Insider intros – Meet @gracegrangetravel

If you haven’t heard about our First Choice Insiders programme yet, it’s about time you did. @gracegangetravel is one of the amazing travel creators we’ve partnered with to get you that on-the-ground info and inspo you’re after.  

Our Insiders pick the trips they really want to go on and bring all the details back to you – videos, pics and loads of local recs – on social, our website, and you can find their full itineraries right here on Inspire. Go along on these journeys with them, and see what hits the spot for you. They’re all set to be your eyes and ears on the ground and, who knows, maybe they’ll show you a place you never thought you’d pick before.  

So, get started and meet our travel lover that plans everything down to a T, @gracegrangetravel… 

First of all, tell us a bit about yourself! 

I’m Grace, I’m 30, a proud Welshie and obviously all things travel obsessed! When I finished studying to be a pharmacist at uni, I took some time out to travel, where I met my fiancé, Matt and we explored Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Canada together. After that, I started sharing my travels on Instagram and helping others plan their trips, which I love so much. Aside from travel, I also have two house bunnies called Basil and Orzo, I love to bake, my guilty pleasure is Reggaeton and I’m also learning Spanish!   

How many countries have you travelled to so far? 

I keep a list on my phone of all the countries I’ve travelled to, and the current tally is 42. I haven’t been to South America yet, so I need to get planning a trip there! 

What’s your earliest holiday memory?  

My earliest holiday memory is when I was about seven and we went on a gorgeous family holiday to Sicily. We got to the airport to fly home and were told our flight had been cancelled due to the Mount Etna volcano erupting! We had to get a bus to an airport on the other side of the island and I could see the lava spewing out – it was crazy. We could see it as we flew off the island too, which was pretty cool but also a little bit scary. 

Where’s the last place you visited? 

I’ve just got back from a short but exciting trip to Mexico City. I love how diverse the city is and there’s so much to see and do, plus, the food is incredible. We did a street food tour, went to watch Lucha Libre wrestling and visited the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan – we packed a lot in!   

What’s your ultimate bucket-list destination?  

This is such a tricky question! It might be a bit cliché, but it’s got to be Bora Bora – it’s the ultimate tropical paradise. It’s definitely a ‘once in a lifetime’ type of destination because it’s so far away and pricey. I also really want to visit Japan and Colombia – they’re next on my list. 

Is there a destination you love to revisit? Or are you the type of traveller that can’t stand going back to a place you’ve already ticked off your list? 

I’m definitely the type of traveller that likes to visit new places, but there are a few exceptions. I love Italy (who doesn’t?) and I could keep going back to Croatia for the crystal-blue waters and red-roofed towns. I’m also obsessed with Mexico because of the food, beaches, history and music and have been back quite a few times. 

How do you approach planning your travels? Are you more spontaneous or do you like to plan things down to the last detail? 

I won’t lie, spontaneous travel makes me anxious… I like to have everything planned well in advance with a full itinerary, including restaurants, beaches, experiences etc. I really love doing the research and getting to know what my trip will look like because it makes me excited. I always think ‘when will I be back here?’ so I like to make sure I’ve got all the best things covered in my planning. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s always best to leave time for a bit of spontaneity – the best travel moments are always those that are unexpected! 

What’s the number one thing you look for in a destination? Food, sights, culture, or something else? 

Food has to be way up there because it’s a huge part of travel for me. Amazing beaches and lovely blue water are always high up the list too, so I like diverse destinations where you can soak up some history and culture, relax by the beach and eat great food! That’s the perfect holiday combination for me. 

Tell us your biggest travel ick – we’re talking bare feet on the plane, clapping when the plane lands… 

I HATE it when people stand up and clog up the aisle on a plane as soon as it pulls into the stand. There’s always another 10-15 minutes to wait before getting off and it just causes chaos. Even worse is when people don’t let the person in the row in front out before them when everyone’s getting off… rude! 

Is there a travel hack you discovered that changed the game for you? 

On every trip, I always pack my running stuff and go for a run on my first morning. It’s a great way to familiarise with your surroundings and do a bit of a tour of the area, as well as help get over the jet lag on long-haul trips… I know it’s not for everyone, but it helps me get so much more out of my trip.   

Tell us about…  

…the most beautiful place you’ve visited 

This is so hard to answer because so many places are beautiful in different ways, but I remember being on Hvar Island in Croatia for the first time about eight years ago, and we went on a boat trip to some smaller islands nearby. As we pulled into the bay, I couldn’t get over how stunning it was – the water was bluer than I’ve seen anywhere else and there was a small white sandy beach and beautiful purple flowers lining the shore. I remember it being so peaceful and quiet, too. We spent a few hours having a barbecue, sunbathing and swimming – it was bliss! 

…the most memorable place you’ve visited  

This has to be Everest Base Camp in Nepal. I trekked for 12 days through the Himalayas with my family and partner to raise money for The Brick Children’s School charity in Kathmandu. I’ve never seen mountain scenery like it and the first time I actually saw Everest, it took my breath away. The whole experience was incredible, from flying into Lukla, one of the world’s most dangerous airports, to the local people we met and the achievement of reaching Everest Base Camp. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever!  

… the most surprising place you’ve visited  

Istanbul is definitely the most surprising place I’ve ever visited. It’s the most unique city I’ve ever been to because it truly is the place where east meets west. One minute you can feel like you’re in Paris drinking coffee and eating pastries on a cobbled street, then the next you’re walking through the Spice Market and could be in the medina in Marrakech! It’s a must-visit destination for sure. 

If you want to get to know our other Insiders and find out more about the programme, you’ll love our Insiders Hub.  

Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.  

Author: @gracegrangetravel
Last updated: 21/08/2024