Meet the Team: Els van Veelen

Enjoying the view over Snowshill in the Cotswolds | Els van Veelen
Enjoying the view over Snowshill in the Cotswolds | Els van Veelen
Blog home / Meet the Team: Els van Veelen
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As the brand manager for Walkers' Britain, I’m lucky to combine my love for active travel with the job of helping others discover the joy of walking holidays across the UK and Europe. I’m Dutch by birth, so you could say cycling is in my DNA, I grew up with handlebars in hand and the flatlands under my tyres.

 
A happy cyclist in beautiful Czech Republic | Els van Veelen

That passion has led me down some stunning trails: I’ve cycled from Prague to Vienna, tackled the undulating backroads of the Isle of Wight, and followed the hops and hops of the Bavarian Beer Trail. But it’s not just about the bike, I’ve found equal joy on foot, exploring the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, the calm of the Cote d’Azur, the alpine paths of Switzerland, and trails through the Lake District and Bavaria. Even closer to home, the walking tracks around London never fail to surprise.

My heart is drawn to places where culture, landscapes and a good pub come together. I’ve got my eye on more of Ireland’s walking trails, there’s something magic about a misty path leading to a cosy pub with local music and warm conversation. On the continent, Provence keeps calling, with its lavender fields and hilltop villages, and I’m itching to lace up my boots for more Italian coastal and mountain routes.

 
Walking in the dense forests around Lluc | Els van Veelen

For me, travel is slow, immersive, and always active. Whether by boot or by bike, there’s no better way to experience a place than under your own power, and that’s what I hope to share with every traveller who finds their next walk with us.
 
Team, Els, About us

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