If you want to learn about the might of the Hapsburg Empire’s capital, Vienna, Gerhard Strassgschwandtner is your man (he’ll explain why the bit over there looks like it was lifted from Brussels, the bit over there looks it’s come from Greece). If you want to know about the whys and wherefores of the etiquette [...]

The Tuscan town of Siena is best seen entirely on foot. In just two hours, the boho-chic Cinzia Mariotti, who clambers with you up and down medieval towers in high-heeled rope wedge sandals, can point to the evidence of the moment the 1348 Black Death struck - a half finished arch; then guide you through [...]

Mohammed Bouskri has been guiding people through the maze that is the walled Medina old town of Marrakech for thirty years. Over that time Presidents Nixon, Carter, Bush Sr. and Reagan have availed themselves of his brilliance as have Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Sean Connery.
He’ll meet you at your riad (courtyard hotel) although he¹d [...]

Ok, you can download a city guide on your iPod, pick up one in a swanky colour by Wallpaper* or one of those (rather fab and so handy) pocket sized fold-up Luxe guides. But nothing beats a real, human guide.
Guided tours used to be judged the opposite of stylish; a long hangover perhaps from the [...]