Born in Madrid and living in Berkshire, Julio is a Spanish National with an impressive background in the travel industry. His career began when he qualified as a Navigational Officer in the Spanish Merchant Navy, during which time he sailed extensively, becoming interested in the history and culture of the many destinations he visited. Subsequently, Julio worked in the travel industry for 15 years in the Canary Islands, where he progressed to Area Manager for a large UK Tour Operator, he was responsible for a staff of 30 and 130,000 holiday makers a year. 1987 Julio returned to UK to work as Manager of a Spanish Tour Operator in London. He subsequently worked as Lecturer at Thames Valley University in Reading, as Programme Leader in the Travel and Tourism Faculty. His vast experience of travel and the tourism industry has been of huge benefit to his students, who he regularly took on study trips abroad. He has 20 years of cruise ship lecturing experience for a variety of cruise lines.