| HISTORY |
|
| OUR STAFF |
|
| OUR TOUR LEADERS |
|
WHY TRAVEL
WITH US |
|
RESPONSIBLE
TRAVEL |
|
| MEDIA |
|
Our guide (Hosam) was part of this special service. It seems that he knows everybody in Egypt and was able to smooth out many of the difficulties and hassles we may have encountered without him. He was very well informed, friendly and very enthusiastic about what he was telling us.
ur drivers, and especially Khalid in Cairo-Alexandria, also deserve special mention for handling the endless hours of traffic chaos with a friendly smile.
John & Mary W.
|
|
|
MEET OUR TOUR LEADERS
Holly Dyment
 |
|
A former graphic artist with an art-school background and a 20-year career as a decorator, Holly knows India inside and out, having traveled and researched there on almost annual trips over the last 10 years.
|
|
Annette Bering
 |
|
Each year, Annette plans to host an exclusive specialty tour to a new destination and has planned this return trip to include all her favourite highlight moments. This time she is bringing her daughter to share in this exciting journey. She is a community resident, FNC member, a retired Globe and Mail Travel Advertising Account Manager for 18 years and travels multiple times a year. She is currently working with DreamScapes Travel and Lifestyle magazine.
|
|
Lourens Gaseb
 |
|
Lourens is a Damara who began his career as a field guide in the south of the country. For almost a decade, he has introduced travellers to the nature, wildlife and communities of Namibia with a refreshing combination of vast knowledge, excellent communication and infectuous enthusiasm.
|
|
Marguerite Low
 |
|
Marguerite has travelled extensively in South America and has a passion for the archaeology, culture, natural history and most of all the peoples of this sometimes overlooked continent. She speaks Spanish and loves to share her knowledge of mysterious Easter Island.
|
|
David Elkins
 |
|
Indian culture has long fascinated David Elkin, the publisher of Doctor's Review. When he was a kid in knee pants his grandfather, who taught school in Madras (now Chennai) for ten years, regaled him with stories of the sub-continent. On this trip David will explore both the stunning sights and modern accomplishments of a country on the forefront of technology and bio-medicine. This trip will appeal to professionals interested in visiting India with an eye to both the historic and the modern.
|
|
Frank Lazaro
 |
|
Frank was born in Marangu, on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. He is one of our most experienced guides who has spent over a decade leading hundreds of trips throughout Kenya and Tanzania. His professionalism, enthusiasm, wonderful sense of humor and uncanny ability to spot game ensure the trip of a lifetime.
|
|
Hema Mounir
 |
|
An Egyptologist by profession, Hema also has a degree in psychology and social work and, of course, a passion for travel. After travelling through Europe and spending five years living in Canada and the United States, Hema returned to her home city of Cairo. She has been guiding and sharing her love of Egyptology since 1983.
|
|
David Seddon
 |
|
David was born in London and emigrated to South Africa in 1971. He has been leading trips for the past six years and takes great pleasure in showing visitors the natural beauty of South Africa, and in particular the western Cape region. David runs marathons, has a passion for all types of sports and delights in introducing people to the wine, good food and different cultures of South Africa.
|
|
Siju Mangot
 |
|
An MBA graduate, Siju worked as a marketing manager before joining our office in India. After four successful years in marketing and sales, he has returned to his true love: showing India in "worldwide" style. Siju has travelled extensively in north and south India and has led many of our special interest groups. He understands exactly what it takes to ensure that our clients have a wonderful time in India.
|
|
CV Singh
 |
|
One of our most popular leaders in India, CV Singh is a Management graduate, holds a Masters in English Literature, and is a licensed pharmacist. Despite these qualifications, he has a real passion for travel and quit his job to become a full-time tour director. CV has guided more than 120 trips and is an expert on north India art, architecture and religion. Our clients love his enthusiasm for topics both current and historical.
|
|
Ethel Kellen
 |
|
Ethel is a long time ROM volunteer, Museum Tour Guide, and currently vice-chair of the Travel Committee. She has toured India on a number of occasions including very successful ROM travel trips to north and south India as coordinator. Her careful research, attention to detail, and passion for sharing the unique treasures and experiences of south India ensure a memorable trip.
|
|
Sanjeev Shrestha
 |
|
Sanjeev has been guiding trips in Nepal for over a decade. He is a university graduate, and has accompanied numerous clients from around the world including several prestigious groups from North America.
|
|
P. Asoka
 |
|
P. Asoka is the President of the Indian Tour Guides Association and one of the most experienced guides in India. He has accompanied numerous trips throughout the country, and has a particular expertise and love for Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. He looks forward to introducing you to these Himalayan Kingdoms.
|
|
Sangay Wangchuk
 |
|
Sangay has been leading trips for over five years and is a very popular leader. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree and is an expert on the history of Bhutan and Buddhism in particular. He takes great pride in introducing our clients to his native country and works hard to make every trip a memorable experience.
|
|
Phillis Xu
 |
|
Phillis is a graduate of the Beijing Tourism Institute, and has been guiding trips for over a decade. She is fluent in English and Chinese, and is particularly knowledgeable about Chinese history, and takes a real pride in introducing China to her clients.
|
|
Guido Vittone
 |
|
A certified mountain guide, Guido has lived in Patagonia for over ten years dividing his time between managing his berry-growing farm and taking WQ travellers to his favourite places. Guido has a passion for glaciers and has amassed a wealth of knowledge on everyting related to Patagonia, writing about the history and geography of the region in his free time.
|
|
Genaro Torres
 |
|
Genaro was born in Lima and has been guiding trips for the past decade. Although an industrial engineer by profession, his real passion is travel. He is fluent in Spanish and English and his enthusiasm, sense of humour and attention to detail make him an excellent leader.
|
|
Lewie Gonsalves , President, Worldwide Quest
 |
|
Over the past thirty years, Lewie has researched and led trips to some of the most exciting destinations in the world. From early days leading Himalayan mountain treks to most recently scouting out Iran, Lewie's vast experience and regular inspection trips make him the 'go to' person for all our guests' questions. Each year Lewie offers "President's Trips" to a selection of favourite destinations including his native India.
|
|
Helen Coltrinari
 |
|
Helen has a passion for art nouveau and art deco and has travelled extensively to find the best examples whether it be called Jugendstil, Stile Liberty, Sezession or Modernista. From the first moment she saw the brilliant examples the Baltics, she fell in love with the area and has visited several times.
|
|
Laurielle Penny , Director, Cultural Explorations
 |
|
Laurielle's love of travel has taken her from Asia to Europe and South America. Heading up the Cultural team with a focus on affinity groups and special interest travel gives her free rein to create each trip's signature moments.
|
|
David Brown
 |
|
Dr. David Brown is a professor in Brock University's Department of Tourism and Environment, past Associate Vice President for International Cooperation, and former Director of Brock International. Over the past 15 years, he has lived, worked, and travelled extensively in Thailand, Hong Kong, and other Asian nations, and has conducted field courses, research projects, and collaborative educational activities in Asia and beyond.
|
|
Inci Turkoglu
 |
|
Inci received her PhD in Ancient History and an MA in Byzantine Art, and has been leading specialty study tours
throughout Turkey for more than a decade. A scholar and an charming host, Inci looks forward to sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge of ancient archaeological and historical sites.
|
|
Orlando Romero
 |
|
A 20 year veteran of the Galapagos, Orlando is as keen on geology and reptiles as he is on the human history of the Islands. He will make the Islands come alive in a very personal way and keep you up to date on his favourite "futbol" team.
|
|
Ohnmar
 |
|
Our fabulous "go to person" in Burma brings an infectious enthusiasm and incredibly thorough knowledge of the intricacies of Burmese life and culture to our trips.
|
|
Jamal Guma Sasi
 |
|
With a Masters degree in psychology and a love of music, Jamal brings fascinating insights to our travellers exploring the Sahara and the coastal cities of Libya.
|
|
Sami Rouatbi
 |
|
A polyglot and lifelong student of archaeology, Sami takes great pains to introduce the "real" Tunisia to WQ travellers.
|
|
Various
 |
|
We have many very special guides in Nepal who open the eyes of our travellers to the cultural, spiritual, and scenic facets of this magnificent country.
|
|
Jack Lightstone , President, Brock University
 |
|
An expert on ancient and contemporary North American Judaism, he has lectured extensively and written six books. He is fluent in English, French and Hebrew.
Jack Lightstone will address three specific themes during this trip; the Judeo-Christian historical tradition, the contemporary conflict and possible avenues of resolution and the transformation from an agricultural to a knowledge based economy with special lectures by
Jack Lightstone and local scholars.
|
|
J. Douglas Grenkie , Foreign Conference Director
 |
|
It is with great pleasure that, on behalf of the OBA Foreign Conference Committee, I extend an invitation to you to join us on what promises to be a most fascinating tour while attending meetings
and receptions with lawyers and judges throughout the lands, learning and imparting legal knowledge and skills.
|
|
Rev. Wayne Walder , Minister of Neighbourhood UU Congregation
 |
|
Wayne teaches and leads meditation with a combination of humour, reason, and respect for religious tradition. Having led UU journeys to India, Santa Fe, Peru, and Turkey, he finds that getting together every day to pause and reflect gives cohesion and focus to the group.
|
|
Beverly Carr
 |
|
Beverly has facilitated trips to England, Hungary, Czech Republic, Spain, and France where they met with Unitarians. India, Santa Fe, Peru, and Turkey had a bit of a different focus, but the dynamics of taking a journey with 'fellow travellers' adds a special something to the experience.
|
|
Lorne Greenspan , Dr.
 |
|
Dr. Lorne Greenspan is the founder of Medical Challenges CME. He is an Emergency Medicine specialist and leader who helped pioneer many of the current practices in his city of Toronto.
He has been an award-winning educator and consultant to private and public organizations.
|
|
Lewie Gonsalves
|
|
Lewie has over 35 years experience leading, researching and organizing trips throughout the world. He has travelled extensively in Southern Africa and has carefully planned this trip to include the many scenic and cultural highlights of Namibia.
|
|
Jonathan Smith
 |
|
Jonathan Smith is the Permanent Collector Curator at the Burlington Art Centre, a post he has held since 1987. During that time, he has amassed the world's largest and most significant collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics. With his Masters degree in Fine Arts from the University of Chicago and his vast knowledge of art and art history, Jonathan special expertise in ceramics makes him a terrific resource for both advanced artists and lay people alike. As well, Jonathan has travelled to Japan several times, where he explored many of the remarkable places that will be seen on this trip.
|
|
Reid Flock
 |
|
At a young age, Reid studied at the Burlington Art Centre and instantly showed remarkable aptitude for ceramics. After mentoring under Jonathan Smith and Kayo O'Young, Reid moved to Japan to study the forms and techniques that have been mastered over the centuries. Settling in Hitachi, Reid worked on his art with his work featured on Japanese national television and in many articles in newspapers. During his nine year stay, Reid gained a competent grasp of Japanese language and has a strong understanding of Japanese culture and tradition. Having visited many important art and cultural sites throughout the country, Reid's knowledge of the people and the places will be a tremendous asset to this trip.
|
|
|
