MEET THE EXPERTS

Over 750 years of travel experience

Our travel experts are the heart and soul of every journey we create. With over 30 years of hands-on experience and deep knowledge of their destinations, they’re passionate about helping you discover the perfect trip. On this page, you’ll meet one specialist from each destination team, supported by a dedicated group of local experts who truly know their regions inside out. Together, they make sure every itinerary is thoughtfully designed to give you an unforgettable experience.

Canada

Charlotte

I’m Charlotte, a Canadian Specialist with Destination Canada since 2000 and part of the First Class team since 2022. I’ve visited Canada 13 times, travelling across both the west and east, with standout moments including bear watching at Knight Inlet Lodge during the salmon run, seeing a super pod of orca off Vancouver Island, and staying at the Fairmont Château Frontenac in Quebec City. A bucket list trip for me is seeing the polar bears in Manitoba. My top tip for first-time visitors to Canada is to pack layers for the changing weather.

America

Kristin

Hey, I’m Kristin! Originally from Washington State in the U.S., I’ve also lived in Canada, Australia and St. Thomas, and have travelled widely to destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, South Africa, Thailand, Morocco and much of Europe. I love immersing myself in new cultures, sampling local food, and experiencing different landscapes — with my favourite places being the Caribbean for its warm, laid-back vibe, and Iceland for its dramatic, otherworldly scenery.

Australia

Karen

Hi, I’m Karen. I’ve been lucky to visit a wide range of destinations including Canada, New Zealand, Florida, Washington, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Middle East, the Caribbean and much of Europe, as well as travelling extensively around Thailand, which remains my favourite place for its welcoming people, incredible food and year-round warmth. With 35 years’ experience in travel, I’m very much an all-rounder, with a strong working knowledge across all of our destinations and first-hand insight into many of our most popular regions. I particularly enjoy creating more unusual itineraries, from Alaska and self-drive routes through lesser-known parts of the USA to unique wildlife-focused experiences clients may not have considered. Outside of work, I love reading, cooking, spending time with my family and catching live music whenever I can.

New Zealand

Katie

Hey, I’m Katie. I’ve been lucky to visit a wide range of destinations, including Australia, the Caribbean, Dubai, Italy and New York, as well as many cities across Spain and France, plus Vienna, Berlin and Copenhagen. I love exploring new cultures, sampling local food, and soaking up the unique atmosphere each destination has to offer — whether that’s the buzz of a world city, a laid-back beach vibe, or somewhere rich in history and character. Travel for me is all about discovering what makes each place different and helping others find trips that feel just as memorable.

Africa

Lauren

Hi, I’m Lauren. I’ve travelled extensively throughout South Africa and have also visited Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as Italy and France. My favourite destination is Botswana — I see it as the ultimate safari experience, with vast wilderness areas and unforgettable wildlife encounters across regions like the Boteti River, Okavango Delta, Savute and Chobe National Park. Next on my list is Mozambique, where I’d love to explore the beaches and culture and hopefully spot the rare dugong. In my spare time, I’m a big foodie who enjoys discovering new restaurants, reading, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the UK.

Japan

Yumiko

Hello, I’m Yumiko. I’ve travelled extensively throughout Japan and have also visited Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Crete in Greece, Los Angeles, Guam and Saipan, Turkey, Jordan, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. My favourite destination has been Jordan — the views over the Dead Sea were spectacular, floating in the water and using the mud was unforgettable, and seeing Petra by moonlight felt truly magical. Next on my list is Morocco, where I’d love to explore the souks of Marrakech and stay in a traditional riad. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and baking, learning the piano, and going for walks in the nearby meadows, as the UK countryside gives me a real sense of well-being.

Southeast Asia

Liam

Hi, I’m Liam! I’ve been lucky to travel extensively across Asia, the Americas, Australia, the Caribbean and Europe. I’ve visited destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Australia, the USA, much of Central and South America, and a wide range of European countries. Choosing a favourite is difficult, but Asia really stands out for its incredible diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures. Malaysia left a lasting impression on me — from the historic streets of Malacca and the beaches of Langkawi to the lush Cameron Highlands. Hong Kong also surprised me with its vibrant markets, iconic skyline views from Victoria Peak, and the serenity of the Big Buddha on Lantau Island.

India

Nathan

Hello, I’m Nathan. I’ve travelled extensively across India and Sri Lanka, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the tea-covered hills of Sri Lanka, and I’ve also visited Nepal and the Maldives several times. India is my true passion. While every region offers something unique, the North Eastern states and the Himalayan regions hold a special place in my heart for their untouched beauty, warmth and tranquillity. My expertise lies in understanding what travellers truly dream of and transforming that into carefully tailored journeys, especially intricate, multi-stop itineraries across India and Sri Lanka that combine authenticity, comfort and a genuine sense of discovery.

Central & South America

Gemma

Hey, I’m Gemma! I’ve lived and worked in both Australia and New Zealand, spending a year travelling and working in each. I’ve backpacked and volunteered extensively across Central and South America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. I’ve also spent time in Tonga and Samoa, visited New York and Los Angeles, and did an epic road trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco. Closer to home, I’ve travelled around Europe too, including Iceland, the Nordics, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Egypt. One of my most memorable experiences was travelling to a remote Guatemalan village to celebrate El Día de los Muertos, with days filled with music, dancing, incredible food and the most surreal drunken horse racing I’ve ever witnessed.

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Very Sadly Missed

Callum

Forever one of the team is Callum Staple-Hughes who we had the pleasure of calling a friend and colleague for 3 years (2013-2016). Callum joined us as an Apprentice and worked in various departments until he found his home in our Data Loading team.  He very sadly passed away in May 2016 but is forever considered one of the team. 
We miss him dearly, his smile is one we all remember. 
We support his Mum’s chosen charity – SADS UK (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome), so whenever we have any fund raising events here at First Class Towers we do our best to help the charity with their research into heart disease in the young.

Testimonials

Our Awards

We are very proud that our personal, friendly service and attention to detail has led to us becoming an industry leader in providing tailor-made holidays. We have been recognised throughout the years by winning a number of prestigious awards from within and outside of the travel industry. We won the "Best Operator to Canada" award at the 2017 British Annual Canada Travel Awards for a record 15th time.

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