Welcome
Hi, I'm Amanda.
Family is my world, travel is my vocation.
I've worked in travel for a long time. But it should have been longer.
On leaving school, it was a straight choice: Travel & Tourism at college or work in insurance. I pursued the money. Naive.
Marriage and bringing up my children refocused me to follow my heart.
It was worth the wait. Since my first opportunity at a local independent travel agency, I have never looked back.
After building my career as a travel consultant, I've been an independent travel expert since 2012.
I love what I do. Sharing my knowledge and helping others to get the most from their precious holiday time and create memories is a privilege.
My roots are in Berkshire, and Hampshire is home.
Where I've been
I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit much of the world, including Australia, the Far East, the Indian Ocean, Africa, the USA, South America, the Middle East and plenty of Europe.
Favourite Places
There’s something about Florida that continues to entice me back. I’m up to six visits now so I guess I must finally accept that I must be a bit of a ride junkie. If it's not spinning in circles, then you’ll find me in the queue! I've been as a couple, with my personal family and in larger family groups, each time being a different experience, and always looking to do something new.
Australia is the most diverse and beautiful country. I'm an official Australia Specialist, having completed all the exams and have been three times now, most recently on an educational trip. I've visited most regions - each has something truly special to remember with snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef undoubtedly a major highlight.
I was incredibly lucky to be invited on an educational adventure to Peru. The day we spent at Machu Picchu is forever etched in my memory. After a pretty steep trek, you come around a corner and that first view is totally mesmeric and utterly indescribable. Even now, I still pinch myself or look at the pictures to confirm that I was there.
Italy is my European number one. It’s so close and has everything from stunning mountains and lakes to the dramatic Amalfi coastline, the incredible architecture of Rome, Florence and one of the world’s most gorgeous cities, Venice. It also happens to have some of the continent’s best food and wines.
Most embarrassing travel experience
Aside from the time I managed to overlook that my children’s passports had expired, my most embarrassing travel experience was when my husband had booked a short break to Paris, by Eurostar. He revealed the surprise a week before, leaving me time to factor in and organise a final day at Disneyland Paris to feed my addiction. However, in my eagerness, I hadn't allowed enough time to check in for our return train to Ashford, the last direct one that evening, and where our car was parked. We consequently missed it, but fortunately managed to find one to St Pancras, arriving back extremely weary in the small hours after several additional train changes. Oops.
Your one luxury when you travel
My phone. Easy to carry around, essential to capture those moments and enables me to keep in touch with my loved ones.
Best piece of travel advice
Embrace the local culture and gastronomy of a place to really feel it and take plenty of photos to always be able to revisit the memories.
