Fernando Garcia

Regional Qualification(s):

London

Language(s):

English, Spanish, Portuguese

Phone Number(s):

0773 863 5047, +44 773 863 5047

Contact guide

Introduction:

HELLO! HOLA! OLÁ!

I qualified as a London Blue Badge Guide thirteen years ago, gaining the award for Best Overall Performance in Practical Exams.

I guide visitors in English (my mother tongue), Spanish and Portuguese; and aim to show them what THEY want to see; to be informative, fun, professional and to look after them as if they were my own family or friends.

Although my special interests are politics, history and diversity, frankly, as a guide, I’m a generalist and most enjoy the variety that comes from every tour being so different and having the honour and pleasure to work with visitors from so many places around the world from Brazil to Bangladesh and from Madrid to Michigan!

I’m extremely proud of working in a profession with so many talented fellow Blue Badge guides, respected world-wide; and so I value my other job as an accredited trainer and examiner of guides, very much (I regularly tutor on the London Blue Badge Course).

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME:

•I have a PhD in urban cultural geography.
•I owned and ran a tour operating business for many years.
•My family background is Spanish and Portuguese and frequently work with visitors from these countries, Brazil and from throughout Latin America.
•I hold an additional Tourist Guide endorsement and licence for the Houses of Parliament.
•I guide in London and lead tours from London to a number of fascinating nearby destinations including Windsor, Oxford, Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Canterbury and the beautiful region of the Cotswolds (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
•I frequently work with corporate clients, Events and Destination Management Companies, specialising in tailor-made VIP experiences.
•For more info on the London Blue Badge Course, see the “Training” link at the top of this page.

Personal Interests:

Multicultural & Modern London
Museums & Galleries inc Tate Modern
Walking & Pub Tours
City of London
Spanish & Portugese speaking cultures
Coach Tours & Walking tours
Houses of Parliament

Special Interests:

Geography & Geology

I'm a Doctor of Geography (my PhD was in café culture...really, it was!). My speciality is in urban cultural geography and like to theme tours around aspects of "diversity" and "global London" (e.g. tours about diversity of London's cultures; and tours that explore how global flows of people, ideas and money meet in London's streets, pubs, markets and buildings).

Art/Paintings & Sculpture

Highlights tours of the main London galleries, especially National Gallery and Tate Modern

Walking Tours

Exploring London on foot is a personal favourite of mine

International Links

Español: si busca guía en Londres y sus alrededores, no dude en conctactarme.

International Links

Portugués: se procura guia em Londres e na Inglaterra, por favor entre em contato comigo.

Politics & Government

I'm an accredited guide of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and, frankly, a bit of a politics geek.

Museums

Highlights tours of London's most popular museums, especially the British Museum

Endorsements:

2012 Venues, Parliament

Additional Qualifications:

PhD, MA, BA (Hons.)

Driver Guide:

No