About One Traveller

One Traveller was founded by our Director Ian Darkin in 2007. Having worked as a Tour Manager for ten years, he saw that single travellers often felt marginalised or awkward when mixing with the couples who usually made up most of his groups. Eventually, Ian began organising excursions for these individuals within the holiday’s free time and from there, the idea of what would later become One Traveller emerged.

One Traveller was founded as a specialist holiday company specifically for mature single travellers. The principle of all of our holidays is that our guests are made to feel welcome and included, with nobody left on their own (unless they so wish). Guests are allocated double en-suite rooms in quality hotels (or double en-suite cabins on all of our cruises), with no single supplements to pay. A full excursion program is included, as are most meals and drinks, plus those special little extras that can make all the difference to the holiday. There are no couples on our holidays, although there is no stipulation of marital status either. Guests simply need to be travelling alone, whether by choice or circumstance.

Ian is half-Czech and his mother was born in Prague. This was our very first holiday destination and tours were ably assisted by Ian’s brother, Charles, who lives in the city and is a qualified local tour guide. Charles still works as a Tour Manager and you will meet him if you visit Prague with us.

Fast-forward to the present and what started as Ian’s flash of inspiration has transformed in to our multi-award-winning family-run holiday company. This is of course, all down to the loyalty and support of our guests – many of whom we know take great pride in their role on this journey with us.

We continue to be thankful to those who choose to travel with us time and again, and also welcome new travellers to our family with open arms.

The One Traveller Team

Our office staff have many years of experience, having been Tour Managers themselves and occasionally still escort some of our singles holidays. Your booking is handled by people who understand, care and have great knowledge of single travellers. We are on hand to answer any questions about our holidays and the amazing cities and beautiful regions we travel to. Please do give us a call or request a callback.

Ian Darkin

Director

A Tour Manager worldwide for nine years, Ian created One Traveller with Emma to cater solely for mature single travellers. Ian used to escort all One Traveller holidays (in the early days) however now finds it harder and harder to leave the office but sometimes sees groups off at the airport so he can meet and thank our guests. A linguist with a keen eye for detail, Ian is half-Czech and he has a passion for his mother's country, which is why One Traveller's Prague vacation is an excellent first solo holiday.

Emma Darkin

Accounts Manager

Emma is the administrative backbone of One Traveller and has been with One Traveller since day one, when it was run from an apartment in Rushden. Her knowledge and understanding of our guests’ requirements is extensive. Born in Norfolk, she is a big fan of her home county.

Daniel Adams

Head of Products & Marketing

Daniel has worked as a Tour Manager for single travellers for almost two decades and is very much in tune with our guests’ needs. He leads our team in developing new holidays and personally inspects all aspects of these trips in order to ensure guests enjoy a wonderful experience. Daniel loves “anywhere with a mountain” (he lived in Austria for 13 years) and is also particularly fond of India, Sri Lanka and China. He also plays clarinet to Grade 8 standard!

Karl Buck

Deputy Head of Product

Karl joined One Traveller in January 2016 having worked in several countries across the world assisting travellers in getting the most out of their holiday. Originally from Norfolk and having spent 18 years living overseas and in various parts of the UK, Karl has now found himself back in his home county. Karl has brought his personal passion for Italy to our Italian holidays together with his interest in Eastern European countries which he also manages. Karl researches, plans and personally inspects new holidays whilst maintaining our existing ones. One of our most recent holidays which he particularly enjoyed researching is our 23 day holiday in South America, a destination which Karl says we must all tick off our bucket list!

Luke Abendroth

Head of Flights, Visas and Tour Managers

Having spent many years in the hospitality industry, Luke joined One Traveller in 2018. Initially working as a Product Support Coordinator and then a Product Manager before joining the Flights team. He now brings his knowledge of our holidays and experience with our customers to the role as Head of Flights, Visas and Tour Managers. As a keen traveler himself, Luke is used to booking flights and dealing with Visas, and looks forward to ticking off more destinations from his wish list. When not in the office he is usually found outside in his beloved Norfolk, either walking, running or out on his kayak. A lover of the great outdoors, and at home in a tent, he has a passion for facilitating travel in far more luxurious accommodation.

Luke is also our One Traveller supports coordinator and is pictured here taking part in our Lockdown Walk for Nicu. You can find out more about our charity partners by clicking here.

Megan Collett

Office Manager

Megan started with One Traveller in September 2018 as an Aftersales Administrator and has worked her way up to Office Manager. Megan deals with the daily administration and making sure the office runs smoothly. She thoroughly enjoys speaking to our guests about their upcoming holidays and dealing with requests which guests may have once they have booked their holiday. Megan is a keen animal lover and has pet dogs and reptiles. Her love for animals and wildlife was the inspiration for her choice of honeymoon destination where Megan and her husband travelled to Madagascar in search of the Lemurs and to Mauritius for an adventure with the lions! As much as Megan loves travelling to ‘adventurous and exotic’ destinations, Spain is always very close to her heart having holidayed there since a child, so much so, Spain is like Megan’s second home!

Pictured right to left is Megan with one of our loyal guest's and Tour Manager Nickie

Matthew Pomfrett

Customer Services Manager

Matt is responsible for reading, logging and acting upon all guests’ feedback and comments about their holidays with us. A trained journalist, he is kept firmly in front of a keyboard these days, responding to our guests’ letters and also producing much of the text for our website and other parts of the company. Having previously explored the sights of Las Vegas and New York a number of times as well as a honeymoon in the Maldives, these days his travels are a little closer to home with his wife and three young children.

Kerry Nelson

General Manager

Starting with One Traveller in February 2016 as an Admin Assistant, Kerry swiftly moved through the ranks to Office Manager and has now become our General Manager! Her role includes responsibility for the development and management of business policies and procedures, including managing office protocol and recruitment while also being in charge of fun areas like company events! A born and bred Londoner Kerry spent a short while in Scotland before making the Norfolk Countryside her new home. Her holiday wish list includes Austria, Switzerland and almost everywhere in Italy!

Sam - The Cat

Sam the cat keeps a watchful eye over the office, occasionally answering the phone but mostly can be found attempting to satisfy his enormous appetite! Meow!