It’s been absent for a while, but The Travel Gauntlet is back, and it’s back with a vengeance. For those of you not familiar with The Travel Gauntlet (where have you been?), allow me to explain.

Each fortnight, we pit one of our Travel Experts against one of you wonderful travel lovers, asking each a set of five questions designed to test their travel knowledge, stories, and general bragging rights.

Fancy taking part and sharing your travel love with the world? Just drop us an email, and we’ll get right back to you with five questions of your very own.

So, without further ado, let’s meet this week’s brave contenders, who are prepared to shout about their travel love loud and proud…

Who’s Stepping up to The Gauntlet This Week?

In the Red Corner it’s…

Travel lover Stewart Plumridge! Stewart used to work in the travel industry, so has lots of stories and memories of a few freebie trips tucked under his belt. Here he is enjoying the view in Javea, Spain.

Stewart living la vida loca in Spain

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Today’s blog post comes from Flora Moffat, a Travel Expert in the STA Travel Goodge Street store, in London.

I remember the exact moment I found out that STA Travel were giving me the opportunity to go to Peru, I screamed the store down with excitement!

Peru had always been a country that I wanted to visit. A trip to Brazil earlier in the year really opened my eyes to South America, and how amazing and deep the culture is.

I began to research all the individual places and sites that we were going to see, and the reality of how beautiful and interesting Peru really was began to set it; and it was an easy 15-hour flight from London.

There were so many reasons I wanted to travel in Peru: it has so many natural and cultural treasures, and a deep history, as well as amazing food, handmade crafts, interesting cultures, and the yummy drinks.

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Welcome to our Spotlight series, where we shine a light on an individual STA Travel store, whether that’s within our familiar shores, of beyond, to the big wide world of the STA Travel family.

Today, we’re having a laugh with the crew from Bath, who have a thing or two to say about their own adventures, in and out of the store. Rumour has it, that these beautiful people have been in Bath so long, their fingers and toes are permanently wrinkled.

Store Manager, Joe Robinson (better known to long time blog readers as Joe King) heads a team of four Travel Experts: Sarah. Sophie, Nick, Louise, and new boy Rob (who isn’t involved in today’s interview as he was off travelling in wilds of Austria. Yes, Austria our distant European cousin.

Left to right: Sarah, Nick, Joe, Sophie, and Louise. Together, they are STA Travel Bath

Together, they’ve been quenching the people of Bath’s incredible thirst for travel for over six years, so they know a thing or two about sourcing the best deals on the market, to even the most obscure of destinations. Continue reading →

I get it, travel insurance may not be the most exciting purchase you make as you prepare to take off on your trip, but I can promise you one thing – it’s definitely one of the most important.

To answer the question above, it’s absolutely essential to have travel insurance, and I’ll tell you why…

Insurance covers us against a whole manner of events that are completely out of our control, and, contrary to what some people believe, isn’t just for people who are planning on throwing themselves off bridges, diving to the depths of exotic oceans, or climbing massive mountain ranges.

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It’s that time of the week again! Yep, it’s Ask the Experts Friday. A panel of our finest Travel Experts are here each week, ready and waiting to answer your travel questions. Got a question for them? Don’t be shy, share the (travel) love: email us, and the Experts will tackle your question like a footballer on heat (or something).

This week’s question comes from Ben in Chichester. HI BEN! Ben’s got a craving for a Southeast Asia adventure, and he wants our Experts to help him plan it. Let’s hear Ben’s question…

Hi Experts! I’m going to be travelling up from Singapore through Malaysia into Thailand before flying out of Bangkok this summer. Can you suggest a good itinerary? I have 5 weeks, and I’m not really keen on doing a tour. Any places you’d recommend seeing along the way? Ben, Chichester

Luckily for Ben, Amy from our Leeds Vicar Lane store has stepped up to the challenge! Take it away, Amy:

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