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About Us

Travel Nation is an ABTA and ATOL bonded travel company that specialises in putting together round the world trips. We are entirely staffed by seasoned travel industry professionals whose experience and knowledge will be immediately apparent when you contact us. We pride ourselves on giving excellent service levels that continue throughout the life of your booking - extending even to a date change service (using the same person you booked your flights with) while you are away. Travel Nation was selected by BBC1 to book a complex round the world trip for the a four week special on the Holiday Programme in 2007.

Check out our 'You said it' link for customer testimonials

Your financial protection

When you book with Travel Nation, your money is safe. We are bonded agents and members of ATOL, ABTA, IATA, and provide free airline failure insurance.

Full details of financial protection offered by Travel Nation.

Who are the Directors?

Travel Nation is owned and run by Haydn Wrath.

Looking back at my first travel experience, it is actually a minor miracle that I ended up being responsible for planning other people’s once in a lifetime trips. It all started when I was 18 years old, way back in 1980, long before Lonely Planet books and specialist travel companies had made it to Nottingham…

I hitch-hiked to London (my first time there), asked a bemused policeman where the road to Dover was and followed his instructions to Elephant and Castle tube station, whereupon I started walking and hitch-hiking into the night down the Old Kent Road, expecting to get to the edge of London in a couple of hours. Eventually, a warm hearted cabbie on his way home somewhere in Kent picked me up (kick-starting a lifelong brand loyalty to black cabs) in what I guess would have been New Cross, so not too far from the countryside…... In this fashion, I finally made it to the Suez Canal in Egypt, where my plan to get on board a cargo ship heading for Bombay failed. This was just as well, as looking at my old blue passport, I didn’t have a visa for India anyway. Disastrous as this adventure was, the seed had been sown.

I left the University of East Anglia in 1984 and escaped what seemed a very grim England by spending the rest of the 1980s travelling and working round the world. During this time I sustained my wanderlust by putting in the usual stints as an English teacher in Tokyo, a landscape gardener in Sydney, and a tarmac layer's assistant in Alaska. After a year or so at STA Travel (in a branch that apparently couldn’t do without me as it is now a Starbucks café !), I joined Bridge the World Travel Centre in Camden in 1991 where I put my degree in politics and philosophy to good use by spending the rest of the 90’s as the sales manager there.

In 2001, I fulfilled my ambition to set up a travel company with high service levels that specialises in creating round the world trips by founding Travel Nation. In 2008, I set up another travel company called Rickshaw Travel, (www.rickshawtravel.co.uk) which features a series of country specific websites where independent travellers can work with country specialists to plan and create their own trip. Both companies are based in the same premises and I split my time between them.

Things have moved on a pace since 1980, and if you are thinking of booking with us, don’t worry, we won’t make you start your travels by hitching to Egypt and trying to talk your way onto a cargo ship !







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RTW Travel and the Environment

It is no secret that air travel is not an environmentally friendly form of transport, so find out what we do to help offset the damage and how you can help too.

 

Jackie at the Taj Mahal, India
Travelled to : Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Dubai, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, S. Africa, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, USA, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Cuba, Russia, Japan, Taiwan
Travel industry experience : 8 years at STA Travel. Joined Travel Nation in 2002
Top 3 places : Chichicastenango (Guatemala), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Fraser Island (Queensland)
Favourite hotel : Silky Oaks in the Daintree rain forest Queensland
Best beach : Marrisa Beach (Sri Lanka)
Most depressing place : Dar es Salaam bus station
Contact me : jackie@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 577

Got back in Jan 2010 after a 4 month jolly around Japan and India (from the cleanest toilets in the world to the dirtiest!).
     

Ben in Chimfunshi, Zambia
Travelled to : East/Southern Africa: Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa; North Africa: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt; South East Asia: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos; India/Nepal; Australia/New Zealand; Mexico, Caribbean, Middle East
Travel industry experience : 10 years in the industry having worked for STA Travel (London), USIT Beyond (Auckland), Student Uni Travel (Sydney), USIT Campus (London) and as a Tour Leader for Absolute Africa. Joined Travel Nation in 2004.
Top 3 places : Kibale Forest (Uganda), Ladakh (Indian Himalaya), Ngorongora Crater (Tanzania)
Favourite hotel : Believe it or not - the Novotel Arusha - after 3 months in a tent - heaven!!
Best beach : Pulau Banyak (Sumatra)
Most depressing place : Moshi State Hospital ( Tanzania)
Contact me :

ben@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 573

Specialist Area : Ben is our resident Africa Expert. For more information click here : Travel in Africa

     

Relaxing by the pool in Singapore

Travelled to : Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, North Africa, Russia
Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Latvia, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Slovenia.
Travel industry experience : 5 Years Flight Centre, 1 Year in Australia running my own Travel Manager business. Joined Travel Nation in 2009.
Top 3 places : Flores, Guatemala. Koh Lanta, Thailand. Hvar, Croatia
Favourite hotel : Oberoi, Lombok – Deluxe!

Best beach : Kantiang Bay, Koh Lanta
Most depressing place : Tucson Greyhound Bus Station, Arizona

Contact me : emily@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 583

I am now off on maternity leave. Hopefully due back towards the end of 2010
     

Heather at Gocta waterfall,
Chachapoyas, Northern Peru
Travelled to : Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand
Travel industry experience : 5 years as Manager of South American Explorers, Peru Author for Rough Guide to South America on a Budget 1st Edition, Contributor to Footprint Peru and South American Handbooks 2007 - 2011. Joined Travel Nation in 2009.
Top 3 places : Iguazu Falls, Chachapoyas (Peru), Santa Catarina, (Brazil)
Favourite hotel : Wasai Ecolodge – Tambopata Reserve, Peru
Best beach : Vichayito (Peru) and Ubatuba (Brazil)
Most depressing place : Cochabamba bus station, Bolivia
Contact me : heather@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 584

     

Jonny under a tree, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Travelled to : New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia, French Polynesia, Easter Island, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Grenada, Thailand, Malaysia, USA, Dubai
Travel industry experience : 5 years as Team Leader at Flight Centre (UK) Ltd. Joined Travel Nation in 2005.
Top 3 places : Etosha Pan and National Park (Namibia), Mo'orea (French Polynesia), Perhentian Kecil (Malaysia)
Favourite hotel : Loads.... probably The Ostinatto in Buenos Aires for the lovely family who run it, or The Hudson in New York..
Best beach : Matira, Bora Bora
Most depressing place : Waiting at the Greyhound Terminal in Compton, (LA), grim.
Contact me : jonny@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 575

Had my feet up in Grenada!
     

Lloyd eating noodles near Chiang Mai. Thailand

Travelled to : Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Morocco
Travel industry experience : 1.5 years at STA Travel. Joined Travel Nation in 2006.
Top 3 places : Angkor (Cambodia), Gili Trawangan (Indonesia), Banff (Alberta)
Favourite hotel : The Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook , New Zealand for possibly the greatest location in the world.
Best beach : Hat Yuan on Ko Pha Ngan - my spritual home!
Most depressing place : The American War Museum, Saigon

Contact me : lloyd@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 579

Just been to India, Japan and Australia using a 'Walkabout Special' ticket
     

Matt on the Eastern Oriental Express, Malaysia

Travelled to : Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, North America, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Barbados, St Lucia, Kenya, South Africa, Maldives, Oman, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Travel industry experience : 8 years at Trailfinders. Joined Travel Nation in 2007.
Top 3 places : Corcovado (Costa Rica), Summit of Cotopaxi (Ecuador), Parque Tayrona (Colombia)
Favourite hotel : Too many to choose from - but currently The Datai (Langkawi)

Best beach : Akaiami (Aitutaki)
Most depressing place : Miami International - my only real experience of lost bags, coupled with the least "service" orientated staff I have ever met.

Contact me : matt@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 581

Just back from 10 nights in Oman - fabulous but very hot!
     

Martin trekking on the Routeburn Track, New Zealand
Travelled to : Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Borneo, Kenya, South Africa, India, Fiji, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, North America, China, Japan, Russia
Travel industry experience : 7 years as Senior Sales Supervisor at Bridge the World. Joined Travel Nation in 2004.
Top 3 places : Mount Kinabalu summit, Byron Bay (New South Wales), Table Mountain (Cape Town)
Favourite hotel : The Chedi, Ubud
Best beach : Jimbaran Bay, Bali
Most depressing place : City Casuals in Sydney at 6am looking for temporary work
Contact me : martin@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 572

I'm just back from Koh Samui in Thailand
     

Paul taking a breather half way up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Travelled to : Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Cuba, USA, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Syria, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia incl Borneo, Hong Kong, Australia
Travel industry experience : 2 yrs Trailfinders, 2 yrs Bridge The World, 2 yrs EVA Air, 4 yrs Key Travel. Joined Travel Nation in 2008.
Top 3 places : Langtang Valley (Nepal), Canaima (Venezuela), Mount Kinabalu (Borneo)
Favourite hotel : Baan Taling Ngam in Koh Samui for location or Oriental in Bangkok for exceptional service
Best beach : Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia
Most depressing place : Townsville, Australia – very strange town!
Contact me : paul@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 571

Last trip was trekking in the Atlas mountains in Marrakech. Next trip is going to be to SE Asia, either Thailand or Malaysia

   

Pensive at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Travelled to : India, Bali, Lombok, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Morocco, USA, Caribbean, Hong Kong.
Travel industry experience : 2 years Tradewinds, 2 years Pinnacle Travel, 3 years Trailfinders. Joined Travel Nation in 2009.
Top 3 places : Vang Vieng - Laos, Mount Kinabalu – Borneo, Yosemite National Park – California
Favourite hotel : Langham Place – Hong Kong
Best beach : Paradise Beach, Gokarna – India
Most depressing place : Ahmadebad Train Station (in the middle of the night) – India
Contact me : sally@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 574

Last adventure was a California road trip. Planning a trip to Durban later in the year.

   

Sean at Kamakura, Japan
Travelled to : Cuba, Mexico, Guatamala, US, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt. Kenya, Tanzania, Dubai, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Japan, Australia
Travel industry experience : 15years at STA Travel then time for change. Joined Travel Nation in 2010.
Top 3 places : Annapurna Sanctuary- Nepal;Komodo Island - Indonesia; Morro de Sao Paulo- Brazil- India
Favourite hotel : Akasaka Prince,Tokyo a poor man's Lost in Translation
Best beach : Bwejuu, Zanzibar
Most depressing place : Strikebound in Siliguri, one of India's least enticing transport hubs
Contact me : sean@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320 586

Next trip to introduce new baby to in-laws in Japan
     

Sophie in Marataba Game Reserve, South Africa
Travelled to : South Africa, Dubai, Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, North America, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Iceland
Travel industry experience : 5 years Pinnacle Travel, 1 yr Quest Travel. Joined Travel Nation in 2009.
Top 3 places : Nihn Bihn, Vietnam; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Cape Town & Gansbaai for Calamari & shark diving!
Favourite hotel : Marataba, private game reserve in South Africa
Best beach : Cayo Levisa, Cuba
Most depressing place : Food poisoning on the 9 hour bus from Luang Prabang to Phonsovan, Laos
Contact me : sophie@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 320576

Recently home from a trip to New York and Mexico....sunshine, diving and Tequila!

   

Haydn at Ulaan Baatar Railway station
Travelled to : Africa, Middle East, India, Asia, Australia / New Zealand, Pacific, North America, South America.
Travel industry experience : 18 months at STA travel as a travel consultant. 10 years at Bridge the World as manager of the World-wide dept. Founded Travel Nation in 2001.
Top 3 places : Machapuchre Base Camp (Nepal), Lalibella (Ethiopia), San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
Favourite hotel : Victoria Chau Doc (sipping a beer watching the life in the Mekong in Vietnam)
Best beach : Kari Kari Bay (New Zealand)
Most depressing place : Sitting on a Piccadilly Line train going into London from Heathrow after getting back from my first long trip (a year in Asia and Australia), looking at all of those stony faces…
Contact me : haydn@travelnation.co.uk | 01273 322 049

Last trip was to Thailand with www.thailandtravelplan.co.uk .