Benjamin Monaghan

Six trips to Italy and counting. For Ben Monaghan, returning to a destination is never a sign of running out of ideas - it's how you really get to know a place. With two decades in the travel industry and 49 countries behind him, the luxury travel advisor with Travel Associates designs bespoke journeys grounded in genuine first-hand knowledge.

His career has been recognised at the highest level – Number 1 Escape Travel Consultant in 2009, and Number 1 Flight Centre Specialist Consultant in 2023 as part of the year’s most profitable specialist team. But ask Ben what he’s most proud of, and he points to something far more personal: a photo of 20 family members gathered on a Japanese ski slope at Christmas, flown in from all corners of the world. “Knowing I played a part in that special moment is heartwarming,” he says.

Italy is his enduring favourite – six visits in and counting. “From big cities to coastal regions and beautiful countryside, it really has it all,” he says. “And you can’t go past the food.” Lake Como and the Dolomites are next on his list. Beyond Italy, Ben’s expertise spans the great safari landscapes of Africa – where watching the Big Five remains his most treasured memory – through to the wellness-led elegance of new openings like Six Senses London.

Personal touches define Ben's signature client experience. A handwritten card, a bottle of champagne on arrival, a box of chocolates to mark a milestone – small considerations that turn a holiday into a one-of-a-kind memory, paired with the meticulous attention to detail his clients rely on.

With Antarctica, South America and gorilla trekking in Uganda still ahead of him, Ben’s curiosity keeps him at the leading edge of luxury travel. “Travel enriches your life,” he says. “New cultures, languages and food just bring me so much joy.”