Liliana Aceves
Director of Program Managers, Mexico

Although she is now Director of Program Managers in our Mexico City office, Liliana makes it a point to lead several Vantage tours each season. "It's important for me to get out there and make sure everything is going well," she says, "plus it's a great pleasure to introduce Vantage travelers to Mexico." Liliana particularly enjoys how surprised visitors are by the richness and charm of the smaller towns and cities in the Mexican interior - especially the people who are used to thinking of Mexico in terms of beach resorts. Liliana was born in Venezuela and raised in several countries, including the U.S., before she moved to Mexico as a teenager.

Carlos Andrade
Program Manager, Mexico

Alfonso "Poncho" Bayardo
Program Manager, Mexico

Raised in Guadalajara, Poncho has also lived in Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. Guadalajara is again his place of residence. Clearly, Poncho is well prepared to show Vantage travellers the best of his country. His favorite place in Mexico? "Oaxaca" he answers. Perhaps Poncho is interested in the traditional arts that flourish in Oaxaca, but we're willing to bet he's also fond of the chocolate factory! In his free time, Poncho enjoys reading, exercising, chess, and practicing his English, which is quite good, since he's also lived in England and the US.

German Brizuela 
Program Manager, Mexico

One of the more recent additions to Vantage's Mexico team, German looks forward to meeting Vantage travellers and showing them his country. Specifically, his favorite destinations on the Vantage itinerary are Oaxaca and San Miguel Allende. Outside of Mexico, he's been most impressed by Rome, Sidney, Venice, Paris, and Positano. German has lived in Guadalajara, Mexico since 1977. He has also lived in Seattle, Washington and Milan, Italy. During his summer vacations he travels as much as he can, and has been to California, Australia and all around Europe. Whether he's home or travelling, German likes bicycling and is very interested in traditional handicrafts and languages.

Annelies Burgers
Program Manager, European River Cruises

Over the last 25 years, Annelies has led tours all over the world. Her home, though, is the eastern part of the Netherlands, near the German border. Annelies works on Vantage's European river ships as a program manager, and in the off-season she works as a local guide in Holland. Her major interests are history, art, and culture, and her enthusiasm and the knowledge of these subjects makes her a favorite with Vantage travellers. Most of all, Annelies tells us, she wants her travellers to have a great time. And, although Annelies has guided tours to a variety of destinations, she finds it a real pleasure to show people the beauty of her own country. It follows, then, that her favorite Vantage itinerary is Holland and Belgium in Bloom. The one caveat of river cruising all the time, she tells us, is the affects of all the excellent food on board. That's why Annelies tries to exercise regularly - she's currently taking golf lessons.

Ignacio "Nacho" Eiras
Program Manager, South America

This native of Argentina, known to one and all as Nacho, receives high praise from Vantage travellers for his outgoing personality and for his extensive knowledge of the history and customs of all of South America. He particularly enjoys introducing travellers to the local people.

Silvina Fino
Program Manager, South America

Born and raised in Argentina, Silvina has toured Europe and the US as a golf professional. She finds guiding tours very rewarding because she gets to get to know new people and different cultures while sharing her own. Silvina loves to show visitors all that Argentina has to offer, especially her hometown, Buenos Aires. Her other favorite places include Patagonia and Iguazu Falls, which she describes as "breathtaking." In her spare time, Silvina enjoys fly fishing, jogging, meditating, swimming, and of course, playing golf.

Tessa Jansen
Program Manager

Originally from Eindhoven, in the southern part of the Netherlands, Tessa has also lived in Switzerland and France. Two years ago she moved to Italy - and now the region she lives in, near Genoa, is her favorite location. "We have mimosa blossoming in January," she gushes, "it is the most beautiful area I know with the most pleasant climate."

Tessa has led tours to destinations throughout Europe, including Scandinavia and Russia, and to Central and South America, as well. As a Program Manager, Tessa enjoys providing her guests with insight into the countries they visit. She speaks six languages - Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. "I learned because I am a very curious person, Tessa told us, "this way I can always understand what other people are talking about. I also like to teach my groups a bit of language so they, too, communicate with the local people they meet." She also hopes to help travellers understand why certain things are different from what they are used to in their own country. "What other reason is there to travel?" Tessa concludes, and then adds, "I'm crazy about photography, and I always take my camera on tour."

Cheryl Kobayashi
Program Manager, National Parks

About leading Vantage's National Parks tour, Cheryl says, "My job is to help my Vantage guests appreciate the beauty spread before them by giving them an understanding of the culture, geology, trees, flowers, plants, and the amazing wildlife." It's no wonder she earns 100% "excellent" ratings from the folks that travel with her!

Lubo Krupa
Program Manager, River Cruises     

Lubo still lives in his hometown of Banska Bystrica, situated right in the heart of Slovakia. When he was in high school, he spent a year living with an American host family in Massachusetts through the AFS (American Field Service) program. This experience has provided him with an understanding of the American point of view, which is invaluable when he guides Vantage groups. "What I enjoy the most when leading the tours," Lubo comments, "is meeting new people from different regions of the US, and sharing our knowledge and learning with each other. What I also like is that I never stop learning when doing this job. Even if I do certain itineraries several times during the season, it is always different and I always encounter something new and interesting."

Lubo serves as Program Manager for several river cruise itineraries, including Holland to Hungary, Eastern Europe and the Black Sea, Grand European River Cruise, and Cruising the Danube to the Black Sea.

While he enjoys all the places visited on these itineraries, his most favorite locations are the Iron Gates of the Danube, because of the spectacular natural beauty, the Carpathian mountains of Romania, the handsomely situated city of Passau in Germany as well as Regensburg with its outstanding architecture.

Masha Lugonja
Program Manager, Croatia tours and Mediterranean cruises

Bill Miller
Program Manager, National Parks

A specialist on the American West, Bill currently leads Vantage's National Parks and Northwest tours. Last year, Bill moved to Boulder, Colorado from Cheyenne, Wyoming.  A big fan of the wide-open spaces and natural splendor of the American West, Bill feels "It's an enormous privilege to introduce my fellow citizens to our country's bounty. I love to put people in touch with our nation, on all levels, from history to legends and from geology to geography." Bill is studying French and history at the University of Colorado, and works occasionally as a management consultant.

Paula Pergande
Program Manager, National Parks

This Tulsa gal, born and raised, left the corporate world to pursue her passions: people and travel. And she's never looked back. Paula's travel career has taken her all over the world - to Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand, Europe, Russia, Africa, and all over our magnificent United States of America. Her favorite destination is Hawaii. "I experience a beautiful feeling of peace every time I visit the Islands," Paula explains. But my favorite tour to lead is, and always will be, the National Parks As a tour director, I learned by my second tour that my travel passion was indeed more a people passion, and my people have become my direct focus on each and every adventure-whatever I can and must do to make their tour experience the best memory of their lives I will absolutely do! In return, the folks who travel with me enrich my own life beyond description."

Monika van der Drift
Program Manager, European River Cruises

Anna Smets
Program Manager, European River Cruises

Anna lives in Antwerp, Belgium - she grew up in the green suburbs outside the city. Over the last 11 years, Anna has lived and worked in many different countries, including France, Spain, Ireland, Egypt, India, and the USA. In the past, Anna led Vantage land tours in Europe. In the last few years she's worked on European river cruises. To sum up her tour directing experiences she says, "It's never boring!"

When asked to list her favorite destinations, Anna replied, "I guess the place that touched my emotions the most were the Galapagos Islands, but I am crazy about the National Parks in western USA, and Lake Louise, Canada. For culture and smiling faces, I fell in love with southeast Asia."

Anna is certified in different massage techniques, especially Traditional Thai Massage and Foot Reflexology. "It's a passion," she admits, "and my friends and family are very happy with this hobby of mine! I also do yoga, meditation, and of course, every possible free moment I TRAVEL!!! It's a big world, after all."

Patricio Thijssen
Program Manager, South America & Antarctica

This former flight attendant has travelled around the world. Born and bred in Buenos Aires, Partricio is a South America specialist who manages both tours and cruises. He also leads groups to Antarctica, which his favorite destination. Patricio's goal is to make sure his guests have a memorable experience, not just another trip.

Kelly Wei
Program Manager, China

Ally Yang
Program Manager, China

Yuan Yong-Jing
Program Manager, China

A native of Beijing, Yuan leads groups on both Vantage's Extraordinary Wonders of China and Crown Jewels of the East & West tours.