Fernando Garcia
Regional Qualification(s):
London
Language(s):
English, Spanish, Portuguese
Phone Number(s):
0773 863 5047, +44 773 863 5047
Contact guide
Introduction:
I'm a born and bred Londoner and guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Before guiding I worked in academia (I have a PhD in urban and cultural geography) and also in business (I ran my own tour operator and coach company); all of which was great preparation for the career of guiding in and around London, which I love.
I qualified as a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide in 2010, gaining the award for Best Overall Practical Exams (for the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, Tate Modern gallery, guiding on a coach and a guided walk of the ancient City of London).
I have an interest in politics and have an additional endorsement and licence to guide at the UK Parliament (Palace of Westminster) and also enjoy being one of the guides at the world's premier tennis club: Wimbledon!
I'm fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and follow the cultures, politics and general gossip of countries that speak these languages and am able to incorporate links with these places when I guide around London and day trips from the capital.
I frequently work with corporate clients, Events and Destination Management Companies, specialising in tailor-made VIP experiences in which a Blue Badge Tourist Guide can add that special touch to entertain, inform and look after clients.
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 |
| All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon) |
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