Our Guide
My name is Clayton Szczech and I'll be your guide. I was born and raised in central California and have been speaking and working in Spanish since 1995. I'm enthusiastic, professional and well-prepared, but I'm not your typical tour guide. I got into this business because I love tequila, travel and teaching and wanted to enjoy them all at once! I'm a people person, a lifelong traveler, a Spanish teacher and a true Mexi-phile.
I became passionate about 100% agave tequila while living and teaching in Veracruz, Mexico. I would buy a different bottle from the corner store every week, and began taking notes on what I tasted. I also started devouring the literature, eventually reading everything published in both Spanish and English about tequila. Since then, I have had the pleasure of learning from professional distillers and other aficionados on both sides of the border, and can say that I truly know my tequila.
I have always enjoyed showing my friends treasured parts of Mexico that Americans typically overlook, and many suggested I would make a good guide. In 2008 I started offering trips to Tequila and the surrounding areas of the state of Jalisco. I have to say it has gone incredibly well. It's very rewarding to help people have a great time in a unique place while learning and making authentic connections in a foreign culture. My guests appreciate my combination of no-nonsense planning and organization with a laid-back attitude, sense of humor and enthusiasm for sharing what I know while learning from others.
I have real relationships with people on the ground in Mexico - distillers, guides, bar owners, hoteliers, drivers and neighborhood folk. I value these friendships and I respect these communities. I strive to be very responsible regarding how and when I bring visitors to the region. So my trips are strictly limited to ten people. The work I have put in over the years, and the small size of my groups allows us to explore places that would never welcome a large package tour or unknown individual travelers.
My Role on the Trip
From your arrival to your departure, I will be working to ensure that your trip is a good one. I'll be available 24 hours a day to provide assistance and interpretation. I'm always eager to share my perspectives, explanations, opinions, and stories about Mexico.
But you certainly won't be spending every minute of your vacation with me. I'll provide resources and suggestions for how to spend your time away from the group - cultural events, restaurants, marketplaces, dance clubs, isolated beaches, liquor stores and the like. But it's your trip and you are free to do as you please. If you decide you'd rather sit out one of the distillery tours, no problem. Want to turn in early? Feel free. Not a breakfast person? Talk to me and we'll make sure you get an early lunch.
In short, I'm another fun, interesting person who's along for the ride and happens to speak fluent Spanish and know the area very well. My job is to unobtrusively ensure that you have a great trip.
I consider myself privileged to be able to present this extraordinary region of the world and the beverage it has given us. I sincerely hope you will join me.
