The Ashby family has been travelling since 1850 when they first spread out across the globe in search of the finest teas and coffees. David is no exception to that fine travelling tradition, but seeks out delightful places and wonderful people instead. He spent three years in Asia and Australia, climbing every mountain and volcano in sight, diving in every stretch of clear water and leading treks in the Himalayas. Then it was back to England for a few years to write a book, form a blues & soul band, and finish off rebuilding a 600-year-old house.

Itchy-feet weren't long in coming and Europe was a short hop away. A year studying tourism in the South of France, with all its seductive charms, was enough to convince him that this continent had it all. David has now travelled to most corners of Europe whilst working for the best travel companies in the business. He has also lead charity challenge events for a major environmental charity in the UK. When not leading groups astray in Europe he 'enjoys' a love/hate relationship with tennis, plays the guitar, and cooks with reckless abandon.

David Ashby

Dominic is seldom found without a good book and some drawing materials. Whether striding across Wordsworth's enchanting Lake District or biking around Lawrence of Arabia's Dorset, he has a story for all occasions and is one of our most entertaining guides. He has also led wine tours in Burgundy where his excellent grasp of French grapes and grammar has made him enormously popular with the locals: as he says "Le vin perfectione le français" - wine improves one's French! He has recently added the Pyrenees to his quiver and is indeed a man of the mountains, as those who have skied with him will testify.

Dominic Erskine

A tremendous walker on all terrains and a very capable traveller, Kate is at home on mountains and beaches, or in jungles and cities, and her enthusiasm and energy burn as bright as her famous smile. Kate has recently become competent on two wheels and her after-biking massage and yoga session is legendary: travelling with her is an experience you will treasure.

Kate McKenzie

Colleen Pisaneschi has an educational background in English literature and the Italian language and culture, and has now lived and worked in Italy for nearly 20 years. Her work as a translator and interpreter complements her activities as a walking tour guide in and around her home city, Siena. Colleen's infectious enthusiasm for Italy, as well as her laughter, will make your Tuscan sojourn truly memorable!

Colleen Pisaneschi

As good with the workings of a bicycle as she is at putting together a sumptuous picnic, Josefina's infectious good humour make a day cycling across her native Spain truly memorable, especially if she is of a mind to sing. A trained botanist she has never been mistaken over the abundance of wild flowers that crowd Extremadura in the spring. Her patience is also legendary and she was once overhead saying to an irate motorist "tranquillo caballero, va a morir bastante pronto!" - calm down friend, you're going to die soon enough.

Josefina Soy Sala

Born in the lush Spanish province of Astúrias, 'Nacho' trained as a lawyer in England where he discovered a greater empathy for plants and nature than litigation. Returning to Spain he devoted himself to 'green-fingered' pursuits, garden design, and seeking out Spain's finest examples. This combined with his other passions for art and architecture make for a natural and cultural delight.

Ignacio Somovilla

A professional archaeologist of Canadian origin, in 1992 Barry moved to the Languedoc region of France with Véronique, his French wife, and their young family. Between househusband duties he has worked for his village doing archaeological excavations as well as a restoration of a functioning 18th century windmill. He has worked on some of the Canal du Midi's finest barges and guides people all over the south of France. Interested in the rich culture (past and present) of the south of France, Barry enjoys sharing his passions for history, archaeology, folklore, wines, gastronomy... and the Mediterranean lifestyle in general.

Barry Gray

Academic historian and linguist Sarah Blowen really knows what makes the French tick! Equally at home on a peasant farmer's smallholding or in the ministerial corridors of power, Sarah can introduce you to the real France that lies beneath the tourist brochure images. Her passionate interest in French culture and heritage can be found in her book Recollections of France: memories, identities and heritage in contemporary France. She has organised many study tours to help French and British museum and tourism professionals to work together to break down cultural barriers. Sarah is living proof that the entente cordiale is alive and kicking!

Sarah Blowen

London born but Madrid based since 1987, Carlos has travelled extensively around Spain running projects for his environmental company, Iniciativas Ambientales. These have included, bird watching trips in the Basque country, promoting organic agriculture to farmers, setting up cooking holidays in Andalucía, guiding walking tours in the Sierra Morena, and promoting Global Action Plan in the Madrid Sierra. He and David have also run two charity challenge cycling events from Bilbao to Barcelona. A wonderfully calm and knowledgeable travelling companion.

Carlos Oppe