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Round the World Experts
Our tips to help your adventure
All our Travel Experts know their stuff and the guys below are no exception. They are hardcore travel junkies, always heading off the beaten track in search of a new life-changing adventure. Between them, they've hit all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica!) and ticked off everywhere from Bangkok to Zurich, Amsterdam to Las Vegas and Rio to Rarotonga. Check out what the experts have to say...
Meet Jaime
Jaime has been with us over three years now and (funnily) LOVES travel. She's been to some awesome off-the-beaten-track places like Iran, Colombia and Russia. She's also done a few big trips through Southeast Asia and South America. Plus she's even lived in Italy, Scotland and England so knows her stuff on Europe too! Some highlights: Orangutan sanctuary, bike tours in Delhi and La Tomatina.
What is your dream Round the World trip?
Auckland - Los Angeles - Cancun, travel overland through Central America and pick the flights back up in Panama to fly to Barcelona, then overland through Europe to fly from Istanbul - Beijing - Auckland. Saving my pennies for 2017!
What's your hot travel tip?
Do all the free local walking tours you can - usually run by students working for tips - they know their stuff!
Fave travel quote?
"I haven't been everywhere but it's on my list"
Why do you love travel?
I love learning about the history of places and why they are the way they are. Iran has been the most fascinating so far, it is the opposite of what we are told most of the time and meeting people who are so keen to tell you their life story is amazing. The thrill of not really knowing where you are or what you're doing, I love the first 24 hours in a place where you feel completely disorientated and useless, you can end up in the coolest/strangest places and meet people you wouldn't normally.
Auckland - Los Angeles - Cancun, travel overland through Central America and pick the flights back up in Panama to fly to Barcelona, then overland through Europe to fly from Istanbul - Beijing - Auckland. Saving my pennies for 2017!
What's your hot travel tip?
Do all the free local walking tours you can - usually run by students working for tips - they know their stuff!
Fave travel quote?
"I haven't been everywhere but it's on my list"
Why do you love travel?
I love learning about the history of places and why they are the way they are. Iran has been the most fascinating so far, it is the opposite of what we are told most of the time and meeting people who are so keen to tell you their life story is amazing. The thrill of not really knowing where you are or what you're doing, I love the first 24 hours in a place where you feel completely disorientated and useless, you can end up in the coolest/strangest places and meet people you wouldn't normally.
Meet Jermaine
Jermaine has been with us for almost 2 years and has been ticking off countries as he goes - 22 and counting! His top destinations are Koh Rong, Camodia - a great place to chill out and costs next to nothing to stay right on the beachfront, and Ollantaytambo, Peru - an incredible city vibe plus views to match. Watching the sunrise over the Ganges River is one of his favourite memories.
What is your dream Round the World trip?
Auckland - Bangkok // Singapore - Dublin // Rome - Rio de Janeiro // Santiago - Auckland. Lots of fun overlanding in there too!
What's your hot travel tip?
1. Book the trip. 2. Never look back.
Fave travel quote?
"It's better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times". GO! You won't regret it!
Why do you love travel?
Because of the excitement, the thrill of arriving into a foreign city for the first time and being able to meet people. From my travels so far I think I have a bed in nearly 50 countries which can be booked with a simple Facebook message. Meeting people is the key to travel, being able to exchange stories and give people tips and tricks is the best form of information.
Auckland - Bangkok // Singapore - Dublin // Rome - Rio de Janeiro // Santiago - Auckland. Lots of fun overlanding in there too!
What's your hot travel tip?
1. Book the trip. 2. Never look back.
Fave travel quote?
"It's better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times". GO! You won't regret it!
Why do you love travel?
Because of the excitement, the thrill of arriving into a foreign city for the first time and being able to meet people. From my travels so far I think I have a bed in nearly 50 countries which can be booked with a simple Facebook message. Meeting people is the key to travel, being able to exchange stories and give people tips and tricks is the best form of information.
Meet Bea
Bea has been with STA for over 2 years and like most of us is a little obsessed with travel. She's originally from the UK and has travelled around Europe, USA, Canada, South Africa, Aussie & Fiji. Her favourite destination is Cape Town, watching the sunrise from Table Mountain was a clear highlight! Her dream Round the World trip includes Brazil, Nepal, India, Greece & Vietnam - sounds ideal!
What is your dream Round the World trip?
Here we go! Auckland - Rio de Janeiro - G Adventures Southern Cross tour up to Lima - Cancun - New York - London - Athens - Kathmandu - Delhi - Hanoi - Auckland. Just a few hey?
What's your hot travel tip?
Always make sure that you have enough space on your photo for photos! My most tragic moment was when we were in a helicopter flying over the Niagara Falls and my phone flashed up halfway through saying 'not enough storage'. At least I got to just enjoy the moment right?
Fave travel quote?
"Puis-je s'il vous plait commander une bouteille de vin" - Can I please order a bottle of wine in French and "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list!"
Why do you love travel?
I love seeing new places, doing new things and meeting new people! I think it's the best way to make memories and learn and experience so much!
Here we go! Auckland - Rio de Janeiro - G Adventures Southern Cross tour up to Lima - Cancun - New York - London - Athens - Kathmandu - Delhi - Hanoi - Auckland. Just a few hey?
What's your hot travel tip?
Always make sure that you have enough space on your photo for photos! My most tragic moment was when we were in a helicopter flying over the Niagara Falls and my phone flashed up halfway through saying 'not enough storage'. At least I got to just enjoy the moment right?
Fave travel quote?
"Puis-je s'il vous plait commander une bouteille de vin" - Can I please order a bottle of wine in French and "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list!"
Why do you love travel?
I love seeing new places, doing new things and meeting new people! I think it's the best way to make memories and learn and experience so much!
Meet Micaela
Micaela has been with STA a little over a year and she's quite the travel guru. With extensive knowledge of the UK & Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Pacific of course - she'll be able to help plan that dream trip of yours. Her favourite destinations are Cape Town and Lesvos in Greece. One of her favourite travel memories is taking part in some crazy cliff jumping in Plomari, Greece.
What is your dream Round the World trip?
Auckland - South East Asia for some fried grasshoppers, rainforest exploring & island hopping. From there I'd head to East Africa to check out some wild animals and trek Kilimanjaro before relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar. Then I'd head back down to Cape Town since I love it! Next stop: Sao Paulo, Brazil to see the Iguassu Falls, then heading into the Amazon and out to the Galapagos Islands. I'd then make my way up through Central America and then check out some of the USA's musical hot spots. From New York to London (via Iceland of course!) and then travelling through Europe to Croatia and the Greek Islands, and there I would stay forever (ok that's more a oneway trip, but hey!)
What's your hot travel tip?
Pack LIGHT!!! You will tend to add weigh as you go (to your bag mostly but depending on where you go you may add weight to your waistline also...ahem...Italy...gelato, pasta, pizza...)
Fave travel quote?
"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
Why do you love travel?
It lets you experience all the colours the world has to offer. I love exploring and adventures. The path less travelled is always my journey of choice!
Auckland - South East Asia for some fried grasshoppers, rainforest exploring & island hopping. From there I'd head to East Africa to check out some wild animals and trek Kilimanjaro before relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar. Then I'd head back down to Cape Town since I love it! Next stop: Sao Paulo, Brazil to see the Iguassu Falls, then heading into the Amazon and out to the Galapagos Islands. I'd then make my way up through Central America and then check out some of the USA's musical hot spots. From New York to London (via Iceland of course!) and then travelling through Europe to Croatia and the Greek Islands, and there I would stay forever (ok that's more a oneway trip, but hey!)
What's your hot travel tip?
Pack LIGHT!!! You will tend to add weigh as you go (to your bag mostly but depending on where you go you may add weight to your waistline also...ahem...Italy...gelato, pasta, pizza...)
Fave travel quote?
"Not all those who wander are lost" - J.R.R. Tolkien
Why do you love travel?
It lets you experience all the colours the world has to offer. I love exploring and adventures. The path less travelled is always my journey of choice!
Meet Samantha
Samantha, our resident Aussie, has been with us in Dunedin for around 2 years. She's lived in England, Scotland and visited most of Europe plus Vietnam, Hawaii, Fiji, Singapore and Malaysia - so she knows her stuff! She reckons Scotland is one of the most beautiful places on Earth & her favourite memory is travelling around Europe trying all the amazing food and experiencing different cultures.
What is your dream Round the World trip?
First off to Disneyland and Legoland in Los Angeles and on to New York to enjoy the museums, then off to Europe for a quick tour around, finishing off in either Thailand for a relaxing time on the beach or Tokyo to check out the Nintendo Museum. A stopover in a Pacific island, like Hawaii or Fiji would be perfect to finish it off!
What's your hot travel tip?
Travel insurance! Don't leave home without it. You never know what can happen!!
Fave travel quote?
"Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else."
Why do you love travel?
The people you meet and the experiences you make with them!
First off to Disneyland and Legoland in Los Angeles and on to New York to enjoy the museums, then off to Europe for a quick tour around, finishing off in either Thailand for a relaxing time on the beach or Tokyo to check out the Nintendo Museum. A stopover in a Pacific island, like Hawaii or Fiji would be perfect to finish it off!
What's your hot travel tip?
Travel insurance! Don't leave home without it. You never know what can happen!!
Fave travel quote?
"Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else."
Why do you love travel?
The people you meet and the experiences you make with them!
Meet Matt
Matt has worked with STA Travel for over two years and is an expert in places such as Egypt, China, Fiji, Hawaii, USA, Samoa, and Australia. His favourite destinations are the USA and Samoa (mostly for the turtles and cocktails). His best travel memory is hanging out in a roof top bar in New York. Hey Matt, how about you invite us next time?
What is your dream Round the World trip?
My perfect trip would just be exploring Europe in depth - Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Greece in particular. And I'd obviously throw in some cool stops along the way.
What's your hot travel tip?
Learn a few local phrases as it can break the ice when needing help or asking for that cold, local beer!
Fave travel quote?
"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take"
Why do you love travel?
It expands your experiences and knowledge. Is there a better way than visiting other countries rich in history and culture?
My perfect trip would just be exploring Europe in depth - Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Greece in particular. And I'd obviously throw in some cool stops along the way.
What's your hot travel tip?
Learn a few local phrases as it can break the ice when needing help or asking for that cold, local beer!
Fave travel quote?
"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take"
Why do you love travel?
It expands your experiences and knowledge. Is there a better way than visiting other countries rich in history and culture?