Clare’s love for Europe began early. A natural linguist, she honed her French at the village boulangerie before adding Spanish and Italian to her repertoire, later living and studying in Bordeaux and Rome. That spirit of curiosity still defines her travels, whether meandering by car through lesser-known regions of Europe, or delving into the hidden corners of its great cities. Highlights span atmospheric concerts in the cloisters of Dubrovnik to wine tasting on the slopes of Mount Etna. Clare’s ability to piece together the perfect European holiday has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveller, naming her a Top Travel Specialist for her expertise.
How long have you worked in travel?
Since I was 18 and worked a summer season on the French west coast for a self-drive holiday specialist. It was hard work - living in a tent from March to September and carrying gas bottles to clients. It did set me up for my travel career, however. Dealing with a staff member being knocked off his bike and needing surgery, a huge storm that flattened most of the tents on site still with sleeping clients in them and one of our staff tents catching fire all introduced me to disaster management at an early stage of my career.
What do you never travel without?
A really good book, it can keep you company on long flights and rail journeys, and transport you to sleep after a busy day of exploring. I also always download Google Translate and try and learn a few phrases such as please and thank you.
What would you wish you had with you if you were stranded on a desert island for six months and why? You can choose a luxury and something practical.
Luxury – a pillow, I’m super grumpy if I don’t get a good night’s sleep hence steering clear of nights under canvas now unless it is in a proper bed. Practical - it would be a fishing line. I could eat fish all day long, although I’d have to learn to fish pretty quickly!
If you could travel with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
The French archaeologist Christiane Desroches Noblecourt, she was the woman who spearheaded the movement of Ramses II temple at Abu Simbel when the Aswan High Dam was built. Her fascinating life from being the first woman to direct an excavation in Egypt, her time working at the Louvre in Paris.
What is your most memorable travel moment?
Snowmobiling over a frozen lake to Aurora Safari Camp in Sweden – it was over pristine, deep snow, not a sound and really exhilarating with hot bilberry juice and warm fika upon arrival. Also driving the Trollstigen in Norway with its myriad of switchbacks and cascading waterfalls.
What was your worst travel disaster?
I once missed a flight in Normandy and then got lost trying to find my hotel. To make things worse, our car broke down and I had no phone signal. I had to resort to an impromptu dinner at a local restaurant where I ate all their crisps!
What’s your secret hidden gem (such as a little bookshop, restaurant, café, little-known museum/gallery, artisan shop)?
There is a restaurant in Florence – Osteria del Cinghale Bianco – which sits on the river of the Oltrano district in a 14th century tower. It’s the kind of place where you might rub shoulders with the city’s oldest families whilst dining on wild boar (hence the name, which translates to The Wild Boar Inn). Stanley Tucci is a fan!
What’s the most unusual client request you’ve received and were you able to fulfil it?
It has to be being asked to organise an impromptu picnic on the frozen landscapes of Iceland. We planned it all down to the location, food on offer and new swimsuits to use for a dip in the natural thermal pools.
Have you won any awards or been recognised for a specific achievement?
Conde Nast US Top Travel Specialist - Italy, Greece and Croatia
Town & Country Magazine – Best Travel Planner for Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom.
If you hadn’t worked in travel what would you have liked to have done?
Work within the Heritage sector – I really admire the lengths that dedicated historians and visitor experiences teams at English Heritage and National Trust go to, in order to preserve our nation’s national monuments and landscapes. I’d be a conservator with my special vacuum cleaner and gloves.
If you could retire to anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
It has to be somewhere I can speak the language so, Italy, France, Spain in that order I think. I’d need a great coffee shop nearby and a wonderful market.
Favourite book(s) and why?
Anything by Dan Brown - I can picture the places that Robert Langdon discovered. Alternatively, something by Colette or Marcel Pagnol – Le Ble en Herbe or Le Chateau de Ma Mere. They remind me of learning about France at school and my first few holidays in glorious chateaux and the landscapes of Provence.
