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We are Worldwide Quest.
Since 1970, Worldwide Quest has been enriching lives through travel, crafting thoughtfully designed small-group journeys that connect curious travellers with exceptional places and the people who know them best. Our tours span expert-led cultural explorations, natural history expeditions with Quest Nature Tours – Canada’s leader in nature travel – and bespoke journeys for arts, educational, and civic organizations. Each experience is defined by depth, engagement, and the quiet confidence born of meticulous planning and care.
Grounded in more than five decades of experience, our international team works in close partnership with trusted colleagues around the world to ensure each journey is immersive, seamless, and responsibly managed. We see travel as a form of lifelong learning – an opportunity to deepen understanding, foster genuine connection, and return home not only with a broadened perspective, but with vivid stories to share; encounters, insights, and moments that continue to resonate long after the journey ends.
Every Worldwide Quest experience reflects our enduring dedication to discovery, thoughtful service, and travel that honours the natural world, local cultures, and the communities we are privileged to encounter.
Grounded in more than five decades of experience, our international team works in close partnership with trusted colleagues around the world to ensure each journey is immersive, seamless, and responsibly managed. We see travel as a form of lifelong learning – an opportunity to deepen understanding, foster genuine connection, and return home not only with a broadened perspective, but with vivid stories to share; encounters, insights, and moments that continue to resonate long after the journey ends.
Every Worldwide Quest experience reflects our enduring dedication to discovery, thoughtful service, and travel that honours the natural world, local cultures, and the communities we are privileged to encounter.
Note From Our Partners
Travel has always been at the heart of who we are. What began as a shared curiosity about the world has evolved into a lifelong pursuit of discovery – an ongoing invitation to learn, to question, and to see more deeply. Again and again, we’ve found that the most meaningful moments in travel aren’t just about where we go, but what we come to understand along the way: the perspectives gained, the connections formed, and the stories that stay with us long after we return home.
We still feel that same sense of curiosity each time we design a new journey. Our aim is to create experiences that are thoughtful, immersive, and quietly transformative – travel that invites you not only to see the world, but to engage with it.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey of discovery. We look forward to travelling with you.
We still feel that same sense of curiosity each time we design a new journey. Our aim is to create experiences that are thoughtful, immersive, and quietly transformative – travel that invites you not only to see the world, but to engage with it.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey of discovery. We look forward to travelling with you.
Warmly,
The Partners at Worldwide Quest
Lewie Gonsalves, Laurielle Penny, Justin Peter, Balu Menon
The Partners at Worldwide Quest
Lewie Gonsalves, Laurielle Penny, Justin Peter, Balu Menon
Why Choose Worldwide Quest?
We’ve been designing journeys at Worldwide Quest since 1970- long enough to know that what makes a trip exceptional isn’t just where you go, but how you experience it. We travel often, ask questions, test routes, and refine constantly. The result is a collection of small group tours and private journeys shaped by deep knowledge, trusted relationships, and a genuine curiosity about the world. If you like to travel with insight- and without guesswork – you’ll feel at home with us.
Expert-Led Travel & Local Insight
The difference is in who you travel with. Our journeys are led by experienced experts and enriched by local guides, scholars, and cultural insiders we’ve worked with for years, often decades. These are people who open doors, share context, and offer the kind of perspective you simply can’t find on your own. It’s the layer beneath the surface that turns a visit into real understanding.
Small Groups, Thoughtful Design
We keep our groups small because it makes everything better – more access, more flexibility, more room to engage. Every itinerary is designed in-house, shaped by first-hand experience and a willingness to do things a little differently. We balance structure with spontaneity, include the highlights, and then go further, finding those unexpected moments that become the most memorable.
Personal & Responsible Travel
From your first conversation with us to your return home, you’ll be in touch with our
Toronto-based team. We know the details matter, and we take pride in getting them right. Just as important, we travel thoughtfully, working with partners who share our respect for local communities and environments, so that our journeys contribute positively to the places we visit.
Exceptional Value & Peace of Mind
We believe in being clear, comprehensive, and reliable. Our pricing includes accommodation, most meals, transportation, expert leadership, guided experiences, taxes, and gratuities, so you’re not navigating surprises along the way. With careful planning and trusted on-the-ground support, you’re free to focus on what matters: the experience itself, and the stories you’ll bring home.
56
Years of Travel Experience
70+
Expert Leaders
60+
Group Tours to Choose Every Year
What our partners are saying:
“Quest Nature Tours has been a valued partner of Ontario Nature for many years. Their ongoing support of our conservation initiatives, combined with their passion for connecting people to the natural world, has made a meaningful impact on our work and community.”
Kirsten Dahl,
Fundraising Director at Ontario Nature
What our partners are saying:
“All of my trips with Quest have been trips of a lifetime. From the locations to the lodging, and from the wildlife to the guests, they’re among my most cherished experiences.”
Dan Riskin,
Canadian Scientist and TV Personality
Who Trusts Us
Renowned organizations and institutions choose to travel with us because they trust our thoughtful planning, deep expertise, and shared passion for meaningful journeys.
What our partners are saying:
“We have been partnering with Worldwide Quest for over 6 years, to deliver unique cultural experiences around the world. With The Globe’s most celebrated journalists there to host, Worldwide Quest provides the expert knowledge and local flavour to deliver thoughtfully curated tours.”
Barbara Bruhn,
The Globe and Mail
Proudly registered with TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario), ensuring your travel investment is protected and your adventures meet the highest industry standards for safety and reliability.
Meet Our Leaders in the Field
Tour leaders are central to the Worldwide Quest and Quest Nature Tours experience. Each leader brings deep expertise in the destination and the themes being explored, working closely with knowledgeable local guides and naturalists to provide insight, context, and deeper understanding. They manage on-the-ground logistics with care, allowing travellers to focus fully on discovery, while also ensuring safety, comfort, and a well-paced journey. Our leaders are thoughtfully selected and carefully matched to each tour based on experience, interests, and destination fit. Meet our exceptional tour leaders below and explore the journeys they lead.
Search Our Team
Marc Webber
Marc Webber is a marine mammal specialist with an undergraduate and graduate degree from San Francisco State University. He has worked as a biologist and refuge manager for non-profit organizations and the US government for his entire career in many places. He has also worked at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Among his better-known works is a major book he co-published a fantastic work called Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification. It is now in its second edition.
Galen Halverson
Galen Halverson is a professor of geology at McGill University. He reads the history of our planet from ancient rocks in order to understand how the Earth system has behaved over billions of years. His current research focuses on tectonics, climate change and the evolution of ocean chemistry in deep time and the conditions under which complex life originated. Galen has spent extensive time conducting field research in the Arctic and in deserts across the globe. He also previously worked in the Weddell Sea investigating the sedimentary consequences of the progressive collapse of the Larsen Ice Shelf. He is keen to return to the region to bear witness the ongoing changes to this unique environment and to study the geological vestiges of the break of the Gondwana megacontinent. This will be Galen’s second expedition with us!
Liz Armstrong
Recognized for her long track record of producing innovative exhibitions and publications, Elizabeth Armstrong has been a leader in shaping the identity of museums as organizations of dynamism and exchange. Today, Armstrong is focused on supporting artists, contemporary curation, and writing on art.
Since 2022, Hugh Wakeham and Liz Armstrong have collaborated on curating international travel experiences focused on modern architecture, design and contemporary art.
Hugh Wakeham
Hugh is an internationally experienced presenter, producer, and promoter with over 45 years in the arts, spanning theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. Hugh owned and operated a sponsorship marketing agency for over 25 years, focused on arts, entertainment and public venues. Hugh has a background in Urban Studies, and is a passionate enthusiast of modernist architecture, design and preservation.
Jeanette Dame
Jeanette is an avid traveller with a lifelong passion for discovering new countries, cultures, and people. Born and raised in Alberta, she has a deep love for both the mountains and the prairies, and truly appreciates the beauty of all four seasons. Over the years, she travelled extensively for both work and pleasure—experiences that shaped her perspective and deepened her curiosity about the world. Connecting with people is at the heart of who she is – she loves to make new friends and share stories. She is a natural organizer and strong communicator, and is looking forward to creating lasting memories with her group in Tuscany.
Steven Lee
Steven Lee is co-director of the Centre for Korean Research at UBC’s Institute of Asian Research. He is Associate Professor in the UBC Department of History, where he teaches courses on Twentieth Century Global History, Twentieth Century Korea, and the International Relations of the big powers. His research concentrates on international relations, particularly the history of the Cold War and US-Korea relations. Professor Lee has published two books and has co-edited another, and is currently working on a history of the Korean War and a survey of twentieth century global history.
Marc Webber
Marc Webber is a marine mammal specialist with an undergraduate and graduate degree from San Francisco State University. He has worked as a biologist and refuge manager for non-profit organizations and the US government for his entire career in places all over the United States.
Lesley Anderson
Lesley Anderson brings a wealth of experience from across the tourism industry, including seven years guiding cycling, hiking, and multi-sport adventures both in Canada and internationally with the world’s largest active travel company. In addition to her work with Mosaic Earth, Lesley collaborates with communities and tourism businesses to develop authentic visitor experiences across Canada. Combined with her Masters Degree in Tourism Management, she excels at creating meaningful connections between travellers and local cultures. Based in Nanaimo, BC, Lesley enjoys hiking, skiing, cycling, and paddle boarding when she’s not sharing her passion for meaningful travel with our guests.
Chas Anderson
Chas Anderson is a marine naturalist and expedition leader with decades of experience across the Indo-Pacific, where he has worked extensively in Indonesia and throughout tropical ocean ecosystems. He is widely respected for his ability to locate and interpret marine mammal behaviour in the field, from dolphins to large whales, in complex tropical environments.
Dr. Cory W. Thorne Gutiérrez
Dr. Cory W. Thorne Gutiérrez is Associate Professor in the Department of Folklore at Memorial University, and is cross-appointed with music (ethnomusicology). He was born in Newfoundland, where his ancestors have resided since the 1700s (Torbay, Gander Bay, and Fogo Island). He completed his PhD in 2004 (University of Pennsylvania) with an ethnography of NL diaspora (NL military brides in Virginia, iron workers in New Jersey, factory workers in southern Ontario, and oil workers in Fort McMurray). He likewise works with Cuban folklore and migration, and how folklore carries forward unspoken histories of Newfoundland’s connections to Cuba and the Black Atlantic. In 2025, he served as the DAAD Visiting Professor in the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and European Ethnology at the University of Göttingen, Germany.
Joanne Sasvari
Joanne Sasvari is a Victoria, BC–based food, drink, and travel writer with a background in English and Art History from UBC. She edits YAM, Spruce and Vitis magazines, and contributes to Edible Vancouver, Food & Wine and Postmedia. She is also the author of several books, including The Wickaninnish Cookbook and Okanagan Eats. Joanne holds WSET Level 3 certification and has travelled extensively in France’s wine regions, exploring the links between history, terroir, and what’s in the glass.
Travis Steffens
Travis Steffens (PhD) is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Guelph. He is a Fellow International of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and the founding Executive Director of Planet Madagascar, a charity focused on conserving lemurs and improving the lives of people in Madagascar. Since 2005, Travis has led over 70 wildlife and cultural trips to Belize, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Russia, and Zimbabwe. He brings a passion for wildlife, culture, conservation, and travel to each of his trips.
Keriann McGoogan
Keriann McGoogan (PhD) is an author and trained primatologist. She received her PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Toronto. In pursuit of primates, she has lived and worked in Belize and Madagascar. She is the author a memoir Chasing Lemurs: My Journey Into the Heart of Madagascar (Prometheus Books, 2020) and Sisters of the Jungle: The Trailblazing Women Who Shaped the Study of Wild Primates (Douglas & McIntyre, 2025). McGoogan’s writing has also appeared in The Walrus, Orion, Outpost Magazine, the Toronto Star, and as part of the anthology Bad Artist: Creating in a Productivity Obsessed World (Touchwood Editions, 2024).
Ann De León
Ann De León is an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton (Treaty 6), where she teaches Spanish, Latin American Studies, Spanish–English Translation, and Aztec History, Language, and Culture. Originally from Mexico City, she is an award-winning educator, having received the Early Teaching Award (2012) and the Community-Service-Learning Teaching Award (2025). She has also partnered with more than 13 local non-profit organizations. Her research focuses on Aztec (Mexica), Mixtec, and Mayan Indigenous pictorial manuscripts (códices or amoxtli), as well as representations of the Aztecs in popular culture.
Fun fact: For the past 18 years, she has dressed as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo to celebrate Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos).
Sarah Warren
Sarah Warren is Executive Director of Community Partnerships and Associate Professor of Sociology at Lewis & Clark College. She has extensive international experience studying, conducting research, and leading groups abroad. In 2025 Professor Warren traveled widely in New Zealand and led the student program to Australia. Her scholarship has explored Indigenous identity, belonging, and cross-border community connections, particularly among Mapuche communities in Chile and Argentina. Sarah’s expertise offers a thoughtful comparative lens for exploring New Zealand, helping travellers consider the relationships among land, culture, colonial histories, and contemporary Indigenous self-determination. She is thrilled to join the trip to New Zealand and is excited to take part in the All Blacks experience in Auckland and share her expertise about indigenous peoples globally.
Bryn Turnbull
Bryn Turnbull is the bestselling author of The Paris Deception and three other historical novels, including The Berlin Apartment, published in August 2024. She studied English at McGill University and has an ML in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews.
Shelbea Julseth
Shelbea Julseth is an experienced and thoughtful traveller with a deep curiosity for the world. Originally from Chilliwack, British Columbia Shelbea enjoys wandering historic streets, enjoying local food and wine, or sharing quiet reflection in nature. Having solo-travelled countries such as Spain, Austria, Italy, Portugal, and Czech Republic, Shelbea is comfortable navigating new environments, embracing the unexpected, and finding beauty in both iconic landmarks and everyday moments.
With a degree in Environmental Science, Shelbea brings a strong appreciation for geography, landscapes, and the natural world. She is passionate about understanding how place, culture, and environment intersect, and she encourages mindful travel (like that of Womens Travel Network) that honours local communities and ecosystems. Her curiosity, empathy, and steady leadership style help create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where women feel comfortable being themselves, trying new things, and forming lasting friendships. Shelbea believes that travel can be empowering and she is excited to help others build confidence, joy, and connection through shared experiences around the world.
Ann Haynes-Sutton
Ann Haynes-Sutton is a conservation ecologist who has spent her working life in Jamaica. She is the senior author of A photographic guide to the birds of Jamaica, published by Princeton University in 2009, and has been leading bird and natural-history tours in Jamaica and other islands for many years. She lives at Marshall’s Pen, near Mandeville, in the centre of Jamaica — a 310-acre cattle property and private nature reserve that is one of Jamaica’s premier birding destinations. Her interest in birds and natural history started when she was growing up in England, becoming a passion when she came to live in Jamaica. She studied Jamaican seabirds for her Ph.D. Professionally, she focuses on ecology, protected-areas management and conservation, environmental education, and exhibit design. Ann is also conducts bird banding. She is involved with several NGOs, including BirdsCaribbean and Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, and is a past president of the Natural History Society of Jamaica.
Cole Burton
Cole Burton is an Associate Professor and the Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Terrestrial Mammal Conservation in the Department of Forest Resources Management at UBC. He is a conservation biologist and wildlife ecologist with broad interests in using science to inform biodiversity conservation and human-wildlife coexistence. Cole leads the Wildlife Coexistence lab at UBC and has conducted research on a variety of wild mammal species around the world, including threatened carnivores in West Africa. He served as a member of the African Lion Working Group and the Hyaena Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Cole’s research has been widely disseminated, including through more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.
Mary Lake Collins
Mary Lake Collins is a retired teacher with a degree in Fine Art History. Since retiring, she has volunteered with Museum London & the McIntosh Gallery at Western University, taking groups on art trips across the United States, China, Chile, Argentina, Malta, India, and Sicily, trips specialized in rich art experiences and cultural appreciation.
Kyle Horner
Kyle Horner is a consummate environmental educator and well-travelled, lifelong naturalist, who has been birdwatching since before he could walk! Following a Wildlife Biology degree at the University of Guelph, he worked as a field technician for various research projects before shifting to science communication, which has led him to teaching about nature for parks, outreach programs, zoos, arboreta, non-profits, and the University of Guelph. Kyle is currently the NatureCounts Engagement Coordinator at Birds Canada. While birds are at the heart of his connection to the natural world, Kyle is enraptured with all aspects of nature and science. He has a special fondness for traditionally maligned creatures and loves to show others the beauty and interest of reptiles, insects, and more. Kyle recently completed a book on turtles of North America, released in 2024.
Narayana Rangaswamy
Narayana Rangaswamy comes from the tiny village of Belathur in India, which adjoins the famous Nagarahole National Park. Having grown up around the elephant paradise of Kabini, his early inspiration to observe nature came from studying the birds around home. He has led wildlife expeditions to Ladakh for Snow Leopard, Himalayan wildlife, Kaziranga, Dudhwa, and Ranthambhore in addition to Southern India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Jaroslava Baconová
Born in Kladno, just outside Prague, Jaroslava Baconová started as a scholar of Czech language and literature. She moved to Canada in 2001 and carried her love for her country into her new expatriate home. Now based in British Columbia, she has taught Czech in Prague, Glasgow, and eventually across Canada. For her, literature is not just a collection of books, but the connections and life stories they represent: stories of their protagonists, their authors, and their readers. She is excited to share these stories with you and to provide keys to better understanding the people whose destinies shaped the landscapes of Central Europe through which we will be travelling.
Peter Arcese
Peter Arcese is an Emeritus professor and Forest Renewal Chair in Conservation Biology with more than 200 papers and books on the ecology and genetics of insular bird, plant, and mammal populations in South and North America as well as Africa. Peter currently coordinates a 50-year study of an insular Song Sparrow population with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, advises research on individually-identified Andean Bears, and collaborates with the W̱ SÁNEĆ Leadership Council to create science curricula for SENĆOŦEN emersion learners. As a former Chair of Nature Trust BC, Peter is enthusiastic about sharing his passion for nature and expanding the roles of private finance in the conservation of nature.
Alison Criscitiello
Dr. Alison Criscitiello is a world-renowned ice core scientist, mountaineer, and advocate for gender equity. An Assistant Professor and Director of the Canadian Ice Core Lab at the University of Alberta, she earned MIT’s first PhD in glaciology. Her research reconstructs climate and contaminant histories from ice cores drilled across Antarctica, Greenland, and the Canadian High Arctic, documenting glaciers at risk from climate change. A co-founder of Girls on Ice Canada, she champions science education for young women. Her work bridges research, exploration, and storytelling to inspire curiosity about the polar world. Alison is a Fellow International of The Explorers Club.
Maria (Maite) Maldonado
Dr. Maria (Maite) Maldonado is a Professor in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Her research explores how bioactive trace metals—particularly iron and copper—influence phytoplankton physiology and ocean productivity. She earned her PhD from McGill University in 1999. Maldonado’s work has documented iron limitation of primary productivity in the Arctic Ocean and examined how ocean acidification and thinning sea ice affect metal availability for Arctic phytoplankton. She has participated in international GEOTRACES research cruises and served on its Scientific Steering and Data Management Committees, advancing global collaboration in marine biogeochemistry. This will be Maite’s third expedition with us!
Philippe Tortell
Dr. Philippe Tortell is a Professor of Oceanography at UBC, and Head of the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. He has conducted oceanographic research expeditions around the world including several expeditions to the Ross, Weddell and Amundsen Seas, and extended deployments at Palmer Station on the West Antarctic Peninsula. Among his various works, he edited several popular books, including Earth 2020: An Insider’s Guide to a Rapidly Changing Planet. Philippe s a graduate of McGill University. This Antarctica departure will be Philippe’s third with us!
Natalie Van Deusen
Natalie Van Deusen is the Henry Cabot and Linnea Lodge Scandinavian Professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton (Treaty 6), where she teaches a variety of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses on Scandinavian language, literature, and culture from the Middle Ages to the present. Her area of research specialization is Old Norse and early modern Icelandic literature, with a focus on topics relating to religion, gender, and disability. She has lived in Denmark and Iceland and has travelled widely across the Nordic region, the British Isles, and northern Europe, and loves sharing her passion for her area of academic expertise with others.
Vikram Vij
Chef Vikram Vij is an Indian-born Canadian chef, cookbook author, and television personality. He is a passionate supporter of the sustainable food industry and has championed many causes including the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program and the UBC Farm. His dedication to the work done at UBC resulted in the funding and opening of Vij’s Kitchen, a state-of-the-art culinary facility at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems dedicated to teaching the chefs and nutritionists of the future about ethnic food and cuisine. In recognition of his many contributions to the Vancouver community, he was awarded an honourary doctorate from UBC in May, 2016.
Lori Dalton
Lori is an enthusiastic leader, personal life coach and gifted speaker and she has a desire to help others live their lives to the fullest. Lori believes that traveling is one of the best learning opportunities that one can have. She is a well traveled individual and as a tour leader with WTN she uses her excellent people skills to ensure everyone is enjoying, learning and growing while on tour with her. Lori’s exceptional leadership and communications skills, positive attitude and joie de vive make every journey with her fun filled and stress free. Lori enjoys new experiences and friendships and we guarantee she will make you feel welcome and ensure that you are having the time of your life.
Mark Cwik
Mark Cwik’s deep understanding and appreciation of classical texts are evident in his ability to engage discussion participants and bring ancient stories to life. Mark’s extensive reading and dedication have earned him a reputation among peers and enthusiasts as a highly knowledgeable and skilled reader. He has devoted thousands of hours to reading and discussing the Iliad, Odyssey and the Greek tragedies with adult learners of all ages, making him one of the most experienced guides available for what will be an only-at-Classical-Pursuits experience.
Erin Bracken
The Travel Bug – an insatiable desire to explore new places, experience different cultures, and embrace adventure. Erin caught this bug early, embarking on her first backpacking trip through Europe at 21. Inspired by a copy of First Time, Europe, she felt a thrill that has never left her. Since then, she has traveled extensively across Western Europe, parts of Australia, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and South America—including a year living in Manizales, Colombia, where she picked up some Spanish along the way. A mother of two teens and a rescue pup, Erin now calls a charming small town in Ontario home. She is passionate about sharing her love of travel and creating unforgettable adventures for our clients.
Liam Singh
Liam Singh grew up with a deep fascination for the ecosystems and organisms of the Pacific Northwest, honing his naturalist skills along the rocky intertidal beaches around Victoria, BC. With strong interests in birds, reptiles, insects, marine invertebrates, as well as bryophytes, Liam has taken his passion for biodiversity from his home on Vancouver Island worldwide through both his work and personal travels. Liam has a keen eye to finding seldom-seen and lesser-known species. His interest in cryptic and variable taxa quickly led him to the world of gulls, where he has been working on creating a photographic archive of the gulls of the West Coast. This attention to detail has also aided in his success as a photographer and artist, where his work has been featured in guides, galleries, and research papers.
Pam McGarel
Pam McGarel has dedicated her career to harnessing the power of travel to support
the wellbeing of our planet and its people. A graduate of the University of Guelph, she
has previously worked in sustainable tourism consulting where she helped develop a
globally recognized certification program for tourism businesses and destinations. Pam
has experience in public-private partnerships with a polar expedition cruise operator,
where she built relationships with world-leading field scientists, conservationists, and
educators to facilitate their projects alongside the traveller experience. Originally from Ontario, Pam moved to British Columbia in 2016 seeking outdoor adventure, with favourite activities including hiking, sea kayaking, snowboarding, and taking road trips.
Samuél Lopez-Barrantes
Samuél Lopez-Barrantes will lead custom walks in Paris. He is a novelist and musician who lives in Paris, where he has taught creative writing at the Sorbonne, hosts literary salons, and leads historical walks on modernism, existentialism, and the Nazi Occupation of Paris. His second novel, The Requisitions, is a historical metafiction set in Nazi-occupied Poland.
Melanie Blake
Melanie Blake is the director of Classical Pursuits and has led our Paris tours since 2019. She studied English and French at Fordham University and linguistics at the University of Nottingham. She led her first tour in France in 2002 and never tires of all l’Hexagone has to offer, in all its complexity. She will be taking care of tour logistics and leading literary discussions.
Alan Watson
Alan Watson is a retired faculty member in the School of Environmental Sciences
at the University of Guelph, where he taught nature interpretation, environmental stewardship, and a conservation field course. He also recently retired from his long-standing role as Director of the university’s Arboretum. He has over 25 years of experience leading tours, including to such places as Trinidad and Tobago, the Lesser Antilles, Costa Rica, Brazil, Tanzania, the Galapagos Islands, and the Magdalen Islands. Alan is also a cetacean expert, having studied Harbour Porpoises in depth. He is delighted to be returning to the Galapagos with you!
Bonnie Chartier
Bonnie Chartier was born and raised in Churchill, Manitoba. Bonnie has been involved in Churchill’s tourism industry since its inception and was instrumental in introducing the world to Churchill’s Polar Bears, Belugas, birds, and natural history. Bonnie’s familiarity with the Churchill region is boundless, and our travellers quickly appreciate her tremendous wealth of knowledge! Bonnie authored the American Birding Association’s classic birdfinding guide to the region, A Birder’s Guide to Churchill.
Andrea Kingsley
Prince Edward County-area resident and expert naturalist and biologist Andrea Kingsley has over 35 years of experience in field biology and guiding through various environmental consultant jobs, teaching, and research projects. Many of her projects both in Ontario and across Canada have involved birds, and she is highly experienced at field identification by sight and sound. Andrea is also an accomplished artist whose illustrations are featured in several publications, including a dragonfly identification guide of Algonquin Provincial Park, where she also worked for several seasons as interpretive naturalist. Andrea generously volunteers her time leading field trips for the Ontario Field Ornithologists and other organizations. Currently based in nearby Brighton, Ontario, Andrea looks forward to showing Quest participants the great bird life that can be found in “The County.” She has led recent departures of this tour.
Catherine Jardine
Catherine Jardine is an avid naturalist and traveller who follows her considerable interests in
wildlife and landscapes worldwide. A superlative communicator of the natural world, Catherine
works as a staff ornithologist with Birds Canada based at their National Data Centre in Delta, British Columbia. Catherine has a particular expertise in seabird ecology, and her field work has taken her to many a remote place. She has led previous Quest tours to Honduras, Antarctica, the Great Bear Rainforest, and the Galapagos. She is thrilled to be returning to the Enchanted Isles with you!
Chris Earley
A long-time fixture at the University of Guelph, Chris Earley has been the Arboretum’s Interpretive Biologist and Education Coordinator for over 20 years. A self-proclaimed “nature geek,” he is a passionate educator, teaching a variety of bird, insect, and art workshops at the Arboretum as well as designing signage and literature and leading tours. He also presents a variety of special lectures and labs for undergraduate and graduate classes. Chris is a veteran Quest leader and has led highly successful tours all over the globe, including to parts of Central and South America. During graduate school, Chris visited Peru to compare beetle diversity between tropical and temperate forests.
Dylan White
Dylan grew up in the city but fell in love with wild places and the creatures that inhabit them long before he could walk. It is this lifelong passion for experiencing, conserving and learning about nature has motivated his work. He is a professional ecologist with 10 years of experience on more than 175 diverse projects, and moonlights as a wilderness and wildlife guide. He has used this foundation, as an independent ecologist, on various contracts in academic research and ecology planning. Some project highlights include research on red squirrels, migratory shorebirds and hoary bats, as well as ecological protection planning in James Bay, impact mitigation planning in Nunavut and wetland restoration projects in Ontario. Additionally, Dylan has become highly involved as a technical skills trainer, and many of his past students have moved into full-time roles in the environmental sector.
David Lindo
Also known as The Urban Birder, David is a broadcaster, writer, naturalist, photographer, public speaker, and tour leader who has become one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary birding. Through television appearances, books, talks, and guided travel, David encourages people to look afresh at the natural world around them, believing that meaningful encounters with wildlife begin simply by paying attention.
Originally from London, David is now based in Extremadura, Spain, a region he knows intimately. David is widely respected for making natural history engaging, accessible, and relevant, whether in the heart of a city or across wide rural landscapes. His guiding style combines infectious enthusiasm, thoughtful interpretation, and a relaxed approach that allows space for curiosity, discovery, and surprise.
Debbie Ross
Debbie Ross, founder of Womens Travel Network has been providing travel services to her customers for over 30 years. Her travel around the globe has been extensive. Be it relaxing holidays, trekking or sports related, she has first hand knowledge of many varied travel experiences.
Dan Riskin
Dan Riskin, PhD, is a television personality, scientist, author, and podcaster. He is best known in Canada as the co-host of Discovery’s flagship science program, Daily Planet. In the US and elsewhere, he is recognized as the host of Animal Planet’s hugely successful show about parasites, Monsters Inside Me. He has published more than 20 papers in scientific journals, including Nature, mostly about the biomechanics of bats. His first popular book, Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You was a Canadian bestseller, and his weekly podcast, Recent Paper Decent Puzzle is available now. Dan was a leader aboard our last Amazon expedition cruise and looks forward to travelling there with you.
Erick Villagomez
Erick Villagomez is an educator, researcher, and designer with academic and professional interests in human settlements. He is the founding principal of Metis Design|Build, Editor-in-Chief of Spacing Vancouver and a regular contributor to the award-winning Spacing Magazine. He is currently a Lecturer within UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning.
Gary Lewis
UBC alumnus Gary Lewis is the owner of Phoenix Perennials, a cutting edge retail nursery in Vancouver, and an expert on perennials and horticulture. He is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable plant experts with a deep and special interest in rare and unusual herbaceous perennials. He recently published The Complete Book of Ground Covers.
Cynthia Hoy
Cynthia Hoy has been travelling for forty-five years and visited an equal amount of countries as a single, couple, mother, daughter, friend and employee. From backpacker and independent traveler, to expat and being part of a tour group, this has imbued Cynthia with a keen desire to instill a curiosity of the world and a love of travel and adventure in others. She loves meeting new people, learning about different cultures and making new friendships. Happily retired in Prince Edward County after 35 years as a risk manager, consultant and teacher, Cynthia loves connecting people and places.
Effective communication, negotiation and problem solving are second nature to this highly organized and unflappable woman. With her high energy, sense of humor, enthusiasm and zest for life, Cynthia sees her cup as not half full but overflowing.
Glenn Barrett
Past-President of the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club in Ontario, Glenn Barrett is a Wildlife Biologist and has worked in outdoor education programming for educational institutions and as a Wildlife Technician since 1994. He has a rare distinction among Canadians in actually having lived in the Galapagos! Glenn has led many tours to the Galapagos, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tanzania. Glenn led our 2023 and 2025 Brazil tours and looks forward to returning with you!
Graham Sorenson
Graham Sorenson is a well-travelled field biologist who currently works at Birds Canada as Science in the North Project Manager, where he focuses on the conservation of Boreal and Arctic birds and habitat. He has worked in many field roles across Canada, having conducted shorebird surveys on the mudflats at Delta, BC, studied seabirds in Nunavut, and tracked Savannah Sparrows in New Brunswick. He loves discovering and showcasing wildlife and wild places and looks forward to returning to Central America, where many of the birds from Canada’s Boreal forest will be overwintering!
Greta Binford
When you listen to Greta Binford talk about biodiversity, the tree of life, biogeography, Gondwana, migratory pathways for monarch butterflies or many other topics, it is easy to understand why she was Oregon’s Teacher of the Year in 2011. She takes scientific facts and principles, and tells them like stories, in a way that anyone would find fascinating. Professor Binford has traveled the globe finding fascinating flora and fauna and of course, her favorite- spiders.
Jean Iron
Jean Iron is a veteran tour leader. As President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists for 10 years and recent recipient of their Distinguished Ornithologist Award, she is Ontario’s best-known birdwatcher. A passionate naturalist and gardener as well, her photography has been published in numerous nature publications. Jean is an experienced expeditioner, having led tours to Canada’s High Arctic and Greenland, Svalbard, the Galapagos, Costa Rica and Panama, Iceland, Scotland and the Faroes, Japan, and French Polynesia. Jean led our inaugural expedition cruise to Patagonia and the Chilean Fjords in March 2025.
Janice Mason Steeves
Janice Mason Steeves is represented by galleries in Canada and the U.S., with work in public, corporate, and private collections in Canada and internationally. As well as an active one-on-one Art Mentoring program, Janice teaches painting workshops in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. She has also been awarded artist residencies in Spain, Ireland, Sweden, and Iceland.
Janet Gates
Janet Gates is a Director at Worldwide Quest and a lifelong adventure traveller. Hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario she grew up canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Her experience as a cross-country ski racer, coach, and official led to her serving as an international cross-country ski official and volunteer, working with event organizing committees around the world.
A retired executive from the Ontario Public Service, she is committed to life-long learning and staying active, passions she loves sharing with others.
Jane Waterman
Jane Waterman is a professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba, where she specializes in behavioural ecology. She has taught courses such as Biology of Mammals, Animal Behaviour, Ecology, Ornithology, and Conservation Biology, and offers field courses in the biology of African mammals in South Africa. Her research focuses on the factors that influence the evolution of sociality and mating systems and the majority of her research focuses on sociality in ground-dwelling squirrels. She has spent many field seasons in Africa, namely in Namibia! For the past 30 years, Jane has also studied sociality in the Polar Bear. She has degrees from the University of Guelph, the University of Alberta, and the University of Minnesota, and was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Saskatchewan and York University.
Josh Vandermeulen
Josh Vandermeulen is a professional field biologist and an active and well-known member of Ontario’s naturalist community. He hones his impressive field skills both at home and abroad, with a particular interest in birds and herptiles. Josh is well travelled in the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. He has been up and down the Andes on multiple past tours to the northern reaches of South America.
Judy Rogers
Judy Rogers is the Chancellor of UBC. A UBC alum, Judy’s extensive career is marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to public administration, community development, and governance. Judy is a keen walker, hosting recent UBC Travel Club walking tours in the UK, New Zealand, and Portugal. Judy’s tours are always popular, and we’re thrilled to have her back to lead this exciting new adventure.
Justin Peter
Justin Peter is a Principal of Worldwide Quest and Director of its Quest Nature Tours branch. Prior to joining the company, Justin was the senior naturalist at Ontario’s world-renowned Algonquin Park, where he coordinated the park’s interpretive program and acted as lead howler for the celebrated Public Wolf Howl events.
Lewie Gonsalves
Lewie Gonsalves is taking President’s Tour travellers on this kaleidoscopic tour of Turkey. He has led numerous trips to this fascinating destination and is looking forward to exploring the less visited, scenic, and historic Lake Van area as well as the highlights of classical Turkey.
Laurie Flasko
Laurie Flasko has a deep passion for travelling with an open bucket list for new adventures. Experiencing new cultures and finding hidden gems as well as those special moments that create lasting memories are high on her list. Laurie is a customer-service trainer at work and speaks internationally on the Kindness Advantage. At home, her joy is spending time with family, especially her granddaughters. Laurie is eager to share her love of travel and personal experiences by ensuring your trip is an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.
Marco Frank
Marco Frank, Trade & Partnerships Manager for Visit Flanders in North America, brings over two decades of experience in travel, culture, and storytelling. As a passionate ambassador for Flanders, Marco offers travelers expert insight into the region’s rich heritage—ranging from medieval cities and world-class cuisine to legendary beer and cycling traditions. His deep connections and knowledge ensure guests enjoy authentic, behind-the-scenes experiences. As tour leader, Marco curates engaging, sustainable journeys that highlight Flemish art, history, and local life. His enthusiasm and expertise make every trip to Flanders both unforgettable and enriching. Marco completed his BCom degree at the University of British Columbia and his MBA at the KUL in Leuven, Belgium.
Melissa Ross
Melissa Ross is an experienced and passionate traveller always seeking the big adventures in life. Born and raised in Toronto now calling the Canary Islands her home, Melissa lives to discover the world. With an apt for languages and a drive to be fully immersed in other cultures Melissa has spent time living abroad in Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Austria and Hungary. Melissa has turned her adventurous spirit into her career by creating content and marketing strategies for businesses both in Canada and abroad. A talented surfer, Melissa also holds ISA accreditation to teach surfing worldwide. Her friendly, bubbly, outgoing nature is contagious and uplifting while her attention to detail and keen sense of organization is reassuring and helpful. Join Melissa on a tour and discover another one of life’s beautiful adventures.
Marisa Mae
Marisa Mae has trained clients one-on-one and in small groups for over 12 years from her base in Vancouver, British Columbia. She creates and leads programs, workshops, and workouts for UBC Faculty of Medicine Department of Paediatrics and BC Children’s Hospital staff. Marisa is a BCRPA registered Personal Trainer and has certifications as a specialized instructor in Weight Training, Older Adults, Yoga Fitness, Hardstyle Kettlebell, and Precision Nutrition. She loves motivating people to accomplish more than they think they are capable of and is constantly inspired by what her clients achieve. Her love of life, a good laugh, and positive energy are contagious.
Megan Daniels
Megan Daniels is an assistant professor in the Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies at the University of British Columbia. Her main specialties are the archaeology and history of ancient Greece, but her deeper interests involve long-term political, commercial, and religious interconnections across ancient Western Asia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. She has been engaged in archaeological fieldwork since 2002 in Canada, Bermuda, and various sites across the eastern Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, Türkiye, Tunisia, and Macedonia). Her Mediterranean fieldwork includes several seasons as a pottery specialist on excavations of harbours from an ancient Greek coastal site on the Datça Peninsula in Türkiye, south of Bodrum, and she is thrilled to return to Tükiye for the 2027 tour.
Mike Kent
Mike Kent is an excellent all-round naturalist and educator based in southwestern Ontario as well as an avid world traveller. He has worked as a Park Naturalist at Ontario’s Killbear Provincial Park and the famous Algonquin Provincial Park, and as a Tour Manager at the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens in Costa Rica’s highland cloud forests. Mike is active as a volunteer with various conservation groups, notably Lambton Wildlife, his ‘home’ naturalist group in Sarnia, Ontario. Mike has a keen and abiding interest in all life forms, with a particular fondness for insects, fungi, and other under-appreciated groups. You are sure to benefit from Mike’s excellent spotting and interpretive skills as he returns to Borneo with you.
Paula Swart
Paula Swart is a museum curator and expert on Asian culture and history. Paula has degrees in Sinology, Asian art history, Chinese history, and archaeology and has published several books and numerous articles on the art and architecture of Asian cultures. Paula is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia and has recently been teaching courses on UNESCO World Heritage sites at the UBC Summer Institute and the University of Victoria.
Shannon Violo
With an insatiable passion for discovering new experiences, Shannon Violo thrives on exploring diverse cultures and landscapes around the globe. A talented travel agent and former Womens Travel Network tour host, Shannon has spent years honing her skills under the mentorship of WTN CEO Debbie Ross, who instilled in her the values of adaptability and curiosity. Each adventure fuels Shannon’s desire to connect with people and immerse herself in the richness of their stories. Whether wandering through bustling markets or trekking remote trails, she embraces every opportunity to learn and grow, making each journey a memorable chapter in her life. Shannon is incredibly excited for this new venture with the Womens Travel Network.
Patrick Moldowan
Patrick Moldowan A graduate of the University of Guelph, Patrick Moldowan is a devoted lifelong interpretive naturalist with a special interest in evolution, biogeography, and herpetofauna. Patrick recently completed his doctoral studies in the department of Ecology, Evolution, and Biology at the University of Toronto. He just completed a year-long residence in the Galapagos Islands after being appointed as Principal Investigator of the Giant Tortoise Movement Ecology Program, which is an initiative of the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park Directorate, and the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine. Affable and unflappable, Patrick’s natural teaching style and indelible love for wildlife and wild spaces, and particularly for islands, make him a perfect ‘natural host’ on this tour!
Pete Read
Pete Read is an educator and expert interpretive naturalist who has led Quest tours around the world, including to South Portugal in 2024 and 2025. Since retiring from his teaching career, he has been active as an environmental consultant doing field work throughout Ontario. He has also taken part in many volunteer projects for his local naturalist group — London Nature, for which he served as President — and other organizations. Pete travels the world on the lookout for amazing landscapes of the most remote kind. With a keen sense of humour, Pete brings a special focus on wildlife and wild places to our tours as well as an attention to detail that ensures all your needs are met.
Rowena Lamy
Guyana-born Rowena Lamy is an experienced and enthusiastic international traveller. A long
and successful IT career, including roles as a Management Consultant and Corporate Director,
has afforded her the opportunity to work across Canada and internationally. She is a natural
organizer and problem solver with a calm and easy-going demeanor who creates the perfect
ambiance for her WTN travellers to enjoy their vacation.
Shakeela Begum
Proud UBC graduate Shakeela Begum is an inspiring and sought after leadership advisor and coach, with experience leading groups on international active adventures. Her focus on wellbeing and her energetic and welcoming personality brings warmth and depth of purpose to her tours. Find out more about her at www.boundlesspotential.coach.
Sherry Kirkvold
Sherry Kirkvold brings a deep love of nature along with her more than 30 years of experience as a naturalist, geographer and expedition leader. She has worked in the national, provincial and regional park systems as well as museums in British Columbia.
Wendi Lacusta
Wendi Lacusta is our Concierge in Charge. Hailing from Nova Scotia where she grew up sailing and open ocean swimming, Wendi has lived many years since on Canada’s West Coast, where she is retired from a career of teaching, designing public recreation facilities, and managing community service teams in West Vancouver. Wendi is an inveterate (and veteran) solo world traveller and since her first retirement, has also undertaken work aboard polar expedition cruise vessels.
Kari Richardson
Many people think travelling is all about escaping, but for Kari, it’s all about connection, adventure, and not letting life pass us by. She has always been an avid traveller with her love of discovering new places taking her to far-off lands such as Russia, Poland, and the jungles of Mexico. Her desire to connect like-minded women who have a passion for travelling off the beaten path has brought her to us at WTN. Born and raised in Calgary, Kari adorns many hats. She is a mother of three amazing young adults, a professional artist, and the past owner of three incredibly successful bakeries. She is currently working as Director of Partnerships for an Alberta-based children’s charity. Her attention to detail and calm, positive free spirit are sure to make you feel welcome and excited to join her on your next adventure.
Kevin Fisher
Archaeologist, lecturer and writer, Kevin Fisher is an Associate Professor of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology at UBC. His research interests range from the use of digital and spatial technologies in archaeology to the social dynamics of urban landscapes. Kevin last led a UBC trip to Greece in 2016, and looks forward to sharing his archaeological insights with you on this tour!
Matthew Iles
Matthew Iles grew up in Wales, studied Zoology and Restoration Ecology at the University of Liverpool, and began working as a wildlife biologist in 2007. After 15 months working in the Amazon and coastal regions of Ecuador, he moved to Canada in 2009. Since that time, he has worked as Assistant Coordinator at the Long Point Bird Observatory, later moving to Guelph where he began teaching at Guelph Outdoor School and working as a freelance ornithologist. In addition to working in environmental consulting, he now runs birding workshops, retreats, and guided outings throughout his community and southern Ontario. Matthew currently lives in Kitchener, Ontario, with his partner and daughter, and enjoys birding at his local “patch” on the Grand River.
Meera Kachroo
Meera Kachroo is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Religion and Culture at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon (Treaty 6). In both research and teaching, she highlights the perennial texts and teachings of Asian religions and how they flourish in modern lives. Meera’s original ethnographic fieldwork is based among south Indian communities known for their intensive meditation and ritual practices. She has travelled widely across Asia. She led a south India tour in 2024 and is excited to visit another part of the country with you in 2027!
Megan Boucher
Megan Boucher is an Environmental field technician, with extensive experience working in isolated locations, including remote islands for seabird research and on vessels in the Atlantic Ocean collecting data related to aquatic, avian, and terrestrial species. Having grown up on the East Coast of Canada, exploring the natural environment and the shoreline was a regular pastime. Her early interest in the natural world has grown into a lifelong commitment to learning, exploring, and sharing that knowledge with others. An enthusiastic and highly motivated individual, she actively participates in volunteer efforts to promote birding and ecologically sound engagement with the environment.
Monica Mueller
Monica Mueller is a seasoned adventurer with a profound bond to nature, stemming from her upbringing at the family cottage on Georgian Bay, Ontario. She has embraced the opportunity to lead women on hikes in the York Region of Ontario, effectively spreading her love for the outdoors to others.
Lisa Pasold
Lisa Pasold will lead our custom walks and our writing workshops. A novelist, poet and journalist originally from Montreal, she was the host and co-writer of Discovery World’s TV travel show “Paris Next Stop.” Lisa is the creator of “Improbable Walks,” story-telling walks focusing on legends and place memory. She has created these art walks to critical acclaim for festivals and gallery residencies in cities such as New Orleans, Toronto and Paris. She has led creative writing workshops for the Writers’ Guild of Alberta, the New Orleans Writers Workshop, and more.
Michael Burton-Smith
Michael Burton-Smith channeled an early-childhood passion for dinosaurs into a fascination with their living descendants — birds. He has been enthusiastically searching various corners of New Zealand for birds ever since, including while completing his Bachelor of Arts.
Nathalie Wright
Nathalie Wright is an experienced traveller with a lifelong passion for travel. She has a long list of places to visit and re-visit. As a lover of Formula 1, she figures that going to so many races will allow her to see the world. Nathalie is an organizer and planner who loves to research and problem solve in all aspects of life, including travel. Nathalie is naturally outgoing and has a way of connecting with everyone such that you will always feel at ease with her. Nathalie has spent her entire career in insurance and is a professional coach focusing on Growth and Empowerment. She also loves photography and is looking forward to devoting more time to fulfilling this passion, while sharing her enthusiasm for travel by leading the wonderful women on WTN tours.
Richard Schofield
Richard Schofield is a naturalist leader who has led many of our private groups over the past few years through the main islands of Aotearoa. Originally from northern England, Richard has lived in New Zealand for the past 20 years, currently residing in Balclutha in southern Aotearoa.
Nancy Hermiston
UBC Opera Ensemble Director Nancy Hermiston’s operatic career has taken her throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. The consummate opera expert, Nancy is as knowledgeable as she is congenial.
Wendy O’Brien
Wendy O’Brien is a philosopher and teacher. With over 30 years’ experience teaching in post-secondary education, she’s given talks and led seminars on creativity, beauty, and wonder at Humber College, Oxford University, Harvard, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Women’s Art Association, Classical Pursuits, and The International Festival of Authors. She recently retired from academe to focus her attention on The Wonder Project, a long-term investigation into the concept of wonder and its relation to artistic excellence, natural beauty, and scientific discoveries.
Sarah and Murray Bancroft
UBC graduates Sarah Bancroft and Murray Bancroft are the owners of Birch Block Vineyard in Kaleden, South Okanagan. They have an extensive network of winery contacts in France and lived in Paris for a year.
Our Team at Base Camp
Based in Toronto, the Worldwide Quest base camp team is the backbone of every journey we create. From small group tour planning to real-time traveller support, our experienced team manages every detail with care and precision.
Drawing on decades of on-the-ground experience, they design thoughtful itineraries, coordinate seamless logistics, and support both custom Private Journeys and expert-led cultural and nature tours. From your first enquiry to your return home, our base camp ensures every Worldwide Quest experience is well-organized, enriching, and confidently delivered,wherever in the world you travel.
Together, our base camp team and field leaders share a single goal: to create travel experiences that inform, inspire, and enrich. Every Worldwide Quest journey is shaped by expertise, care, and a deep respect for the people and places we visit.
Meet the dedicated team who plan, support, and lead your Worldwide Quest experience.
Executive Team
Balu Menon
Director
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Lewie Gonsalves
President
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Laurielle Penny
Director
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Justin Peter
Director of Quest Nature Tours
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Janet Gates
General Manager
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Travel Advisors
Natalie Menanno
Senior Travel Advisor
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Megan Lewis
Travel Advisor
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Lisa Walsh
Director of Private Journeys
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Lindsay Doyle
Travel Advisor
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Celeste Carrington
Travel Advisor
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Abbie Mulder
Senior Travel Advisor
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Travel Planning and Operations
Rajshree Singh
Destination Experience Designer
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Deanna Wright
Program and Tour Leader Coordinator
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Tasneem Bhavnagarwala
Reservations Executive
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Seena Mangot
Manager, Tour Planning and Operations
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Rachel Kirke
Destination Experience Designer
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Melanie Clancy
Operations Executive, Private Journeys
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Laura Brennan
Manager, Tour Planning and Operations
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Dipti Kumari
Destination Experience Designer
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Anne Perera
Operations Coordinator
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Alisha Khan
Destination Experience Designer
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Marketing and Finance
Vishwa Jardosh
Marketing & Digital Specialist
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Jigar Patel
Finance Manager
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Samantha Bodanis
Promotions Lead
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Community & Friends
While we enjoy the benefits of travel and wildlife-viewing, it is important to ensure that wildlife and the habitat it requires benefit from the protection they need. We are proud to support the work of organizations that protect natural habitats through research, education, and restoration. We also cherish the partners and friends that help make your travel experiences flourish.
Ontario Nature
Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education, and public engagement. It is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters and 150 member groups from across Ontario. Since it was established as the Federation of Ontario Naturalists in 1931, Ontario Nature has been a champion for nature in Ontario. We are proud to operate tours for Ontario Nature in support of their Nature Guardians program.
Friends of Point Pelee
Established in 1981, the Friends of Point Pelee are dedicated to providing resources and services to Point Pelee National Park, which is a major migratory bird hotspot and contains a RAMSAR-designated wetland of international significance, constituting an Important Bird Area. This volunteer and staff based not-for-profit group, working in collaboration with Parks Canada, enhances the visitor experience in the Park and is committed to protecting the natural and cultural features that make Point Pelee National Park unique.
At every Festival of Birds at Point Pelee National Park since 2013 (and previously, 1999 – 2007 inclusive), we’ve sponsored the Friends of Point Pelee by providing Quest Nature Tours leaders to host birding hikes for groups of visitors. We also helped to raise tens of thousands of dollars towards the re-building of the Point Pelee National Park Visitor Centre theatre through sponsoring an annual sweepstakes, which ran for several years.
Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada
Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada is a registered Canadian charity widely recognized as the pre-eminent authority on the bird-building collision issue. Since 2010, FLAP has occupied a complimentary table for promotional use at the annual Quest Nature Tours Social at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
Vortex Canada
Binoculars are essential for any nature tour. If you are considering the purchase of a new pair, we recommend one of the many quality models produced by Vortex Canada, one of our corporate partners.
The Arboretum at the University of Guelph
We have a strong connection at The Arboretum at the University of Guelph with Chris Earley, The Arboretum’s Interpretive Biologist and Education Coordinator, whom is also a Quest Nature Tours leader. Since 2020, Chris has hosted numerous education virtual workshops including Bird Sounds and Bird ID which we always promote to our community.
Huron Fringe Birding Festival
Over the past many years, nature lovers have congregated each spring near the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to enjoy some of the best birding and landscapes in Ontario at the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. In partnership with the Friends of MacGregor Point Park, Quest Nature Tours leaders lead hikes in the area to enhance visitors’ festival experience.
Worldwide Explorers Club
The Worldwide Explorers Club is more than a membership, it’s a community of curious, engaged travellers who believe in meaningful, responsible travel. Membership connects you with a global network of Worldwide Quest travellers who share a passion for cultural discovery, expert-led journeys, and lifelong learning.
Members enjoy exclusive travel opportunities, priority access to select tours, invitations to special events, and expert travel insights from the Worldwide Quest team. Whether you travel occasionally or often, the Explorers Club enhances every journey by deepening your connection to the places you visit and the people you travel with.
Travel twice with us and you become a member of the Worldwide Explorers Club. As a member, you’ll earn 5% off all your subsequent eligible group tours. The bonus is non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit (note that some exceptions may apply). Members also get access to special offers and exploratory tours.
Members enjoy exclusive travel opportunities, priority access to select tours, invitations to special events, and expert travel insights from the Worldwide Quest team. Whether you travel occasionally or often, the Explorers Club enhances every journey by deepening your connection to the places you visit and the people you travel with.
Travel twice with us and you become a member of the Worldwide Explorers Club. As a member, you’ll earn 5% off all your subsequent eligible group tours. The bonus is non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit (note that some exceptions may apply). Members also get access to special offers and exploratory tours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I book/pay?
Please use the Book Now button on trip pages or contact us to confirm your booking and make any payments. Payment of the deposit by VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, or cheque means you’re booked.
How long can you hold a space for me?
We can hold your spot for seven days. Because most of our tours are limited to 18 participants, we’re not able to hold a spot any longer.
When is my tour confirmed?
The Detailed Itinerary sets out the minimum and maximum number of participants for each tour. As soon as we reach our minimum numbers, we’ll let you know that your tour is confirmed. Some tours are confirmed a year or more in advance; most tour are confirmed at least six months prior to departure. In rare instances, we offer participants the opportunity to pay a small group supplement to confirm a tour that is below its minimum numbers.
Why are payments non-refundable?
All trip payments are non-refundable because there are set costs we incur on each of our tours. If you change your mind up to six months prior to the start of a land tour, we can transfer your initial deposit to another tour to be booked within one year. Payments for expedition cruises are non-refundable. We always recommend you purchase insurance coverage in case you need to cancel or if the tour becomes inoperable.
Do your tours include international airfare?
International flights to/from the start and end points of your tour are not included in your tour price.
However, we can enhance our service by booking your flights and taking care of your complete journey with us. You have the option of reaching out to our flight desk who will book the ideal flight option, tailored to your specific preferences.
When you book airfare with Worldwide Quest, you receive:
- Carefully selected flight options that best fit your itinerary.
- Customized services such as meal preferences and airport assistance.
- Dedicated support from our flight team who will monitor your flights and assist with any changes.
This means you can travel with confidence, knowing we are keeping an eye on your flights and are available to support you in case of schedule changes or disruptions.
Are gratuities included in the cost of my tour?
All our small group land tours include all gratuities and taxes. On some expedition cruises, gratuities are paid directly by travellers. Gratuities are not included for extra services such as tour extensions.
Can you arrange an extension to my tour?
Yes, we can! We can book our group hotel for you if you’re arriving before the start date or staying on past the end of the tour. We can also design a complete Private Journey for you before or after your group tour. For a number of tours, we also offer set extensions that allow you to discover another part of the destination country or region, worry-free.
Is it safe to go to…?
We monitor travel alerts from the Government of Canada “Travel Advice and Advisories”, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK) and the State Department (USA) and information from our offices in-country, but we base our recommendations on the Government of Canada’s advisories. If they advise against travel to a particular place included on our tour, we will adjust our itinerary to avoid that place. If they advise against ‘non-essential travel’ or against ‘all travel’ to the entire region, your tour may not be operable. For this reason, it is essential that you have cancellation and interruption insurance.
Do you offer custom or private group departures?
Yes! Private Journeys by Worldwide Quest offer personalized travel for those who want more than a one-size-fits-all group trip. From planning to execution, we handle every detail, so you can focus on making memories.
What is the average age of your travellers?
The age range varies with the different types of tours we offer, but the majority would be between 50 and 80. Children over 12 years old, accompanied by their parents or grandparents are welcome on many of our tours. Please contact us to find out if your tour is recommended for children.
How do I know if I’m in good enough shape for a tour?
Every tour’s Detailed Itinerary includes a “level of activity” section which describes the physical requirements for your tour. Many of our cultural tours include a fair bit of walking as we think this is the best way to get to know a place. Our nature tours include walks to reach specific areas.
Will my dietary restrictions (no dairy, no gluten, diabetic, etc.) be looked after?
We share all dietary requirements with our hotels and restaurants. The tour leader/host(s) will also be aware of them.
Will I need to find a restaurant if dinner is not included?
The Detailed Itinerary tells you which meals are included. We always include breakfast and typically include at least one other meal (lunch or dinner) each day. Many of our tours include all meals. Most of our travellers enjoy having some independent meals, however our study leader and tour director are happy to get an (optional) group together to dine on independent evenings.
I don’t have a roommate. How can I avoid the single supplement?
We commonly get requests from single travellers who would like to share a room. If you wish to share with a fellow traveller you can reserve your accommodation on a “request share” basis. We always encourage anyone wanting a roommate to reserve as early as possible. Many of our travellers have found great travel companions this way.
What kind of travel insurance should I have?
Medical insurance is mandatory on all Worldwide Quest tours. We will provide you with a quote for this coverage or you may arrange your own insurance. We strongly recommend Cancellation and Interruption Insurance should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your tour or should the tour become inoperable.
Do you have a loyalty program?
Yes! We are so proud of our community of travellers and appreciate that so many choose to travel frequently with us. Travel twice with us and you become a member of the Worldwide Explorers Club. Earn 5% off all your subsequent, catalogue-advertised group tours. The bonus is non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or credit. Note that some exceptions may apply. Members also get access to special offers and exploratory tours.
How does Quest Nature Tours fit into the Worldwide Quest family?
Quest Nature Tours is the founding program and cornerstone of the Worldwide Quest family. The natural history tour offerings by Quest Nature Tours have come to set the standard for all Worldwide Quest tours, with a special focus on learning and real-time discovery of your environment, whether we are focusing on nature, culture or the arts.
What’s an Alumni Expedition?
These are tours specially designed for university alumni associations but are open to all interested travellers (alumni or not). These tours have an enhanced educational component and are typically led by a faculty member who’s an expert in their field.
What is the relationship between Classical Pursuits and Worldwide Quest?
Classical Pursuits conceives of a trip idea and the literature, art, and encounters around which the trip should be structured. Worldwide Quest takes the expert reins for all the logistics, making all the arrangements each aspect of the itinerary and taking responsibility for client care. Classical Pursuits also offers a fascinating week-long Toronto seminar series.
What is the relationship between Women’s Travel Network and Worldwide Quest?
WTN tours are especially conceived for women who enjoy the camaraderie and security of being with a group of women. All WTN tours are hosted.
Who are your tours designed for?
Our travellers are curious and well-informed; people who tell us they don’t usually take group tours, but choose Worldwide Quest for our intriguing destinations, the expertise of our tour leaders, and the ease of logistics created by a small group tour.
How structured is the daily schedule on a group tour?
Each day balances guided learning with some flexible time for individual exploration or rest. The exact level of structure can vary by tour style, destination, and group preferences.
Can a group tour itinerary be customized for my private group?
Yes, many Private Journeys start from an existing itinerary that is then modified with changes to pacing, accommodation style, and activities to match your interests.
What is a Worldwide Quest Private Journey?
A Private Journey is a hand tailored itinerary designed around you, your interests, and your timing. You get the same attention to detail, logistical expertise, and on the ground know how that powers our small group tours, with the added freedom to travel at your own pace as a couple, family, friends, or an organization.
How do I get started?
Start with a quick consultation so we can understand your dates, travellers, interests, pace, and wish list. You can adapt one of our small group itineraries into a Private Journey, use our sample Private Journeys as inspiration, or simply tell us what you are dreaming of, and we will build it from scratch.
To begin, submit an enquiry or call 1 800 387 1483. You can also speak directly with Lisa, our Private Journeys Expert at ext. 110. Our Toronto office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET.
What does private mean in practice?
Private means the trip is designed for your party only, with your preferred travel dates, routing, and style. We can adapt one of our small group tours or completely tailor a new itinerary, whether you are travelling as twos or twenties, including family reunions and milestone trips.
How much does a Private Journey cost, and how do payments work?
Pricing varies based on where you go, when you travel, how many people are in your party, your accommodation preferences, and the experiences you want to include. We will design around your priorities and budget, then confirm pricing once the itinerary is finalized.
For land tours, a typical payment structure includes $1000 per person deposit to confirm, an interim payment of 25% due 15 days after all services are confirmed, and final balance due at 90 days prior to travel.
A keynote for Private Journeys: Because arrangements are made especially for you, payments for Private Journeys are nonrefundable, with limited credit options only in special circumstances.
Payments are accepted in Canadian or US dollars, and may be made by credit card, cheque, cash, or bank or wire transfer.
What is included in the trip cost, and what is typically not included?
For Private Journeys, we confirm exactly what is included, such as guides, transfers, accommodations, sightseeing, and meals, in your final itinerary.
Can Worldwide Quest help with flights, insurance, and entry requirements?
Flights: International airfare is generally not included, but we can suggest flight options that match the program requirements and your budget.
Insurance: Medical insurance is mandatory for all Worldwide Quest travellers, including coverage for emergency evacuation, and we strongly recommend cancellation and interruption coverage. We can provide insurance quotes and guidance when you book.
Entry requirements: As a TICO registered travel company, we will help you understand what documents you need for travel, and we will point you to the right official sources as requirements can change.
What elements of a Private Journey can be customized?
Most components can be tailored: dates, trip length, destinations, daily pace, accommodation level, and the mix of cultural, educational, and outdoor activities.
Are gratuities included?
For Private Journeys, gratuities and taxes are clearly specified in your itinerary and booking documents.
How far in advance should a Private Journey be planned?
Ideally, custom group trips are planned several months to a year in advance, especially for complex itineraries, peak seasons, or groups requiring specific educational components. Early planning improves access to preferred accommodations, expert guides, and special visits that have limited capacity.
