Every new travel season brings a fresh opportunity to explore the world – and for our tour directors, preparing to lead a small group of 12–24 guests is an art project as much as a logistics exercise. From updating itineraries and fine-tuning first-day talks to checking gear, selecting books, and even acquiring portable fans, each detail matters. Our tour directors also embrace the creative side of guiding by curating experiences that balance culture, cuisine, history, and surprises.
In advance of the 2026 spring travel season, we asked them to share their pre-season routines, packing tips, and the personal touches that set the stage for unforgettable journeys.
Youssef Ramsis leads our Egypt & the Eternal Nile and Exploring Jordan & Egypt tours
Tim Reed (Exploring Australia & New Zealand; Australia in Depth): Every year, I like to add new details and context that I can paint my tour with, and make sure my information is relevant and up-to-date. If we don’t know our stuff, AI is going to catch us out! Also, I find myself revising my first-day talk, highlighting the nuances that evolve season after season.
Youssef Ramsis (Egypt & the Eternal Nile; Exploring Jordan & Egypt): Before my first departure, I review updated site regulations, museum openings, and hotel inspections for the places we travel. I reconnect with the local teams, double-check restaurant quality, and revisit historical updates – especially anything new at the Grand Egyptian Museum. I also “reset” my storytelling rhythm – because every season deserves fresh energy.
Isabel Ramos (Machu Picchu to the Galapagos): I always check my backpack! On this tour, a reliable pack is very important, so I make sure that my bag is in good shape. It has a pocket for my rain gear, a large water bottle pocket on the side, and a first aid kit with bandages, sterile wipes, and antibiotic creams, all of which I refresh before the season.
Hiroko Kara (Insider’s Japan): Before each tour, I look over my guest list, print an itinerary of the trip so I can study and add any further information, review the welcome letter for guests, and prepare a gift for each guest (a small handkerchief). I also print out maps and restaurant information for the locations we visit.
Gaetano Salemi (Southern Italy & Sicily; Sicily in Depth): I make sure I have all the materials that I need for my tour: Music to play on the bus, books to cite to add context to our touring, special maps or photos that I will use during our chats, etc.
Tim Reed: I'm always looking for new collared shirts, and also make sure my shoes are clean and presentable. Professionalism comes from presentation, and if our guests are going to judge a book by its cover initially, this is the best way to give them the sense they are in good hands.
The best bit of gear I have purchased this year is a portable electric fan. These should be on the official packing list for guests – they are lifesavers in the Outback and Cairns.
Finally, I'm now on the hunt for a pillow I can take with me instead of using hotel pillows.
Youssef Ramsis: I’ve picked up a lighter summer blazer for the hot days and new comfortable walking shoes. On my tour, comfort is not luxury – it’s survival.
Isabel Ramos: I always need a great pair of shoes with good grip, as Ecuador has mountains but in the Galapagos we are walking on lava and uneven terrain. I recommend looking at Vibram shoes—their soles have excellent grip and work well even in very slippery conditions.
Hiroko Kara: I haven’t purchased anything specifically, but I’m grateful to Odysseys for providing a branded backpack, thermos, and jacket. I always bring them on tour – they make me feel proud to lead tours for Odysseys.
Tim Reed leads our Exploring Australia & New Zealand and Australia in Depth tours
Tim Reed: For a lighthearted look on Australian history, Girt: The Unauthorized History of Australia is a great book to start with. I love the audio version read by the author.
I loved the movie In my Blood it Runs, a look at contemporary Aboriginal life in Alice Springs, with the focus on a young boy who struggles to fit into Western life. Or the classic New Zealand movie Hunt for the Wilderpeople, a funny look at contemporary New Zealand, with subtle ties to Māori culture, wrapped up in hilarity that only Kiwis can deliver.
Youssef Ramsis: To get in the mood for Egypt, I recommend the following:
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt – Great historical foundation.
Death on the Nile – Classic Nile glamour.
The Prince of Egypt – Epic storytelling and beautiful music.
Isabel Ramos: Born of Fire from BBC is my favorite documentary about the Galapagos; it does a great job explaining the origins of how life is possible here and how amazing the archipelago is. For books, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands by David L. Pearson is a good field guide about flora and fauna of the islands. And of course, any of the biographies of Charles Darwin.
Gaetano Salemi: My best book recommendation: Life in the Country by Giovanni Verga, the Italian realist noted for his accurate depictions of rural Italian life and dialogue in the late 1800s. If you have Disney+, I recommend the TV show I Leoni di Sicilia (The Lions of Sicily), a one-season historical drama following the rise and fall of Sicily’s Florio dynasty during the 1800s. And three film recommendations: Nuovomondo (Golden Door in English), directed by Emanuele Crialese; Baaria directed by Giuseppe Tornatore; and In Guerra Per Amore (At War with Love) directed by Pierfrancesco Diliberto.
Hiroko Kara: My recommendations include the TV series Shogun that aired on Disney+, the films Perfect Days directed by Wim Wenders, Silence directed by Martin Scorsese, and Kokuho directed by Lee Sang-il.
Gaetano Salemi leads (and sometimes snacks during) our Southern Italy & Sicily and Sicily in Depth tours
Tim Reed: Three answers here:
Youssef Ramsis: My essentials:
Isabel Ramos: A variety of things: Waterproof sunblock (Coral Reef brand if possible), extra chargers for my devices, lipstick with sunblock, and a hat with a wide brim.
Tim Reed: I think the personal motorised fan is amazing for those hot summer days in Australia. Also, my best tip for guests is to stick contact information (email address and phone numbers) on the back of their passport. This could mean getting your lost passport back instantly vs having to get a new one.
Youssef Ramsis: A small foldable backpack. Perfect for water, scarf, sunscreen, and those “I didn’t plan to shop but I did” moments.
Isabel Ramos: A small flashlight, and lots of hair elastics. I always have extra elastics, as many ladies have long hair, and these bands come in handy to keep the hair in place while snorkeling.
Gaetano Salemi: Small facial or bath towels, as we do not use them in Italy
Tim Reed: I love giving guests the opportunity to taste their way across Australia and New Zealand – not Vegemite, I promise! Exploring our countries should be experienced by all of the senses, and taste is such an important one.
Also, I do like to talk about the word "mate" which is used ubiquitously around Australia and New Zealand. It’s important to impart the history of this word and why its cultural significance goes far deeper than its simple meaning.
Youssef Ramsis: I love sharing local bread fresh from the oven, teaching guests a few Arabic phrases, and of course inviting them into the rhythm of Egyptian hospitality – where tea is never just tea.
Hiroko Kara: I like to help guests get accustomed to the many nuances and cultural wrinkles of life in Japan. A few examples: the culture of removing one’s shoes upon entering a dwelling, how to conduct oneself with respect in public (e.g. standing in orderly lines in public places like train stations), and how intelligently we utilize limited spaces (e.g. the traditional Japanese tatami room, which is furnished simply and can serve many different purposes).
Isabel Ramos leads our Machu Picchu to the Galapagos tour
Tim Reed: A lot of guests come to Australia and New Zealand with wonder, knowing a little, but eager to learn more. I love the opportunity to create experiences with the guests both as a group, but also individually. Traveling in a group is an art form, and every group paints differently. I love being along for the ride to help each guest create their own experiential masterpiece.
Youssef Ramsis: For me, it’s the moment when a guest stands quietly in front of the pyramids for the first time and just says… “Wow.” After 25 years, that moment still gives me chills.
Isabel Ramos: My favorite part of leading tours is seeing the happiness in the eyes of our visitors. For many, this trip is a dream that came true. They leave tired, but with many beautiful memories.
Hiroko Kara: I love showcasing the intricate and tranquil Japanese gardens, as well as the magnificent architecture in each city we visit.
Gaetano Salemi: My favorite thing about being a tour director is the joy I see in my guests’ eyes at the end of a day when they have learned or discovered something they would have never expected.
Hiroki Kara leads our Insider’s Japan tour
Tim Reed: It's hard to narrow it down to one, because every day brings a new piece to our experience. I think my highlight is at the end of the trip, where collectively we speak of our journey and relive the trip in our own special way. I absolutely love the unexpected highlights that catch guests unaware and give them a special memory to look back on.
Youssef Ramsis: More time exploring the evolving exhibits at the Grand Egyptian Museum and watching guests experience the temples of Luxor at sunset. Egypt never gets old—even for me.
Hiroko Kara: Takayama is the highlight for me – both the group cooking class and the walking tour we conduct through the charming town.
Tim Reed: I love yoga, meditation and breathwork. I have in the past had beautiful discussions with those unfamiliar with the practice, and sometimes we've even done a mini meditation to see how easy it is to balance and find calm, especially while on a busy schedule.
I used to play Australian Rules Football, so introducing guests to this very unique form of football is a highlight. Many of them come away wanting to see more of this sport, and hopefully I have a few supporters of my football team now in America.
Youssef Ramsis: Food and coffee! I love guiding guests through local flavors, whether it’s street falafel, traditional koshary, or finding the perfect cup of Egyptian coffee between sites.
Hiroko Kara: I love books and movies that depict Japan. As my guests and I are of similar ages, we have similar generational backgrounds, and have often read similar authors such as Philip Roth, JD Salinger and so on.
Gaetano Salemi: To keep things fun and fresh, I have been known to break out a Sicilian deck of cards and teach my guests a few local Sicilian card games while on tour!
From meticulous prep to thoughtful touches, our tour directors work to ensure that every piece of their itineraries run smoothly, leaving guests free to immerse themselves in discovery, culture, and shared memories. Ready to join one of our expert TDs on a small group tour of your own? Explore all of our tours here.
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