Born in Poland and trained in Fine Art (University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne) and Art History (MA with Distinction, Courtauld Institute, London), Lydia Bauman has built a distinguished career at the crossroads of scholarship, creativity, and storytelling. For more than 35 years, she has inspired audiences at London’s National Gallery, Tate, and National Portrait Gallery, and internationally at institutions including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Hermitage, and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
She is also the creator of Art for the Uninitiated, an online lecture series developed during the pandemic that grew to more than 180 sessions, and the author of the forthcoming Guide to the Great Themes in Art (Frances Lincoln, 2027).
As Master Storyteller on the Mediterranean Feast voyage, Lydia draws on her deep knowledge of art, history, and culture to connect guests with the rich visual and culinary traditions of the region. Her gift lies not only in interpreting masterpieces and cultural landmarks but in weaving them into vivid narratives that bring the Mediterranean’s heritage to life.
Passionate about sharing knowledge in ways that are accessible, engaging, and memorable, Lydia invites passengers to see beyond the surface—whether through lectures, conversations, or shared meals—turning the voyage into a living tapestry of art, food, and storytelling.