Europe Guide George Boekhout van Solinge

Favorite bike ride
In Colombia the ATB bike ride all the way down from snow topped mountains near La Paz to subtropical forest, winding over dangerous roads with breathtaking views in the valleys.

My favorite hike?
The Inca trail leading to Machu Picchu in Peru, four days of hiking over huge stone steps, incredible views, pain in your legs and the pleasure of endurance, sleeping in little tents and then….. when the fog is lifting you see the splendor of Machu Picchu and it’s incredible setting on the green terrace hills unfolding and you feel you’re on the edge of old Inca life. Miracle world.

My favorite historical site and museums
The temples of Angkor Watt in the jungle near Siem Raep in Cambodja, you can walk for days in this nature overrun religious site, watching sunrise and dream away. Other favorites are the Egyptian museum in Cairo, a storehouse of treasures and the Rodin sculpture museum in Paris, with the Thinker and the Kiss.

Favorite trip to guide  
Tuscany in Italy is a biker’s heaven and I feel at home after so many years of being a guide there. Enjoying the Chianti hills and views, sipping wine on the squares in the evening sun in Siena and San Gimignano. Looking at the masterpieces of art like the David of Michelangelo and the birth of Venus from Botticelli  in Florence. Italians are lovely people, born to love and live and they like drama. Of course they have their operas of Verdi and Puccini as examples.
 

What do I do that make a guest’s vacation special?
First of all I love to be with a group of guests in a place where we all travel by desire, that’s the basic mood ! I give personal attention and help especially when the day is harder for you to come through.
I share the precious moments and experiences with you with lots of joy and humor. And when I buy little presents I always combine the specials of the day and trip kindly with the personal things I see from you.

The most amazing experience I had while traveling?
Hiking with spikes on the icy glacier of Perito Moreno in South Argentina. This miracle world of ever moving ice in all colours of blue, with little rivers of melting water running over strange shapes into the deep and little icebergs falling into the lake.

Favorite Outdoor Activity
Playing tennis, swimming, skiing, biking, and of course salsa dancing. Fortunately there’s a great salsa scene in Amsterdam