Meet the Guides: Butterfield & Robinson's Daniel Bower, Luca Pacchioni & Erin Reed

Since 1966, Butterfield & Robinson has designed active journeys to incredible destinations the world over, on bike or foot for the active traveler, or simply geared toward specific travel interests, such as food and wine, or family adventure. Their guides are seasoned travelers, to say the least. “Think teachers, painters, travel writers, architects, botanists and biologists,” states the company’s website. “They’ve lived all over the world. They speak a gazillion languages. And they’re ridiculously fun to be around.”

Daniel Bower Citizenship: Canadian

Years with B&R: Two

Countries/Regions Guided: France (Loire Valley and Provence), Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Countries Visited: Canada, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Israel, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand

When did you discover your love for travel?

I was officially bit by the travel bug in India during my first backpacking trip. India opened my eyes to a new perspective on the human experience. Ever since then, I’ve been fascinated by the myriad ways in which life is lived on our planet. More incredible than the differences that make us all unique are the similarities that bind us all together. This, to me, is the travel bug, and the more I’ve scratched at it, the itchier it’s gotten.

What’s your favorite memory while on a trip with B&R?

A sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan, Myanmar. [There is] no better way to take in the thousands of ancient temples. I will never forget it. “More incredible than the differences that make us all unique are the similarities that bind us all together.”

What are you most looking forward to about guiding in 2014?

Reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, creating everlasting memories and riding my bike.

Luca Pacchioni Citizenship: Italian Years with B&R: Three Countries/Regions Guided: Italy (Puglia, Tuscany, Veneto), Spain (Catalonia), Holland Countries Visited: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Holland, Belgium, Croatia, Israel, Canada, USA, Australia

When did you first get bit by the travel bug?

I never got bit by the travel bug—I am the travel bug! Maybe this is due to the fact that I have been lucky: even though I come from a countryside village, my parents used to take my sister and me on trips all around Europe in a caravan. I was only eight months old when I started traveling; here and there I have flashbacks about places that I don’t even recognize. Maybe that’s the reason why I travel around—to try to find those places.

What’s your favorite memory while on a trip with B&R?

Gathering people around a table and laughing about what happened on the trip, with a local (excellent) glass of wine and the tipsiness that follows after the 60 miles we rode on the bike that day—whether it was in the Alps, the Pyrenees, in the dunes around The Hague or around Cascina in Tuscany. What are you most looking forward to about guiding in 2014? Great riding, good weather and lots of fun!

Erin Reed Years with B&R: Eight

Countries/Regions Guided: New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burgundy, Provence, Normandy, Tuscany Countries Visited: Australia, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Croatia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala, United States, Spain, Morocco, New Zealand

When did you first fall in love with travel?

When watching my grandpa come back from holidays. He would lift his suitcase up on the dining room table and we would all sit around as he pulled exotic things from it and told us stories to go with each object. To me, this was so fascinating and such a gift because I realized two things early on: first, that the world was a big place made for exploring, and second, that the stories gathered from travel are rich and worth much more than any souvenir.

What’s your favorite memory while on a trip with B&R?

This is a very difficult question for many reasons. There are so many aspects of this job, from relationships with my travelers and co-guides to events and relationships with our partners in the field, that it makes it hard to pick just one favorite memory. I will pick a memory from the archives of my time guiding in New Zealand. We hosted a galactic night up on top of this mountain, where we had a private dinner at an internationally famous star-watching facility—we had sparkles and tin foil and silver and gold decorations all over the room. The travelers were given an invitation wrapped in gold foil on the first day of the trip, inviting them to a “galactic” theme night scheduled for the fourth day, and they were invited to participate in whichever way they could. That night the travelers ran from room to room borrowing this and that from each other, all in order to make their costumes as good as possible. As the time approached, we all emerged from our rooms and revealed our outfits which, needless to say, were fabulous and creative. We headed up the mountain and were blessed with the most perfectly clear sky; as we saw the sun set over the southern Alps, we danced to music and watched the southern cross appear as if by magic. I have an old suitcase from that trip and every time I use it my fingers get dusted with silver sparkles, reminding me of that beautiful night—and why I love my job.

What’s your favorite aspect of being a B&R guide?

My favorite aspect of being a guide are the moments on a trip when you see someone find their childish excitement, or giggle unexpectedly, or dance as if they have no cares in the world, or have an interaction with someone from the other side of the world, which you know will form a memory forever imprinted on their heart. It’s like watching layers of stress peel away to reveal the intrepid explorer at the heart of us all. Is that not the best part of travel…those moments when we even surprise ourselves?!