Grace Clay joined CV Villas last month as Business Development Executive, to support the specialist operator’s trade partnerships. Travel Gossip learnt a little more about Grace, revealing her passion for photography and her dream of going to Cali.
The one travel experience everyone should try is… a solo trip at least once in your life. There’s something so liberating about exploring somewhere new on your own, making your own plans and stepping outside your comfort zone.
I never travel without… a pair of earplugs. You never know when they might come in handy, whether it’s a noisy flight or a lively hotel! And my headphones. I always have a playlist or podcast downloaded and ready to go wherever I’m headed.
The famous person (dead or alive) I’d most like to sit next to on a plane is… David Attenborough, imagine the stories he’d have! I’d happily listen to him talk for the entire flight.
If I had a tattoo, it would be… I already have two, one is a little wave and the sun, because I am always happiest by the sea and in the sunshine. The other one I got in my early 20’s, purely because I liked the design, no meaningful story behind that one!
The next place I’ll visit is… the Lake District for a staycation. I’ve never been before but I’ve heard it’s absolutely beautiful, so I’m looking forward to lots of hiking and exploring somewhere new.
The place I’d happily return to again and again is… Greece is always a destination I’d happily return to, you really can’t go wrong. I recently visited Corfu for the first time with CV Villas and it completely exceeded my expectations. One of the highlights was discovering St Stephano, a picturesque harbour village on Corfu’s north-east coast, it had such a lovely feel walking along the harbour and so many wonderful waterfront tavernas.
The worst thing I ate or drank abroad was… Durian fruit in Thailand, it is known to smell like sick which I can confirm it absolutely does, it’s a hard no from me!
My bucket-list destination is… Colombia has been at the top of my travel bucket list for a long time. I’d love to visit Cali, the home of salsa, as I’m a huge fan of the music and dancing. I’d also love to explore the city of MedellÃn too, before unwinding on Colombia’s stunning coastline. It feels like the perfect blend of exploring vibrant cities and experiencing lots of culture, while also having the opportunity to relax and switch off by the sea.
Born and brought up in… Lincolnshire. The good old fenlands!
Live in… I made my way back to Lincolnshire… After around five years of living away at university and abroad, I moved back home.
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is… you regret the things you don’t do, more than the things you do.
If I could eat one thing/meal for the rest of my life it would be… saag paneer, without a doubt. It’s my all-time favourite Indian dish, and I ate it so often during a five-week backpacking trip around India that I’ve basically already tested whether I could eat it every day – I can!
The thing I miss most while travelling is… my cats.
When I left school, I wanted to be… something in events or production. I’ve always loved the idea of working behind the scenes, organising things and being part of creating memorable experiences.
The thing I’m most proud of is… probably having the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, take opportunities and create a life filled with experiences, travel and people I love. One moment that really stands out was putting myself out there at university and applying for a placement year at Walt Disney World in Florida. It was a big step, but it completely kickstarted my love for travel and opened the door to so many experiences that have shaped who I am today.
In my new role, I’ll be… working as a Business Development Executive, supporting and strengthening CV Villas’ trade partnerships across the UK and Ireland, it’s an exciting time for the brand and I’ll be working closely with travel agents and tour operators to help grow awareness of the CV Villas products.
What attracted me to the job was… I’ve always loved working in business development, particularly building relationships and connecting with people and I’ve always had a real passion for travel. This role felt like the perfect opportunity to bring those two interests together.
Outside work, you’ll usually find me… spending quality time with my partner, friends and family, making the most of every opportunity to get out and about. More often than not, you’ll also find me with a camera in hand too, I love taking it out with me wherever I go.
The first thing I notice about a person when I meet them is… their energy and whether they’re easy to talk to. I love people who make you feel comfortable and who you can have a good laugh with.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow, I would… pay off my own mortgage and those of my close family and friends and then treat everyone to a huge holiday somewhere amazing. And then start making my way through my bucket list!
My guilty pleasure is… Strictly Come Dancing. It’s a firm favourite in our household and has become essential Saturday night viewing at this time of year!
