Mahsa Homayounfar Travel Expert in Spain

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Mahsa Homayounfar

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Mahsa Homayounfar

About Mahsa

I have been a traveller since the age of 16 and have so far adventured to over 60 countries! I have always found that the best and most inspiring way to travel and experience a new culture is by being welcomed and guided by locals. Coming from a Persian background and having studied in Germany, the UK and Spain, I am able to speak multiple languages including German, Spanish, English and Farsi. Knowing multiple languages has been really useful for travelling and for working with foreign guests. After a motorcycling trip through West Africa, I returned home to Seville, Spain, with a new perspective on the importance of travel for both locals and visitors. Taking a closer look at Seville, I realized that the city I knew and loved was not the same one being packaged to unknowing travelers. The culture that made Seville so special to me was completely inaccessible to tourists. I was determined to find a way to give fellow travelers an authentic experience of Seville and Andalusia. A way for people who do not have the opportunity to invest the time, learn the language, or build the relationships with locals to still experience local Seville. A way to be invited into the culture as a close friend… and 'Not Just a Tourist'. I used this drive to establish my tour company named just that, with the help of my Sevillian friend, David.

Mahsa's Expertise

I focus primarily on tours in Seville, Spain. City tours, historical, cultural, active and everything in between! I also offer day trips to local towns and cities, including nearby Moroccan towns. If you would like something more personalized, I can have private/custom tours organized for you and if you just need transfers to another city, I can have that arranged also.

Best Travel Experience

I was on a tour, staying with nomadic people in the harsh conditions of Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan. One of the ladies on the tour asked for a cup of tea and then became frustrated when she didn't receive it within a few minutes as expected. It is strange how something as simple as a cup of tea can highlight drastic differences in cultures. What the lady did not understand was the time and effort it took for the native elderly woman to build a fire in order to boil the water and the elderly man to make the tea with such basic facilities. There were such expectations that everything would be the same as we are used to at home and the lady showed little interest in the process of making her tea, instead, focussing on more interesting landscapes solely through the lens of her camera. Occurrences like this really stand out to me and remind me that staying humble and open to new experiences, floating on the sea of a life in travel is the best way to really see and understand other cultures and ways of life.

Why is Mahsa the right travel expert?

I have travelled the world extensively and have a love for my home city, Seville, meaning that I have a great insight as to what kinds of experiences tourists want when they visit a new place. I stand by the ethics of listening to the people around us to discover great and avoid not so great experiences, caring about the destination's authenticity rather than solely focussing on monetary gain and sharing perspectives whilst learning new ones from others. Our tours at Not Just a Tourist focus on putting you at the center of every experience we offer. We have a travel-by-doing mentality and believe that the best way to know a place is to personally engage and interact with it. That’s why we offer so many interactive workshops and immersive activities. I make sure that all our guides can offer you the best advice on any questions you have about the local areas we take you to. You will be in good hands!

Mahsa Homayounfar Reviews

Jorge Bleck | Traveled in May

5.0 - Excellent

What a wonderful trip!

We just return from an unforgettable trip to Uzbekistan. We went to Aral Sea on 4x4 self-drive tour, Nukus, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent. Uzbekistan was a wonderful and great surprise. Its main Silk Road's cities are a must see, wit its amazing madrassas, mausolea and mosques. Aral Sea is a must see too, as an example on how mankind can have disastrously damages for the environment. A country where you can fill is under true development; very clean and tidy, where green public spaces are an example, great food and a great hospitality. We strongly recommend.

Anonymous | Traveled in October

1.0 - Very poor

Travel Expert Didn't Even Bother To Plan

Travel expert pick and choose her clients based on wealth...great example huh? Bookmundi i am a returning customer because I thoroughly enjoy my trip to Georgia. You guys planned it seamlessly, from accommodation to attractions and private driver etc. I am terribly disappointed this time with planning for Spain. Refer to my conversation with your so called Spain travel expert. ------Dear XXX,I understand you fully and I apologize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, prices are more expensive here in Spain and I tend to work with higher budgets so that it is difficult for me to arrange it all for you. In this case, it might be better to work with another travel advisor that can accommodate you better.Sorry if I could not be of help. All the best with your trip!Best Regards,Mahsa Homayounfar,Travel Expert in SpainAnd this was my reply;Spain travel expert --- A JOKEI'll be forwarding this entire conversation to Bookmundi for their visibility.Big budgets? i don't know how cheap or expensive things are in Spain...but i told you to plan and tell me the estimated amount. you couldn't be bothered!!I'm a top level executive with Amazon who is able to splurge hence i asked for private tours to begin with - as i've already indicated I'm able to flex my budget.I don't know whats the damn budget so i just placed some random number. Obviously you have issues with understanding English and to genuinely help someone who may not have bigger budget. You obviously pick and choose your clients. TERRIBLE EXAMPLE...If only your social media followers would know this about you. I've travelled the globe, I'm lucky i hardly come across rotten tour guides like yourself. Bad judgement you made. Too bad Bookmundi has lost a customer because of you as well as a good review for your social media. CC:Marie StormBookmundi Customer Service

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