Anna Walkinshaw
Senior Travel Specialist
I've worked in the travel industry since finishing university, where I studied Spanish. I initially helped to organise gap-year and round-the-world backpacking holidays, and dabbled in the world of events and business travel, but was quickly lured into the luxury-travel life. I now love arranging tailor-made holidays and honeymoons for Smith members around the world. I tend to focus on getaways to Kenya, Myanmar, Japan, New England, and Egypt, and punctuate my work with as many of my own holidays as possible. At last count, I've visited a respectable 50 countries.
Anna'stop Mr & Mrs Smith stays
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Nha Trang, Vietnam
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
From the moment you arrive on the jetty, you’re so well looked after, and the ocean and bay views from all of the villas are incredible. All-in-all it’s a real Robinson Crusoe-style experience.
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Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Kasbah du Toubkal
It's the perfect spot for those looking for an authentic experience with lovely Berber hospitality. The food here was the best I’ve tasted in Morocco, and our trekking guide took us on an invigorating hike into the Atlas Mountains.
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Barcelona, Spain
Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel
This laid-back hotel has a wine hour every evening for guests, which is a lovely chance for everyone to swap tips and stories about their days in Barcelona while gorging on cheese and sipping Spanish wines.
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Travel Tips
The holiday doesn’t officially start for me until I’ve had my post-take off G&T; I love Galician brand Nordes Atlantic, which you drink with a grape and bay leaf, but it’s hard to come by on trolley service, so I settle for a Bombay Sapphire while in the air.
Anna'sdream destinations
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Colombia
I spent a year living there like a local and it really opened my eyes to the Colombian way of enjoying life to the fullest.
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Japan
Tokyo is such a delightful assault on the senses, and exploring there felt like being in a fast-paced computer game at times. The food is some of the most challenging I've come across, and I love the striking scenery of the Japanese Alps, where we had the luck of crossing tracks with a bear.
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Argentina
One thing that really stood out to me about Buenos Aires is how politically involved its citizens are; they all seem to have an opinion and want to be heard, which made chatting with the locals really engaging.
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I wish I was...
Browsing the streets of San Telmo, Buenos Aires for antiques in the shops. I’d also swing by Plaza Dorrego to see if any professional dancers are tango-ing for the crowds. I'd also nip into Bar Plaza Dorrego, on the corner, then stroll through Mercado San Telmo to pick up tasty treats.