Keryn Whittingham - Senior Groups Consultant
Quick Questions with Keryn
Where did the whole travel obsession thing begin?
One Christmas morning when I was 19, my brother rang from Europe to ask me to meet him in Spain the following week. So with some very fast organisation, I flew out to Madrid without much prior knowledge of Spain. It's beauty and culture captured my heart immediately and it has since become one of my favourite places on Earth.
Why group travel?
I like the idea that the fabulous tour itineraries that we work on are not just being enjoyed by one or two people, but more like 30 or 40. A lot of time and effort goes into creating the best trips possible for our groups, and I think the saying is definitely true - "the more, the merrier".
Two places you'd most love to visit and why?
Valparaiso, Chile - my flatmate in Auckland was from Chile and he assured me that his mother is the best cook in South America and that if I visited her, she would fill my tummy with scrumptious food.
Warsaw, Poland - a substitute teacher I had in Yr 6 got us to read a book called "The Silver Sword" which was set in Warsaw. Ever since that age of 11, the book has stuck with me, and I know that one day I will eventually get there.
If you could blow the travel budget what would you do?
I'm a bit of a bore actually, because I prefer the challenge of travelling on a budget and getting the best value for my money. But one thing I would love to do is fly First Class - to anywhere!
Best travel advice you've ever received?
Always (always!) make sure you have travel insurance. I once had my luggage lost on the way to Portugal, and have also unfortunately ended up in hospital in the USA. Without travel insurance, on both occasions, I would have been in quite a pickle.
Most relaxing travel experience?
Driving around the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand with my husband. We had no real itinerary to stick to, and just spent two weeks driving around the most beautiful region of the country.
Most interesting travel experience?
We are soon to depart on our first official Whittingham family adventure - to Japan. The furthest we have taken the kids before is to NZ, so it's going to be interesting. We're mixing in all the traditional Japanese sightseeing in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto and Hiroshima with visits to Disneyland and Universal Studios (to keep the kids happy), and all in 9 days. The flights will be long, the days will be jampacked and the rooms will be 'cosy', but it's going to be an amazing experience and I can't wait!
Most ambitious travel experience?
This trip has just been completed and involved a whirlwind trip to North America with my husband, to go to my friend Sarah's wedding. We have two little children who we didn't want to leave for too long, so our itinerary was Buffalo, Niagara Falls (the Canadian side!), New York, Connecticut (for the wedding), Tijuana (Mexico), Las Vegas and Los Angeles - all in 9 days!
Most rewarding career moment?
Hearing the comments from the Newcastle Grammar School students, teachers and parents as they stepped off the bus after their amazing trip to Greece, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Their visits to the ancient ruins in Greece, the moving services they held in Gallipoli, and the final night in the desert in Dubai are just a few of the amazing things they experienced, and I am proud to have been a part of that.
What's the best thing about working with The Australian Group Travel Company?
This job is my first since returning from having my children. While I totally trust my husband as a stay at home dad, it was a big step for me and working alongside Caroline and Samantha makes it so much easier. We do great work, and we work great together.
Projects that you're working on at the moment?
Lave Cove Junior Rugby Club's tour to New Zealand; The University of Newcastle Chamber Choir's tour to China for the World Choir Games; and Barker College's history tour of Europe.
Things you love outside the travel world?
My husband and kids, reading great books, playing online scrabble with my mum, dinner out with friends, and the mighty NZ Warriors.
What are you reading at the moment?
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller.
Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
My husband was born in England and we are going to take the kids to live there for a while. It also means The Australian Group Travel Company will be going global as the business branches out into the UK.
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