Ben Cousin

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

Singing, listening to music or a good podcast. 

What was your first great travel experience? 

The trip my partner and I took around the US and Canada felt like my first real travel experience. It was the first time I’d been away for so long, moving through so many different landscapes in a single journey. We travelled by sleeper train, coach, rental car, and internal flight. We even spent three unforgettable weeks exploring the West Coast in a campervan, which was a definite highlight.  

What are your top three places in the world? 

Stellenbosch, South Africa 
Chiang Mai, Thailand 
Provincetown, USA 

Which destination exceeded your expectations and why? 

Cape Town was a completely last‑minute adventure with a friend, so I didn’t have my usual window to research the destination extensively. I’d heard mixed things about visiting as part of the LGBTQ+ community, but the reality couldn’t have been more reassuring - the city felt genuinely welcoming, vibrant, and full of life. Like anywhere, some areas feel safer than others, but overall, I was blown away. I fell in love with Camps Bay and the Winelands, and I’m already itching to go back! What is the one essential item you always pack? Headphones 

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

The Eve, Sydney – In a great area slightly outside of the main tourist drag. Amazing restaurants, incredible rooftop pool and a very cool design aesthetic. 

The Shalati Train on the Bridge, Kruger National Park – I'm absolutely desperate to stay here! Such a unique safari experience. 

Which Travel Nation trip would you most like to take?

I love the look of our Luxury Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday, but I'm also very tempted by the Luxury food and wine New Zealand holiday. Both trips are high on my list!

What is the greatest wildlife experience that you’ve ever had? 

I had an amazing ethical elephant experience in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  

What is your favourite national park and why? 

Big Sur – great hikes, phenomenal views, very peaceful. 

Where is your favourite beach and why? 

Boulders Beach, Cape Town – incredible rock formations, swimming spots, and, most importantly, PENGUINS! 

Which passport stamp makes you most proud?

Australia 

If you had just 24 hours in a big city, which one would you choose? 

Sydney 

What do you miss most from home while you are away? 

My bed – as good as some hotel beds might be, nothing beats getting back into your own bed after a long trip! 

Why do you love to travel? 

I love the escapism of being somewhere unfamiliar, losing myself in a place where nothing matters except absorbing what’s around me! It’s a chance to rediscover all my favourite things - architecture, design, music, theatre, art, food - each seen through a completely new lens.