Travel changes things. We believe this in our bones at Goway. It’s not just the good food, the great sights, and the new friends you meet along the way. It’s also the experience that you never saw coming, the encounters and moments that burn into your memory and will stay there for the rest of your life. Travel has a way of helping you see the world in new ways. These formative experiences are key to that newfound understanding.
Over the past year, our Destination Specialists have explored all corners of the world. They’ve climbed volcanoes, dived into frigid waters, hiked through rainforests, and listened to the beating heart of some of the world’s busiest cities. Our specialists are dedicated to being experts in the destinations they sell. They are also endlessly curious explorers in their own right, passionate adventurers that want to push forward and experience new things in new ways. They’ve travelled a lot and along the way, they’ve made some unforgettable memories.
The following is a taste of our Destination Specialists’ travels and the experiences they’ll never forget. Let them inspire you to realize a lifetime of travel and experience the profound wonder that comes with exploring the world your way.
A Face-to-Face Encounter in Uganda
I was very privileged to visit Uganda and go on a mountain gorilla trek to see our primate cousins in the deep jungle. We trekked through the jungle for hours for an interaction with the mountain gorillas. It only lasted an hour, but it was a remarkable experience. They could see us and weren’t bothered with all these human strangers watching them. They simply carried on doing their own thing during the whole encounter, offering us a glimpse into their ordinary lives. It was the highlight of my trip and something I’ll never forget. — Alice Teramoto, Reservations Supervisor
City Views from Top to Bottom in Thailand
I was incredibly fortunate to go back to Thailand in the fall of 2022. I had a good expectation of what to expect from my past experiences there, but that didn’t preclude this trip from staying with me. I stayed at the Tower Club at Lebua Hotel in Bangkok, which is featured in The Hangover Part II. Being a fan of the film, it was fun to stay at the hotel, but it was the view from the rooftop lounge that really stunned me. The view is awe inspiring by day or night (but especially at night). You see the towers and lights of the city spread out for kilometres in all directions. But the ground level of Bangkok is remarkable in its own way: the food stalls and Buddhist temples and crowds and the constant activity filling the streets. It opens your eyes to see a city from both sides. — Patrick Carleton, Destination Specialist
A Dancing Sky in Iceland
Iceland has always been extremely high on my bucket list, ever since I was little. But what made this Icelandic experience so outstanding was the Northern Lights, which I was able to witness on our second-to-last night. It was simply breathtaking. The entire sky lit up in soft greens and yellows and whites dancing away in front of us. What made this event even more special was when we saw the crown, when the lights seemed to ring the sky in a heavenly circle descending from on high. What a sight to see! There are many amazing things to see and do in Iceland, but watching the Northern Lights crown is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. — Melissa-Lee Matheson, Destination Specialist
Smiles from the Heart in Fiji
I was fortunate enough to go to Fiji in November and I’m forever changed by the trip and the hospitality I experienced throughout my visit. From the moment of my arrival, the friendliness of the Fijians was on full display. We were greeted by lovely folks singing with huge smiles on their faces and beautiful voices ringing out. Everywhere I went, I was struck by how friendly and genuine the Fijians were. They remember your name. Everyone says bula! (welcome) all the time. They were excited to hear about our travels and were happy to have foreign travellers visiting once again. One day we did a Sigatoka River Safari to a traditional Fijian village, where they welcome you with a kava ceremony and show you how they prepare their food in a traditional manner. Afterwards, there was singing and dancing and everyone was so happy. Seeing their genuine joy at life was a very humbling and life-changing experience. It makes you grateful for what you have. Fiji is in my heart forever. — Michelle Furtado, Destination Specialist
A Magic Mountain in Peru
Rising 2,400m/7,800ft above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu has a spectacular location. It’s a place that seems like magic when you visit. Everyone knows about South America’s most famous ruins, but being there is a whole other experience. You walk along these mountaintop ruins with snow-capped mountains as your backdrop and you feel like you’re living in a dream. The stories of the Inca Empire, the expertise of the guides, the unbeatable natural setting—it all combines to make a tour of Machu Picchu something you’ll never forget. Everyone should visit this place at least once in their lifetime. I’m grateful I did. — Virginia Dameno, Destination Specialist
This article was originally published in Vol. 30 of Globetrotting Magazine.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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