AddictedToTravel.com

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Meet the Team

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Route Map for a Specialist Travel Portal

The first route map for addictedtotravel.com was drawn up in the early months of 2006 by our three co-founders – Nick, David and Colin – each a fanatical traveller. With many years of experience gained from working for the leading brand names in the experience and adventure travel business our small team was strengthened further with the arrival of Sue, Carl and Stuart – all old hands in the business – but all still young enough to have bundles of energy, ideas, drive and enthusiasm for travel. Over the past year we have been joined by Pascal, Glen, Ian, Louise, Loubna and Hannah to take our addictedto team to 12.

A Gathering of Adventure Travel Fanatics

Between us all we’re a pretty well-travelled bunch notching up over 150 countries, and leading over 250 trips and tours (in those hazy days as tour leaders a long time ago).  We’ve developed award-winning websites, built up long-standing friendships with travel specialists and experts around the world, written far too many glossy brochures, designed 100’s of very successful tour itineraries, and have over 100 years of combined knowledge and experience – and we’re still going strong!  Read on to find out a little more about each of us and what makes us tick…

Nick Anstead

Co-founder & Africa Specialist

Nick Anstead, Co-founder
I'm from
The moorlands of Yorkshire but currently live in an oak forest in Hampshire.
I’ve lived in
Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, China and Greece.
Languages
Conversant in several but sadly fluent in none, most words in Arabic and French.
Country Count
Closing in on a 100, but have been stuck in the mid 90’s for the past year - I get a real buzz from setting foot in new destinations!
I lost my heart in
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda to a playful family of mountain gorillas.
I’m itching to visit
I’ve never set foot on South America – the Galapagos Islands are top of my list.
I want to return to
Madagascar – I was last there over 10 years ago and only saw a fraction of the country.
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Reaching Istanbul after completing a life-changing cycle trip from York.
Favourite continent
It has to be Africa – such a stimulating continent entices me back over and over again.
When I travel I like
Spotting wildlife on safari, walking and discovering new places.
Biggest blunder
Losing my anti-malarial tablets in Uganda and subsequently contracting malaria.
I always travel with
More gadgets! Since I now always seem to take a laptop, digital camera and mobile phone.
Memorable meal
Easy! Succulent tiger prawns grilled to perfection on the Swahili coast of Tanzania.
Favourite RT project
The Africat Foundation – conserving Namibia's large carnivores.
Last ‘big’ activity
Hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees.

David Havard

Co-founder & Website Developer

David Havard, Co-founder
I'm from
The garrison town of Aldershot but currently living in South West London
I’ve lived in
England
Languages
Alas only English but fluent in many programming languages
Country Count
Around 30 now – many still to go…
I lost my heart in
Cambodia, beautiful country with people to match
I’m itching to visit
Still haven’t made it to South America – Brazil is top of my list
I want to return to
Sapa in Vietnam – the fog was so thick we couldn’t see beyond the end of our arms!
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Travelling by boat over the Tonle Sap in Cambodia – the river villages are stunning and Ankor Wat is waiting at the end
Favourite continent
Asia - the colours, the people, the food, the buzz!
When I travel I like
To talk and eat with locals and do part of the journey by boat
Biggest blunder
Crashing a moped on Ko Samui in Thailand and spending the rest of the trip in plaster
I always travel with
Minimum possible but always music. Although that is going to change with a daughter in tow
Memorable meal
For the wrong reasons I would have to say rolled calves head in Lyon, France
Favourite RT project
StreetFriends in Cambodia - working to meet the immediate essential needs, education, reintegration and ongoing support of Cambodia's many street children.
Last ‘big’ activity
Hiking in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco.

Colin Richards

Co-founder & Aussie Specialist

Colin Richards, Co-founder
I'm from
Being born near to Heathrow airport must have given me the travel bug. I now live with my wife and young family in Kent, UK
I’ve lived in
Kiev, Ukraine and Toronto, Canada
Languages
Fluent in English, South African, Australian and American – schoolboy French
Country Count
42 so far – I’m trying to keep this number ahead of my age
I lost my heart in
A bar in Crete – very late and with a leg in plaster - long story!
I’m itching to visit
So many…….but Antarctica and Nepal are top of my wish list
I want to return to
Uganda – the trek to see the Mountain Gorilla’s is just waiting for me
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Watching a Cheetah hunt a tommy on safari for the first time, followed by the aahhh as the mother then fed with her 3 cubs
Favourite continent
Australia……the cultural mix, the lifestyle, the outback and the star spotting
When I travel I like
Skiing in the mountains, diving in the sea, to safari in the bush and cycle on the flat
Biggest blunder
Partying ‘til 4am the night before going early morning shark cage diving….not good
I always travel with
Music and earphones – and a credit card
Memorable meal
Easy! Seafood and cold beer………Ras Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
Favourite RT project
'Cotlands Orphanage’ in Johannesburg, South Africa
Last ‘big’ activity
Cycling in the French mountains.

Pascal Ginailhac

Business Development

Pascal's Photo
I'm from
A remote area of France, very well located in south Auvergne. I currently live one week a month in the south of France, close to Toulon on the Mediterranean. I travel the rest of the time.
I’ve lived in
Ethiopia ( 2 years), Sudan (8 years), Kenya (1 year), Egypt (1 year), Namibia and Botswana.
Languages
Fluent in French.... good knowledge of English and classical Arabic (learnt while working as an archaeologist in northern Sudan). I know many words in Swahili and Hamaric.
Country Count
I’ve visited nearly all African's countries and made a few long trips in the Far East and southeast Asia.
I lost my heart in
South Ethiopia when I was working many years back on archaeological sites in the Omo River Rift Valley tracing Lucy’s sisters...
I’m itching to visit
An iceberg, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Eritrea.
I want to return to
The Nubian Desert in Northern Sudan to the Meroe pyramids.
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Travelling the length of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town and across from East to West from Zanzibar to Pointe Noire in Congo.
Favourite continent
Despite learning so much about Africa during 30 years of travel from North to South and East to West, I realise that I still have a lot more to learn and explore!
When I travel I like
To discover new remote areas, travelling in small groups with a very experienced guide.
Biggest blunder
Surviving three plane crashes in remote places in Sudan – one in a jet plane next to the Red Sea, one nearby the Nuba mountains in a single-prop light aircraft, and a helicopter crash in a swamp of the Nuer tribe.... all in a 3 year period. From those days I now prefer camelback!
I always travel with
Less and less baggage when I go and more and more knowledge when I return home.
Memorable meal
Funny fried caterpillars with pygmies in central Congo.
Favourite RT project
Early in 1983 I used to organise the logistics and supply of food to the remote villages of the Dinka tribe in Southern Sudan.
Last ‘big’ activity
Climbing Toubkal and Kilimanjaro.

Carl Welsby

Middle East & Asia Specialist

Cal Welsby
I'm from
The bright lights of Blackpool. I now live on a smallholding in west-Wales – a stunning part of the country
I’ve lived in
Greece, Australia, Turkey, Israel
Languages
As a tour leader I had a smattering of Hindi, Greek, Mandarin, Turkish and Arabic. I’m now trying to learn Welsh though!
Country Count
I don’t count, but certainly over 40. I tend to revisit the same places regularly - if I had a pound for every trip to Egypt…
I lost my heart in
Oman – to a girl I met on a work trip. The foolish woman married me
I’m itching to visit
India. Again. If you’ve been, you’ll know why
I want to return to
Mongolia. I went in 1995 and was blown away by the Land of the Big Sky
Biggest travel ‘wow’
The Pyramids – the way they sneak up on you as you trundle down Pyramids Road, then Bang! They’re there – massive and 4,500 years old
Favourite continent
Asia… You can keep Africa and Latin America – Asia’s where the real deal is
When I travel I like
To go trekking if I get the time. I can usually sneak in a dive or two too
Biggest blunder
Spending a night in a carpet shop in Luxor downing red wine before taking a donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings. Some things you only do once
I always travel with
As small a backpack as possible
Memorable meal
Most of a flash-fried palm-grub in China
Favourite RT project
If I had to choose it would be the Apsara Arts Foundation – giving street-kids a helping hand and conserving Cambodian music and dance
Last ‘big’ activity
Sea kayaking over Kekova in Turkey – amazing!

Stuart Whittington

Americas & Polar Specialist

Stuart Whiitington & Iguana
I'm from
The Glorious Lake District, just south of the Scottish border
I’ve lived in
I have been enormously lucky and have spent a good amount of time living in a wide range of places across the UK, Europe, Africa and Latin America
Languages
English is my mother tongue. When I lived in Tanzania I could converse sufficiently in Kiswahili, but this has sadly been reduced to just a few random words, like mwezi (moon) and parachichi (avocado). Handy. My spoken Spanish is reasonable, Brazilian/Portuguese rusty and I am currently trying to learn French.
Country Count
I’ve always aimed to spend quality time in a country, rather than clocking-up quantity. That said, I’ve visited some 50-60 different countries, from over a year in Tanzania to a couple of hours in Myanmar, where I popped over the Thai border for a Burmese haircut.
I lost my heart in
A crystal clear blue lagoon and a paradise beach in Brazil
I’m itching to visit
Colombia – I am intrigued by its colonial past to recent history, its location, geography and people
I want to return to
I visited Nicaragua earlier this year – a phenomenal place! I look forward to discovering more off the beaten track gems soon
Biggest travel ‘wow’
The incredible thrill of snorkelling with killer whales, in a remote Norwegian fjord, beneath the Northern Lights
Favourite continent
Ever since I first set foot in South America, I have been enchanted by its diversity, landscapes, rhythm, and people
When I travel I like
Sitting down for a chat with the locals in crowded markets and street-side stalls, as everyday life continues around us
Biggest blunder
Leaving my passport under a Dutch Youth Hostel’s pillow in my early days of travelling, then blagging my way through UK immigration using a girl friend’s passport
I always travel with
A small notepad and pencil to jot down my thoughts, capture memories or draw a sketch of the scene before me
Memorable meal
Consuming all manner of Yak related products in the ‘Happy Yak’ restaurant in Lhasa, Tibet
Favourite RT project
In Brazil I got involved in a tiny little grass-roots organisation for Street Kids, which was partly funded by Jimmy Page. This involved performing arts and literature, aiming to develop the childrens’ creativity. Great fun and very different.
Last ‘big’ activity
A major trek over the South American Ice Field, Patagonia, including several nights camped out upon the ice.

Sue Anstead

Destination Support

Sue Anstead
I'm from
Originally from Chiswick, West London now living out in the sticks in Hampshire
I’ve lived in
Spain, the Canary Islands and Greece
Languages
Get by in Spanish
Country Count
60+ at the moment
I lost my heart in
Cameroon, spending Christmas with the locals in Yaounde
I’m itching to visit
The mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda
I want to return to
Namibia, I only visited it on a long weekend many years ago and would love to see more
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Crossing the Sahara Desert in the middle of August!! Must be mad...
Favourite continent
It has to be Africa – which is probably why I fell for Nick!
When I travel I like
To experience different ways of life - the best to date would be attending huge funeral parties which go on for days and days in Sulawesi and having to eat Sheep head in Kazakhstan
Biggest blunder
None yet - at least none that I am owning up to
I always travel with
My husband and children – I wouldn’t go anywhere without them
Memorable meal
Thai night market stalls – very cheap and delicious
Favourite RT project
The Africat Foundation – conserving Namibia’s large carnivores
Last ‘big’ activity
Camel trekking in southern Morocco.

Mick Thompson

PR & Media Specialist

Mick Thompson
I'm from
The Kent borders of south east London. Over the years I have gradually migrated west and now live in Hampshire.
I’ve lived in
London and the south east only although for 6 months of 1993 I was roaming the planet.
Languages
Conversational French which miraculously improves by the pression (in my opinion!). I also speak three languages fluently; Yiddish, Flemmish and Rubbish.
Country Count
I counted up recently and I am around the 45 mark. My big black hole is south America where I have yet to set foot.
I lost my heart in
Australia. I have over 100 relatives up and down the east coast from New Norfolk in Tasmania to Gin Gin in Queensland. Most are not surprisingly in the Sydney and Brisbane areas and I also have an aunt with a winery in the Hunter Valley.
I’m itching to visit
Alaska and Russia are top of the list followed by South America.
I want to return to
Lebanon – surely the world’s most under-rated destination?
Biggest travel ‘wow’
The first time I visited Australia I spent seven weeks living on my cousin’s boat in the Whitsunday Islands – that was awesome. My wife Debbie and I were also blown away by a safari holiday in Kenya.
Favourite continent
Putting Australia to one side I would have to say Europe. We are so lucky to have such a melting pot of different cultures, languages and visiting experiences so close to home. Australians would give their right arm to be able to go to Paris by train for lunch.
When I travel I like
To meet the people and avoid any destinations that have been tainted by Brits. I also like to read novels set in the place that I am visiting. Sampling local cuisine is also a must.
Biggest blunder
Spending too long in Australia on my round the world trip. It meant I spent the grand total of 3 days in New Zealand, which was my next stop; I have regretted it ever since.
I always travel with
My iPod, camera, some good novels, a guide book a sense of anticipation and an open mind.
Memorable meal
Best: Château de Beaulieu, Northern France. Worst: Canton in China, god only knows what I ate – it was vile!
Favourite RT project
My only personal experience was at a Masai village in Kenya where we paid the villagers to look around. I have never felt so humbled in my life.
Last ‘big’ activity
Climbing Mount Toubkal with my brother. It nearly killed me!

Louise Welsby

Destination Support

Louise Welsby
I'm from
Originally the north east of England, but now live on a smallholding in Pembrokeshire, west Wales.
I’ve lived in
The UK.
Languages
Can get by in French and know a few words of Italian.
Country Count
Up to 12 at the moment.
I lost my heart in
Oman, where I met my husband, Carl.
I’m itching to visit
Tuscany, Ireland (again), Maldives or somewhere similarly hot and tropical.
I want to return to
Ireland and Italy (have been to Rome and Venice so far).
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx – you don’t realise how big they are till you get up close.
Favourite continent
Not sure yet, need to do more travelling!
When I travel I like
To get around and see new things, but also have some time for rest and relaxation.
Biggest blunder
None yet, that I’m aware of anyway.
I always travel with
A couple of books, sun cream if it’s somewhere hot.
Memorable meal
First night in Parga, Greece, with Carl, a Greek salad and a cold bottle of Retsina.
Favourite RT project
The Brooke Hospital for Animals – visited their hospital in Luxor and saw the amazing work they do.
Last ‘big’ activity
Sea Kayaking over Kekova in Turkey. First time kayaking for me and really enjoyed it.

Hannah Green

Destination Support

Hannah Green
I'm from
Basingstoke and currently live in Tadley, Hampshire with my family.
I’ve lived in
England.
Languages
English and a tiny bit of Spanish.
Country Count
Currently only 9 however I’m constantly trying to increase this.
I lost my heart in
Prague…4 days just wasn’t enough.
I’m itching to visit
Japan and more of North America.
I want to return to
New Zealand to continue where I left off.
Biggest travel ‘wow’
Seeing Chichén Itzá for the first time.
Favourite continent
North America for its diverse appeal.
When I travel I like
To meet new people and discover new places.
Biggest blunder
Having an ‘invalid’ flight ticket and consequently getting stuck in LA airport on a connection from New Zealand to Florida.
I always travel with
Music, camera and diary.
Memorable meal
Jaw-spraining meat in Cuba….yes it really was that bad!
Favourite RT project
None to date.
Last ‘big’ activity
None to date but plenty on the to-do list.