Mark Voss planned and led his first trip abroad at 18, a family trip to Europe, while studying Italian history at Vanderbilt University. Since then he's lived on four continents, and he's traveled extensively from Inverness to Isfahan and from Muscat to Marseilles. As an ardent lover of history, Mark was naturally drawn to the wonders of Egypt and the Middle East, antique lands with endless opportunities for discovery. While history inspired his travels, it's been the region's gracious people and their vibrant cultures that took him back again and again. Mark earned an MA in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona where he taught Middle Eastern history for seven years. His guiding mission is to foster appreciation and understanding of the history, peoples, and cultures of the Middle East, North Africa, and Mediterranean; and the best way to achieve that is by helping others experience these amazing places for themselves.
In addition to his work in education and travel, Mark was a writer and photographer for W Magazine in Milan; a State Department subcontractor in Oman; and a strategic planner for the chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. Mark studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo, and he is a former member of the board of directors of Save Venice Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Venice's artistic and cultural heritage.
Mark speaks Arabic, Italian, French, and Turkish. When he's not on a reconnaissance trip or escorting a private excursion, he resides in Cairo with his dogs, Memphis and Maybellene.
Mark is an expert trip planner and the only travel professional I'd trust for these kinds of bucket list trips. Egypt is an extraordinary country, and it can be overwhelming on where to start. Thankfully, Mark knew the must-sees and how to best execute our trip. We had so many priceless moments that would have been impossible or frustrating without a professional planner. In addition to making the notable spots even more special, Mark put experiences on our itinerary that were off the beaten path. Our desert safari ended up being the most memorable portion of the trip—providing inspiration that is the mark of a great travel planner. We look forward to our next trip with Mark and plan to bring along our two teenage daughters.
+++
Nicole Feliciano
CEO
Momtrends Media
New York, New York
I love traveling with Mark because he's one of those rare people who's never met a stranger. During my trip with Mark to Oman, he had a chance conversation with an Omani man that resulted in an afternoon filled with Arab hospitality. Our new Omani friend ended up showing us his village, a ruined fortress, his palm groves, and a gorgeous desert wadi. Our day ended with our host treating us to coffee and fresh dates with his friends. It was the best day of my trip and an immersive cultural experience I never would have had without Mark.
5 Stars.
+++
Trevor M.
Reston, Virginia
Mark was very helpful in finding the right resources for our family’s incredible trip to Istanbul. He connected us with an excellent guide who made the city’s history absolutely come alive. We all had a wonderful time, including our four-year-old daughter, and I look forward to working with Mark again very soon.
+++
Beatrice R.
Roxbury, Connecticut
Mark helped plan a romantic getaway to Venice for my wife and me that was fantastic! He went above and beyond to make sure that we had a phenomenal trip with memories we’ll always cherish. His knowledge of Venice and Italy was critical to making our trip very special. We unreservedly and highly recommend Mark.
+++
Paul S.
Coppell, Texas
I have been lucky enough to travel around the world for my job. One of the most wonderful personal trips I ever took was a private tour of Tunisia that Mark planned and led for my friend and me. I sought him out specifically because of his knowledge of Arabic, Tunisian history, and local customs. The voyage was absolutely first rate, and his know-how made all the difference. He managed every single detail, allowing us to focus completely on enjoying our trip and savoring every luxurious moment. Not only is Mark a pleasure to travel with, the photos he took for us were gorgeous!
+++
Susan Schwartz
President
A Lush Life Manual
London, United Kingdom
Antiques Lands Travel is committed to responsible tourism and to advancing education, sustainable development, and the preservation and protection of the Middle East, North Africa, and Mediterranean's cultural and artistic legacies. As our client you play a key role in fulfilling these missions as we donate a portion of your patronage to the following organizations active in the fields of scholarship, community empowerment, artistic preservation, and combatting the illicit trade of antiquities. Click on the buttons below to learn more about each of these impressive organizations, and please consider generously supporting them in their quests.
Clicking on a button will open a new tab in your browser.
Founded in 1948, the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) is a private, nonprofit organization composed of educational and cultural institutions, professional scholars, and private individuals. ARCE's mission is to support research on all aspects of Egyptian history and culture, foster a broader knowledge about Egypt among the general public, and strengthen American-Egyptian cultural ties.
Hands Along the Nile Development Services (HANDS) is an American nonprofit organization committed to building bridges between the people of Egypt and the US. In addition to their programs of exchange and dialogue, HANDS also supports projects aimed at bringing socioeconomic stability to Egyptian communities.
Save Venice Inc. is the leading American nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. Since 1971, Save Venice has funded the conservation of more than 550 projects comprising over 1,000 individual artworks. In 2015, Save Venice established the Rosand Library & Study Center in Venice, creating a nexus for the research of Venetian art, history, and conservation. Save Venice also provides grants for fellowships, exhibitions, and publications to advance Venetian scholarship and conservation.
To protect our shared heritage and promote global security, the Antiquities Coalition is leading the international campaign against cultural racketeering, the illicit trade in ancient art and artifacts. The Antiquities Coalition champions better law and policy, fosters diplomatic cooperation, and advances proven solutions with public and private partners worldwide. They are working towards a future when the past is preserved for the next generation, not looted, smuggled, and sold to finance crime, conflict, and terror.
N.B.: The listing of these organizations above does not constitute an endorsement on their part of Antique Lands Travel.