Who are Europe Unlocked?
Europe Unlocked is my company name. Setting up this business I wanted a name that represented what I am intending to do. I want to unlock the secrets to travelling in Europe, to simplify it and make it accessible to you.
So who am I? I am Julia, a 53 year old women who holds 2 European passports (French and British) with a background in project management and 20 years experience in the tourist industry. I have lived and worked in multiple countries across Europe and travelled to hundreds of cities and destinations throughout the continent. I live in the Vendée in France, not far from La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast. I speak both French and English (with a touch of Italian and German to help me along).
As well as Europe, I have also travelled across the globe, and have come to the conclusion that Europe really is, for me, the very best that the world has to offer. In terms of culture, landscape, food and climate Europe cannot be beaten. But many people find it confusing, they don’t know where to start planning their journey.
I am a planner at heart. An engineer by training, the early years in my career were spent project managing improvements to oil refineries. I have the ability to sort the wood from the trees (or the Wheat from the Chaff as my Dad would have said). Not everyone enjoys planning. Many people simply don’t have time. Europe is so full, so diverse, with so many options, that time is needed to do the homework necessary to make choices. So what happens if you don’t have time? The easy option would be to go to a travel agents and pick something out of a brochure. But that has the potential to leave one unfulfilled, to get the impression you are just one of many following a well worn path. This is where I can help you. In the same way you employ a gardener to take care of your yard, a cleaner to take care of your house and a accountant to take care of your finances, I can take care of your vacation. I will listen to your hopes and dreams and tailor a European itinerary just for you.
Why should you trust me?
That is an extremely good question. It would be glib of me to say “because I am very good at what I do”. So lets start with the basics. I am a European. I’m not someone that travelled around Europe once and pretends to know everything about it. In the last 12 months I have toured northern Italy, stayed in a villa on Spain’s Costa brava overlooking the Mediterranean, hiked in the Pyrenées, visited the English lake district and the New forest, explored Paris and Bordeaux, and taken trips to Belgium and Switzerland.
Added to that I am a tourism professional. I have 20 years experience helping thousands of travellers have a fantastic holiday in Europe, making sure their needs were met and that they got the maximum value out of their valuable vacation time.
My experience in project management ensures that practicalities are not ignored. You personalised itinerary will include the details of how to get from one city and country to another, it will have realistic time frames for transfers and day trips as well as making sure it all fits within your budget and time-frame.
I will need to get to know you to understand what you enjoy and don’t enjoy, to be able to guide you to have the best vacation possible. So A little about what I like:
Favourite City in Europe: Naples. I just love the soul of the city. It is not everyone’s favourite because it isn’t clean and polished like Milan or Rome, nor serene like Verona or Florence. But it is alive. You can feel the history in the streets and buildings. The people are full of energy and passion, and as for the food, it is unbeatable.
Favourite hotel in Europe: Villa Athena in Agrigento Sicily. With a room over looking the valley of the temples. Pure heaven (and the food is amazing as well)
Favourite restaurant in Europe: Possibly the hardest question of them all. From the tavena on the beach in Makry Gailos Crete to michelin stared restaurants in the heart of London’s west end; I have had some amazing meals over the years. Many of my travels revolve around food, and I am often planning the next meal before I have finished my dinner. My favourite restaurant of all is Colvert in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. It’s small, away from the tourist crowds, and authentically delicious.
What is the difference between a travel planner and a travel agent?
I work for you and am totally independent. I do not take commission from hotels, airlines or other services. This means that I am able to offer you truly personalised advice, suggest smaller more intimate hotels or out of the way places and you retain control of all bookings.
As I set up my business and build my client base I am offering my time free of charge. There is no catch, I’m not trying to sell anything on the side. I am just trying to build up a review base the give my clients confidence in me. You can read more about the service I offer here. Contact me to find out more.