Janet Simmonds Email & Phone Number

I studied Geography at Oxford University and went on to do a Master's in History of Art. I run a unique tailor-made travel company www.grand-tourist.com. I specialise in Italy, France and The Alps. I write itineraries that are original and exceptional. I offer very specific 'in depth' travel experiences; private tours of Venice by boat, driving Ferraris in Maranello, Truffle hunting in the hills near Modena. I am particularly interested in the history and culture of Western Europe. I speak Italian and French. I write about travel and the philosophy of the journey on my blog www.educated-traveller.com I regularly work as a specialist tour leader / speaker for small groups in Italy. Most recently Venice and the islands of the lagoon. A Gastronomy & Wine Tour of Piemonte, Lombardia and Northern Italy. A Tour of Sicily including Ragusa Ibla, Palermo & the Baroque towns of Val di Noto. A tour of Venice and Veneto including the Palladian Villas of architect Andrea Palladio. I designed, wrote and organised a series of walking tours in Rome for the University of Oxford alumni. All my work is tailor-made for each individual customer. I also wrote a VIP whisky distillery tour in the Highlands of Scotland for a small group of executives. A month or so ago I was creating a unique driving experience in Tuscany for a British client group - driving top of the range Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche cars. Now I’m working on a unique Palladian Villas Tour in Italy for another Oxford University group - to whom I am an official supplier. I can organise exceptional travel experiences in Europe, UK and USA. I am married to Andrew - a management consultant and executive coach. We have four kids all in the early stages of their careers. I live in London and Venice.

Listed skills include Tourism, Leisure, Event Management, Travel Management, and 16 others.

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  Founder And Ceo

  Grand Tourist

  2007 - Present - London And Venice

  Oxford educated travel company owner, with Master’s degrees in Geography and History of Art. Specialist journeys in Italy, The Alps, France, Greece, British Isles. Travel expert, company owner, writer and linguist. www.grand-tourist.com - specialist travel www.educated-traveller.com - travel blogMy goal is to provide unique and exceptional experiences in Europe for clients. This could be a private wine-tasting at an exceptional vineyard in Italy. In recent months I have arranged truffle hunting near Bologna, Maserati driving around Lake Como, Private Helicopter Tours over the Alps, Bicycle riding along the Brenta Canal, Venice. A favourite experience of mine was a visit to Paestum, Southern Italy to visit the spectacular Greek temples built near the sea just south of the Amalfi Peninsula. These amazing temples pre-date the Romans (just) and date from about 375 BC. I work extensively in Italy, especially Venice and the Veneto, Tuscany, Southern Italy and Sicily. I also work in Athens, Thessaloniki, Istanbul and Jerusalem. I love to link clients with local people and facilitate amazing experiences. Imagine a balsamic vinegar tasting at a private estate or mozzarella tastings in Campania. The historic villas designed by architect Andrea Palladio are a passion of mine, design, style and interior frescoes. I'm always keen to include local market visits and even the occasional open-air opera performance. We can arrange all types of accommodation from family-run B&B, Agriturismo, Country Houses, right up to 5-star hotels. I only work with independent, distinctive hotels. I focus on original, authentic, once in a lifetime experiences........