History · Art · Culture
EXPLORE was founded by Sandra Laville, an experienced scholar, docent and guide specializing in European history, art and civilization. Originally from Canada, where she got her undergraduate degree, she relocated to Europe immediately after graduating and has never looked back. Sandra has a Bachelor's degree in French and Spanish Language and Civilization, and a Master's degree in Art History from the prestigious Université La Sorbonne in Paris, where she majored in Italian Renaissance Painting. She also has a Master's degree in Education and more than 15 years of experience as a private guide and educator at museums and historical monuments in Paris, Rome, Florence and the Vatican City, collaborating with the industry's top luxury travel agents and tour companies including Context Travel, CiaoBambino! and Trufflepig.
Meet Sandra
" I've lived in Italy, France, and Spain for over 15 years and have been passionate about art and travel for as long as I can remember. It all began with my first trip overseas at age 16 : a month-long stay with a family in Paris and a week-long visit to the châteaux in the Loire Valley. It was a dream come true, and the start of a whole new life full of travel, art, history, and languages. I am truly grateful for having learned so much and experienced so many life-changing moments, living and traveling in incredible places across the globe. What I love most about giving tours and hosting travel experiences is sharing the expertise and the inspiration with my clients and helping them create unforgettable memories of their own."
· Credentials ·
​EDUCATION
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B.A.H. French & Spanish Civilisation
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M.A. Art History (Université La Sorbonne)
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M.Ed. French Language & Civilisation
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Certification for Tour Guides (Rome, Italy)
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Certification for Tour Guides (Paris, France)
EXPERIENCE
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​Official Licensed Tour Guide in France & Italy
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Native English and French speaker
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Fluent in Spanish and Italian
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Over 15 years as guide and educator
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Lived in 4 countries and traveled extensively
· Travel ·
PLACES SANDRA HAS VISITED​
France, Italy, Spain
Greece, Portugal
Monaco & Monte Carlo
Andorra, Malta
Austria, Switzerland
Belgium, The Netherlands
The UK, England, Croatia
Poland, Bulgaria, Romania
India, Dubai, Oman, and growing...
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​PLACES SANDRA HAS LIVED
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​France (Paris)
Italy (Rome)
Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia),
Canada (Kingston, Toronto, Vancouver)
Affiliated With :
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Context Travel*
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Ciao Bambino!*
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Trufflepig
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Presto Tours
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Walks of Italy
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LivItaly
Active member of the Fédération nationale de guide-interprètes et conférenciers (FNGIC)
* Members of the Virtuoso Travel network
and the European Tour Operators' Association
