Olly Minnis

If I weren’t working for Travel Nation, I would be…

A ranger on a wildlife reserve.

On my round the world trip I spent longer than expected in...

New Zealand. It was my first stop and I stayed for 12 years!

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why? 

Jordan. I hadn’t realised how big Petra would be! The scenery at Wadi Rum was stunning and the food was incredible.

What are your top five must-pack items?

Camera, my Chilly's water bottle (it keeps the water cold all day), golden cup balm, headphones, and snacks!

What are your top 3 places in the world?

This is an impossibly difficult question! The Broughton Archipelago in Canada, Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka, and Madikwe in South Africa.

What is your favourite hotel in the world?

Motswiri Game Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa. The lodge has a small waterhole that attracts a huge variety of wildlife, including a local herd of elephants.

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

My favourite beach is Passikudah in Sri Lanka. The coastline is stunning, and in my opinion, it's as good as the Maldives.  

Do you have any ‘pet hates’ while travelling?

Noisy people on safari!

Where/what would you most like to visit?

I would love to go and see wild gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.

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

The worst thing that I've eaten is definitely fermented shark, a delicacy in Iceland.

Have you experienced culture shock?

I would have to say Marrakech, especially inside the Medina.

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

Arrivals at Heathrow airport.

What’s the strangest thing that’s happened to you abroad?

On a long-haul flight from Heathrow, I was sitting next to someone who had also lived in Queenstown, New Zealand. She then proceeded to show me photos of my dog and back garden. It turns out she lived next door to me and used to climb over the fence and play with my dog!