"Thursday's child has far to go' - starting my life in Sri Lanka and never looking back you could all say it started on a Thursday, many moons ago!"
About me
A child of ex-pat parents, I have lived all over the world with a particular emphasis on Hong Kong, Switzerland and in more recent years France, Australia, Vietnam and South Africa. I adore Europe, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. Having sailed up the coast of Australia and across the South Pacific for two years, driven through Italy and France where I have a house, explored countries in Africa, wandered through Burma, India and Cambodia, I love the excitement of new experiences and different cultures. With a family living in Switzerland I am happiest with blue skies and fresh snow when not exploring far flung destinations – the more unusual the better! Next on the wish list – to see the Gorillas and the Northern Lights – not together!
Favourite places I've been
Australia – enormous skies, sparkling seas, spectacular cities, great wine and food
Vietnam – exotic food, vibrant scenery, rice paddies, Hill Tribes in Sapa, Junks on Halong Bay
Burma – mist over the Irawaddy, golden temples, gentle people, stunning scenery, peaceful monks
India – rich historical heritage, amazing monuments, tigers, jungles and beaches, fragrant spices, huge smiles
Africa – Majestic animals in Botswana and Tanzania, startling scenery, Namibian star studded skies, extraordinary experiences, campfires at night and winelands of South Africa, the sunny Cape
Bali – exquisite dancers, frangipani and palms, stunning beaches, friendly people and wonderful food
Cambodia – mesmerising temples, smiling people, a cacophony of sound, exotic food, lotus blossom and water lilies
Morocco – clashing colours, souks and mountains, spicy delicacies and music and light
France – vineyards of Burgundy to the lavender of Provence. Spires and rivers, yachts and windmills – fabulous food
Italy – sunsets over sonombulent vineyeards, Cypress trees and ocre coloured villages, gondolas and mountains, Rome, islands and truffles
Switzerland – Cuckoo clocks and trains, sparkling lakes and icy mountains, great food and fine wine
USA – California dreamin’, great lakes of the North, New York New York, Vermont in the fall and spectacular scenery
Travel nuggets
01. The Cow Dust Tour at the Amanbagh in Rajasthan – the perfect end to a perfect day
02. The 360 degree Bar beside the Burj Arab in Dubai – watching the sun set over the water with a perfect Martini
03. Your own bottle of champagne on the Statton Island Ferry watching the dawn light up the Statue of Liberty
04. A helicopter over the Eiger and eight hours skiing down a pristine glacier in the sunshine
05. Discovering baby leopards that had just been born at Londolozi by dawn’s first light
My hot picks
Le Rocher in Val d’Isère – the chalet that ‘rocks’! Simply unique in every way!
The Amanbagh in Rajasthan – tranquillity, beauty and fascinating surroundings. The valley is magical, the hotel is divine and sitting having dinner on their terrace with a sky full of stars overhead and the lights shining through the trees and gardens as you dine on delicate Indian cuisine surrounded by rose petals and flickering candlelight is a wonderful experience.
Bamurru Plains in the Northern Territory – the end of the world with a twist - fabulous food, sublime views and a helicopter trip over Kakadu is hard to beat as are the dawn fan tail boat trips skimming like a dragon fly over the lotus flower fields of water, gliding silently through the paperbark forest and watching sea eagles soar overhead in cloudless azure skies…
Bora Bora - full of magic, cerulean seas, white powder beaches, soaring palms and Gauginesque sunsets blending a riot of colour into endless skies. Truly a piece of paradise lost in the South Pacific.
What my guests have said
"Thanks so much for your email and kind wishes and for your help and to all the team in resort for their efforts. You have all been amazing! What started off as such a good week sadly went down hill (please excuse the pun!) but the whole saga was made so much more bearable thanks to the care and attention lavished on us by all at Scott Dunn. I don't know what we'd have done without you all."
"It has taken me a few days, but I just wanted to say thank you for the week in Val and to you for your help. I have not necessarily noticed in years past that there was a disconnect between London and the resorts, but what I have noticed since you have taken over looking after us is that everything is definitely now connected and I appreciate now how important that is to the overall experience."
"We had a really good time. Certainly plan on going back to Sri Lanka! Jules suggestion of leaving India and going to luxury for Xmas in Sri Lanka was spot on! Thanks."
"Great knowledge, support and recommendations. Thank you.‘Jules has been fantastic and worked tirelessly to organise our holiday…"
"Absolutely thrilled we got this all booked so painlessly. Thank you all so much."
"Thank you so much Jules. You are an absolute godsend to us! :-)"
"Wow!!! You definitely impress me!!!!! Thanks ever so much. Will keep you posted!"
