Audric Guerin

If you weren't working for Travel Nation, what would you be doing?

I would be travelling to new destinations!

What are your top 3 must-pack items?

A phone, a toothbrush, and a good pair of walking shoes.

When you stay in a hotel for more than one night, do you unpack or live out of your backpack?

I live off the contents of my backpack. There's no time to unpack and repack - I need to get out and explore the surroundings!

What was your first great travel experience?

Thailand. I shared the experience with my twin brother, and it was a baptism for both of us. It just made us want to go back out there again.

What are your top 3 places in the world?

New Zealand, Costa Rica and Peru. New Zealand and Costa Rica for the richness of the fauna, flora and diversity of the landscapes. Peru, for the delicious food.

Where is your favourite beach?

My favourite beach is on Bamboo Island, a small island north of Ko Phi Phi in Thailand. I have rarely seen such turquoise water in my life. 

Which stamp are you most proud of in your passport?

Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, at least for now! It's amazingly beautiful and literally the further place you can travel from the UK.

What is the place that you would most like to visit?

Machu Picchu. I've dreamed about it since I was 10.

Have you ever worked abroad?

I worked as a sports entertainer for several summer seasons on the island of Mallorca in Spain. I have worked as an Au Pair in Switzerland and England, worked on farms in New Zealand, worked in a hostel in Canada, and worked in Poland for a major airline. All of these were very good professional and personal experiences which reinforced my desire to travel.

What's the most depressing place you've ever been?

Amman airport in Jordan on return from Thailand. It wasn't really the airport itself, but the feeling of depression when I returned from my first big trip outside Europe.

What's the weirdest thing that's happened to you on your travels?

I fractured my metatarsal on Ko Phi Phi. Despite the pain and inconvenience caused by the crutches, I didn't get discouraged. Just two days later, I went on an excursion to Bamboo Island. Walking with crutches on sand, as well as getting in and out of a canoe, were not the easiest tasks! However, I felt very proud that I was able to do it and the encouragement of the other travellers really spurred me on.

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

Cape Town, for its climate, its cultural and ethnic diversity, its beaches, and the landscapes that surround it.

What do you miss the most when you travel?

Friends or family to share the beautiful moments of discovery and adventure.