Meet The Team
Why choose Travel Differently? Every member of our team has a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the travel industry; from the luxury market, adventure travel, to flight specialists. We are passionate about travel, especially doing things differently and designing holidays that are more responsible, ethical and sustainable. We love speaking to guests about their holiday, seeing their travel photos and talking through trip highlights. We are especially proud of our customer reviews which highlight our commitment to world class service with no detail too small. Between us, there isn’t much of the world we haven’t covered, and we’re excited to plan your holiday of a lifetime.
SAM GOUGH
Founder
I have been in the industry since 2007, arranging amazing travel experiences; including several years managing teams of luxury adventure travel experts at London based Imagine Travel and Scott Dunn. Using my wealth of experience and passion about all things South America, coupled with burning desire to create a more meaningful and sustainable form of tourism, I launched Travel Differently with my network of ethically-focused partners, in 2021. I take enormous pride in having had such consistent feedback and reviews from our many hundreds of guests, many of them who have gone on to book more holidays with us, and are truly part of the Travel differently family.
Favourite Lodges
– Explora Atacama, Chile
– Virunga Lodge, Rwanda
– Jawaii Leopard Camp, India
Top Travel Moments
– That first glimpse of mesmerising Machu Picchu, Peru
– Meeting the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda
– Snorkelling with Whale Sharks in Baja California, Mexico
SINEAD SOMERS
Latin America Expert
I have worked in the industry for over 12 years, starting from the very start as an intern, to admin support, then becoming a top sales consultant, to managing an entire sales team at one of the UK’s largest tour operators. My role at Travel Differently is where I’m happiest; designing amazing and unique trips for guests who want to do things differently. In recent years I’ve gravitated towards more active trips; mountains, scenery and trekking. I’ve been lucky enough to undertake some of the most iconic hikes in Latin America, from The Salkantay Trek in Peru, to the challenging Lost City Trek in Colombia, and summiting incredible volcanoes in Guatemala. I enjoy longer, slower, immersive travel, akin to the Travel differently ethos, meaning I head back to South America for several months of the year to really get under the skin of a country.
Favourite Lodges
– Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Brazil
– Tierra Patagonia, Chile
– Garonga Camp, South Africa
Top Travel Moments
– Seeing Fuego volcano erupting with lava at sunrise in Guatemala
– Swimming with penguins in the Galapagos
– Flying over Teotihuacan at sunrise in a hot air balloon
Scarlett Bell
Latin America Expert
I’ve been in the travel industry since 2013, specialising in luxury and experiential journeys across Latin America- a continent I simply can’t get enough of. The more I explore, the more I realise how much there is still to discover. From its vibrant cultures and rich traditions to its dramatic landscapes and incredible food, Latin America is a region made for meaningful travel. My background spans sales, marketing, and product development at two of the UK’s leading luxury tour operators. I’m now proud to be part of the Travel Differently family, where I get to create tailor-made holidays that not only leave lasting memories but also make a genuine positive impact on the places and communities we visit.
Favourite Lodges
– Tierra Patagonia, Chile
– Playa Cativo, Costa Rica
– Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador
Top Travel Moments
– Sitting on my private terrace at dawn, high above the Osa Peninsular in Costa Rica, hearing monkeys birds all around me
– Seeing a pod of Orca whales swim alongside our ship in Antarctic Peninsular
– Hiking to the Base of La Torres in Torres del Paine, Chile
Grace Simpkin
Operations Executive
I’ve been in the travel industry since 2012, initially working with clients to arrange personal and corporate trips while managing teams of consultants. Over time, I transitioned into an Operations Support role, handling finances and administration to support the smooth running of the business. Outside of work, I’ve made it a priority to travel the world extensively. I’ve been fortunate to explore many countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Uzbekistan, Colombia, and Ecuador, among others. These travel experiences have broadened my perspective and deepened my passion for the travel industry, and I look forward to bring together everything I have learnt and experienced, to help take Travel Differently to the next level.
Favourite Lodges
– Nicky Amazon Lodge, Ecuador
– Oyado Koto No Yume ryokan, Takayama
– Dar Jameel guesthouse, Morocco
Top Travel Moments
– Hiking up Franz Joseph glacier in New Zealand
– Seeing pink dolphins in The Amazon, Ecuador
– Climbing to the top of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka
HOLLY BRIGHTWELL
Marketing
Over the last 14 years I’ve worked in a range of roles in the luxury and adventure travel world, at several of the market-leading operators. From marketing to sales, specialising in South East Asia, North America, and the Indian-subcontinent. My love of travel came from a last minute change of plan to hop on a small boat from Malaysia to a little known Island in Thailand. I had never experienced anywhere so unique and beautiful…the food, the smells, the colors the water, the people…from that point there was no going back. I unashamedly prefer a more 5* way to travel, opting for luxury-lodges over hostels, so a job in luxury tailor-made travel was the perfect fit. I’m thrilled to be part of the Travel Differently family; to pool everything we have all learnt and experienced into something fulfilling and meaningful. An independently-run travel company that puts the environment and local people first. To design things differently; to travel greener, slower, fairer… and better.
Favourite Lodges
– Gangtey Lodge, Bhutan
– Patagonia Camp, Chile
Top Travel Moments
– Paddleboarding alongside sea turtles in The Galapagos Islands
– Galloping on horse back after a few Chilean wines on an Estancia in Patagonia, Chile
– Waving goodbye to Bhutan from the plane and noticing we were flying over Everest…wow
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
- We only work with trusted, hand-picked partners
- Every holiday is thoughtfully crafted to ensure a positive impact
- Our tours & experiences are unique, memorable & immersive
- We work with certified & respected local guides & drivers
- Judge us by the company we keep. Read more here
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to