Carole King, Avon Federation of Women's Institutes

Your Name: Carole King

Group Name: Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes

Size of group: over 3,500 members

No of tours per year: Usually 2

UK, Europe or worldwide? One in the UK and another in Europe generally

Where are you going in 2013? Northumbria & The Scottish Borders in April and hopefully to the beautiful Italian Lakes (Maggiore, Como and Orta) in October.

Favourite destination: Lake Garda – we saw such different scenery, from the Dolomites, Verona, Venice, Milan and all the small towns around Lake Garda. Beautiful.

Memorable moment: Being able to attend The Passion Play in Oberammergau in 2010 – I had waited a long time to attend this.

What have been the holiday highlights in recent years? To see all 44 of us go on the optional excursion to tour the Gonzalez Byass Bodega in Jerez before thoroughly enjoying the samples! Many souvenirs were bought!

Most enjoyable thing about being a GO: I am continually meeting up with members/friends I have known for a long time besides meeting more of the members in Avon.

It’s wonderful to see everything come together & all having fun.

Least enjoyable thing about being a GO: Just having phone calls at the weekend! I think members sometimes forget that I’m a volunteer and am entitled to some free time! Why is there always one person who has to complain?!

Top tip to other GOs: Keep smiling and don’t lose your sense of humour

Any thoughts on Tailored Travel’s service? Since I started working with Tailored Travel, which I believe was in 2006, I have had wonderful support – nothing has ever been too much trouble, especially when I was unable to go at the last minute on the arranged trip to Tuscany in 2009 having to have heart surgery instead! All the staff feel like friends and are great to work with.