Search
Start your journey

Meet The Team

Here at Silver Travel Advisor we’re a team of mature travel industry professionals with more years of experience than we care to number! Our backgrounds are diverse, but we are all united by a passion for travel. We live and breathe our ‘Tried. Travelled. Trusted.’ ethos, travelling far and wide to bring back impartial advice and recommendations for our members.

Lisa McAuley

Lisa McAuley

Owner & Managing Director

Read bio
Debbie Marshall

Debbie Marshall

Founder

Read bio
Penny Worthy

Penny Worthy

Business Development Director

Read bio
Kerry Gallagher

Kerry Gallagher

Marketing Director

Read bio
Jennie Carr

Jennie Carr

Creative & Communication Director

Read bio

Jenn Spence

Digital Content Manager

Read bio
Lynn Scrivener

Lynn Scrivener

Head of Partnerships (non cruise)

Read bio
Gill Haynes

Gill Haynes

Partnerships & Promotions Director

Read bio
Carole Tidball

Carole Tidball

Social Media Manager

Read bio
Cathy Bartrop

Cathy Bartrop

Video advisor

Read bio
Jane Silk

Jane Silk

Research & Training

Read bio
John Carter

John Carter

Our Patron

Read bio

Silver Travel Contributors

Our team of contributors bring a wealth of travel experiences and adventures to life through their contributions to our website and magazine. Together they have visited an impressive list of countries and are more than happy to share their advice, hints and tips with you so you can read real insight to inspire your travels.

Alan Fairfax

Alan Fairfax

Cruise specialist

Read bio
Anna Selby

Anna Selby

Travel writer & journalist

Read bio
Chrissy Nason

Chrissy Nason

Travel writer

Read bio
Gillian Thornton

Gillian Thornton

Travel writer

Read bio
Jacqueline Jeynes

Jacqueline Jeynes

Travel writer & author

Read bio
Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson

Editor of the Wellness Traveller

Read bio
Jeannine Williamson

Jeannine Williamson

Travel writer & cruise specialist

Read bio
Mike Pickup

Mike Pickup

Journalist & photographer

Read bio
Petra Shepherd

Petra Shepherd

Travel writer

Read bio
Roger Bray

Roger Bray

Travel writer

Read bio
Sally Dowling

Sally Dowling

Travel writer

Read bio
Solange Hando

Solange Hando

Travel writer & photographer

Read bio
Steve Aldridge

Steve Aldridge

Travel writer

Read bio

Silver Travel Advisors

Our Silver Travel Advisors are on hand to help you plan and book your next holiday. They each have extensive first-hand experience of travelling to destinations across the world and can help advise you on flights, accommodation, cruises, tours and even what to see and do in your chosen destination. Call 0800 412 5678 to speak to our advisors and start your journey.

Amanda Booker-Wilson

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Andrew Davison

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Andrew Taylor

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Claire Cranfield

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Emma Bradley

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Helen Armstrong

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Jasmine Reid

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Joanne Smith

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Judith Evans

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Paige Milward

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Ross Fagan

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Sally McDonald

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Sam Simpson

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio

Umi

Silver Travel Advisor

Read bio
Ask an advisor

Who's travelling?

I'm looking for…

Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube Linkedin

©2021 Silver Travel Advisor, All Rights Reserved. ABTA: P8411. Silver Travel Advisor is a UK registered limited company. Book with Confidence. We are a Member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide financial protection for your money when you buy a package holiday. If you buy other travel arrangements such as accommodation only this protection doesn’t apply.

Silver Travel Advisor sells travel services on behalf of Hays Travel Limited and benefits from Hays Travel’s membership of ABTA with membership number P8411. ABTA and ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist them when things do not go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0599 or www.abta.com”

Hays Travel Limited are registered in England and Wales with company number 1990682 and VAT number 193167195. Registered office: 25 Vine Place, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR1 3NA. Silver Travel Advisor is a trading name and are registered in with company number 7408308 and VAT number 100952746. Registered office: 9b Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 0PY.

Lisa McAuley

Lisa McAuley

Owner and Managing Director

Lisa, started her career in the travel industry over 30 years ago having started out as a travel agent at Lunn Poly at the age of 18. Having worked not only in travel retailing but also tour operating in both mass market and niche segments including ski, touring and hotels, in recent years Lisa discovered a love of cruising as the Managing Director of ultra luxury cruise line Silversea and sat on the board of CLIA. Prior to joining Silver Travel Lisa enjoyed the challenge of running the UK’s largest B2B tour operator Gold Medal with its multiple brands, focussing on long haul holidays. Her favourite destinations include the Galapagos, Maldives, Australia and her home patch the Peak District where she can be found combining long walks with even longer lunches in country pubs at weekends! An advocate for woman in business, Lisa was inducted into the Association of Women Travel Executives most influence women in travel in 2019 and is a strong supporter of Everywoman.

Debbie Marshall

Debbie Marshall

Founder

Debbie has over 35 years travel experience including Crystal Holidays and Jetsave (where she was Managing Director until 2001), and from 2004 until 2010 at the helm of the award-winning villa specialist CV Villas and its sister company Ski Verbier. She launched Silver Travel Advisor in 2011 after a dinner conversation with a group of her father’s friends, when she was surprised to discover how much time retired people were spending on holidays; she realised that there was an opportunity to create an information, reviews and advice website especially for them! She is a non-executive director of Real Holidays and Bailey Robinson, and is on the ’60 for 60′ influential women list at the Association of Women Travel Executives. A finalist in the Everywoman Travel Awards, and at the AWTE Business Impact Awards, Debbie is also the Chair for Dementia Adventure, which offers supported holidays for people living with dementia.

Penny Worthy

Penny Worthy

Business Development Director

Penny has enjoyed over 35 years working in the travel Industry, starting out as a humble travel agent selling dreams, through to heading up a sales team at Avis Budget group. Penny’s main passion in life is travel. She has been lucky enough to have seen much of the world and is always planning her next adventure. Her favourite trips have been to Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Thailand, the Philippines, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean. Penny also loves the fresh air of the ski slopes, as well as waking up every day to a new destination when on a cruise.

Kerry Gallagher

Kerry Gallagher

Marketing Director

Kerry has mapped out a career in marketing for over 20 years, working at leading advertising agencies with client accounts including The Royal Bank of Scotland, Green Flag and York Racecourse. A decade ago, Kerry moved to an in house role with the UK’s largest B2B tour operator, Gold Medal, leading the marketing functions across all elements of print, digital, social and PR. Combining a career in marketing with a passion for travel is a match made in heaven for Kerry. She has travelled across most continents (just Antarctica to go), with Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives and Italy standing out as firm favourites. But her number one destination would be the USA – where she has visited 36 out of the 50 states!

Jennie Carr

Jennie Carr

Creative and Communication Director

Jennie, a member of BGTW, writes our newsletters, edits the bi-annual magazine, The Silver Traveller and is a radio broadcaster and podcaster. She creates content for the website, commissions writers and produces articles for external publications. Jennie really enjoys meeting our members and partners, speaking at travel events and exhibitions as well as interviewing travel industry leaders. She joined Silver Travel Advisor just a few months after it began. She loves islands and her challenge is to equal Ben Fogle, The Teatime Islands. Her favourite quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”, St Augustine.

Jenn Spence

Digital Content Manager

A Canadian now living in England, Jenn handles all things website and digital for Silver Travel Advisor. Although generally more of an ‘indoor’ person, travel is the exception – she knows she’s had a good holiday when her feet ache from days spent exploring! Her ultimate travel bucket list location is Hobbiton, New Zealand… although she enjoys anywhere with good coffee and no snow.

Lynn Scrivener

Lynn Scrivener

Head of Partnerships (non cruise)

Lynn has over 30 years’ marketing experience in the travel and cultural tourism industries. Travel business lessons were first learned at Lunn Poly, British Airways and Hertz Europe. A wide range of tourism development projects followed for such iconic venues as Somerset House, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Chelsea Physic Garden. Most recently Lynn has enjoyed several years’ rambling (and ambling), leading the marketing team for Ramblers Walking Holidays and Adagio. Thanks largely to business trips and conferences, Lynn has been fortunate to travel extensively including to most of W. Europe, USA, French Caribbean, Egypt, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia. This past year or so, Lynn has enjoyed puffin-watching on Skomer, hiking in the Austrian Tyrol, canoeing the Charente near Poitiers and yet more culture-vulturing in New York. Hurrah for holidays!

Gill Haynes

Gill Haynes

Partnerships & Promotions Director

Gill has over 30 years experience in the cruise industry, resulting in her being a dab hand at Trivial Pursuit blue questions so long as they are about coastal geography. After learning the marketing ropes with Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, Gill led the team which launched the Ocean Village brand (‘the cruise for people who don’t do cruises’) and as Cunard’s head of global PR, masterminded its 175th anniversary celebrations when Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria performed a ‘riverdance’ on the Mersey in front of 1.3 million spectators. Gill’s favourite destination is South Africa where one walking safari involved climbing a tree to avoid approaching rhinos. A keen skier, mountain biker and windsurfer, Gill loves the great outdoors. Still on the wishlist are canoeing the Great Lakes in Canada and swimming with manta rays in the Maldives.

Carole Tidball

Carole Tidball

Social Media Manager

Carole worked as a Senior Manager and Consultant in Education before taking early retirement to become a writer and award-winning photographer, and to indulge her passion for global travel. She loves exploring new destinations on foot and finds the best adventures and photographic opportunities are often away from the beaten track. She is a keen runner, hiker and bird/wildlife watcher, regularly seen trekking, splashing and skidding along the hilly footpaths around her home. Carole looks after Facebook and Instagram for Silver Travel Advisor.

Cathy Bartrop

Cathy Bartrop

Video advisor

Cathy has spent her entire career in the travel industry, starting out as a graduate trainee at Saga Holidays in 1983 before becoming Sales & Marketing Manager for Thomas Cook Faraway Holidays in 1986. A few years later she set up her own media and promotions company, initially focused on print and radio but eventually moving in to video production. When video finally became easily accessible online (only 15 short years ago), everything changed and Cathy seized the opportunity to create her own online channel, travelguru.tv. Like Silver Travel Advisor, it is focused on the mature traveller, so it’s a natural partnership. These days Cathy films solo, mainly with only an iPhone, creating videos that share her first-hand experiences and trusted travel advice. When she is not travelling or editing, she can be found on the golf course, seeking out wild swimming locations and enjoying the delights of her home county, East Sussex.

Jane Silk

Jane Silk

Head of Research and Training

Jane (MA Marketing) is a CIM qualified marketer and senior marketing professional, who has worked in marketing, branding, publishing and the travel industry for over 25 years. Jane is a specialist in communications, research, marketing and sales for the 50+ market, and an acknowledged expert on how to engage with the older generations – for many years she was director of Mature Times newspaper. She is frequently called on by national and local media as a key representative of her audience.

John Carter

John Carter

Our Patron

Veteran TV presenter John Carter has been our patron since the very early days of Silver Travel. A familiar face from the days of Wish You Were Here and The Holiday Programme, John is a much-loved and respected member of our team. These days he still be found globetrotting, although at a slightly slower pace, ambling rather than rambling. His popular ‘Now and Then’ compilation of  amusing articles about his latest travels can be found in our Features section.

Alan Fairfax

Alan Fairfax

Cruise specialist

Alan is a passionate ‘Cruise Ship’ expert and travel journalist Over 150 cruises completed, sailed and visited 70+ ships of 22 cruise lines. He has travelled the world from the Arctic to Australia, USA to Russia, Asia, Baltic, Caribbean, Middle East, South America and most Mediterranean ports. Sailed several oceans plus the Arabian, Black, Baltic, Mediterranean and Red Sea. Alan a member of The International Travel Writers Alliance says “There is something magical about stepping aboard a beautiful cruise ship, visiting multiple countries and ports but only unpacking once”. Alan, a regular contributor to several newspapers and magazines, has appeared on television travel shows, delivered talks on cruising at various national venues and is known as our ‘Cruise Guru’ due to his extensive knowledge. Where are his favourite places, he is the first to admit his love of the Western Isles of Scotland and the Caribbean.

Anna Selby

Anna Selby

Travel writer & journalist

Anna Selby has been a journalist and feature writer for over 25 years and has been specialising in travel for the last 20. She has worked for most of the broadsheets (including the FT, the Times and the Telegraph) as well as numerous magazines and websites. She began travel writing when she lived in the South Seas for a year with her four-year-old son. They started off in the Cook Islands, where they stayed for six months and then travelled through Fiji, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Tonga and Western Samoa. The islands of Polynesia hold a special place in her heart to this day, and she has returned there several times. Many other places, though, draw her back repeatedly from the US to the Middle East (especially Oman and Jordan), Vienna to Botswana, Marrakech to Iceland. As well as general destination features, she writes regularly on health, spas, food and cruises. She lives in central London with her ex-soldier husband and sees her son as often as possible – though he caught the travel bug and now works and lives in Amsterdam.

Chrissy Nason

Chrissy Nason

Travel writer

Starting as a holiday rep in Greece, Chrissy discovered holidays have many component parts and, whilst expectations vary hugely, holidays can be life affirming! Chrissy worked for many years in tour operating specialising in customer service, product quality, training and brochure accuracy. She was a hands-on director of a Kensington hotel for five years. She then completed an interior design course, undertaking private commissions. With her husband she built and managed a holiday home in north-west Scotland. Chrissy has three grown up children and, when not travelling, helps with her grandchildren, volunteers for the Youth Offender Service and sings with the Kensington Singers. Never one to be influenced by star ratings alone, she prefers places with something extra that make them stand out. Culture and activities also hold more appeal now than lying on a beach! Chrissy still wants holidays to be adventurous and stylish but with a quiet room and comfy bed a priority!

Gillian Thornton

Gillian Thornton

Travel writer

An award-winning member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Gillian has freelanced for more than 40 years, writing for women’s magazines and regional publications, corporate clients and the specialist travel press, both in print and online. She started her journalism career writing articles for her local county magazine, going on to write parenting articles as a young mum, general features, and interviews with personalities such as Roger Moore and Tim Rice, Dick Francis, Barbara Cartland and James Herriot. In 2018, she celebrated 20 years as a travel writer by winning the Best Cultural Article in the French Travel Media Awards. A fluent French speaker, she specialises in France and the UK, but writes on destinations as far apart as Cornwall and Cape Town, Canada and Cambodia. “I love walking holidays and cruising, cultural trips and city breaks,” she says. “But I’m happy to explore anywhere beyond my own front door.  I can have an adventure anywhere!”

Jacqueline Jeynes

Jacqueline Jeynes

Travel writer & author

Published non-fiction author since 2000, covering a range of topics. Latest books include strategies for targeting mature travellers, how a global pandemic changed the way we travel, health & safety for small firms (based on my PhD), and WWII history. I love long-distance walking, exploring by public transport (currently writing Meander through Wales series), art, sampling local wines and food. I am a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers and the Non-Fiction Authors’ Association (NFAA), book reviewer, and an editor for other authors. I am also a writer/tutor of art history distance-learning courses. Basically, I am a writer! But I love the research that goes into every book/article, whether it is for information/guidance or intended to inspire the reader to visit and try something new for themselves. My favourite trips were Finland for the Northern Lights, the Canadian Rockies and Rocky Mountaineer, wine tasting in Bordeaux, and river cruising on the Rhine.

Jane Wilson

Jane Wilson

Editor of the Wellness Traveller

Jane Wilson is a freelance writer and specialises in wellness travel. From the early days of the health farm concept to today’s hi-tech medi-spas, her passion for traditional therapies and indigenous treatments have led her to many destinations which define wellness tourism. Her 30 years of experience as a journalist and PR consultant in travel and international hotels have provided first-hand experiences of the ancient practises of Ayurveda in India, the latest holistic age-defying treatments in Europe, the spiritual tribal beliefs of Native America and thermal resorts for that much needed rest and recuperation. Tree-hugging and horse whispering to healing spices, generational remedies and lifestyle practices, Jane teases out the wellness benefits of holidays and leisure pursuits and weaves them into her features. Slow travel, mindfulness, cruising for health and the power of just being embraced in nature’s own garden – you are assured of articles immersed in wellness.

Jeannine Williamson

Jeannine Williamson

Travel writer & cruise specialist

A former newspaper journalist, Jeannine is now an award-winning travel writer and leading expert on river and ocean cruises. She contributes to a wide variety of publications including The Telegraph, Times, Cruise Critic and Riviera Maritime. Her worldwide travels have taken Jeannine to both well-known and remote destinations around the globe and include wolf calling in Ontario, paddling along part of the Mississippi in a wooden dug-out canoe, sailing on a cargo ship to the isolated Marquesas Islands, crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a tall ship in gales of up to Force 8 and horse riding across the plains of Mongolia. She has also clocked up hundreds of nautical miles on river cruises throughout Europe and Asia, including Russia, China, Myanmar, India, Vietnam and Cambodia. Jeannine’s awards include the Cruise Lines International Association Cruise Journalism Awards, Travel Media Awards, Latin American Travel Association Media Awards and Women in Business Awards.

Mike Pickup

Mike Pickup

Journalist & photographer

Mike Pickup is an award-winning journalist and photographer covering both land-based and cruise holidays. His work appears in national newspapers and magazines including the Mail, Sun and Telegraph. He is also syndicated in regional titles, making him one of the UK’s most published travel writers.

Petra Shepherd

Petra Shepherd

Travel writer

Petra Shepherd is a freelance travel writer with over 30 years’ experience in television, 19 of which were with Travel Channel International, the leading global travel broadcaster, where she was responsible for award winning documentary style travel programmes. Prior to this Petra was a celebrity booker and has met everybody from Dame Edna Everage to Donald Trump! She’s visited over 100 countries, has lived in Hong Kong and Italy and is a great advocate of solo travel, in 2013 she spent six months travelling alone around South America. Petra particularly loves swimming, skiing, hiking, visiting markets and local festivals. When not getting of the beaten track and being as adventurous as possible, Petra divides her time between London and visiting her 12 God-children around the UK. She is a member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and combines her love of travel writing, books and food as Editor of The Silver Travel Book Club and The Silver Travel Cook Club.

Roger Bray

Roger Bray

Travel writer

I’ve written about travel for some 50 years, reporting on the growing pains of the package holiday business, the opening of China and the Soviet Union to tourists and the new found popularity of America. I chronicled the rise and fall of entrepreneurs including Sir Freddie Laker, the advent of low cost airlines and was a passenger on British Airway’s first commercial Concorde flight. A former travel editor on London’s Evening Standard, I have won various awards including one for a lifetime contribution to travel writing. I was joint author of Flight to the Sun, a history of the explosion in UK post war holiday travel and am an independent member of a committee advising the Government on financial protection for travellers booking air holidays. I’ve skied in some 140 resorts, run at least 350 routes from Chile to China and am a keen hiker, a Francophile – and have supported Fulham Football Club for 65 years through thick and thin – mostly thin.

Sally Dowling

Sally Dowling

Travel writer

I have worked in the travel industry since joining my local travel agency at 16. From there I decided to try the high life in London and spent happy years working for US Carriers, Pan Am & Continental. A ten-year career at Tropical Places, a privately-owned long-haul tour operator, gave me the chance to travel extensively throughout the Caribbean, Far East and Kenya. In 2003 I began to write and research travel features for a selection of magazine titles. A highlight was winning the Visit USA award for best consumer magazine feature. My 6-page spread entitled ‘Hidden Florida’ showcased resorts and attractions that could be easily reached if staying in Orlando. Top of my discoveries was the idyllic and very beautiful island of Sanibel. I have been lucky to return many times over the years and Sanibel’s charms never disappoint. As retirement beckons, I have embraced cruising and enjoy both ocean and river cruises. I have been delighted to be part of Silver Travel Advisor since its inception over 10 years ago. It gives me great pleasure to recommend somewhere that I have enjoyed so that others can share the experience.

Solange Hando

Solange Hando

Travel writer & photographer

As you would expect from a native, France is a speciality -along with other beautiful places in Europe- but my passion for travel calls me far and wide. I trekked in Nepal (16 times to date), travelled by train across Canada and up to Tibet -on the world’s highest railway-, stayed with Buddhist monks in Taiwan and relaxed in Japan among showers of cherry blossom Add river cruises, safaris and tours exploring the local culture and nature, that’s over 100 countries and I dream of many more. Then I love writing features, hovering here and there like butterflies, and in the past 20 years or so I published words and pictures in a wide range of titles at home and abroad. My latest award celebrates a ‘Royal Encounter’ (Bhutan), included in the ‘Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century’. Books? I contributed to ‘Journeys of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic, wrote how to ‘Be a Travel Writer’ and the Berlitz/Insight pocket guide to Bhutan (my true Shangri La).

Steve Aldridge

Steve Aldridge

Travel writer

I am an award winning travel writer and like to embrace the huge variety of travel options the industry has to offer. Cruising (big and small ships), trekking, road trips, camping (mobile home), city visits, finding things off the beaten track and of course a little sunbathing, have taken me to some glorious parts of the world. These include the Arctic, Maldives, Bahamas, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia (including trekking in Borneo), USA, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Greece, Turkey, France, Germany and many more. I like to root out the unusual in my travels and write helpful articles with a touch of humour.

Amanda Booker-Wilson

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 17 years

Favourite destination and why? Australia because the country is so vast and there is so much to see and do, great cities, attractions and beaches to explore, plus the people are so friendly and relaxed, you are made to feel welcome everywhere you visit.

Where do you want to travel to next? I would love to go to Italy next and explore the Amalfi Coast as I love art, scenery and Italian food.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My husband and daughter

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Explore the world, you never regret a holiday!

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Keep travelling, money can always return …. Time will not!

 

Andrew Davison

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 5 years

Favourite destination and why? Las Vegas – it’s like Disney Land for adults and so much fun! Everyone assumes that gambling is the only thing to do in Las Vegas but there are so many different excursions to do such as helicopter flights to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. Vegas also has an amazing choice of hotels to suit everyone’s budget plus a vast choice of restaurants to dine in.

Where do you want to travel to next? I would love to do a USA multi centre such as the Golden Triangle taking in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? Someone who loves to visit new destinations and experience different cultures, and doesn’t want to come home.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Life has been difficult with the
effects of Covid. Now the world is getting back to normality, book that trip of a lifetime you have always wanted to do.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. 

Andrew Taylor

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 16 years

Favourite destination and why? The Greek island of Hydra. You can lose yourself in the scenery, the locals make you feel so welcome and it is such a stunning island that when you visit you just don’t want to leave.

Where do you want to travel to next? The Canadian Rockies

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? Brigitte Bardot

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Be open minded and embrace the destination and the culture of where you visit.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Be friendly, polite and learn a few basics of the local language – it goes a long way!

Claire Cranfield

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 35 years

Favourite destination and why? I’m very lucky that during my career I have managed to travel the world and visit many places including Hawaii, Australia, Dubai, Kenya, Asia, America, Canada, most of the Caribbean and a large part of Europe. In Europe I love to visit Portugal, eat out in local restaurants, hire a car and explore the villages and deserted off the beaten track beaches. But my favourite place in the world is Hamilton Island, Australia, for snorkelling on the reef, feeding kangaroos, meeting wild dingoes and exploring the Island on a golf cart.

Where do you want to travel to next? I have a Norwegian Fjord cruise booked but I also want to visit Langkawi and Borneo in Malaysia to go trekking and see the wildlife.

Who’s you’re ideal travelling companion? My son as like me he loves being active on holiday, getting close to nature and exploring, plus we both are foodies. 

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Split your clothes over two suitcases then if lost or delayed it doesn’t ruin your trip.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Have a passport full of stamps rather than a house full of stamps.

Emma Bradley

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 23 years

Favourite destination and why? I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many different destinations over the years including nearly all of the Greek Islands, Balearics, Canaries, Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean. I really love the Caribbean for the amazing friendly people, crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches and cuisine.

Where do you want to travel to next? I’d like to start taking more city breaks in Europe and discovering the culture and history they have to offer.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My partner and leave the children and grandchildren at home.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Book with me. I will be there every step of the way for you and look after all your needs to ensure you have a perfect happy holiday.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Travelling is an investment in yourself, so travel the world, make memories… Your money will return but your time won’t.

Helen Armstrong

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? I have worked in the travel industry for 12 years. I started in customer services then made the move to sales and have never looked back. I have always loved finding customers their dream holidays and hearing how much they enjoyed it once they are they home.

Favourite destination and why? I absolutely love cruising and the beauty of seeing so many different places in one trip. The whole cruising experience is second to none from the food to the service not to mention the activities you can do – there really is something for everyone. I absolutely love Malaga city for a long weekend away, it has so much character and also a fantastic beach, best of both worlds.

Where do you want to travel to next? Top of my bucket list is Australia. I would love to travel across the country exploring and not having to rush back to the UK – just taking my time enjoying every minute.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion and why? Would be anyone who is happy to go with the flow. As much as I love to plan I also love the idea of waking up and deciding on the day what to do.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Don’t be put off a destination if someone you know has been and didn’t like. Try it for yourself and make up your own mind, everyone’s experience is different.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you have been given? Experience the world and all it has to offer whilst you are still able to, memories last a lifetime.

Jasmine Reid

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 6 years.

Favourite destination and why? South Africa – I love the diversity in both the landscape and the cultures. South Africa can be a city break, a beach break and an escape to nature all in one. The people are wonderful, the food is incredible and there is a lot to be learned about South Africa and its history.

Where do you want to travel to next? I would love to visit South America as this is somewhere I haven’t been yet. I like to explore a country when I visit and I’ve have heard great stories from friends and colleagues who have travelled around South America.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? I like to travel with my partner as we met whilst travelling. I also like to travel solo and meet new people on the journey!

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Be brave, the best experiences are found outside of your comfort zone.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Take half of your clothes and double your money.

Joanne Smith

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 35 years.

Favourite destination and why? I love tropical places so Hawaii for the stunning beauty of the islands and Barbados for the warm people, culture and beautiful beaches. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Barbados numerous times so can recommend confidentially where to stay and a hotel to suit your tastes. Turkey is a favourite European beach destination of mine which I’ve visited 15 times and explored many resorts; every resort is different but full of warm friendly people and lots of history.

Where do you want to travel to next? The west coast of America, especially San Francisco to do the excursion to Alcatraz. In Europe next on my list are Mykonos and Skopelos as these are two of the islands I’ve not visited yet and l adore Greece.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion and why? Really can’t narrow this down but I like to travel with my family and friends.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Make your bucket list of holiday destinations and work your way through it.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you have been given? Don’t spend your holiday just laying on a beach or by the pool – explore and see as much of the destination as you can and meet the local people. Then you get the best from your trip.

Judith Evans

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 12 years.

Favourite destination and why? A Celebrity cruise around the Italian coast, waking up to a different view and destination every morning, was truly inspiring. And of course the amazing food you experience on a Celebrity cruise.

Where do you want to travel to next? Australia is our next adventure and we will be travelling round and visiting family in Perth and Adelaide.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? Has to be my husband as he is great company and carries my suitcase.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Start your holiday off right and in style by booking an airport lounge so you relax before you get on the plane.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Always pre-book your excursions and trips with your agent so you don’t miss out as lots of the most popular trips get booked up weeks or months in advance.

Paige Milward

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? I have worked in the travel industry for 6 years. Many of my years have been working in resorts as a Resort Representative and onboard cruise lines as a Mountain Bike Guide.

Favourite destination and why? This can be an easy and hard question all in one as I have two favourites! First has to be Switzerland as it’s so diverse and I love the winter and summer seasons. In my opinion the most wonderful view is heading up on the gondola to see the Matterhorn – absolutely outstanding. My second favourite destination is Greenland; I was very lucky to do a sailing holiday here and got to visit Nuuk, Ilulissat and Qaqortoq. The Ilulissat Icefjord is just absolutely breathtaking!

Where do you want to travel to next? I want to travel to Alaska next – I’ve booked it for September 2022 and I just can’t wait!

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? Someone who likes adventure! I love to head out into the unknown and experience a destination like a local. I am also a big adrenaline junkie, I have a head for heights and have a passion for the thrill.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Enjoy every holiday and be a local in the destination you are travelling to. No matter if you have been to that destination hundreds of times… I guarantee there are always new experiences to be had.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? This was actually a conversation I had with my Grandad when I was around 16 years old.
Grandad: “Paige, why are you going to work in Lapland as an Elf? There is no money in that!”
Paige: “Grandad, do you understand the experience I am going to have? Who can say they have been an Elf in Lapland for Santa?! It is about quality of life, not quantity.”
Enjoy every trip and ensure it is full of quality time, making wonderful memories.

Ross Fagan

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 5 years.

Favourite destination and why? Ireland. I love the culture, the people, scenery and of course the Guinness. I also love travelling the UK as we live in a beautiful country.

Where do you want to travel to next? I want to try a cruise for my next holiday as I love fine dining.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My partner Jamie.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Keep an open mind and embrace the culture of wherever you visit.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Research your destination and use your travel expert at Silver Travel Advisor for advice and top tips.

Sally McDonald

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 30 years.

Favourite destination and why? I love Spain, particularly Nerja; it’s a traditional unspoilt Spanish resort, the people are friendly, and the food is fantastic.

Where do you want to travel to next? A Mediterranean cruise visiting Croatia.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My family.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Make a ‘Bucket List’ of dream destinations and let us do the rest…We can help make your dreams come true!

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Let us help you get booked and give you our expert advice so you get the best experience from your holiday.

Sam Simpson

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 37 years.

Favourite destination and why? I love Cuba, with its beautiful sun-kissed beaches, warm friendly people, amazing food and history.

Where do you want to travel to next? Aruba as it is one of the places I’ve not managed to visit yet but I’ve booked it for this summer so another destination off my bucket list.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My husband and son.

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? There are so many beautiful places to visit in the world. Have a bucket list of where you want to go and make your way through that list, as you only live once!

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Travel and live life to the full. My Nan used to tell me you will grow up quickly so travel as much as you can and make memories as they never fade.

Umi

Silver Travel Advisor

How many years have you worked in travel? 16 years.

Favourite destination and why? It has to be Antarctica for the beautiful scenery and wildlife; I especially loved the penguins.

Where do you want to travel to next? I’ve been lucky enough to visit over 150 destinations so not many left on the wish list! But I haven’t been to Singapore yet, so I need to get there soon.

Who’s your ideal travelling companion? My husband!

What’s your Top Tip for Silver Travellers? Try river cruising. I have done 7 river cruises and I highly recommend it as an amazing way to travel and explore.

What’s the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever been given? Travel the world as much as you can. It’s educational, fun and you will get to meet interesting people and learn about their culture and food.