Susan Pentelow

Hi. I‘m Susan,

As a personal travel advisor, I love helping people create unforgettable memories during their holidays.

My passion for travel ignited during a road trip across America with my parents in the ‘80s. My journey in the hospitality industry began at an upmarket property in Sandbanks, Dorset, and later led me to study Hotel & Hospitality Management.

After graduation, I worked at Euro Disney, fuelled by my desire to explore the world. For a decade, I sailed with Princess Cruises, eventually becoming a Senior Officer managing the Shore Excursion Department. This experience provided a unique education, covering diverse itineraries and continents.

I've had adventures I could only dream of. Now, as a personal travel advisor since 2011, I share my wealth of experiences. I delight in offering my clients the best advice to help them to escape, relax, discover, share an adventure, and have an opportunity to seize those special moments.

Where I've been -

I have been lucky to see and experience so many countries, cultures and resorts, although there's always another destination and experience beckoning. Escorting overland tours in South America and China, flying over Antarctica, crocodile hunting down the Amazon at night, helicopter rides over Hawaii and Denali National Park in Alaska, and hanging out with one of the oldest turtles in the world in the Seychelles are highlights. Places such as Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tasmania, the Falkland Islands and Greenland are amongst the most unexpected.

While at sea I was lucky enough to visit Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Japan, the Philippines, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and even the South Pacific Islands.

I have also travelled to many States in the USA including Alaska. I have spent a lot of time in Canada and travelled right across Canada by train. I love both the East and West Coast and especially love the Maritimes Provinces.

I have been lucky enough to have visited the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Maldives.

The Middle East is somewhere I have enjoyed and have been to Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi. On my list is Oman.

Closer to home I cruised Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and around the Mediterranean.

Favourite Places

-The magnificent eastern coast of Canada and New England for its stunning foliage and diverse coastline. I especially love the fall season, and enjoy visiting the coastal towns with their lighthouses and great seafood restaurants.

-South Africa for safari, an authentic bush lodge and sensational food.

-Any tropical island for a recharge and refresh. My favourites would be St Lucia, Barbados, Mauritius and Seychelles.

-Closer to home, I adore Croatia, which I have visited seven times so far. The cities of Dubrovnik and Split are special, and the island of Hvar is stunning. Rovinj on the Istrian Riviera is a hidden gem, and the country has wonderful national parks and over 1,000 islands of which 48 are habited.

-The most incredible hotel I have ever stayed at is the Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada.

-Bequia in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A real old fashioned quiet Caribbean Island.

Most embarrassing travel experience -

I still get excited every time I check in to a hotel.

At a small hotel in the Bahamas, I collected our room key from the office, which was located by the swimming pool. I was waving at my partner, pointing in the direction of our room whilst thumbing through the welcome wallet. Yes, I walked straight into the swimming pool. Yes, I was fully clothed. And yes, several people saw me.

Most memorable travel moment -

Sleeping outside in an open-air hide on safari and waking up to hear the elephants pulling off the branches of a nearby tree.

The one item I cannot travel without -

My noise cancelling headphones. I love to listen to music when flying.

Best piece of travel advice

Savour every moment, embrace your destination's culture and always try the local cuisine.