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Home/Our Experts/Asia/Maria C. Spitman
Maria C Spitman
Asia
Indian Ocean

Maria C. Spitman

I picked up the taste for adventure at nine years old, visiting my relatives in Sicily for the first time. When I later qualified as a teacher, I knew I'd be living abroad. I spent years in South Korea and then England, immersed in both cultures and wandering across Asia and Europe at every opportunity. One brimming passport later, I retired my teacher's hat, entered the travel industry professionally, and have never looked back.

In Korea, you do everything with two hands to show respect. Handing a cashier your money? Topping up your friend's drink? Being handed a towel at the gym? Two hands! The "short form" is physically handing it over with one hand, having your other hand touch your forearm.

"Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul." - Jaime Lyn

On my first visit to Naples, we were heading from the museum to the castle, where I found myself chatting with our taxi driver while stuck in traffic, using the little Italian I knew. He found out that I am Sicilian just from my accent, and he offered to take us on his own tour of Naples, absolutely free. We thought it might be a scam, but what followed was the best four-hour tour of the area I could have asked for. Fontanelle Cemetery, the best cafe for espresso and sfogliatelle, and Castel Ovo, just to name a few. We wound up driving down the coast to Sorrento at sunset, where he invited us for dinner with his family. Regrettably, we had the evening train to Rome already booked, so we had to decline. Everything about that experience, including small gestures like his refusal of our offer of gas money at the end of the day, showed me just how much love locals have for their home and how warm they are in wanting to share its beauty with visitors. This memory stays with me to this day. has stayed with me years later.

Some of Maria's Favourite Places

01

Phuket

Aerial view of Big Buddha viewpoint at sunset on Phuket with a view of the water and coast below
02

Killarney

Scenic view of Gap of Dunloe
03

Rome

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican
04

Yorkshire Moors and Dales

North Yorkshire Moors
05

Seoul

Sunset view of Seoul City Skyline, South Korea
06

Bali

Famous temple with morning mists over the Danau Beratan lake
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My Wife and I finally had an opportunity to go on one of our Bucket list trips Goway Travel, Egypt Odyssey 9 days including the Nile river .The booking process was seamless,the Goway rep Harpreet answered all of questions, in a professional, and timely manner, the trip it self was incredible, the meet and greet at the airport was incredibly quick,the rep Mohammed Koda,had our luggage and visas in no time we were at the Sheraton Cairo, an amazing hotel in the heart of Cairo, a wonderful facility, 3 amazing restaurants ,a large pool, a bank, and a Starbucks .The Pyramids and Museum tour where incredible WOW, we still talk about it, the guide Marco was amazing, professional and personable gentleman an excellent combination. The shuttle to airport for the Nile river Luxor to Aswan was also very smooth, when arriving in Luxor another rep was waiting for us,we were quickly ,taken to the docks, the Sonesta boat was amazing ,the cabin was clean a good size, and the food very good, with excellent deserts and plenty of fresh fruits, pool with plenty of shade .Our daily trips to the tombs and sites were amazing, our guide Mr Honey is an incredible book of knowledge we are both very grateful for his skills and knowledge .The Nile river trip will stay in our minds for years, we returned back to Cairo to finish our Egypt Odyssey trip with a tour of the original Museum ,such incredible history, and an incredible trip ,thank you so much Goway Travel for making this dream trip happen for us Tony and Rose Ferreira sharkman Tony
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The booking processs was really easy. Katie was very communicative and was very responsive. Every change we asked for, she quickly replied. The room arrangements had a small hiccupp but Katie fixed it within minutes! All the excursions were a blast and well planned. The trip was a bucket list trip and was everything we hoped for. Alison H
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