Marco Polo Club Tour Directors Among World's Finest

Janet Cameron spent much of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, where her father was a colonial administrator. A chance meeting with the great explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes piqued her interest in travel, bringing her to A&K in 1988. Since then, Janet has led numerous horticultural tours through the lush gardens in the United Kingdom.

Join Janet on English Gardens & The Chelsea Flower Show.

A former clinical nurse specialist in Wisconsin, Karen Mac Cormick married a Scot and moved to Scotland in 1989. She began guiding as a volunteer at St. Giles Church and was selected to train as a Blue Badge Guide. Karen now is a Guardian Angel and Tour Director for A&K. She also teaches Scottish history to local Edinburgh residents through walks and tours of the city and its museums.

Join Karen on Edinburgh Military Tattoo & Perth Highland Gathering.

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 The Flemish Masters.

Born in England, Jeremy Kerrison studied French, Spanish and Portuguese before becoming a Tour Director. A qualified translator, he specializes in travel literature and has edited Michelin Green Guides to Spain and Portugal and co-authored a guidebook about Toulouse, France. Jeremy has also led various private jet journeys throughout the world.

Join Jeremy on Tuscany, Umbria & the Palio.

Born and educated in northern England, Michael Digby’s intercultural experiences started when he received an AFS scholarship to attend high school in New York. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and recreational management, but his true passion was travel. His love for Mediterranean cultures led him to live in Spain and Tuscany. Michael has led A&K tours to Spain, Italy, Morocco and France.

Join Michael on Sicilian Sojourn.

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.

Join Ladislas on Castles & Wines of France.

A&K’s China Specialist since 1986, Gerald Hatherly travels 150 days a year honing his expertise in both China’s busiest cities and off-the-beaten-path locales. Gerald has been named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the “Greatest Travel Pros on Earth” for China every year since 2003 and is among the “135 Travel Experts Who Can Change Your Life.”

Join Gerald on China: Tracing the Yangtze.

Ines Abalova’s expertise in leading tours within the ex-USSR states and a keen interest in history help her to relate easily with people of other cultures. Ines proudly led the first luxury train tour of the Uzbek portion of the Silk Road, as well as the first into Kyrgyzstan. Her distinguished client list includes Henry Kissinger, Imelda Markos and HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

Join Ines on Along the Great Silk Road by Private Train.

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 From Thailand to Laos on the Mekong.

A sense of adventure led Cape Town nativeTony Staadecker to change career direction and pursue his love of travel and nature full-time. For 13 years, he has shared his interest in photography, birding and animals with A&K guests and offers helpful photographic tips. Tony infuses each journey with his encyclopedic knowledge of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Join Tony on Southern Africa by River and Rail.

Called a “21st-century Maasai,” Phillip Koimere is a dynamic wildlife professional who was born and raised on the slopes of Oldoinyo Lengai, an active volcano mountain in Tanzania. After studying economics, he was awarded an advanced diploma in wildlife management. Phillip has worked for A&K since 2002 and says, “I’m in Africa to give our guests a genuine safari experience.”

Join Phillip on Tanzania: Ultimate Luxury Safari.

A native of Nairobi, John Niva was schooled in different parts of the country, contributing to his adaptability, integration and leadership skills. He has 15 years of safari experience and an in-depth knowledge of African culture, East African wildlife, conservation and plant life. John’s passion is working with and supporting deprived children through sports. He also assists one of Kenya’s best soccer teams.

Join John on Uganda: Gorillas & Beyond.

Aki Allam is a lifelong resident of Egypt and has shared his passion for his home country with visitors from all walks of life, from Richard Gere and 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 Splendors of Egypt.

Rio-born Marcella 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.