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Take a deeper dive with expert guides

Cox & Kings Specialist-led tours are designed for culture lovers. Each focuses on humanity’s creative achievements, immersing you in the unique identity of destinations around the world. Explore the glittering legacy of the Mughal emperors, the merchants of the Silk Road, Ravenna’s master mosaicists, and more.

All the tours are led by specialist lecturers who work with Cox & Kings’ in-house travel experts to design the itineraries, often including private visits that would not be available to the wider public. These journeys focus on specific historic or cultural themes, and the specialists are on hand to provide colour and depth of understanding throughout the tour, both during informal talks and at sites along the way. The tours are also accompanied by local tour managers to ensure they run smoothly and, in many places, local guides share their knowledge and expertise during excursions.

Where possible we have set aside enough time to allow for independent exploration. However, as with all Cox & Kings tours, our expertise in organising private tailor-made travel means that we would be delighted to create pre- or post-tour extensions if you would like extra time to explore independently.

Meet our specialists

Why choose to travel with Cox & Kings expert lecturers

Gain insights from expertsGain insights from experts: the lecturers who design and lead these tours use their specialist knowledge to bring your destination to life, with in-depth talks that go beyond the guidebook.

Behind-the-scenes accessBehind-the-scenes access: we open doors typically closed to the general public, arranging private visits and rewarding encounters with local artisans and custodians.

Time to explore independentlyTime to explore independently: between shared activities, we ensure you have ample time to discover more of your destination on your own.

Local guides and tour managersLocal guides and tour managers: as well as specialist lecturers, you are guided and supported by local experts who can share their first-hand knowledge.

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:

Armenia and Georgia: Treasures of the Caucasus

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

Armenia & Georgia: Treasures of the Caucasus

Istanbul: Byzantines and Ottomans

Dr Konstantine Politis

Dr Konstantine Politis has spent 35 years leading archaeological projects in Jordan and the wider Levant, including three for the British Museum. He has published over 100 articles and twelve books on archaeology. Dr Politis’ expertise covers pre-history to the Medieval period in the eastern Mediterranean. 

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 with Valentina Harris

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

Genuinely small groups

Small groups promise a more personal touring experience. That’s why Cox & Kings maintains a maximum group size of 18 guests on most tours, and an average of just 14.

Worldwide support

Enjoy round-the-clock support – in person, over the phone and online. This is made possible by our well-travelled staff and unrivalled network of offices in destinations across the world.

Your money is protected

Cox & Kings is ABTA bonded and ATOL protected. When you arrange a holiday with us, rest assured that your booking is secure and your money is protected.

Experts since 1758

Cox & Kings is a name you can trust. We’ve been helping the curious traveller explore for more than 265 years – longer than any other travel company.

Begin your journey

Enquire online or contact one of our travel specialists

Order a brochure

For more travel inspiration, request a copy of the latest Cox & Kings brochure – a comprehensive collection of our group tours.