How long have you been a Travel Director?
I started touring back in 1988 as a cook on camping tours and then changed to become a Travel Director a year later, so that makes it a good 22 years!!
What region/s do you cover?
New Zealand and Western Europe
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background...
After university, I went into hotel management and hospitality and with itchy feet decided to go touring. Starting as a cook on camping tours, with pots I could climb into! Then moving onto guided holidays in New Zealand. Again the travel bug took hold and I headed to Europe and trained as a Travel Director, which I am still loving!
What do you love most about your job?
Meeting people as strangers at the beginning of a holiday and leaving them as friends. The best part of the job is the people you meet, and of course the food we eat, the places we go and the things we do.
What’s your best Hidden Treasure?
In New Zealand it is a small catholic church in a small town in the South Island. A very interesting history and story to go with. The hidden treasure if I told you would not be hidden!!
In Europe my best hidden treasure is in the town of Luzern in Switzerland. My favourite sculpture is here, with of course a fascinating history and a very interesting story - again it would not be hidden if I told you!
Where do you most like to take guests?
I love taking my guests to the places that they have only heard about and making their dreams and their holidays of a lifetime come true
What is your most memorable moment on the road?
This is a very difficult question. So many memorable moments and they are all to do with the people you meet. That’s what doing a guided holiday is all about, creating memorable moments for you to treasure for ever.
The one place you should take a photo?
You have to make sure you take photos of you! And whoever you are travelling with, not just of the scenery. Photos are fantastic memories and you need to remember you and the people you were with.
What are your travel ‘must haves’?
I always check that I have prescribed medications, and a few pharmacy meds from home. There is nothing worse than getting a cold or a headache and trying to find something that works in a country where you may not speak the language and they do not have what you are used to. Also, chargers and adaptors for phones, cameras etc.
What’s your tip for feeling like a local when you travel?
Eat what the locals eat and sometimes the best thing to do is just sit and watch the world go by.
Talking the lingo – what should every guest know?
When in Rome do as the Romans would do. We travel to experience the differences; if everywhere was the same it would be boring. Immerse yourself with the locals.
The best food you’ve ever tried during your travels?
White asparagus in Austria, pissaladière in France, cheese fondue in Switzerland and a good whitebait sandwich on the west coast of New Zealand. Of course with a good glass of local wine!
If you had to buy one souvenir what would it be?
Something for yourself! You need to have one indulgence whether it be a piece of local art, a mask or something to put in your home or hang on your wall. Something that will bring the memories back of your time away.
What or who is your biggest inspiration?
One of my biggest inspiration is one of my best friends who taught me not to sweat the "small stuff" to laugh and to enjoy each day to its maximum and to always take time to enjoy coffee! In other words, make sure you appreciate your days and to take time to smell the roses.
What is your best travel tip?
Before you leave make sure you have only 2/3 of your luggage weight, or have clothes you can throw away as you go. I see so many guests towards the end of the holiday, stressed about the weight of their bags. Take the stress away and have room for your indulgences that you pick up along the way.