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!

Born and raised in post-communist Bulgaria, my love for travel started when I was only 10 on my first trip to Western Europe (back then, we had to queue for hours and hours to cross any border and collect multiple stamps on our passports before we are allowed to enter any country; it was years before Bulgaria joined the EU, so travelling back then wasn’t easy at all). I remember that during that first trip, I was so fascinated by everything I got to see and experience, that I decided that my goal in life will be to see as much of the world as possible.

A decade later, fresh out of University, my career in travel started with my first job in a travel agency: I fell in love with the industry from day one. So far it's given me so many incredible experiences and I've met many amazing people from all over the world. Before moving to the UK, I spent a year working in Paris, led groups to more than 15 different countries, spent three summers in a bustling resort in northern Corfu and earned an international degree in Tourism in beautiful Italy. 

Since joining Regent, I have been lucky enough to travel to Iceland - a country that‘s been on my bucket list for years and I‘m completely in awe of. The country is so stunningly beautiful, no picture you‘ve ever seen does it justice, but what I love about it the most is how different it is from any other place in the world.

It's incredible how travelling to such a remote place, with one of the most severe climates in the world, opens your mind - it was a great opportunity to see just how powerful nature really is. I am blown away by it and will definitely be visiting again as soon as I can. My favourite part of the country, without a doubt, is the north, home to beautiful Akureyri and Lake Myvatn, though the absolutely mesmerising Glacier Lagoon comes in a very close second. My top tip: make sure you go on a glacier hike, it was definitely one of the coolest things I‘ve ever done!

Travel has always been in my blood. Having been born and brought up in Hong Kong I boarded my first long-haul flight aged 6 months. I spent my childhood being taken to exotic, off the beaten track destinations by my parents and as I grew older my desire to explore the world only increased.

I knew that a career in travel was for me when I returned from backpacking around Japan, South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. If I could provide amazing travel experiences and memories for others, like the ones I had, then why would I want to do anything else? It’s a treat every day to be able to share my passion with others.

Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to embark on a fly-drive around Route 1, the ring road circling Iceland. A country that I am completely in awe of. It beggars belief that around every corner there is a new and equally spectacular waterfall, lava field or glacier to feast your eyes upon. It’s hard to put into words how breathtakingly beautiful the scenery is, how friendly the people are and how fascinating the history, geology and nature of Iceland is. A particular highlight of mine was travelling down the south coast and visiting Reynisfjara black sand beach and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, never have I experienced anything quite like it. There is so much more to Iceland than the northern lights!