Meet the Distant Journeys Team

Simon has over 30 years of experience in the industry and co-founded Distant Journeys in 2014.

Having first visited nearly 20 years ago, Simon’s favourite destination to travel to is Australia, thanks to its fantastic outdoor lifestyle, quality food and drink, and friendly people. On his days off, Simon enjoys long walks with his family and when not watching his children play sports, he enjoys playing a round of golf.

What Simon says about working for Distant Journeys –

“I take great pride in reading through customer questionnaires and realising we’ve played a part in creating a holiday of a lifetime.”

Dan joined the team in May 2024, bringing almost 25 years of experience in the travel industry to Distant Journeys, having held senior leadership and board positions with several tour operators.

As Managing Director, he’s responsible for setting the direction of the business, leading growth, and creating the conditions for the team to thrive, all while ensuring we continue to deliver once in a lifetime experiences for our customers.

When it comes to travel, Dan loves destinations that offer real contrasts and authenticity – Japan and South Africa being firm favourites. Away from work, he’s a self-proclaimed movie geek, a keen podcast listener, and a padel enthusiast. He also enjoys live music with his partner, and at home, his teenage daughters have been well and truly introduced to his character-building ‘dad rock’ playlists.

What Dan says about working for Distant Journeys –

“For me, it’s about connecting with remarkable people – the passionate team I’m lucky to work alongside every day, our valued partners across the world, and of course, the customers who trust us to deliver their journeys of a lifetime.”

Lee is our Head of Operations, and has worked for Distant Journeys since 2014 and has over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry under his belt. While working as an overseas representative, Lee lived in Egypt, and has since been back multiple times. The culture, people, and food are what entices Lee back year after year, and of course the scuba diving too! When at home, Lee loves to watch movies, spend time with his wife and daughter, watching the football, and pumping iron at the gym. Scuba diving is close to Lee’s heart, but he won’t go anywhere in the UK, it’s too cold!

What Lee says about working for Distant Journeys –

“Working at Distant Journeys truly feels like a family. Everyone is close with each other, meaning lots of laughs are shared, and the team offer support to each other to ensure that everyone gives their best.”

Liz has worked at Distant Journeys since July of 2018, with over 30 years of experience working in the travel industry, with the past 20 years working in product development. Travelling is a big part of Liz’s job, travelling to new destinations to find the right itinerary fit to allow the best experience for our customers. Liz says picking her favourite place to travel is too hard! Her favourite city is Rome whilst loving Asia for the culture and food. New Zealand & Australia are also very special places. At home, Liz enjoys walking her dog Hector with her partner Wayne, weekends away in her new campervan, spending time at her allotment and making a homemade curry.

What Liz says about working for Distant Journeys –

“It’s a growing and friendly team that feels like family, and is made up of people who are not only passionate and knowledgeable about the countries we sell, but they also have a great ethos and commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience.”

Our Head of Marketing, Kayley, joined the team in 2023 bringing with her over 15 years of experience. Kayley’s love for travel was kick-started whilst backpacking across Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand after university, and she was then fortunate enough to see more of the world during her professional life too, working for various tour operators and hoteliers. Kayley’s husband is of Portuguese descent and they regularly holiday there with their two boys. Kayley is most happy building sandcastles on Burgau beach (Burgau is a little fishing village on the Algarve) before enjoying some grilled sardines and chilled Vinho Verde.

What Kayley says about working for Distant Journeys –

“It’s amazing to see the team growing and the company going from strength to strength. I’m really enjoying being part of the journey and sharing in all the energy and excitement as we keep moving forward. I absolutely love coming into work every day. Our customers are at the forefront of what we do and everyone cares deeply about the role they play in making their holidays the best they can be.”

Julia is our Head of People and joined the team in 2023. She leads the people strategy at Distant Journeys and focuses on attracting, developing, and supporting employees while building a positive workplace culture that enables everyone to thrive.

Her favourite places to visit are South Africa, having lived there for two years, and Yunnan Province in China after spending 4 years as an expat in the country. Julia is also a big fan of Lapland: “Visiting Santa Claus at home, deep in the forest after searching for 3 days on huskies, reindeer sleighs and skidoos. It was quite possibly the most magical moment as a parent seeing my kids’ faces and I’ll admit, even I believed!” She recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Borneo, where seeing orangutans swinging gracefully through the rainforest was a truly magical experience.

In her spare time Julia loves to travel, spend time with her family, walk her Double Doodle Marnie, and even enjoy a game or two of Badminton!

What Julia says about working for Distant Journeys –

“Here at Distant Journeys, we are a company that has a positive working culture and ethos. The team is professional, happy and committed and that’s a fantastic foundation for any business!”

Louise joined Distant Journeys in December 2024 as Head of Service Delivery, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the travel industry.

Her role includes overseeing the Operations, Customer Care, and Reservations Teams to ensure the company consistently delivers the very best end-to-end experience for both customers and partners.

A lifelong travel enthusiast, Louise has explored South Africa, the Maldives, the Caribbean, and much of Europe. She recently went on our Very Best of Sri Lanka tour and got to experience everything the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ has to offer. Her next adventure will take her to the Middle East to visit her daughter, who teaches there.

Outside of work, Louise enjoys swimming and spending time with her two children and her ‘third child’. Kobi – a lovable German Shepherd-Newfoundland cross.

What Louise says about working for Distant Journeys –
“My colleagues have blown me away with their passion, experience and knowledge. It’s a privilege to work with a team that truly goes the extra mile to create amazing experiences.”

Alex has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years and has been with Distant Journeys since we began in 2015. Alex specialises in all of the destinations on offer, as well as all of our stopovers. India is her favourite place to visit due to the historical and spiritual experiences available throughout the country, paired with an eclectic mix of sights, sounds, and smells. In her free time, you can find Alex at the cinema watching Sci-Fi movies, or walking around the local reservoirs with her friends.

What Alex says about working for Distant Journeys –

“Being part of such a welcoming team is really important as we are all friends, so it makes for a great working atmosphere. I also feel very privileged that I’m able to assist our clients with their holidays of a lifetime to our wonderful destinations.”

Sarah has been working in the travel industry for over 16 years, and joined the Distant Journeys team in 2015. When travelling, wherever Sarah is in the world is always her favourite place, although a recent trip to Dubrovnik filled with warm sunshine, history, friendly people, and great food and wine was a memorable experience. Sarah is also a fan of travel documentaries, and credits Michael Palin’s Around the World in Eighty Days series for igniting her love of travel. At home with her partner and cats, she loves solving cryptic crosswords and anything that exercises her mind, although we can’t say the same for her taste in TV…

What Sarah says about working for Distant Journeys –

“I love talking to our customers about our wonderful escorted tours. Helping them book what is often their holiday of a lifetime is an exciting experience, and I love to share that excitement with our customers.”

Tom joined Distant Journeys in December 2023, bringing over eight years of experience in the travel industry. As a Product Manager, he works closely with expert partners across the globe to design exceptional escorted tours that capture the very best of each destination.

A true Italophile, Tom is endlessly inspired by Italy’s rich history, mouthwatering cuisine, and diverse landscapes – from sun-soaked coastlines to snow-capped peaks. He also enjoyed his recent trip to Kenya, where he was captivated by its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the warmth of the people he met along the way.

Away from work, he’s an avid music enthusiast with an ever-growing vinyl collection, and at weekends you’ll often find him in the kitchen, cooking something ambitious (and occasionally successful!). A loyal Fulham fan, he describes himself as “ever hopeful” for their next big win.

What Tom says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I enjoy working with such driven and creative individuals, all striving towards one common goal.”

Helen brings several years of experience across the travel and tourism industry, spanning hospitality events, UK coach holidays, and supplier partnerships in the cruise sector. 

A keen traveller, Helen’s favourite long-haul destination is South Africa, which combines her love of wildlife and wine in equal measure. Closer to home, she adores Austria in the summer – its stunning lakes and mountain trails make it a true hiker’s paradise.

Outside of work, Helen enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring the local countryside and spending time with her cat, Bean – affectionately known as the grumpiest feline around!

What Helen says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I’m really looking forward to helping create unforgettable travel experiences
for our customers and supporting Distant Journeys as it continues to go from
strength to strength.”

Sara joined Distant Journeys in March 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Her travel career began as a Tour Leader escorting groups across Southeast Asia, before progressing through operations and product roles with several leading tour operators.

As Product Manager, Sara works closely with local partners across Asia to design our escorted tours, curating the very best itineraries, authentic experiences, and hand-picked accommodation for our guests – as well as heading out on inspection trips to ensure every detail meets our high standards.

A passionate traveller and self-confessed foodie, Sara loves exploring new destinations and cuisines. Her favourite destination is Asia, a region she finds endlessly fascinating for its rich diversity, colour, and culture.

What Sara says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love that everyone here genuinely cares about the quality of each tour and
the experience our customers have.”

Kath recently joined Distant Journeys with over 25 years’ experience in the travel industry. She brings extensive knowledge of crafting exceptional holidays, from managing touring programmes to curating unique group experiences. 

She oversees the development of tours across Australia, New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka – destinations she’s passionate about for their culture and diversity. A favourite trip of hers was exploring Sri Lanka and the Maldives, a perfect mix of adventure, nature and relaxation. 

Outside work, Kathryn keeps active and proudly earned her black belt in karate at 49, alongside her husband.  

What Kath says about working for Distant Journeys –

“It’s a company with a real family feel, where everyone truly cares about the quality of our holidays. I love being part of a team that shares such passion for travel.” 

Paul brings several years of experience in the travel industry to his role, having worked for many years as a Product Manager creating escorted tours. He has a lifelong passion for travel, which has inspired his career choice – one that allows him to combine his love of exploring with creating unforgettable experiences for others. A self-confessed unworshipper, Paul’s favourite destinations include Colombia and Jordan, while his recent adventures have involved a 10-day European road trip visiting theme parks in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands with his son, Jacob. Away from work, he enjoys following football and exploring new places, whether for sport or sunshine.

What Paul says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I’m happy to join such a motivated team, delivering award-winning holidays
that make people’s dreams come true.”

Caroline brings over 15 years of travel industry experience to her role as Product Support Manager. Her career has taken her from hotel reservations and sales to Product Management, where she’s specialised in destinations across Asia, Canada and Central and South America. At Distant Journeys, Caroline ensures everything behind the scenes runs smoothly so Product Managers can focus on developing new and exciting tours. She also oversees brochure production from a product perspective, keeping each edition on track. A passionate traveller and self-confessed foodie, Caroline loves discovering destinations through their cuisine – with Vietnam among her favourites for its incredible flavours. Away from work, she enjoys hiking, cycling and house-sitting adventures across the UK. 

What Caroline says about working for Distant Journeys –
“The team are super friendly and always happy to help, and I love being part of
a company that helps more people see the world.”

Ellie joined Distant Journeys in 2024, bringing six years of copywriting experience. Passionate about storytelling, she brings destinations to life through words – inspiring, informing, and guiding customers with engaging content across brochures, blogs, and our 'Journeys' magazine. From crafting vivid destination guides to offering practical travel tips, Ellie helps ensure every customer’s journey feels exciting before it even begins.

One of Ellie’s favourite destinations so far is Morocco, where she enjoyed exploring the vibrant souks of Marrakech. Sri Lanka and South Africa are next on her travel wish list. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing at home with her boyfriend and cats, Gus and Gizmo, often curled up by the fire with a good historical fiction novel.

What Ellie says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love writing about the incredible destinations we travel to and learning about the world’s most fascinating countries. The team truly cares about creating unforgettable experiences for our customers.”

Riah joined Distant Journeys two years ago and plays a key role in helping our guests book their holidays and answering any questions to ensure every journey runs smoothly. Passionate about creating unforgettable experiences, she takes great pride in helping customers plan the trips of their dreams.

One of the most incredible places Riah has ever visited is Iceland – from chasing the Northern Lights to relaxing in natural thermal baths, she found its breathtaking scenery and peaceful atmosphere truly magical. More recently, she joined our Essential Australia tour, describing it as an unforgettable experience filled with unique wildlife, fascinating culture, and stunning coastal landscapes.

Outside of work, Riah enjoys running, taking on 5k events and charity challenges, as well as spending time with friends and family.

What Riah says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love speaking to different people every day and helping them plan holidays they’ll remember forever.”

Denise brings extensive hospitality and travel experience to her role as Reservations Team Lead. Passionate about creating unforgettable journeys, she loves sharing her own travel stories, from her years living in the United States to her recent Very Best of China tour, to inspire customers and help turn their holiday dreams into reality.

Denise joined the team two years ago, bringing extensive hospitality and travel experience to her role as Reservations Team Lead. With a background in hotel management across the UK and the US, and in leading reservations, sales, and customer service teams for a luxury cruise company, she now supports customers and colleagues to ensure every journey begins with
exceptional service.

What Denise says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love helping customers’ travel dreams and adventures come true. I especially enjoy speaking with customers about China and sharing my experiences with the team to help grow their knowledge.”

Jamie is our Operations Executive and has worked at Distant Journeys since 2022. His job focus is preparing travel documents for our customers as well as providing necessary travel requirements. Jamie’s favourite place to visit is the Canary Islands due to the scenery and food as well as the vast number of different activities – with his favourite being water sports. In Jamie’s free time he likes to watch football (especially Everton) and occasionally plays football. He enjoys playing video games and spending quality time with his girlfriend, watching Netflix and going on days out.

What Jamie says about working for Distant Journeys –

“The great thing about our team is that we are all hardworking and love having a good laugh. Everyone has a great work ethic and are committed to providing customers with the holiday of a lifetime.”

Vania is one of our Reservation Consultants and has been with us since October 2022. Vania helps our customers with any enquiries relating to tours and destinations, while also assisting with bookings and providing exceptional service!

Vania has previous experience in the hospitality sector, having worked for a 4-star Deluxe hotel in Mayfair for over 3 years. She started her career as an Office Assistant, working her way up to become Assistant Manager. Vania knows hotel operations inside and out – and believes choosing the right hotel is an essential part of any holiday.

One of Vania’s favourite destinations to visit is her beloved hometown of Porto. She also loves to explore seaside towns, discovering remote beaches to relax on and enjoy the soothing sounds of the sea. Recently, she experienced our Magnificent New Zealand tour and was captivated by its breathtaking landscapes and the warmth of the people she met along the way.

What Vania says about working for Distant Journeys –

“Distant Journeys has an incredibly supportive and experienced team. Everyday is an exciting journey in itself. I will also have the opportunity to help our customers with booking their dream holiday, which is very rewarding for me.”

Jack has been part of the Distant Journeys team for over a year, helping customers book their holidays and ensuring every experience runs seamlessly from start to finish. 

Recently, Jack travelled on our Golden Triangle and Ranthambore tour and was blown away by the contrasts of India – from the breathtaking Taj Mahal to the excitement of spotting tigers on safari. For him, sharing a traditional meal in a Jaipur family home was the perfect way to experience local hospitality.

Outside of work, Jack enjoys spending time with his children, swimming and gaming. His fun fact is that he collects glasses from all Hard Rock Cafes he visits around the world. It started as a child and just never stopped.  Now he has 7! 

What Jack says about working for Distant Journeys –

“Building relationships and rapport with employees and customers of all backgrounds is what I enjoy most about Distant Journeys.”

Laura joined Distant Journeys two years ago and is an integral part of our Reservations Team, ensuring every customer receives exceptional support from the moment they get in touch. As Reservations Team Leader, she assists both customers and colleagues alike, helping with queries and providing guidance to ensure every booking runs smoothly.

Laura has embraced the travel industry wholeheartedly, finding great satisfaction in helping to create unforgettable holidays for our customers. Having recently experienced our Canyon Spirit extension in the USA, she was captivated by the striking beauty of Moab and the warmth of Glenwood Springs – destinations that left a lasting impression.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to concerts and the theatre, and has a lifelong love of country music – long before it became ‘cool’.

What Laura says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love being part of such a supportive, passionate team that is always taking on customer feedback and improving.”

Amelia is our Digital Marketing Executive and has been with us since 2022. Her main job is developing campaigns via digital channels like social media, email, and web content.

Amelia’s favourite holiday destination is New York, which she visited at Christmas – the most magical time of year. More recently, she travelled on our Highlights of Southern India itinerary, where she fell in love with the charm and character of the French Quarters in Pondicherry and the tea plantations stretching as far as the eye could see. In her spare time, Amelia enjoys socialising with friends over dinner and wine, binge-watching Netflix series, and indulging in a little retail therapy.

What Amelia says about working for Distant Journeys –

“I am learning something new every day at Distant Journeys. Together we are passionate at delivering our clients a once in a lifetime experience.”

Angela joined Distant Journeys in 2024, bringing over 30 years of travel industry experience to her role. Throughout her career, she’s held a variety of positions in the industry, from Reservations Consultant to Customer Care Manager, all shaping her deep understanding of exceptional service & customer care.

As Customer Operations Manager, Angela and her team support customers throughout their journey, ensuring every holiday runs smoothly from start to finish. Dedicated to maintaining high levels of satisfaction and operational efficiency, she takes great pride in helping create experiences that customers treasure long after they return home.

Her favourite destination so far is Thailand, where she loved exploring Khao Sok National Park and its dramatic limestone cliffs. Outside of work, Angela enjoys spending time with her family – and her three much-loved French Bulldogs – and catching up with friends over coffee or bottomless brunch.

What Angela says about working for Distant Journeys –
“I love being part of a team so passionate about creating holidays that truly exceed our customers’ expectations.”