Love Of Travel: Stories From Our Experts

Do you remember the first time you ever set out to explore the world? Do you still get goosebumps when you recount your first ever encounter with a wild animal while on a safari? Or perhaps you cannot stop dreaming about that glorious sunset you witnessed on an island holiday or that fabulous meal you had at an unassuming eatery in a big, bustling city.

Our travel experts know exactly what that feels like. From sleeping under the stars in Namibia to experiencing the thrill of a game drive in South Africa, they share their most memorable journeys yet, while taking us back to what inspired their undying passion for travel.

I think everyone has that moment when the ‘travel bug’ hits them. My moment occurred when I was just seven years old. It was during a wonderful family holiday over Christmas where we visited family in Cape Town before taking the Blue Train and ending up on a safari. This is a picture I have stuck above my computer at home. It shows my family on the front steps of the Long Lee Manor House at Shamwari Game Reserve. This was when Shamwari had only nine rooms and I remember it being small and quaint. Yet everyone was so welcoming, like one huge family on Christmas day, with guests from a mix of countries all sharing their passion for wildlife. On our first game drive, John asked the young me, dressed head to toe in my safari gear, to sit up front with him in the jeep. He gave me his binoculars and asked me to keep my eyes peeled for lions. That, I think, was the precise moment I realised how much travel meant to me. From that moment, I knew I wanted to see what the world had to offer and have been lucky enough to make this a career. As I sit here typing this, I still feel that buzz – from entering the airport, smelling the aviation fuel with the excitement of heading to a new destination, meeting new people and trying new experiences.

— James Golding, Director of Sales

I have fallen in love with travel on many different occasions and choosing one is hard! One of my fondest travel memories (and thinking about it makes me long to travel again) is sleeping out on the rocks under the stars in Namibia in Spitzkoppe. I felt so far from the everyday, and the landscape made me feel like I was on a different planet altogether. The sky was so clear and I felt a sense of calm as I lay down gazing up at the stars!

— Alice Norman, South and Central America Destination Specialist

I’m among the biggest plane geeks you’ll come across. I absolutely love everything about aircraft and flying. I guess this is how I fell in love with travelling. Getting on a plane in rainy, cold England and then getting off somewhere new, and hopefully warm, in a few hours just amazes me. Learning about new cultures, meeting new people and being open to new experiences has enhanced my curiosity and made me love travel even more deeply!

— Jas Behla, Asia, Middle East & Africa Senior Destination Specialist

I didn’t know I loved travel until the mix of a student loan, long university summers and an innate curiosity transformed itself into my first solo trip to Nepal when I was 19. I stayed with a host family where I loved the daily tasks of volunteering in a school and the simplicity of the silky smooth Dal Bhat each day at the scenic foothills of the Himalayas. Every trip that I’ve been one has been enriching, humbling and educational experience; and that, to me, sums up the real joy of travel.

— Thidara Udomritkul, Senior Asia and Africa Destination Specialist

I have to say I have fallen in love with a lot of different areas of the world, but Wanaka, New Zealand will always hold a special place in my heart. Waking up before the masses and walking to the Lake, with the snow covered mountains in the background was something I tried to do often while there. Even my bad camera skills helped me capture a good photo! We also did do the touristy thing of taking our picture in front of the tree. What they don’t tell you is the bench is slanted. And as you can see, I was kind enough to pull my other half down with me!

— Charlotte Clements, Oceania Destination Specialist

What was the moment you fell in love with travel? We’d love to hear from you.

If you’ve been craving an adventure, reach out to our travel experts today to turn your travel dreams into reality. Whether it’s a safari holiday or a city break, we can make it happen for you!