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Shauna

Danos

San Francisco, CA / Charlestown, RI
United States of America (USA)

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"The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out."

About

I’m passionate about helping people live and breathe adventure, crafting journeys that open minds and transform lives. After beginning a career in foreign service in Asia, I  realized I wanted to create more authentic connections and meaningful experiences — not just for myself, but for others too. That’s what led me me to become a guide.

I’ve since had the privilege of helping travelers dive deep into culture, history, and adventure across four continents: coaching first-time climbers to summit Kilimanjaro, guiding worldwide alpine adventures, curating luxury cycling trips across the U.S. and creating enriching local experiences and sharing expert storytelling with guests on small-group immersion tours all over Europe. Along the way, I’ve designed personalized itineraries for everyone from students to CEOs, always tuning into the unique needs of each traveler.

My background as a professional performing artist and immersive theater actor brings a storytelling edge to my work — helping me create moments that surprise, delight, and connect. Whether it’s organizing a surprise birthday serenade or sparking an impromptu stargazing party, I thrive on making magic out of the mundane and creating moments that make guests feel truly seen and inspired.

Driven by empathy and curiosity, I believe authentic travel builds community, broadens perspectives, and embraces the beauty of the unknown. For me, every journey is an opportunity to create unforgettable experiences — for the places we visit, the people we meet, and the discoveries we make within ourselves.

Tours Offered & Destination Knowledge

Adventure/Hiking ToursCultural/Specialty ToursExperience HostFood & Drink ToursGeneral Walking ToursLocal GuideMulti-Day Tour Director/LeaderPerformance Group ToursPrivate ToursStudent Tour Director

Europe
Albania & Montenegro--Kotor, Tirana
Austria--Danube Valley, Salzburg, Vienna, Tirol
Belgium & Netherlands--Amsterdam, Bruges
Croatia--Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Split, Zadar, Zagreb
Czechia & Slovakia--Bratislava, Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora, Prague
France--Avignon, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Côte d’Azur, French Alps, Loire, Nice, Paris, Provence
Germany--Bavarian Alps, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Stuttgart, Oktoberfest Festival
Greece--Athens, Corfu & Ionian Islands, Crete, Cyclades Islands, Delphi, Hydra, Meteora
Hungary & Poland--Budapest, Kraków
Iceland--Golden Circle, Laugavegur, Snæfellsnes, Reykjavík, South Coast
Italy--Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Florence, Italian Lakes, Milan, Naples, Orvieto, Pompeii, Rome, Siena, Sicily, Tuscany, Venice
Norway--Bergen, Norwegian Fjords, Oslo, Gudbrandsdal Valley, Jotunheimen Mtns
Portugal--Algarve, Coimbra, Duoro Valley, Evora, Lisbon, Nazare, Obidos, Porto, Sintra
Slovenia--Lake Bled, Ljubljana
Spain--Andalucía, Aragon, Basque Country, Barcelona, Bilbao, Catalonia, Córdoba, Granada, Navarra, Madrid, Pamplona, Salamanca, Seville, San Sebastián, València
Switzerland--Bern, Lake Geneva and French CH, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Luzern, Swiss Alps

Africa
Morocco--Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh, Imlil
Tanzania--Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti NP, Tarangire NP, Zanzibar

Americas
Alaska--Denali NP
California--Big Sur, Death Valley NP, John Muir Trail, Redwood NP, Napa and Sonoma, Kings Canyon / Sequoia NP, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite NP
Canada--Alberta, British Columbia, Banff NP, Jasper NP, Montreal, NW Territories, Quebec, Vancouver, Yukon
Deep South--Atlanta, Charleston, Jackson, KY Bourbon Trail, Memphis,
Nashville, Natchez Trace, New Orleans, Savannah
Florida--Everglades NP, Florida Keys, Miami, Orlando, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Hawaii--Kauai, Oahu
Great Lakes--Chicago, Door Peninsula, Indiana Dunes NP
Mid-Atlantic--Antietam NB, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Philadelphia,
Shenandoah NP, Washington DC, Williamsburg
Mexico--Baja California, Guanajuato, Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende
Midwest--Badlands NP, Black Hills
Pacific NW--Bend, Crater Lake NP, Mt. Rainier NP, Portland, OR Coast, San Juan Islands, Seattle, Spokane
New England--Acadia NP, Boston, Cape Cod, Green Mtns, Lake Champlain, Mt. Washington & White Mtns, Martha's Vineyard, Mystic, Nantucket, Newport, Plymouth
New York--Adirondack Mtns, Catskill Mtns, Hudson River Valley, New York City, Niagara Falls
Rocky Mountains--Boulder, Coeur d'Alene, Denver, Glacier NP, Grand Teton NP, Helena, Rocky Mtn NP, Telluride, Trail of the Hiawatha, Yellowstone NP
Southwest--Albuquerque, all Utah NPs, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon NP, Moab, Monument Valley, Park City, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, Taos
Texas--Austin and Hill Country, Big Bend NP, Dallas, Houston

Asia & Oceania
Australia--Great Barrier Reef
China--Beijing, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Great Wall, Jiuzhaigou, Yangshuo
Turkmenistan--Ashgabat, Daravaza, Konya Urgench, Margush, Mary
Uzbekistan--Bukara, Khiva, Nukus, Samarkand, Tashkent

 

 

Fun Fact!
I have cycled solo across several countries!
Hobbies & Interests
Circus arts, cycle touring, living history reenactment, trekking, skiing, vintage dance, wine tasting

Virtual Tour Experience

No virtual tour experience--I do my best work in person.

Testimonials

Shauna gave us a beautiful end-of-trip card full of kind words. She went over and beyond with her hard work, making the most she could have out of every experience for us. Her tireless enthusiasm and incredible knowledge contributed so much to our trip.

Shauna really helped the group bond, gave great local cultural insight, rearranged activities days to maximize use of good weather, and was a lot of fun.

Shauna helped make the Crete trip so magical! She went above and beyond helping plan our culinary adventures and it was really appreciated.

All of Shauna's recommendations were great and I enjoyed getting to know her and talking with her. I hope our paths cross again!

Shauna was an exceptionally organized leader able to thrive in a highly stressful and ever-changing environment. She decisively and efficiently troubleshot issues as they arose, providing personalized solutions to conflict situations affecting multiple guests. Shauna carried out her responsibilities with motivation and professionalism.

 

Details

Gateway Airport(s)

SFO, OAK, JFK, LGA, EWR, BOS, PVD

Licenses

Training

Wake Forest University, Bachelor of Arts, History and Politics

Language(s)

English, Spanish, French, Greek

Additional Education

US and European Union citizen

Wilderness First Responder, CPR / First Aid

Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society

Graduate of Lead Amazing Tours program (Be A Better Guide Project)

Member of the International Association of Tour Directors and Guides

General Availability

Flexible availability

Photo Album