I caught the travel bug from an early age and was lucky enough to have visited 5 continents before I turned 16. A career in the travel industry was always a no brainer for me; it combines my love of geography with the satisfaction of helping people piece together their dream trip. I have been in the industry for over six years and have been lucky enough to have now visited over forty countries.

After studying Russian history, it was particularly inspiring to see the winter palace in St Petersburg in person, and I even enjoyed sampling reindeer stew on a recent trip to Finland. In 2009 I drove from Holland to Russia (and back again!), beginning a life-long fascination with the far eastern corners of Europe. Here Europe ends and Asia begins and an intoxicating blend of cultures, ethnicities, and cuisine means no country is alike. 

Growing up in the rolling Cotswold hills and enjoying walking holidays to the Brecon Beacons, Lake District and Munroe-bagging in Scotland it seems inevitable that when I started exploring the wider world my hiking boots would be one of the first things to get packed whenever venturing abroad.

When it comes to trying to pick a favourite destination or travel experience, I'm a bit stumped. It’s hard to pick out just one because setting off along a trail leading from the guesthouse built into the cliff at the head of the canyon in Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, being invited for tea by the local Bedouin herding their goats in the valley and ending at the candle-lit guesthouse in Feynan is so different from the experience of strapping on your crampons, picking up your ice axe and heading up the stunning Svinafellsjokull glacier tongue in Iceland.

However one of the 'stand out' highlights of my travels with Regent would have to be the climb up Borneo’s Mount Kinabalu which stands at 4,096 metres and is the highest mountain in South East Asia.  Whilst the mountain is reasonably accessible and not too technically challenging (although you have the option of taking the nerve-wracking via ferrata route) only 146 permits are issued each day so the mountain never feels too busy.  The first day sees you climb solidly for about 6 hours through the pitcher-plant and bird-rich rainforest before taking a well-earned rest at the Laban Rata guesthouse.  The second day involves a pre-dawn start to reach the peak for sunrise.  As I climbed the moon was high and to the north-east, I could watch a spectacular display of lightning over the sea happening several hundred feet below me which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The beauty of this peak is that having achieved the impressive feat of reaching the top and returning to the national park at the foot of the mountain you are lucky enough to be in Borneo so can take your weary limbs to soak in the baths at Poring Hot Springs, head further into the jungles to visit the orang-utan, elephants and proboscis monkeys or simply find a beautiful beach to relax on whilst enjoying the wonderful food and hospitality of the locals.

Read more about my travel experiences in my blog

I left school not knowing what I wanted to do - I just knew I didn’t want to go to school anymore! So my Mum dragged me into the Career’s Library where a Job was advertised for a YTS (Youth Trainee Scheme) In Travel and Tourism (nowadays it’s called a Modern Apprentice). I managed to get through 2 years of ‘on the job training’ and they offered me a full time position as a Sales Advisor. Fast forward 20 years and I’m still in travel. I wouldn't do anything else: it’s in my blood.

I’ve been fortunate to experience many aspects of travel and have been to so many places and worked with some great people. Previously I worked in the luxury travel sector which really challenged me and was very rewarding, so when I had to relocate to the west country it made me really think about what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted something different, so I was so delighted to take on a role at Regent in their Arctic Department.

The product is so unique and I love knowing that I can offer something different and unusual; something that really makes people listen. Since starting here, I have been lucky enough to travel to Lapland and Iceland - both of which I love.

Lapland is so clean and unspoilt, particularly the Ivalo area. I have never seen such beautiful snow! When the sun shone it created a diamond-like effect, glistening so brightly. The people are so friendly and really want to make sure you are having the best time and do their best to help you see the Northern Lights. Lapland is really so much more than just meeting Santa! I think it has something for everyone and can be brilliant for special occasions.

Iceland is such a fascinating destination. If you have an interest in geology or photography this is the place for you. You have to expect the unexpected when you go - especially in terms of the weather! My favourite was getting out of the city and into the countryside. As I travelled around the island the landscape and scenery was constantly changing. Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon was a highlight. It’s unbelievable to see giant ice chunks gently bobbing along in the lagoon and then we followed it up with a glacier hike.

I’ve got many more destinations to try and I’m very much looking forward to getting stuck in!