Guide Profile
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Vicki Bick
Last updated 19/06/2013
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Email:
Postcode: NW6 1HX
Phone: 020 7794 3550 - Mobile: 07930 424 895 - Fax: 020 7794 3550
Year qualified: 1974
Other qualifications: BA (Hons) English, French & Psychology
Native language: English
Other languages: French, German, Italian, Portuguese
Biography: Love of London, people and communication. these are the three main elements of my successful and happy guiding career. Born and bred in London, I enjoy sharing this wonderful city with others. The London Tourist Board course (covering also anywhere within a day’s return journey from London), expanded my insider’s knowledge and launched me into the world of tourism with a zestful energy that continues.
My career continues to span many fields, from general tourism with students, social clubs, sports, retired groups, to higher profile Lord Mayors, politicians, medical groups. A stimulating varietyof clients: business people, academics, pharmaceutical and banking industry officials, many incentive tours…. I have guided all sorts. Lord Mayor Rommel of Stuttgart, with his town councillors, (who invited me to visit them later when I wen t to Germany); the Sicilian Parliament (I was careful not to ask any awkward questions !); national football teams and their sponsors or press corps, prizewinners to various prestigious sports events sponsored by major international companies; Italian bankers who liked my interpreting and later asked the banking services company to fly me out to Norway to assist them on a conference.
The nature of my work has changed over the years, as I became a parent and wanted to be more home-based. I have designed and developed matters relating to children and their interests, with first-hand experience to guide me. School curriculum tours, aimed at different age groups, film tours ( not just Harry Potter !), pacing a tour wisely to satisfy all family members. Small family groups wanting exclusive and spontaneous planning for their time in London.
I focus my style and the information I give specifically for the client, and their own requirements of time, interests and budget. They are all treated like VIPs by me.
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Region for which accredited: London
London sites for which accredited: British Library, British Museum, City of London, Docklands, Greenwich, Hampton Court Palace, Lambeth Palace, National Gallery, Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tower of London, Victoria & Albert Musm., Westminster Abbey
Sites outside London for which accredited: Bath, Oxford, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Winchester Cathedral, Windsor Castle
Special interests: I have listed my interests and special knowledge below (under walks, but these can also be done as car/coach tours); I will expand on them here. The "wine & gastronomy" came about through working for many years internationally for the Sunday Times Wine Club- Yes, nice work when you can get it ! The more cultural specialities followed study (BA Hons.) and experience, expanded by opportunities in guiding. Regular UK literary tours for a magazine based in the US ; frequent visits to theatres and concert halls; family connection to Gustav Mahler; being a lifelong Arsenal football fan (and working at Italia 90, (where I met Pele), and several Euro championships);the Barcelona Olympics, where I was in charge of corporate groups for 4 weeks for Sportsworld; and my favourite sport, tennis, at Wimbledon(which I also play to club standard).I love using all my languages and enjoy the challenge of designing tours to fit the client, for adults and children, groups and FITs. I do tours linked to school curricula, as well as childrens film location tours within London . My 17 year old daughter advises. Lastly, I offer care, confidentiality and diplomacy, invaluable elements for client and tour operator alike. I look after every person and cover every angle, from enlisting the cooperation of the driver, to helping newcomers to the tour ops office, maybe not yet familiar with running aspects of a tour. The clients would praise the arrangements made. They would be totally at ease with me after a short while, and trust in me to be capable, discreet ,honest, whether in the field of medical trade secrets, politics or just regular shopping and tourism. Always entertaining .And they will hopefully come back for more !
Walking tours: Literary and Theatre,
Dickens,
Shakespeare
Sherlock Holmes.
Southwark, Soho, Hampstead, Kenwood,
Camden, Primrose Hill,
Mayfair, Westminster.
Childrens tours.
Music (all kinds), sports events(esp. football, tennis, cars).
Wine, gastronomy.
Museums and galleries.
Design / shopping.
Film locations/childrens film locations.
Treasure hunts.
Countries offered: Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Virgin Is., British, Virgin Is., U.S., Yugoslavia