About Jemima

I studied French and Italian at University partly in order live abroad (in Paris and Milan) during my degree, and I love speaking to locals whilst travelling, so always intend to learn the basic vocab. Beyond yearly family trips in Europe, I’ve been on Safari in Africa, to Central America, and most recently to Central Asia, backpacking through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It was the most incredible trip with such diversity in cultures, landscapes and people, despite all being ex-Soviet. 

Talking Points

What's your favourite destination?

Belize. I spent a few months diving in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System as a Marine Conservationist and was living in a cabana an hour by boat (!) from a town, which was the best way to immerse myself in the community and wildlife. The people are fantastic, as is the diving, and I hope to go back to dive the Blue Hole.

Which destination is top of your bucket list, and why?

Oman is right at the top due to its diversity, with rich culture and fantastic landscapes. I love being able to travel from beaches to mountains and explore islands but also be able to discover beautiful archaeological sites and architectural wonders, so Oman is the perfect destination!

How many languages do you speak?

Three – English, French and Italian. Stay tuned for more.

Which five items do you always pack when travelling?

• Suncream. Factor 50. Goes without saying. 
• After sun. I’m ginger so the Factor 50 doesn’t always help.
• Earplugs and eye mask. Don’t rely on the plane providing any. Loud AC, nearby snorer, or non-blackout curtains. Thank me later. 
• Decaf tea. In reality, most places have English Breakfast tea, but I’m a decaf convert.
• Phrasebook. Learning the basics gets you far, but sometimes you want to ask exactly what that mystery ingredient is. (or just Google Translate, but where’s the fun in that?)

What's your top travel tip?

Buy a travel diary. Admittedly I don’t actually end up writing in it, but regret not having day-to-day accounts of previous trips, so learn from my mistakes.