New York (Living)
English (Native)
1 day on average
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Hello! Welcome to my page and hopefully soon, New York!
I am a born and bred NY Native, having grown up in Manhattan on the Upper West Side. The city, its people, food, neighborhoods, rich diverse history, cutting edge innovation, storied nightlife and world-renowned cultural treasures were my playground and classroom; and I am so grateful to have had this teacher. After University, I lived for three years in London and Paris - and then returned to my home town where I have been enjoying my work in Tourism and Hospitality ever since.
I’ve been a professional guide for many years working for companies like Tui, Globus and Disney. I have lead groups, both large and small, that include students, adults, business professionals, and retirees from the U.S. and abroad. I love taking guests around my beautiful city, and re-discovering its majesty and wonder with visitors - this is truly a privilege.
I excel at private tours and in sharing the magical experiences that can only be found in this dynamic and daunting city. Together, we will unlock it's secrets and discover why NYC, the star of so many memorable movies and novels, is such a beloved, romantic and exciting city.
What do I do in my spare time? I write, act, garden and hike. I teach kids financial literacy in an after school enrichment program. I walk my wonderful dog in Brooklyn Bridge Park and I take advantage of the world-class museums and restaurants this great city has to offer.
If you wish, I would be happy to work together and plan your perfect itinerary with a customized experience - or you may choose from one or more of my predesignated tour options.
I cannot recommend Julia enough. I booked a VIP tour for my 2 elderly Aunts so that they would have a tour guide all to themselves who could go at their pace, rest when needed, snack when needed, and lead them from point A to point B. They both had so much fun with Julia. She was the perfect fit and was so knowledgeable. My Aunts were very pleased and would recommend her to anyone.
Dear Kristin, Thank you for your glowing review. Your Aunties were delightful and I was honored & grateful to help them find your grandfather’s name of The Wall of Honor. It was a fun day and I’m so glad to hear they were well satisfied! All the best, Julia
We had a Downtown tour with Julia and she was fantastic. Julia was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and the buildings, kept us all entertained with back stories and interesting tales and also had lively conversations about current affairs. She had a friendly attitude and was patient to take many photos. Highly recommend!
Thank you, Priya! Happy Birthday - it was lovely to spend the morning with you and your fascinating friends.
Tl;dr - highly recommended, super fun tour! Now that’s out of the way, let's start with the initial setup. Was traveling solo and it's my first time in NYC. I wanted a local guide, so I don't have to look at my phone every 2 minutes for directions and context. Whilst covid restrictions were relaxed, was still not comfortable with large groups; her price is simply perfect for a solo tour. Communications was fast and efficient (I honestly don't think this woman sleeps!) and we were able to work out a customized plan for the tour quickly. We started the tour at around 9 am from my hotel and ended at approx. 1430. Julie is extremely knowledgeable and funny. Honestly felt more like having a nice stroll and chat with a long-lost friend. Topics of discussion ranges from the founding of the United States of America, New York City gentrification all the way to Wu Tang Clan! She’s an absolute riot, and Jules - no, I tried a nice NY style bagel later and it's way better than the Montreal style bagel we had for lunch! Did my feet hurt? YES! Did I see all I wanted to see? Positive. In fact, we saw the statue of liberty two ways; from the overcrowded ferry and from an almost empty paid ferry. Did the pictures come up a treat? Instagram worthy - though I still chuckle remembering our distain for the many-many Instagram models we met during the tour. Will I do it again? Absolutely! Loved it and will bring the missus next time. In short, if you want a super fun, knowledgeable tour guide you can't go wrong with Julie. Two thumbs up!
Thank you, Maslan! What a super fun day we had! I thoroughly enjoyed the sightseeing and conversation - and my feet hurt, too - but in a good way :) Really appreciate the great review and hope to see you again!
I would highly recommend Julia. She has a humorous and delightful personality. Her knowledge of greater New York is outstanding. She is committed to doing all she can to accommodate her guests. To accommodate our group of 4, Julia hired a driver and van for our half day tour of Manhattan. We were fortunate to have toured on a beautiful spring day. This allowed us to walk and explore many of the locations Julia included in our tour. Several highlights were, our stroll through Central Park, Grand Central Station, Hudson Yards and the 911 Memorial. Julia was conscious of our lunch reservation in SoHo and delivered us right on time. We would definitely tour with Julia again.
Dear Lance, Thank you for such a thoughtful review. It was a pleasure spending the morning with you. I hope you had a fabulous weekend in New York and look forward to your next visit! All the best, Julia