Reach Further, Get Closer

ROGER PAPERNO

Roger Paperno is a renowned photographer based in Southern California who has earned accolades for his diverse and captivating body of work. He began his journey in photography at seven years old when his grandmother gifted him his first camera, a Kodak Instamatic 124, sparking his lifelong passion for the art form. Paperno seeks to portray subjects authentically, whether it’s a special event like a birthday or an advertising campaign in remote locales, inviting viewers to connect with the captured moments. Inspired by influential photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Dorothea Lange, his work is deeply influenced by the soulfulness of black and white photography. With a global following and connections spanning the world, his portfolio includes three published books in the Cafe Life series. Beyond his literary contributions, Paperno has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including The Gap, University of Miami, Banana Republic, Holiday Inn, Regent Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Sol Melia Resorts, Hard Rock Casino and many others.

BEN LEPOFF

As a seasoned drone photographer, Benjamin “Ben” Lepoff has over a decade of global experience capturing stunning imagery from above. Soaring the skies with his drone, he seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with an artistic vision. His expertise spans operations, aerial cinematography and post-production, all demonstrated through collaborations with renowned clients such as Sony, Ford, Syfy Network, The Florida Keys Tourism Board, Mohegan Sun Casino and more. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to storytelling through the distinctive lens of a drone. Beyond photography, a fervent interest in technology and the freedom of flight led him to establish and manage a prosperous drone repair retail store. Additionally, he owns a production and distribution house for television and film, showcasing his diverse contributions to the industry. Driven to push creative boundaries, he eagerly embraces new challenges, aiming to inspire through the dynamic art of drone photography.

CHEF MARTIN GIMENEZ CASTRO

Chef Martin Gimenez Castro is an Argentinean chef who has lived in Warsaw for 15 years. He is widely known as one of the best chefs in Poland and for his passion. He gained greater notoriety when he won the inaugural edition of Top Chef Poland and then appeared on Hell’s Kitchen as a sous chef. After that, he created SALTO, one of the most prestigious fine dining experiences in Warsaw. From there, a lifelong love of seafood inspired him to establish Ceviche Bar, which has become a popular stop for local foodies and fish lovers. He has spent the last 20 years honing his craft in kitchens around the world, including restaurants with three Michelin stars. With his expertise in fish, seafood and contemporary cooking techniques, Chef Castro opened his restaurant, Tuna, in Warsaw, Poland. Through freestyle cooking, it’s here he aims to explore and display the culinary potential found in oceans, rivers and lakes.

JULIETA DAVEY

Join Julieta Davey, known as Mamá Cacao, for a mix of culinary and artistic insights. In the lush Costa Rican jungles, Julieta Davey transformed her passion for cacao into expertise, crafting exquisite chocolates from the 'food of the gods.' Her journey, starting with rustic truffles in the late 1990s, evolved into a renowned brand. As a champion of ethical practices in the cacao industry and an advocate for sustainable farming, her workshops and farm tours offer a unique blend of culinary mastery with a commitment to ethical, environmental stewardship.

CHEF LUCIANA BERRY

Brazilian-born Chef Luciana Berry grew up in Salvador da Bahia in a traditional South American family, sharing a passion for food. She began a career in catering in London at one of the Harrow School boarding houses, opening her own catering company, Catering on the Hill, in 2005. She serves as an ambassador of Brazilian cuisine in Europe, showcasing ingredients integral to the culture’s culinary traditions. She also teaches a new generation of chefs at West London College and Langley College. Most recently she won Top Chef Brazil in 2020 and is competing in Bravo’s Top Chef: World All-Stars in 2023.

ANNA WILAMOWSKA

Pastry Chef Anna Wilamowska is a talented French pastry chef and chocolatier with a Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle, a state diploma recognized by the French Ministry of National Education. She is based in the beautiful coastal town of Bournemouth. She has trained in Michelin-starred restaurants and French pastry boutiques. Her passion for pastry is evident in every bite of her delectable creations. Chef Wilamowska collaborates with local artists and sculptors, bringing an artistic flair to her desserts. Her commitment to quality is unwavering, and she only uses the finest ingredients, including high-quality BIO eggs, Belgian chocolate, and French nut paste. She also caters to those with dietary restrictions, offering delicious vegan and gluten-free desserts. Those with a sweet tooth or who are looking for a unique dessert experience are sure to be impressed by her creations.

CHEF DANNY DAVIES

Renowned for over two decades, British Chef Danny Davies is a celebrated figure in the superyacht culinary world, known for his visually stunning and delectable creations. Rising through the ranks in the British Armed Forces as a chef, he worked in some of the most prestigious Royal Regiments in the country, including as Royal Chef to Prince Harry and William, making him the perfect culinary maestro for our Epicurean Expeditions in Europe. With years of experience as a superyacht chef in the Caribbean, he has intimate insight and expertise into local markets and the culinary culture of the islands. He has been awarded the "Best Super Yacht Chef" at the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, making him a master of his craft. But he is also a mentor of emerging talent through initiatives like the Future Chef Project. Chef Davies is excited to share his wisdom and passion for food with fellow explorers.

MARA PAPATHEODOROU

Master Foodie™ Mara Papatheodorou is a nationally established entertaining specialist. As a culinary specialist and historian, she highlights the diverse stories and connections of cuisine and culture worldwide through facts, flavors, flair and folklore. As a 12-year editor at Bon Appétit Magazine, Mara scouted and produced the “Entertaining with Style” section that highlighted how real people entertain around the world. She was the producer of their award-winning annual international Special Collector’s Editions that highlight Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Mediterranean Islands and the British Isles. She works as a Tastes & Traditions expert with food companies and Master Chefs developing recipes, menus and promotional consumer campaigns. She has produced stories about such celebrity chefs as Gordon Ramsey, Wolfgang Puck and many more. She contributes to National Geographic Traveler Magazine and is the author of the coffee table book Moments in Time, The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.

BRIAN LISS

Brian Liss is an art dealer and curator at Liss Gallery in Toronto. He will illuminate unique perspectives through his in-depth knowledge of your destination’s art to expand your cultural understanding.

DAVID STANSFIELD

David Stansfield studied international politics at the University of Wales, comparative politics at the London School of Economics and Latin American studies at the University of New Mexico as a Fulbright Doctoral Scholar. He has taught at the University of Lancaster and the University of Glasgow, where he also held the position of Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies. Traveling extensively in the region, his passion for Latin American art and cuisine, including Argentine and Chilean wines, is evident in his career as writer and editor of several books on the area. He loves sharing his knowledge of Latin America’s cultures through engaging yet approachable lectures that invite explorers to open up to new perspectives. Whether talking about the complexities of Argentina’s political and economic history or the perfect pairing of steak and Malbec, he brings a sense of intrigue to every topic that keeps the curious mind enthralled.

PROFESSOR ANDREW HOPKINS, PhD

Professor Andrew Hopkins, an expert in architecture and art, served as the Assistant Director of the British School at Rome between 1998 and 2002. Since 2004, he has been an Associate Professor at the University of L'Aquila. He earned his PhD from the Courtauld Institute in 1995, where part of his studies on Venetian architecture led to the Essay Medal of 1996 by the Society of Architectural Historians. He spent time as a fellow at Harvard University's Villa I Tatti in Florence from 2003 to 2004, and then as a senior visiting fellow in 2009 at the Paul Mellon Center for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. He has accomplished publishing many works, among them The Origins of Baroque Art in Rome (2010) with Arnold Witte and Alois Riegl, and the Venetian Baroque (2012) with Baldassare Longhena. Professor Hopkins’s lectures on the Viking history of Scotland and presentations on the vibrant culture of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, are just a couple of examples of how he brings the past to life with engaging talks that invite explorers to spark their curiosity.

MICHAEL “MIKE” & JANE KAYAT

The Kayats are an avid traveling duo who have sailed frequently together. Mike traveled a great deal as well during his time as a technology company executive. Prior to that, he worked a research astrophysicist in X-ray astronomy where he used sounding rockets to investigate supernovae. He holds a PhD in physics from Leicester University and an MBA from Pepperdine University. His wife, Jane, has enjoyed a diverse career that includes teaching high school French and German, being an air stewardess on two international airlines and being a partner of a home furnishing store. She holds a degree in Education from London University and double majored in French and German at the California Luther University. She enjoys home decorating, painting and spending time with her two grandchildren. Together, their presentations may cover topics such as navigational astronomy, including the history of how it was developed by the Arawaks and Caribs.

DR. BARBARA UDELL

Dr. Barbara Udell is an international speaker holding a Doctorate in Behavioral Health Education and a master's degree in social work. She is the former Director of Lifestyle Education at the Pritikin Longevity Center and has been the keynote speaker and consultant for Weight Watchers and Diet Centers of America. She is an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and a certified scuba diver. She is the Associate Producer for a PBS program on health and has produced a DVD and authored a book on healthy lifestyles. Her motto is, “Learn to be healthfully selfish!” She is an avid and experienced world traveler who loves to share her knowledge. She has also practiced family and individual counseling. Dr. Udell is married to Barton Udell, an international tax and real estate attorney. Together they have five children and 11 grandchildren. They reside in Miami, Florida.

JOHN HUGHES

From his earliest days, John has always grown plants with his main passion being cacti and other succulents. He went on to study Industrial Chemistry at university and stayed on for his PhD. He then embarked on a career as a Forensic Scientist, including work in Peru, where he fell in love with all things Latin and South America. He spent over three years there, often backpacking and learning about all types of plants from alpines to tropical. He has also been a long-term member of a field club that studies British flora and fauna in the countryside. He loves to share his passion for plants and has been a frequent speaker to various horticultural and garden societies. He has been a member of the Royal Horticultural Societies’ (RHS) Tender Ornamental Plant Committee since 2004, a judge at all the major RHS shows and in 2021 recognized for his contributions with the prestigious Vietch Medal. He has previously given presentations on cruise ships for companies including Voyages of Discovery, Voyages to Antiquity and Fred Olsen on garden related topics.

ERNEST “ERNIE” REA

Ernest “Ernie” Rea is a renowned British broadcaster who focuses on the history of religions and how faith influences the world. He is host to the radio program Beyond Belief, which won the prestigious Sony Gold Award for the Best Speech Program on British Radio. He worked for the BBC for 22 years on various productions and in editorial roles. He headed the Religious Broadcasting for the BBC from 1989 to 2001, during which time he also brokered co-production television deals with leading American broadcasters in the US. He played a key role in many national events, including the funeral service for Princess Diana. He speaks often at international interfaith conferences, academic lectures and literary festivals. He holds First Class Honors Degrees in Theology and in History and Politics, fueling his passion for studying world religions.

DR. AARON HUNTER PhD

Dr. Aaron Hunter is a guide-lecturer and visiting researcher in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. He is a life member at Clare Hall and an adjunct research fellow at the University of Western Australia. He is also a qualified Blue Badge Guide for London and a Green Badge Guide for the City of London and Oxford. He is an accredited lecturer for the Arts Society where he lectures on the history of science. As a paleontologist, he is an expert on fossils and prehistoric life, from the first animals to appear on our planet to the marine life of the Jurassic. After obtaining his degrees in Geology and Paleobiology, he earned his PhD from the University of London. He worked as a research fellow in France, Germany and Japan and then as a Senior Lecturer in Malaysia and Western Australia.

WILLIAM “BILL” HEWITT

William “Bill” Hewitt graduated from Glasgow University in 1977 with an honors Degree in Geology and Chemistry. He joined a large international oil company, initially in Aberdeen, as an exploration geologist. Soon after, he worked on offshore assignments on 'Wildcat' wells in Scotland, Ireland, and Brazil as the increasing demand and political upheaval drove a worldwide boom in hydrocarbon exploration. In 1982, he and his growing family moved to Melbourne Australia for several years, followed by another long assignment in Stavanger Norway. During these times, he and his teams were involved in various licencing rounds, prospect evaluations and drilling of both exploration and production wells. He broadened his work into the fields of engineering, project management and learning, taking lead on projects in London, Glasgow, Anchorage and Houston. He moved back to London in 2003 where he took up the role of Manager of Learning and Development for Projects and Engineering staff worldwide.

DR. KEVIN PRIVETT

Dr. Kevin Privett is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London (GSL) and a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth, England. He has over 45 years of experience as a professional consulting geologist and lecturer to other professionals, university students and the general public. He has published many academic papers and articles. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Glossop Medal by the GSL in honor of his lifetime contribution to the science of applied geology. His interests span all aspects of earth sciences and their role in shaping the landscapes we see today, many of which present hazards to human life and infrastructure unless properly understood. He is also a keen landscape photographer. Dr. Privett’s enthusiasm for these subjects has continued unabated since he acquired his geological hammer at the age of 15.

PROFESSOR DAVID DREWRY

Professor David Drewry is an Honorary Fellow at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University where he was previously Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute. His research includes environmental science, climate change and the polar regions. He holds a Doctorate in Geophysics from Cambridge, and has honorary professorships at London University, Xiamen University, China and Krakow Academy, Poland. Professor Drewry is a Non-Executive Director at the UK Commission for UNESCO and Trustee Emeritus of the Natural History Museum in London. He was Director of the British Antarctic Survey, elected Founding Chair of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), President of the International Arctic Science Committee IASC), Vice-President of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He has led expeditions to Antarctica, Greenland, Svalbard and Franz Josef Land in the Russian Arctic. He has traveled extensively in Alaska, the Canadian Arctic and northern Scandinavia. He has a mountain and a glacier named after him in Antarctica.

PROFESSOR BRIAN WILLIAMS

Professor Williams earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Wales (Swansea), and in 2004 was further awarded a D.Sc. degree by that University in recognition of his global contribution to geological research. He is the Emeritus Professor of Petroleum Geology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is currently Adjunct Professor of Geology at UC Dublin in Ireland. He has held academic staff research and teaching positions in the Universities of Bristol, Reading, Cork and Manchester, and Visiting Professorships in The Netherlands, Canada and the US. He is a Senior Fellow of the Geological Society of London and an Emeriti of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists [AAPG]; a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management, and a Member of the UK Energy Institute. He has made TV appearances in the UK, US and the Far East, and has presented Radio 4 programs for the BBC.

ANDY BUNTEN

Andy Bunten has been an enthusiast about wildlife ever since he can remember. Educated at Cambridge, Newcastle and Imperial College, he then embarked on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). He first worked in the RSPB Scotland, then headed south to be the Regional Director for the Southeast of England for five years before moving to the North of England to become Director there. An experienced lecturer, he has cruised extensively, completing over 20 trips ranging from South America to the Philippines and Argentina to Svalbard. Now an Environmental Consultant, he is an enthusiastic traveler and has led wildlife groups to numerous places worldwide, including Seychelles, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, Borneo, Norway and Spitsbergen. Over the last few years, he has led Naturetrek holidays in France, Romania, Hungary, Sweden, Spain and Scotland.

DR. BARRY WALSH

Dr. Barry Walsh qualified as a doctor in Ireland at the University of Cork in 1981 specializing in Medical Microbiology. He was a consultant in the Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) Southwest London Health Protection Team part of Public Health England until his retirement in 2017. He worked for 24 years in public health, specializing in the control and prevention of Infectious Diseases. He has worked as a professional Blue Badge tour guide in London since 2000 with an emphasis on medical and art history tours. He has extensive experience as a guide in the British Museum Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern., as well as a lecturer on cruise ships. He has a BA in History of Art from the University of London (Birkbeck) 1989 and a Diploma in the History of Medicine. He was awarded an MA in Persian Art at the Courtauld Institute of the History of Art London (2020).

BOB SMOLIK

Bob Smolik is a veteran diplomat and scholar who has worked around the world at U.S. Embassies, investigating how local politics, economies and social structures function. As the University of Michigan’s Diplomat in Residence, he is an expert in economics and trade, as well as in UN human rights and NATO security issues. His work as an economic diplomat focused on opening foreign markets to U.S. trade and investment on a fair and equal basis. He also worked as a political advisor to U.S. military commanders in Africa and Europe, facilitating conflict mediation. He serves as an ambassador of American society and culture to help US leaders and politicians understand the political and economic dynamics of other nations. He has worked in more than 30 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America as an international lecturer on anti-corruption and good governance. He has graduate degrees from Berkeley and Harvard, an undergraduate degree from Cornell, and is fluent in five Romance languages.

DR. SANDY PRIMROSE

Dr. Sandy Primrose is a biologist with degrees from the University of California and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. His career spans various experiences, from academic to pharmaceutical to biotechnology and diagnostics, and in life science and specialty chemistry. He has worked in managing government programs that detect food fraud and test the safety of genetically modified foods. He has written several books based on the presentations he gives aboard cruises, such as “Plants, Poisons and Personalities,” “Plants, Murder and Medical Mysteries,” and “The Modern Plant Hunters.” His engaging lectures cover topics like the role of plants in local traditions, plants as drugs and sources of food, and ecology. When he is at home in a house between Oxford and London, he can be found tending to his half-acre garden filled with unique trees and shrubs. He enjoys giving tours of his garden, telling the stories behind the plants that grow there.

DR. PARVATHI “PAR” KUMARASWAMI

Dr. Par Kumaraswami is a professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Nottingham. She was a founding member of the UK-based Cuba Research Forum and first came to understand the island’s history and culture through working alongside Cuban academics and hearing their personal stories of the revolutionary movement. She completed a PhD in 2004 in women's testimonial writing from the Cuban Revolution. She has studied the island nation for 25 years and has published extensively on the topic of Cuban culture. She specializes in the study of Cuban cultural policy and practice from 1959 to the present, especially as it relates to literature, in collaboration with Professor Antoni Kapcia. The results of that project led to the publication of a co-authored monograph, Literary Culture in Cuba: Revolution, Nation-building and the Book. In 2014, she was awarded another Leverhulme Trust Large Research Project Grant as the Principal Investigator for a project called “Beyond Havana and the nation.” She will bring this passion for her research and knowledge to her lectures aboard our Cultural Expeditions.

PROFESSOR ANTONI KAPCIA

Antoni Kapcia is a professor at the University of Nottingham in the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies. He works closely with Dr. Par Kumaraswami and with the Hennessy Collection, which specializes in gathering periodicals, books and other media materials that help with research about the Cuban Revolution. He has contributed articles to the Jacobin magazine and written several books, including Leadership in the Cuban Revolution: The Unseen Story, A Short History of Revolutionary Cuba: Revolution, Power, Authority and the State from 1959 to the Present Day and Cuba in Revolution: A History Since the Fifties. His expertise ranges across various subjects within modern Latin American History, but his research has greatly concentrated on modern and contemporary Cuban political history. He served as the director of the Center for Research on Cuba from 2004 to 2020 and successfully supervised 27 PhD and 5 Masters-level projects to completion.