Marco Polo Club Tour Directors Among World's Finest

Abraham Hasut was born in Israel to Sephardic parents — a Moroccan father and Spanish mother. He spent his childhood in Israel, fascinated by the divisions between religious and secular communities. He studied Eastern European history and religious science at Berlin University. Since 1984, Abraham has worked as a guide and tour director specializing in Jewish history. He has accompanied Jewish groups and individuals throughout Europe and Morocco, recounting the story of the Diaspora.

Join Abraham on The Jewish Diaspora.

Travellers enjoy Duong Minh Man for his story-telling abilities as well as his affable personality. For more than 13 years, Duong has led tours through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Duong says that when he isn't working, he enjoys getting together with friends to see movies, sing karaoke, go to concerts or enjoy conversing in cafés.

Join Duong on Inside Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos.

Born and raised in eastern Canada, Gerald Hatherly has been employed as the China Specialist for Abercrombie & Kent since 1986. Gerald studied Chinese as an undergraduate and continued his studies in Taiwan, which led to a job as a translator. Since joining A&K, Gerald has worked on China projects for many organizations, including the Asia Society, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Time/Warner. Gerald was named Conde Nast Traveler's top travel specialist for China in 2009.

Join Gerald on China: Along the Tea & Horse Caravan Trail.

Although Gereltuv Dashdoorov was born in Ulaanbataar, he spent most of his childhood in the Gobi with his relatives. He has been a Tour Director for more than 10 years, leading trekking, horseback riding and overland driving expeditions all across Mongolia. Gereltuv holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the Mongolian National University.

Join Gereltuv on Mongolia: Naadam Festival & the Gobi Desert.

Goldene, born in Myanmar's northwestern Chin state town of Tahan, received the best education the country had to offer. She trained to become a guide through a government incentive and joined Abercrombie & Kent in 2004 as a freelance guide. Better known to her travellers as Golden, she is one of Myanmar's most respected guides thanks to her knowledge, enthusiasm and humor.

Join Goldene on Myanmar's Burmese Heritage.

Janet Cameron spent much of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, where her father was a colonial administrator. A chance meeting with explorer Sir Ranulph Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes in 1978 and a job in his office piqued her interest in travel. She has been with A&K since 1988 and enjoys raising money for charity in her spare time.

Join Janet on English Gardens & The Chelsea Flower Show.

Scholar, explorer, writer and pilgrim John Bellezza is widely recognized as one of the foremost specialists in the cultural history of Upper Tibet and has lived in the high Himalaya for more than 25 years. A pioneer in his field, John is credited with the discovery of hundreds of pre-Buddhist archaeological sites, describing the monuments and the people who built them in great detail.

Join John on Bhutan & Nepal: The Last Shangri-La.

A native Rwandan with 29 years of experience in guiding tours, John began his extensive career in Kenya. He is fluent in five languages (French, English, German, Swahili and Kinyarwanda). John's extensive experience crosses the entire East African region enables him to add great insider perspective for all guests to his native country.

Join John on Rwanda: Gorilla Tracking in the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Born to Franco-Polish parents in London, Ladislas began his working life as an agriculturalist and estate manager in France and England; he still manages the family farm on a part-time basis. Now a popular A&K Tour Director, Ladislas' linguistic gifts (he has English, Polish, Italian, French and German to his credit) and his informed pan-European outlook make him an ideal travelling companion on the European continent.

Join Ladislas on Treasures of the Adriatic: Slovenia, Italy, Croatia & Montenegro.

Rio-born Marcela Granatiere is a true carioca who is a passionate enthusiast of Brazil. Since 1994, she has been a local guide in Rio de Janeiro and a Tour Director throughout Brazil and South America and commands expert knowledge of different cultures, architecture, poetry, art and history.

Join Marcella on Brazil: Rainforests to Rio.

Born in Cairo to Coptic parents, Rami Girgis grew up in a family that placed an emphasis on the importance of a quality education. In addition to his native Arabic, Rami studied English, French and Spanish, and he also has a passion for the ancient Coptic language. Rami has worked for Abercrombie & Kent since 2005.

Join Rami on Iran: Heart of Persia.

A diplomat specializing in East-West relations before joining Abercrombie & Kent in 1989, Simon Butler-Madden has accompanied groups throughout Europe and Russia. His involvement in the arts, politics and culture of Europe gives him a unique insight that he shares with his travellers. He is a connoisseur of European wines and cuisine, even producing his own olive oil on a small farm in Spain. When not escorting A&K guests, Simon works as a business and travel consultant in Madrid.

Join Simon on Spain's Paradores & Palaces.

Being an ardent traveller and nature lover with a curious sense of adventure led Tony Staadecker to change career direction. Armed with tourism certification, Tony sold his photographic and video business in 1997 and became a tour director. For 11 years he has shared his experience and interest in photography, birding, animals and fynbos with A&K travellers and VIP clients, including a president, politicians and corporate CEOs.

Join Tony on South Africa & Zambia: The Last Wilderness.

Although born in Istanbul, Toplum Biner’s family roots are in Gaziantep, the gastronomic capital of Turkey. Toplum majored in political science and international relations at Bogazici (Bosphorus) University, the first American college established in Istanbul. His love of history and archaeology led to the beginning of his career as a Tour Director in 1990.

Join Toplum on Turkey from East to West.

A tour director and naturalist, Vikram has led many exciting A&K journeys on the Indian subcontinent and throughout the Himalayan countries. His passion for and knowledge of local art, culture and wildlife are contagious. Vikram describes Marco Polo Club members as among his favorite travellers to guide: "They always ask interesting questions, so it's a fun challenge for me to lead them."

Join Vikram on India: Tigers, Taj & Tradition.