Meet some of our holiday experts

Our tour leaders are as passionate about walking and discovering the world as you are. Experienced in leading, usually, but not necessarily in the area of the holiday, each has their own individual style and particular talents. All are first-aid trained, holding walking qualifications commensurate with the holiday grade they lead and often have good foreign languages skills.

They’re supported by a back-office team who seek to ensure that you’ve got the best itinerary and all holiday arrangements are in place for you to enjoy.

What is unsurpassed is their wide travel knowledge and commitment to making your holiday as friendly and pleasurable as possible. We’d like to introduce you to some of them below.

Local Leaders and Guides

We also employ and train some local leaders as well as working with local area guides on many of our long-haul destinations.Native to the area, their friendly welcomes and special insights are hugely popular, adding real character and flavour - and keep our clients coming back for more!

Michael Hatch

Worked as a leader and tour manager for 20 years, mostly in Europe. Now home from the hills, his idea of heaven is an alpine pasture in early July, sunrise at 10,000ft or a Greek beachside taverna. He’s also at home in European cities from Seville to Istanbul. Responsible for our hutting holidays he also looks after the shore adventures on cruise itineraries. Based in the Leader’s Department he deals with leader training and enjoys finding the perfect holiday for new clients.

Adrian Flatt

He has travelled widely, working and leading walks in many countries of the world. Adrian joined Ramblers Worldwide Holidays as a Leader in 2008; wherever he goes he takes a close interest in the language, culture and history of the local people. A member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and a keen photographer, his other hobbies have included sailing and gliding.

Julian Wilkes

Weekend walking became more important than a corporate career in management for Julian, so he quit and qualified as a full time tour leader for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. He believes that it's the best way to discover and observe the world and meet like minded people.

Chris Hutchinson

I enjoy Scandinavia, the Alps and northern Europe but I find myself increasingly attracted to the warmth and weather of the Mediterranean.

I hope that during my tours clients not only get to know and enjoy different landscapes but see them from the perspectives of the people who live there.

The best thing about leading is seeing a group of smiling people on the last day of the tour.

Barry Trevis

Barry Trevis is our in-house bird expert. He researches our birdwatching holidays, leading many of them. He lives in the village where Ramblers Worldwide Holidays office is situated and has been the warden of Lemsford Springs Nature Reserve there for over 30 years. He has birded extensively over six continents and carries out bird-ringing studies in the UK and abroad. He has a particular interest in watching bird behaviour wherever he goes. Showing birds and wildlife to others gives him added delight.

Misty

If you’re taking a human away on holiday you know what makes them happy, and let’s face it, if they’re happy, you’re happy. But enough about them…what about us? I’ve found some walks with excellent puddles and cow-pats you wouldn’t believe. Lakes, rivers, mountains… we’ve got the lot. I’ve spotted rabbits and squirrels in the gardens, and the local canines are full of good advice on where to go. If there is anything you need to know about our Paws on Tour holidays please feel free to contact me.

Sandra Lewis

Originally the UK office manager for the Austrian Alpine Club, Sandra has looked after the day to day running of the Ramblers Countrywide UK short break programme since its early days. A fitness enthusiast, Sandra completed the 26 mile overnight moonwalk in 2010 and has plans to try the Three Peaks 24 hour race.

Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith has been charming our clients and office staff for over 20 years. Her relaxed and cheerful disposition belie the fastidious attention to detail and excellent people skills which Wendy brings to every tour. Her particular travelling passion is the Hispanic World, most especially the Alpujarras in Andalucia. But Wendy can also be found in the Canary Islands and Latin America, and more recently in Sicily where she is learning Italian to match her fluent Spanish.

Al and Jane Sarjeant

Al has been leading for Ramblers Worldwide since 2007, after 33 years in the RAF, where he had many years of experience leading alpine expeditions. After accompanying Al on a few tours, Jane became a leader herself in 2009. Al and Jane now specialise in ’2 Walks, 2 leaders, 2 grades’ holidays, as well as Family Adventures. Leading worldwide they are known for their positive outlook and infectious enthusiasm - they always look on the bright side!