Val Garibotti

I caught the travelling bug quite late in life, when I finally quit my job after dreaming for years to pack it all in and go see the world.

And so, in 2008 I did all that, bought an around the world ticket and off I went on my new adventure. 

No need to say that I totally fell in love with the feeling of immersing myself in new cultures, seeing awe inspiring landscapes I had never witnessed before, and enjoying the feeling of total freedom that those months gave me. I was hooked for life, and a new found love in scuba diving made me carve a new career out of this sport that took me on a four year journey, teaching my love for the ocean in several places around the world. 

I have been lucky enough to dive in some of the world’s best spots including Australia, Mexico, Belize, Fiji, and ultimately the Bahamas, where I lived for a couple of years and where I met my future husband (British of course!).

Once I was back in the UK I had to think of a new career path and the travel industry seemed the obvious answer. For the past 10 years I have been working as a specialist in holidays to Latin America, and my love for this continent grows every time I visit! I have been inspired by the creatures of the Galapagos, I have danced the tango in a milonga in Buenos Aires and I have stood in awe of Machu Picchu. But it is the intoxicating sounds and colours of Brazil, the culture and natural beauty of Argentina, the mighty vastness of the Chile’s landscapes, and the uniqueness of the Galapagos coupled with the raw beauty of Ecuador, that blow me away and thrill me most, visit after visit. 

My favourite experiences so far have been seeing the beautiful jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal, dancing the samba in Rio’s Lapa district and the tango in a milonga in Buenos Aires, witnessing the chaos of the fish market in Puerto Ayora in the Galapagos, and taking a cruise through the southern tip of Patagonia, from Chile to Argentina. The glaciers of the Patagonian ice field made me feel so small in front of the might of nature!

But my love for Latin America is not limited to these countries. I have just launched my Uruguay website for Fleewinter. I am very excited because this small country is a little known gem in the continent, easy to travel and perfect for relaxing holidays without the need to fly to its main highlights. Plus, it combines wonderfully well with Argentina – a great excuse to visit two countries in one holiday! 

And for next year I have big plans,  launching the once in your life holiday experience par excellence: Antarctica expedition cruises! 

Happy travelling, Val