Explore Blogs

Some long overdue podcasts recorded last year by Alastair about the Explore Family Holidays are starting with this great piece from Cheryl McDonald and her son, Daniel, on Egypt. Includes some thoughts as to why adventure travel, especially Explore’s specialist approach to family tours, is a great way to get to know a destination and, more importantly, your family.

Take a look at all our family holidays in Egypt

 

 Egyptian Adventure: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Cameron Alexander (nee Parker), the Managing Editor of Easy living Magazine, headed out to Nepal on our Everest Tea House Trek. Alastair caught up with him her recently for this podcast. You can also read more in June’s Easy Living Magazine page 157!

 

 Cameron Parker - Everest Tea House Trek [7:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1782)

Update: I’ve had an email from Anna, who is booked to go on our Other Side of Everest tour - she would love to have someone to talk to about the tour - so if anyone who has been on this or any other walking and trekking tour in and around Everest and Nepal wouldn’t mind swapping emails with her then, let me know by leaving a comment or sending us an email at talktome [at] exploreblogs.co.uk (replace the at with an @).

Amar Grover is a travel writer and photographer who has travelled widely in China, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East & North Africa. Recent trips with Explore have included Tibet and China. He writes mainly for the Financial Times, GEOGRAPHICAL Magazine and the Independent on Sunday.

Alastair interviewed him recently about his trip with Explore on our Across the Roof of the World tour, in China and Tibet. Obviously a stunning journey across a wonderful area, which Amar discusses in detail. A fascinating interview.

 

 Amar Grover Interview [6:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5523)

Romilly is another one of our heroes in the office, who work very hard to help you, when you are making a booking. She sits in our Reservations department, and could be one of the people you talk to if you ring up (it depends where you want to book for though, as our Reservations department are organised into area teams). Although, usually she works on getting people who book quite late, onto our tours. Have a listen, and post a comment if you like!

 

 Interview with Romilly Turl [2:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1209)

Apparently Kilimanjaro comes from “Kilima Njaro” in Swahili, meaning “shining mountain”. Uhuru (the peak) is the Swahili word for freedom. It’s these kind of fascinating things you find out when writing about the amazing travel destinations we go to. It’s also stunning just looking at the pictures, but hearing from someone who has been, is inspiring.

Ingrid Waterfield, in another podcast from Destinations, talks about her experience on the mountain that is Kili. Ingrid is probably a bit biased about Explore as she is Sandy Beatty’s partner - our African Ops manager. (You can listen to Sandy’s take on Africa here). Nevertheless take a listen and imagine trekking up the shining mountain.

Elephants in the Shadow of Kilimanjaro

 

 Interview with Ingrid Waterfield on Kili [3:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1245)

Kate Plummer, one of our wonderful tour leaders, who has also been presenting at our Evenings of Adventure, talks about leading tours in Africa, particularly to Uganda. The trips Kate has been leading have also been to see the Mountain Gorillas and she talks about what an amazing experience meeting the apes actually is, and how emotional it can be.

You can catch Kate at any of our remaining Evenings of Adventure (see our website). Well worth a look, as the presentations are really rather good.

 

 Interview with Kate PLummer - Explore Tour leader [3:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1266)

Bryan Tomalin is certainly one of Explore’s best customers. He’s travelled no less than 38 times and has more trips booked for 2007 (and yes that’s trips!). He even talks about being on a tour led by Derek Moore, one of the founders of Explore, who is now an Associate Director of the company (not the Managing Director, Alastair!) and the current Chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

Bryan talks about his love of Explore and the type of trips offered and about some of his future plans. And also sings the praises of our website at www.explore.co.uk

All I can say is, Bryan is defintely an Explore enthusiast! Thanks for your support, Bryan!

 

 Interview with Bryan Tomalin [4:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1267)

We believe in looking after people who talk to us, book our tours and keep coming back. And I believe we do it rather than merely talking about it.

One of many key people in the company that do the hard work is Charlotte Laughlin, who works as a Customer Support consultant, looking after you after you have booked. In this podcast she talks about how the department works and some of the benefits of working for Explore!

 

 Interview with Charlotte Laughlin, Explore Customer Support Consultant [2:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (950)

A lot of people who popped by at Destinations, and who talk to us throughout the year, are people (of all ages) who are thinking about travelling to somewhere new, and wondering whether to opt for independent travel or head off with a tour operator.

Alastair interviews a couple, Rachel and Paul Stevens, who have previously travelled independently, and now want someone to do the hard work for them, because they have limited time to organise it themselves. A good reason to opt for an adventure tour operator that only runs tours with small groups but can do all (or most) of the organising for you.

Personally I would also like to head to Peru and Machu Picchu, or even Choquequirao…

 

 Interview with Rachel and Paul Stevens [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (772)

Paul Bonsfield, Explore’s Marketing Communications Manager, talks about his experiences on the island of Madeira on Explore’s Levada Trails tour.

 

 Levada Trails [4:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (867)