Call us today from 09:00 - 17:30 020 8106 2403 Start Planning
Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.

Want to know the one thing that all our travel experts have in common?

Of course, a love of travel is a given. But when we sat down to chat to our travel experts for this article, what stood out is that for them, travel is more than just seeing the sights. It’s about those chance encounters, those once-in-a-lifetime moments, and those unexpected discoveries you won’t find in any guidebooks.

This is the exact same spirit of travel we want to pass on to you. Combining exceptional service and expert travel tips, Hayes & Jarvis travel experts have been creating unforgettable holiday experiences for more than 70 years. Our travel experts love creating personal, bespoke and inspiring holidays full of memories that will last a lifetime.

So we want to introduce you to our all-star team of travel experts. Learn more about their areas of expertise and get inspired by their all-time favourite travel memories!

Alice: South America expert

Alice: South America travel expert

Alice fell in love with South America during a 6-month overland trip across the entire continent. Her taste for adventure took her to the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, cycling down Death Road in Bolivia and to a live volcano in Guatemala.

One of my favourite and humbling moments was cycling around vineyards in Mendoza, an area in Argentina’s wine country. I witnessed the diversity and magic of vineyards and endless rows of ripe, succulent grapes, feeling like we were the only ones there- it was just so peaceful.

Charlotte: Oceania expert

Charlotte: Oceania travel expert

After spending two years exploring New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia, Charlotte fell in love with the rich culture, food and incredible scenery throughout the region.

My favourite travel memory is when I stayed at the untouched Drawaqa Island where the stunning coral gardens are some of the best in the Fijian isles. One of my favourite experiences was snorkelling with manta rays. With two thirds of the archipelago being inhabited,  Drawaqa Island is one of the best places in the world to see manta rays in their natural habitat.

Chris: Asia expert

Chris: Asia travel expert

With over 20 years in the travel industry taking him to 54 countries, it’s hard for Chris to pick a favourite. But the one place that keeps drawing him back thanks to its rich culture and amazing food is Thailand.

Thailand is a country that is close to my heart and witnessing the unique longneck hill Tribes near the Chiang Mai province is a memory that will stay with me for a long time. There are travel companies like Hayes & Jarvis that prioritise the welfare of hill tribes at the heart of the experience. Witnessing the traditional mountain dwellers with the brass rings around their necks, handwoven tunics and colourful embroidery was a unique experience and I have visited Thailand over 20 times since then.”

Jas: Asia, Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa expert

Jas: Asia, Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa travel expert

With more than 40 different stamps in his passport and five languages in his repertoire, Jas loves to learn about the indigenous communities, unique cultures, and exploring enchanting landscapes everywhere he goes.

The treasured memory of seeing Angkor Wat at sunrise will remain with me forever. I could feel the hushed excitement as the sunrise created an orange glow across the wonderfully preserved complex of temples and palaces. I was accompanied by a local guide who sighed in excitement and awe, he said to me seeing Angkor Wat in a different light brought joy to him no matter how many times he saw it. Angkor Wat was discovered enmeshed in jungle growth in 1860. The site remains one of the finest archaeological sites in the world and I felt humbled and lucky to witness this.

Matt: Oceania expert

Matt: Oceania travel expert

If you’re considering a trip Down Under, you need to speak to Matt. Picked as the UK’s first-ever Aussie Specialist Ambassador in 2019, Matt specialises in arranging bespoke trips to the Oceania region. While he rates shark diving as his most memorable wildlife experience, nothing can surpass the sheer beauty of Australia’s natural environment.

I still recall the feeling of awe, disbelief and inspiration whilst boarding a helicopter to fly over the Great Barrier Reef. The rotor blades on the helicopter mimicked the butterflies in my stomach as we flew over the world’s largest coral reef system. The outstanding natural beauty of flying over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands was humbling and inspirational. The memory was made complete by snorkelling in the clear turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef after the helicopter ride.”

Tasha: Indian Ocean expert

Tasha: Indian Ocean travel expert

With over 10 years experience in the travel industry, Tasha grew up in Barbados and her expertise lies within the Indian Ocean region. Whether you want to know about the best beach in the Maldives or what street food to try in Barbados, Tash has all the answers.

The Maldives and Sri Lanka are two of my favourite destinations. In Yala National park in Sri Lanka, we managed to spot a leopard in the first half an hour into the safari which is extremely rare. We also got close to the elephants in Minneriya. It was lovely seeing them in their natural habitat.” 

Sam: USA & Canada expert

Sam: USA & Canada travel expert

Sam loves North America for the diversity it offers. With scenic coastlines, majestic mountains, stunning national parks and an astonishing diversity of wildlife, culture, walking and adventure, the USA has something for everyone. Sam has a wealth of expert travel tips to help plan the ultimate North American journey.

Floating down the Lower Salt River in Arizona is a travel memory that will remain with me for a lifetime. The gentle glide of the kayak against a backdrop of endless desert, mountains and wild-horses made me fall in love with Arizona. The unexpected serenity on a kayak trip was just a short drive away from the hustle and bustle of Arizona. The combination of natural beauty and impressive cityscapes became a combination I grew to adore, it makes travelling in the US very special.

Thidara: Asia expert

Thidara: Asia travel expert

Thidara’s passion for travel runs deep. While studying for a Geography degree, she worked on international projects such as primate rescue in South Africa, teaching in South Korea and natural resource management in Nicaragua. She’s hiked, camped and road tripped around the world in search of the most incredible experiences to share with you.

“I’ll never forget when we drove to Sossusveli in Namibia, a famous desert with a large salt and clay pan. Leaving at 4:30am in the morning, we climbed high red dunes in silence with no sound except for the whisper of the winds in the desert. Climbing the dunes at sunrise was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. The sunrise revealed vast, dry, uninhabited expanses amongst the backdrop of a never-ending deep blue sky.

Valentina: Africa expert

Val: Africa travel expert

Valentina grew up in Italy, surrounded by the natural beauty and glamour of Milan before moving to the UK. Her passion for travel has given her plenty of breathtaking experiences- sailing through Sydney Harbour, arriving in the Masai Mara, and snorkelling in the Maldives– but nothing can compare to the intimacy of seeing gorillas in the wild.

My favourite travel memory was spending a full hour in the company of a family of Mountain gorillas. We trekked through the wild of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda. Our trek didn’t follow a path, instead we were accompanied by an expert wildlife guide who cut a route through the undergrowth. The trek went through utter wilderness for a couple of hours and the reveal of seeing adult male gorillas (they can weigh up to 195kg) brought me to tears.

James: Africa expert

James: Africa travel expert

With an impressive travel resume spanning 45 countries, James believes travelling and immersing yourself in different cultures and destinations is the most enriching experience you can have. And it’s his personal connection to South Africa that makes him an expert at planning bespoke African itineraries.

One of my earliest travel memories was staying at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Aged 8 years old, I witnessed how families could harmonise with nature and wildlife as the accommodation was home to five of South Africa’s seven biomes. We stayed at tented accommodation with diverse landscapes, outstanding wildlife and unforgettable encounters. Shamwari translates to ‘Friendly’ and I still recall the moment where a bush guide handed me a pair of binoculars, it was Christmas Day and we were on a game drive witnessing the incredible wildlife South Africa has to offer.  It set the scene for a lifelong love for travel.

We know you can’t wait to start travelling again. Our experts are here to help you plan your dream trip in the safest way possible. Find out what we are doing to ensure you can travel confidently.

Then speak to our travel experts and let them use their expert travel tips and experience to plan the ultimate journey for you.

Written by: James Golding
Posted in: Uncategorized

Let's Chat


We have answers to all your questions.
Start planning your dream trip by talking to our Destination Specialists

Sign up for our newsletter


Receive the latest travel inspiration and destination news.

Meet Our Travel Experts

Three Easy Steps to a Tailor-made Holiday

1. Browse

Look through our website for inspiration, then call our Travel Consultants

2. Create

Discuss your wish list with us, and we'll use our knowledge to design a unique itinerary for you

3. Customise

We're committed to refining your itinerary until we've created the perfect personalised trip for you

020 8106 2403 Call us today from 09:00 - 17:30

The Hayes & Jarvis Way


Since 1952, our travel experts have been traversing the world to connect you with the very best our 60+ destinations have to offer. Tell us what your dream trip entails and we will craft it for you with precision and passion.

Passionate Experts

Like you, we love to travel and explore. Over the years, we've honed our skills to create the most authentic travel experiences for you.

Personalised Journeys

We tailor each itinerary specifically for you. Tell us your travel dreams, and we'll work together to create a perfect trip for you.

Safety & Reliability

We ensure a hassle-free and safe experience with reliable partners. We provide you with a travel concierge dedicated to helping you 24/7 during your trip.

Fully Protected

You and your holiday are in safe hands with us so you can book with confidence and travel worry-free.