If you have ever booked an experience with Evan Evans Tours, you may have listened to the historical stories and anecdotes from our experts Sheila, Rowan or Catia. They have been tour guides with us for a long time, so we wanted to hear about their experiences and share their highlights of working in the sightseeing industry.
Although rewarding, tour guiding isn’t the easiest job. Challenges are encountered like in any job, but this one, particularly apart from the passion and dedication, can be stressful at times.
Respecting timing for a seamless guest experience, sharing the right anecdotes at the right moment, ensuring everyone is having a pleasant time… But let’s hear their thoughts about the job from Sheila, Rowan and Catia.
Sheila Urbani
What led you to become a tour guide?
My love of history.
When and where did you give your first guided tour?
A long time ago. Spring 1993, in London.
3 things you love about tour guiding?
Meeting lovely people. Visiting fascinating places. Telling interesting stories.
Which landmark never stops moving you whenever you visit it?
The Natural History Museum, the building, and the Albert Memorial.
What tip would you give women who recently started as tour guides?
Be natural, be yourself, and also, don’t bombard people with too many facts; let them enjoy!
Rowan Winter
What led you to become a tour guide?
I was actually working in the Evan Evans office, and someone suggested that I’d be quite good at it! So I went off and started training.
When and where did you give your first guided tour?
My first tour was actually on the open-top buses, so I did a 3-hour tour around Central London. All the major highlights!
3 things you love about tour guiding?
I love the people. I love the places. And I love the history, the constant learning.
Which landmark never stops moving you whenever you visit it?
Stonehenge. When I was a little girl, I wanted to visit it, and now I get to take private groups into the middle. It’s wonderful!
What tip would you give women who recently started as tour guides?
Be a decent person. Be respectful of your colleagues and your customers. And one thing I would say is don’t talk too much. People can only listen for fifteen minutes, so choose the best bits and give them those. As a woman is that it’s really important to stand up for yourself. Some of my male counterparts don’t need to put up with some of the things that I’ve had to – people shouting at my face, invading my personal space. So as a woman, you just need to be strong, know your rights and do your job!
Catia Ollie
What led you to become a tour guide?
Studying history and arts. I speak a couple of languages in the middle and lived abroad in a few European countries. I started doing this job about 12 years ago and absolutely love it. I wouldn’t see myself doing anything else.
When and where did you give your first guided tour?
In Stonehenge. I remember that I was extremely nervous. I read so much, I studied so much, and I prepared such a long commentary about it… Everybody enjoyed it, they loved it, and the tour went really really well!
3 things you love about tour guiding?
I love to meet different people every day. I normally say that my office changes every day. So the scenery around me changes every day. I’m never in the same place. I like to travel around. I love art and I love history!
Which landmark never stops moving you whenever you visit it?
Canterbury and Dover. Dover just because of the spectacular scenery, you can see all the way down to France. And then you make your way to Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church, I mean one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the whole country.
What tip would you give women who recently started as tour guides?
Make sure that this is what you love because this is a vocational job. It’s going to involve a lot of hours, you’re going to have to maybe sacrifice a little bit of time that women would normally have allocated for the family, the relationships… forget about all of that. If this is what you love, you just need to be strong, to be confident and just push through it.
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Thank you so much, Sheila, Rowan and Catia for helping us empower other women in the tourism industry, and for sharing your insights as expert guides with us.
If you’re interested in meeting Sheila, Rowan, Catia, or any of our talented and knowledgeable tour guides, book exciting experiences ahead of your next visit to London! You can choose between London tours, day tours from London and more.
