Hi there! We’re Jesse and Jo, the faces behind Beyond The Tourist Trail! Our love for travel has been with us from a young age—Jesse spent 10 years living in Spain and New Zealand, experiencing new cultures from an early age, while Jo grew up taking adventurous trips that sparked her curiosity for the world. We met in 2014 at university, and after graduating, we set off on a three-month backpacking journey through Southeast Asia. This trip was the beginning of something life-changing for us and we’ve have now visited over 60 countries between us. Along the way, we’ve developed a passion for discovering underrated places, off-the-beaten-path destinations that many travellers may overlook. We thrive on challenging ourselves to find new places to explore and share those hidden gems with fellow travellers.. Whether it’s a quiet village in the mountains or a little-known coastal town, our travel guides are here to help you uncover the world’s best-kept secrets!
Jesse is originally from Wales and tends to be more of the strategic planner out of the two. Jesse loves diving deep into research, finding hidden gems, and crafting detailed travel guides and itineraries. Jo, who is originally from England, prefers soaking in every moment, capturing memories through photography, and embracing the experience.. (aka.. just turns up). Jo's favourite country is Guatemala, a place that stole her heart with its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes. Jesse has a special love for Kazakhstan, a place that surprised him with its beauty and depth, although Guatemala is a close contender for his top spot too! When we’re not traveling or planning our next adventure, we run our own luxury dog hotel, called "The Cwtch", which we’re incredibly passionate about. We love working with dogs, and the business keeps us busy, but our passion for travel is what fuels us. We balance the demands of the dog hotel with our endless curiosity for new destinations. Whether it’s researching remote mountain villages or coastal towns that remain under the radar, we are always dreaming up our next getaway.
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Our mission with Beyond The Tourist Trail is to help fellow travellers uncover the world’s best-kept secrets—places that don’t make it into the mainstream guidebooks but are just as worthy of exploration. We’ve always been drawn to off-the-beaten-path destinations, the quiet villages, and lesser-known spots that offer an authentic experience away from the crowds. It’s these places that allow us to truly connect with the culture, people, and landscapes in a way that’s unique and meaningful.
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Through our travels, we’ve learned that life is about embracing the unknown, stepping outside our comfort zone, and discovering the magic in unexpected places. Our passion for travel has kept us motivated not only in our personal lives but also in our business. The feeling of freedom we get from exploring new destinations inspires us to work hard, push boundaries, and bring that same excitement and energy into everything we do.​ We hope our travel guides can help and inspire you on your next advenutre!