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Our DayTripper Tour Manager Team

 

DayTripper Tours hires only the most professional and well-trained Tour Managers to lead you on your journey, delivering personal attention while managing the logistics necessary to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Many of our Tour Managers have worked for DayTripper Tours for decades, and are dearly loved by thousands of our loyal travelers.

 

 

Keri Belisle

Keri Belisle

Keri began working as a tour guide in San Diego in 1985. During the course of her touring career, she has forged up the coasts of California and Oregon, traveled across the USA, toured through the Canadian Rockies, cruised down the Inside Passage of Alaska, and bussed through New Zealand and Australia. She’s landed on a glacier in Alaska, experienced a sunrise Easter service at the Grand Canyon, rafted down the American River, hiked up to Vernal Falls in Yosemite, rode a horse in Banff, bounced around the hills in a jeep in Sedona, hot-air ballooned in Albuquerque, crossed the Arctic Circle, treaded lightly along the Avenue of the Giants, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, sailed in Fiji, and much, much more. All of these experiences were shared with tour groups of strangers, many of whom became friends.

In 1998, Keri joined the DayTripper Tours team. She has conducted just about every day tour and multi-day tour the company offers: museums and musicals in L.A., Tamale and Date Festivals in Indio, wine tasting in Baja, deserttTrips to Anza-Borrego, as well as Catalina, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Wonder Valley, and Hearst Castle. Keri loves what she does and does what she loves! Past travelers say she is enthusiastic, fun, informative, and easygoing.

In her spare time, Keri enjoys photography, movies, music, and art. As a loyal DayTripper Tours Tour Manager, Keri looks forward to sharing many experiences and memories with you.

“Live every day of your life.” – Jonathon Swift

 

 

 

Christina Koohmarey

Christina Koohmarey

Christina grew up in Germany and holds a B.A. in Hotel Management from Switzerland as well as a Hospitality Supervisor Certification from the American Hotel & Motel Association. Spending her formative years where traveling is a regular way of life, her zest for travel was fostered from an early age. Speaking fluent German and being able to communicate in English, French, and Spanish has helped her to journey outside the tourist destinations and connect with people from all kinds of different cultures on a local level.

Besides visiting all the European Countries, her extensive adventures include watching the most spectacular sunrise atop the Great Wall of China, climbing the steps of Chichen Itza, admiring the incredible artwork at the Heremitage in San Petersburg, as well as roaming the mysterious bazaars of Shiraz and Isfahan.

Her work in the hospitality industry made her a temporary native to Puerto Rico, Colorado, and Maui. An offer to manage a European Inn in La Jolla brought her to Southern California in 1986 and she immediately realized that San Diego would become her home. In 1991, she married and raised two wonderful sons. In her free time, Christina grows her own fruits and vegetables and is an accomplished cook who loves to entertain family and friends. She is an active beach volleyball player and skier, loves to dance, and she never says no to a great game of backgammon or billiards.

Christina’s passion for travel led her to join the DayTripper Tours team in March of 2013. She is also a member of the San Diego Professional Tour Guide Association. Her personal motto is “Live life to the fullest one day at a time.”

 

 

 

Mark Jacobson

Mark Jacobson

Mark loves to travel and credits his parents with establishing his “wanderlust” at a very young age. “I was taught to appreciate scenery, history, and culture during our many family vacations, and for that, I’m thankful.”

After receiving a degree in Business Administration, Mark attended travel school in Minneapolis and started working for a local tour company at the age of 23.

Since then, he’s had the good fortune to escort many tours throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad during 25+ years in the travel industry. “In addition to tour guiding, I’ve worked in reservations, group sales, office management, and as a travel show presenter for various tour companies. I’m well-rounded in terms of experience in the travel industry, which translates nicely into my tour guiding skills.”

Mark also loves to cook. He was surrounded by home-cooked food and fresh garden vegetables growing up on his family farm in North Dakota. Here he learned about cooking from his mother who owned and managed several successful local restaurants. “I was always in the kitchen with my mom, and worked side by side with her at various restaurants. I was learning to cook at a very young age, without even realizing it.”

Later in life, Mark rediscovered his passion for food. In 2007 he enrolled in culinary school. “I wanted to combine my love for food with my love for travel.” After graduating culinary school, Mark continued to work both in the travel industry as a tour guide specializing in food-focused tours, and also as a personal chef. “I work hard to exceed my clients' expectations. People remember the information you give them as a tour guide, but most of all, they remember how you made them feel. I want everyone to end their tour with a big smile on their face!”

Happy travels and bon appétit!

 

 

Pat Bown

Pat Bown

Pat has been a Tour Manager for DayTripper Tours since 2009. Traveling to new places and planning trips has been a part of her life since going on yearly vacations with her family as she grew up in Maryland.

You may recognize her – every weeknight from April 2011-May 2015 she was your chief weather anchor on ABC 10 News, KGTV San Diego. Previously, Pat was NBC 7/39’s main weather anchor, KYXY radio’s morning D.J. and KFMB Channel 8’s “PM Magazine” co-host. Over the “PM” years, Pat traveled from the rainforests of Australia to the Alps of Austria. Closer to home, she scuba dived with sharks and flew supersonic in a Navy F-14 fighter jet, earning five Emmy Awards along the way. Prior to San Diego, Pat co-hosted “PM Magazine” at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, MN and at WDTN-TV in Dayton, OH. Before breaking into television, Pat worked at The Washington Post while earning her degree in Communications from American University in Washington, D.C. She is also a credentialed teacher and taught fifth grade in Solana Beach. 

Pat also has airtime that has nothing to do with television: she has soloed a single-engine airplane, piloted a blimp and a sail plane, run off a cliff in a hang glider, ridden in hot air balloons and helicopters, and endured aerobatics in an open-cockpit bi-plane. Don’t forget sky diving!

In the San Diego community, Pat is a trustee emeritus of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, serves on the Alzheimer’s San Diego Community Action Committee, and the Burn Institute Advisory Board, She has been honored with the Leadership Award by National University and named “Health Hero” by Combined Health Agencies for her volunteer work with MS and the Alzheimer’s Association.

In her free time, Pat loves reading, traveling, cooking, photography and exploring history. Ice skating and roller blading top her sporting interests, with scuba diving not far behind. Life is an adventure to Pat. “I’m so blessed to have the chance to do so many different things and to have the love of my friends and family,” she says. “That combination is unbeatable!”

 

 

Patti Foley

Patti Foley

After spending 25 years in the advertising industry, Patti is delighted that her second career is following her passion for travel. She is thankful to her parents who exposed her to traveling and stopped at the historical markers on the side of the road to enrich the many road trips her family would take. 

Patti has hit the ground running since her 2014 graduation from the International Tour Management Institute (ITMI) in San Francisco. Her love of exploring has taken her to almost every state and over 20 countries, with many more to tackle. The routine of travel never gets old, since she loves the planning, organizing, and researching her next vacation.

She volunteers at the Gaslamp Historical Museum conducting walking tours, and enjoys meeting the people from all over the world who visit San Diego. Patti graduated from California State University Northridge with a B.S. in Marketing and in her free time enjoys exercising, reading, cooking, gardening, and making homemade soap.

 

 

Leslie Winkel

Leslie Winkel

Leslie is a California girl through and through. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated with a B.S. in Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has lived in the Los Angeles area and currently resides in San Diego.

She maintains an active lifestyle, participating in triathlons (swim, bike run), yoga, hiking, and running on the beach. Leslie has traveled to Kona, Hawaii to volunteer at the Ironman World Championship Triathlon and has been to the Tour de France to watch the top cyclists in the world.

In 2001, Leslie completed training at the International Tour Manager Institute to become a certified Tour Director. She has directed tours throughout California, the Southwest (Arizona, Nevada and Utah), the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho), Canada (British Columbia and Alberta) and America’s National Parks (South and North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming). She has also led groups on cruise tours to such countries as Italy, Greece, Turkey, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. Travel is Leslie’s passion and she can’t wait for the next tour so she can share her experiences and offer guests the change to bring home memories of a great vacation.

One of Leslie’s favorite quotes is from Saint Augustine, who said, “The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” She hopes to open that book and read many pages together with her guests!

 

 

 

Johnny DeVenio

Johnny DeVenio

Johnny was born and raised outside of Newark, New Jersey, and later lived as an adult in New York City. While living on the East Coast he took full advantage of everything the area has to offer. He has hiked the Adirondacks, camped the Carolinas, marvelled in the majesty of Niagra Falls, and has spent countless summers relaxing on the Jersey Shore.

Johnny loves the beach. He loves it so much he lived in Puerto Rico for the fully-immersive island experience. It was also the beach that brought him to San Diego. His favorites include Coronado and Ocean Beach (any place that he can bring along his adorable dog, Tuna-Fish). He would love to travel to Hawaii, Bora Bora, and Tahiti. He also loves camping. Johnny's favorite camps have been Big Sur and Yosemite, and he hopes to be able to camp Yellowstone in the near future.

In addition to touring, Johnny is in school, working towards becoming a kindergarten teacher. He volunteers most Sundays at his church, where he is a part of youth ministry. He is very active in various communities, always eager to lend a hand and be of service.

Johnny loves to have fun and loves discovering new and exciting people, places, and things!

 

 

Chrissy Allen

Chrissy Allen

Chrissy was born and raised right here in San Diego, and after spending four years in both Arizona and Wisconsin, she moved back home to stay. Chrissy has been with DayTripper since 2012, and works full time in the office as our Reservations and General Manager, as well as the Director of Training. Before joining the DayTripper staff Chrissy spent a large part of her adult life as a corporate trainer. Using those public speaking and leadership skills she has chosen to add Tour Manager to her resume. Her love of people and sheer appreciation of talent and beauty make this a perfect career choice!

Chrissy’s first love and biggest passion is music. She began singing at the age of three, and began playing piano at age five. After years of shows with San Diego Junior Theatre and attending the O’Farrell School of Creative and Performing Arts, Chrissy moved away from stage, working in both church and cover bands spanning all types of music. Currently, Chrissy sings with band Spiritus (can be found on iTunes), and also performs with Encore Vocal Ensemble (encorevocalensemble.org). When Chrissy is not working at DayTripper or performing, she spends time with her husband of over 25 years, and her three children.

 

 

Bobbi Lona

Bobbi Lona

Be transported back in time as Bobbi makes history come alive with her enticing stories, amusing anecdotes, and unique trivia. Experience the vitality each place in today’s world has to offer as she points out current-day curiosities. Her tours are professional yet lighthearted. With her motto, “Find the Good in Everyone and Everything!” her enthusiasm and appreciation of life is contagious!

Join her and explore “America’s Finest City,” the birthplace of California. She leads everything from a half-day tour, weekend getaways, or vacations of 7 days or more.

Bobbi has specialized as a tour guide for seniors since 2011. She has led motor coach tours across the U.S. including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Albuquerque, the Southwest, our National Parks and the Canadian Rockies. As her hometown, San Diego is her favorite!

 

 

 

Marianna Pinto

Marianna Pinto

Marianna is a vivacious individual whose zest for life is reflected in her diverse array of interests. Born in Australia to a father from India and a mother from Denmark, Marianna was provided with a rich tapestry of international influences. With her father working in the airline industry, Marianna's passion for travel blossomed, allowing her to explore 37 countries throughout her life. 

Marianna graduated with a B.A. in Psychology/Minor in French and a Masters in Cross-Cultural Studies. She was fortunate to work with Tauck Tours and lead tours throughout New England and Canada. Working with Anderson Tours she led tours throughout the United States including Alaska. One of Marianna's unique experiences was singing, dancing, performing and touring around Spain, Portugal and the U.S. with "Up With People," a group of 100 young individuals from 15 different countries. A few of her favorite outdoor adventures include being "best woman" for a friend's wedding on top of Mt. Whitney, hiking Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon.

Marianna is passionate about two nonprofit organizations which she does fundraising for: "One Hand Initiative" -- helps girls in Kenya get a high school and college education, and "Viamistad" (Happiness) -- helps disabled children and young adults in Guatemala attend a camp and experience other life-changing opportunities. 

Marianna is a dynamic soul who finds joy in meditation, singing in her church choir, downhill skiing, rollerblading, swimming, languages, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Currently residing in San Diego, Marianna is excited to be a part of DayTripper Tours. Welcome aboard. We are in for some great adventures together!

 

 

Our Motor Coach Drivers

Our Motor Coach Drivers

DayTripper Tours selects only the most professional and customer-friendly drivers for our excursions. We understand that even with the most modern fleet of motor coaches, the driver of that coach is ultimately responsible for a smooth and safe journey. Our motor coach carriers conduct pre-employment screening and require all their drivers to take part in a rigorous training and on-the-job coaching program. Additionally, all drivers participate in federally-mandated drug and alcohol testing. You can count on our hand-selected, professionally trained, and uniformed drivers to help create a safe and memorable travel experience.

 

 

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