Meet Our Tour Directors

Elaine Allen 

Since 2007, Elaine has been a proud Blue Badge Tourist Guide, bringing the rich history and vibrant culture of Liverpool and northwestern England to life with warmth, wit, and deep knowledge. A natural storyteller and historian at heart, she turns every tour into a fascinating journey through time. 

Elaine is a certified member of both the Institute of Tourist Guiding and the British Guild of Tourist Guides, a testament to her professionalism and passion for excellence. Off the clock, she loves exploring Britain’s literary heritage, historic sites, museums, and galleries, with York, Scotland, and Wales among her personal favorites. 

Currently leading the Essential Britain Tour, Elaine goes beyond the guidebooks, revealing hidden gems and untold stories that make each destination unforgettable. 

Cassandra Ashley

From the time she was 11, Cassandra knew she was born to lead others on unforgettable journeys. Each summer, her father’s work trips to Washington, D.C. turned into epic road adventures across the country, exploring as many national parks as they could. While her peers collected dolls or trading cards, Cassandra collected park maps—eagerly leading her family through trails and exhibits like a miniature Park Ranger in the making. 

Cassandra cut her teeth with city tours in Los Angeles and went on to become a licensed guide in both Washington D.C. and New York City. YMT holds a special place in her heart. “These travelers are the heart of America,” she says—people who’ve worked hard, raised families, and now finally get to see the world. Helping them witness the majesty of Yellowstone or the beauty of Yosemite brings her a deep, personal joy. 

Camille Bologna 

Camille, born to a French mother and Italian father, grew up bilingual and passionate about languages. She studied English, French, and Spanish at Liceo Linguistico Mariano Buratti in Viterbo and earned her degree in English and French from Unimarconi University in Rome. 

A licensed tour director since 2017, Camille began with shore excursions in Rome for major cruise lines, and she has led multi-day tours across Italy. Her tours span Venice, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Rome, Assisi, the Amalfi Coast, and beyond. Known for her positive energy, warmth, and professionalism, Camille creates memorable experiences that leave guests with lasting impressions — reflected in the many heartfelt messages and thank-you notes she receives from travelers worldwide. 

Angela Bradley 

If there’s one thing Angela Bradley knows how to do, it’s turn every journey into an unforgettable adventure. She began her professional life as a secondary school teacher, but her thirst for challenge and excitement led her to an unexpected detour — a 27.5-year career with Greater Manchester Police!

From patrolling city streets and working undercover to training recruits and managing major operations, Angie even spent time on a special assignment in Kosovo. Her life has been filled with stories and now, she loves collecting new ones on the road.

When it was time for her next chapter, the choice was clear: travel. For the past nine years, Angela has been guiding tours across the globe, exploring over 50 countries (and counting). She’s a people person who transforms a group of strangers into a close-knit travel family in no time.

Anna Castagnetti

Born in Italy and raised in London, Anna Castagnetti brings the best of both cultures to every tour she leads. Her travel career began at Alitalia in Heathrow, later taking her back to Tuscany, where she welcomed VIP guests at a luxury spa hotel.

For the past 12 years, Anna has been a beloved member of the YMT team. Guests rave about her warmth, energy, and the personal touches she brings to every journey. Whether she’s sharing hidden gems or managing the details behind the scenes, Anna makes every traveler feel like a VIP.

Off the road, Anna enjoys curling up with a good book and keeps active with Zumba classes twice a week — the perfect balance of calm and cardio! With her passion for people and places, Anna creates unforgettable travel experiences.

Daniel Hernandez

Meet Daniel Hernandez, an ITMI-certified Tour Director and Guide with a heart for adventure and a passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences. With a career that has taken him deep into the Amazon as an Expedition Leader, across the icy wilds of Alaska as a Naturalist Guide, and aboard cruise ships sailing to Europe, Central and South America, Daniel brings global perspective and rich storytelling to every tour he leads.

Daniel has been a proud part of the YMT family, guiding guests on land and sea with warmth, humor, and expert insight. But if you ask him to name a favorite, he won’t hesitate: Route 66. Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, this legendary highway is Daniel’s ultimate playground.

Debs Kenyon

Born in Northumberland, Debs Kenyon has spent her life immersed in the rich history and culture of Liverpool and northern England. Though Liverpool has been her home for decades, frequent visits to Northumberland made guiding in Newcastle second nature. In 2007, she combined her passion for storytelling and music to launch the award-winning Beatles Fab Four Taxi Tour, which earned the prestigious Tourism Experience of the Year for the Liverpool City Region in 2017.

Driven by her love for local heritage, Debs delved deeper into Liverpool’s past and became a qualified Blue Badge Guide in 2013. She started leading tours to Chester, northeast England, northern Wales, and the Lake District. Today, Debs brings her wit, warmth, and wealth of knowledge to our England and Scotland tours, captivating guests with tales that blend history, humor, and heart.

Sarah Keyes 

Meet Sarah Keyes, a globe-trotter with a passion for people, places, and life in general! Born in the UK and having lived in France, the U.S., and Abu Dhabi, Sarah’s love for travel began early—launching her guiding career at just 18 in the South of France.

She then spent 25 dynamic years as cabin crew and trainer with British Airways, soaring across the world while honing her skills in hospitality and communication. Her journey later led her into event and tour management, where she continues to create unforgettable experiences for travelers.

Sarah thrives on connection—whether it’s sharing stories over good food and wine, or diving into new cultures. She’s endlessly curious, effortlessly warm, and embraces the chaos of her adventurous life with humor and heart.

Blanka Lukes 

Blanka is a passionate tour director and licensed local guide based in Prague. Born in the Czech Republic, her journey began with a move to Germany and later to California, where her love for history and geography took root. Blanka’s career has spanned continents, guiding travelers through America’s breathtaking National Parks and Europe’s iconic cities. Fluent in English and German, she has worked with Czech, American, and German guests, bringing each destination to life with knowledge and warmth.

One unforgettable moment stands out: just after the fall of the Berlin Wall, while guiding German visitors in San Francisco, she watched an elderly couple from East Berlin—both former English teachers—embrace and weep atop Twin Peaks. “We never thought we’d see an English-speaking country,” they said. Today, Blanka blends her guiding work with teaching English, sharing her passion for culture, history, and human connection. 

Paloma Moin 

Paloma is a Paris-born guide and gallery owner whose life has been steeped in art and culture from the very beginning. She grew up wandering museums and historic sites, sparking a lifelong passion for storytelling through art.

A graduate of the School of Fine Arts, she focused her studies on how history can be expressed visually—an approach she now brings to life in her tours. Based in the idyllic French countryside, Paloma balances her roles as a dedicated mother of two, a knowledgeable guide, and the proud owner of a local art gallery.

With her rich academic background, artistic sensibility, and deep love for her heritage, Paloma invites guests to experience the hidden beauty and layered history of France in a truly memorable way.

Markus Niedobitek 

Markus guides travelers with infectious enthusiasm, deep cultural insight, and a warm, welcoming spirit. His passion for travel was sparked early through exchange programs in the UK and US, where he first discovered the joy of cross-cultural connection. A year of volunteering in New York City further fueled his love for diversity and global friendships.

In his 20s, Markus journeyed through Central Asia and Eastern Europe, even spending a year teaching German in Kyrgyzstan. With academic roots in Sociology, Political Science, and European Studies, he blends intellectual depth with real-world adventure.

Fluent in English and German, and conversational in Russian, Markus connects effortlessly with people from all walks of life. Cheerful, curious, and deeply supportive, he creates unforgettable journeys where every traveler feels seen, inspired, and truly part of the story.

João Parracho

João Parracho began his tourism journey at Lisbon’s Expo 98, where he guided visitors—and met his future wife. He returned to school later, earning his tourism guide license.

Over the past two decades, he has worked with top French, English, and U.S. tour operators, sharing Portugal, Spain, and France with travelers from around the globe. Many remain in touch, some even returning to live in the places he introduced them to.

During the pandemic, João pursued a long-held dream: sailing. Since 2020, he has logged over 6,000 nautical miles, training for a future of winters spent in tropical waters—proof that for João, adventure is a lifelong calling. 

Maria Rio Branco 

Meet Maria Rio Branco, a passionate Tour Director with roots in São Paulo and a heart shaped by Lisbon. Raised in a richly multicultural family, Maria developed an early love for travel and history. Initially drawn to hotel management, she quickly pivoted to a degree in Tourism and Tour Guiding—combining her twin passions for people and places.

Since 2011, Maria has worked as a licensed local guide, and by 2013, she was leading tours across Europe. Certified by both AGIC (Portuguese Association of Tourist Guides and Tour Managers) and IATM (International Association of Tour Managers), she brings deep expertise and infectious enthusiasm to every trip.

Maria thrives on storytelling, especially the hidden gems and lesser-known facts that bring destinations to life. She’s an avid reader (Jane Austen is a favorite), loves libraries, photography, music, and never backs down from a challenge.

Joe Royle

Joe is one of YMT’s newest Tour Directors, and he brings energy, experience, and a love for adventure to every journey. After a dynamic 30-year career in the police force, Joe traded in his badge for a passport and hasn’t looked back. For over a decade, he’s been guiding travelers across Europe and beyond—from Switzerland (a personal favorite) to the U.S., China, Australia, South Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Based in the UK, Joe thrives on connecting with people, uncovering local history, culture, and cuisine, and sharing the quirky, memorable stories that make each destination come alive. His genuine enthusiasm and curiosity have made him a favorite among travelers wherever he goes.

And here’s a fun fact: Joe once played Bruce Springsteen’s iconic white grand piano on stage—a story he’s happy to finish over a glass of Malbec.

Karen Shoebottom

Since 2018, Karen has been crisscrossing the United States with a sense of wonder that never fades—and a passion for turning every tour into an unforgettable story. For her, guiding isn’t just a job; it’s a dream come true. She delights in welcoming travelers from all corners of the globe, sharing the magic, history, and hidden gems of this beautifully diverse country she calls home. 

The Pacific Northwest holds a special place in her heart—it’s her backyard, her playground, and one of her favorite regions to showcase. With every winding road and scenic overlook, Karen blends fascinating insights with just the right dose of humor, ensuring her groups are as engaged as they are entertained.

With her warm spirit and deep local knowledge, Karen is excited to welcome you aboard. She can’t wait to share the journey, the laughter, and the memories that await.

Jorge Timoteo

With over 30 years in the travel industry, Jorge Timoteo brings unmatched experience, passion, and cultural insight to every tour. Born in Peru, Jorge’s fascination with travel began in his teens and took him across continents — from studying and working in Peru to settling in the UK and later Spain, where he became a proud citizen of both countries.

Fluent in five languages and deeply knowledgeable about Europe, Jorge spent years behind the scenes in tour operations before stepping out from behind the desk in 2014 to lead tours himself. He now shares his love for European art, architecture, cuisine, and culture with guests from around the world.

Antonio Toti 

Born and raised in the Eternal City of Rome, Antonio Toti brings a lifetime of passion, curiosity, and global experience to every YMT tour he leads. With a background in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Antonio began his career in the skies, working with major airlines at Barcelona airport before discovering his true calling: guiding others on unforgettable journeys. 

Since 2008, Antonio has led engaging tours across Europe and orchestrated immersive cultural experiences. He aims to help every traveler feel like a local and rediscover the world with the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Antonio’s philosophy is best summed up by his favorite quote: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” He invites you to turn the next page with him — and make it unforgettable.