Profile picture for user chris-west

Chris West

[email protected]
+44 (0)1273 005 022

Background

I joined Travel Nation in 2011 after returning from an epic trip across the Americas, including three months cycling across Canada and the last few months back on the bikes in South America. Returning to the UK, we wanted a change from the big-city living of London, so heading to Brighton on the coast was the best decision we have made. I previously worked for Trailfinders for 4.5 years, with over half the time in their Business Class Department. I have traveled widely and visited over 60 countries across five continents.

Originally from

Upminster, Essex (end of the District Line in London).

Where did you spend your student days?

I studied Economics and Geography at Sheffield University. I had a brilliant time, Sheffield is a great student city - fantastic nightlife and the Peak District right on the doorstep. I then studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London for a Masters in Development Studies.

Travel industry experience

4.5 years at Trailfinders, including 2.5 years as a First and Business Class Consultant.

Business Class experience

I have worked in the travel industry since 2005. I've spent the majority of my time specialising in Business and First class travel so I have a wealth of experience and knowledge selling trips for leisure and corporate travel. I have travelled extensively to over 50 countries across six continents, giving me vast experience to suggest ideas and plan that once in a lifetime trip. I can advise the best options to suit your needs and allow you to enjoy that extra level of comfort and style.

Chris has visited:

  • Argentina Flag

    Argentina

  • Australia Flag

    Australia

  • Belize Flag

    Belize

  • Bolivia Flag

    Bolivia

  • Botswana Flag

    Botswana

  • Brazil Flag

    Brazil

  • Cambodia Flag

    Cambodia

  • Canada Flag

    Canada

  • Chile Flag

    Chile

  • China Flag

    China

  • Colombia Flag

    Colombia

  • Cook Islands Flag

    Cook Islands

  • Costa Rica Flag

    Costa Rica

  • Cuba Flag

    Cuba

  • United Arab Emirates Flag

    United Arab Emirates

  • Ecuador Flag

    Ecuador

  • Egypt Flag

    Egypt

  • Fiji Flag

    Fiji

  • French Polynesia Flag

    French Polynesia

  • Guatemala Flag

    Guatemala

  • Honduras Flag

    Honduras

  • Hong Kong SAR China Flag

    Hong Kong SAR China

  • Iceland Flag

    Iceland

  • India Flag

    India

  • Indonesia Flag

    Indonesia

  • Kenya Flag

    Kenya

  • Laos Flag

    Laos

  • Malaysia Flag

    Malaysia

  • Maldives Flag

    Maldives

  • Mauritius Flag

    Mauritius

  • Namibia Flag

    Namibia

  • New Zealand Flag

    New Zealand

  • Nicaragua Flag

    Nicaragua

  • Panama Flag

    Panama

  • Paraguay Flag

    Paraguay

  • Peru Flag

    Peru

  • Singapore Flag

    Singapore

  • South Africa Flag

    South Africa

  • Sri Lanka Flag

    Sri Lanka

  • Tanzania Flag

    Tanzania

  • United States Flag

    United States

  • Venezuela Flag

    Venezuela

  • Vietnam Flag

    Vietnam

900x600_bali-ubud-rice-terraces

Last trip:

South Africa
900x600-south-africa-camps-bay-twelve-apostles

Next trip:

Indonesia

About Chris

When I’m not at work or travelling I’m…

Playing football, running, socialising down the pub or at friends houses. I'm always up for trying a new hobby.

My favourite band and football team are…

Band - Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Team - Brighton and Hove Albion.

If I weren’t working for Travel Nation, I would be…

Cycling around the world with a tent and all the necessities to live, in four panniers.

Top 3 places

Cycling the Columbia Icefield Parkway in the Rockies during a 3-month trans-Canada cycle expedition; trekking Torres Del Paine National park, Chile, with two friends in mid-winter including sections of knee-deep snow and without seeing another person for five days; trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal.

On my RTW trip, I spent longer than expected in...

Laos - such an amazing, chilled out place. Very friendly people, beautiful scenery and great water sport opportunities on the rivers. I found it to be a completely different pace of life when you arrive from hugely populated China.

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

Headtorch, penknife, guidebook, trekking shoes, sunglasses.

When staying in a hotel room for more than one night do you a) Unpack your bags or b) Live from your rucksack?

It is questionable whether you can call it unpacking. It's more a chaotic emptying of bags and creating carnage within seconds.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

Canada - fantastic scenery and activities, such friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere.

What was your first great travel experience?

Travelling to Bolivia at 18 on a one-month expedition with a party from school. We helped build a kitchen for a school, trekked over 5,000m in the Andes, visited the Amazon jungle. It gave me a taste of adventure and led to a whole lot more.

What is your favourite hotel, why and where is it?

Soneva Fushi, Maldives. For 5-star luxury on a beautiful island surrounded by a coral reef, you cannot beat it.

Which is your favourite beach, where is it and why?

Tayrona National park, Colombia. It offers stunning beaches complete with Seychelles-esque boulders and it's surrounded by jungle.

Which passport stamp are you proudest of?

A cancelled Chinese visa - a bureaucratic nightmare and no-one seems to know the actual requirements when visiting Tibet.

What is the weirdest thing you have eaten while abroad?

Pig's Brain soup in China - I would not recommend it.

If you had just 24 hours in a big city which one would it be?

Sydney - great place with lots to visit in the day including all the usual city highlights plus fantastic beaches and coastal walks followed by a great party atmosphere in the evening.

What’s the best party you have been to while travelling?

Halloween on Caye Caulker, Belize. The whole island - locals and tourists - all dressed up and hit the few bars there were.

What do you miss most from home while you are away?

Friends and family and home-cooked food during long trips away.

Trekking Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in south-east Asia, in Borneo.

Trekking Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in south-east Asia, in Borneo.

Cycling the largest salt flats in the world in Bolivia during wet season- note the few inches of water! An epic fail as we did 13km in 3 hours and had to turn round as it was too slow going. One of the best adventures ever

Cycling the largest salt flats in the world in Bolivia during wet season- note the few inches of water! An epic fail as we did 13km in 3 hours and had to turn round as it was too slow going. One of the best adventures ever

Our climb to the summit of Mt Kinabulu, Borneo

Our climb to the summit of Mt Kinabulu, Borneo

Overlooking the driest desert in the world, Atacama

Overlooking the driest desert in the world, Atacama

On the bikes beside Emerald Lake, British Colombia

On the bikes beside Emerald Lake, British Colombia

Debs and I, Halong Bay in the background

Debs and I, Halong Bay in the background