During our trip by bike and boat with Girolibero (which we have told here e here) we had the opportunity to see a cycling tour guide in action for a weekWe've seen how he works, all the countless details he has to manage throughout the day, from breakfast to bedtime.
Silvia Pezzetti, a Bergamo-based guide with nearly 15 years of experience, accompanied us on the tour from Venice and Mantua . After returning from the experience, we contacted her to find out what it means to do this unique job.
When did you start guiding?
About fifteen years ago, quite by chance. A friend of mine had traveled with Girolibero and, when he came back from the tour, he asked me to send him my CV. I already loved traveling and worked as a scuba instructor during the summer seasons, so I said to myself "Let's give it a try"The interview went well and they accepted me. Then in 2015 I moved to Holland and started working on bike and boat tours. So I also started in Italy, especially on tours between Venice and Mantua which became a bit of my specialtyIt's a perfect area for this type of trip and then I love the embankments, the lagoons, I like "border" places.
But you don't only work on bike tours, right?
I also lead groups on treks, mainly on islands, because if I can choose where to go, I always choose an island . I look for places that resonate with me, because I believe it's important to connect with a place; there needs to be a connection so I can then talk about it and share it with people . Last year, for example, I did the Azores and also Kos in Greece. I'd say my work is 80 percent bike and boat and 20 percent trekking. I have to say, however, that cities are a bit too small for me now.
Is there a tour you prefer?
I really enjoy bike and boat tours in Italy, where we work mostly with foreigners, because it's as if the world comes to us . If I have 20 people on board, that means I can see the world through 40 other eyes that week. Then I always discover something new, a question, a story, a different perspective. It's true that we always travel the same road, from Venice to Mantua and vice versa, but each time, thanks to the others, I can see it with new eyes . For example, after three years, a client pointed out to me for the first time some tiles with unusual designs in a distillery we always visit, which I had never seen before.
One thing we noticed during the trip was the camaraderie among you crew. What's it like working as a team, especially on the boat?
On a boat , you're with your colleagues 24/24, so you can't lie ; every aspect of a person comes out. It only works if you're a true team player. We've known each other for many years, so we have a good understanding, and that's essential for both our well-being and that of our guests . For example, we even spend our free time together.
What's customer management like? It seems anything but easy to be 100 percent at your best all the time.
The more you can make everything natural, the less tiring it is. But to get there, you have to work hard. A key thing to understand is that you don't have to be 100 percent all the time; in fact, you should never get there, because you can't afford to run on reserve . With experience, you learn to carve out your own moments. For example, I sleep a lot during tours; it's my way of recharging. But cycling can also be one of those ways.
In short, just like when you ride a bike and want to go far, the secret is not to overdo the pace...
This idea that others always need your 100 percent is a bit of a lie, in my opinion. Of course, you have to take care of your guests, but also of yourself . And then I've learned that if you convey peace of mind, you receive it. It's also important to remember that guiding is a job chosen out of passion, and just being able to choose is a privilege.
What dynamics are created in groups?
A group is ultimately a small company, with all its dynamics. Usually, we get people who want to get involved, not just be waited on hand and foot. I love seeing how, day after day, we create something together, how strangers form a group . For me, it's essential to value each person, because I've learned that you can always learn from anyone.
An anecdote that has remained in your heart?
In 2019, two couples from New Zealand came on board in different weeks. At the time, New Zealand was one of my dreams, a place I'd really wanted to go cycling. On the last day, one of them drew me a map of the country on a piece of paper, marking places to see and routes to cycle . Long story short, two weeks later I had already booked the tickets. Then they lent us two old red mountain bikes, and we crisscrossed the entire South Island in a tent . It was essentially a reversal of roles, with them as customers helping me realize a dream of mine . It all started with a drawing on a piece of paper on the last day of the tour.
Do you need any certification to do this job?
Not when I started. Nowadays, there are certifications, but it still seems like a bit of a confusing world. And in any case, it's not easy to find young people who really want to get involved in this job . Maybe some come along with lots of certifications, but then the most important aspect, in my opinion, is missing: the ability to connect with people. Changing a tire is something you learn, but knowing how to communicate with people, on the other hand, is something you have to have in your character.
Silvia, last question. What trip would you like to guide?
I fulfilled a dream last year by going to the Azores , a place that fascinated me because they are truly remote islands in the middle of the Atlantic. So now I don't know what the next one will be. But I know it will always be on an island.
