My name’s Paul Southgate, and if there’s one thing I’ve always been good at, it’s turning ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. I’ve spent the better part of my career in travel and events, crafting luxurious escapes that people didn’t know they needed but now can’t live without. Whether it’s pampering spa retreats or glamorous city breaks, I’ve made it my business to take the stress out of planning and put the joy back into traveling.
But let’s rewind a bit. My journey didn’t exactly follow a straight line—it’s more of a scenic route, with a few detours and surprises along the way. It all started when I was 17, working on one of the UK’s largest free outdoor events. For 11 years, I spent my summers immersed in the chaos and excitement of pulling together something spectacular, eventually earning a seat at the grown-ups’ table on the event committee. It was here that I learned the art of creating experiences that stick in people’s memories long after the last balloon has floated away.
From there, I found myself swept up in the low-cost airline revolution, working with a travel and events company that specialized in quickfire UK and European weekends. It was a whirlwind of airports, itineraries, and just enough glamour to keep the pace exhilarating. By the time I left, I could probably organize a group getaway in my sleep.
Then came a leap into the digital world, managing online communities and building connections in ways that didn’t require a boarding pass. It was a crash course in client services, people-wrangling, and the occasionally painful process of adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape.
But my first love has always been travel. In 2011, I decided to throw caution to the wind and set up my own venture, combining all the things I’d learned about creating memorable experiences, managing people, and, frankly, making magic happen. Over the years, the business grew beyond my wildest expectations, and by 2019, we were arranging over £1 million worth of luxury escapes annually.
And then COVID hit. Practically overnight, the world stopped traveling, and the industry ground to a halt. It was devastating—watching years of work unravel, not knowing when or if things would ever return to normal. But if there’s one thing travel teaches you, it’s resilience. You learn to pivot, adapt, and look ahead to sunnier horizons. While the pandemic may have temporarily clipped the industry’s wings, the desire to explore the world never truly disappears. And as far as I’m concerned, the best adventures are still yet to come.
The Travel Critic 