Our expert staff pride themselves on their knowledge of our trips, destinations and activities. They love to travel, and to share their experiences of exploring the world - take a read through some of the top travel moments.
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Belinda Rice
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
After leaving school all I wanted to do was to start exploring the world. I spent 12 months backpacking around Europe and working in pubs to support my nomadic lifestyle. When I returned to Australia I wanted a job that allowed me to share my experiences with others – that’s now a decade ago, and I’ve not looked back since.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
Snorkelling with baby sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. I think they thought I was one of them, they were so playful! And travelling through the once forbidden land of Tibet where I had the opportunity to share a meal with a local family. They had very little but were so generous and hospitable.
What is your best travel tip?
Give the local language a try. It’s fun, and the locals always appreciate the effort.
What is the next destination on your wish list?
West Africa. It's such a remote part of the world. It would be a real privilege to see the local tribes, many of whom have kept their traditional culture intact by living in relative seclusion.
Why do you love to travel?
Travel’s fun and exciting, but it’s also challenging and often takes me out of my comfort zone – you learn a lot about yourself, and I've also learnt so much from all the people I’ve met along the way.
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Peter Miers
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
The travel bug got me early, I think from a childhood spent studying the atlas. I always wanted to know what went on in that little dot there on the map. After finishing high school I deferred university for a year and went off to Canada and the US for four months. Something awoke inside me - I felt like it was the first time I had really lived.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
I visited Iran in 1987 when the country was at war with Iraq. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time, but the kindness of the Iranian people and the grace with which they endured their circumstances left a lasting impression.
What is your best travel tip?
American Express - leave home without it.
What is the next destination on your wish list?
I'm hoping we might have an itinerary combining Turkmenistan and Tajikistan to offer in the next year or so.like any other. You get to places you could never have dreamt of visiting. The sense of wilderness and isolation is palpable.
Why do you love to travel?
I love the idea that you can just get on a plane and be dropped on the other side of the globe in some place that is so completely different to the life you know. And if you were born in the wrong century as I was, it's even better when a place can allow you to travel back in time.
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Belle Round
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in Melbourne and have always wanted to be involved in the travel industry. By the time I had completed my Bachelor of Tourism degree I was desperate to get out and explore the world, so off I went, without waiting for my graduation ceremony!
I travelled extensively throughout South East Asia and lived in Japan for two years – an incredible experience. After spending some time back in Melbourne I hit the road again, from China to Mexico, India to Scotland. I spent several years travelling the world before returning to Melbourne and am now fortunately working for a company that shares my outlook on travel.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
Mexico, off the coast in a small fishing boat. There, a matter of metres from us, a pod of killer whales were feeding on a manta ray. It was amazing, unforgettable, to be that close to that kind of event and to see the power of the orcas.
What is your best travel tip?
Don’t leave home without your handy wipes. You never know when you’ll need them, but I guarantee you will at some point!
What is the next destination on your wish list?
My next trip is to Tanzania. I’m going on the Geckos Tanzania Trails trip – safari in the Serengeti, I can't wait! I also want to return to Croatia. I’ve spent a month in Eastern Europe, but unfortunately not much of that was in Croatia. Everywhere I visited, everything I saw there was really stunning, and I’d love to go back to explore some more.
Why do you love to travel?
I love immersing myself in places. Learning, experiencing and enjoying each moment I spend just doing something completely different, whether it be in the food I eat, the people I speak to or the places I explore. It's my passion and my travels are definitely the best experiences in my life.
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Amanda Cage
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’ve been travelling for as long as I can remember – I grew up in Tasmania but have family in the UK, so I have many childhood memories off heading off to the other side of the world, visiting family and exploring different places. Working in travel seemed like the next logical step! I started working in the industry when I was 16, and I’ve always been drawn towards the type of travel Peregrine and Gecko’s specialise in: adventurous, responsible, really getting under the skin of the places – before I started working here, I’d already been on my first tour, to Thailand.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
Antarctica. It’s a mind-blowing place, and the whole of the Antarctic Explorer trip is emblazoned on my memory, but I guess the most memorable moment was going for a swim in Antarctic waters – the polar plunge! Words cannot begin to describe how cold the water was – the post-swim warming vodka was definitely needed!
What is your best travel tip?
Take a toothbrush for the plane, and a pack of cards for the trip!
What is the next destination on your wish list?
Cuba really appeals. It sounds like such a unique culture, and I’d love to see it at this fascinating point in its history.
Why do you love to travel?
It’s great to get away from day-to-day routine, to soak up a new culture and challenge yourself. Understanding how other people live – their customs and food, their beliefs and interests – always provide such long-lasting travel memories, and make me want to keep exploring.
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Jodie Booth
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I caught the travel bug when spending a year travelling around Europe and North America – I knew after exploring the UK and France, the US and Mexico that I wanted a job that would allow me to keep exploring and helped others to do the same! I’ve been working here for nearly three years now, but it isn’t my first experience of the company – before that I’d already been on two great trips with them in South East Asia!
What is your most memorable travel experience?
It’s difficult to top the first time I saw lions in Southern Africa – totally breathtaking. All the wildlife I saw there was incredible, and the landscapes of Namibia are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen. Quad-biking on the sand dunes was a definite highlight!
What is your best travel tip?
Socks for the plane are a must – I’ve learnt the hard way after being on a long-haul with no socks and a pair of freezing feet!
What is the next destination on your wish list?
I’m heading off to the North Pole soon – to step foot on the earth’s northernmost point is going to be a huge thrill, and I can’t wait to explore the icy wastes from above onboard the ship’s helicopters. After that, Turkey has definitely whetted my appetite to see some of the Middle East – Jordan in particular sounds stunning.
Why do you love to travel?
It’s addictive – the new experiences, the chance to share experiences with people from completely different cultures. Every time I go away I learn something about the world and about the people I’m visiting, and every trip I go on makes me want to see more!
