Jon Baines

Jon started in the travel industry over 14 years ago, following a background in publishing and years of independent travel through the Americas, Europe and East Africa. In that time, he built up a start up travel company into a leading specialist study tour operation. Jon is a highly energetic and knowledgeable tour leader whose enthusiasm for the destinations he visits is contagious. He led his first group in 1996 from the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan to China. Since then, he has successfully lead groups to Bhutan, Cambodia, China, France, Iran, Jordan, Nepal, Vietnam, Sweden and Syria.

András Barabás

András Barabás MB ChB MD FRCS started his medical studies at the Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest but these were interrupted at the time of the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 in which he took an active part. Forced to leave Hungary as a refugee he came to England and qualified at the Medical School of Manchester. András Barabás trained as a surgeon in England and was appointed Consultant Vascular Surgeon in Suffolk and clinical teacher at the University of Cambridge School of Medicine in 1974. He has had numerous articles published in Medical and Surgical Journals, and co-authored a monograph: "Speaking at a Medical Meeting." András Barabás was recently awarded an Honorary Membership of the Hungarian Association of Surgeons and thus became the first Surgeon to hold memberships of both Hungarian and British surgical associations. Apart from Medicine, he is well read in Hungarian and English literature and history and is interested in ornithology. András is a regular visitor to Hungary and along with his English wife Alix, has previously led a very successful tour there.

Gilly Burn

Gilly Burn set up Cancer Relief India in 1990 and worked as the Project Director of the Indo-British Palliative Care Project from 1993-96 collaboration between Macmillan Cancer Relief and W.H.O.). She has been instrumental in setting up palliative care services in collaboration with Indian colleagues, notably the first hospital based palliative care team in India which is now a WHO Demonstration Project with SE Asia. She was one of the prime instigators in setting up the Indian Association of Palliative Care, and is an expert on palliative care and society in India. Well-travelled and energetic with an excellent sense of humour, Gilly is a great asset to any tour

Terry Butler

Terry Butler CBE was Hampshire County Council's Director of Social Services from 1988 to 2005. Nationally, he has regularly acted as a Government adviser and was seconded to the Department of Health in the early 1990s to help implement the community care reforms. He is a former member of the Home Office Advisory Board for Restricted Patients and Board of Governors for the National Institute for Social Work.

He is currently a Non Executive Director of the NHS South Central Strategic Health Authority and a Council Member for the General Social Care Council. He is also an Adviser for Social Care at the National Patient Safety Agency, Member of the Information Tribunal and Vice-President of the Relatives and Residents Association. He is self-employed as an Adviser in Public Services and Social Care and has travelled widely.

Liz Carrington

Liz Carrington, the international development adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, has a background paediatric physiotherapy and medical anthropology. Before joining the CSP she worked in India in community based rehabilitation and has previously led a tour to China.

Christalla Demetriades

Christalla Demetriades, (Talla) graduated with a degree in Medieval Ecclestical History and went on to work in publishing. Talla has lived and worked in the UK, Australia, Cyprus and Guatemala. Talla has built a house on the side of a volcano in Gutamala to spend the winter in. Talla has traveled extensively and is an experienced, enthusiastic and popular tour leader. Talla has led tours to China, India, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala (many times) and a on a Mediterranean Cruise.

Prof. Philip Dowell

Professor Philip Dowell qualified at the London hospital and after a number of hospital jobs entered general practice. Some years later after working in the West Indies he won an international fellowship to study to Eastman Dental Centre in the USA. He continued his post graduate studies at the University of Wales College of Medicine and subsequently taught both under graduates and post graduates in the area of periodontology. He is a specialist periodontist and immediate past president of the British Society of Periodontology. Philip Dowell has lectured both nationally and internationally and is the author of many publications. He is visiting professor for the University of Surrey and Regent for the UK for the International College of Dentists. He has led highly successful tours to China, Ecuador and around the Mediterranean.

Susan Hagan

Susan Hagan is a practising Aromatherapist, Ayurvedic and Bowen Practitioner and Teacher. She also teaches many Post-Graduate courses in the field of Complementary Medicine. She was the International Chair of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists from 2002 to 2005 and sits on the Committee for National Occupational Standards for Ayurveda. She trained in Ayurvedic medicine between 1968 and 1981 whilst resident in Nepal, where she met and married the eldest son of Boris Lissanevitch, the famous host of the 300 Club in Calcutta, the Royal Hotel and the Yak and Yeti Hotel in Kathmandu. An experienced tour leader she leads regular tours to Nepal, India and Bulgaria. She has acquired property in Bulgaria to expand her business there as the country joins the EU in January 2007.

Barbara Kuypers

Barbara Kuypers is General Manager for the Women and Children?s Services and a Head of Midwifery and Gynaecology in a London Hospital Trust. Barbara is a Nurse and a Midwife with now over 25 years experience working with International and UK experience. From 1982 she worked as a Midwife with various non-governmental organizations and agencies with international projects in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Zambia and The Gambia before returning to London to work in the NHS in 1988. Barbara has previously led a tour to China.

Dr Anne MacAlister

Dr Anne MacAlister has been a GP in Lanarkshire for 25 years. Anne has an interest in all alternative medicine with special interest and post graduate training in homoeopathy, acupuncture and hypnotherapy. Anne works as a doctor at a number of rock concerts and has traveled extensively to China, Tibet, India, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Australia, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Alaska, USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and throughout Europe. An experienced tour leader, Anne has led a number of tours through South America and Asia.

Dr Richard Marsh

Dr Richard Marsh has a long association with the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches. He is the author of Black Angels: the art and spirituality of Ethiopia and Prayers from the East and has traveled extensively. He is an experienced tour leader and having led many successful tours to Ethiopia"

John Richardson

John Richardson is the Emeritus Defence Professor of Primary Care and General Practice and is now an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the History of Medicine at Birmingham University . He has visited 69 countries and worked in 40 of them as a doctor. He travels worldwide leading tours or being the medical escort for pilgrimages for the Royal British Legion, or taking undergraduates and Service personnel on adventurous training or expeditions, and running history of medicine battlefield tours. John has lectured on a Mediterranean Medicine Cruise and has led cultural tours to Turkey , China and along the Silk Road . He is still working as a general practitioner.

Jamie Veitch

Jamie Veitch is co-founder and director of the weekly regeneration magazine New Start, has worked in social policy publishing for the last ten years and is particularly interested in social enterprise and economic and community development. Jamie launched and co-organised the National Housing Awards, is a trustee of the social firm Sheffield Reclaim has recently joined the new board of Eventus, the Sheffield-based cultural consultancy and is an avid rock climber.

Jamie has featured within magazines, a book and a film about rock climbing. An experienced and popular tour leader, Jamie has led study tours to China, Costa Rica and Nicaragua with a tour to Venezuela planned for May 2007.

Cathy Warwick

Cathy Warwick CBE is currently General Manager Women and Children's Services at Kings College Hospital in London. Cathy is also Director of Midwifery and an Honorary Professor of Midwifery at Kings College London. In 2006 she was awarded a CBE for services to Midwifery and Healthcare. Cathy lectures, writes and advises on midwifery issues with a particular interest in the organisation of care and the promotion of choice for women. Cathy has travelled widely both on her own and with her family, visiting midwifery units in America, Sri Lanka and South Africa and has previously led a Midwifery Study Tour to China.

Corinne Short

Corinne Short is Editor of The Practitioner, the monthly clinical journal for GPs. She has a life science degree and more than 20 years experience in medical journalism. Corinne is a former editor of Medical Monitor and was the launch editor of Guidelines in Practice. She has travelled extensively, especially in the Far East, and has led a tour of GPs to Tibet and Nepal.