Grainne Sheffer

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

Running around after my two children aged 7 and 5.

My favourite film is…

Favourite film is The Castle – it cracks me up every time.

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

Travelling somewhere with my family and passing on the travel-bug to my kids.

On my RTW trip I spent longer than expected in:

Australia – I was having far too much fun.

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

Namibia – no two days are the same, it just blows you away. One day it’s desert, the next stunning coast, the mountains or a self-drive safari.

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

Sarong, a good book, my tweezers, eye mask and ear plugs.

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

I unpack - which really annoys my husband.

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

Sydney. A great outdoors lifestyle with impromptu BBQs at home or down by the beach.

What was your first great travel experience?

Backpacking around Europe was great fun, however, when I arrived in Sydney, sat on Coogee beach  I realised I could go wherever I wanted to...

What are your top 3 places in the world?

Mozambique, Namibia and Brazil.

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

Marataba Safari Lodge, South Africa – in the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains. Amazing rooms, food and safaris through endless green space under vast skies.

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

That’s a very tough question – probably Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia. Beautiful sunsets, a big wide beach and it's pretty much deserted. Or maybe the Maldives - idyllic beaches, turquoise waters and great diving.

Which passport stamp are you proudest of?

Mozambique.

Do you have any ‘pet hates’ whilst travelling?

Flags on rucksacks.

Where/what would you really like to visit?

Borneo – I really want to see the orang-utans and also Cuba – I’d love to see it before it changes.

What is the weirdest thing you have eaten whilst abroad?

When I was in Nairobi I went to the carnivore restaurant and tried zebra and crocodile.

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

The sushi in the Maldives was the best; the worst would be refried beans in Mexico. There’s only so many days you can have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Have you ever worked abroad? If so explain.

I did lots of different jobs on a working holiday visa in Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide. Who knew selling fairground ride tickets could be so much fun!?

Have you experienced culture-shock, if so where/where was the place you found to be most different from home?

I haven't, but I think my kids got a bit of a shock when we first arrived in Marrakesh.

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

The plane back to the UK after my first RTW trip.

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

New York.

What’s the best party you've been to whilst travelling?

Sydney Mardi-Gras

What do you miss most from home whilst you're away?

Family and friends.