This is Ngaire's list of tour guides. We can edit this list to add any guides that any LCT person thinks is really a great find.

TOUR COMPANIES/GUIDES

The following is a list of tour guides, taxi drivers etc that I have used or heard about in different port cities around the world. Many are simply English speaking drivers who may give you some information but should not be considered guides. Others are more knowledgeable, more expensive as a rule and are true guides imparting knowledge of the area visited. This is a personal choice. Some want all the information whereas others find guides too detailed and prefer a driver and to set their own pace. Where I have personally used their services I have noted accordingly. Guides are noted. Most are tour guides recommended by our clients. We cannot vouch for or be responsible for the quality of these guides this is only to assist you in making your own choices.

AUSTRALIA
Hobart

Lou Cox
cornhill43@iprimus.com.au
Mobile 0400 653967

Ken and I were fortunate to have Lou as a guide on a Regent tour. She is a lovely classy lady full of knowledge about Tasmania and one of the most delightful guides we have encountered. She does private tours and I would highly recommend her to any of our clients wanting a private tour in Tasmania.

ASIA
For all areas of Asia we recommend this tour company if you want to do a more complex tour than just a single shore excursion. We have used him personally and found his work to be excellent.

Ask for: Kervin Yu
reservations@explorient.com
http://www.explorient.com/
Tel: 1-800-785-1233

Private car or group transfers in most major cities for transfers from airports to hotels and piers
Affiliated with American Express Travel Services. Used them for our Nice Airport to Monte Carlo transfer. All went well and are flight was even 30 minutes late. Our driver was very courteous and spoke English. – J. Rodriguez


Limo services in most major cit.../www.athenstaxi.net.]www.athenstaxi.net.

BANGKOK
www.BangkokDayTours.com
the owner Dennis was great - Doris

BARCELONA
veronica.tallstrom@transfer.se
Arranges tours and transfers I have used them personally.

Jordi: Our flight from the US was 6 hrs. late and he actually went to the airport and discovered we would be late and then came back at the appropriate time. He was an excellent guide. (cruise critic post: patw 10/26/03)
jborellas@worldonline.es
cell phone from Spain: 639180915

BEIJING, China
Leo Chu
UChina Travel
leo.chu@uchinatravel.com

We used Leo and his company post Kangaroo for tours in Beijing. Jan and Fred also used Leo's company. He was an excellent guide with extremely good English. He also gave a lot of information about life in China that we all found very interesting. He can arrange tours in all areas of China. We highly recommend him.

HARBIN China
Billy Yuyo was an EXCELLENT guide for Harbin where the fantastic snow and ice festival is held and the Siberian Tiger reserve is located with 600 Siberian Tigers. You cannot go wrong with Billy, young, intelligent with excellent English.
billyuyo@hotmail.com


BORDEAUX
Alain (pronounced “Alan”) – tours set up by JD Coulon. Email: jdcoulon@bordeaux-map.com


CAMBODIA – SIEM REAP FOR ANGKOR WAT
Mr. Kim San
Email: sourtkimsan@yahoo.com

We used him for ANGKOR WAT. He had great English, very pleasant, nice new Honda Suv with good air conditioning. Was the tour guide chosen to give the clue in the Amazing Race. Guides as you wish, lots of information or less he wants to please you and do it your way. We found him to be very flexible and would recommend him without hesitation.

ENGLAND

Brian Higginson
higginson@lakewood3853.fsnet.co.uk
cell 0044-7956385277
office044-1634572773

Brian is ex-military, ex-army and has spent some time in the US. He has three vehicles, two of which can transfer 8 people. He will travel most places in Europe or has contacts. I had a demanding client that used him and loved him. Said he was about 40% cheaper than others he had contacted and that he did a great job.

FRANCE
Paris guide
Isabella Guiliome
isabella2000fr@yahoo.fr
Great sense of humor and wonderful knowledge of Paris and the surruonding areas.

ICELAND
spencer@islandia.is
John has been a guide in Iceland since 1967. He is very personable and has very good knowledge of the area and reasonably priced.

ITALY: FLORENCE, LUCCA, PISA, CINQUE TERRE, SANTA MARGHERITA, PORTOVENERE, PORTOFINO
Paolo Fanti
Cell: 39 0 335 6579545 / Fax: 39 055 6539203
dguide@hesp.it
They were all excellent and so flexible. I am always surprised at how much the private guides can do in one day. (cruise critic post: patw 10/26/03)

Michele. Was a guide in Rome for years. Now drives a taxi but acts like a guide. Very knowledgeable.
Phone: 0033 442 839395 Cell: 0033 612 364949 Fax: 0033 612 364950
[email]Michelemarseille@fr[/email]

ROME
www.limoinrome.com
email: claudio@limoinrome,com
Wonderful tour, great driver very pleased
Joann

Barbara Carabetti - Managing Director
Dock&Discover di Cemar BC srl
Via Prato del Turco
Loc. Darsena Romana Uff. 4
00053 Civitavecchia - Italy
web site: www.dockdiscover.com

Tel. (+39) 0766.366.580 -(direct -585)
Fax (+39) 0766. 366.579
mobile (+39) 335.5390328
e-mail: bcarabetti@dockdiscover.com
I have used this company many times and always pleased with their service and drivers.

www.easitalytours.com
Max and Fabio are very friendly, speak perfect English and are cute to boot. - DORIS

ST.HELENA
Taxi driver and guide
Harry Legg
Alarm House,
St. Helena STHL 1ZZ
Tel: 00290 4250
Wendy.lucky@cwimail.sh
or oxie.iceman@cwimail.sh

RIO D JANERIO
Driver and Guide
Emanuel Peclat.
Manu@Nextel.BR.Blackberry.com
Manu.Peclat@hotmail.com

Thanks Karen! I would add BangkokDayTours.com. the owner Dennis was great. Also I have used 3 times in Rome and environs easitalytours.com and Max and Fabio are very friendly, speak perfect English and are cute to boot! We just returned from alaska and used gastineau guiding in Juneau for a whale watch with spectacular results.
------------
Helen

Karen, I would add Palazzi to your list for Rome. We have used them many times and they are very reliable. We happen to use a driver by the name of Giovanni, Jonny to us, who just makes Rome come alive. We just returned from Rome last week and again used his services and he was a pleasure to be with. His knowledge of the city, and it's history is amazing, and his english is perfect.

I forgot to include the phone number etc. for Palazzi

Via U. Peruzzi, 46b
00139 - Roma
ph +39 06.87.09.21
fax +39 06.87.09.22.22

www.palazzi.net - info@palazzi.net

Hi all, If this is posted elsewhere, I apologize. During the "paris" crusie, we are doing the 3 day pre cruise. My Aunt and Uncle are coming for just the Paris piece of this, and are staying at our hotel. She is like a sister to me and this is their first trip to Paris!! I would love for us to hire a private car for a day. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you all!

I am looking for exceptional guides for Israel, Egypt and Turkey for fall 2010. Starting early enough?

Hi Judy, Marc and I are doing a two week land tour to Isreal and Petra in December. We are going to use a tour guide that my mother in law used and highly recommended. We have houseguests here so I don't have time to send much info right now. If you want more info on them, even though we have not "personally" used them I can forward some info on to you next week. Other wise I can send info on them once we return in January after we have actually used them.

I feel absolutely moved to recommend a wonderful tour operator in St. Petersburg Russia, who provided us with a marvellous guide for our two days there.

The Tour Operator is Alex, his company is "Alex's Tours and Travels" (website of "www.stpetersburg-guide.com". Inna was the guide - beautiful, intelligent, fantastic command of the english language, well versed in the history of St. Petersburg and the art in The Hermitage, etc.

I honestly cannot recommend this company and this particular guide more. And we did meet Alex, had dinner with his family, and he is also a doll!

Feel free to email me with any questions.

Charlene

Does anyone have any private guides for any of the ports in New Zealand, have some friends that need to have suggestions for private guides for day trips. Appreciated replies.

Welcome A dog! I am sure you will get some good suggestions from those of us who have been to New Zealand!

Anyone have a great tour guide for a full day or half day visit in Buenos Aires? Thanks.

Should anyone be looking for a private tour guide in Munich, Rich and I highly recommend Taff Simon. His website is Dark History Tours. He is a one person operation and a bit of a character but very responsive, both prior to and during our time with him. His knowledge of Munich history, culture, food etc is incredible - he even spent one evening at Oktoberfest with us! If anyone needs more info, I'm happy to respond to specific questions.

Hi.

I have a wonderful guide for you in Buenos Aires. Found her on Trip
Advisor and she was fantastic. Referred several friends with the same response.

Her name is Madi Lang. Find her at BA Cultural Concierge, and read other's reviews at TripAdvisor.

Marcia

Anyone have a great tour guide /driver for a full day or half day visit in New Delhi ?

Thank You - Dave

Dave, below is information (contact email)one of our Cruise Critic roll call members found on a very nice half day Delhi tour. We have three couples doing this tour on Nov 28th in Delhi just prior to Regent's included bus tour of New Delhi. Our CC tour leader focused our half day tour on Old Delhi vs Regent's New Dehli tour focus.

Hi-

PLEASE CHECK THE DETAILS BELOW CAREFULLY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EMAIL TO
CONFIRM THE TOUR AND TERMS

Date: 28 November, Wednesday 2012

No of people: 6 adults

Pickup time: 9:00 am.

Pickup place: Taj Palace, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave New Delhi -
110 021 Telephone: +91 112 6110202

Nature: New Delhi tour, Bazaar Walk through Old Delhi and Rickshaw Ride

Guide: Rajesh +91 98102 82688

Cost: Rs 9000 for 5-8 adults using a Tempo Traveller, to be paid in cash to
the guide

Inclusions: Pickup from hotel, AC transport, Driver with cell phone, Fuel,
parking charges, tolls, Knowledgeable English-speaking guide (4-hr guided
tour), Illustrated handouts, Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, Bottled water
and All taxes

Excludes entrances, meals, tips, insurance

What to wear: Please dress modestly and ensure you have adequate protection
against the sun. Some religious monuments require both men and women to
cover the head with a scarf or a large handkerchief. If you forget to bring
these, they will lend you something, but it is better to bring your own. You
have to take off your shoes at places of worship. Leather articles such as
belts and handbags are not permitted in the Jain derasar.

Itinerary Co-ordination: Mr. Ranjeet +91 98719 80011, he will manage your
trip logistics

Emergency Contact: Deepa Krishnan +91 98677 07414

Emergency Contact for guests: Please provide a number in your country of
origin that we can call in case of any emergencies during the tour


Quoting "Deepa Krishnan (Delhi Magic)" <deepa@delhimagic.com>:

> Ours is a private tour, you are welcome to modify it to your tastes.
> If you share your preferences with the guide, they will adjust the
> tour to your interests. Yes you can spend more time in Old Delhi and less
in New Delhi.
> What time do you want to start, 9:00 a.m. on 28th November?
>
> Regards
>
> Deepa Krishnan
>
> Magic Tours of India
>
> +91 98677 07414
>
> DELHI MAGIC | AGRA MAGIC | JAIPUR MAGIC | JODHPUR MAGIC
>
> MUMBAI MAGIC | PUNE MAGIC | GOA MAGIC | KOLKATA MAGIC
>
> CHENNAI MAGIC | COCHIN MAGIC | VARANASI MAGIC | AHMEDABAD MAGIC
>
> The tour that I recommend is this one, and it takes 4 hours:
>
> New Delhi tour, Bazaar Walk through Old Delhi and Rickshaw Ride
>
> Duration: 4hrs
>
> Tour Description:
> New Delhi: New Delhi, the capital of British India, was built after
> 1911 AD as a symbol of British dominance over the Indian subcontinent.
> The intent was to create a grand, monumental, larger-than-life city
> space, which would inspire awe and be symbolic of the implied
> socio-cultural, architectural and political superiority of the British
> Empire. Designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the new capital
> took 20 years to finish, but had to be abandoned in 16 years, when
> India achieved independence. Today, the monuments of New Delhi
> constitute 'nation space' - they are the most visible symbols of
> democratic India. New Delhi is a city of broad roads and leafy
> avenues, with government bungalows set in private gardens. It also houses
several museums and popular places of worship.
>
> Places we will visit: President's House, Parliament House, India Gate,
> Raj Path (King's Way), Janpath (Queen's Way), government official
> bungalows, Connaught Place and surrounds
>
> bazaar_walk

> Old Delhi: Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square) is without doubt, the
> busiest market area in Delhi. It dates back to 1638, when Emperor
> Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. His daughter
> Jahanara constructed a square, around which a busy market grew. Today,
> Chandni Chowk is home to silversmiths, repair shops, clothiers, spicy
> street food vendors and traditional sweetmeat shops. We will explore
> not just the bazaar, but also the cultural landscape of this area, on foot
and in a cycle rickshaw.
>
> Places we will visit: We will visit Dariba Kalan (the silver market),
> Kinari Bazaar (wedding market) and Paranthewali Galli (Lane of Parathas).
> We'll visit Gurdwara Sees Ganj Sahib, built at the site where Guru
> Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, was beheaded for refusing to convert to
Islam.
> We will visit Jama Masjid, Delhi's famous Friday mosque. We will also
> see Hindu temples, Jain derasars and churches, all standing
> cheek-by-jowl, making up the amazing tapestry of religion in India.
>
> Cost:
> Rs 6000 for 2 adults using a Toyota Innova
> Rs 7000 for 3-4 adults using a Toyota Innova
> Rs 9000 for 5-8 adults using a Tempo Traveller
>
> Includes the following:
>
> . Pickup from hotel
> . AC transport
> . Driver with cell phone
> . Fuel, parking charges, tolls
> . Knowledgeable English-speaking guide (4-hr guided tour)
> . Illustrated handouts
> . Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
> . Bottled water
> . All taxes
> Excludes entrances, meals, tips, insurance.
>
> Payment by cash on the day of the tour.

> Kind regards,
>
> Deepa

Hey David,

Crystal and I used Deepa for two days in Mumbai and we really liked our guide. We were able to tailor our two days to what we wanted to see and had a wonderful time there. Our tours included lunch and in 2008, we paid $70 each per day ( I am sure the cost has gone up.) We also had a driver. We would certainly go through Deepa again.

to your family, Wendy and Ron!!

edited to add - I see that Wes' quote does not include meals.

We had a great guide a few years ago in Intanbul but his contact info is on my now long gone Palm Pilot. Dear Fred had found his name for me.
This year, we did find through Levant ( A long time guide for Turkey and we toured sites near Kusadasi with him personally).

Mehmet Tetik
Tour guide in Istanbul, Turkey
www.turkeytravelplanner.com/guides/tetik_m.html
mobile number : +90 5326120113

He took us with a driver around Istanbul and is most knowledgeable. We toured Jewish Istanbul and went to 5 synagogues; The Galata area on foot, and the markets. His pricing was very reasonable and his English excellent.