Hello! I am doing a Rick Steves trip to Andalucia in May and making my way down from Madrid, including stopping in Toledo for a day. It will be my birthday and I’ll be alone, so I’d like to make it special.
Could anyone recommend a tour guide who is a bit more personalized/in depth than the typical Viator/Get Your Guide tours, but isn’t $300 for just a few hours? All the ones I see are $300 and unfortunately I can’t afford that. Thank you!
Have you tried Amanda Buttinger? She was on a recent Monday Night Travel, and sounded very good.
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/toledo
What a great idea - unfortunately on her website she seems to only give tours of Madrid, and those are booked out past when I’ll be there. I’ll watch her video, though - thanks!
If you write to the recommended guides in the major cities they may have a recommended referral to someone in Toledo.
I had a great night walk in Toledo that I booked on the advice of an RS-affiliated guide in Granada and it was a-maz-ing. The guy had connections to the archaeologists working on digs in town and took us into a closed-off site that showed how confused the Muslim rulers were by the worn-down Roman public construction when they arrived. Public toilets? Gymnasia? The Muslims didn't know what to make of it. What's with all the decoration that faces outward instead of inward like it is supposed to?
Very cool. I was an anthropology major decades ago, so that would have been fascinating for me. If you are able to message me about the guide I’d be appreciative.
On the suggestion of Jane, I wrote to Amanda. She recommends Adolfo Ferrero at @toledodelamano.com. I have contacted him; thank you, Jane!
In 2021, I did a half-day private tour of Toledo through Javier Menor for 150 euros. You could see what his prices are today. And no tipping was expected.
During COVID, Javier was one of the recommended guides on Rick’s Guide Marketplace.
At that time, his listing said “Javier offers tours of Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia. Email: [email protected]”
stewartaveorders, as one anthro major to another, you're welcome!
Thank you, Accidental Southerner! That’s cool you had one of the lead guides as a personal guide. I wonder if he’ll be my guide in Andalucia. I’ll write him if the other guide isn’t available. And Jane, how fun you were an Anthro major, too!
We had an amazing tour of Toledo in 2021 with Juan Jose Espades (aka JuanJo), who was (and maybe still is? I haven't looked in a few years) in the RS Spain guidebook. You can find many recommendations for him here on the forum if you search.
He was really excellent and kept our group engaged, listening, and asking questions for nearly 3 hours on our very jet-lagged arrival day. Even the teenagers in our family are still raving about his tour, 4 years later! At the time, he charged 120 euro for a 2-hour tour.
Thank you! I have written him, as the other guide is unfortunately not available. (He’s leading a Rick Steves trip!)
