I have been leading trips as a freelance tour manager and guide for various tour operators and educational travel programs since training at the International Tour Management Institute (ITMI) in 2001. I have worked with groups from a variety of museums, alumni travel programs, and other likeminded organizations in destinations throughout the world, including Cuba, Scandinavia, Egypt, Morocco, Mongolia, the Galápagos Islands, Patagonia, Easter Island, New Zealand, India, Japan, China, South Korea, Central Europe (Prague and the Danube River route through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary), Italy, Spain, France, England, Alaska, and Canada, as well as various locations across the continental United States.
Alongside my tour work I have extensive independent travel experience in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, as well as advanced or conversational fluency in Swedish, Spanish, French, and German. In addition, I have strong personal and academic ties to Scandinavia and Latin America, along with expertise in travel writing, photography, blogging, ecotourism, adventure travel, conservation, and history (particularly British, medieval, and Scandinavian). I have served as a cultural specialist aboard expedition cruises, giving talks on Scandinavian history, culture, and society.
If you are interested in having me lead a trip for your travel company or organized group, please e-mail me at contact(at)annikahipple.com. I am available as a tour manager/expedition leader or trip expert/subject-matter specialist.
Upcoming Tours:
Stay tuned!
Tours I have led in recent years:
- Smithsonian at Oxford (Smithsonian Journeys, July 2022, July 2019, July 2018, July 2017, and July 2016)
- Classic Mystery Lover’s England (Smithsonian Journeys, October 2019 and October 2018)
- Scandinavia by Sea: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway aboard NG Orion (Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, June 2017) – Cultural Specialist
- Circumnavigating the Baltic Sea aboard NG Orion (Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, April/May 2017) – Cultural Specialist
- Morocco Photography Expedition (National Geographic Expeditions, May 2016)
- Andalusia: Center of Christianity, Judaism and Islam ([New York] Times Journeys, March 2016)
- Cuba (Center for International Policy, January 2016; Environmental Defense Fund, November 2015; Smithsonian Journeys, March 2015, November 2012; International Expeditions, March 2014; National Geographic Expeditions, January and April 2012, November 2011)
- Moroccan Odyssey (National Geographic Expeditions, October 2015)
- Sustainable Belize (Environmental Defense Fund, February 2015)
- Rail Journey through India (National Geographic Expeditions, October/November 2014)
- Human Origins: Southwestern France and Northern Spain (National Geographic Expeditions, May 2014)
- England: In the Footsteps of Richard III with historical novelist Sharon Kay Penman (Academic Travel Abroad, September 2013)
- Spain and Portugal: Shores of Iberia aboard Sea Cloud II (Harvard Alumni Association Travels, Yale Educational Travel, Stanford Travel/Study: joint program, June 2013)
- Seattle: Art and Artists of the Pacific Northwest (Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, April 2013)
- Scandinavian Sojourn (Yale Educational Travel, July 2012; Stanford Travel/Study, July 2012; Harvard Alumni Association Travels, August 2011)
- The Canadian Rockies: A Family Learning Adventure (Vanderbilt University Travel Program, June/July 2011)
- New Zealand Adventure (National Geographic Expeditions, January/February 2011, March 2010)
- Mongolia: Land of the Nomad (National Geographic Expeditions, July 2009, July 2008)
- Egyptian Odyssey (Smithsonian Journeys, April 2010; University of Virginia Cavalier Travels, September/October 2008)
- Patagonia: Crown Jewel of South America with Iguazú Falls extension (California Academy of Sciences Travel Program, November 2008)
- Italy: In the Shadow of Vesuvius (Smithsonian Journeys, May/June 2008)
- World Leaders Symposium: East Asia aboard Silver Whisper (World Leaders Travel for numerous co-sponsoring organizations, March 2008)
- The Galapagos Islands aboard Isabela II (American Museum of Natural History Expeditions, January 2008)
- Patagonia Explorer: Argentina and Chile by Land and Sea with Easter Island extension (Smithsonian Journeys, October 2007)
- Art Treasures of Italy: Venice, Florence, Rome (Smithsonian Journeys, October 2007)
- Mississippi River from Minneapolis to St. Louis aboard Delta Queen (National Trust for Historic Preservation, Smithsonian Journeys, Stanford Travel/Study: joint program, July 2007)
- Intriguing Japan aboard Spirit of Oceanus (Harvard Alumni Association Travels, Yale Educational Travel, American Museum of Natural History Expeditions: joint program, March 2007)
- Central Europe: Prague to Budapest including Danube River cruise aboard River Cloud II (Stanford Travel/Study, September 2006)
- Western U.S. National Parks (Go Ahead Tours, September 2006)
- New Zealand by Land and Sea aboard Clipper Odyssey (Smithsonian Journeys, American Museum of Natural History Expeditions, National Trust for Historic Preservation: joint program, February 2006)
- Alaska’s Inside Passage and Denali National Park (Go Ahead Tours, July 2006)
- Alaska’s Inside Passage and Glacier Bay aboard Norwegian Star (Go Ahead Tours, May 2006; June and July 2005; September 2004)
Other experience includes numerous fall foliage trips in the northeastern United States (New England, New York, Pennsylvania Amish Country, and Washington, DC) and eastern Canada (Quebec and Ontario) for Globus & Cosmos, Jetsave, and other tour operators; cruise-based programs in the western Mediterranean and the Baltic aboard Holland America for Vantage Deluxe World Travel; and student tours of the northeastern US (Boston, New York, and Washington, DC), California, the Pacific Northwest, and the U.S. Southwest for EF Explore America.