When travel is rich and slow …

I have been in the Travel industry for many, many years. It’s more than a passion to travel, but an insatiable curiosity to discover different cultures, cuisines, history, architecture and art found in joyful places that never ceases to amaze,

And I want to share it with others.

I joined a wonderful travel agency as an Independent consultant and did the airline booking courses, read up as much as I could and spent hours researching the places my clients were going - to deliver a fully comprehensive travel journal. A few hairy moments when flights cancelled and hotels closed down, remember those were the days of no Google, WhatsApp and paper tickets but the journey was an educational one.

When we re-located to London twelve years ago, it was to begin again and London Green Africa was born. specialising in journeys to South Africa and the UK. London literally became my oyster, or onion, for the layers she offers would take me forever to peel and the job is still not done. My South African heart yearned to show her to the world.

Tower Bridge

Re-locating to a new country is not easy, it was a struggle. The National Trust, the subject of my Master’s degree, stepped up to offer me solace in a very difficult time. I joined the team at Ham House, beside the Thames in Richmond, as a Garden History Guide, and I am still there. Gardens have always been a great passion and I have tried to visit as many possible in England, France and Italy.

Four years ago I was asked to join Coutours, a company that specialises in bespoke walking tours in London, and I am still there.

The pandemic plopped the travel industry into a very dark hole. All stopped - flat lined in a matter of months. I missed doing tours and sending clients on safari, to Paris and Versailles. To the lakes in Italy and the wine lands of the Cape, but lock down did give me time to pause, not only my life and work, but my mind - as many of us did. To re-think about the way forward, what was important, what was it I really wanted to do, now that I am in my sixties and far from settling. The answer is, I wanted to stay in travel, but rather than offer so many different destinations, some which I myself had not been to, I wanted to focus on what I really knew well - well enough to know, in this sense, what was the best, most diverse, most valuable way to ensure my clients would rather indulge in slow, meaningful travel.

Giverny

Welcome to The Silver Travel Company.

Consulting and planning bespoke travel itineraries, trips and walking tours for those who want to experience the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. Be it solo travel, and I am a solo traveller, small groups, couples or families who chose a few select destinations to immerse themselves in. Luxury travel does not have to be five star hotels, luxury travel is the richness you feel when you stand beside the lake, dive into the pasta, lie in a beautiful bed with a view of the Eifel Tower. Spending an afternoon with Churchill or walking through a garden you wish were your own.

Villa del Balbianello

Perhaps it is a question of sticking to what I know, and love. Places in Europe, the United Kingdom and Africa, particularly South Africa that have gripped my heart and become chapters of my romantic book of life.

The Silver Street Company lives between London and Cape Town, always making time for Paris and all the other beautiful places of gentle living, good eating and picturesque views. Developing a team who share the same ideals, to share our knowledge and experience, to create the perfect itinerary and journey.

Travel with a new direction. In this, it is always a flutter of nerves. I honestly believe I no longer need to pay for the most expensive website or market aggressively as if I want to win a competition or be the best around, I shall leave that to the younger ones and wish them well. Simple, honest and experienced travel it will be. When praise does come, as it has - when you know a tour has gone well, the walk is successful or a planned trip has your clients wanting to return again and again, that is the kindling and the greatest reward.

To softer travel. To slower travel. To places that bring peace and learning.

Hiking in the mountains of the Western Cape