NEWS SPOTLIGHT
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If you want to guarantee that your journey is a joyful experience of discovery, turn to Tour Manager Katia Oceransky. With her years of experience as a traveller and Tour Manager, she knows exactly how to make you and your trip a perfect fit.
I assure the well being of the guests, check and confirm all activities included in the tour so that they run smoothly and explain the histories and geographies of the countries we visit. I also suggest possibilities and provide practical information to help passengers enjoy their leisure time as fully as possible. I'm there throughout the tour to assist with all passenger needs.
As my activity is related to the people on each tour, everyday becomes as different as life is. My day usually starts as soon as the guests have their breakfast. The morning is a good time to check with guests and see how they are doing, so I can get ready for any possible needs that may arise. I accompany the guests in all our activities helping with practical information and logistics to make sure their each day runs smoothly. Tour Managers take care of many things: reservations for sights / restaurants, assisting in exchanging money, control and transfer of luggage to the next hotel, finding out how the new prepaid phone cards work, arranging special dietary needs, finding that very special sight one guest is looking for, taking a walk with some guests who want to keep on exploring... etc! All that we can do, we do. An average day finishes when the guests no longer need my assistance, and they are happy and smiling - usually not until they go to bed each evening!
There are two kinds of information which I supply the guests in order to improve their travelling experience: One is related to practical data and logistics: times of dining and types of foods, tipping, shopping, avoiding lines or sights to visit in their leisure time. The other kind of information is important for having an enjoyable trip: little stories, as well as the Big History and social facts, teaching them about the way of life in the country they are visiting. The more they know about the country they are visiting, the more they seem to enjoy their trip! In this way we try to make the guests feel safe, comfortable and curious, even if in a different culture!
The guests are without any doubt what make the trip. Every trip is different, and everyday is different, just because of them. Meeting new people is exciting and challenging.
My daily challenge is to get a smile on everybody's face and a family feeling when we are together. And of course I love it when the guests share with me happy stories of what they have done in their free time!
Even though I have been a Tour Manager for 15 years, I always keep learning. Having great local guides in each city we visit helps me continue to improve my knowledge. I also increase my knowledge by reading and studying. For each tour I review and expand my general country knowledge, as well as specifics about each city or sight. I often research practical information by exploring a museum, new site, or restaurant on my own, so that I can make the best recommendation. And of course to be prepared for unexpected incidents I always watch the news at night and before breakfast! I usually hold English and Spanish in my head, but when touring in other countries I have often used four languages in the same conversation!
After so many years, my family and friends know when I am at home and I usually talk to them every 2 or 3 days, depending on how busy I am. Sometimes I call them or email them during the tour to share with them some great experiences we have, just like any other traveller!
This is a difficult question. I always do my best to make everyone happy, feel safe and relaxed. I love to talk and listen, to help understand expectations. I cannot rest until I know everybody is as well as possible, and I prefer not to sleep rather than not caring for a guest's needs.
Be curious about new things. Ask as many questions as possible. Do buy travel insurance. Bring half the luggage and twice the money, and do not forget your pin number for the ATM! Let us know your special needs ASAP, as well as any problems you may have, so we can try to accommodate them. Do not hesitate to share with us your needs and desires, we love to help! And, read all the documents we send you prior to arrival! (The rest of my suggestions are covered in the documentation.)
If you are thinking about a Pre-Cruise Tour I will suggest you check: weather, amount of walking, festivities. Try to see if the pace is the one you are looking for. Imagine yourself on that trip. Follow your choice by being spontaneous!
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