Cultural Expeditions
by Atlas™

Ian Ridpath is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer on astronomy, with over 40 books to his name. He edits the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and is known for his accessible sky guides for beginners. A gifted presenter, Ian brings the cosmos to life with talks on topics such as the Apollo Moon landings, constellation mythology, and the northern lights. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he has received the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s top award for promoting public understanding of astronomy

Bob Smolik is a veteran American diplomat and scholar. He worked around the world at U.S. Embassies, peeking behind the scenes at how local politics, economics, and societies work — or don’t. His expertise as Diplomat in Residence at the University of Michigan is in economics and trade, as well as in UN human rights and NATO security issues. As an economic diplomat he worked to open foreign markets to U.S. business on a fair and equal basis.
As political advisor to U.S. military commanders in Africa, Europe, and Latin America, he worked on conflict mediation. Fighting against corruption and for good governance, he has lectured in over 45 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
He earned an undergraduate degree from Cornell, holds graduate degrees from Berkeley and Harvard, and is fluent in five Romance languages.
He offers an expert, up-to-date perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of the fascinating peoples and places you will visit.

Charles Barclay is a previous Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society and directed the Blackett Observatory in Wiltshire for 25 years. He is at the forefront of astronomy education and outreach in the UK and is a National Astronomy Education Coordinator for the International Astronomical Union, UK Team Leader for the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad and an Academic Visitor in the Oxford University Astrophysics Department and Associate Fellow of Green Templeton College. Lecturing on diverse topics ranging across the whole gamut of astrophysics and astronomy, all over the UK and internationally, particularly on cruises. He writes for popular astronomy magazines and regularly contributes to local BBC radio broadcasts. Charles was recognized by the Royal Astronomical Society 2023 Service Award for his outstanding contribution to astronomy education.

Professor Andrew Hopkins FSA is a leading authority on the arts, architecture, and cultural landscapes of major cities, with over 20 years’ experience giving illustrated talks. He has worked at the Guggenheim, the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), and the Getty, and is Professor of Architectural History at the University of L’Aquila, Italy. Formerly Assistant Director of the British School at Rome, he has held fellowships at Harvard’s Villa I Tatti, the National Gallery of Art, and St John’s College, Cambridge, and lectures widely for cultural travel programs and cruise lines including Swan Hellenic, Fred. Olsen, Atlas Ocean Voyages, and Cunard.

Jonathan H. Ward is the author of space history books “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars” and “Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew.” He will lead engaging enrichment lectures that span the history of human space travel and more, interactive workshops and stargazing sessions throughout the voyage.