For more than twenty years, Juan De Dalmau has been creating educational travel experiences that bring space professionals closer to the realities of space exploration in French Guiana, home to the Guiana Space Centre (CSG). These initiatives have been made possible thanks to the dedication and passion of numerous volunteers over the past two decades. Together with Mara Rosado Pourré, Juan launched French Guiana Trips in 2017 - a non-profit travel organisation that opens this opportunity to a growing number of enthusiasts each year.

 

Having lived and worked with their families at the Spaceport for over a decade, Juan and Mara developed a deep appreciation for French Guiana’s rich culture, exceptional biodiversity, and its central role in Europe’s access to space. Juan also recognised the importance of giving young professionals the chance to experience this place firsthand - to see where missions are launched, meet the people behind them, and understand the broader context of space exploration.

 

Upon retirement, he realised how meaningful it would be to reconnect with this special place himself, while giving others who had never had the opportunity to visit the chance to do so. He began designing unique trips for space retirees, offering them a way to rediscover the Spaceport and its community through a new lens.

 

During one of these journeys, Juan met Monica Moruzzi, founder of Unordinary Travel - a pioneering travel company specialising in meaningful and unconventional experiences. Monica is proud to collaborate with French Guiana Trips, contributing her travel expertise to enhance the quality, sustainability, and reach of every journey.

 

Together with local experts, communities, and partners across the European space sector, French Guiana Trips creates opportunities for dialogue, learning, and connection - fostering a more informed and inclusive understanding of Europe’s space activities.

 

Over the years, these journeys have shaped the personal and professional growth of more than 500 participants, building a community of explorers united by curiosity, openness, and a shared passion for space.