Clare Burkey
Destination Manager
Meet Clare
Every trip we design is personal, and that starts with our brilliant team of Destination Managers. They handpick every hotel, route and excursion based on their own first-hand experiences, love of the country and passion for making your holiday the very best it can be.
Our India expert, Clare, has been designing holidays since 2008, and has a real love for the country’s colour, chaos and charm. From sunrise boat rides on the Ganges to sampling street food in Delhi and bobbing along through the calm of Kerala’s backwaters, she knows exactly how to balance the busyness with moments of quiet magic. Having travelled widely across the country, Clare’s full of tips, stories and personal recommendations, and she brings all of that first-hand knowledge into every holiday she designs.
Why do you love travel?
“
It took me half a century to understand where my innate love of discovery came from. Now I know it was standing with my father at the river’s edge in Porto, both of us eagerly pinpointing the famous wine houses across the Ribeira. In that moment, I realised: my “need” to travel was more than just wanderlust. It was part personality, perhaps part genetics—or maybe even something deeper, from a past life. Who knows?
Through my younger years I always had the urge to see what was around the next corner, and this had grown into a roaring call by my 20s. Travel has been a large part of my life and my chosen career from the get go, and has taken me far and wide, sometimes for months, sometimes years, to far flung shores, and back again.
How long have you worked in travel?
“
At 16, while struggling to choose a third A-level, I was given the chance to take two extra GCSEs. One of them, Travel and Tourism, turned out to be life-changing.
As part of my degree, I spent my first stint abroad in Paxos,(google it but don’t tell anybody), where I instantly fell in love with Greece. That experience led me to explore further, eventually spending three years in Asia and Australasia. My early career began in a high-street travel agency, then evolved into a specialist Greek Tour Operator, before settling into my current role as an India Specialist – 17 years and counting.
Exploring a country, experiencing these incredible places firsthand, and meeting the amazing colleagues, families, and friends who bring travel to life is the best. I couldn't love it more.
Off duty, where can we find you?
“
My family of one husband, two sons, a border collie, and a rescue cat now live in the Cotswolds. Aside from walking an energetic dog, I love to cold water swim year-round, lakes rivers or sea, and have a long-standing yoga practise. My happy place is Cornwall, the ruggedness of the coastline and the sweeping beaches off-season guarantee to blow away the cobwebs. I am saving up for a barrel sauna and ice bath for my garden!
Clare's travels
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Find out a little more
One of the most unforgettable moments for me was being hosted by the wonderful royal family at Ahilya Fort, a place that feels more like a home than a hotel. Perched high above the sacred Narmada River in Maheshwar, Central India.
Celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi there was pure magic. The ancient ghats came alive with colour, and joy, as locals and guests came together throwing endless colour. The hosts made it feel like I was part of something truly special too, and really welcomed me into the festivitie. It’s these kinds of experiences, intimate, authentic, deeply rooted in tradition, that make India so extraordinary.
Reviews for Clare
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[content] => First time clients of Holiday Architects and what a memorable trip they planned and delivered for us. Lisa and Clare put together 5 weeks of crisscrossing Sri Lanka and Rajasthan in India, whilst their excellent partners on the ground made sure we had the best experience possible. As new destinations for us of course all the iconic sites were included but what made it so special were the quirky places we stayed, the unique experiences scheduled just for us and above all the generosity of our drivers and the many guides willing to share their personal insights on local customs and culture. It goes without saying we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Holiday Architects if you are planning that special trip and thank you Lisa and Clare, we loved it all!
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[content] => We recently booked a holiday to India; we were helped all the way by Clare who put together a wonderful itinerary for us.
India is a truly amazing country with so much rich history, culture, wildlife and scenery. Above this, the people we met were friendly, interesting and interested, and a joy to meet. Thank you for a truly memorable trip.
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“
First time clients of Holiday Architects and what a memorable trip they planned and delivered for us. Lisa and Clare put together 5 weeks of crisscrossing Sri Lanka and Rajasthan in India, whilst their excellent partners on the ground made sure we had the best experience possible. As new destinations for us of course all the iconic sites were included but what made it so special were the quirky places we stayed, the unique experiences scheduled just for us and above all the generosity of our drivers and the many guides willing to share their personal insights on local customs and culture. It goes without saying we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Holiday Architects if you are planning that special trip and thank you Lisa and Clare, we loved it all!
”
“
We recently booked a holiday to India; we were helped all the way by Clare who put together a wonderful itinerary for us. India is a truly amazing country with so much rich history, culture, wildlife and scenery. Above this, the people we met were friendly, interesting and interested, and a joy to meet. Thank you for a truly memorable trip.
”
Holidays Clare recommends
Excursions Clare recommends
Chat to Clare
If you're thinking of a holiday to India, our Clare has you covered.
Get a Quote 01242 253 073Open Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
