Lou started learning foreign languages and cultures at secondary school and has not looked back since. Her Italian and Spanish studies at Durham University took her to Rome and Lugo for a year abroad, jumping at every opportunity to travel the continent. After graduation, she began venturing further afield – from Barbados to Bolivia. There, Lou worked with a charity, together with a team of British and Bolivian volunteers in the dizzying heights of La Paz.
Upon returning to the UK, Lou worked in international development – supporting local organisations in Latin America and Africa. Her work took her to Peru and Ethiopia respectively, prolonging her trips for more extensive exploration once she had finished her project visits. As such, she is particularly passionate about Wild Frontiers’ commitment to Responsible Travel.
Always reading travel articles and planning her next itinerary, Lou decided to pursue a career in tourism full-time. Initially, Lou organised small-group tours across Europe – broadening her portfolio to more far-flung destinations when she joined Wild Frontiers in early 2019. Whilst she operates tours across the globe, her main regions are Central Asia and Latin America.
BEST TRAVEL MOMENTS
Q: Favourite city:
A: I find Istanbul hard to beat as it is so close to the UK and yet vastly different - straddling the continents of Asia and Europe. I’d need an entire blog for my recommendations, but haggling in Grand Baazar, enjoying panoramic views from Galata Tower, and simply being in Sultanahmet Square for call to prayer is a good start!
Q: Favourite country:
A: If I don’t say Mexico, it will end in divorce haha. Luckily, it is a worthy winner – having travelled extensively to visit my husband’s side of the family and even tying the knot there. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, many a pueblo mágico and picture-postcard beaches, this colourful country will never get old!
Q: Favourite meal:
A: I love a good feed, so this is a rather tricky question for me to say the least! Narrowing it down to a country, it would be a real struggle to find a bad meal in Japan. Throughout your time there, you can walk into the most unassuming place and have your favourite dish over and over. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki was fun, curry in Kyoto divine and, of course, sushi in the capital.
Q: Most memorable journey:
A: This would have to be South Africa and not just because we snuck this trip in right before a global lockdown!? Highlights included road tripping along the Garden Route, spotting the Big Five on safari in Kruger and a very thought-provoking tour of Robben Island. It really was the definition of a trip of a lifetime!
Q: Favourite travel advice:
A: Travel pillows are your friends, especially for those long drives in-country.
Q: Next on must-see list:
A: I’ve ticked off 40+ countries, but I am missing the biggie that is India. I operate tours to the south of the country, and the Kerala Backwaters look and sound oh so dreamy! The must-see list only grows – whether I’m chatting with fellow travellers on holiday or our lovely clients at work…