My name is Mia Ryan, I am Jane’s daughter and the youngest member of the Travel & Tour Hunters Team.

I am studying a Bachelor of Agriculture at University of New England in Armidale, NSW (UNE), in-between running a Warmblood horse stud and training facility. At any given time, we usually have around 15 horses on our property where I specialise in starting young horses and rehabilitating damaged horses. So, while horses are undeniably my passion… travel has my heart.

I guess you could say I have been with Travel & Tour Hunters since it’s conception. For 22 years I have watched mum build her business into the thriving empire it is today. I completely understand her philosophy for travel and after watching her over the years you cannot imagine just how hard she works to design these incredible holidays for her clients.

Mum has instilled such a deep love and respect for travel in me since before I could even walk. While other kids were spending Christmas in their backyards under a sprinkler, I spent mine on River Cruises through Budapest watching snow fall and ice-skating in Central Park - New York!

My role at TTH is more of an “on location” one. When we travel with tour groups, I am essentially the front person, the go-to girl, and the Nav-Man if you will! I’m the first to admit that I can guide you through the streets of New York but not through the streets of Newcastle! There are many clients that find so much comfort in leaving Australia together, having me as the go between for them and the tour guide and making sure they get back to Australia safely. I love helping tour groups navigate themselves around a new city without stress; being in a new place can be scary so let me help you. Are we in Positano Italy and you want bananas – I’ve got your back. The best walk from our hotel to the Statue of Liberty - I’m your girl. Authentic restaurants and quirky bar recommendations – coming right up!

My ethos for travel is “don’t travel like an Australian, travel like a citizen of the world”. So often I see people book tours and hotels only to have an experience that they could have in their own backyard. Immersing yourself completely in the culture is the biggest must-do when travelling anywhere. Learn a few phrases in the local language, jump on that adventure, take your hire car on the country road, and take the short cuts, skip a taxi, and walk around a little instead, and above all else, try the food!

Food is undeniably the best part of travelling for me. Authentic dishes made the way they were always intended, recipes passed down from generation to generation and home-grown seasonal produce used to make heaven on earth on a plate.

One of my most memorable meals was the simple taco I ate in Panama City. I had just arrived after a long flight to central America, completely ravenous, and by chance I stumbled upon a random hole in the wall selling tacos. No one in the restaurant spoke a word of English, I had no idea what I was ordering but to this day…. those were the best taco’s I’ve ever eaten in my life. I think of them often. I’ve eaten the most sensational broth in China with a mysterious bird egg inside, lobster pasta in Santa Marguerita, Italy, that made my knees weak, and I’ve lined up in Chelsea Markets in NYC for 1.5hrs just to get a burrito only to eat it and line back up again for another one – maybe two!

I’ve seen so any different corners of the world and cannot wait to keep my list of countries growing and eating my way across the globe. Book a trip with mum and maybe ill see you on tour!

I have explored: Australia - every state, New Zealand - North & South island, Vanuatu, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Borneo, Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta, Sumatra, Suyabaya), England, Scotland, Shetland Islands, France, Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic, USA - many times, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Canada, United Arab Emirates