Lauren Curd

I have worked in travel now for nearly 25 years! I went on my first holiday by air aged 16 and the travel bug had well and truly bitten me by the time I got home. A few months later I started a travel and tourism apprenticeship in a high street travel agency.

I am very green fingered and although I have a small garden, I like to think I have made the most of the small space by installing two raised vegetable beds. When the weather allows me I can be found tending to my vegetable and flowers. I also very much enjoy living in the countryside and enjoy nice walks or visits to gardens and National Trust properties. I also enjoy cooking, so whenever I can I take a cooking class when I am travelling to try and learn some new recipes.

So far, I have visited just over 30 countries, and have set myself a target to have visited 50 countries before I am 50, I won’t say how many years I have left to achieve it!

South Africa – Cape Town for me is a city that has it all, great restaurants diverse culture and great selection of things to see and do. It is a great place to start or end a wonderful holiday in South Africa with so much to experience. You can take a lovely scenic drive along the famous garden routes stopping along the way in boutique hotels and bed & breakfasts, head off on safari at either a game reserve or in the famous Kruger National Park and stay in a lodge or under canvas, enjoy some lovely wine in the winelands and take a ride on the famous wine tram and learn all about South Africa’s history at the Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal. I have been to South Africa twice visiting different areas and I already have plans for a third trip very soon.

Italy – Lake Como is as dreamy as it looks in the photos and I just loved sitting alongside the lake with an Aperol Spritz in my hand watching the world go by. I stayed in a lovely little B&B on the East Coast of the lake and enjoyed taking the ferry to nearby Bellagio and Como. Lake Como was part of a rail adventure I took a few years ago visiting Venice, Verona, Lake Como and Milan all by train and I had the most wonderful time in each place. I have also travelled along the Amalfi Coast visiting Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Capri and enjoyed a wonderful trip to Tuscany staying in the countryside as well as visiting Florence and Sienna. I cannot wait to go back to Italy and have Rome and Puglia in my sights.

Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka really has something for everyone. I started my trip off in the cultural triangle, I took a leisurely bike ride tour around Anuradhapura one morning visiting all the sights and stupas and then the following day climbed the 364 steps up to the Dambulla Cave Temple, we also had great views of the Sigiriya Rock from our hotel. I also visited four of the National Parks to observe a wonderful array of Wildlife, visiting Wilpattu, Gal Oya, Bundala and Yala and had amazing viewings of Elephant, Sloth Bear, Crocodiles, Water Monitor Lizzards and a wealth of Birds. I highly recommend a stroll through the Botanical Gardens in Kandy, which we did one morning before boarding our train to Hatton where we headed to Tea Country and stayed at the Iconic Tea Trails Bungalows, a once in a lifetime experience. I also highly recommend a stop in Galle before relaxing at one of the many beachfront boutique hotels or villas on the west coast. If you have not been to Sri Lanka before I urge you to add it to your list, you will not be disappointed.

I highly recommend staying at small centrally located properties in cities with a roof top areas. At the end of a busy day sightseeing, I really enjoy sitting and having a sunset tipple on the roof top and taking in all the atmospheric sounds and sights of a city starting to wind down for the day. From staying in a Haveli in Delhi watching the kites fly above you in the sky to prayer call going out over the roof tops whilst staying in a Riad in Marrakech, I honestly believe these small locally run accommodations give you moments and memories you will not forget.

I listen to a lot of podcasts when travelling mainly, but I also really enjoy just peace and quiet and taking in the sights and sounds of wherever I am travelling.

I would love to say yes but no sadly not.

A trip to Victoria Falls and Botswana is currently top of my list, I have always wanted to witness the mesmerising falls and take a trip along the Zambezi River and visit the Okavango Delta and watch all the incredible wildlife.

I have had my fair share of cancelled and delayed flights over the years, but I have also had lost luggage 3 times now, I have always got it back, but my luggage clearly enjoys travelling as much as I do!

Always pack a change of clothes and your medication in your hand luggage. Steri Pods for your toothbrush, keeps them sanitised whilst travelling. Take some note cards with you and if you receive great service, write a little note and leave it for that person, they may have helped you have a memorable holiday, so why not make their day with a little note of thanks.