Dr Sophy Downes

A passionate enthusiast of the ancient world, Sophy has travelled extensively for her studies, and devoted her life to understanding its myriad cultures. She has taught at the University of Edinburgh, University College London and the British Institute of Persian Studies in Iran and is now lecturer in Art History at John Cabot University in Rome.

With a BA from Oxford, an MPhil from Cambridge and a PhD from the Institute of Archaeology, at University College London, Sophy has travelled and studied extensively in the UK, but it is her vast Mediterranean and Near Eastern knowledge that makes her such a wonderful guide for us. Fluent in Italian, and having recently returned to live in Rome, Sophy cannot wait to introduce our Peter Sommer Travels guests to the cuisine, culture, history, art, architecture and archaeology of this celebrated country. We are delighted that Sophy will be able to share her in-depth knowledge and infectious enthusiasm with our guests this year.

Accreditations

Tour Operator of the Year 2015 Gold Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2016 Silver Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2017 Gold Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2018 Silver Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2019 Silver Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the year Gold Award 2022 AITO logo Tour Operator of the year Silver Award 2023 AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year Gold Award 2024 AITO Logo Tour Operator of the year Platinum Award 2025 AITO logo British Travel Awards Best Travel Company for Arts and Culture Holidays Silver 2022 logo Peter Sommer Travels is an accredited member of AITO The Specialist Travel Association logo Peter Sommer Travels is a member of ABTA the Association of British Travel Agents logo Peter Sommer Travels is a member of ASTA The American Society of Travel Advisors logo Peter Sommer Travels is a member of ABTOI the Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy logo

Rated as Excellent on Aito Reviews with over 900 reviews