I was fortunate to travel a lot with my family at a young age to Africa on safari, Peru and the Galapagos. These adventures firmly ignited an almost all-consuming passion to travel. During my university years I travelled to the Baltics, Central Europe, Central America and studied in Madrid for a year. After graduation the only thing I wanted to do was travel. I solo travelled 30,000 kilometres all over South America from the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, all the way up to Panama, and then (mainly) overland from Europe to Asia, starting in Finland and finishing in Indonesia. I’ve visited Japan, and China, where I worked, travelled and learnt Mandarin, before coming back to the UK in 2022 to start working in travel and for Jacada.
My most memorable trip
Latim America
It has to be travelling for nine months through South America after I graduated from university. The diversity of the continent is really unlike anywhere else on the planet. I was constantly surprised, wowed and stimulated, and I haven't stopped travelling or living abroad since!
On my bucket list
Mozambiqu
I love wildlife, and love to dive too, so Mozambique is definitely on my list and plans are already underway to combine this with a safari in South Africa. Despite already visiting, the Galapagos Islands remain on my bucket list as the destination is just so incredible - I would love to head back there for a date with some hammerheads!
See where I’ve travelled
Los Llanos, Colombia
"Spending three full days searching unsuccessfully for a giant anteater in remote Los Llanos, Colombia, only for the bus driver to spot one as I was leaving. He fortunately stopped for me to take photos."
Discover destination
Nazca, Peru
" I have (so far!) climbed 3 of the 5 tallest sand dunes in the world. Sandboarding through the sea of clouds down the Cerro Blanco dune in Nazca, Peru, completely alone, was especially memorable. Seeing an andean condor flying overhead as I finished, was just the icing on the cake."
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Valencia, Spain
"Feeling the warmth of the fire on my face as an intricate ‘Falla’ was set alight, during the exhilarating Las Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain. "
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Sichuan, China
"Hitchhiking to a remote nature reserve in Sichuan, China, in search of a red panda, and having the most incredible sighting, even in the height of summer, after just two hours of walking."
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The best hidden gem
North Jujuy, Argentina
The richness and diversity of its landscapes, as well as people and food, is incredible. It is rarely travelled and you feel like you are experiencing the real Argentina.
My favourite hotel
Awasi Iguazu
Awasi Iguazu. You explore not just the waterfalls - which are out of this world - but also the best preserved atlantic rainforest in the world, with a private vehicle, superb private guide and unique customized experiences away from the crowds.
The accommodations were all top notch, including the catamaran we traveled on through the Galpagos. All the guides were amazing and knowledgeable. Overall everything was well executed. The itinerary was well planned and we had an amazing experience, overall.
As returning Jacada customers, our Brazil trip was a spectacular 22 day adventure that took us from Sao Paulo, to the Falls, to the Pantanal, to the Amazon, and Rio. Everything from pre-planning to execution and all things in between were handled flawlessly as Charles and Melanie created an outstanding itinerary with a good pace, locations, guides, and accommodations. Every…
Our team at Jacada (Charles, Melanie and the folks on the ground in Peru) made our trip so special in so many ways. From planning to making adjustments on the fly, the Jacada team were always on standby to help if needed. Not much was needed though once we were under way as they spent the time getting to know…
I would highly recommend Jacada. They planned a fun family trip that was turnkey and incorporated a variety of destinations and adventures. The properties they recommended were outstanding and the guides and drivers were knowledgeable, dependable and professional. The travel planners before and during our trip were very responsive.
They organized a tour for me in Brazil. I have to say that the organization was perfect, the guides were very knowledgeable, and I felt impeccably assisted throughout the entire trip! I also had a mishap at one of the domestic airports which they handled magnificently without even needing my prompt. From now on, they will be my go-to travel…
My top tips
Less is more in South America, don't try and see the whole continent in one trip - there is simply to much on offer.
Try to add on that extra day or two, to your trip, and let us surprise you by taking you somewhere incredible your friends have never heard of.
Sometimes, tying different foods is one of the best ways to learn about the culture of a place.
Where possible, try and an overland journey over a flight. It can take longer but the experience can offer amazing insights into culture and landscapes.