The Professional Traveller – 37 Years Travel Experience
🙋 Hi There – I’m Melanie
I’ve been travelling for work for over 37 years. I’ve taken over 10,500 people on holidays all over the world. Now I help people to plan and book their own trips, through my trip reports or as an independent travel agent.
Real Trips, Real Reviews, Real Expertise
Get insider travel tips from a former Tour Director who’s guided 10,500+ travellers through 40+ countries
No AI content – just real experiences from real trips
Independent reviews – no paid for reviews or content
Genuine recommendations – I only recommend things I use and know myself
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Start Here
Find real reviews, reports and guides to help inspire and plan your next trip
Travel Essentials
All my tried and tested travel gear – everything I use when I travel
Invergordon Port
Excursion reviews, how to get to Loch Ness, things to do – all you need for your visit
The Professional Traveller – Quick Overiew
Travel Experience
+37 yrs
Number of Guests
+10,500
Countries I’ve Worked
40+
Website Seen By
+4 million year
Website Clicks
+75k year
Website Words
450k (all mine)
Media and Press Coverage
Private Eye – 24th January Edition Page 16
Want To Some Travel Inspiration?
Click on any of the countries and head to my travel guides all based on my own trips including travel costs, getting there, getting around, where to stay, things to do – everything you need
My Testimonials
Here are a couple of testimonials from private tour and touring holiday clients
Find All My Latest Blog Posts Here
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Are Airport Lounges Worth It? Here’s How to Work It Out
Are you thinking of using an airport lounge? Airport lounges can be better value than eating and drinking in the public area of the airport, but that depends on how often you plan to use lounges, whether you buy access as you go or through a membership scheme, and if you will be travelling with… Read More »Are Airport Lounges Worth It? Here’s How to Work It Out
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10 Reasons You Should Stay At Busta House Hotel in Shetland
I am lucky enough to have stayed at the lovely Busta House Hotel a number of times when taking tour groups to Shetland. It’s my favourite hotel on Shetland, and one of my favourite hotels anywhere. Here are 10 reasons you should stay at the Busta House Hotel too. Busta House Hotel 1. Busta House… Read More »10 Reasons You Should Stay At Busta House Hotel in Shetland
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Is Inverness Worth Visiting? It’s a Great Base For Exploring
If you are wondering whether Inverness is worth visiting then the answer is yes. Inverness is a great base from which you can easily explore lots of the surrounding areas. Read on for what you need to know about visiting Inverness 👇 Is Inverness Worth Visiting? Inverness is the capital of the Highlands of Scotland.… Read More »Is Inverness Worth Visiting? It’s a Great Base For Exploring
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Top Hotels in Inverness – Find Your Favourite Easily
Looking for a locals guide to hotels in Inverness? I’ve been in the Highlands for over 20 years and I’ve stayed at most of the hotels listed. Check out my guide to find the best hotel for your needs. I’ve sorted hotels into categories to help you find yours quickly; Looking for Hotels in Inverness?… Read More »Top Hotels in Inverness – Find Your Favourite Easily
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Is Budapest Worth Visiting? Yes It’s an Interesting City
Have you been considering a visit to Budapest? It’s somewhere that had been on my travel list for many years! I travelled there as a solo female traveller and spent a couple of nights exploring the city. Read on for details of my experience and to see whether it’s the city for you. Is Budapest… Read More »Is Budapest Worth Visiting? Yes It’s an Interesting City
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Budapest Travel Guide – All You Need to Plan Your Trip
Are you thinking of visiting Budapest? It’s a great city and somewhere that I had wanted to go for a very long time, but had never made it so far during my 36 year travel career. Budapest sits at the heart of Europe and it sits astride the beautiful Danube river, with Buda on one… Read More »Budapest Travel Guide – All You Need to Plan Your Trip
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12 Tips for Travelling Well Wherever You Go
Do you like to enjoy happy travel? Do you want to leave a little trail of smiles wherever you go and spread a bit of love and positivity? Then check out this list of ways you can ensure you are travelling well. Travelling Well 1. Learn a Few Words of the Local Language Taking a… Read More »12 Tips for Travelling Well Wherever You Go
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Easyjet Hold Baggage – All You Need to Know
Do you want to know what the Easyjet hold baggage allowance is? Read on to find out what you can take, what you can’t, what the costs are, luggage sizes and more. Check it out now. Easyjet Check Baggage Size Easyjet Hold Baggage Whenever you take an Easyjet flight you can book up to 3… Read More »Easyjet Hold Baggage – All You Need to Know
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Priority Pass Benefits – Here’s What You Need to Know
Do you want to know more about Priority Pass benefits? There’s much more than just great value airport lounge membership. Read on to find out all you need to know so you can get the best value from your membership. Priority Pass Benefits Priority Pass Benefits Flexibility About Lounge Use For me the main benefit… Read More »Priority Pass Benefits – Here’s What You Need to Know
Affiliate Links and Editorial Policy
There are affiliate links on my website.
I do not accept paid or promoted affiliate links.
I link to products and services I use or feel are genuinely useful to travellers.
If you do click any links you don’t pay any more and I earn a small commission which helps pay for this website.
Everything on this website has been written by me.
I do not use AI to create any content.
I do not accept guest posts, paid posts, sponsored links or any type of paid-for content on my website. Read more editorial policy page
What It’s Like to Be a Professional Traveller?
Travelling for work-related reasons is very different to travelling for leisure. In my early years of travel, I worked at a lot of exhibitions and events. This meant that whilst I travelled to the destination once there I generally travelled between the exhibition area and the hotel – many people who travel for business will tell you the same thing.
A growing trend in travel is for people travelling for work or business to extend their trip and do some personal travel. I have been lucky enough to do this a few times, staying over in Bangkok for several nights on my trips back from Australia for example. It looks like a travel trend that is going to continue!
Travelling as a Tour Manager taking coach holidays is very different. The role involves focussing on the guests and making sure they have a great time, rather than your personal sightseeing. Any free time is often taken up dealing with administration issues, sorting out problems or simply confirming all the details for the next leg of the journey. Sometimes I never left the hotel we were staying in as there always seemed to be more work to do and things to check!
That said when travelling with a great group this role doesn’t feel like work at all, more like travelling with a wonderful group of people who like to have fun.
Read more about my career and travel experience
Read more about the Professional Traveller website