About me:My true passion in life is meeting new people and travelling. That is why I have chosen a career in Travel and Tourism. After finishing my National Diploma in Travel and Tourism I have travelled through Europe and volunteered in various sectors. In the summer of 2014 I was employed as a Walk Organiser with Collett’s Mountain Holidays. Working with this company gave me a passion for one on one interaction with guests. I understand the responsibility of giving an excellent holiday experience and I always work to a high standard. I aim to constantly be adventurous and out-going and I am curious by nature so I am always looking to learn about new cultures and people. I was then employed by Busabout, which really opened my eyes to how great being a fully trained guide could be. The work, while incredibly difficult, was just as equally rewarding. However, after two years of guiding I have decided to expand my knowledge and credentials and am currently studying Tourism Management and Spanish at Greenwich University. In September I will be moving to Alicante in Spain to attend university there.
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Share your thoughts on the itinerary, guide, and overall organization of the adventure.
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Poppy is an awesome knowledgeable tour leader!!! She does her best not only to educate us but also go the extra mile to entertain us. Cheers! I hope and wish that Poppy would be my Tour Leader in case…Poppy is an awesome knowledgeable tour leader!!! She does her best not only to educate us but also go the extra mile to entertain us. Cheers! I hope and wish that Poppy would be my Tour Leader in case I booked another tour with Busabout. Cheers!
O
Balkan Highlights
Fantastic guide with knowledge and passion as well as incredible people skills
N
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
The 15 day Balkans tour with Poppy was great! Got to experience so many amazing things, like swimming in Lake Orhid.
Poppy was a brilliant guide and I'm happy to now call her a friend. She made su…The 15 day Balkans tour with Poppy was great! Got to experience so many amazing things, like swimming in Lake Orhid.
Poppy was a brilliant guide and I'm happy to now call her a friend. She made sure everyone felt welcome and was having a great time. If issues came up with our hotel/hostel or anything else, she handled it calmly and professionally.
I would take any tour with Poppy, confident it would be well organized and a great time.
A
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Poppy was a fantastic guide - I've done a lot of group travel with different companies and found Poppy to be engaging, knowledgable and with a natural ability to build rapport and understand the needs…Poppy was a fantastic guide - I've done a lot of group travel with different companies and found Poppy to be engaging, knowledgable and with a natural ability to build rapport and understand the needs and interests of the travelers in front of her rather than sticking to a script. Poppy delivered historical and cultural info in a warm, accessible way whenever we arrived at a new destination and was consistently optimistic and professional even in the face of minor challenges (like lengthy border crossings). I observed her being patient with the more high maintenance travelers in our group, and she bantered easily with the more relaxed travelers. As a young solo female traveler, I highly recommend both the tour (Ultimate Balkan) and Poppy herself.
L
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Poppy is such an amazing guide. She is so helpful and knowledgable but she is also just an all round amazing, kind and funny person.
L
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
The Ultimate Balkans Tour was when of the best experiences of my life. The countries were all so interesting and there was so much to learn. Poppy, our guide, was incredible. She has so much knowledge…The Ultimate Balkans Tour was when of the best experiences of my life. The countries were all so interesting and there was so much to learn. Poppy, our guide, was incredible. She has so much knowledge on all those countries and is so helpful. She is also just such an amazing, kind and funny person. I was surprised when I started the tour that the accommodation was actually mainly hotels! Which was really nice. I would highly recommend the Balkans Tour especially if you have Poppy as your guide!
E
Balkan Highlights
My guide poppy was both equally informative and intriguing, she always gave the right amount of information without overloading us, everything was well planned and executed and I thoroughly enjoyed my…My guide poppy was both equally informative and intriguing, she always gave the right amount of information without overloading us, everything was well planned and executed and I thoroughly enjoyed my time
V
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Poppy, Pops, Popsicle, Poppers - she's absolutely the best. She's knowledgeable of the history of the coties we visited and she's personable. Not to mention, she has an incredible amount of energy. I …Poppy, Pops, Popsicle, Poppers - she's absolutely the best. She's knowledgeable of the history of the coties we visited and she's personable. Not to mention, she has an incredible amount of energy. I had a blast with Poppy as my guide and I am sure you will, too!
H
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Awesome person to take us around the Greek islands, no one better
A
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
During the Ultimate Balkans Trail Poppy was an outstanding tour guide who knew everything about the countries and cities we visited and was dedicated to making sure we had the best experiences of our …During the Ultimate Balkans Trail Poppy was an outstanding tour guide who knew everything about the countries and cities we visited and was dedicated to making sure we had the best experiences of our lives. I'm sure that the amazing time I had on this tour is largely thanks to her - she always went out of her way to chat to you about the meals and the different activities never making you feel like she was rushing you to get to the next person. Thanks Poppy for a wonderful experience in the Balkans and I hope that the next time I do a tour I get a guide as weird and wonderful as you :)
S
Balkan Trail
"Alright guys" let me tell you about Poppy.
She is such a lovely approachable person who always has a story to tell. The knowledge she has on where you are is shared with excitement and passion, no…"Alright guys" let me tell you about Poppy.
She is such a lovely approachable person who always has a story to tell. The knowledge she has on where you are is shared with excitement and passion, not just reeled off information you could read in any guide book, she wants you to expand your knowledge.
I personally really appreciated the time and effort she put in at meal times recommending food so you could really appreciate the culture while eating something tasty.
I've had a few tour guides from various companies and so far Poppy has been my favourite :)
L
12 Stop Pass
Poppy made the experience to be something different- did not feel like a group of 20 year olds getting drunk and moving too quickly from one place to another. What she brings to the tours she runs is …Poppy made the experience to be something different- did not feel like a group of 20 year olds getting drunk and moving too quickly from one place to another. What she brings to the tours she runs is her beautiful personality tht can emphathize and build a connection with anyone whilst being utterly genuine.
S
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
This was my first time doing a guided tour during my travels. Poppy was my guide on the Busabout Greek Island Hopper. I can honestly say Poppy is a major reason why my trip was as memorable & special …This was my first time doing a guided tour during my travels. Poppy was my guide on the Busabout Greek Island Hopper. I can honestly say Poppy is a major reason why my trip was as memorable & special as it was. She was fun, outgoing, inclusive, hilarious and also extremely organized & knowledgeable. I have slot of respect for tour guides. Their job asks alot from them & she made it look effortless. Always eager to help & ensure you had the best experience possible. I really hope to travel with Poppy again!
E
2 Week Pass (2018 Season)
Really loved my tour with Poppy! She was great fun, full of knowledge, and always bubbly and ready to help :) Would love to do another tour with her.
J
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
I did the Greek island hopping tour with Poppy and had such a great time! Greece is amazing of course but Poppy made my week there so enjoyable. She had a tonne of knowledge about Greece and its histo…I did the Greek island hopping tour with Poppy and had such a great time! Greece is amazing of course but Poppy made my week there so enjoyable. She had a tonne of knowledge about Greece and its history and partied hard with us! I had a massive fight with one of my friends and Poppy was nice enough to listen to me vent on more than one occasion and gave me shots! Probably to get me drunk and stop talking haha but she definitely didn't have to listen to me vent about my problems, but she did regardless. I've done plenty of tours and Poppy is right up there with the best! 10/10 tour guide
H
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Poppy was my guide on the Ultimate Balkan tour from June 17-July 1; from Split-Athens-Split. The first half (Balkan Highlights) made it to Athens via Kotor, Tirana and Kalampaka (Meteora); the second …Poppy was my guide on the Ultimate Balkan tour from June 17-July 1; from Split-Athens-Split. The first half (Balkan Highlights) made it to Athens via Kotor, Tirana and Kalampaka (Meteora); the second half (Balkan Trail) made it back to Split via Thessaloniki, Ohrid, Skopje, Belgrade and Sarajevo.
The combined trip itself was great overall, with exciting attractions, social outings and good accommodations all the way through.
My enjoyment of the trip had a lot to do with Poppy's guidance and knowledge of all the pertinent info everyone needed in orser to get properly oriented. Poppy presented herself very enthusiastically and that translated well to her duties and conversations.
With regards to the accommodations themselves, all but one of our stays were in hotels (save for Athens) relatively close to their respective city centres and equidistant (or better) to nightlife and other attractions.
Money tends to travel further in the Balkans compared to the rest of Europe (especially in Albania, Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina). It however is a gripe to carry/change so many currencies in a row on the trip (Kuna, Euro, Lek, Macedonian and Serbian Dinars, and the Bosnian Convertible Mark). I'll likely have the same issue if I embark on another big adventure with Busabout or any other tour company within the next few years.
Both of our bus drivers were very good; one was a lot more social than the other.
Overall I would recommend this tour to those who are looking for good value, a decent duration and plenty of nightlife/attractions in between.
S
Balkan Trail
"Alright guys" let me share my experience with Poppy with you.
Such a lovely approachable person who always has a story to tell. Not only does she have lots of knowledge on the locations but when s…"Alright guys" let me share my experience with Poppy with you.
Such a lovely approachable person who always has a story to tell. Not only does she have lots of knowledge on the locations but when she talks she is excited about what she is sharing with you, it's not just reeling of standard information that you could read in a guide book, she genuinely cares and wants you to learn.
I really appreciated the time and effort she would put in at meal times to recommend local dishes, after all we are there to experience the culture and she really encourages this!
I've done a few tours now with various companies and Poppy has been my favourite.
E
Greek Island Hopper (Fixed Itinerary)
Poppy was such a joy, she made everything perfect for our Greece expirence. I hope all my friends get her as a tour guide
A
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
She was lovey and she rally went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable.
She also helped me experience traditional food even though I have dietary restrictions.
Overall she was a brilliant…She was lovey and she rally went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable.
She also helped me experience traditional food even though I have dietary restrictions.
Overall she was a brilliant tour guide and she made the trip amazing.
G
Balkan Trail
She was an excellent fun and energized guide, always knew what she was doing!
M
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Poppy was my guide on the Greek island flexi hopper in July last year and she was amazing! Knew every inch of every island as well as the stories and history to go with it! Mine and my friends flight…Poppy was my guide on the Greek island flexi hopper in July last year and she was amazing! Knew every inch of every island as well as the stories and history to go with it! Mine and my friends flights got changed and we nearly didn't make it to the tour but poppy made sure we knew where we were going even before we met her. Overall such a funny and gorgeous girl to be around who made sure everyone was always comfortable and happy!!
R
Balkan Highlights
Did the busabout balkan highlights tour with Poppy, she was a ocean of knowledge through every country having answers to everyones questions. Shes bubbly and always positive an amazing guide allround!
J
Balkan Trail
Poppy is such a kind, caring and fun person to be around. She guided us around the Balkans and her knowledge is outstanding. Her fact sharing is interesting and engaging and after the tour you really …Poppy is such a kind, caring and fun person to be around. She guided us around the Balkans and her knowledge is outstanding. Her fact sharing is interesting and engaging and after the tour you really do find yourself in other European locations saying 'I wish Poppy was here with us!' My wife and I want to schedule our next Euro tour around her as a guide!
A
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
Wonderful tour - 14 nights and action-packed days touring 7 countries, visiting 18 locations, making new friends, and learning about different cultures. Our guide, Poppy is very competent, cheerful, k…Wonderful tour - 14 nights and action-packed days touring 7 countries, visiting 18 locations, making new friends, and learning about different cultures. Our guide, Poppy is very competent, cheerful, knowledgeable, and a wonderful person. Within a few days we were all bonding and becoming a cohesive group - caring for each other, sharing, and enjoying the family atmosphere. The walking tours in Orhid, Skopje, Thessalonoki, Belgrade, and Sarajevo, visits to monasteries and Oracle of Delphi, and bar crawls in Kotor and Belgrade are truly memorable. Great value for the substantial quantity of sightseeing and the invaluable quality of companionship and excellent guidance by Poppy.
V
Ultimate Balkan Adventure (Split to Split)
This was a wonderful experience. We visited so many different places that I would have never imagined visiting in my life. Our guide was fantastic and personable; our travel group was sweet and cohesi…This was a wonderful experience. We visited so many different places that I would have never imagined visiting in my life. Our guide was fantastic and personable; our travel group was sweet and cohesive. I definitely enjoyed this experience.
J
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Such a great way to travel around the Greek islands, its flexible and safe. The tour guides are amazing and know many stories. The people are great too. Would definitely do it again.
N
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Had an incredible time! I would do it all again. Made some amazing friends and the guide was AMAZING! V.engaging, enthusiastic, fun,bubbly & outgoing. Had no problems with accomodation, and transport …Had an incredible time! I would do it all again. Made some amazing friends and the guide was AMAZING! V.engaging, enthusiastic, fun,bubbly & outgoing. Had no problems with accomodation, and transport was smooth. Everything was on point. Would love to do it all again!
A
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
I had the trip of a lifetime on the Busabout Greek island hopper. It was made ever more memorable by our guide, the effervescent Poppy! She was fun loving and extremely knowledgable about the ancient …I had the trip of a lifetime on the Busabout Greek island hopper. It was made ever more memorable by our guide, the effervescent Poppy! She was fun loving and extremely knowledgable about the ancient Greeks and the modern Greeks. The islands Mykonos, Paros, Santorini and Ios were a perfect cross section of the Greek way of living and would do it again in a heartbeat, as long as Poppy was our guide!!!
S
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
I did the Greek Island trip in June 2016, and it was lead by the amazing Poppy. Poppy was just a superstar. She knew so much about the Greek mythology and made it very fun for all of us! She knew exac…I did the Greek Island trip in June 2016, and it was lead by the amazing Poppy. Poppy was just a superstar. She knew so much about the Greek mythology and made it very fun for all of us! She knew exactly where to take us out and had great relationships with the restaurants/bars so we were always looked after. The islands Mykonos, Paros, Santorini and Ios are all uniquely spectacular but if you are able to extend, I would recommend spending 4 nights in Santorini, as there is so much to do there! Poppy made the trip just that extra bit special because she is a special lady!!
S
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Just returned from the Greek Island Hopper July 2016. Such an awesome experience! Our guide Poppy was incredible! Fun, informative, organized to a T, spoke the language, helpful...I could go on and on…Just returned from the Greek Island Hopper July 2016. Such an awesome experience! Our guide Poppy was incredible! Fun, informative, organized to a T, spoke the language, helpful...I could go on and on. She is a major part of why we enjoyed our trip so much. We did most of the optional excursions and they were great value. We didn't stay at the recommended accommodation but it was still easy to meet up with the group. From what I could tell the recommendeds were good, cost effective options. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting a hassle free way to get around the greek islands and have an awesome time!