I always knew a standard 9 to 5 job was not for me. So I found a way to do what I love the most: explore the world and live in it, while helping others make memories and creating connections.
Tour Leading taught me how to think outside the box, how to learn new languages fast, how to be a friend, a parent, a daughter, a doctor, an advisor, an entertainer, a historian, a local guide, a cook, a psychologist, a banker, a driver, etc…. but first of all, I learned how to use all of these skills to help to create memories, to live the best possible experiences in foreign, unknown lands, to help in bringing up the best of every moment, place and situation.
Of course, all of this needs special ingredients: an always open mind, passion constantly alive, and a smile on the face.
How I do it: Responsibly, ethically, slowly
There is nothing in life that can give you what travelling gifts you, no matter how far, for how long and how you do it.
In the past few decades, a lot of people realised this. Also, travelling became very accessible and mass tourism increased rapidly. As travellers helped a lot of local businesses and communities around the world on the other side is also having a huge not-so-positive impact on the environment and on local habits, traditions, and behaviours.
In a lot of places, mass tourism had a bad strong impact, changing completely the local life, the environment, the traditions etc in order to meet with the needs of mass travellers. In a lot of cases, locals have been forced to leave their places and activities and change life completely due to the new increase of costs of the area.
This is one of the reasons why I support small local businesses, living as much as I can in line with the local habits and customs without requesting/ demanding products/ attractions/ standards not used by the locals.
I choose local homestays, small cafes where the food served is locally grown and purchased. I visit workshops and buy local products, handicrafts, art pieces from the traditional ethic and folk tradition.
I recognise, support, respect and learn about the beautiful, priceless diversity and values of the ethnic groups I visit.
I promote places and activities by sharing photos and information in an ethical way, empowering with dignity the local populations and places.
I choose to not increase the amount of rubbish in the place I visit, that's why on my tours we will be using reusable bottles and dishes when it is needed. I will suggest purchasing local snacks at street food stools rather than in big supermarkets.
I will be using as much as it is possible local transportation in order to reduce our carbon footprint and have a truly unique local experience.
A lot of times we forget that we are still, always guests and whatever action we make can have a huge impact on the place and people we are visiting. As foreigners, we have a responsibility while travelling to certain places. On an ethical level, there is a very fine, personal, sometimes blurry line dividing what we should and what we shouldn't do or say. Topics such as begging, taking photos, how we dress are worth a bit more thinking and discussion.
I chose to blend instead of standing up when I visit a place. I am a guest and a learner, I choose to travel in a sustainable, conscious, slow way that respects others and my values. This is why the groups I will be leading are small.
‘Less is More’
We hear it a lot recently and yes, it is something you can also think of while making your itinerary and your travel choice! I cut down places, I go slowly, enjoying the journey and taking time to watch what’s happening around us. I don’t rush from one museum to the next palace, trying to fit them all ‘must see’ sightseeing places. I rather taking half-day exploring a bazaar, walking through city parks and eat my way through on street food stalls rather than restaurants.
Did you know you can be a responsible human being and live in a sustainable way even when you travel??
Yes! I strongly believe we can all do a lot of every day to preserve the planet and the places we want to visit and sustain local communities. That’s why I always prefer to use local homestay and guest houses rather than hotels. What else can better teach you about a culture and a way of living than live with the locals, like the locals? I eat in small eateries rather than restaurants chains, I try to attend local festivals, buy local products made by using local resources and material. This is the best impact you can make to a community plus you will support the local culture and traditions which are slowing disappearing.
Find out what think who traveled with me
'….Having such a wonderful tour leader certainly helped to make it so enjoyable. To share such incredible experiences with someone who is so enthusiastic and who loves her job makes a lot of difference to the level of enjoyment achieved by everyone. We certainly put some challenges up there, but Ali dealt with each situation with a maturity beyond your years, thank you.’’
A.R (Aus)
‘Alice was excellent in all aspect and assisted to make the trip such a success . I would recommend to sign Alice up in advance for as many trips as possible as no matter how good the itinerary, the tour leader has an impact especially on long trips’’
G.S (Aus)
‘‘Ali (Alice Pontini) was wonderful, full of enthusiasm for everything we did. She made the trip a lot of fun’’
K.R (Aus)
Alice was outstanding & went "the extra mile" consistently to accommodate the wishes of all in the group. She had some challenges but she dealt with these professionally while also having concerns for the other members of her group. She was amazing & is the best tour leader I have ever had & I have travelled quite extensively. She did major research & offered activities that fitted with the fitness & interests of the group. I loved every minute of her company. She was also fun to be with.
C.P. (N.Z)
‘‘Our tour leader was Alice Pontini. Alice was highly skilled and confident in all aspects of travel and was able to deal with any situation that arose. Alice has a calm capable demeanour and was able to relate well with any age group.’’
C.B (Aus)
“ …I can honestly say this was a wonderful experience. It was extremely well organised and our group leader was Ali Pontini. She was excellent and the way she looked after us all you could tell she really loved her job and gave it her very best. She was extremely kind, caring, attentive and gave her job 110% to us all. Anything I asked her to do or tell me about or assist me in anyway, she always had a smile and the solution. I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday and Ali was as we say “La creme de la creme or the icing on the cake “. She was just amazing. Everyone in our group loved Ali. As I was travelling on my own, the fact that she was so nice made such a difference. ”
A.G (Ire)