Andrew Allen read History of Art at the University of East Anglia and undertook his postgraduate study at the University of Essex taking his MA in early Italian painting.

He worked for Phillips Auctioneers and lectured at Anglia Polytechnic University before beginning his extensive work in the travel industry. He is a great traveller, spending much of the year abroad (working and investigating medieval iconography) and is one of Kirker's most popular tour leaders. He often contributes articles to travel publications and has built up particular experience in parts of the Middle East and the great cities of Europe.