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Jo Coolen

Lovely to meet you

For a long time, I've told people I have the best job in the world and I still stand by that. 

What could be better than turning peoples dreams into reality? I never know what the day will bring and isn't variety the spice of life? 

My travel journey started a bit later in my life, so I haven't been everywhere YET, but I am having a damn good crack at it, gathering local knowledge along the way. 

Jo


My favourite holiday memories

Creating better holidays 

Whatever your travel dreams, I will work with you to create the best holiday possible. The holidays I specialise in include:

  • Adventure - "Almost adventure" travel - I'm no marathon runner, but I have really enjoyed doing a few bike and barge trips. The biking allows you to interact with locals in some wee villages that you would otherwise not have access to. I also did a week long self-drive Vespa tour in Puglia (the heel of the boot, Italy) - AMAZING!!!!
  • Small Ship Cruising - Small ship cruising has so much to offer, get closer to the action, with less need for a tender vessel. This also usually means more time in the destination.
  • Group Travel - Small group travel is my absolute passion. Relaxed starts, longer stays delving a bit deeper into a destination. Mixing with the locals, hearing their stories, eating the cuisine from their area. Getting a real feel for the place, not just a "selfie" stop.
  • Cycling
  • Hiking Walking
  • Coach Touring
  • Expedition Cruising
  • Ocean Cruising
  • River Cruising
  • Couples Travel
  • Luxury Travel
  • Road Trips
  • Solo Travel

Where I have travelled to

ASIA: China | Hong Kong | India/Nepal/Bhutan | Japan | Malaysia/Borneo | Maldives | Singapore | Sri Lanka | Thailand | Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos
AUSTRALIA: Adelaide, South Australia | Brisbane | Gold Coast | Hobart, Tasmania | Melbourne, Victoria | Sunshine Coast | Sydney, New South Wales
NORTH AMERICA: Hawai`i 
SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina | Brazil
SOUTH PACIFIC: Fiji | Niue | Rarotonga, Cook Islands | Samoa | Tonga 
UK/EUROPE: Austria | Belgium | Croatia | Czech Republic | Denmark | Germany | Hungary | England | France | Italy | Netherlands | Norway/Finland | Poland | Spain/Portugal | Switzerland

What my customers have to say

My travel stories

Postcard from Southern Italy & More

Southern Italy & More, August 2022.

Our group of 6 friends started off on a custom built adventure to Europe. 

After a few nights in London, Paris and Florence we headed to the Amalfi Coast, where we did usual visits, Pompeii, Capri, Positano, but also got off the beaten track & had a private cooking class on a local farm, complete with homemade limoncello..... "delissimo". 

Postcard from Kerala

What a better way to navigate the waterways of Southern India than on a converted rice barge! 


Awards & qualifications

  • New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4
  • Cruise Line International Association
  • South Australia Specialist