The Guide Collective

16/07/2022

GC Roundtable | St Andrews and the Open

Host Trish Feaster (The Travelphile) is joined by Scottish Blue Badge Guides Susan Brown (Eyes_On_Scotland) and Liz Lister (ScottishBlethers) to blether about the history and present of one of the world’s oldest golf courses—the birthplace of modern golf, St Andrews Old Course.

Join the conversation by submitting your questions and insights in the comments feed.

08/07/2022

The Marbles of the Parthenon: One Step Closer to Reunification
by Guest Contributor Alfredo Cafasso Vitale

“This fragment, which is part of the eastern frieze of the Parthenon, depicts a foot and a part of the peplos (dress) of Artemis, and was acquired in 1816, by the British consul in Sicily, Robert Fagan…the fragment is now displayed in a glass case [on the top floor of the Acropolis Museum], within its place in the reconstruction and also to the actual historical site.”

To whom does art and history—or their fragments—belong? Guest contributor, journalist, and tour guide Alfredo Cafasso Vitale ponders the movement toward reunification of historic elements taken from Greece and its implications after viewing the Fagan Fragment at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

www.guide-collective.com/gc-magazine/marbles-parthenon-one-step-closer-to-reunification

To whom does art and history—or their fragments—belong? Guest contributor, journalist, and tour guide Alfredo Cafasso Vitale ponders the movement toward reunification of historic elements taken from Greece and its implications after viewing the Fagan Fragment at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

06/07/2022

In Pamplona, July 6-14 is all about the Festival of San Fermín (co-patron saint of Navarre), with the Running of the Bulls occurring daily from the 7th through the 14th.

Our very own Francisco Glaria Baines (Pamplona Fiesta) and Jorge Román (Traveling with Jorge) have a brand new podcast episode all about San Fermín and the Running of the Bulls, which is finally being celebrated with full gusto after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Advisory: the subject matter might be a sensitive topic for some, and those who choose to listen to the episode will learn so much and have their mindsets widened.

If you'd like to learn even more, you can check out this week's video and photos from the events on Fran's personal page, on Pamplona Fiesta, and on Jorge's travel page. They'll also be joined by Liz Lister, so you might find some cool posts from her on ScottishBlethers.

www.guide-collective.com/podcast-spanish-loops/episode-39-san-fermin-running-of-the-bulls

In this episode of Spanish Loops, Francisco and Jorge chat about San Fermín and the Running of the Bulls, which is finally being celebrated with full gusto after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

04/07/2022

A moment of reflection from our Managing Editor, Trish Feaster, on this Fourth of July.

Happy 246th Birthday, America!

30/06/2022

A very special shout-out to our very own Anna Savino (Italianna - Food & Wine Tours) who celebrates a milestone birthday today!

Happy Birthday and Tanti Auguri, cara!

24/06/2022

We’ve been on radio-silence for awhile as many of us have working hard with the return of in-person guiding.

But today’s a great day to shout from the rooftops to say:

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y,

S A R A H M U R D O C H!

Share your well-wishes with her (and maybe some photos you have of/with her) in the comments below.

02/05/2022

Sonic Sundays | Autostrad
by Juliet Romano-Olsen

Enjoy some tunes from indie fusion band Autostrad from Amman, Jordan!

www.guide-collective.com/sonic-sundays/autostrad

31/03/2022

A Family of Amazing Scottish Women
by Susan Brown | Eyes_On_Scotland

“March 31st marks the end of Women’s Month, and in the UK, the last Sunday in March is also Mother’s Day. It set me to looking through my photos of the last few years and reflecting on the amazing women in my family.”

Scottish Blue Badge Guide takes Women's History Month and Mothers' Day in the UK to acknowledge and honor the impressive women in her own family.

As we mark the end of Women’s Month, take time to reflect on the wonderful women in your life and tell them how much they mean to you.

www.guide-collective.com/gc-magazine/a-family-of-amazing-scottish-women

Scottish Blue Badge Guide takes Women's History Month and Mothers' Day in the UK to acknowledge and honor the impressive women in her own family.

28/03/2022

Sonic Sundays | Flor de Toloache
by Juliet Romano-Olsen

Enjoy the energetic, fresh fusion music of all-women Mariachi band Flor de Toloache!

www.guide-collective.com/sonic-sundays/flor-de-toloache

23/03/2022

Ella McBride: A Woman ahead of Her Time
by Lisa Anderson | Lisa's Dolce Italia

“In honouring Women’s History Month, I have chosen a woman I never had the chance to meet. Her images have always captivated me and grace the walls of my home, and I have heard countless stories of her from my dad and his siblings.”

Tour guide Lisa Anderson of Lisa’s Dolce Italia reflects on an impressive woman she never met but who is part of her own family story.

www.guide-collective.com/gc-magazine/ella-mcbride-a-woman-ahead-of-her-time

To honor Women's History Month, tour guide Lisa Anderson of Lisa’s Dolce Italia reflects on an impressive woman she never met but who is part of her own family story.

21/03/2022

Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers, with special guests Fran Glaría and Jorge Román for this special presentation on GC Facebook.

Miss Jean Brodie paints a very different picture of fascism in her lessons to ‘her girls’ to that which most people in Scotland believed. The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 captivated Scotland. Scots spoke out vehemently against General Franco's nationalist coalition, nearly 600 men and women volunteered to serve in Spain; a quarter of them never came back. In Scotland itself, an unparalleled aid movement materialised driven by working-class women.

Helen will look at what was happening in Scotland at this time and the reasons so many men and women felt impelled to ‘do something’.

19/03/2022

Hello! ¡Hola! Bonjour! Hej!

Join Trish Feaster, Nina Seffusatti, and Susan Brown for an interesting look into Multilingualism. March is Multilingualism Month and March 27 marks the International Day of Multilingualism.

18/03/2022

To supplement our March read, *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* by Muriel Sparks, Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers shares a presentation on independent schools in Edinburgh.

18/03/2022

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We hope your day has been filled with good luck and blessings aplenty!

And if you're looking for some fun events to experience, then you're in luck! We have two exciting presentations to take you into the weekend:

• GCBC Bonus Event: Schools in Edinburgh, presented by Helen Houston of
Friday, March 18 at 11am PT | 2pm ET | 6pm UK

• GC Roundtable: An Early Celebration of Multilingualism Day, hosted by Trish Feaster of The Travelphile
Saturday, March 19 at 12noon PT | 3pm ET | 8pm CET

Both events will be presented live on our GC page. We welcome your participation in the chat feed: share your questions, comments, insights, and reactions with your fellow viewers and our guides.

For more information, please visit our Events page at www.guide-collective.com/events

14/03/2022

This week, Helen Houston of ScottishBlethers has a Bonus Event for Guide Collective Book Club's March selection, *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* by Scottish Author Muriel Sparks!

Tune in to GCFB for *Schools in Edinburgh* this Friday, March 18 at 11am PT | 2pm ET | 6pm UK (note: time change in UK happens on March 27). Helen, a tour guide and former educator, shares her insights on historical, private, independent schools in Edinburgh.

For more information about GC Book Club and details about this month's read, please visit www.guide-collective.com/gc-book-club

Join Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers Podcast in this Special “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” event.

14/03/2022

Sonic Sundays | Fatoumata Diawara
by Juliet Romano-Olsen

Celebrate Women's History Month with captivating music by Malian singer, guitarist, and actress Fatoumata Diawara.

https://www.guide-collective.com/sonic-sundays/fatoumata-diawara

08/03/2022

ICYMI:

Our Jorge Román of Traveling with Jorge shared these impressive photos of Madrid's City Hall and the Fuente de Cibeles illuminated with the colors of the Ukranian flag. Are you seeing similar support where you live? If you'd like to share your photos in the comments below, we'd love to see them!

07/03/2022

Helen Houston of Scottish Blethers leads GCBC into March with her introduction of *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* by Scottish author Muriel Spark.

06/03/2022

What brings pride to the heart of a Spaniard? The list can be endless—there's so much culturally, artistically, and socially to admire.

For one particular Spanish tour guide, the splendor and history of Madrid's City Hall is certainly one such thing to celebrate about his country.

Join Francisco Glaria Baines on this virtual walking tour of the city hall in Spain's capital.

www.guide-collective.com/gctv/madrid-s-city-hall-through-the-eyes-of-a-spaniard

Spanish tour guide Francisco Glaría shares the splendor and history of one of Madrid's most iconic sights: City Hall.

05/03/2022

New month, new book!

Guide Collective Book Club returns on Monday, March 7 at 11am PT | 2pm ET | 7pm UK with an introduction to Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.*

Helen Houston moderates this month's selection. Don't miss out!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

To learn more about the March book, upcoming events, and information about how to become a member of GCBC (it's super easy to do), please visit:
https://www.guide-collective.com/gc-book-club/march-2022-the-prime-of-miss-jean-brodie

Muriel Spark’sThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tells the story of the special education that Miss Jean Brodie gives her students at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh in the 1930s and the lessons she learned in return. Set against the backdrop of fascism and the Spanish Civil War.

03/03/2022

A cozy cup of hot chocolate does wonders for the soul. And our Francisco Glaria Baines has a delightful recipe for a thick Basque-style hot chocolate that you'll want to make again and again!

https://www.guide-collective.com/gctv/cooking-with-fran-hot-chocolate-basque-style

Join Fran Glaria and his wife Ainhoa in the Basque Country as they share their homemade hot chocolate recipe.

02/03/2022

March 1 marks the start of Women's History Month, and over the next several weeks, we'll be sharing our admiration for women from around the world and from all walks of life through words, pictures, and music.

And we'd like to hear from you too!

From March 1-14, our Managing Editor, Trish Feaster, will be compiling brief stories from our guides as well as our Guide Collective supporters (just like you)—stories of women who have made a positive impact on our lives. Whether it be a family member, a friend, a partner, an acquaintance, a neighbor, a co-worker, a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a celebrity, a political figure, or an historical one, countless (and often unsung) women have changed our lives and have helped change the world.

We want to celebrate them with your help. 

In return for your permission to use your writing and photo, we’ll credit your work and send you a special thank-you via mail.

Send Trish an email at [email protected] with a story about how a woman important in your life has affected you (maximum word count: 200), along with a photo in landscape/horizontal orientation. Be sure to include your mailing address if you have not previously shared it with us. 



Depending on how many submissions we receive, we will determine how many articles will be published on our Guide Collective website and shared on our GC page. Note: not all submissions will necessarily be used, and submissions may be edited. 



Thanks! We look forward to hearing from you!



[Image | Hannah Busing, Unsplash]

27/02/2022

Sonic Sundays | Ana Tijoux
by Juliet Romano-Olsen

Chilean-French rapper and singer Ana Tijoux weaves hip hop, jazz, traditional Chilean instruments, and more with insightful and poignant social justice-minded lyrics.

https://www.guide-collective.com/sonic-sundays/ana-tijoux

26/02/2022

It's nearly the end of the month, and you know what that means: GC Book Club meets for its group discussion of Elena Ferrante's *My Brilliant Friend* on Monday, February 28 at 11am PT | 2pm ET | 8pm CET.

GCBC members will automatically receive the Zoom link via email on Sunday night. If you'd like to become a member of our amazing book club, email Trish Feaster at [email protected] with your first and last name and your request to join.

And if you're already ready to get a jump start on next month's book, you can visit https://www.guide-collective.com/gc-book-club for details about Muriel Spark's *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.* Helen Houston of ScottishBlethers will be the moderator.

Welcome to Guide Collective Book Club. Join GCBC and transport yourself to other lands, connecting with people, history, and cultures around the globe through the wonderful world of books.

25/02/2022

23/02/2022

Multilingualism: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
By Lisa Anderson |

“Like many Americans, I did not learn to speak a foreign language until I was a teenager. My first attempt, German, was a disaster. I managed to somehow eke out a passing grade during my two years of German, and can confidently count to twenty, say ja und nein, please, and thank you. I can also order a beer, but that was not part of our middle school curriculum: I learned to do that while traveling in my 20s.”

In the spirit of International Mother Language Day (2/21) and International Day of Multilingualism (3/27), American expat and tour guide in Italy, Lisa Anderson, helps you get over your shyness about learning another language by sharing her own personal blunders and triumphs with language acquisition.

https://www.guide-collective.com/gc-magazine/multilingualism-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving

In the spirit of International Mother Language Day (2/21) and International Day of Multilingualism (3/27), American expat and tour guide in Italy, Lisa Anderson, helps you get over your shyness about learning another language by sharing her own personal blunders and triumphs with language acquisitio

22/02/2022

There's a wee bonus podcast episode from Scottish Blethers today to celebrate Team GB winning the Olympic Gold Medal in Ladies Curling in Beijing. The only medals for Team GB were both in Curling with the men winning the Silver, so why not listen in to the podcast and find out more about the game dubbed "chess on ice".
https://www.guide-collective.com/podcast-scottish-blethers/bonus-episode-curling-gold

A wee bonus episode as we celebrate the sucess of Team GB’s curling teams at the weekend. Team Muirhead brought home GB’s only gold medal in the last few hours of the games. We chat about the game and how it has developed as new technologies are introduced. Often referred to as “chess on ice.....

01/09/2020

GC Magazine | Guide Collective

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER
September 1, 2020
GC Magazine--The Democracy Issue

Benvenuti! Welcome to the Second Issue!

With our first issue in August, we launched this new path in travel writing, covering a theme from the differing perspectives of our international team. This month, we are continuing to explore the potential of travel writing with new columns and a new theme.

Because this is a critical point in history, we are writing about the value of Democracy this month. While this theme seemed logical and easy, it turned out to be more challenging than we’d anticipated. To help our guides find their path, we had a brainstorming session. The result of our discussion was fascinating. Each person came up with a completely different approach, based on history, culture, and differing experiences. The conversations that popped up were not just interesting but also revealing about how our perceptions of what Democracy is varies wildly.

The Guide Collective is a simple idea: by drawing on our international community united in a love of travel, perhaps we can strive to understand each other better. What came out in our development of this theme was something even more intriguing. There was an assumption that we all understood what Democracy was, in the same way. It turns out, that is really not true at all. By listening to each other, as you can imagine, we often learn about ourselves.

As we launch our "Democracy" issue today, we offer you five compelling articles born out of our collaborative discussions. We're sharing insights about Democracy in Morocco from Reid Coen of Imprint Tours. Lisa Anderson of Lisa's Dolce Italia teaches us about her son's positive experience with Italian police when he turned 18. With the help of Ben Curtis of Rick Steves' Europe, and using Medellín, Colombia as example, we explore how smart infrastructure and access influences how a society progresses. Liz Lister of Jaggy Thistle Tours gives us a Scottish take on COVID and how the UK and its constituent countries are handling the pandemic. And Anna Savino of Italianna - Food & Wine Tours share her top 5 Italian films dealing with social and political issues.

Throughout the rest of the month we'll launch new articles, videos, and even podcasts nearly daily--not only about Democracy but also on a wide range of travel topics and issues that affect our world. You'll discover perspectives and explore exciting places through the lens our collective of guides: Holger Zimmer, Jorge Román of Traveling with Jorge, Nina Seffusatti, Roberto of Tours by Roberto, Colin Mairs of Mondumo by Colin Mairs, Andrew Villone of Savor the Experience Tours, Trish Feaster of The Travelphile, Sarah Murdoch of Adventures with Sarah, Patrick Vidal, Daniela Wedel of Nomad's View Photography & Travel, Fran Glaria of Traveling Steps, Anna Piperato of Siena & Italy Tours with Anna, Rainer Metzger of RM Travels, Julian Brown, and Charlie Rawson of Travel with Charlie Rawson.

And be sure to check back throughout the month for new streaming events, virtual tours, and so much more!

Andiamo!

Sarah Murdoch
Founder | Guide Collective

https://www.guide-collective.com/gc-magazine

A travel magazine written by professional tour guides about trends, tips, news, women's travel, arts and culture.

01/09/2020

Chocolate Arts Livestream from Cuneo, Italy | Guide Collective

Chocolate ARTs Livestream from Cuneo, Italy

Tuesday september 1 / 9pm pacific / 12am Eastern* / 6am Europe* GC’s Lisa Anderson and Anna Savino will stream live from Chocolate d’Arte in Cuneo. Find them on the Adventures with Sarah page . *This event occurs on Wednesday, September 2 in these time zones.

31/08/2020

Adventures with Sarah

Paddling boarding out in Bristol docks this evening for the Adventures with Sarah Take Over! We got up close and personal to the first ever Transatlantic Cruise Liner, the SS Great Britain!

So excited to share my city with you, even if it was a bit wobbly on the board! 😂