Tracey Smith

When I’m, not at work or travelling, I'm...  

Doing yoga, walking my dogs, hanging out with my friends, going to music festivals (particularly Glastonbury).

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

A dog sitter and walker, or I would work at a dog shelter

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

New Zealand. I had a 2 night stop planned in Queenstown and ended up staying for 6 months during the ski season. Just stunning and so much outdoor fun!

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

Nepal. I have been twice and both times I have been wowed by the scenery, people and food. I came away with an amazing sense of peace and well-being.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

New Zealand (South Island). It’s really home from home, with all of the best bits from the UK and so much more.

What was your first great travel experience?

Overland from Nairobi to Cape Town over 70 days with a group of 22. It was epic and I took my mum who still talks about it 24 years later.

What are your top 3 places in the world?

New Zealand, Nepal, and Chile (Patagonia).

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

Tierra Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park.  A stunning, contemporary hotel located by Lake Sarmiento. There are many outdoor excursions and the scenery whilst hiking is breathtaking. The guides are knowledgeable and take great pride in making each trip really special. It is high-end but very casual at the same time. The unique design, location and food make it a stand-out hotel for me.

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

Anse Lazio Beach, Praslin, Seychelles. Crystal-clear blue waters, powder-white sand, and you can spot sea turtles and stunning reef fish close to the water's edge.

Which passport stamp makes you most proud?

Galapagos Islands. It was everything I had hoped it would be and my expectations were very high. It's the most unique destination I’ve ever visited and very educational, as well as ethical. It was a wildlife experience in its purest form and the local fauna having no fear of ‘us humans’ was incredible.

Where/what would you most like to visit?

I would love to visit both of the Polar Regions for the spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Have you ever worked abroad?

I spent 1 year working in New Zealand, 1 year in Australia, 18 months in Canada and 1 year in Egypt (Red Sea).

Have you experienced culture shock?

My first visit to India as a very inexperienced 21-year-old travelling in the monsoon season on a one-way ticket with no guidebook (well before the internet was a thing). I jumped on the wrong train carriage (men's instead of the women's) for a 24-hour journey to Goa only to find everything was closed due to the time of year. I then realised how important expert guidance was…

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

My dogs, pubs, and driving my car (on the right side of the road!).