Growing up in a military family, I relocated across the continental United States frequently throughout my youth. When I eventually went off to study at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, I finally found some consistency in my surroundings, no longer having to move to a new state every 2-3 years… It did not take long however, for me to miss the constant change of scenery.
Luckily, my eagerness to continue exploring led me to seek a career path in the world of travel. This afforded me the opportunity to see more of the world than I ever had as a Navy brat. My first trip outside the USA took me to Denmark, where I experienced the charming and colorful old harbours of the Baltic. Exploring further, I found myself in southeast France, sailing along the Rhone, where I tasted exquisite wines and fell in love with the roman ruins of Arles. Not long after, I made my way to Croatia, backpacking along the crystal-clear Adriatic coastline and sipping Travarica in the cafés that lined the yacht filled ports. It is here I would meet an English girl I would later marry. This took me to relocating to the UK.
I now enjoy living in the culturally rich city of London, where I have the pleasure of continuing my passion in sharing the gift of travel through Audley.
Q&A with Nicholas
What's your most vivid travel moment?
I was in Yosemite National Park and had just finished what seemed like an almost vertical climb to the top of Vernal Falls. Having just scaled along soaking wet granite through heavy mists from the enormous cascading waterfall, I took a moment to catch my breath. Once grounded, I looked out along the cliff and was met with a view of the most jaw dropping valley I have ever witnessed. The unassailable water of Vernal poured fierce into the Merced River while Half Dome towered over the evergreen landscape like a proud monument to all that surrounded it. The sky was crystal clear, and my lungs were filled with the cleanest mountain air. In this moment, I had not a single care in the world.
Where would you love to travel next?
For years I have wanted to visit Machu Picchu in Peru. Aside from the obvious breathtaking and almost mystical views the site offers, it would be an intensely gratifying experience to visit what some consider to be a miracle of human engineering for its time and location of construction.
Your best piece of travel advice?
Exercise your outgoing side. Speak to the locals. Some of the best memories I have had traveling have been through friendly interactions with the natives of wherever I’ve traveled. In addition to the human connection, often, they will have suggestions not well-known to the tourist crowds that could completely elevate your experience.
