Andrew Dwyer – Latin America, Kokoda track, Australia & NZ Specialist
Andrew is the funniest member of the team (his claim, not ours!). He has worked in the travel industry since 2004 and has worked and studied overseas in places as far apart as the Czech Republic, Argentina and South East Asia. His favourite food would have to be a close tie between Shan noodles (in northern Burma) and Argentinian pastries. Andrew has a love of all things Latin American and his adventures have taken him through Peru, Chile and Argentina. When he’s not travelling the world he enjoys staying a little closer to home and exploring Australia and New Zealand. He has a keen interest in languages and is currently studying Spanish and French.
What item would Andrew never travel without? A pair of thongs (flip-flops) – you never know when you’ll come across a communal shower, have sore feet after a day of trekking, or an opportunity to relax on a beautiful white-sandy beach!
Erin Aquino – Africa, India & Nepal Specialist
Since starting at Peregrine in 2005, Erin has been lucky enough to travel to Africa, Nepal, India, China, Tibet, Cambodia, Thailand and, more recently, Central America. Whilst Erin enjoys travelling to many different countries around the world, her real passion resides within Africa and Nepal. Apart from working with brilliant people, the main reason Erin loves her job is because she gets to spend all day dealing with the ins-and-outs of her favourite continent, Africa! Having spent five months exploring Africa she lists her favourite countries as Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Namibia. At home she enjoys spending time with her family and her furry child (Dog that is.... not a hairy human) and always waits patiently for her next adventure!
What item would Erin never travel without? Her pegless clothes line. Particularly handy for travelling in Africa and Nepal.
Sonia Pilovska - Middle East and Specialist Groups Consultant
Sonia has been working in the travel industry since 1999, in various roles in both the retail and corporate sectors, and has travelled to some amazing places around the world. Her passion for travel came at an early age when she was taken to Macedonia to visit her parents’ birthplace and fell in love with everything foreign - language, food, culture and the thrill that comes with packing a suitcase and boarding a plane. She has extensive experience in organising and tailoring tours for School Groups and Corporate Incentives as well as specialist tours for Charity Challenges and Special Interest Groups. When she’s not travelling the world or planning her next getaway, Sonia can be found indulging in glorious food at yet another family function or catching up with friends over a few glasses of vino.
What item would Sonia never travel without? A good book to pass the time lying by a pool, and of course her credit card – you just never know when you might have to purchase that emergency pair of new shoes...
Zoe Rees - South East Asia Specialist
Travel is Zoe's number one passion in life, she loves to learn about new destinations, cultures, food, languages, people, wildlife, landscapes and architecture. To preserve and sustain these fragile cultures and environments is vital for the future of travel and tourism and of the countries we visit. Having dual nationalities, Zoe caught the travel bug from a young age, travelling frequently to the UK. After completing a university degree in Travel and Tourism, Zoe did the "right of passage" work/travel holiday to the USA and Europe for almost 2 years. During this time she travelled extensively through Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia. When not travelling, you will find Zoe happily with her nose in a travel writing book, or enjoying her love of animals. Zoe is extremely passionate about supporting causes that look after the welfare and correct treatment of animals. Her dog is her biggest stress reliever, and motivates her to get out and exercise.
What item would Zoe never travel without? A sarong, to use as a blanket on those chilly air-conditioned buses in Asia, a pillow, towel, or to cover shoulders/legs etc when entering temples or sacred sites!
Lauren Howard - Groups Team Leader
Lauren's favourite region to travel is Asia, the highlights being the interaction with unique cultures, the shopping, and, of course, the food! She has eaten and shopped her way through Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and China. She ventured further west this year to Turkey, and Japan is next on her ever growing wish list. Highlights of her travels include cooking classes in Chiang Mai, Bali and Yangshou. Since experiencing her first taste of scuba diving at Phi Phi Island in Thailand, Lauren has been dreaming of exotic dive destinations to visit, and hopes to one day explore the wrecks of the Egyptian Red Sea. Closer to home, Lauren can be found catching up with friends and family, curled up with a good book, or cheering on the mighty Hawks!
What item would Lauren never travel without? After travelling through Asia, Lauren would never travel without a roll of toilet paper!