Marco Polo Club Tour Directors Among World's Finest

"Aki" Allam is a lifelong resident of Egypt who has shared his passion for his home country with visitors from all walks of life, from Richard Gere and Sir Mick Jagger to numerous A&K guests. Aki is a keen traveller who enjoys learning about other cultures from his guests. "Every place in the world has its own charm," he says. "One must have the right heart and mind before going anywhere in the world."

Join Aki on Extreme Adventures — Egypt: Mummies & the Mystical Desert with Optional Alexandria Extension (Cairo & Alexandria portions); and the September 20 –October 2, 2010 departure of Syria & Lebanon — Ancient Treasures of the Levant.

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 Iberia's Galicia & the Costa Verde

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 From the Adriatic to the Alps

In the two decades Sushil has worked in India's travel industry, he has done it all. He is an actor, linguist and spiritualist all rolled into one. Always thinking on his feet, our enterprising Sushil is forever going the extra mile to make each of his guests comfortable and the journey memorable.

Join Sushil on India — Enchanting Karnataka, featuring the Golden Chariot with Optional Sri Lanka Extension.

Born and raised in Jordan, Zuhair Dmoor is a qualified flight engineer with a specialist degree in archaeology and history from the University of Jordan. Married with three children, he enjoys reading, hiking, traveling and swimming although his favorite activity is bringing the Middle East's rich heritage to life for visitors from abroad.

Join Zuhair on Syria & Lebanon — Ancient Treasures of the Levant.

Sue's experience as a tour guide stemmed from her interest in meeting people from all over the world in order to learn about their diverse cultures and ways of life. She began her career by taking fellow Thai travellers to Oceania, Europe and America. During her 14 years with Abercrombie & Kent, she has introduced numerous foreign travellers to Southeast Asia.

Join Sue on Thailand — A Life-Changing Journey for Women.

Vishal has travelled the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent and Nepal over the past 13 years. A specialist in Indian culture, history, religion and traditions, he enriches his guests' experience with his knowledge and affable demeanor. Some of his renowned guests have included captains of industry and various dignitaries. When not travelling, Vishal works closely with the Children of Tomorrow Foundation, a Dutch organization that provides vocational training to the underprivileged.

Join Vishal on India's Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh.

Born in Indonesia, Devin was raised and educated in Hong Kong. After many years working in the travel industry, Devin joined Abercrombie & Kent in 1994, where his attention to detail and sincere concern for his guests earned him a reputation for excellence. His extensive knowledge of Indonesia, Indochina and Myanmar and his close ties to local people guarantee access to experiences that illuminate cultural traditions -- and transform his guests'; understanding. Devin speaks seven Asian languages and lives in Hong Kong.

Join Devin on The Spice Islands of Indonesia and Yunnan in the Spring — Mountains, Meadows & Hill Tribes.

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 Heritage of Spain & Morocco.

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 The Tao of Faith — China's Religious Traditions.

Born and raised in Lima, Diana has travelled throughout South America with her family since she was a baby. Those early adventures determined her true calling. She studied history and became a professional tour guide. Twenty-seven years later, Diana still enjoys sharing her knowledge with lucky travellers all over South America, but principally in her home-country of Peru.

Join Diana on Condors, Canyons & the Amazon.

Much has been written of Bill Hurst, A&K's most senior Asia tour specialist. Born in Kenya and a noted safari guide before coming to Asia, he has led tours into China and Southeast Asia since the late 1970s. His accumulated wealth of knowledge and experience makes him one of the most respected tour leaders of his generation with a following of travellers that straddles the globe.

Join Bill on Laos & Myanmar Rediscovered.

Diaa Shawki Michail has explored the Egyptian desert for 26 years, guiding nearly 5,000 overland expeditions into the White Desert. He has also guided the Egyptian military in search and rescue operations in the desert. He looks forward to leading Marco Polo Club's first Extreme Adventure for Egypt.

Join Diaa on Extreme Adventures — Egypt: Mummies & the Mystical Desert with Optional Alexandria Extension.

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 has had the privilege of escorting many dignitaries on their travels throughout India and has many friends among the ranks of Marco Polo Club members.

Join Vikram on Himalayan Kingdoms — Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet and Temples, Palaces & the Spectacle of India's Orissa.

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 Diamonds & Desert Dunes.

Born in Quito, A&K Tour Director Mariana Suárez was raised in different cities all over Ecuador. After learning English in the U.S. She earned a degree in tourism business administration and has been a tour guide for the last 15 years. When not leading travellers through her home country, she indulges her passion for outdoor adventure, climbing mountains in Ecuador and diving in Honduras.

Join Mariana on Land of the Incas & Colonials.

Daniel Tesfaye, a native of Gorgora, Ethiopia, studied Ethiopian history at Addis Ababa University. After graduation and before becoming a tour guide, Daniel taught history at a secondary school and teachers'; college. He resumed his studies at the Catering and Tourism Institute. This paved the way for his current career, where he leads tours in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya.

Join Daniel on The Kingdom of Ethiopia — Monasteries, Mysteries & Myrrh.

Before Ross Voss acquired an interest in archaeology, he was fascinated with paleontology. The numerous quarries near his home provided excellent searching grounds for fossils. Eventually he preferred studying human history, and that led to his undergraduate degree in anthropology. Ross studied Native American heritage and then, after a trip to Israel, became fascinated with the cultures of Canaan, Israel and Philistia. For 35 years Ross has made his career in Syro-Palestinian archaeology.

Join Ross on From the Holy Land to the Hashemite Kingdom.