Call 020 8747 8315 to speak to one of our expert consultants for advice, additional information or to book your holiday 05 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012experienceOur teamA wonderful introduction to Latin America, thanks to organised, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly help from everyone working for Journey Latin America. Has left us wanting to visit again. ML, ChelmsfordWe will definitely use Journey Latin America again if we want to travel on the continent in the future. Many thanks for organising such a memorable trip. CP, SouthamptonSarah Beard, ManagerSarah has been with us for 12 years, the first five as one of our best-valued tour leaders. She is a calm and focused presence in the office with a broad range of skills, including combining her wide experience with a powerful imagination to devise new and original Journey itineraries. She owns a plot of land in Chile with a shed on it (later to be a country home!) and gets out there whenever she can.Tamsin Butler, Deputy and Operations ManagerTamsin set off to explore the Andes before joining us; since then she has been all over the continent inspecting hotels and potential new routes. She has superb organisational skills, and her forward-planning ensures that our trips run smoothly. Sean RhodesSean lived and studied in Argentina before joining us. He is fascinated by Latin American politics and really gets into the local scene on his travels in the region. With his cheerful demeanour, he is a particularly inspiring member of our Sales team.Joana OliveiraJoana is a huge enthusiast for Latin America and the outdoor life: she cycled across the continent (Bolivia is her favourite country) for a year before settling in London. A graduate in Sustainable Tourism, she has had various jobs in the travel business: her love for travel to remote places is balanced by her enjoyment of working with people. An occasional artist and writer, she'll easily inspire you to choose your ideal holiday with us. Jim Ashworth Having roamed around the world, Jim finds Latin America the biggest pull for its diversity. An enthusiastic Blackburn Rovers supporter, he's made friends all over the continent playing in ad hoc football matches with the local people. He has a vast store of knowledge and is one of theteam who has won the Wanderlust Travel Quiz for JLA.Joaquin Dedomenici Having grown up in his native Argentina, where he graduated with a degree in law , he worked for a couple of years there in the legal profession. But the urge to travel got too much for him and he set off on his extensive travels throughout Latin America and the USA before joining us in January 2007. A big sports fan, he particularly loves rugby, riding and trekking.Nicola Gude After spending time living in Mexico and Peru, Nicola joined the Journey Latin America office team, but soon returned to Latin America as one of our tour leaders. She led tours all over the continent for two years, and then returned to the London office with exceptional ground knowledge and first-hand experience, and continues to lead the odd tour for us. A Devonian, she loves camping, cycling and long walks beside the sea.Natalie PaivaNatalie is half Brazilian and half Colombian, speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently and brings a strong Latin American flavour to our team (and a lot of delicious cakes). She's participated in some of our group trips, and can see through the eyes of both native and visitor: she excels at advising clients on which is the best Journey for them.Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Joana Oliveira answered all my pre tour queries quickly. Everything went to plan but we felt confident that we would be looked after if there were problems on the trip. KJ, GlasgowSean was fantastic?very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He really helped me ensure I was suitably prepared for the trip. LD, Twickenham.060507010204030801. Sarah Beard02. Tamsin Butler03. Nicola Gude 04. Jim Ashworth05. Natalie Paiva06. Sean Rhodes07. Joana Oliveira08. Joaquin DedomeniciJourney Latin America specialised only in Latin America and the itineraries were not so rushed and the groups were small. SY, Henley-on-ThamesAll documentation and information was very well put together.DW, Croydon

06 Escorted Small Group Holidays 2012We are not surprised by the fact that our clients consistently tell us they are wowed by the landscapes and cultures of Latin America, with the high standard of hotels, restaurants, transport and excursions being the icing on the cake. However we are even more delighted by the accolades given to our tour leaders. So many of you say it is their professionalism, competence, knowledge and service which really perfect your trips. Every year a number of our tour leaders are nominated by their clients for the prestigious Wanderlust Guide of the Year Award and we are proud to have leaders in the final, and even win the award in recent years. The majority of our leaders have worked exclusively with us for many years. The experience they have logged up is priceless. But our new leaders are also very much appreciated: you love their enthusiasm, willingness to go the extra mile, and their passion for Latin America.Why are they so successful?We select our leaders very carefully from hundreds of applicants annually. They are not conventional 'couriers', but actually lead the trip, making operational decisions as well as looking after the welfare of all members of the group. All speak the local language, know the ground from personal travels, and have the kind of temperament which is likely to make a group gel.Many of our leaders hold academic qualifications in subjects related to Latin America, others have acquired expertise in situ. They will be happy to share their local knowledge with you or find out what you need to know. They are also frequently adept at seeking out little bars or quirky museums away from the tourist crowds.Several of our sales team started their careers as tour leaders?and occasionally even lead Journeys now?you may well find yourself speaking to someone who has actually led your trip.Etienne FransSuch is his love for Latin America and sharing it with others that Etienne, resident of Rio, has worked with us as a tour leader for over 25 years. He has accrued a vast network of contacts, and a huge fund of knowledge and anecdotes. His travellers' wisdom and useful tips are greatly appreciated, as is his good sense of humour, which puts everyone at ease.0204060708090103051001. Rosie Beale02. Sally Dodge03. Jessica Dennehy04. Duncan Griffin05. Etienne Frans06. Elizabeth Luck07. Bill Hill08. Berner Torres09. Eliane Correa10. Lucho DiazBerner TorresPeruvian Berner has been leading trips with us for over 12 years, during which time he has become an expert tour leader in all respects. He is well-appreciated for his knowledge of and love for his country and the natural environment, which he is very keen to share with everyone. Toby FentonToby started work with us as a tour leader in the nineties and was very popular with his clients. He decided to spread his wings and lived abroad working for a while, returning to England to teach English before coming back to his first love, tour leading. His favourite country is Brazil, not surprising for such a lover of football?he is an enthusiastic Arsenal supporter?and whenever he goes back to Rio with one of our groups it is like going home for him. Sally DodgeA fun-loving Latin America enthusiast, Sally taught English in Chile, where she learned the language of the Mapuche and how to dance the cueca. She is also the consummate professional: on tour, throwing herself wholeheartedly into the job and taking immense pleasure in making sure that everyone gets the most out of their holiday.Eliane CorreaEliane has a pedigree which straddles Latin America?she is half Cuban, half Argentinean. She adores being at home in Cuba, where her passion for music truly comes alive, so she embraces enthusiastically the opportunity to lead our tours on the island. Eliane enjoys showing clients the hidden hideaways in this complex island which she has discovered after years of travelling and guiding groups of visitors. Fantastic holiday, I can't recommend JLA enough, everything worked very well and Sally was outstanding! A holiday I will never forget. JF, FinchleyBerner was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, helpful, and constantly striving to ensure we had a safe and enjoyable trip, a real jewel in your crown.AR, ManchesterEtienne had a good sense of humour. Good advice on where to go and what to do. Anecdotes and history enthralled the whole party.JS, WinkleighTour leadersFor more information, client reviews, trip dossiers, detailed extensions ?and to book online visit journeylatinamerica.co.uk