Steve Grosse

Tour Director · Travel Professional · Intercultural Communication Specialist

About Me

Travel has shaped my life since I first set off alone at the age of 15, Interrailing through Southern and Eastern Europe for more than six weeks. I began working as a tour guide in 1990 and have spent the decades since sharing destinations, cultures and stories with travelers from around the world.

My academic background is in Applied Linguistics. I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom in 2001, specializing in languages and intercultural communication.

Portugal & the Algarve

Portugal has been part of my life and travels for more than two decades and is now one of the places I call home. From Lisbon to the Algarve, and from Madeira to the Azores, it is a country I never tire of exploring — for its landscapes, history, food and, above all, its people.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has become one of my favorite parts of the world to explore and share with travelers. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand offer an extraordinary combination of history, culture, food and remarkable landscapes — from the energy of Hanoi to the temples of Angkor and the warmth of northern Thailand.

Some experiences stay with you particularly strongly: sunrise at Angkor Wat, Vietnamese egg coffee in Hanoi, and encounters with elephants in the countryside around Chiang Mai are among mine.

Languages & Destination Experience

Languages

Fluent in English, German and Spanish. Conversational in French, Italian, Hungarian and Portuguese, with basic Czech.

Destination Experience

More than three decades of professional travel experience have given me extensive destination knowledge across Europe and beyond. My strongest areas include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Central Europe, together with many years of experience throughout France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Croatia and the Balkans.

My travels and work have also taken me extensively through Southeast Asia — particularly Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand — as well as Singapore and Indonesia, North Africa, the Middle East, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

The travel list never really ends…

South Africa, Botswana, Cape Verde, Svalbard, the Comoros, Tahiti… there are still so many places to discover. After a lifetime of travel, perhaps the best part is knowing that there is always somewhere new waiting at the end of the road.