Why choose to travel with Cox & Kings expert lecturers
Meet our specialists
When you visit another country, it is all too easy to tiptoe along its cultural periphery, never arriving at an understanding of a place beyond the bite-sized, second-hand overview in your travel guide. So, how can you delve deeper into your destination?
With Cox & Kings, the answer is simple. We put at the helm of our Specialist-led group tours passionate lecturers who are experts in their field – whether it’s history, culture, art or architecture. At every stage of your journey, these knowledgeable individuals are on hand to answer questions, regale you with tales and deepen your understanding.
Dr William Taylor
Dr William Taylor is an Anglican priest, chairman of the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, a writer, and broadcaster on the Islamic world and the Orthodox churches. He has worked and lived in Jordan, Cairo, and Turkey and travelled and lectured in the Middle East and Central Asia. William accompanies groups on the following tours:
Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans
Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand
Diana Driscoll
Diana Driscoll read ancient Middle East and Islamic studies at SOAS. She is an independent researcher who gives regular talks at the British Museum. Her area of expertise is the Islamic world: religion, history, culture and languages. Diana accompanies groups on the following tours:
Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand
Pakistan: Persians, Mughals & Mystics
Rowena Loverance
Rowena Loverance is a Byzantine art historian, specialising in sculpture, mosaics and icons. She worked for more than 20 years at the British Museum and is a visiting research fellow at King’s College, London. Rowena accompanies groups on the following tours:
Ravenna: Mosaics & Marble
Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans
Dr Sally Dormer
Dr Sally Dormer is a freelance art historian and lecturer. She read history at the University of Durham, before gaining an MA in medieval art and a PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She is a course tutor and lecturer at the Victoria & Albert Museum and also lectures for the Art Fund and the Arts Society. Sally accompanies groups on the following tour:
Ravenna: Mosaics & Marble
Sicily: Normans in the South
Valentina Harris
With a heritage rooted in the illustrious Sforza dynasty, Valentina Harris is an Italian chef and author who is well established in Britain’s culinary scene. Valentina has written over 40 books on Italian food and regularly participates in television programmes and public events. Valentina accompanies groups on the following tour:
Piedmont: Culture and Cuisine
Andrew Spira
Andrew Spira graduated from the Courtauld Institute of Art before working at the Temple Gallery, London, and as a curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. He was a programme director at Christie’s Education for 14 years and has led numerous cultural tours to Europe. Andrew accompanies groups on the following tour:
Sicily: Normans in the South
