CO-FOUNDER & EUROPE EXPERT

Christoph grew up on the southern slopes of the Thüringen forest, in former East Germany. The fall of the Wall and a government scholarship brought him to New Hampshire as an exchange student where he mastered “wicked good” English. Christoph has led more than 50 trips to Europe as a Rick Steves tour guide and as founding director of the University of Utah’s Go Learn travel program. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs and global enterprise and has a passion for history. He delights in sharing stories about his homeland and crafting experiences in the many European cities he has visited during his travels.

CO-FOUNDER & ITALY EXPERT

Taunya is a Utah native who fell in love with Italy on a study abroad program to Siena over 20 years ago. She has led over 50 trips to Italy as both a Rick Steves tour guide and faculty study abroad director, and brings her passion for crafting unforgettable travel experiences to Dressler Detours. She holds a doctoral degree in higher education and a master’s in applied linguistics. Her affinity for experiential learning has taken her across the globe, training teachers for the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines, and teaching in Morocco, Italy, and her hometown of Salt Lake City. Taunya is happiest when she has a gelato in her hand and can’t wait to detour with you!

CENTRAL AMERICA EXPERT

Dean grew up in the Chicago area of the U.S. The seeds of his curiosity for people, places, and cultures were cultivated on a study abroad to Ireland and a cycling walkabout through Australia and New Zealand. Dean has taught in Japan and has led learning journeys to Costa Rica, Cuba, England, Italy, and Australia. He holds a doctoral degree in higher education and a master’s in community public health. He finds the most joy in sharing distinctive places, poems, artifacts, and stories with other curious souls. As a trail runner, skier, educator, and sojourner, Dean lives by the African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXPERT

Tabitha has lived and worked in over 35 countries across the course of her career in international relations. Her research has led her to travel extensively throughout the world, but she is especially fond of Norway, India, and New Zealand, where she has led multiple group excursions and research projects. She loves showing others the most magical parts of these fascinating locales and utilizes her knowledge to connect with the genuine side of life there. Tabitha’s affinity for offbeat places and immersive experiences makes the journey much more than a simple vacation to an exotic locale. It becomes an experience you will cherish forever.

LONDON THEATRE EXPERT

Tim Slover and Jane England have planned and directed trips to London together for culturally adventurous travelers for more than twenty years. They specialize in the history and arts of Britain, focusing especially on theatre, and have been awarded a Beacon of Excellence for their travel programs by the University of Utah. Tim’s PhD in dramatic literature, achievements as a professional playwright, years of university teaching in Theatre and British Studies, and Artist-in-Residencies at Penn State and Franklin & Marshall College prepare him well to introduce travelers to British history and culture. He is the recipient of an Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Utah.

LONDON THEATRE EXPERT

Tim Slover and Jane England have planned and directed trips to London together for culturally adventurous travelers for more than twenty years. They specialize in the history and arts of Britain, focusing especially on theatre, and have been awarded a Beacon of Excellence for their travel programs by the University of Utah. Jane has planned and led dozens of trips to Bali, Japan, and Britain. Since first traveling to London over 40 years ago, she has been an eager student of and guide to the best of what London offers, above all its unparalleled theatre and art scene. Jane teaches Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature courses at the University of Utah.

MEDITERRANEAN CLASSICS EXPERT

Randy taught classical mythology and the ancient Greek and Latin languages for more than 35 years. He is a renowned storyteller who believes that stories are the best way to explain our experience of the world. Randy would rather be on the site of ancient ruins than almost anywhere else on the planet. Having led numerous tours and study abroad excursions in Greece and Italy, Randy knows his way around the countries’ major archaeological sites and museums, including where to get a good meal and where to shop. Randy loves exploring the lesser known side of the Mediterranean and can’t wait to take you to some of his favorite escapes!

WORLD WAR II EXPERT

Steve is a Professor of the Practice in Literature, Media, and Communication at his alma mater, the Georgia Institute of Technology.. He served 26 years in the Air Force and his father 26 years in the Army. The combination of a half-century of military plus years of research yields a solid foundation for rich discussions of things military. Fascinated by the decisions made during the war, Steve’s interest and lectures focus not only on the what, where, and when of World War II events, but to a far greater degree on why the events happened at all. Take a detour with Colonel Hall and dive deep into the why of World War II.

TURKEY EXPERT

Mert is a native of Izmir, Turkey. A leader of archaeological, biblical, and cultural Turkey tours for over 30 years, he is an expert and guest lecturer on the topics of biblical history, archaeology, and architecture. He has guided celebrities including Tom Hanks, Alan Greenspan, and Paul Allen. During the off-season, Mert trains aspiring tour guides for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Mert earned undergraduate degrees in business administration from the prestigious Bogazici University, then went on to complete a five-certificate program in Biblical History from Trinity College, University of Dublin.

NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERT

A lover of northern latitudes, Greg is a well-seasoned traveler of the Nordic countries. He backpacked extensively in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland from 2011 through 2019. In 2015, he relocated to Finland where he spent four years living and working as a photography guide in Lapland. He has taken hundreds of travelers from around the world deep into the Finnish wilderness to search for and photograph the magnificent Aurora Borealis. Greg is a published photographer who can’t wait to photograph you dancing with the northern lights. He’s a great storyteller, too!

ITALY EXPERT

Nina is from Cleveland, Ohio but being the daughter of Italian immigrants grew up with a view on both cultures. After university she spread her travel wings backpacking and biking through Europe. Her love of travel has led her to Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and South America. In 1996 she moved to Italy promising it would only be for a year but almost 30 years later she is still there. Since 2003 she has shared her new home with travelers, leading group tours for Rick Steves’ Europe. When she isn’t on the road you’ll find her at home in Rome riding through the Eternal City on her yellow bike.