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Tracey Smith

[email protected]
01273 457218

Background

I was raised in Brighton but spent most of my working life in London, which was fast-paced and exciting. I have recently returned after 25 years to find a great work/life balance and to be back by the coast. My passion is travelling to remote and extraordinary places.

Originally from... 

Swindon, but I moved to Brighton when I was 8 years old.

Where did you spend your student days?

I spent my ‘student days’ living and working in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. I was also a scuba diving instructor in the Red Sea.

Travel industry experience

I have recently joined Travel Nation following 17 years of experience working at Trailfinders, where I focused on long-haul destinations, bespoke touring, and weddings abroad.

Tracey has visited:

  • Argentina Flag

    Argentina

  • Australia Flag

    Australia

  • Barbados Flag

    Barbados

  • Botswana Flag

    Botswana

  • Canada Flag

    Canada

  • Chile Flag

    Chile

  • Cook Islands Flag

    Cook Islands

  • Costa Rica Flag

    Costa Rica

  • United Arab Emirates Flag

    United Arab Emirates

  • Ecuador Flag

    Ecuador

  • Egypt Flag

    Egypt

  • Fiji Flag

    Fiji

  • India Flag

    India

  • Indonesia Flag

    Indonesia

  • Maldives Flag

    Maldives

  • Mauritius Flag

    Mauritius

  • Mexico Flag

    Mexico

  • Morocco Flag

    Morocco

  • Nepal Flag

    Nepal

  • New Zealand Flag

    New Zealand

  • Oman Flag

    Oman

  • St. Lucia Flag

    St. Lucia

  • Seychelles Flag

    Seychelles

  • Singapore Flag

    Singapore

  • South Africa Flag

    South Africa

  • Tanzania Flag

    Tanzania

  • Thailand Flag

    Thailand

  • Turks & Caicos Islands Flag

    Turks & Caicos Islands

  • United States Flag

    United States

  • Vietnam Flag

    Vietnam

  • Zambia Flag

    Zambia

  • Zimbabwe Flag

    Zimbabwe

Explore the islands and discover the spectacular wildlife

Last trip:

Ecuador
Explore the bizarre Dead Vlei, Namibia | Travel Nation

Next trip:

Namibia

About Tracey

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!).