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 Small, Private Group Tours in EuropeLife is full of unexpected pleasures — our job is to bring you to them."The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." — Saint Augustine |
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Tour Guide Bios Tour Guide, Jim Derheim James DerheimBorn on September 7, 1964 and raised in Valley City, North Dakota and later Lake Benton, Minnesota where he graduated High School, James Derheim attended college at Mankato State University where he pursued a degree in Mass Communications. After two years of working up to three jobs to support himself and pay tuition, Jim decided to let the U.S. Navy train him in his chosen field. He volunteered for a five-year stint, which was extended to a highly-rewarding 10 year career as a Navy photojournalist, radio and television broadcaster and Navy spokesman, serving tours in Adak, Alaska; Misawa, Japan; and finally, Darmstadt, Germany; a special nomination assignment where he was one of only two sailors on a staff of more than 500 professional civilian journalists and photographers. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer First Class.While assigned to The European Stars and Stripes, Jim covered such varying events as the fall of the Berlin Wall to the War in the Gulf, from a momentous eruption of Mt. Etna (where he photographed the active, lava-spewing volcano while suspended from a hovering Marine helicopter) to travel assignments in Egypt and Spain. His photographs have appeared in The International Herald Tribune and The Washington Post as well as thousands published in 'Stripes during his five years there. During his time in Europe, he photographed events and places in more than a dozen countries, including all of central and western Europe plus Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bahrain and a trip to Siberia on a relief flight that delivered food and medicine to citizens in the city of Semipalatinsk. In 1990, during his second year of service in Germany, Jim had the idea of providing photographs, maps and other detailed information to people researching their family history in Europe. He's since turned his dream into reality and this full-time business, European Focus, Inc. has been keeping him busy since he left the Navy in March, 1994. Jim has completed projects in more than 2,000 towns and villages for his clients with interest in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Scotland, England and Ireland. Many of his clients have German heritage, so his language skills in this area play a key part in the success of his business. Jim started a private tour company in 1996 to satisfy the strong desire of those individuals or small groups of family members who want to walk their ancestral roads in person, but who cringe at the thought of a mass-produced bus tour. Many genealogy enthusiasts have enjoyed their own "European Focus Private Tour" with Jim since he inaugurated his tours. Jim and Jenean have branched out to developing and leading tours that are not in any way connected to family history, but for those who just want to relax and let someone else do the planning. Jim spends from the beginning of April to the end of October working for his clients in Europe. When Jim is not producing projects or leading tours for his clients in Europe, he lives with his wife Jenean, in Sarasota, Florida. Since November, 2003 they have owned a shop there, European Focus - Past & Present, where they sell unique items imported from all over Europe.  Tour Guide, Jenean Derheim Jenean DerheimBorn on May 16, 1960, and raised in Provo, Utah, in a family with strong ties to their Italian and Slovenian heritages, Jenean developed an early appreciation and love for learning about and appreciating different cultures, languages, and philosophies around the world. In Provo, Jenean's family was unique. Not being part of the predominant culture/religion taught her to adapt and learn the ability to bridge cultural differences.After graduation from college, Jenean focused on raising her three children as well as her career as a marketing professional. Over the years, she lived in Southern California, San Francisco and then moved back to Salt Lake City to become one of the first 100 employees at WordPerfect Corporation. After five exciting years at WordPerfect, she moved on to Novell, Inc., Folio Corporation and finally NextPage Corporation as their Director of Corporate Events and International Marketing. In 2000, after the death of her son and with a desire to leave the corporate life behind, she joined forces with James Derheim to work with him to lend her knowledge of European travel and extended language skills to the team. While having traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe throughout her professional career, she much prefers her travel now, helping clients have the most authentic experience possible in their travels. Jenean's expertise and passion for Ireland, France, and Italy as well as language, have helped to expand the tour offerings of European Focus. Jenean is proficient in German, French and is now studying Italian. Jenean also speaks some Polish and has a deep respect for the emerging success stories of Eastern Europe and its people. Jenean lives with her husband, James, in Sarasota, Florida, and is happy to have had her two daughters move to Florida to pursue their educations and careers. Since November, 2003 they have owned a shop in downtown Sarasota, European Focus - Past & Present, where they sell unique items imported from all over Europe. |
"Traveling with Jim is like traveling with your best friend plus with his knowledge, expertise, and language skills you see more and learn more. You can't find a better way to travel." — Ralph & Marge Kroehler, Illinois "I could never travel more than 100 miles away from home again without James and Jenean Derheim" — Nancy Sauers, California "We saw and did things we never imagined were possible, and we were truly spoiled the entire trip. The only problem with James is that he did such a great job, we would not want to travel again without him." — Pete and Judy Hildebrandt, Oregon "Jim & Jenean have created truly memorable journeys for our family. Where ever we wanted to go, they found us great places to stay and fascinating places to see. It makes me laugh when I receive mailings promising better — there is no better!" — Lynn Patterson, Oregon "My family has traveled with Jim the last two summers and we hope to have the opportunity to do so again in the future. I wouldn't want to travel to Europe without him. He is an extremely knowledgeable, gracious and overall outstanding tour guide." — Tim Soliday, Arizona |
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