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Andrea Motta

[email protected]
+44 (0)1273 005038

Background

I made a move to Travel Nation in 2011 following eight years at Trailfinders. With friends already working here, I knew that at Travel Nation, I would be able to share my own travel experiences while helping others get what they want from their adventures.

I grew up in the seaside resort of Whitley Bay, and living on the coast remains essential for me (and the south is considerably warmer)! Travel was always on the agenda for me, so after university, I headed off on with my backpack and came back a few years later, a little skinnier and less pale than when I left. Since then my destination choices have been inspired by wildlife and mountains, though things have changed somewhat since the arrival of my little girl in 2012.

Originally from

Whitley Bay (Newcastle).

Where did you spend your student days?

Mainly at The Dry Dock pub (working as well as playing hard) just over the road from Leeds Met University where I studied Business Management.

Travel industry experience

Following my three-year world trip, I joined Trailfinders in Newcastle, where I spent four years until they announced they were going to open a shop in Brighton. I always said I would move to Brighton if they did! I worked in the shop for another four years specialising in Business Class and Polar travel.

Business class experience

My six years specialising in round the world Business Class and First Class travel for both corporate and leisure travellers has given me the insight required to get the right ticket for you. If a flat bed is essential, the Chauffeur car service and lounge access make all the difference, or you just want the extra comfort for that long journey I am happy to work out something to suit your requirements.

Andrea has visited:

  • Antarctica Flag

    Antarctica

  • Antigua & Barbuda Flag

    Antigua & Barbuda

  • Ascension Island Flag

    Ascension Island

  • Argentina Flag

    Argentina

  • Australia Flag

    Australia

  • Belize Flag

    Belize

  • Bolivia Flag

    Bolivia

  • Brazil Flag

    Brazil

  • Canada Flag

    Canada

  • Chile Flag

    Chile

  • China Flag

    China

  • Costa Rica Flag

    Costa Rica

  • Cuba Flag

    Cuba

  • Fiji Flag

    Fiji

  • Guatemala Flag

    Guatemala

  • Honduras Flag

    Honduras

  • Hong Kong SAR China Flag

    Hong Kong SAR China

  • India Flag

    India

  • Indonesia Flag

    Indonesia

  • Kenya Flag

    Kenya

  • Laos Flag

    Laos

  • Malaysia Flag

    Malaysia

  • Mexico Flag

    Mexico

  • Morocco Flag

    Morocco

  • Myanmar (Burma) Flag

    Myanmar (Burma)

  • Nepal Flag

    Nepal

  • New Zealand Flag

    New Zealand

  • St. Lucia Flag

    St. Lucia

  • South Africa Flag

    South Africa

  • Tanzania Flag

    Tanzania

  • Thailand Flag

    Thailand

  • United Arab Emirates Flag

    United Arab Emirates

  • United States Flag

    United States

  • Vietnam Flag

    Vietnam

900x600-canada-british-columbia-bear-family

Last trip:

Thailand
900x600-thailand-bangkok-monks-temple

Next trip:

Canada

About Andrea

When I'm, not at work or travelling, I'm...

Experiencing a whole new world of adventure with my little girl, in the form of playgroups, parks and cafes.

My favourite film is...

Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3, Rocky 4... that's as far as I will go!

On my round the world trip I spent longer than expected in:

Lovely Laos, travelling first north and then south and then north again.

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

Antarctica. I boarded the ship in Ushuaia grinning from ear to ear but could not have anticipated what lay ahead. Each day held a new batch of adrenalin pumping, truly thrilling sights, sounds, adventures and wildlife. From elephant seals to albatrosses, king penguin colonies, crazed fur seals and whales to the calving icebergs which passed within metres of the kayak, zodiac and paths on which we wandered.

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

1. Flip flops (unless heading for Brazil where you will buy many!)
2. One decent pair of jeans - you will miss them if you don't
3. Camera with spare memory cards
4. An extra credit card packed separately
5. P20 - once a day sunscreen

What are your top 3 places in the world?

King Penguin colony - Salisbury Plain, South Georgia; Annapurna Base Camp – Nepal; Bagan, Burma

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

Nungwi, Zanzibar Tanzania. I never thought I was a beach person, but after a week's camping safari nothing can beat a fabulous beach - great sunsets, great beach bars for sun-downers, excellent seafood BBQs, diving options - all good.

Which passport stamp are you most proud of?

Port Lockroy – Antarctica.

Where/what would you like to visit?

Bhutan – I want to go trekking in stunning mountains and through remote villages.

What's the best/worst thing you've eaten on your travels?

I have to say I am a partial to BBQ'd chicken hearts.

Have you ever worked abroad? If so explain.

In my student da,ys I spent a summer working at The Great American Country & Western Ho-Down in the Algarve in Portugal. Gingham frocks and line dancing all part of the waitressing job spec! I have since used my waitressing skills around Australia but have left long since left the line dancing behind.

Where is the most depressing place you've found yourself?

An old boat on route to Nias (Indonesian Island), with 150 sea sick locals and many more cockroaches in a storm! After a horrendous, turbulent night the daylight revealed we had anchored just off the coast we were departing from and the journey was yet to begin!

What's the funniest/strangest thing that's happened to you abroad?

My Dad still laughs about the time I called him from Puskar in India, in a panic because the bank in Simla had stolen $500 from my account three weeks after I had taken out money there. As he tried to calm my stress, I mentioned that a 5-legged, holy cow had just stolen an orange from a stall in front of me. He thought it was wonderful, whereas to me at that time it was strangely normal. I expect he helped me out with the cash too until I could sort it with my bank as $500 at that time was a good month or two of travel.

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

Rio de Janeiro.

Heading out for an Antarctic Christmas kayak trip!

Heading out for an Antarctic Christmas kayak trip!

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Exploring further afield from the ice-breaking ship - kayaking in Antarctica

Exploring further afield from the ice-breaking ship - kayaking in Antarctica

Just a few more miles to the North Pole!

Just a few more miles to the North Pole!

Christmas in the Antarctic!

Christmas in the Antarctic

Sunset in the Atacama desert

Sunset in the Atacama desert