Lisa Jankus-Scott

Lisa Jankus-Scott

Destination Manager

Vietnam
Cambodia
Sri Lanka

Meet Lisa

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.

Lisa is our Vietnam, Cambodia and Sri Lanka expert, and her love for travel goes right back to childhood, she was the kid collecting brochures from travel agents and making scrapbooks of dream adventures from day dot. A teenage trip to Sri Lanka sparked a lifelong passion for Asia, and since then she’s explored everywhere from Vietnam’s street-food markets to Cambodia’s temples and beyond. She loves the mix of cultures, scenery, and incredible food this part of the world has to offer, and brings all that first-hand knowledge into the holidays she designs. When she’s not travelling, you’ll find her hanging out with her friends, at home with her cats, getting active or giving in to her ultimate weakness: pizza.

Why do you love travel?

Why do you love travel?

“

The memories of my first trip when I was just a little girl are still fresh in my mind; travel has always excited me. The buzz of arriving at the airport, the noise of the aircraft, that amazing feeling of anticipation and the bright duty-free shops (everyone knows I can’t resist a duty-free bargain)! Then the excitement of boarding the aircraft, knowing I’m on my way to either somewhere I’ve been before and how much I love it, or somewhere new, wondering what it will be like, experiencing new adventures and culinary delights.

Locking those memories away to draw on when I want to during conversations is so special to me, and the way it makes me feel when I talk about my travel memories. There really is nothing like travel for stirring my passion.

How long have you worked in travel?

How long have you worked in travel?

“

When I was growing up I knew I wanted to work, live and breathe travel. There is no better feeling in the world for me than when I am going away somewhere or talking about holidays.

I studied travel at college and after finishing my course, passing with Merit, I started out working behind the scenes in a sales support role, before taking the step into a sales role. I had travelled extensively by this time so felt more confident and comfortable to advise customers on where to see and what to experience on their holidays.

I love nothing more than matching a customer’s wishes to an itinerary, feeling their excitement about the trip, and then hearing all about how much they loved it on their return.

Off duty, where can we find you?

Off duty, where can we find you?

“

I am not one for sitting still, so I absolutely adore exercise as well as music, and combining the two is even better. I love walking, running, HIIT sessions and Zumba, all done with music surrounding me.

I absolutely love animals and have a cat who very much wants all the attention, so is an only child, much to my disappointment, as I would love to fill the house with multiple cats and dogs!

I also love cooking, and once I have some yummy food to feast on, you will often find me with the obligatory glass of wine in hand, chatting to friends with my records on (and more often than not, a pizza in front of me!)

Lisa's travels

Array
(
    [0] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---street-food-scooter-saigon
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---street-food-scooter-saigon.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 764
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---street-food-scooter-saigon.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Street food scooter tour in Saigon
        )

    [1] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---hoan-kiem-lake-hanoi
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---hoan-kiem-lake-hanoi.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---hoan-kiem-lake-hanoi.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
        )

    [2] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---cu-chi-tunnels-3-vietnam
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---cu-chi-tunnels-3-vietnam.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 822
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---cu-chi-tunnels-3-vietnam.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam
        )

    [3] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---cocktail-in-ninh-van-bay-vietnam
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---cocktail-in-ninh-van-bay-vietnam.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1431
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---cocktail-in-ninh-van-bay-vietnam.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [image_focus] => top
            [caption] => Cocktail in Ninh Van Bay
        )

    [4] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js-kandy-sri-lanka
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js-kandy-sri-lanka.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js-kandy-sri-lanka.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [image_focus] => top
            [caption] => Kandy, Sri Lanka
        )

    [5] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---sigiriya-rock-sri-lanka
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---sigiriya-rock-sri-lanka.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---sigiriya-rock-sri-lanka.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Sigiriya rock art, Sri Lanka
        )

    [6] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---hiriwadunna-sri-lanka
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---hiriwadunna-sri-lanka.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---hiriwadunna-sri-lanka.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Hiriwadunna, Sri Lanka
        )

    [7] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---galle
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---galle.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---galle.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Galle, Sri Lanka
        )

    [8] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js-koh-rong-island-cambodia
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js-koh-rong-island-cambodia.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js-koh-rong-island-cambodia.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Koh Rong Island, Cambodia
        )

    [9] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---preparing-food-for-elephants-at-kulen-elephant-forest-cambodia
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---preparing-food-for-elephants-at-kulen-elephant-forest-cambodia.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---preparing-food-for-elephants-at-kulen-elephant-forest-cambodia.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Kulen Elephant Forest, Cambodia
        )

    [10] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---cambodia
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---cambodia.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---cambodia.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [caption] => Cambodia
        )

    [11] => stdClass Object
        (
            [title] => lisa-js---angkor-temples-cycling-tour-cambodia
            [thumb] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [src] => images/2025/07/30/_spmedia_thumbs/lisa-js---angkor-temples-cycling-tour-cambodia.jpg
                    [width] => 1080
                    [height] => 1440
                )

            [full] => images/2025/07/30/lisa-js---angkor-temples-cycling-tour-cambodia.jpg
            [alt] => 
            [image_focus] => top
            [caption] => Angkor Wat Temples cycling tour, Cambodia
        )

)

Find out a little more

One of my favourite ever travel memories has to be the Saigon by Night: Street Food and Scooter excursion. Zipping through the streets of Saigon pillion for the most amazing and exciting scooter ride. The wind in my hair, witnessing the daily life of locals and sampling different dishes was just exhilarating and the best end to my trip I could have ever hoped for.

Image

Reviews for Lisa

Array
(
    [0] => stdClass Object
        (
            [content] => Usually book our own holidays but the trip we wanted to Vietnam and Cambodia was far too complicated, Lisa was excellent from start to finish, the arrangements were seamless. Guides and drivers were amazing, hotels were perfectly located to allow us to walk and explore. Food walking tours were great and the tuk tuk tour fantastic. We covered everything we wanted and more including the blessings by the Buddhist monk, climbing inside the cu chi tunnels and cocktails in Raffles. Couldn’t recommend Lisa and HA any more fantastic service.
            [name] => Sue
            [location] => Trustpilot
            [text_color] => 
            [admin_label] => Item 1
            [quote_color] => 
        )

    [1] => stdClass Object
        (
            [content] => From the first point of contact Lisa was exceptional at ensuring we planned and achieved the best holiday we could ever have hoped for in Vietnam. The service we received from the ground team when we arrived in Vietnam was beyond our wildest dreams we felt safe, protected and most importantly in the hands of expert hands, which is everything you would want from the experience. Thank you so much and we have recommended your company and would not hesitate using you again in the future.
            [name] => Brenda Hughes
            [location] => Trustpilot
            [text_color] => 
            [admin_label] => Item 1 copy
        )

)

“

Usually book our own holidays but the trip we wanted to Vietnam and Cambodia was far too complicated, Lisa was excellent from start to finish, the arrangements were seamless. Guides and drivers were amazing, hotels were perfectly located to allow us to walk and explore. Food walking tours were great and the tuk tuk tour fantastic. We covered everything we wanted and more including the blessings by the Buddhist monk, climbing inside the cu chi tunnels and cocktails in Raffles. Couldn’t recommend Lisa and HA any more fantastic service.
SueTrustpilot

”

“

From the first point of contact Lisa was exceptional at ensuring we planned and achieved the best holiday we could ever have hoped for in Vietnam. The service we received from the ground team when we arrived in Vietnam was beyond our wildest dreams we felt safe, protected and most importantly in the hands of expert hands, which is everything you would want from the experience. Thank you so much and we have recommended your company and would not hesitate using you again in the future.
Brenda HughesTrustpilot

”

Holidays Lisa recommends

Holiday

Adventurous Vietnam

Vietnam

An action-packed adventure through Northern & Central Vietnam.

16 days
Family Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more
from £4,350 pp
Holiday

The Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

A wildlife-focused journey through Sri Lanka’s National Parks.

12 days
Safari Wildlife & Nature + 1 more + 2 more
from £3,830 pp
Holiday

Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

Cambodia, Vietnam

Two countries, one unforgettable journey through South East Asia.

15 days
Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more
from £4,150 pp

Excursions Lisa recommends

Excursion

Evening Street-Food Tour of Saigon by Vespa

This is part street food extravaganza and part night tour of Saigon. You get to experience the vibrant nightlife of Saigon the way locals do, from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Stops include a traditional 'quan' where locals congregate for their main evening meal with friends and family. Sample the street food for which Vietnam is rightly famous and also visit a Vietnamese-style coffee shop, wrapping the evening up at one of the city's predominantly local clubs where live acoustic music is played. The tour begins at 6pm when your Vespa (with driver - you ride pillion!) will pick up at your hotel before diving in to the buzzing streets. Its not remotely as terrifying as it sounds. The city comes alive after sundown and people congregate on sidewalks, parks and all over the city at the end of each day. Do not eat before you head out. Indeed, skip lunch to build your appetite - you'll need it. It is important that you don't overeat at the first stop (however tempting that may be), as there is plenty yet to discover later in the tour. Food follows food! The first stop is only to sample some light evening pre-dinner snacks, before continuing to a traditional 'bia hoi' for several dinner courses and drinks. You get to sample of Saigon's best authentic street food, accompanied by your guide and Vespa driver. There is so much to taste, some can be rather quirky, but it's all delicious. An evening out in Ho Chi Minh City is not complete without a visit to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop. Then, wrap up the evening at one of the many local acoustic music clubs, where the new generation of Vietnamese cool-kids like to unwind. This tour usually will get you back to the hotel for 10pm...'ish'.

Excursion

Angkor 'Tomb Raider' Experience

Transport by vintage army-style jeep sets the tone for this half-day private guided tour of Angkor Archaeological Park exploring the labyrinthian temple complex of Preah Khan through the eyes of a renowned archaeologist and Angkor expert. Much like its famous counterpart, Ta Prohm (where the Angelina Jolie film was shot), Preah Khan is a royal complex that was left largely as it was discovered —with crumbling walls and collapsed corridors as a result of trees and vines creeping in after the fall of the Angkorian empire. Exploring the hidden corners of this vast and little-visited temple complex with an archaeologist allows one to truly feel as though they are a 'tomb raider' for the day - an experience that won't soon be forgotten!

Excursion

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  This half-day tour takes us to the ancient city of Sigiriya; Sri Lanka’s short lived yet most extraordinary medieval capital. It sits atop a huge flat-topped outcrop that soars 180m high, dominating the jungle on every side. On closer inspection what you’ll find are pleasure gardens, a series of ancient frescos, as well as staircases leading to the remains of a palace. The 5th century AD saw this monastery transformed into a unique combination of urban planning as well as natural and imaginatively landscaped gardens, with ingenious ancient hydro engineering. Otherwise known as the ‘Lion’s Rock’, Sigiriya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and it remains one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic attractions. It’s not only a unique archaeological site but also an incredible geological formation that offers outstanding views of the scenery below. The walk up to the rock is fascinating, passing through the ruins of water gardens that still activate fountains on a rainy day. You’ll also pass the boulder gardens before beginning the climb through the terraced gardens. An extraordinary 1202 steps takes you to the top of Sigiriya, the climb seems difficult, however the continuous climb is broken up by short terraces at regular intervals to make it less strenuous. At the half way mark a short flight of stairs will take you to the paintings of the Sigiriya maidens, which is a real highlight. There were 500 frescos originally, only about 50 remain today. You will also see the mirror wall with its ancient and barely decipherable graffiti. The climb from the lions paw to the top of the rock is along a narrow metal stairway with railings. For some the climb is difficult and requires a certain degree of energy but it’s worth it as the views from the summit of the rock are spectacular. We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the temperature is cooler.  

Excursion

Food Blogger Street Food Tour

This is a walking tour of Hanoi, focussing not-exclusively on street food. You are accompanied by a renowned food blogger - an Australian hospitality industry insider who has an enormous passion for Vietnam's country's food and culture. His blog is where he has documented his food and culture adventures since 2005, making quirky observations which have found their way into both the local and international media. His experience managing some of Hanoi's finest dining establishments along with his passionate interest in street-food (he's shared many hours trawling the street stalls and markets) make him the genuine, local authority on Hanoi's food scene. The tour usually starts in the Old Quarter at Thanh Ha market. Along the way you will try delicacies, strange food items and listen to an on-going commentary of Vietnamese food practices. This busy, eclectic market is alive with the sights and sounds of Hanoi and is the essence of Vietnamese culture. Sample some local treats such as pho tiu and bun dau as your guide explains the routine of Vietnam meal times and indigenous/unusual ingredients eaten. See dried goods and aromatics, the essentials of Vietnamese cuisine as you stroll up 'food alley', to see other dishes on offer. At the end of the tour stop at one of the Old Quarter busiest (yet smallest) coffee shops for a well-earned sit down and coffee before transferring back to your hotel. This tour can be taken in the morning or afternoon.

Chat to Lisa

With plenty of first-hand experience, stories and tips to share, get in touch with our Lisa to talk holidays.

Get a Quote 01242 253 073

Open Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm

Image

We'd love to keep in touch.

Sign up to get our latest team news, travel tips and holiday inspiration straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Holiday Architects ltd. All Rights Reserved.