Fun Tour Guru

Fun Tour Guru It is a personal journey that Donna West, the Fun Tour Guru, discovered a passion of writing and journalism. The excellent combination of a writer and travel has proven successful. Donna enjoys writing a variety of articles for local publications, magazines, and special interest stories on her blog. This is one way to share and affect people; through words. Within travel, Donna has worked as a travel agent, tour and event planner, and as a professionally paid tour director. It is these positions and with an entrepreneurial (Silicon Valley) spirit, Donna created a niche tour company, Lighthouse Travel & Tours, providing unique and fun tours in the San Francisco bay area, emphasizing "memorable trips" off the beaten path. Donna was awarded the Best Guided Tour 2004 by the Silicon Valley Concierge Association, because of the distinctive planning of local trips created and network of people which she knows. You never know where your journey will take you until you try new things.

Web Site: http://www.funtourguru.com/


Santa Clara CA Art & Wine Festival: Behind the Scenes

Sep 16, 2012
Santa Clara CA Art & Wine Festival: Behind the Scenes

This weeks find ... the behind-the-scenes preparation is a lot of work Every year I set aside one weekend in September to go to this local festival on Saturday and Sunday. Of course, I am somewhat biased, as I live in Santa Clara, I...

Local art gems in Santa Cruz

Sep 8, 2012
Local art gems in Santa Cruz

Even though I make frequent trips to the town of Santa Cruz, with each trip I seem to always find some real gems which catch my eye in this fun town. Last year I wrote about their new round-a-bout intersection.  Yes, I admit I am usually loo...

The Art of Finding Hidden Gems While Traveling

Sep 2, 2012
The Art of Finding Hidden Gems While Traveling

Thousands of miles away...I am very excited to share Beverly Hill's personal account of her hiking and kayaking trip  and how she connected and found some hidden gems in the local communities on the east coast of Florida!  Beverly Hill work...

How Do You Find Hiking Vacations in the USA?

Aug 28, 2012
How Do You Find Hiking Vacations in the USA?

This weeks travel tip ~ hiking.  Hiking vacations are more popular than ever now with travelers.  My favorite places for hiking are the Swiss Alps and our own trails right here in the USA.  Swiss Treks, Courtesy of Rubicon Outdo...

Oracle Headquarters on San Francisco Peninsula

Aug 16, 2012
Oracle Headquarters on San Francisco Peninsula

To continue my fun explorations of some of these significant technology players, I head north to mid-peninsula, to find this one. Where am I?    Visitors will find a few large and familiar icons along Highway 101, the inner freeway arou...

Tourism Cares for Old Sacramento, CA: September 2012

Aug 5, 2012
Tourism Cares for Old Sacramento, CA: September 2012

Those of us who work in the Travel and Tour Industry have a way to give back and help save cultural and historic sites we are so passionate about through a non-profit organization, Tourism Cares, with the leadership of Bruce Beckham, Executive Direc...

Fun Local Sidewalk Cafes

Jul 29, 2012
Fun Local Sidewalk Cafes

Where am I?   Somewhere in Europe? San Francisco? San Jose? I  found some fun, new sidewalk cafes this past week that I want to return to.  Grab a cup of coffee, delicious pastry or pretzel, sandwich, quiche, or salad ...

San Jose Convention Center: Open and operating, even under construction

Jul 21, 2012
San Jose Convention Center: Open and operating, even under construction

Our San Jose Convention Center is open and operating, even under construction.  Is this sign too large? I really do commend our city leaders with their extra efforts to communicate temporary directions during the construction of our Conv...

Argentina Travel: Local Bueno Aires Tips

Jul 13, 2012
Argentina Travel: Local Bueno Aires Tips

Many questions are piling up from my readers about how to get around and what to do in international regions, I am honored to reach out to select Writer colleagues to assist with answers from their journeys.  Yes, I would enjoy traveling to each...

Guide to Kansas City MO, after the All-Star Baseball Game

Jul 9, 2012
Guide to Kansas City MO, after the All-Star Baseball Game

A Quick Guide for Kansas City, MO, the other city of fountainsI have been diligently watching all of the buzz in the news around the All Star Baseball Game in Kansas City, MO.  Win or lose, this is definitely a city with baseball spirit always ...