Eszter Foldvary began guiding and leading expeditions after graduating in 1978 from tourism school in Hungary. “I could not picture myself as a teacher…I like to work with people and am interested in traveling….I never wanted to do anything else in my life,” says Eszter. She has led private jet journeys throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and many other places around the world. Eszter's vast experience, interest in the history of art, ability to speak multiple languages (Hungarian, English, French, and German), and excellent organizational skills serve our travelers very well.

Micheline Place has been successfully leading trips, including dozens of private jet expeditions to the far reaches of the globe for more than 25 years. She is fluent in French, German, and Italian, and lives in France, where she regularly guides select groups throughout her home country.

Carsten Stehr is a veteran of educational private jet and yacht travel, and has been leading travelers to every corner of the globe since 1995. He was born in Berlin, Germany, and is fluent in English, German, and Greek. Carsten holds a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, and resides on the Greek Island of Mykonos, where he pursues his art and manages his champagne bar, "Jackie O." Carsten's experience in leading, scouting, and advancing trips worldwide, combined with his extensive art and business background and keen interest in the cultures, architecture, and history of the world make him an invaluable asset to the success of our expeditions. 

For more than a decade, Richard Butler has led expeditions across all seven continents and has traveled to more than 125 countries. He has participated in more than 50 private jet trips, as an expedition leader or an advance person, and has scouted many new destinations for these expeditions. Richard received a degree in Politics from the University of Southampton, England, which sparked his long-standing interest in the people, cultures, and societies of the world. Richard lives in southwest England with his wife and daughter. Described as a calm and 'unflappable' leader, his comprehensive knowledge of destinations serves us well.

Susan Cegavske left the corporate world to pursue her passion for travel and has visited many countries throughout Asia and the Pacific including Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, New Zealand, and Australia. She lived in India to study yoga and Sanskrit, Italy to study art history, and the Alaskan bush to enjoy the land and work at various luxury lodges. She has been an Assistant Expedition Leader on numerous private jet trips and did advance work in Cambodia and Easter Island. She is a graduate of Oregon State University and, when not traveling, is a yoga instructor.

Rachel Dicker took her first trip to China in 1979 and has been traveling ever since. Rachel has been in the tour industry for over a decade and her country of expertise is China, where she lives. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts and speaks Mandarin, German, Spanish, and English. Rachel’s advance work includes destinations in Mongolia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Amanda Ellerbeck has been an expedition leader on both overland and shipboard programs all over the world. Her travels have taken her on in-depth explorations of Easter Island and Africa, and several private jet expeditions, including Lands of the Midnight Sun. Amanda has also led travelers through the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, South America, and Antarctica. She lends her expertise and lively sense of humor to expeditions that begin in London, U.K.

Lynn Garrison has an extensive background in both planning and guiding tours around the world. Lynn also works as an expedition staff member for private jet programs. Other experiences include leading safaris in Africa and directing groups at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Torino, Italy.

Neil Holbrook-Smith has over 25 year’s experience in the travel industry, has visited 200 countries, and has led groups all over the world on private ships, trains, and jets. Neil also has the distinction of having led two major firsts in overland travel: he led the first European group from Kathmandu, Nepal to Tibet; and he led the first European group through Pakistan’s Khunjerab Pass and Karakoram Highway. He has done advance work in dozens of countries, paving the way for our arrival with extensive preparations at hotels, local tour operators, and guides; has scouted new destinations; and helps plan small, private trips for families and friends. Neil speaks English, French, and Spanish, and brings a wealth of destination knowledge to his work.

Maria Hunyadi recently embarked on a career in the travel industry after years of inspiration in the form of postcards she received from friends and family traveling around the world. They motivated her to go and see those far-flung places for herself, and to learn about local customs and traditions. She is fluent in English, French, and Hungarian, has done advance work in Ethiopia and Morocco. Maria is an experienced Assistant Expedition Leader on our Around the World by Private Jet expeditions.

Ester Pereira has over three decades of experience in expeditionary travel. She has worked in the airline industry, and has done advance work in South America, Portugal, and Burma. Her other regions of expertise include Europe, China, Southeast and Central Asia, Russia, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Madagascar, the South Pacific, and Polar regions. She has a Ph.D. in Sociology and speaks Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian.

A fortunate man, Joe Razim is fulfilling a childhood dream with his work in travel, which has taken him all over the world. His countries of expertise range across all continents except Australia. He holds a Masters degree in Journalism; is able to communicate in Czech, Russian, and Polish; and has a special passion for natural history, navigation, boating, and snorkeling.

Mary Wakefield was born and educated near London and traveled extensively with her family as a child. She moved to the United States in 1980, and worked as a travel agent/manager for 17 years. She has been an Assistant Expedition Leader on many private jet programs including Around the World, History’s Lost Cities, Africa, and Empires & Explorers.

Based in Beijing, "Sunny” Yanfeng Sun develops and customizes our innovative programs in China. She also carefully selects and manages a team of guides who lead Starquest expeditions in China. Sunny has established longstanding working relationships with many prominent museums and universities, and she joins us following a successful decade-long career as a National Tour Director. Sunny graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1993.