Interview with Jim
Jim was milking cows and bailing hay in Minnesota when he up and moved to Berlin. He assumed he'd return home before long, but his love for German history and culture got the best of him — and now he's been in Berlin for decades, guiding city walks and Rick Steves' Best of Germany tours…when he's not showing off his award-winning stein-lifting skills.
How did a kid from Minnesota end up in Berlin?
After growing up on a dairy farm in the southeastern part of the state I studied history and German at the University of Minnesota. During my senior year, I won a scholarship to study in Berlin, and I figured I'd spend a year there before pursuing a graduate degree back home…but I missed some application deadlines. Rather than head home without a plan, I decided to stick around "just a little bit longer." That "little bit" has now turned into 20 years.
Is that when you started guiding?
I became a tour guide pretty much right after college — I had a newfound enthusiasm for Berlin, and I wanted to share it.
How did you wind up working for Rick Steves' Europe?
I was a guide for Rick in Berlin, and had been a local guide for his tour groups. Over the years, I got to know many of Rick's guides and staff — and eventually, a few of them encouraged me to apply to lead the tours themselves. Since 2022, I've been guiding the Best of Germany tour, but I also continue to work year-round as a local guide in Berlin, where I offer themed tours — World War II, Cold War, and others — and lead day trips to Potsdam and Dresden.
What stands out to you about guiding Rick Steves tour groups?
I really enjoy the kind of traveler these tours attract — they have a genuine curiosity that I find inspiring, and that sets them apart from the many other groups I've worked with. Rick Steves groups show up ready to learn — they're invested in the experience. They're also unusually well organized, such as with Rick's "buddy system" for making sure everyone in the group is present. It drives me absolutely nuts when other companies' tour leaders waste valuable time counting their tour members (especially when I see how often they get interrupted and have to start over). Everything runs so much more smoothly with a system that gives a more accurate head count in an instant, giving everyone more time to enjoy the moment.
What are some of the ingredients you think make a good guide?
Clear communication is key. A guide needs to be understood, both in terms of speech and expectations. It's also essential to make sure everyone's physical and emotional needs are considered — rest, safety, and comfort. Leading a great tour also comes down to storytelling and authenticity. Travelers want to feel like they're discovering something real, like a corner of a city they wouldn't have found alone, or a local custom that brings a place to life. Some of the most rewarding moments are when I hear tour members talk excitedly about how they spent their free afternoon, and when I receive heartfelt thank-yous for recommending something that became a memorable experience.
What's it like to teach Germany's complex history?
It's incredibly meaningful. Germany doesn't shy away from its history; it engages with it. And it offers visitors countless opportunities to engage with it as well, whether that's among medieval castles along the Rhine or memorials to the victims of war and tyranny. I get to enrich travelers' experience of Germany's high culture, its architectural beauty, and its darker chapters. It's never just about sightseeing — it's about understanding.
Recently I had two tour members who'd been stationed in Berlin during the Cold War, with vivid memories of crossing the old checkpoints in uniform. I helped them retrace some of their steps, and it was powerful to see the recognition and emotion on their faces as we pieced things together.
Do you have a favorite day or stop on the Best of Germany tour?
Day four, hands down. After two nights in Hamburg and one night in the university city of Münster, we head to the medieval town of Bacharach. It's such a huge contrast — especially to the maritime, urban energy of Hamburg. Bacharach's cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings, and castle that crowns this little town on the mighty Rhine River…this is the Germany that most of us Americans picture. I just love watching tour members take it all in with wide eyes and big smiles. It's the kind of experience that they'll remember forever.
So you're good at holding beer steins?
Yes, and proud of it. One time at a biergarten in Berchtesgaden, I was randomly invited to partake in a stein-holding contest. In front of a huge local crowd, I had to hold a one-liter mug filled with beer straight out from my chest — without bending my elbow — and at just over 10 minutes, I outlasted the local competitor! My reward was the liter I'd been holding, a calendar featuring pictures of the Bavarian Alps…and pride in being good at this uniquely German skill.
Here's what Jim won't tell you…but his tour members will:
"Jim was exceptional. His knowledge was outstanding, but what truly distinguished him were the thoughtful details. He shared regional music, local treats, and beautifully color-coded maps with recommendations that made every destination easier to understand and explore. He was organized, engaging, approachable, and genuinely passionate about Germany. As an educator, I especially appreciated how he transformed every bus ride into a meaningful learning experience."
— Best of Germany in 13 Days tour member