Welcome
Hi. I'm Susan.
A small village in Northamptonshire is home.
I love being a personal travel advisor - sharing my experience and knowledge to help people create the best memories possible from their precious holiday time.
I've been absorbed by travel since my parents took my sister and I on a road trip across America in the 1980s.
Staying in hotels inspired me to want to work in them, starting my career with a summer job at the Haven Hotel in Sandbanks near Bournemouth, before studying Hotel & Hospitality Management and the summer following graduation working at EuroDisney.
Wanting to see more of the world, I joined Princess Cruises for 10 years, becoming a Senior Officer and managing the Shore Excursion Department, where being responsible for tours was an amazing experience and a vocational education.
During my time at sea, I was fortunate to cover just about every itinerary imaginable across every continent, always making the most of time off in port and taking local leave at the end of every contract. I have been to places and had adventures that I could never have dreamed of.
After life on the ocean waves, I settled on land, but with travel in my veins I decided to share my experiences, firstly in a cruise sales role before becoming a personal travel advisor in 2011. I now get to organise amazing experiences across the world.
Travel has so many benefits. I'm proof of that, and I delight in offering my clients the best advice to help them to escape, relax, discover, share an adventure or experience, and have an opportunity to seize those special moments.
Where I've Been
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I have been lucky to see and experience so many countries, cultures and resorts, although there's always another destination and experience beckoning.
Escorting overland tours in South America and China, flying over Antarctica, crocodile hunting down the Amazon at night, helicopter rides over Hawaii and Denali National Park in Alaska, and hanging out with one of the oldest turtles in the world in the Seychelles are highlights.
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Places such as Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tasmania, the Falkland Islands and Greenland are amongst the most unexpected. I also have hands-on experience of many cruise lines.
I strive to take trips every year to a new place or re-visit a favourite destination.
Favourite Places
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The magnificent eastern coast of Canada and New England for its stunning foliage and diverse coastline. I especially love the fall season, and enjoy visiting the coastal towns with their lighthouses and great seafood restaurants.
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South Africa for safari, an authentic bush lodge and sensational food.
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Any tropical island for a recharge and refresh. My favourites would be St Lucia, Barbados, Mauritius and Seychelles.
Closer to home, I adore Croatia, which I have visited seven times so far. The cities of Dubrovnik and Split are special, and the island of Hvar is stunning. Rovinj on the Istrian Riviera is a hidden gem, and the country has wonderful national parks and over 1,000 islands of which 48 are habited.
The most incredible hotel I have ever stayed at is the Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada.
Most embarrassing travel experience
I still get excited every time I check in to a hotel.
At a small hotel in the Bahamas, I collected our room key from the office, which was located by the swimming pool. I was waving at my partner, pointing in the direction of our room whilst thumbing through the welcome wallet. Yes, I walked straight into the swimming pool. Yes, I was fully clothed. And yes, several people saw me.
Most memorable travel moment
Sleeping outside in an open-air hide on safari and waking up to hear the elephants pulling off the branches of a nearby tree.
The one item I cannot travel without
My noise cancelling headphones. I love to listen to music when flying.
Best piece of travel advice
Savour every moment, embrace your destination's culture and always try the local cuisine.
