Imperial Tours' China Hosts between them speak languages as varied as Danish, Romansch and Korean. Although we customarily provide English language tours, we can customize tours for other languages, particulary German, Spanish and French.

China Hosts

It is comparatively rare to find an academic who handles the intricacies of Chinese grammar as confidently as the steering of a heavy goods vehicle: Dr Jamie Greenbaum is a breath of fresh air in the bookish world of academia. This unpretentious sinologist, as suavely poised with a billiards cue as he is elegant with a calligraphy brush, is without pride or artifice in providing access to his treasure chest of Chinese knowledge. While not tutoring, lecturing or translating, Jamie has participated as a lecturer and tour director in a number of tours across China most notably for Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Diana has varied experience in the travel industry, having worked as a guide and trip organizer in Italy and the USA, prior to traveling to China with her Italian husband several years ago. Central Europeans are at an obvious advantage when it comes to language learning. So, we are not quite sure how this talented Columbian managed it but apart from Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish, Italian and German, Diana speaks a smattering of French. Bon courage!

Six years ago, Sam left Britain's shores to settle in China, living in such well known cities as Shanghai, Dalian and now Beijing. A graduate of the University of London, his academic interest in social anthropology and ancient history culminated in his work as a VIP tour guide at Xi'an's Terracotta Museum. The opportunity to visit its research laboratory continues to fire his enthusiasm for the famous warriors. Prior to his role as a China Host, Sam worked as an English teacher specializing in the tourism field to which he is now dedicated.

Having hosted museum and alumni trips across the Asian continent for over ten years, Nic is as comfortable drinking brick tea in an Uzbek tea house in Bukhara as he is sampling Chinese chrysanthemum tea in a Daoist temple in Hangzhou. Following his recent marriage to a beautiful Fujianese, this professional peregrinator is temporarily limiting the scope of his sorties to China's borders while, in his spare time, he works on his travel photography and second novel.

While she was growing up, Antonia's father, an executive at Ford, was based in various cities in Europe. Since international travel was part of her upbringing, it should have come as no surprise that Antonia went on to establish a glittering career at various Intercontinental Hotels around the world. When marriage beckoned, Antonia branched into other areas of the travel industry and we are glad that this sophisticated travel industry professional has found a new home with us in Beijing.

Combining a quintessentially Australian charm with disarming directness, Andrew is a natural for the hospitality industry in which he worked in Sydney either side, and during, the 2000 Olympics. After studying Chinese at Beijing Normal University, Andrew relocated to cosmopolitan Shanghai where he lived for many years before returning to Beijing. The travel industry beckoned, and soon he had founded an outbound guardianship company for Chinese students heading out to Australia. We are happy that he now works with us in the inbound market. Andrew’s enthusiasm for China, his passion for food and his hospitable nature make him a great host in China.

Photo right: Andrew's guests volunteer him for the knife-throwing act at the Shanghai Acrobats

Valeria hails from Savoy region of the Italian Alps on the border with France. She speaks native-level French and Italian, excellent English and wonderful Mandarin Chinese. Central European linguists are so irritatingly gifted! Her passion for the scenery of her homeland has led her to deepen her knowledge of China 's less traveled paths, particularly in the westerly provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan , where she lived and studied for a significant period. Previously working for an Italian incentive house, Valeria's future undoubtedly lies in the Chinese tourism industry.

Anders has a lifelong fascination for China and its history. He has an under-graduate degree in Mandarin Chinese and a Masters in Chinese history: his post-graduate thesis studies communist China's attitude to its various constitutions. When he was not studying some aspect of China or Chinese, Anders was living here! Also qualified with a teacher's certificate from Stockholm University, Anders looks forward to sharing his knowledge of modern China and its history with visitors.

Andy has spent more than a decade writing for newspapers and magazines in the United Kingdom, United States and China. A fascination with political mythology led in 2002 to his participation in a much-publicized retracing of "The Long March", the epic flight of the starving communist forces from the encircling armies of the well-funded Chiang Kai-shek, as described in Andy's eponymous book. This year Andy is embarking on a new and different journey as he steps into wedded bliss with his Beijing bride.

Fluent in six languages with working knowledge of another seven, India is our most multi-lingual tour director. Ethnically Chinese, raised in Denmark and educated in Italy and China, India is a cosmopolitan mediator of Chinese culture. When the Middle Kingdom appears confusing, India is on hand to explain the whys & wherefores of this exotic nation. India previously worked for many years in China's health sector; taking care of people is an intrinsic part of her nature. Having recently founded her own design company, India has less time these days to host tours.

"Thank you so much for your expertise, time, attention to detail, and caring support. The trip was wonderful and a key part of our experience can be attributed directly to you."
T&TS, South Jordan, Utah

Four generations ago, Todd's forefathers sailed from southern China to Hawaii in search of a better life. Over a century later, Todd has returned to his family's homeland. Todd flits so easily between both his national cultures that we are left with the paradox of him being both 100% Chinese and also 100% American. With a background in teaching in various provinces in China , Imperial Tours is particularly indebted to Todd for drafting the original version of Imperial Tours' Activity Book, bringing to life China 's best known cultural sites for our younger guests.

Pere's home city, Barcelona , has inspired some of the world's most original thinkers from Gaudi to Dali. The sea breezes and vivid colors of coastal Catalonia infect riverinos with a unique passion for living. This is the charm with which Pere imbues the hospitality industry where he has worked for many years from Barcelona 's Ramblas to Shanghai 's Bund. While Pere's ambition is to combine his creativity and experience in a boutique hotel, we are grateful that for the present Imperial Tours' guests benefit from his accommodating, earnest and sympathetic approach.

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