About Gaido
Connecting travelers with authentic local experiences through our network of expert guides.
What is Gaido and what can I do with my account?
Gaido is a web and mobile platform that helps you travel like a local with curated city travel guides and private tours from local experts. Use Gaido anywhere: web, iOS, or Android. Your data stays in sync.
With your Gaido account, you can:
- Discover curated travel guides and authentic hidden gems across 16 cities in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Vietnam, Japan, and Mexico.
- Book unique, private tours led by vetted local guides.
- Save places to folders, build itineraries, and share with your group.
- Manage your account settings, update your email and password, or delete your account at any time from your profile page.
Tip: Download the app for on-the-go access, quick saves, and helpful notifications during your trip.
Account Management: You can update your email, change your password, or delete your account at any time by visiting your profile page. Account deletion is permanent and will remove all your data, including saved gems, folders, and booking history.
Where do Gaido's recommendations come from?
Every recommendation on Gaido is sourced from experienced local tour guides who have extensive knowledge of their region. We never feature non-local, sponsored, or AI-generated content. Each location is reviewed internally to ensure it meets our standards for authenticity, helping you avoid tourist traps and discover the city's genuine culture.
Who are Gaido's guides?
Gaido exclusively partners with local experts who have a deep understanding of their cities—either through being born and raised there or by guiding for many years. Our select team now includes over 50 guides across three continents, each averaging over a decade of experience and typically speaking at least three languages. By keeping our network focused on quality, we ensure every tour and experience offers a culturally authentic glimpse into the heart of each destination.
What is Gaido's Mission?
Gaido's goal is to introduce travelers to new cultures, experiences, and perspectives, and to become the world leader in responsible tourism, which is defined as "making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit."
Why we’re different
Two trends are reshaping travel, and we choose a different path:
- AI-aggregated lists push people to what is most popular, not what is best. We publish only human-curated recommendations from locals who know their neighborhoods.
- Commodified tours reduce cities to one-size-fits-all experiences (think generic double-decker buses or “go-karting” convoys) that add little cultural depth and can fuel overtourism.
Our approach
- Human curation first: every place and tour is chosen by vetted local guides. No sponsored or AI-generated picks.
- Authentic experiences: private and small-group tours led by the same locals who curate our guides.
- Quality over popularity: we favor character, craft, and cultural insight.
- Responsible tourism: we support small businesses, respect residents, and help you avoid overcrowded areas.
What if the city I am traveling to isn't offered?
Currently, Gaido is available in 16 destinations: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Porto, Lisbon, Tuscany (Florence & Countryside), Milan, Paris, Athens, Granada, Mexico City, Oaxaca de Juárez, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tokyo. If you don't see your chosen city on our list, please request it through the Gaido app (under Settings) or on our website. We're continually expanding and value your input on where to go next!