Welcome
Born in Scotland to Yorkshire parents, I grew up in Lancashire and am now based here with my young family. Previously, I've lived in Florida and Australia. And yes, my accent can sound a bit weird at times!
I hold a degree in International Tourism Management. Following 15 years working in various travel roles and travelling the world, I became an independent travel expert - and I can honestly say I have never looked back.
Honeymoons and special occasion trips are what I book most often, as well as multi-centre holidays to long-haul destinations. My most frequently booked destinations are South Africa, Thailand and Mauritius.
Colombia and Ecuador are my joint favourite countries for having the most spectacular landscapes; New Zealand takes the crown as the 'best place to get lost'; and my joint winners for friendliest destination are Canada and Brazil.
Travel is such a huge part of my life – and I consider myself to be very lucky, as I get to spend my days sharing my passion for discovering the world and helping people to actualise their travel dreams.
Where I've Been
It’s a long list. I am fortunate to be very well travelled – 69 countries and counting.
This includes a few unusual places such as Russia, Mongolia, China and most of South America.
I have lived in Florida and Australia, and would say that my areas of expertise are Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and both North and South America.
These days, with having a young family, I am enjoying exploring more of Europe, and I now have a very different list of priorities when choosing a hotel or mode of transport!
If you're worried about travelling with little ones, I fully understand and can help.
My Favourite Places
Australia is very special to me. Two months into my first ever job in travel, I was lucky to be invited by Tourism Australia on an work trip to learn about this stunning country. That was in 2005, and since then, I have visited ten more times! There is barely an area of this wonderfully diverse land that I have not visited. Whatever your interests and whatever the time of year, there is an Australia perfect for you.
South Africa stole my heart when I first visited in 2011 with my parents. After visiting Victoria Falls, Kruger, the Garden Route, Winelands and Cape Town, I cried when I had to leave. I vowed to return and nine months later I was back to explore some more...
Colombia and Ecuador get my vote for the most spectacular landscapes, wildlife and cultural exploration. I was very lucky to spend seven weeks exploring these two countries, including heading out to the Galapagos Islands. The 4-day Ciudad Perida trek in Colombia with the Indigenous Wiwa tribe will forever be a highlight of my life.
Cambodia was an emotional visit. Visiting the museums and learning about the history of the country opens your eyes to the extraordinary beauty of the people here. I highly recommend spending at least four days in the Siem Reap area to explore the full Ankor complex and it is an absolute must to get up before dawn one morning to watch the sunrise over Ankor Wat.
Italy I could never tire of visiting. In my opinion, the best European, easy to reach country that offers everything: beaches, wilderness, sailing, lakes, skiing, and fabulous city culture too. It’s simple to get around by train - did I mention yet how much I love a train journey? Oh, and the food and wine...
Where I Want To Go
I would love to explore more of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
I love the idea of traversing several countries in one holiday (by train of course!).
Hearing the change in languages, using differing currencies, finding out what the new local delicacy is for that town, winding my way through mountains and along ever-changing coastlines fills me with excitement and anticipation.
A Few Of My Favourite Things...
I may have mentioned that I am a train travel geek and I can’t wait to do this with my son. The Trans-Siberian plus several other global rail networks, including India, Peru and China have been ticked off. I love the slow pace, the often lack of phone signal or Wi-Fi, and the way you always get chatting to the local people.
The African Elephant is my favourite animal, and I am keen to work closer with an elephant sanctuary in Southern Africa in the future.
I love anywhere where I can eat freshly caught fish and seafood. It is such a treat for me.
My Priorities When Booking A Holiday For A Client
There is never any rush, pressure or pushy sales tactics. Planning a holiday takes as long as it takes, and it is essential for me to make sure we get the trip perfect.
I like to get to know a bit about my client’s life, routines and tastes, as I find this helps me to fully understand what the most important things are for them when choosing a holiday.
Being known as the person that people can always trust and depend upon with their travel is important to me, both professionally and personally. I treat everyone the same, and this shows in my work.
What I Can't Travel Without
Packing cubes are amazing for organisation and squeezing things into small spaces. They make travelling light a whole lot easier.
My Best Piece Of Travel Advice
Pack light and don’t burden yourself with luggage that you will not need. If you need something while you're away, you will nearly always be able to buy it.
Plus, my top tip on more adventurous holidays is to factor in a weekly rest day to have time to do laundry.
