Ben has been designing and leading trips for over a decade. He believes fervently in the maxim, “get to know a place, and take care of it,” and considers himself particularly lucky to have gotten to know and care about many spectacular places—from Maine to Scotland to Italy to New Zealand. Ben has an eclectic background of interests and experiences: Masters degrees in Italian and Comparative Literature, bread (baking and eating...not necessarily in that order), and of late, experience in the corporate boardroom of his family's 140 year-old company. 

One of the best ways Ben has found to care for the places he finds special is to share them with others, so that they might be able to do the same. As a trip leader he focuses on building a community based on good humor, kindness, and as often as possible, good food. Call him naïve, but he thinks there is real value in what he calls “microdiplomacy,” small groups of good people going to faraway places; the more off the beaten track, the better. 

When not adventuring Ben tries to live with the same spirit of humor, kindness, and good food he loves to find on trips. He enjoys playing with his daughter, wing foiling, and reading Latin poetry, though rarely at the same time.