planted. Since then, this inveterate traveller has added numerous countries to his passport, but he will forever enjoy the chance to introduce travellers to his abiding passions of Italian food, wine and cooking for far too many, while leaving some room to discuss his professional pursuits in the world of architecture, which he studies in Madrid. |
MARCELA CALDASMarcela took time off from architecture to travel Bologna, Punjab Lahore in Pakistan and Colombia before getting back on the road with B&R. She enjoys art, architecture, sustainable productive landscape, and dancing, and is positive, always smiling and full of excitement about what’s to come. |
MARCO NOJAIMAfter guiding 125 trips, Marco (his Italian name) has a legion of B&R followers (most notably from trips in Vietnam and Puglia). |
NANCY TOWNS“Multi-faceted” is probably the term that sums up Nancy best. Trained in anthropology and schooled in adventure, she’s an ideal blend of book-learning and on-the-fly adaptability. She is a master at finding those amazing little touches and interesting people that make a good trip great—rock climbers, historians, chefs… you name the experience, Nancy can (and will) find it. Fluent in Spanish and French (plus a smattering of Italian), she’s also the perfect point-person for our Catalonia trips. |
RAFA PRIETO MARTINNo winter for Rafa. Whether in Brazil or Myanmar he follows the sun. When not guiding, Rafa loves cinemas, theatres, and cooking. He is said to be a great co-guide; funny, extremely friendly, balanced, and a great chef! His idea of luxury is having the time, the means and the right person to share life. |
SAKIS MITSOULISAlso known as Zorba, Athanasios weaves a successful career as an artist in with his work as a B&R guide, where he helps travellers find the best that Croatia, Greece and Turkey have to offer. |
SARAH LEWISThis globetrotter was bit by the travel bug at 14 when she went to camp in France and realized that the world’s borders go far beyond those of North America. Fast forward a few years through 22 countries, exchanges in Italy and Paris, summers in Argentina and Brazil, backpacking through Europe, and teaching English in Spain. After receiving her masters in Environment and Development, she arrived at B&R to put her extensive travel experience to use and continue checking destinations off her list. |
SEBASTIAN ROMEROProfessionally, Sebastian sees the world through a lens as a filmmaker and photographer, but occasionally this native of Germany takes time away to help others see the world from a two-wheeled perspective. He has a particular affection for winter bike rides, albeit in southern climates, and loves capturing the world wherever snow can be found. |
STEPHANIE BONICSteph is guiding in Vietnam before returning to her other love, wood working in Toronto. She works at a cabinet making shop and on her own woodworking projects while trying to drink less wine in preparation for next season. Steph enjoys living in the dream, skiing, woodworking, and painting. |
STEPHANIE GULLEDGEA person can find themselves in a lot of places after majoring in communication studies: an advertising firm, a newsroom, a marketing department. Steph Gulledge ended up on a bike—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. After studying in Canada, Spain and France, Steph struck out on the road and—with the exception of a stint as B&R’s guide manager in which she learned the ins and outs of the business—she’s kept two wheels planted firmly on it ever since. Her travels have taken her across Europe, South America and Asia, and included stints living in both Costa Rica and Spain. Though she can’t wait to get back to Myanmar after her most recent guiding trip, she admits she’s crazy for tapas; just one of many reasons she’s thrilled to return to Spain. |
TABITA MIOTTOThis Northern Italian girl is from a town outside of Venice where she loves to spend as much time as possible in the beautiful countryside with la famiglia. When she’s not shaving off a few strokes from her golf game or perfecting her swing, Tabita is often found in the warm Italian sun, tackling new hills on her bicycle. |
TATIANA BRISOLLABrazilian nature lover and biologist Tatiana spends her free time exploring our beautiful blue planet, from teaching biology in Brazil, to studying yoga in India. She currently resides in Switzerland and is always ready to start a new journey. Tatiana believes that there is nothing better than a moving at a biking pace to connect with the environment – we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. |
THILO ERHARDTFrom the depths of the sea as a professional diver to the celestial wonders working at the European Space Agency, Thilo has certainly expanded his world of possible destinations in enviable fashion. His expertise when it comes to guiding is just as eclectic, as he is as comfortable guiding in Provence, Jordan, along the Dalmatian course, and—as someone who has earned his Italian language certificate in Florence—Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and more. Way more. |
TIM RICHARDSONWhether cutting trees down, sailing or biking, Tim is in his element. His passion for the outdoors comes in handy while guiding for B&R, and Tim just can’t get enough of travellers’ stories and reminiscing about the day’s events. |
TIM SCHELLENBERGERWere Tim the type to have a business card, his would have a lot of slashes: German teacher/IT teacher/diving instructor/DJ/occasional drummer. (And that doesn’t even include B&R guide!) |
TOM McCARTHYA veteran of nearly 20 B&R trips, Tom makes his escapes whenever time allows him to get away from his base in Ottawa where he is wrapping up his Master’s thesis in Physics. That is, if he’s not spending time in his other locale of Geneva. Yes, don’t you recall the tortured student life? |
YVONNE POWERA well-seasoned guide who briefly dipped her toe in the corporate world of marketing, Yvonne returned to her favourite region of Tuscany to guide with B&R. When Yvonne isn’t guiding in Italy, she can be found tango-ing her way around Argentina. |
