A travel agent is celebrating her 40th year in the travel industry by hosting a group of 40 clients on a seven-night river cruise in Normandy.
Clare Dudley, co-owner of Ponders Travel, has even booked her mum and dad on the trip alongside repeat agency clients.
The cruise will celebrate her career in the industry, which started at Lunn Poly’s business travel administration team in Cambridge, with clients including Sir Clive Sinclair, who invented the Sinclair C5 ‘electric car’ in 1985.
More: Agent Diary: The cruise market is turning and more adventure is on the cards
Agent Diary: ‘I am both excited and in a state of shock that we have chartered a luxury yacht’
Dudley went on to work for Bakers Dolphin in Somerset for 15 years and later worked as business development manager at Premier Travel and cruise development manager at Fred Olsen Travel. She also spent several years as chairwoman of The Leading Cruise Agents of the UK, a network of independent agents.
Dudley, a Travel Weekly columnist, will give a talk on her four decades in travel during the trip, entitled Clare’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.
The Seine, Paris and Normandy river cruise departs on May 17 with Riviera Travel and will be escorted by Dudley and her husband Paul Adams, agency co-owner.
It will visit historic sites including Honfleur, Claude Monet’s house and gardens, Rouen and the D-Day Landings beaches in Normandy. Dudley also hopes to host a cocktail party. She said: “I felt it was a lovely excuse to spend some time with clients and shout about my length of service in an industry I love. I do believe clients like to know you have experience and 40 years is a long time.
“I also love to encourage clients to feel part of the Ponders family – and trips like this make that easier.
“I am super proud that my mum and dad are coming too. They hardly ever travel, so this will make this trip even more special.”
Customers can travel by air or rail and the package includes a Superior drinks package, 10 excursions and full board (except for one lunch). Prices start at £2,144, including standard rail fare from London and a standard Emerald Deck cabin.
Dudley chose a sailing on the River Seine because she has not cruised on it before. She added: “Somehow, I have yet to explore the closest river to home!”