The key is finding a destination that keeps kids entertained while offering depth and cultural richness for grandparents, and Japan does this beautifully. It’s packed with child-friendly experiences, from theme parks and interactive art galleries to Pokémon cafés, Super Mario mania, and even cartoon-themed hotels. At the same time, Japan offers a deep sense of tradition and authenticity that resonates across generations. Think tea ceremonies, ramen slurped with chopsticks, apprentice geisha sightings, tranquil temples, and the simple act of taking off your shoes before entering a home.

Nature is just as captivating. Families can feed deer in Nara, cycle through Kyoto, wander bamboo groves, soak in hot springs, and marvel at cherry blossoms or snow-covered mountains. I’ve experienced Japan firsthand as a multigenerational traveller and have helped many clients do the same. Every single one of those trips has created lasting, shared memories — the kind families talk about for years.

Someone once told me, “You don’t understand Africa until you’ve been to Africa.” I thought I understood travel and could paint a picture of almost anywhere until my first safari in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve completely changed that. We drove the same dusty stretch three times in a day, yet each drive felt like a new world: first a dazzle of Grevy’s zebras, then a bull elephant huffing and flinging red earth at our vehicle, and later nothing but rustling grass and wide‑open sky.

The thrill when a tracker picks up fresh animal tracks is electric. Returning to camp after a safari is all about sharing stories and photos, refuelling, and connecting with fellow guests, lodge staff, and guides before getting ready to do it all again.

Africa taught me to drop the itinerary and let the experience unfold on its own terms.

Italy is the place I keep coming back to again and again. It’s like an itch I need to scratch. I love the sense of familiarity I have, and also the thrill of discovering new corners of the country with every visit. No matter how often I visit, there’s always another region, another experience, another flavour waiting to surprise me.

And the food... Italy is pure heaven for food lovers. Beyond the Michelin stars and trattorias, it’s the regional diversity that keeps me coming back. I’ve had the best papardelle with wild boar overlooking the hills of Chianti; the silkiest seafood risotto beachside in Cefalù and the ultimate gelato in a cobblestoned laneway of Monti in Rome.

Spending three months living in Italy is firmly part of my five-year plan, a chance to slow down, soak it all in, and improve my very rusty Italian. Now to pick where to stay... Puglia? Umbria? Piedmont? Veneto? So many options.

I always recommend joining a walking tour with a local guide. It’s one of my favourite ways to really connect with a place, to learn its stories, understand its culture, and get your bearings. It’s also a simple, meaningful way to travel responsibly and support the local community. For an even richer experience, join a food-focused walking tour. You’ll not only discover hidden culinary gems but also support small eateries, local producers and family-run businesses along the way.

Packing cells! I never travel without them. I keep a spare outfit at the bottom of my carry-on and use different cells to organise everything else: one for underwear, one for tops, another for skirts and dresses. For work trips, I separate my "work wear" from my "free time" outfits, which makes it so much easier to stay organised when I’m in conference mode.

I use a mix of styles — some with compression zips to save space, and others with fun global city prints. If you haven't used them, they are a game changer!