After submitting several proposals without receiving any follow-up inquiries, I started to wonder: why is a tour guide necessary?
At first, I assumed it was due to language barriers, but I soon realized that’s not a genuine obstacle. I once traveled to Stockholm without being able to read a single word on the streets—not even the road signs—and I managed just fine, except once when I asked a police officer for directions and she pointed me the wrong way.
My journeys have largely been those of a backpacker, as I value the solitude and freedom that come with it. Still, on the rare occasion I’ve booked a fully guided tour, I found a certain luxury in having a guide walk me through the precautions and offer rich, vivid introductions to each place. But ultimately, the role of a tour guide is largely instructive—laying out the dos and don’ts, and advising on the best paths to take.
So when I chose to become a tour guide, I decided I wanted to be helpful but not intrusive—an advisor ready to offer support, not someone clients feel obligated to engage with out of politeness. Most importantly, I believe, is ensuring that clients enjoy their trip without ever looking back and regretting that they missed a great experience they'll never have the chance to revisit.
A FIT tour is fundamentally different from a group tour, as it is tailored to individual preferences. When I travel on my own, I do so largely because I want to make the most of the journey—not waste precious time on things that don't interest me. The flexibility of a FIT itinerary is unmatched, and as long as budget allows, I aim to offer my clients that same freedom.
One of the most critical elements in any travel plan is time. Without enough time, an immersive experience is simply out of reach. An attraction often has far more to offer than what first meets the eye—you could trek a mountain trail, for instance, which may be time-consuming but is often every bit worth the effort. Many sites also offer optional activities that highlight their unique character. Yet when the schedule is tight—as it frequently is with group tours—those once-in-a-lifetime experiences are the first to go. Ultimately, it's not about what a place looks like, but how I experience it.
Being a tour guide means ensuring that travelers experience a place the right way. To do that, I invest significant time in researching each destination, taking into account every factor that might shape the experience. I may not be familiar with every single place my clients want to visit—but I will dig as deep as I need to, until I am.