Caroline North

From a young age, I was fortunate to travel frequently to the Caribbean. After leaving school, it was a no brainer to study Travel and Tourism and I started my career with Lunn Poly in 1995 (before it became Thomson then Tui). It was time to explore a new venture, so I started work for a long-standing independent travel agency in Bristol and worked for them for over 13 years.

This allowed me to do what I love: create wonderful itineraries for my clients without any of the restraints of a high street agent.

I’m often asked what my favourite holiday destination is. It's so hard to answer! I love a bit of adventure when I travel (you are never too old for a bit of adventure) so Costa Rica is right up there amongst the best. I’ve never seen so much wildlife, and started making a note of everything I’d seen but after just one day the list was long to maintain! Another favourite is Lapand, Sweden, because I love the snow - a real high-point here was moshing my own pack of huskies. For a warmer trip, you can't beat the Caribbean. I love that no island is the same and the people, food and scenery always take my breath away. You can't help but smile.

Get to know Caroline

• When did you start working in the travel industry? 1995
• Why did you start working in travel / what brought you to the industry? My passion for travel started at a young age. My Dad worked for British Airways so I was so lucky to travel often as a child.  Once I left school, I studied Travel and Tourism.
• What’s your favourite aspect of your job?  Helping clients get the most of out their travel experience and meeting new people.
• What’s the best holiday you’ve created for a customer? So many to choose from but I enjoy creating detailed itineraries. My most memorable itinerary was for a couple wanting to travel to three destinations they really wanted to visit, Oman, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, including sampling 3 different islands.
• What’s quality (or qualities) are most valuable in a travel agent?  Be a great listener, organised and passionate about what you do.
• Best piece of advice / top travel tip? Try and have some small denominations of the local currency before you arrive at your destination, ideal for tipping.
• What would you be doing if you weren’t a travel expert? Lying in the sun on a tropical beach.
• Top 3 favourite travel destinations: Costa Rica, Sweden/Lapland and Paxos (Greece).
• What are your Top 3 bucket list destinations? Antarctica, Botswana, and the Seychelles
• Name your Top 3 films:  The Colour Purple, Dumbo and The Greatest Showman.
• Best travel book(s): Lonely Planet and an Atlas.
• Favourite place in the UK? Bristol, my hometown.