From the time I visited Akumal, Mexico, at the age of seven, I had an immediate appreciation for the importance of taking time out of one’s life to get away and experience somewhere different and new. Since then, it’s become my life’s goal to see and enjoy as much of the world as possible. Before becoming a travel specialist, I’d toasted a pint in Dublin, browsed the galleries of Paris, roamed the ruins of Rome, and traipsed around 48 out of the 50 United States. The strength of my wanderlust made it seem only natural to turn travel into a career.
It was with Audley that I was finally able to achieve my lifelong dream of journeying halfway around the world to visit New Zealand. From the first time I landed, I was in love. The laid-back nature of the people with a penchant for adventure, the exotic wildlife, and the breathtaking scenery, I just couldn’t get enough. From people-watching on Cuba Street in Wellington to taking a helicopter around the coast of Kaikoura, to hiking atop a glacier in Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand has everything a person could want for an adventure.
As my career at Audley has blossomed, I’ve been given the opportunity to expand my knowledge base and add more incredible countries to my portfolio. From hiking amid hundreds of kangaroos in The Grampians to swimming with a sea turtle in the Great Barrier Reef, riding the rails through the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and British Columbia, to standing behind the gushing waters of Niagara Falls, Audley has afforded me some of the most incredible experiences of my life. It’s my absolute honor and pleasure to be able to guide people in discovering these wonderful places for themselves.
Q&A with Shea
Your best piece of travel advice?
I always pack my patience. Travel is, in my opinion, one of the most wonderful and worthwhile things a person can do, but even the most expertly planned trips can sometimes involve a bit of stress and frustration. Going into it with a mentality of going with the flow and staying calm can keep a trip on track even if there are a few minor bumps in the road.
Where would you love to travel next?
I’d love to travel to Norway. Having such a passion for the mountains and fjords of New Zealand and Canada, it would be wonderful to get to experience the Norwegian offerings of the same.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
My most vivid travel moment would most definitely be flying in a single-engine Cessna back from Milford Sound. The Sound itself was so majestic and beautiful, from land and sea. Getting to view it from above and take in the incredible scenery of New Zealand’s South Island on the way back to Queenstown was a true privilege that I’ll never forget.