How Tour Guiding Transformed My Life: From Personal Growth to Creating Immersive Experiences for all

In the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting countless personalities: grumpy, lazy, wildly outgoing, introverted, aggressive, humble, giving, selfish, and everything in between. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this job would challenge me psychologically in ways I never anticipated. Growing up with the scars of intense bullying and daily rejection left me with a constant fear of abandonment—or, to put it simply, a fear of not belonging.

Over time, I’ve come to see that this job is as much about my own personal growth as it is about guiding others. Interacting with such a wide variety of characters has taught me patience, tolerance, and acceptance, even in challenging situations. It’s been an incredible journey of self-discovery and resilience.

Before I led my first tour, my previous boss insisted that I shadow him. Interestingly, he didn’t tell the participants that I might become their future tour guide. Observing him in action was an eye-opening experience. I felt a surge of excitement and an undeniable desire to step into his role. Even though it was just my first day, I couldn’t wait to guide a tour of my own!

My former boss had been leading his tours for 15 years, and his passion and expertise inspired me deeply. I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to discover the tour guide within me. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life—one where I finally felt like I belonged. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I’d found my place in this world, alongside my other passion as a jazz musician.

However, as much as I admired my boss and his approach, I quickly realized that I had my own vision for what a tour could be. My ideas were overflowing, and they didn’t quite fit within the framework of his company. I dreamed of creating intimate, immersive tours—the kind of experiences I would want as a traveler. That dream eventually led me to start my own tour company, where I could bring my vision to life.

To me, these days are so much more than just simple tours.. They’re an investment in your happiness, in life experiences, and even in personal growth. My tours are designed to be therapeutic, offering you the chance to step out of your comfort zone, at your own pace, and rediscover yourself.

Also, because of the deep connection we create during these experiences, I struggle to think of you as mere customers. You’re participants in something transformative—something that words can only partially capture. Ultimately, the best way to understand what I’m describing is to live it yourself. And when you do, I’d love to hear how it resonates with you.