About Us

Philip Email Philip

Ex hippy builder, failed pop promoter and a teacher for ten years, Philip Davies started Real Holidays in Islington in 1989 at a time when no other travel agent was interested in selling the holidays of small specialist tour operators. That's a long time to practice putting together creative itineraries in Europe and Asia, and to build up knowledge of individual properties, especially in Italy and Greece, that is second to none.

Matthew Email Matthew

After nearly 10 years in the travel industry, and 2 spells of "backpacking" in Asia, Matt has finally settled down and is enjoying his role as Manager at Real Holidays. Dispelling the myth that he only likes to "rough it" he has enjoyed a luxury honeymoon to Mozambique and South Africa and travelled in style in Sri Lanka and India. His favourite destination is still the Indian Subcontinent but the beaches of Thailand, the cultural hotpot of Indochina and the ski slopes of North America run it very close! Destinations visited include: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, South Africa, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jamaica, Mexico, Tobago and widely travelled in Europe.

Annabel Email Annabel

Annabel has been with us for 4 years and manages our Italian portfolio. Having spent a year studying in Pisa, she has an excellent knowledge of all things Italian and enjoys her regular trips to Italy to visit our growing portfolio of properties there. She has also travelled extensively worldwide and enjoys putting together tailor-made itineraries to far flung destinations. Recent trips include her honeymoon to Chile and a wildlife-filled trip to Malaysian Borneo. Other destinations visited include: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Thailand, Nepal, China (including Tibet), Maldives, Borneo, Antigua, Anguilla, St Lucia, Cuba, Egypt and extensive travel in Europe.

Sarah Email Sarah

Sarah joined Real Holidays in Feb 1998 and has acquired extensive knowledge of most destinations. As well as her own clients, Sarah helps Philip research his bookings, works on the development of the Italian portfolio and the Real Holidays website. Sarah grew up in Ecuador and she has recently returned from her honeymoon to Mexico City and the Yucatan which was a amazing. Destinations visited include: Kenya, Mexico, western Canada, Buenos Aires, Rio, USA, India, Australia, Grenada, St Lucia, Tobago and various countries in Europe.

Rob Email Rob

In 2004 Rob upped sticks from Real Holidays, suffering from a six year itch, to follow his dentist wife north to Stockport. After a brief period of catering for the needs of footballers' wives, and an even briefer period of paternity leave, he has returned to the fold in the guise of a home-worker. We are delighted to have him back, as over the years he has acquired an impressive breadth of knowledge due to an amazing memory which is the envy of his boss. If it is quick, efficient service to any destination you are after, you will be put through to "our man in the north". Specialist areas: Caribbean, safaris, Scandinavia, baby friendly holidays.

Kate Email Kate

Kate joined us in the summer of 2003 after serving a two year apprenticeship at Travelbag. She handles all our business travel which demands a degree of patience and efficiency that we all admire, although considerably more patience is required in her combining this responsibility with her new role as Philip's PA. Her quiet authority is beginning to have a good effect on his wayward booking excesses, let down only by this blond chanteuse's penchant for Robbie Williams.

Chris Email Chris

Chris joined us in August 2010 but is hardly new to the travel industry after two and a half years at Trailfinders. A gap year travelling in Australia was followed by a formative twelve months teaching English in a remote Korean town, and further travels in Thailand and Cambodia means we have a Far Eastern expert on our books. Now he is beginning to discover this wonderful place called ‘Europe’ too which is a bit of shock for the poor boy.

Kate Edwards Email Kate Edwards

And here to change our daily life is Kate - yes one was enough, who's been organising long haul trips for rival companies for the last four years having backpacked in the Far East and Australia for the previous two. She makes up a trio of English graduates here so is well prepared from dragging Real Holidays' marketing into the digital and social media brave new world.

Stephanie Email Stephanie

Steph is now in her 2nd year at Real Holidays and we were lucky to have acquired someone with her wealth of knowledge gained after five years at the Flight Centre and a year of globe trotting. She finds South America particularly fascinating but can build bespoke holidays to any near or far flung destination. Whisper it quietly but having been a manager at the Flight Centre we are hoping she’ll introduce a modicum of organisational nous to the business.

Sacha Email Sacha

Sacha is often the person who answers the phone when you first ring up and is responsible for passing on your enquiries to the most appropriate person. However, after twelve years she has become a lot more important than that, and it is a commonly held view that Real Holidays would collapse without her. She manages to be both very bossy and very popular with the rest of the staff, once again the envy of the boss.

Sandra Email Sandra

Sandra has been keeping the accounts at Real Holidays for ten years now and has become irreplaceable, as this is not the boss's strongest area. She radiates an aura of calm in the office and has gradually taken on more areas of financial control. She is another person to whom the staff have to answer, as not the smallest mistake escapes her beady eye.

Andrew Email Andrew

Andrew is our latest recruit and youngest member of the team. Having escaped the somewhat less than alluring ambience of Scunthorpe to take his degree in International Tourism down here in the bright lights of London, he now displays an infectious enthusiasm and interest in all aspects of travel. While his initial role here is in a key support role to the sales consultants, we expect him to begin displaying his precocious travel knowledge and customer service focus to our regular clients before long.