From Chengdu, China to Bolivia and Chamonix. Mel Wells literally travels the globe with her job. There's not an airport she hasn't seen and she's stayed in some rather swanky hotels. But Colombia with a backpack is still her dream ...

I travel virtually every month for a week at a time for the first half of the year, and then get the summer to “relax” in the office while we prepare for our largest event which takes place in October, and which gives me the chance to escape the office again then!

If I am on a recce visit to scope out the event venues and local area then I get to see a lot and often get the VIP treatment from our event host partners, but if I am away for the event itself then I get to see the inside of the airport, then the inside of the event venue, and then the inside of the Networking Evening venue, and thats about it!

Having the benefit of travelling for work is a phenomenal bonus! The job pulls together the experience I have gained from all the other events industry jobs I have had, and adds to that experience 10-fold.

I love the chance to meet new people through travel and learn new ways of living. Every place I visit teaches me a new way to look at life, and I love the diversity of new cultures.

The best hotel I have stayed in so far was the Intercontinental Hotel Century City, Chengdu, China. The whole atmosphere of the hotel made you feel instantly at home, with birds singing in their cages around the flora-filled
restaurant area, Tai Chi classes, a harpist playing beautiful music every
morning in the lobby area, and the BEST bath in the history of all hotel rooms!

My favourite destination so far for work travel has been Chengdu, China for the sheer enormity of cultural immersion I experienced. My favourite place on earth is Bolivia where I learnt that even when you have nothing, you can still find pleasure in small things. The people me and my partner met in Bolivia were often so poor and struggled to get by day to day even for basic needs, but they taught me it costs nothing to smile and I’ll carry that with me forever.

My earliest travel memory is of going to Jersey with my family
and tiny 4 year old brother when I was eight. It happened to be my birthday during the trip and we went to Jersey Zoo where I was stoked to see a tiny baby monkey slide down the window of his enclosure licking off all the porridge he had just thrown at the window pane.

In my capsule suitcase I carry bug spray. I’m like gourmet food for mozzies! I would also have to pack: a good book, my iPod, a bikini, oh, and double sided sticky tape (I am an Ops Manager after all – and this is a vital handbag essential!)




I would still love to go to Colombia, before it changes too much. We
met so many people travelling down from Colombia when we were in Argentina and Peru and they could find nothing bad to say about it. The people are amazing, the country is stunning and the efforts of the Tourist industry to boost the popularity of Colombia with tourists is second to none.
I want to go there while its still somewhat untrodden. (possibly not the best idea to rave about it too much, maybe?!)

There have been so many incredible moments during my time spent travelling. But I think a top one is reaching the top of Volcan Licancabur, Bolivian/Chilean border, at 5920m and feeling like I want to cry – from the immense exertion and personal struggle to get there, and from the beauty of the summit.

My worst traveling moment? Disinfecting a chalet bedroom following the devastation of a drunken guests failure to handle his drink. Severe food poisoning in Lima. Having to spend six months apart from my partner in different areas of Europe while working on yachts. There’s been some bad times, but they just make the good times incredible!

The best restaurant I've eaten in was La Cabrera, Buenos Aires. Quite simply the LARGEST piece of meat I have ever eaten in my life! The best cut of the finest plains reared Argentine beef! Incredible! But be prepared to queue to get a table!

The weather in Manchester inspires me to travel! My inspiration to travel comes from the chance to share new experiences around the world with my
wonderful partner.


Me and my travels series