Your Tour Managers

Alison Bagnall

20 years ago, I made a life changing decision, to be a Tour Manager, it was one of the best moves I have ever made. I have thoroughly enjoyed giving hundreds of guests a holiday to remember, in countries such as China and Tibet, India and Sri Lanka, Japan, South Africa and Zambia, and many destinations throughout Europe. Equally rewarding has been the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from all walks of life.

All this came about because, my children, all in their mid twenties, were amazed when I suggested they should consider leaving the nest. So I shocked them by saying they could stay and look after the house, and I would be the one to go! 

Alison Bisset

Alison Bisset has worked in travel since she was 19 and has lived abroad for 15 years, most of which in Europe,  but had a 10-year break to raise her two children.

For the past 12-years, Alison has led group tours worldwide which she describes as an amazing and highly pleasurable experience.

Amanda Reed

Having spent many years working in different areas of the travel industry including flying the world for Briitsh Airways as well as travelling worldwide for business, my tour managing days started with school and student tour groups in France, followed by adult group tours to the Baltic Capitals. 

I have now worked as a Tour Manager for the last 6 years worldwide. When asked which is my favourite place to visit that is difficult as there are so many great places to experience, but I am passionate about Oman and India, as I am amazed by the architecture, history, people and culture and I have been lucky enough to share that with my guests.

Andrei Krasavin

I’ve had a passion for travel for as long as I can remember, and nowadays I love to share that passion with One Traveller guests. I joined One Traveller family 2 years ago (though I have been a tour manager and a qualified guide for more than 15 years) and have been so privileged to have led tours in Russia and Baltic countries. Russia is a special destination for me - as I am Russian and have lived all my life here, when I am not leading a tour I am guiding in my native city of Saint Petersburg which I know like a back of my hand)) I enjoy taking people to places I like and seeing how each new group experiences a place differently. As I have been travelling for long, I never take home souvenirs – smiles on our guests’ faces when I take them to the airport and they tell me they’ve had the holiday of a lifetime is, for me, the best souvenir of all. Do come and join our family and let's explore some hidden gems of the world together!

Byron Jones

Byron began his working life as a teacher of Geography and Geology in Hampshire. In those formative years he developed a passion for rural and urban landscapes around the world.

The following 28 years, working for a multinational IT company, gave Byron the opportunity to travel to many foreign countries.

Byron joined One Traveller in 2018 after 7 years tour managing with other companies. He has never looked back. As a solo traveller himself, he finds it a privilege being able to share his love of different geographies and cultures with like-minded people with similar passions. Choosing a favourite country is difficult, and he likes the variety of the work, but Byron has a particular passion for Italy and India. Byron can get by in Italian and French .......and his Spanish is improving!

Carole McKenna

I've worked as a tour manager for 25 years and so have a wealth of experience leading tours to many wonderful destinations, I can honestly say that I've never been anywhere that I wouldn't be happy to go back to. My guests are always my priority and I try to provide a fabulous holiday experience from start to finish. My relaxed, friendly approach puts people at their ease straight away and my attention to detail guarantees a stress free holiday filled with many special moments.

Charles Darkin

Charles has been living in Prague for over 10 years and is a qualified local guide. When he is not guiding and Tour Managing Charles teaches English to local Czech people. He speaks the local language fluently and his aim will be to get you speaking Czech by the end of the holiday! As well as showing you around this beautiful city Charles will be working hard to ensure you're well looked after.

Charles also has his own website for private guiding in Prague: www.charlesdarkin.co.uk

David Crawford

Currently living in Spain and having spent the last 27 years on the road as a Tour Manager, David is a charismatic chap who knows the world. Fluent in German and very comfortable in the Austrian Lakes area he will have you feeling at home in no time.

Elaine Koch

Today, living just across the border in Switzerland, Elaine feels truly at home in the Black Forest and has a wealth of knowledge and a plethora of ideas on where to go and what to see and explore.  One Traveller guests are guaranteed to benefit from her knowledge of her favourite region of Europe. Elaine speaks fluent German (well Swiss German) and French.

Jan Lumley

Jan's enthusiam for Italy and especially Lake Garda is infectious, she has been working in Italy for twelve years and loves the country's culture, scenery, food and its fabulous cities.  Italy is a beautiful tapestry with each region having its own particular charm and local individuality.  For Jan, Lake Garda is paradise on earth with the added bonus of the Dolomite mountains, the romantic city of Verona and of course the jewel that is Venice.  Travel with her and she assures me you will experience the magic and want to go back time and time again.

Jana Martinikova

Much loved and highly praised by One Traveller guests; Jana has the right mix of organisation, knowledge and care all mixed with a wickedly dry sense of humour to give our guests a great One Traveller holiday experience and has developed quite a following. Having grown up in the cold war era in Prague her family stories add that personal touch that no guide book can ever offer.

Jill Kogler

Having fallen for the charms of a native resident twenty four years ago, Jill has embraced the Austrian way of life and enjoys describing and showing the region that is her home. Regaling family stories and the traditions and way of life that is unique to the lakes and Tyrol region. Jill has repeatedly been highly praised and commended for bringing this stunning region to life.

Milenko Balogh

Milenko is a local from Budapest and is very proud of his beautiful city and loves to show off all of its nooks and crannies.

When he is not Tour Managing Milenko is a qualified local guide and can often been seen guiding groups and individuals through the city and into the stunning Parliament building.

We spotted him doing just that and approached him about working with our single groups. He speaks four languages fluently, is full of energy and a fountain of knowledge. A trip to Budapest would not be complete without Milenko there to oversee the trip.

Nickie C

I’ve worked in the Travel Industry on and off since my twenties but being a Tour Manager is certainly the most exciting ‘travel’ job I’ve had. It gives me the opportunity to see the world while meeting some wonderful people. I want my guests to have the best time they possibly can and I’ll do my utmost to help them along their way.

I’ve lived in Italy and in Spain and I’m still excited every time I go back.  However, there’s nothing quite like experiencing a new destination with a group of like-minded people.  Each guest is an individual, no two groups are the same and each tour is a new adventure. Who knows what will happen!

I enjoy speaking Spanish, Italian and French and when I get time, I’d really like to learn Greek.

Penny Jones

I have worked as a Courier/guide/tour manager for over 40 years.  And I can honestly say I enjoy it today as much as I did on my very first trip on 16 July 1973!

When you work for a company such as One Traveller there is really nothing to worry about re the quality of the product. This leaves us tour managers free to make sure our guests have the time of their lives.  Every guest, although part of the group, is an individual and we like to make sure that each guest has the holiday that they are hoping for.

I love the experience of each and every day on tour!  Occasionally, there are travel hitches along the way, but we're always on hand to promptly solve these as and when they occur. I truly feel that the most satisfying part of my job,  is at the end of the tour, knowing that I have played, albeit a small part, in helping our One Traveller guests enjoy the  holiday of a lifetime that exceeds their expectations in every way!  

Phil Costis

I have worked in the Travel and Tourism Industry for almost 40 years now, working my way up from Assistant Manager of Thomas Cook, to Manager of an Independent Travel agency before going to university as a mature student and graduating with a first in International Tourism Management. After university I Lectured in Travel and Tourism for fourteen years before working as a Holiday Representative for three years with the last seven years employed as a Tour Manager. I have lived and worked in Greece, Cyprus, France, Spain and Italy. 

I speak French and Spanish to a good standard.  As a Tour Manager I bring to this job experience, knowledge, passion, good organisational skills and a sense of humour. It is a privilege to work as a Tour Manager, and something I will never forget. My goal is to help guests make the most of their holiday experience, to relax and feel comfortable and well-looked after.

Richard Lord

Being able to show people around the world is a great privilege. I enjoy immersing people in all aspects of the countries that I take them to; from the food to local traditions and culture. I have lived in Italy and America and have also travelled extensively as a tourist and Tour Manager. There are not many places left in the world that I haven't seen. My best reward, doing this job, is when my guests tell me how much they have enjoyed their experiences on tour.

I broke away from the 'real world' sixteen years ago and cannot envisage myself enjoying any other occupation as much as I do being a Tour Manager. People will ask me where would be a perfect place in the world to live. My answer would be a list of at least sixteen different places. This considered I think it best that I keep on introducing people to the amazing places that there are on this planet of ours!

Richard Roberts

As a Tour Manager Richard has travelled to some 105 countries; from the cultural capitals of Europe and beyond. Wherever Richard works as a Tour Manager he tells us he works to one simple motto "wherever I am travelling to in the world and whatever style of holiday I am leading, I have a simple but important focus for each holiday and that is this: People come first, middle and last in our business."

Robert Sharp

Having worked as a tour manager now for almost 12 years I can genuinely say that rather than it being a job it's become a way of life; having been born in Zambia I guess traveling must be in the blood!

I have extensive knowledge of large parts of Asia, Europe, the United States & Australasia. If I were to be asked where my favourite destination is I honestly couldn't say as there are so many wonderful places & wonderful people out there.

The greatest satisfaction in being a Tour Manager is knowing that hopefully, what I do each & every day while away provides the fantastic people I meet with memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.