Holly
Travel Specialist
I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories, trying the local food and witnessing how different cultures go about their daily lives.
About Me
After university, I fell into a computer sales role which I didn't particularly enjoy. However, it enabled me to save enough to travel around South East Asia for seven months and then move onto Australia. Although I had always loved seeing new sights, this trip really instilled my passion for travel! I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I also love trying the local food and witnessing how different cultures go about their daily lives.
My travel specialism
My main travel has been through South East Asia: The Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Borneo and Bali. I've covered a lot of ground in Australia, too; working in Melbourne for nine months and then living in an estate car for three months while travelling across to Adelaide, through the outback to Uluru, up to Darwin, across to Queensland and back down the East Coast to Melbourne again.
I've also been lucky enough to visit places like Mauritius, The Seychelles, South Africa and India staying in some breathtaking properties.
My most memorable travel experiences
I’ve got quite a few!
- Taking a morning jog around Uluru before the 35-degree heat hit
- Swimming with whale sharks in Western Australia
- Meeting hill tribes in Vietnam
- Boating down the Kinabatangan River in Borneo to see the orangutans in the wild
- Helplessly watching on as a young elephant rubbed its teething gums on our safari vehicle in South Africa
The one that sticks in my mind most recently is witnessing the Taj Mahal for the first time; walking through the arched entrance that opens out to provide you with a staggering view of the ivory-white masterpiece. It's so much more breathtaking in real life than in any picture.
My favourite destination: Thailand
Thailand offers nothing but incredibly tasty street food! I had the pleasure of spending a month in the country and even now could go back and uncover things I hadn’t seen before. It's a stunning destination with beauty at every turn; incredible sunsets, pristine golden beaches and perfect turquoise waters.
Thailand is easy to navigate with plenty of western influence. It's an excellent place to begin one’s foray into Asia. That being said, staying at places like the Elephant Hills Camp or the Anantara Golden Triangle give you an incredible opportunity to witness the quieter, more serene side of Thailand full of natural wonders.
My favourite hotel: Shamwari Riverdene Lodge
This is where I stayed for my first safari experience. It's modern but homely with a fire in the communal lounge – handy when returning from a chilly game drive! I was blown away by the rangers’ depth of knowledge; they're full of quirky facts about everything from the tiny shrubs to the giraffes and big cats. Added to the usual game drives on safari, Riverdene has its own Big Cat Sanctuary and Wildlife Rehab Centre - which enables them to do their bit to try and nurse animals back to health to return them to the wild.
Service commitment from you:
What I value and what you value may look different. It's important that I understand your preferences, likes and dislikes from the first conversation. This, combined with my extensive destination knowledge will enable me to create your dream trip first time. I pride myself on being attentive and working efficiently to ensure you get the most from your trip.
Your top tips for travellers:
- Always pack ear plugs and an eye mask
- Take a tour - you'll learn more than you think!
- Wake up early one morning, take a stroll and see how your new location comes to life
