Growing up I always felt the urge to see and experience more of the world. Coming from a family that shares that passion, I was able to travel frequently. After graduating Virginia Tech, I worked for several different student travel organizations that gave me the opportunity to work in Rwanda, Switzerland, Belize, and Hawaii.
Throughout these experiences I fell even more deeply in love with traveling and more specifically, fell in love with helping other people travel. I found joy in showing others the world and giving people new experiences. This is what led me to Audley.
I have now been lucky enough to travel to over forty countries and find something so special about the Iberian Peninsula, from the sandy beaches surrounded by cliffs in the Algarve coast, to the vibrant city life and rich history of Madrid. I am a big foodie, and nothing tops the pinchos tapas in Spain and the pastel de nata tarts in Portugal.
I have traveled extensively around Spain and Portugal, finding new reasons why I will continue returning every time I visit, and I'm excited to share my love and expertise on the region with you to plan your dream trip.
Q&A with Claire
What is the best local dish you have tasted
I am a huge fan of tapas, which is one of the many reasons Spain is so perfect for me. When I was in Madrid I did a cooking class where we made sangria, Spanish omelette, garlic shrimp, chorizo, tomato toast with Iberian ham, and patatas bravas. It was such a cool local experience with a very cool chief who did an excellent job teaching us how to make sure our recipes came out right, and the food was amazing. Garlic shrimp had the perfect amount of olive oil to garlic ratio, and the sauce for the patatas bravas he left up to us to decide how much spice we wanted to add. It was truly a meal I will always remember.
What's your most vivid travel moment?
My most vivid travel memory is when I went to Barcelona with three of my best friends. One day we took a trip to Alella for a winery visit. We had a lovely tour and tasting, surrounded by stunning views of the vineyards and the ocean in the distance. After this we had a private paella making class. We cooked, sipped on wine and most importantly, enjoyed some amazing paella at the end. It was such a wonderful experience with my friends that I will always cherish.
Where would you love to travel next
Next, I would love to travel to Antarctica. I had plans to go on a winter study there while in college, but this was cancelled. Ever since, I have been so fascinated by all aspects Antarctica. The marine life, penguins, icebergs, and sailing through the Drake Passage to reach the most southerly point of the world, brings such a thrill to my mind. Being a scuba diving fanatic, I also am eager to explore the ocean from down under off the coast of the South Pole, along with sleeping under the stars to see a different perspective of the night sky.