If you traveled with us before, you know one of the best choices you can make is to book a tour with a private guide. Be it a historical tour of Gaudí’s Barcelona, an urban art tour in Lisbon, or a multi-day excursion through small towns, privately guided tours offer some of the most unique insight and local experiences out there. Which is why we’re taking the time to help you get to know some of our local guide partners—the folks that take a new travel experience from great to totally unforgettable. Here, we’re chatting with Luis Andrade of Andalusia Guided Tours. He takes guests out of the traditional urban areas, and into rural settings and small towns throughout Andalusia.
Learn more about Andalusia Guided tours here and follow Luis and Andalusia Guided Tours on Instagram.
Where are you from originally? And where do you live now?
I’m originally from Sevilla, and right now, I actually live in the same apartment where I’ve spent my entire life, very close to the city center. I’ve lived here for most of my life, but I’ve also been fortunate to live for almost two years in Vejer de la Frontera, a town in the province of Cádiz, very close to the Atlantic.
How long have you been touring people around the region of Andalusia?
I’ve been providing guided tours of Andalusia for 14 years now. I started right after I graduated from university, where I studied Environmental Sciences.
How long have you been working with Spain Savvy?
I believe it’s been more than 6 years working together already. I’m thrilled about it and hope for many more to come.
What inspired you to start the company and guide full time?
The summers of my childhood spent with my grandparents at our beach house in Sanlúcar de Barrameda played a significant role. I think that’s where my love for nature and the sea was born. This led me to work as a nature tour guide in the Doñana National Park and other natural parks in Andalusia. I used to wander through the river marshes and go fishing with my brother when we were kids. Years later, when I was in university, I took my parents to show them the area and told them that’s what I wanted my job to be…and so it began 🙂
What do you think makes Andalusia such a unique area of Spain?
To me, Andalusia is the soul of Spain, with all due respect to other regions. I believe that the image exported to the rest of the world primarily revolves around Andalusian traditions, culture, history, and customs. Powerful elements of Spanish culture like flamenco, Arab influence, the joy of the people, and the great weather find their truest expression in Andalusia.
What do you think is one of the biggest benefits people get from adding a privately guided tour to their itinerary as opposed to exploring on their own?
I think it maximizes the experience entirely. Exploring a place is always a beautiful thing, but doing it with someone who lives there and opens the doors to their daily life, sharing details and information that aren’t immediately visible, makes all the difference.
What are some of your favorite tours to do with clients?
I believe there’s so much to see outside of the big cities. Personally, I love rural and nature tourism. Combining culture, nature, villages, traditions, landscapes, and gastronomy in a single day is a crucial part of my work. That’s why I would say my two favorite tours are the “White Villages of Cádiz and Ronda,” and also, the “Atlantic Coast of Cádiz” tour. This reflects a bit of what I mentioned earlier about my childhood and why I started working as a guide.
What’s your dream for Andalusia Guided Tours?
My dream is for the world to become a little better each day. I would love to achieve that through my profession, though it’s a tough challenge. But I’m trying to contribute by emphasizing the importance of caring for nature. I hope to grow and gain more strength to lead a good life and achieve that goal.
And just for fun, what’s your absolute favorite Andalusian dish?
For a sevillano, where eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures, it’s impossible to pick just one favorite dish… puntillitas (small fried squid), zamburiñas (scallops), shrimp salad, gazpacho, grilled fish, beef sirloin, and I can think of about 20 more things.
Our clients exploring with Luis via Andalusia Guided Tours
