Chris West Round The World Travel Specialist

Chris West

+44 (0)1273 005 022

Background

I joined in August 2011 after returning from an epic trip across the Americas, starting by cycling 3 months across Canada and ending the last few months back on the bikes in South America. Returning back to the UK, we wanted a change from the big-city living of London and heading to the coast was the best decision we have made. Previously worked for Trailfinders for 4.5 years, with over half the time in the Business Class Department. Have travelled widely and visited over 60 countries across 5 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. Joined Travel Nation in August 2011.

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 6 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.

Recent reviews of Chris

Chris has visited:

Argentina
Australia
Belize
Bolivia
Borneo
Botswana
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Ecuador
Egypt
French Polynesia
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Iceland
India
Kenya
Laos
Malaysia
Maldives
Mauritius
Namibia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Tibet
United Arab Emirates
United States
Venezuela
Vietnam

Last trip:

New Zealand

Next trip:

Malaysia

About Chris

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

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

My favourite band and football team are…

Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Brighton and Hove Albion.

If I wasn’t working for Travel Nation I would be…

Cycling around the world with a tent and all the necessities to live in 4 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 2 friends in mid-winter including sections of knee-deep snow and without seeing another person for 5 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 sports available on the rivers. A completely different pace of life when arriving from hugely populated China.

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

Headtorch, Pen Knife, 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 - 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 - amazing scenery and activities abound, very friendly people, 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 5000m in the Andes, visited the Amazon jungle. It definitely 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 coral reef, you cannot beat it.

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

Tayrona National park, Colombia - stunning beaches complete with Seychelles-esque huge boulders and 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.

Where/what would you really like to visit?

Borneo and hopefully will do so next year on honeymoon- some of the world's best diving, beautiful islands, wildlife, huge caves, trekking. A perfect mix.

What is the weirdest thing you have eaten whilst 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 whilst 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 whilst 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.
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
Overlooking the driest desert in the world, Atacama
On the bikes beside Emerald Lake, British Colombia
Debs and I, Halong Bay in the background

Chris West

Chris West

Background

Originally from

Where did you spend your student days?

Travel industry experience

Business Class experience