Experts + Insiders: Yvonne Power

Yvonne's journey with B&R started over a decade ago, when a good friend working from our headquarters in Beaune revealed to her that B&R was in search of Guides for the upcoming season. While she was based in Ireland at the time, Yvonne had already spent a year living in Italy and was yearning to live out la dolce vita once again. She hopped on board to guide her first B&R Walking trip in the Cinque Terre and hasn't looked back since.

"I still have fond memories of leading travellers through those spectacular cliffs and making fresh pesto at a local friend's house at one of our lunch spots. I got hooked on the B&R way of life straight away - travelling and slowing down to see the world."

Since making Madrid her home eight years ago, this guide-turned-Experience Designer has become a true expert in all things Spain-related and loves nothing more than to plan amazing adventures to her adopted Spanish soil. Get to know more about Yvonne in our Q&A below!

Q&A with Yvonne:

This officially marks your first year as a B&R Experience Designer after gaining a wealth of experience guiding over 40 trips. And what a year it's been! Any favourite moments or lasting impressions from the season?

It’s been a special year for planning trips as many of our travellers were hitting the road for the first time since before the pandemic. I felt their travel experiences were almost more sacred than ever before and that made it a real privilege for me to be part of the process.

After spending a lot of time before the trip communicating by email or phone it’s always really special to receive photos or videos from our guides of the group out on the road, cycling around La Rioja or dancing up a storm during their final night celebrations! That’s when it makes it all worthwhile.

What’s your preferred method for immersing yourself in a new place?

Shopping for food. It sounds basic but I make a real effort to seek out local food markets and shop in small, independent butchers, fishmongers and fruit shops when I spend time in a region. There's no better way to learn the language, speak with the locals and get a feel for what’s going on in the area.

Food is a huge part of any culture and speaking about food with others creates a universal connection that taps into historical and cultural habits and norms. I learn so much about a place and its people by trying their food and getting curious about their cooking traditions. Needless to say, It also pleases my palette immensely!

Favourite hotel in the world?

It has to be Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Being Irish I am, of course, a bit biased but that hotel for me personifies Irish charm and elegance.

As soon as you walk in the hotel’s main door you're greeted by friendly staff at the front desk and the peaty smell of the open fire with its trusty old leather armchairs perched to the side, just inviting you to sit down and relax beside the cozy hearth. Combine that rustic charm with beautiful natural surroundings and I think that Ballynahinch really is the most idyllic country haven (and you can experience this incredible stay on our Ireland Biking trip!).

Favourite bar/wine bar/watering hole in the world?

It has to be Casa Gonzalez in Madrid. It’s an old-school deli and wine bar that’s been around for almost 100 years and is still in the same family. The owner Paco is a real character and serves a great variety of wines by the glass and top-quality Spanish cheeses and cured meats. This place is a much-loved institution in the Huertas neighbourhood and the front-window table is the ideal place to watch the world go by over some tasty treats.

Favourite restaurant in the world?

OK, I am going to cheat here a bit as this is not a restaurant but I have to say the street food at the local markets in South East Asia and I am specifically thinking of Vietnam.

If I think about my favourite food experience this is absolutely what springs to mind. I’ve had the most delicious foods on an early morning trip to the fish market in Hoi An where all of your senses are just blown away by the bustling market scenes, the loud chatter of the vendors, the pungent smells of the fresh fish and the first tastes of exotic foods that I had never tried before. It’s a truly memorable place to eat and it makes me smile every time I think back to it!

Favourite bottle of wine?

Well, this changes regularly as I love to try lots of different wines but they are always Spanish and, over the years of living here, I have made it my mission to try as many of the different varieties available. That keeps me busy as Spain has 69 wine regions or DOs!! So, while I still have lots more to get through I will say that my most recent favourite is a red blend of tempranillo and mencía grapes from Galicia, in the north of Spain, called Pajaro Loco or Crazy Bird in English. So delicious!

Are there any destinations you haven’t been to, but want to visit?

Yes, many! Nepal, New Zealand and Iceland are probably up there in my top three.

What are your three most underrated destinations?

I would say Bangkok, Naples and New York. They all just happen to be big cities that often get a bad rap and I guess I like them because I love the buzz and chaotic energy of big cities and the random encounters you can have there.

When I was in New York people couldn’t have been friendlier to me with strangers stopping on the street one day to help me with directions, which obviously goes against all the negative stereotypes you hear of New Yorkers!

 What items are absolute musts on your packing list?

A refillable water bottle, Mac red lipstick and a notebook and pencil.

And finally, what’s your favourite trip you’ve ever taken?

Oh, that’s a difficult question but I would have to say the hiking trip that I did in Patagonia, Argentina. Never have I felt such awe and respect for nature as I did in that part of the world. You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the beauty and sheer magnificence of the scenery there. It puts a lot of things into perspective and makes you realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things.