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 travelers. Most of all, Annelies tells us, she wants her travelers 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 travelers for his outgoing personality and for his extensive knowledge of the history and customs of all of South America. He particularly enjoys introducing travelers 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 travelers 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!

Werner Kren
Program Manager

Werner’s passion for his work is reflected in the excellent ratings he receive from Vantage river cruise passengers. “I’m from Germany,” he says, “and I particularly enjoy sharing my country’s beauty and history with American visitors, as well as the joys and challenges of reuniting the nation.”

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."

Irina Pogrebnaya
Program Manager, Russia

Irina finds working as a Vantage Program Manager during the summers the perfect complement to her winter job as a professor of English at Rostov State University. Interacting with Vantage’s American travelers helps her keep her English vocabulary limber and up-to-date. Plus, she likes to share the insights of the Americans she meets with her Russian students, and vice-versa.

Ann 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 traveled 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.

Lidia Usikova
Program Manager, Russia

Lydia’s warm personality is legendary among Vantage travelers. Lydia has been introducing travelers to her native country since communist times. She is an encyclopedia of wonderful stories, and loves to share recipes. No matter what comes up, she makes everything right with kindness and a twinkle in her eye.

Monika Van der Drift
Program Manager, European River Cruises

Maged Wadie
Program Manager, Egypt

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.