The Totally Spain Team

Ken Baldwin - Founder & Managing Director

See Ken's Linked In Profile

Ken, who was raised in Ireland, has worked in the travel industry since 1989.  He held a variety of senior positions at established and well respected travel companies including Insight Vacations in Sydney Australia, TNT Vacations in Boston, Massachusetts and the Abbey Travel Group both in Britain and the USA before moving to the Basque Country in 1999 and forming Totally Spain in 2000.

Ken´s passion for Spain was ignited in the early 90´s when he met Belen, now his wife and business partner, and she introduced him to her native Basque Country.  "I was hooked on what I call ´the real Spain´ from my very first visit to the Basque Country in 1993. I knew right then that I wanted to live and work in Spain.  It was such an exciting country.  I´ll never forget my first time at the fiestas in Pamplona or discovering San Sebastian´s old quarter or hiking the Cares Gorge in the Picos Mountains.  Absolutely brilliant.  It took 6 years to make the dream a reality but it eventually happened."

With a real love for travel and tourism, Ken has travelled all over Spain & Portugal many times.  He founded Totally Spain in Vitoria, the capital of the Basque Country, in 2000 and the company was based there for 5 years.  In 2005 he relocated the business to its present location close to Santander on the beautiful Cantabrian coast.  Ken firmly believes that the only way you can offer a true specialist travel service to any destination is to be based there, living and breathing it every day.

"From the start I wanted Totally Spain to be a genuine travel specialist, focused on offering a highly personalised service that appealled to travellers who appreciate the benefits of booking their trip through a secure travel company - one with an in-depth knowledge of the destination and a network of excellent close contacts - who can make their trip the best that  it can be. I´m extremely proud that so many people have trusted Totally Spain with arranging their precious holidays. The variety of trips that we have organised throughout Spain and Portugal is immense and we´ve dealt with some really fascinating and memorable people over the years."

Outside of work and travel, Ken has twin girls whom he adores spending time with. He loves the great outdoors, beautiful gardens and gardening in general. He´s a keen singer and a wannabee chef who likes nothing better than entertaining family and good friends at home.   

Belen Encinas - Director

Belen, who is the Joint Founder and Managing Director of Totally Spain, was born in the Basque Country and has travelled extensively throughout Europe, the United States and parts of Asia.  

A graduate of Deusto University Bilbao where she earned a Masters Degree in Psycology, she spent more than 7 years working overseas in Britain and in the United States; a time that also allowed her to broaden her horizens and to perfect her knowledge of the English language. 

Belen is especially proud of her past work as assistant to the CEO of Accion International, Massachusetts the world’s leading micro-lending organisation that fights poverty in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa through micro-finance.

Belen, from an early age, travelled the length and breadth of Spain on many occasions with her wanderlust parents.  Coming from a large family who are spread throughout the country, it´s easy to understand why.  Belen loves her native Spain and likes nothing better than to introduce others to its many hidden charms which she is quick to emphasize go way, way beyond sun, sea and sand.

Belen is a dedicated mother to twin girls whom she loves to travel with, introducing them to the beauty of Spain and Portugal.  Outside of work she's very active in different sports and in her local community. 

Ana Duran

Ana, who comes from the beautiful Cantabrian capital Santander, joined Totally Spain in 2006 after completing her studies in tourism.

As a young adult Ana spent time living and working overseas in Northern Ireland.  In addition to her native tongue she speaks English and French. 

Ana is also a Certified Official Tour Guide for the magnificent Cabarceno National Park, one of the most important wildlife parks in Spain.  

Ana is one of our Specialist Reservations Agents and while she has travelled widely throughout Spain, for her there is no place compares to her home province of Cantabria.  She is the proud mother of two lovely children.

Olaia Elorriaga

Olaia has worked for 15 years with Totally Spain having joined the company in 2005, shortly after the business relocated to Cantabria.  She is one of our senior reservations agents and speaks Spanish, Basque and English. 

Olaia comes from Bilbao in the Basque Country though she completed her studies in tourism in Cantabria where she now happily resides.  She has a talent for preparing imaginative itineraries and for securing good value for all her clients. Her list of satisfied clients is extensive as you can see on our testimonial page.  Olaia´s favourite city in Spain is Barcelona ( she can´t get enough of the great shopping there ) although when it comes to her favourite gastronomy nothing beats the cuisine of Northern Spain for her.

A big fan of the great outdoors, she seizes every opportunity she can to enjoy nature and practice her favourite sports which run the gamut. Olaia travels regularly and has been all over Spain and Portugal many times. 

A. Jesús in Ronda

A. Jesús, is one of our top expert local guides in the magnificent town of Ronda in the heart of Andalusia.

He has been an official guide for over 20 years having completed his tourism studies and obtained a diploma in the early 90´s in the School of Tourism in Granada. 

Tourism and guiding especially has always been in his life, as his father too was a professional tour guide. 

Jose Antonio´s expert skills as a guide have been called on many times when prestigious visitors come to Ronda. He has guided the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, as well as many other State Officials and celebrity guests.

In his own words he tells us that “I have the privilege of dedicating myself to a profession that I love and for which I feel true respect and true passion.”

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Adolfo in Toledo

Adolfo is one of our long term expert tour guides in the splendid city of Toledo.  He is most definitely a favourite of our past clients who have really valued the time they spent with him discovering Toledo.

Adolfo is a graduate of the school of tourism and has a degree in Art History.  He became an official licensed Toledo tour guide in 2007.    In his own words his “objective has always been, and will always be, to transmit the flavors, experiences and sensations that are awoken, by one of the most enchanting cities in Spain”  For him there was no better place to have established a career as a Tour Guide than in the monumental UNESCO city of Toledo which has so much to offer the visitor. 

Not one to sit still, Adolfo´s  vast work experience has taken him through the diverse sectors of the world of tourism and art including co-ordinating an exhibit in Madrid´s Reina Sofia Museum.  His talent and skills as a tour guide have also been enhanced through leading tour groups for 12 years throughout Central Europe.  These experiences have contributed to his cultural and professional development that today add to his personality and richness as an Official Tour Guide of Toledo, licensed by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Ana in Malaga

Ana is a charming and colourful person, reflective of the characters you encounter in sunny Southern Spain.  She has been a professional licensed tour guide since 1994 and is an expert in all of Andalusia although her favourite city is Malaga.  She has witnessed firsthand the transformation of Malaga city over the past 20 years to become one of the most attractive and desirable cities to live in, in Europe.  Ana specializes in architecture, art, gastronomy and culture and she always guides with a passion and enthusiasm that our clients love.

Anna in Seville

Easy going and talkative, Anna settled in Seville in 2005 where she initially came to study Spanish but immediately discovered that she adored the city and the lifestyle that it offered.   She firmly believes that Seville is the best city to live in, in Spain.

Anna has a degree in translation and this combined with her deep love of languages, history, culture, traditions and architecture led her to become an official Seville Tour guide.

Anna truly feels that being a tour guide is the best way for her to share her passion for Seville.  And it allows her contact with international visitors and the opportunity to employ her linguistic skills which she loves.

Anna says that sometimes she is asked if she gets bored of repeating the same facts over and over, but the answer is no. Everyday, every guest brings something new to her life and living the city through their eyes and experiences makes every tour a new adventure.  In a city like Seville it is absolutely impossible to tire of such an amazing history and legacy of cultures, religions, kings and sultans, slaves and traders, real life stories and legends.

It is her talent in bringing to life for her guests the ancient and multicultural city of Seville that ensures that she consistently receives excellent feedback from her satisfied guests.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Antonio in Granada

Antonio is one of our long term expert Granada guides.  One of the best in the city in our opinion and someone who always puts the needs of his client first.

Born and raised in Granada, Antonio initially worked in the hotel industry for a leading hotel chain but after a few years he found that his real passion was to be outdoors, meeting people and showing them around his hometown.  He became an Official Granada Tour Guide in 2000.

He loves to take people to the special corners of the city that are personal to him, places that - as a child - were his playground.  He’ll show you places where he played sports with his gypsy friends: recount  tales of the old women who sold roasted chestnuts and potatoes  where now there are luxury restaurants: and he’ll take you around the Alhambra of his childhood, when kids could easily find a way in to play at being medieval knights and princesses.

Any visit to Granada will be enhanced by spending time in the company of  Antonio.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Arancha in Segovia

Arancha despite her name being of Basque origin has her roots firmly in Segovia; in the Spanish region of Castilla y Leon. Her ancestors have lived here for several centuries.   

Passionate about her profession, Arancha feels fortunate and proud to be able to show Totally Spain's clients the nearly 2000 years of history that exist in Segovia, starting with the wonderful Roman Aqueduct, passing through Romanesque churches of the 12th century and, Mudejar houses or medieval palaces of the 15th and 16th centuries: discovering the longest medieval wall in Spain: the last Gothic Cathedral in Europe from the 16th century, or bringing to life the history of the kings and princesses that lived in the Alcazar Castle; said to have influenced Walt Disney.   Also recounting the legends and the artistic and social life in this city where once coexisted three important cultures and religions - Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Her tours are enjoyed on foot and her goal is to transport visitors back to the ancient times.  Arancha too likes nothing better than to introduce visitors to the gastronomic delights of Segovia such as the Castilian Soup from the fifteenth century, the Judiones de la Granja and the famous roast suckling pig.  She will be glad to steer visitors to the best restaurants in town to try these delicious local treats.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

David in Cordoba

“an excellent guide whose English was faultless and who gave a superb commentary” Margaret Rayburn, UK

David was born in Cordoba where he completed his studies in tourism and obtained a degree in history from the National University of Cordoba from which he developed his career as a Professional Tour Guide.  David has travelled extensively and is an experienced, enthusiastic and extremely popular guide who is passionate about all aspects of his native Cordoba.  Count on David to make you feel at ease and to show you the very best that Cordoba city has to offer.  David is also an expert in Cordoba's Jewish heritage and history.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Elena in Asturias

Elena is one of our expert local guides in the beautiful region of Asturias.  Educated at the University of Bilbao, she has been a guide for over 20 years

Apart from holding an official guides licence for Asturias she is also a certified guide for the region of Castilla y Leon.  For Elena, the world of tourism, guiding and languages is her passion. She speaks several languages including English and German and holds qualifications issued by the Association of Translators Interpreters of Niedersachsen, Germany, and also draws experience from her time spent at Princeton University, NJ, USA.

Elena enjoys guiding people from all walks of life showing them the Asturias that she loves - her favourite restaurants, shops, unique places - and telling the story behind her many treasured locations.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Elsa in Lisbon

"Elsa was just excellent. Everyone in the group thought she was wonderful. We were lucky to have her with us for 12 nights. "  B. Pleimling, USA

Elsa was born and raised in Lisbon and has travelled extensively in Portugal and worldwide. A fluent English speaker, Elsa is a highly experienced guide and a favourite of Totally Spain’s past clients.  She  has shared her passion for Portugal with thousands of travelers from all over the world

Elsa has a masters degree in Diplomacy and Communication and has a passion for history, great food and meeting people. We love her professionalism, sense of humor and her deep knowledge of the Portuguese culture. Any tour to Lisbon or Portugal will be all the more richer for having spent time with her. 

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Esther in Madrid

History, art, nature, travelling  and Tai Chi are just some of the passions of Esther, one of our expert guides in Madrid.

She was born and raised in Madrid where she obtained a Tourism Management degree and undertook various university courses in Art and History.  She has been a professionally licensed tour guide since the 90’s and has lead tours not only in her native Madrid but also around Spain and various parts of Europe.

Esther loves helping and encouraging visitors to experience the authentic and diverse character of Madrid and its people. 

Gema in Cordoba

Gema not only comes from Cordoba but she is the 3rd generation of a family of professional tour guides.   To say that she knows Cordoba would be an understatement.  Her welcoming smile and pleasing manner make her a firm favourite with Totally Spain clients.

Gema has a degree in Translation from the University of Berlin, the city where she lived for the best part of a third of her life.   She is an avid traveler, always looking to know more about other people and cultures as well as getting to know herself better.

Wine and good food are two of her greatest passions and in her own words " I am a sybarite without remedy."

Jaime in Seville

Jaime was born in Seville though his family origins are from Asturias in Northern Spain.  As a young boy in Seville he was fascinated with old churches and archaeological remains and when not at school he could be found in the Barrio Santa Cruz exploring the Alcazar or a small chapel within the cathedral.  The history of Seville has been his passion now for more than 35 years and is, no doubt, what inspired him to pursue and obtain a degree in architectural draftsmanship and in tourism.

He has a special love of archaeology in which he worked in the past as a draftsman on excavations and medieval architecture. He also has a keen interest in botany, plants and their historical uses and anecdotes.  Very useful in a city such as Seville where there is tree for every two inhabitants.

Jaime’s greatest virtue perhaps is his adaptability and his empathy with the people he guides. He has a unique ability to match his tours to whatever will suit the client best.  He has been working mostly with VIP tourism over the past 20 years and he is,  as he himself puts it, “as comfortable in the company of a government minister as I am with a farmer from Connecticut”.  

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Jamal in Tangier

There is no better or more professional guide to visit Northern Morocco with than Jamal with whom we have worked for many years. 

Jamal, a true gentleman, was born and raised in Tangier in the heart of the Kasbah - the bustling and atmospheric old city of Tangier where he knows and is known by everybody.

Jamal is a laureat of the University of Human Sciences and Literature, Fez City.  He is also, since 1988, licensed as an Official Tour Guide by the Ministery of Tourism Morocco. 

Jamal has a charming way with people and is extremely adepth at guiding international clientele speaking fluently as he does English, Spanish, Italian, French and he also has basic German.  He is an expert in the history and culture of Northern Morocco.

Jamal says since my childhood I was fascinated by guiding and meeting people from around the world.  I derive great pleasure from what I do, sharing my knowledge with the guests and allowing them to have the real experience and the good feeling of my country, discussing openly with them all topics such as the history, culture, manners and habits of my country.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Jorge in Zaragoza

Jorge would describe himself as a passionate foodie and adventurous traveler.  After leaving his native Zaragoza, he spent several years working and studying in Oxford, Brighton and Lincoln.  This was followed by 5 years in Munich, Germany.  In 2017, he achieved one of his dreams when he obtained a Masters Degree in Culinary Tourism at the famed Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian. Jorge enjoys teaching travelers about the history, culture and foodie spots of Zaragoza and its surroundings.  And he is as comfortable guiding in Zaragoza city as he is at chopping, slicing and dicing while teaching visitors to Zaragoza how to prepare local dishes at his cooking school.

Jose Manuel in Basque Country & Rioja

Jose Manuel is one of our expert local guides in the Basque Country. 

At one time Jose Manuel worked with Totally Spain in the office but his love of being out in the field and meeting and guiding people was too strong to keep him indoors. 

He is passionate about the Basque Country and the Rioja region.  He is the grandson of Riojan winemakers and the son of hoteliers.  Tourism, wine and gastronomy are an essential part of his life.  They are the guiding thread of his personal story, a story he loves to share with those who visit his region.

Jose lives between Vitoria, the capital of the Basque Country and, Labastida in Rioja Alavesa. To him it is a paradise; an environment of magical landscapes and legends. 

Jose Manuel's philosophy is to treat those who visit him as if they were part of his family. To make them feel comfortable and show them the pride of belonging to a place full of traditions and good people.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Manuel in Galicia

Manuel was born in Galicia in the far northwest of Spain. He studied tourism as he had wanted from a young age to travel and to seek work as a guide which he initially did off the coast of Africa, on the Canary Islands.  This was in the early 90’s.   After a number of years working on the islands and having met and guided visitors from all over the world, he finally decided to return to his homeland and to Santiago de Compostela where he established himself as an expert local guide.    

In the past Manuel has owned his own restaurant for 10 years and also a small hostal, so tourism and the hospitality industry are firmly in his blood. Manuel not only guides in Santiago but also the entire region of Galicia which he knows intimately.  And his broad knowledge lends itself not only to cultural tours but also to gastronomic tours, Camino de Santiago tours, nature and garden tours as well as chauffeur drive tours.

With over 20 years of experience of meeting and guiding people from all walks of life, there is no one better to show you Galicia than Manuel. 

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Mar in Barcelona

 "In Barcelona, Mar weaved her magic spell and turned what would have been an impossibly long day to see all 4 of Gaudi's masterpieces into an enchanting one immersed in the genius of the architect."

Mar is a delightful person and an excellent tour guide.   She has a deep knowledge of the history, the art and the culture of Barcelona and Catalonia region.

She was born and raised in Barcelona where she studied Tourism Management and has been working as a professional Licensed Guide since 1994.  She comes from a renowned Catalan family with ties to the Batlló family, whose Casa Batllo is considered to be one of the most outstanding Gaudi's masterpieces to be found in Barcelona.

Before becoming a Tour Guide, she worked in other tourism related businesses including travel agencies, hotels as well as in other positions at both national and multinational companies.  She is well adepth at leading her mainly international clientele.

Mar spends her free time traveling.  Her love for nature and seeking adventure, has taken her to over 50 countries around the world.  Her hobbies include hiking, diving, cycling, cooking and also photography.

You will find Mar to be accommodating, flexible, personable and fun to be with. She is well known for her interactive presentations and for providing an overall great tour experience.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Marco in Extremadura

Marco, local patriot, has made his life where he was born: in the wild and stirring region of Extremadura. Passionately committed to introducing his homeland to visitors, Marco was educated at Extremadura University in Caceres - and at St Andrew's University in Scotland. Son of a guide, he is fully qualified as a guide to Extremadura at large.

Marco is well versed in history, art and architecture and has a keen appreciation for issues of the present day. His offering is rich and delivered with intelligence and humour. As a keen linguist he conducts tours not only in English, but also in French and Portuguese. He is sensitive to the differing needs of each language group, to differing levels of appreciation and to each individual. Nobody feels neglected or 'talked down to'.  He always endeavours to get the balance right between being informative yet light hearted and entertaining.

With its huge history of Romans, Arabs and Conquistadors, Extremadura is one of the most delightful and impressive parts of the Iberian Peninsula. Rich in magnificent small towns and monuments, it exudes a sense of the remote and different. There can be no better companion than Marco with whom to explore Extremadura. Time with him is always time well spent.  Oh,  and he can help you to shop, wine, dine and find the best tapas in any town in Extremadura.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Maria Jose in Granada

María José is one of our most passionate guides in Granada. With a degree in Art History, she is an expert in Historical and Artistic Heritage thanks to the completion of a master's degree and thesis on the study of Granada. Her vocation as a tourist guide began when she was only 16 years old, escorting bus tours in Spain.   She is a guide in the broad sense of the word and sees herself as a torch or a powerful light, that accompanies the traveller at all times in an empathetic, affectionate and pleasant way, making them get a true sense of the city of Granada. With her you will be able to discover the Alhambra in a very complete way as her knowledge of Arabic will allow you to understand every detail inscribed in its epigraphic poems. Likewise, she is a great connoisseur of ancient art, Italian Renaissance and Baroque - all thanks to having lived in Rome for two years.  She speaks excellent English having resided in Manchester England for 3 years.

Mariano in Segovia

Mariano was born and has lived in Segovia all his life.  As a child he strolled with his father, hand in hand through the historic centre while often listening to stories, legends and historical facts about his native city and the amazing characters born there. That awakened in him a passion for the city and for his profession; Mariano has been a professional guide in Segovia for more than 20 years where he feels very lucky to live in a World Heritage city where one can breathe history and art in every corner.

Having studied tourism at the University of Madrid, his passion led him to finish a degree in History, and then in Art History.  He has worked in various sectors of the tourism industry and previously as a secondary school history teacher, an experience he says helped him to hone his people skills.

The stories his father told him as a child he now loves to share with those visitors he welcomes daily to discover his hometown.

Miguel in Evora

Miguel was born in Evora in the heart of the Alentejo and has lived and studied in the same city for 40 years.

His passion for the Alentejo region has no parallel and even though he adores travelling, his home will always be Evora.  It was growing up in such a monumental city that gave him his great love of the legends and history of his hometown.

Miguel is passionate about nature and has a degree in biology. He also has a masters in Business Intelligence.

Since 2013 he has worked as a private tour guide in Evora and the Alentejo region, sharing his insights: the local legends and history, and his love for red wine (which he believes the Alentejo has some of the best in the world) with visitors from all over the world.

Those with a sweet tooth take note. Miguel has a very soft spot for sweets and pastries and his tours always include a stop along the way at his favourite little place, for a coffee and pastel de nata!

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Oriol in Barcelona

"Oriol was FANTASTIC. We totally loved Barcelona and he was a great part of it. He is so knowledgeable and became part of our group instantly. Thanks for a great tour and great job." DENISE FERENCE, Group Travel Organiser, Alberta, Canada.

Born in Barcelona , Oriol comes a Catalan family with a long entrepreneurial tradition. His Great Grandfather was responsible for the construction of Casa Calvet one of the first apartment buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi. Oriol learned about this and many of the architectural anecdotes and legends of Barcelona city from his father.

Oriol has been around long enough to have experienced the tremendous changes in Barcelona & Catalonia over the past 30 years and especially the radical renovation of Barcelona city in the pre and post Olympic years.

Running a French-Catalan restaurant in Barcelona gave Oriol a great understanding of the delicacies of the Catalan Cuisine. And he follows the Catalan tradition of loving his country through nature. Hiking in the mountains of Catalonia he learned about heritage and history.

His passion for traditional architecture led him into restoration and the restoration of several old stone houses in small towns in Catalonia as well as restoring a 200 year old wine cellar.

Oriol has a degree in travel management. He is an official guide for the Catalan region and his specialities are Modernism and Gaudi Architecture. He is also extremely knowledgeable about Barcelona´s Jewish heritage and the history of the Jews in Barcelona.

His friendly, easy going manner makes him a consistent favourite with Totally Spain clients.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Oscar in the Picos Mountains

Oscar is one of our top guides in the Picos de Europa mountains.   He is a true mountain guy, born and bred in the shadow of the central massif of the Picos mountains. 

From a young age he has hiked, walked and run through these mountains for pleasure and for sport, following in the footsteps of his father who did exactly the same.  Now retired, his father was one of the operators of the Fuente De cable car for many years.

After finishing his engineering studies, Oscar travelled the world where highlights for him included New Zealand´s great outdoors and the Italian Alps.

When Oscar isn’t guiding clients he can be found organising major national and international mountain sport events in the Picos or participating in international events such as vertical kilometers, mountain marathons and Ultra Trails such as Lago d'Orta (Italy) or the Swiss Irontrail (Switzerland).

No matter what your level of experience, Oscar is one of the best guides to show you around the Picos mountains.  His gentle manner and friendly demeanour will ensure you have a great day out or enjoy a longer stay experiencing all that the Picos has to offer.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Guide on our blog.

Pedro in Porto

Pedro was born in Porto and being the chatty and welcoming person that he is, it is no wonder that he found his way to becoming a professional tour guide.  Pedro guides our clients not only in Porto city but also throughout Northern Portugal and the Minho and Douro wine region.

Since 2010, when he commenced leading visitors around his beloved city, he has been astounded to see it develop from being hardly visited by any tourists, to now being one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe.  This gives him a unique perspective on the city as he remembers well the `before´ and `after´.  He remembers too when, unless you were involved in the wine trade, you couldn’t visit the port wineries and he had to work hard at establishing relationships so as to be able to get his clients a visit.  In his own words “it is fascinating to observe the transformation that has taken place in the city, bringing it back to life and with it, the restoration of so many magnificent buildings, it is a joy to be a tour guide here.”. 

Pedro is a true professional and always tries to ensure his tours are fun, relaxed and at the client's pace.  

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Rosalia in Burgos

History, biking and travel are just some of the passions of our expert local guide in Burgos, Rosalia. 

A native of Burgos, Rosalia knew from a young age that she wanted to work as a tour guide and share her love for this beautiful city situated on the Camino de Santiago, with its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage cathedral and thriving gastronomic scene. Rosalia has a degree in tourism and became an official city guide in 2000.

She has travelled, studied, lived and worked in France, Ireland and Britain and she speaks French, English and Italian. She is a delightful person and excellent companion to anyone visiting Burgos.

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Sara in Coimbra

Sara was born in the university-city of Coimbra in Central Portugal.  She has always lived there together with her family, who are originally from the `Bairrada´ Region, a land of conquerors which has a deep historical connection to the early formation of Portugal.  Sara has been an official Coimbra Tour Guide since 2012.

Her childhood was spent riding her bicycle between the vineyards of the Bairrada region, listening to music and singing, spending time with animals and in nature, visiting the splendid coastline of this region in the summer time and discovering the amazing history and monuments of her hometown.  

Sara studied and has a degree in Tourism, Leisure & Heritage (recognized by UNESCO) from the prestigious University of Coimbra.  She is passionate about the city and loves showing all of its cultural highlights to visitors, while at the same time having the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and from all over the world.

Sara herself says that her best features as a tour guide include being flexible and able to adapt her guided tours to suit the interests and pace of each traveler. You can expect an interested, curious and humble guide who will welcome you with open arms to her hometown.

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Sergio in Bilbao

Charming and friendly Sergio looks after our clients in the wonderful Basque city of Bilbao. 

He was born into a multicultural family, french mother and basque father,  and grew up conversing in a mixture of three languages; Spanish, French and Euskera or native Basque.

Sergio’s educational background is in law however he was always drawn to the tourism industry. He worked for several years for an international airline allowing him to travel extensively worldwide, develop his language skills and people skills.

Sergio belongs to a generation that witnessed how the old city of Bilbao emerged from the industrial crisis into the vibrant and prosperous city it is today.  One of the triggers that kicked off the change was the building of the Guggenheim Museum.   This was where Sergio started guiding initially when the Guggenheim opened and, because of his language skills, started to collaborate with the museum guiding their foreign groups.

Sergio is a true Bilbaino. Passionate about architecture and Basque history, he has walked every inch of his native city, exploring its´ amazing and rich past and living its dynamic present.

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Alberto in Seville

Alberto is originally from Malaga but settled in Seville in the mid-seventies.  He is an extremely reliable driver and has taken care of Totally Spain's clients in Seville since 2009, driving them not only in and around the city of Seville but also to places as far away as Lisbon in Portugal.  Travelling with Alberto, you are in extremely safe hands.

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Fran in Ronda

Fran has been a part of Totally Spain's team of drivers in Andalucia for many years.  A trustworthy and reliable driver, Fran has taken clients safely and in comfort all over Andalucia from the tiniest Pueblo Blanco to all the main cities.  Fran's hometown is Ronda, one of the most spectacular small cities in Andalucia.

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Francisco in Cordoba

Francisco is our friendly and reliable private driver in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cordoba in southern Spain.  He has been in the chauffeur business for over 15 years and can be relied upon to get you safely and comfortably to your hotel or your train or to meet your private guide in Cordoba.  Francisco also handles longer private transfers for us when the need arises to other key cities in Andalucia.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Driver on our blog.

Luis in Madrid

Luis is one of our main drivers and driver co-ordinaters in Madrid.  Always well presented, punctual and professional, Luis can be trusted to get you comfortably and safely to your hotel or your departure flight from Madrid.

Not only does Luis serve our clients in Madrid city but also on private daytrips to Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial and other daytrip destinations from Madrid.

He has been a lifesaver on many occasions when clients are running late, have lost passports, needed help navigating the city of Madrid because an unexpected event has brought the city centre to a standstill.

Rest assured you are in a safe pair of hands when travelling with Luis.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Driver on our blog.

Rafael in Granada

Rafael, like all of our drivers, is someone that you can count on to get you safely and comfortably to wherever you are going.  Before becoming a private chauffeur, Rafael worked in several upmarket hotels in Granada city - his hometown.  He really enjoys contact with the public and the opportunity to use the english language, which he speaks well.  This is what eventually lead him into becoming a professional private driver.  Rafael not only transports out clients in Granada but also undertakes longer journeys throughout the Andalucia region for Totally Spain. He's a gentleman and you will enjoy your travels with him.

Ramon in Barcelona

Ramon is one of our trusted chauffeurs in the lovely Catalan city of Barcelona.  A true gentleman, he is always well presented, on time and professional and can be trusted to drive you in comfort and safety to your hotel or your departure flight from Barcelona.

Ramon also accompanies our clients on private daytrips throughout the Catalonia region to places such as Montserrat, Girona, the Costa Brava and to visit wineries and other special sights that our clients wish to see.

He has been invaluable to us and our clients on many occasions when the unexpected has happened. Rest assured you are with a very capable professional when being driven by Ramon.

Read About The Benefits of having a Private Driver on our blog.