Meet the Team
We are Latin Lovers
At Contours Travel, we pride ourselves of being Latin America and South America travel specialists. We specialise in travel to Mexico, Cuba, Central America, South America, and Antarctica. This region of the world is our passion, and every single member of our team has either extensively traveled or lived and worked there. Not only do we all continue to visit regularly, but our Product Manager also resides in Argentina, ensuring unsurpassed destination knowledge.
In addition to our experience, we believe in an honest approach to planning your dream holiday, which is why we encourage you to talk to us. With our in-depth knowledge of Latin America, we love sharing the highlights and hidden gems of this extraordinary region with our clients. One of our specialists will take care of your trip from start to finish, understanding your interests, budget, and expectations and refining the itinerary until you are 100% satisfied.
Discover our Latin American expertise by meeting the team at Contours Travel!
HEATHER POPPELIER
Co-Owner & Co-Director
We know Latin America by heart
Heather – Co-owner & Co-Director, Senior Travel Consultant
Heather joined Contours Travel in 2007 and, as of July 2025, proudly serves as Co-owner and Co-Director. With years of hands-on experience designing unforgettable holidays, Heather is a Senior Consultant who knows Latin America inside and out. She has explored every corner of South and Central America, speaks fluent Spanish, and has a knack for crafting journeys that go far beyond the ordinary. Known for her legendary caipirinhas and passion for lesser-traveled destinations, Heather hopes more travellers will discover the magic of Nicaragua, Colombia, and Bolivia.
LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: ANTARCTICA, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CHILE, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CUBA, ECUADOR, FRENCH GUIANA, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, GUATEMALA, GUYANA, MEXICO, NICARAGUA, PANAMA, PERU AND SURINAME
- My Latin American highlights: Finally seeing a jaguar in the rainforest of Guyana, staying with local Wayuu Indians on the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia, roadtripping the northwest of Argentina, the Salt Flats in Bolivia and seeing loads of Giant Anteater in the Pantanal in Brazil (yes, I know that’s a lot of highlights!).
- My advice for travellers to the region: slow down, try to avoid too many flights in one trip and be open to new experiences!
- After finally making it to The 3 Guianas in 2024, I am setting my sights on returning to Brazil in 2025. A road trip through Minas Gerais and hiking Chapada Diamantina is what I am most looking forward to!
INES VIVOT
Co-Owner & Co-Director
We know Latin America by heart
Ines – Co-owner & Co-Director, Product Manager
As of July 2025, Ines proudly serves as Co-owner and Co-Director of Contours Travel. A porteña born and bred, she has a deep love for all things Argentina and is a passionate advocate for exploring the country’s lesser-known regions, such as Iberá and Talampaya. Since joining Contours Travel in 2010, Ines has been instrumental in developing fresh, immersive Latin American itineraries.
Now based in Buenos Aires, Ines provides the unique advantage of having an Australian team member on the ground in South America. Her local presence allows her to keep the team up to date with the latest hotels, experiences, and regional insights—while also acting as a daytime concierge for clients travelling through the region.
LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: ARGENTINA, BELIZE, BRAZIL, CHILE, COSTA RICA, ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, GUATEMALA, MEXICO, PANAMA, PERU, AND URUGUAY.
- My Latin America highlight: Panama sole my heart on a recent trip! This often underrated beautiful country boasts delicious food, incredible wildlife and snorkelling opportunities, friendly locals, and stunning stunning Pacific beaches. It’s definitely a top contender for my favourite Latin American destination.
- My advice would be: Try to learn a little bit of Spanish. It will give you plenty of opportunities to have conversations with locals, and this will undoubtedly enrich your South American experience!
The next destination on my list is: A Fam trip to Atacama and Patagonia including the fantastic Australis Cruise and Torres del Paine. Checked!! Next, Bolivia!
HANNA SHILO
Travel Specialist & BDM
We know Latin America by heart
Hanna – Senior Consultant & Business Development Manager (BDM)
Not only is Hanna one of our Senior Consultants, but she also serves as our dynamic Business Development Manager (BDM). A true travel enthusiast, Hanna loves being on the road and is always keen to meet with new partners and clients—so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like her to visit your area!
With over two decades of experience, Hanna previously co-owned and ran the Latin travel specialist agency, Travel Projects, for 23 years before closing its doors in 2022. Since 1999, she has been curating bespoke holidays to Latin America, with particular expertise in both luxury and adventure travel. Her wealth of experience and passion for the region make her an invaluable asset to the team.
LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: ANTARCTICA, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CHILE, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CUBA, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, MEXICO, PANAMA AND PERU.
- As an outdoor and nature enthusiast I especially love the National Parks and wilderness areas of Chile and Argentina – and the colour and culture of countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
- The next destination on my list: After finally making it to Antarctica and South Georgia at the end of 2022, I’m now planning a return trip to Costa Rica and a first time visit to Nicaragua in 2024.
SUNNY GILL
Travel Specialist
We know Latin America by heart
SUNNY GILL
After graduating from University in his native United Kingdom, itchy feet prompted Sunny to defer a graduate scheme to pursue a lifelong dream of travelling. After several fascinating months exploring Asia, he discovered South America and it was here he realised he had found the destination he had truly been searching for. Starting in Rio De Janeiro for Carnival, highlights included trekking in Patagonia, exploring the Amazon rainforest and rappelling waterfalls in Colombia.
The sheer diversity of this continent with its beautiful landscapes, incredible wildlife and vibrant cultures all came together to ignite his passion for Latin America. Sunny’s time in South America really caught his imagination and eventually bought him to a career with Audley Travel where he was able to travel to Antarctica – he was bitten by the Polar Bug and was lucky enough to also travel to the Arctic to experience the Expedition Cruising product in this exciting part of the world!
Since then he has returned to explore Central America spending 6 months travelling from Mexico down to the Darien Gap (finding the elusive Harpy Eagle!) in Panama. Sunny’s next adventure was moving Down Under where he continued to create luxury itineraries at Abercrombie & Kent, but the calling for Latin America led him to the passionate team at Contours Travel, where he now utilises his specialist knowledge of this region to help others enjoy this truly unique corner of the world.
LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: ANTARCTICA, ARGENTINA, BELIZE, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CHILE, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CUBA, ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, MEXICO, NICARAGUA, PANAMA, PERU AND URUGUAY.
- Travel highlight in Latin America? After all these years it would still have to be Torres del Paine.
- Next destination on your list? I’m really keen to get to Easter Island…and Paraguay!
My advice: Turn your phone off, disconnect in order to connect.
LETICIA HENNESSY-MAIA
Travel Specialist
We know Latin America by heart
LETICIA HENNESSY-MAIA
Originally from Brazil, Leticia moved to Melbourne in 2012 and has accumulated 7 years of experience in the Latin American travel industry, working in both Australia and the UK. If Leticia’s name sounds familiar, it is because she was with the Contours team in 2016 and 2017 before moving to the UK – we are thrilled to have her back in our Melbourne office.
LATIN AMERICA TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: ARGENTINA, BELIZE, BRAZIL, CHILE, COSTA RICA, CUBA, ECUADOR, GUATEMALA, MEXICO AND PERU.
- Travel highlight in Latin America? Leticia’s most memorable experiences in Latin America include spotting jaguars and diverse wildlife in Brazil’s Pantanal, cruising the Galapagos Islands, exploring the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Ecuador, swimming in Belize’s clear waters, flying over the Blue Hole, and experiencing the breathtaking Iguaçu Falls by helicopter. She also enjoyed exploring the historical towns of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and Mexico’s cenotes, as well as celebrating Rio’s vibrant carnaval and New Year’s Eve.
- Next destination on your list? Leticia would like her next destination to be Chile and Argentina, where she plans to hike and experience the stunning beauty of the Patagonian region.
My advice: Try to talk to the locals and learn how they experience the world around them. Share your world with them too. Be sure to try the different flavours and delicacies, and most importantly, dance! You’ll be amazed by how many different ways you can experience dance across Latin America.
TED DZIADKIEWICZ
Founder
We know Latin America by heart
Ted Dziadkiewicz – Founder of Contours Travel
A true pioneer in promoting Latin America to the Australian market, Ted Dziadkiewicz’s adventure began in 1975 when he journeyed overland from Mexico to Rio de Janeiro with nothing but a map in hand. Since then, he’s visited Latin America more than 120 times, carving a path for others to explore this vibrant region.
Ted is widely recognized for his deep industry connections, understanding of market needs, and his ability to foster growth in the Latin American travel sector. His leadership and passion for travel have shaped Contours Travel into the trusted name it is today.
After 50 years of guiding Australian travellers from Mexico to Antarctica, Ted has passed the baton to Heather and Ines, confident they will continue to build on his legacy. Their shared love for Latin America and strong partnership ensures Contours Travel’s future is in great hands.
Ted retired in July 2025, but his adventurous spirit and leadership will remain a lasting influence on the team and the travellers he inspired.
TED’S TRAVEL EXPERIENCE:
Ted’s experience reads like a library of Lonely Planet Guides. He knows almost every inch of every country he has visited. In South America, he travelled to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Guyana. In Central America, he went to Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama and El Salvador. He also travelled extensively in Mexico and Cuba. Has been to 20 of the Caribbean islands, including Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bequia, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, San Andres (Colombia), St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Maarten, Trinidad, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, St. Croix and Bermuda. Most recently he travelled Antarctica where his Zodiac glided into a Humpback Whale!
- My Latin American highlight is swimming in the Napo River in the Ecuadorian Amazon with my son Lucasz. Another great memory was a very close encounter with a Speckled Bear family while walking the Inca Trail. We had to stay quiet and hide so the baby bear would cross the trail!
- My advice would be: Taste the red wine! Squeeze half a lime into anything. Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten track; you’ll be sure to find something very different.
- The next destination on my list: a road trip along Chile’s Carretera Austral is scheduled for early 2024! Checked!!
