What makes a great tour guide?

A broad knowledge of the area, passion for sharing that knowledge, a sense of humor, and unending patience, for starters. The best guides treat the tour members with respect, as well.

We've taken 17 RSE tours, and have had wonderful guides. We've only had one guide whom I considered unqualified; we have had one other whom we noted in our tour reviews did not follow some of the RSE guidelines; other that that, she was excellent.

We're signed up for 2 more tours next month, and I can't wait to meet our new guides.

Four RS tours for us and all the guides have exceeded expectations. I suspect that a lot of what makes them great are things they do behind the curtain.

Things that have impressed me, is when things go wrong or off schedule, and they can adapt and improvise to make things work, without getting visibly upset and flustered. One example was when a major sight we were to visit had messed up the appointed time, and we had to quickly change plans to make a later visit while substituting another activity. Another was when we were planning to do laundry at our next hotel and it turned out the hotel couldn't accommodate us. The guide quickly found a nearby laundry that could do it for about 12 of us, and made all the arrangements. No sweat.

But I also appreciate when they are willing to call out tour members for not being on time or violating the rules. I think the no-tip policy makes that able to happen.

I agree with Jane. After 10 1/2 tours almost all our guides have been exceptional, passionate about sharing their country or adopted country and able to handle the tour members and hiccups with outward ease. In fact, we still are in contact with several after all these years that have been extremely helpful with advice and recommendations on other trips we have taken. We just saw one in Ireland by coincidence where we were on our own, hugs all around. There’s only been one that wasn’t qualified and left a few of the “RS alumni” shaking our heads but that hasn’t been the norm.

Having been a tour director, I can tell you that a lot of work we do is behind the scenes.

If problems arise, we are going to try to fix them without you finding out.

In training, the one word we had to take to heart was flexibility. Very rarely does a tour go as planned.

We are a combination friend, leader, teacher, problem solver and security blanket. We need to be able to put out fires, not literally, while at the same time making sure you are having a good time.

Tipping does not mean the TD isn't going to do his job. The evaluations you fill out after the tour will reflect on how much future work the TD will get from the tour company.

I've only been on one RS tour, but guide Sanel was fantastic. The way I describe it is like this. We are the types who have to be at the front of the bus and always tag close to the guide on walks. Never - never! - was there a single moment where it seemed he was "phoning it in". He was absolutely engaged with all of us having the best trip possible. So patient, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, funny, touching, and warm. I hope if and when we do another RS tour we get a guide half as good.