Chris Scott - TravelManagers

02/09/2026

My career started with a family holiday. My latest obsession began on the ice.

My interest in travel began when my parents took me to Singapore and Phuket at 11 years old.

I was fascinated by the different cultures, people, food and scenery. It made the world feel much larger and far more interesting than I had realised.

That early holiday eventually led me to a career in travel that has now lasted more than 20 years.

A little later, at 35, I decided to become a beginner again and learnt how to ice skate. A few years after that, I started playing ice hockey. I now coach at my local rink, while my son plays goalie at a considerably higher level than I ever have (or will!), and has even represented Australia!

Travel and hockey might not appear to have much in common, but both have taught me that some of the best experiences begin when you are willing to feel slightly out of your depth.

I’m Chris Scott, a Personal Travel Manager based in Perth. I help travellers create experience-led holidays, from river and small-ship cruises to premium hotels, rail journeys and carefully planned independent trips.

If you’re new here, introduce yourself in the comments. What is something you started later in life that you wish you had discovered sooner?

23/08/2026

31/07/2026

🎄 CHRISTMAS ON THE RHINE — SAVE $2,500 PER PERSON 🎄

Christmas-market lovers, this is a rather special last-minute cabin opportunity with Viking.

Depart Amsterdam on 25 November 2026 and spend eight days sailing towards Basel, visiting some of Europe’s most atmospheric festive destinations along the way.

✨ Cologne
✨ Koblenz and Rüdesheim
✨ Mannheim and Speyer
✨ Strasbourg — the centre of Christmas in France, in my opinion!
✨ Breisach
✨ Basel, where the festive fun can continue

Current cabin availability:

🛏️ Just ONE Standard Stateroom remaining
Now $3,195 per person
Usually $5,695 per person

🥂 Or cruise in serious style in an Explorer Suite
Now $7,495 per person
Usually $9,995 per person

That’s a saving of $2,500 per person whichever option you choose.

Viking includes an excursion in every port, onboard meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, port charges and onboard gratuities.

These cabins are unlikely to remain available for long.

Comment CHRISTMAS or send me a message and I’ll check the latest availability and help you turn it into a complete European festive escape.

Prices are in Australian dollars per person, twin share, and subject to availability and change. Conditions apply.



***Photos are of Christmas markets...just not in Germany. You'll need to go to Switzerland for these ones, which I can also help with😁

11/07/2026

I’ve stayed in some incredible hotels over the years.

Hotels with breathtaking views. Beautiful rooms. Amazing restaurants.

But one of the most memorable moments I’ve ever had in a hotel came from… a dressing gown.

During our stay at The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, Mackenna and I spent our first day exploring Tokyo before returning to our room that evening.

Turndown service had been completed, and laid neatly on each of our beds was a yukata (a summer style kimono)

Now, this might not sound like a big deal.

But if you’re built like me, you’ll know that hotel robes and gowns rarely fit. They’re usually too short, too tight, or both.

So I put mine on, expecting the usual.

It fit perfectly.

Mackenna tried hers on.

Perfect.

We just stood there looking at each other laughing.

“How on earth did they know our sizes?”

No one had asked us.

We hadn’t filled in a form.

We’d never mentioned it during our stay.

Somehow, somewhere along the way, a member of staff had quietly noticed us and made sure the yukatas waiting in our room were exactly the right size.

That tiny moment summed up our entire stay.

The concierge who bowed respectfully until the lift doors closed.

The breakfast team who seemed genuinely delighted to help, and nothing was too much trouble.

The staff in the spectacular 35th-floor bar who made us feel completely welcome while we admired the Tokyo skyline.

Nothing ever felt scripted or forced.

Nothing ever seemed too much trouble.

Every interaction felt personal.

Of course, the hotel itself is stunning.

The views over Tokyo are incredible, the rooms are beautifully designed, the indoor pool/spa area is fantastic, and we may have enjoyed one of the best hotel fruit bowls I’ve ever been served (Mackenna and I demolished almost the entire thing!).

But luxury isn’t just marble bathrooms, designer furniture or panoramic views.

It’s how a place makes you feel.

The best luxury hotels don’t simply anticipate your needs.

They notice the little things you didn’t even realise someone was paying attention to.

As a travel advisor, experiences like this remind me why I love recommending exceptional hotels. It’s often the details you can’t see on a booking website that become the moments you remember long after you’ve returned home.

And somehow…

I’m still wondering how they worked out my yukata size.

🇯🇵❤️

08/07/2026

⚾ One of the best ways to understand a country is to go and watch its sport.

Neither Mackenna nor I had ever been to a baseball game before.

We don’t know all the rules.
We couldn’t explain the finer points of strategy.
And honestly, that almost made it better.

Because for one evening, this wasn’t really about baseball.

It was about experiencing something that matters to the people who live here.

Walking into Tokyo Dome for the first time was incredible.

The place felt enormous.

More than 40,000 fans packed in to watch the Yomiuri Giants take on the Chunichi Dragons, all seemingly knowing exactly when to sing, clap, chant and wave towels.

The noise was relentless.

Not loud in the way Australian crowds can be loud.

Organised loud.

Coordinated loud.

Every player had their own chant.
Every situation had its own song.
Entire sections of the stadium moved and sang as one.

I couldn’t understand a single word of the chants.

That somehow made them even better.

I’ve watched AFL, ice hockey and plenty of live sport over the years and I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.

Of course, we fully committed.

⚾ Giants jerseys? Purchased.
🟠 Home team support? Secured.
💺 Seats clearly designed for slightly smaller humans than me? Survived.

The food and drink options were fantastic and surprisingly affordable compared with stadiums back home, and seeing things like a children’s play area inside the stadium reinforced just how family friendly the whole experience was.

And then there were the famous beer girls, sprinting up and down the stairs with kegs strapped to their backs somehow managing to keep 40,000 people hydrated with remarkable efficiency.

Unfortunately the Giants couldn’t quite get the win on the night.

But honestly?

The result barely mattered.

Because sometimes sport isn’t about the scoreboard.

Sometimes it’s about the atmosphere, the shared experience and the memories you take home afterwards.

And this one will stay with both of us for a very long time.

🇯🇵⚾

06/07/2026

One take away from our trip to Japan: don’t waste your first day. 🇯🇵

Even after a delayed flight and very little sleep, Mackenna and I dropped our bags at the hotel and headed straight to Tsukiji Outer Market.

Was it hot?
Yes.

Was it humid?
Very.

Was it crowded?
Absolutely.

Were we tired?
Also yes.

Would I do it exactly the same way again?
Without hesitation.

Japan rewards curiosity.

Within hours of landing, we were wandering through bustling market streets, surrounded by sights, sounds and smells that made it very clear we had arrived somewhere completely different.

We didn’t go too wild straight away, but we did tick off dango from Mackenna’s “things to eat while in Japan list”, sampled some green tea, tried beautiful sushi with a few fish we hadn’t had before, and even gave sea urchin (uni) a go.

Not bad for day one.

The first day doesn’t always need to be about ticking off major attractions.

Sometimes it’s about getting your first proper taste of a place.

And Tsukiji delivered that beautifully.
Japan, we’re here. 🇯🇵

01/07/2026

The deer can be a bit feisty! We found a “quiet” area with very few deer and no other tourists and still got mobbed. Still a great experience to see the deer though.

01/07/2026

Everyone thinks feeding the deer at Nara is going to be a serene and joyful experience…😂

25/06/2026

🏎️ Formula 1 in Barcelona, Madrid, Singapore, Austin, Mexico City or São Paulo?

Most people know I can help with holidays.

What many don't realise is that I can also help you build an entire trip around some of the world's biggest sporting and cultural events.

Think beyond the ticket.

Imagine combining:
🏎️ Formula 1 in Singapore, Barcelona, Madrid, Austin, Mexico City or São Paulo
🏉 AFL Grand Final or NRL Grand Final
🏆 State of Origin
🎾 Australian Open or Wimbledon
⛳ Ryder Cup
🏈 NFL games
🎶 Tomorrowland Belgium
🤠 Calgary Stampede
🥁 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
plus others...

Whether it's an official package or a tailor-made itinerary built around the event, I can often help with accommodation, flights and the travel arrangements that turn a few hours of sport or entertainment into an unforgettable holiday.

Sometimes the event is the reason you travel.

Sometimes it's just the excuse. 😉

What's on your bucket list?

👇 Comment BUCKET LIST below and I'll get in touch.

📸 Photo credit:

19/06/2026

What an experience!
Last night Mackenna and I went to watch the Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Giants) take on the Chunichi Dragons at the amazing Tokyo Dome. Although the Giants couldn’t quite manage the win (it was so close though!) we had so much fun. We saw bats breaking mid hit, home runs being hit, cheerleaders, and even a sushi race! The atmosphere was electric for the whole game, with non stop chanting from both the home team and away team that was deafening. Our seats were awesome, only a few rows back from the fence. Next time you’re in Tokyo (or elsewhere in Japan) make sure to get to a game, you won’t regret it! 東京ドームシティ【公式】