our stoRy
The concept of authentiCity was created one summer’s evening by Sophie and Pepe, under the Chihuly chandelier in the entrance hall to the Victoria & Albert Museum, over a dinner of bangers & mash. It was destined to be a magical night. Like the chandelier above them, ideas seemed to organically grow from the core, tumbling over each other in their eagerness to be freed. They knew they were onto something.
The core was the feeling that London has so much more to offer than visitors were usually experiencing. As successful local guides, Sophie and Pepe saw day-in, day-out the London being offered, and knew that there was so much more to give with a little time, effort and a generous dose of creativity. In a way London is a victim of its own success, there are so many obvious sites to see, that it’s easy to fill a trip with barely scratching the surface of possibilities. But are these sites the authentic London? Do they give a feel for the vibrancy, colour and energy of the city, enjoyed by Londoners themselves? Sophie and Pepe were convinced that it’s the dynamic mix of people in London that makes the city shine. To get to know it, to feel its beating heart, you need to be able to get access to the right people, to go behind the scenes and into the workshops. Sophie and Pepe now had a mission, to show you the Authentic City.
who aRe we?
the people pleaser
If you’re looking for the person to reach into your soul and find the unique experience that will titillate your personality, then Sophie is at the ready. With an agency background, she loves people and creating memories that exceed even the wildest expectations.
the creative one
If you are looking for something out of the box, memorable and truly unique, Pepe has rather large sleeves up which he likes to keep his ideas. With a theatrical background, Pepe adds the flair, fun and flamboyance to any itinerary.
the seRious stuff
With over 20 years experience of working in the luxury travel industry in the UK, Europe and the US, authentiCity understands how to deliver a seamless and discreet service, working with vetted suppliers who share the same core values.
Sophie and Pepe have both worked as London guides themselves and have seen the very best that the city has to offer, whilst at the same time building strong relationships from the ground up. Over the years they have built up a wide network of close contacts on whom they can rely to add that something special to any tour. Sophie and Pepe are known in the industry not just for their passion for London and creating new experiences, but also for their professionalism, reliability and attention to detail.
Between them, Pepe and Sophie have organised hundreds of tours and experiences for screen, sporting and musical celebrities, fortune 100 board members, couples, singles and families. We avoid the word VIP, as in our mindset, everyone we have the pleasure of working with is a very important person and should be treated as such. We like to push the boundaries in terms of new tours that can be offered, but we never negotiate on a top-notch service.