Based in Spain
Fresco Tours became an idea in 1999 and has since grown and developed with the support and assistance of Bilbao's city hall into the company that it is today. It was created with our common vision on how to share with you the essence of Spain's magnificent countryside and fascinating culture. We hope you find our enthusiasm for our homeland and our enterprise to be contagious.
Expert Guides
We take the challenge to heart of ensuring that your vacation is all that it can be. Our guides are handpicked and go through a rigorous training period to ensure that they share our vision. We are constantly keeping our eyes and ears peeled to get feedback during your trip, in hopes to make those minor adjustments or special details that will make your trip so memorable. After all, at the end of the tour, we hope to be more than just your tour company we hope to become your friends.
Off the Beaten Paths
We painstakingly keep abreast of the latest developments and change with local hotels, restaurants, and suppliers by visiting and conferring with them regularly to assure that they are up to our prime standards. We will truly take you off-the-beaten path and introduce you to our friends and favorite secret spots.
Alex J. Chang
Alex is lucky to be able to call two places home. He is from the United States, but in 1996 his casa became Spain. His first exposure to Spain was in the early 90s, when he spent a semester of college in Madrid, where he developed his Spanish skills and gained insight into the Spanish culture and its people. Upon graduating from college, Alex joined an international marketing research firm and worked in the U.S. and in Spain. After working eight years in the corporate world, Alex found sharing the treasures of Spain to be much more gratifying and rewarding than writing marketing reports. Thus a new journey began: Alex decided to devote his efforts to the tourism industry. Having led his first tour in Spain in 1999, Alex brings his experience, penchant for details, and sensitivity to clients' needs to deliver the kind of quality tours that you demand and deserve.
Alissa
Originally from New Jersey, Alissa has been living in Galicia since 2001, after love brought her back to la madre patria. Although she was born in the US, her roots are both Spanish and Cuban. Alissa has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from NYU and spent years in New York City working in various Administrative roles. She is outgoing and always ready to learn new things and meet new people. Her love of travel, literature and different cultures makes her the perfect fit to Fresco Tours.
Amaia
Amaia hails from a village in the heart of the Basque Country, growing up with a keen relationship between language, land and culture. With a degree in Tourism and over 15 years’ experience organizing both group and individual tours for travel agencies, Amaia enjoys discovering new places, meeting new people, and speaking new languages. On a personal level, she has developed strong ties with Galicia and has fallen in love with the land, the people, and of course the food.
Ana
From a tiny remote village in the province of Salamanca, Ana always felt curious to discover what else was out there. Armed with a degree in Law and Export Management, she set out to Europe and also Malawi and India. However, her homeland called her back and she decided to do what she truly loves: Travel and enrich herself with different cultures and people through guiding. Today she is delighted to share with you her passion for the Camino.
Carol
A native Californian, who moved to San Sebastián in 1987, Carol is a translator by profession and a walking, hiking and history enthusiast by inclination. She has been leading tours in Spain for over 20 years, working with both teens and adults, sharing her intimate knowledge of Basque and Spanish history, culture, and customs. Traveling with Carol allows you to experience Spain through the eyes of a local with the insights of an expat!
David
From Figueres, Dali's hometown, David found his inspiration to guide others through travel. After some years exploring Asia, he returned home and the first thing he thought of doing was the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. His first Camino touched him deeply and today, as a guide, he is keen on transmitting the magic of the Way and sharing his experiences with you. With his spiritual side, he will do his best to help you have a great and unforgettable pilgrimage. His mantra is "There is nothing more rewarding than contributing to people's joy".
Dora
Dora was born in Hungary but since 2010 her new home is the marvelous Spain. After finishing her studies and living in different European countries (Scotland, Cyprus, Belgium) she arrived to France to walk her first Camino, all the way to Santiago. She was so touched and amazed by the magic of the Camino, she came back to Spain to volunteer in an albergue (pilgrims’ shelter) to give a helping hand to the pilgrims. Today she continues to care for the pilgrims of Fresco Tours. In addition to guiding groups in Spain, she enjoys time on organic agriculture farms and teaching her beloved mother tongue, Hungarian.
Elba
Elba has returned to her original roots: Born in Cuba, emigrated to the USA for 45 years, and in 2010 returned to Galicia where her parents were born! With 40 years of experience at New York University as an administrator, part of her duties included helping students make the leap to college, giving Elba all the tools to assist Fresco Tours Clients turn into Pilgrims. She loves to read, listen to music, and stitch, but above all, play with her 3 wonderful grandchildren!
Hector
Hector was born and lives in Barcelona, the great Mediterranean city that Gaudí put on the map. After eight years working in hotels in big cities, Hector walked his first Camino with his son. The magic of the Way touched him and he changed the city for the countryside, devoting himself to the Camino de Santiago and its pilgrims. Having studied Journalism in Pamplona, Hector has published several books on mountains, history and travel literature.
Jeffery
Born in the United States, Jeffery's family immigrated to Spain when he was a young child. After completing a graduate degree in Fine Arts in Madrid, he opened up a small print studio with several colleagues from university. Afterwards, he began his career in tourism bringing to life the artistic and cultural gems throughout Spain and rest of Europe. During the 'off season', Jeffery now writes and publishes guidebooks for the Camino and the museums in Madrid. With his can do attitude and always anticipating the next steps, he will keep you at ease during your Fresco Tour as he is always there to go the extra mile - or kilometer!
Jon
Jon is originally from a tiny fishing village in the northern part of Spain. His passion for traveling made him switch his professional career from working as an engineer to becoming a tour leader. He moved overseas and after working for several years around Latin America, he came back to his roots to continue sharing his enthusiasm for travel. His first time doing the Camino was a real tipping point for his inner self that triggered him to make positive changes in his life. Now as a guide with Fresco Tours he loves to share meaningful life experiences on his tours.
Miguel
Born and raised in Barcelona, he was very fortunate to also live abroad. Miguel has had many great adventures. He ran a restaurant in his hometown and during his vacations he walked different Ways to Santiago where he became fascinated by its magic. Then he decided to follow his love for people, guiding and hiking and ultimately become a tour guide. He moved to a town close to the Pyrenees and when not on tour, he guides people with his enthusiasm for the outdoors. He strongly believes that by doing things with passion, one can only have success!
Nagore
Born in Bilbao, Nagore emigrated abroad after finishing her Tourism studies. Her curiosity to discover different cultures and her love of learning other languages has taken her to live and travel throughout 5 continents for almost 20 years while studying Italian, French, Portuguese, English and Euskera. She has worked as a travel agent and tour guide in Rome and in the Alps. During her spare time, she likes trekking through the northern mountains of Spain, walking the Camino, writing and organizing her friends’ and family’s vacations. She will make our guests feel like true pilgrims!
Natalia
From Asturias, Natalia spent her childhood playing around the Camino. She studied abroad as a teenager and the experience changed her forever. After graduating in Business Studies, she worked for an NGO in South Africa and became a Dive Master. She made a career of guiding and has led tours around the globe from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba and in Africa. Natalia loves meeting new people, hiking, cycling, swimming, dancing and being outdoors. She is passionate about the Camino and her warm personality, storytelling expertise and contagious energy guarantees you´ll have an unforgettable Camino!
Nico
Born in Brazil, he’s lived in Spain for about 20 years. Nico considers himself a citizen of the world. He has combined trips across the globe with jobs as a diver and guide. After leading people in different settings, he fell in love with El Camino. He feels grateful to combine his job and his life in Costa Brava, sharing the culture, gastronomy and landscape with others. Despite his experience, he feels like an eternal apprentice, ready to learn from others. Back home, he is always checking the forecast for a kitesurf session or in case he needs to water his garden.
Patricia
From the heart of Bilbao, Patricia always knew she wanted to work in the tourism industry, even as a child. After several summers in France and England, where she worked and studied, Patricia started working at the Guggenheim Museum showing people the jewel of her hometown! She went on to guiding tours in the "Rías Baixas" in Galicia and finally, working in a travel agency. Now, she keeps the Fresco Tours office running smoothly with tireless dedication making sure all the i's are dotted and all the t's are crossed!
Piero
Born in a small town of the Italian Dolomites, Piero moved to Spain in 2003 to complete his studies…and decided to stay till nowadays! After a career in urban planning, Piero shifted to the tourism industry. His current job as a Camino guide allows him to combine some of his passions: hiking in nature, taking care of people, speaking foreign languages, and sharing his knowledge about Spain. In addition to music and painting, Piero also likes to cook, so don’t miss one of his fabulous picnics on the Camino!
Roberto
Born in Madrid, Roberto was first bitten by the travel bug whilst in London after finishing his degree in Marketing. Since then, he has lived in different European cities, become a professional tour guide (since 1998), completed a second university degree, and learned French, Italian and Portuguese. When he is not on tour, he works as a professional translator. With interests that include music, photography and architecture, what he finds most rewarding about guiding is the chance to share his passions, love for his home country and, above all, the opportunity to help guests enjoy an unforgettable traveling experience.
Sandra
Born near Merida, the Roman town on the “Vía de la Plata" Camino, Sandra spent half of her life in Seville, studying and working as an architect, until circumstances brought the perfect opportunity to start exploring broader landscapes and different ways of living in connection with nature. Convinced that only when truly loving what you do can you give your best, she lives and works combining her passions: sports and nature, languages and crafts. Now established in the North, when not walking the Camino, you can find her on her quest for land on which to build the tiny cabin of her dreams.
Verónica
Verónica was born and raised in Bilbao, where she obtained 2 degrees: one in Journalism and a second one in Advertising and Public Relations. Her career path started in organizing events and congresses, where she brings her talents to Fresco Tours keeping our ship on an even keel. Having walked the Camino, she can relate to our pilgrims! Always curious to discover new horizons and ready for an adventure, Vero is ready to go - with a camera in hand!
