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Expert History Guides Andalusia

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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 06:44 AM
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Expert History Guides Andalusia

My husband and I will be in Andalusia for about 2 weeks in March. We are looking for guides with expertise in the area’s history. Individual or small groups could work. Looking for something geared toward history buffs who already have a strong base of info. Especially interested in the Span Civil War, the Inquisition, and the co-mingling of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities. Perhaps an academic who might want a bit of “pin money” ?
Thanks.
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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 06:48 AM
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or even real money?
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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 12:49 PM
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We have enjoyed several guided adventures with Stephen Drake Jones over the years and he gets many complimentary reviews on TripAdvisor. He is a historian, author and most engaging story teller. I doubt there are many even close to him in knowledge of particular aspects of Spanish culture and history.
We have not been to Spain in several years, but never miss a chance to spend a day with Stephen when we are there. Over the years, we have taken three walks of Madrid: one history walk during the day, one evening history walk and one Tapas Bar crawl. We also did an evening dinner and music event with him, and made a day excursion with him for a history walk in Segovia. The history walks were great, filled with stories that came alive when he told them. The dinner and music was fabulous. Segovia was very informative and fun.
He is a professional, however, and has set fees, not pin money, for sure.

One word about this. Read reviews on TA. We love him, but he is quirky and not to everyone’s taste.
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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 01:20 PM
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Stephen Drake Jones is most definitely quite quirky. I haven't taken a tour with him, but I have seen him at work with a group.
He doesn't work in Andalusia, just Madrid.

Where will you be in Andalusia? What cities?

Last edited by Maribel; Feb 13th, 2022 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 05:14 PM
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Just to add--
In Spain tour guiding is a highly regulated profession. The tour guide must be a professional, licensed guide who has gone through years of rigorous training, has passed a comprehensive exam and who undergoes continuous training.

To escort visitors into monuments and give explanations there, guides must be licensed and must wear an official badge with their credentials, must declare their earnings and must pay taxes. So an historian or academic, if not a licensed guide, can certainly give you background information on the sites you plan to visit but can't escort you through them.

A “story teller” or amateur, non-licensed person, even an historian as highly knowledgeable as he/she may be, can only provide you with information outside of the monuments. But they need not be licensed to conduct walking tours, food tours or shopping tours or driving tours.

For Córdoba-
I've used Isabel Martínez Richter, an archaeologist

For Granada-
Margarita Ortiz de Landazuri, who has also given tours for Rick Steves
Alhambra tours - Guided visits to Alhambra - Services

For Ronda-
Antonio Jesús Naranjo, who escorted First Lady Michele Obama around the city

For Seville-
Concepción Delgado, who does tours for Rick Steves

All of the above are licensed, professional guides.

Last edited by Maribel; Feb 13th, 2022 at 06:00 PM.
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Old Feb 13th, 2022 | 05:30 PM
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"Perhaps an academic who might want a bit of “pin money” ? "

I'm sure that wasn't as disrespectful/arrogant as it came across. (hopefully)
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