20 February 2025

Getting married? Our exclusive Weddings and Honeymoon Gift Registry service might be just for you. An easy, stress-free way to manage your dream wedding and honeymoon online - courtesy of your personal Travel Counsellor. Our Honeymoon Gift Registry service allows your guests to give you the most memorable gift of all – your dream honeymoon tailor-made down to the finest detail. You may already hav

24 September 2019

So what is expedition cruising? Well its cruising but with a twist. A chance to really explore a destination and see it for what it really is away from the 5* restaurants and spa pamper packages. Expedition cruising is growing in popularity all of the time. But why? More and more people want to get off the cruise ships and truly experience things rather than just look at them through a window

11 June 2019

Turning 50 is a pretty big milestone & many of us need certain things ticked off the bucket list before the impending mid-life crisis! You spent your 20s experimenting & trying new things, sorting out your career, life goals & planning for a future. Now is the time to let loose & make sure you work on the little things that keep yourhappy. Travelling the world is easier now as most of us have enou

11 June 2019

Its not all beaches and heat rash! Fancy a break in the UK? Then look no further than a canal boat holiday. We spent three lovely giggle-filled days sailing on the York Canal from Ripon to York. It was a fantastic few days. We stopped each night to eat in a different pub and ate lunch al fresco moored on the canal bank. Proper 'Wind in the Willows'. Going through the locks was a bit daunting, bu

06 June 2019

I have never been one to move outside my comfort zone and when I was given the chance to visit Club Med Palmiye in Turkey I/we don't do all-inclusive especially when they advertise 'With added fun!' How wrong can one person be! From the moment we met the first Club Med GO I was hooked. The resort is stunning and spread over 18 hectares on its own private cove. The resort is split into two, with t

05 June 2019

I take great pride in what I am booking for my customers. I am not on a salary so all the time I spend on people’s enquiries is my own time. I work on commission from suppliers when customers book, so you are assured that I will want to find you the best holiday to suit your requirements. Chances are I am the same price as most operators and I often package the holiday myself to get the best deal.

05 June 2019

Did you know? When you book your holiday with me, you get the following: - Peace of mind, I always have my customer's back! So important especially these days! It counts for a lot that my customers will always speak to me, I know their booking, so they don't need to explain who they are. - I am available 24/7. Can you call/text/email your travel agent late at night and get a prompt reply? - I p

05 June 2019

You could be forgiven for thinking of American cuisine as nothing more than burgers and fries; after all it is synonymous with large portions and bottomless soft drinks. However, a recent trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida gave us an opportunity to dispel these myths and to experience some of the unique dining opportunities that Disney has to offer. From quick service options in the parks

03 June 2019

1. “The Palm Islands” are the largest man-made islands in the world and often called the 8th wonder of the world. They take the shape of a date palm and can be seen from space, adding around 180 km of shoreline to Dubai. A six lane sub-sea tunnel has been built to connect the spine to the crescent – it is 1.4 km long, 40m wide and 25m below sea level. It’s also the most beautiful tunnel I have see

03 June 2019

The range of world-class scenic thrills and cultural attractions in the Caribbean is extraordinary! Here's my list of the absolute Top Ten! (not done them all yet!) 1. Climb a volcano! Climbing to over 4,000ft, La Soufriere on the island of St Vincent offers a strenuous but satisfying climb. It's best to go with a guide, meaning your transfers are organised and they provide food and drink as we

03 June 2019

If somebody came along and gave you 30 hours of spare time, what would you do with it? Spend more time with the kids? Make a dent in that redecorating job you’ve been putting off for weeks? A bit of ‘you’ time in the garden, with a good book and a glass of wine? Some research? Ok, maybe not the last one – but recent findings suggest that the average UK holidaymaker is spending a staggering 30 ho

04 April 2019

It’s always important to take care of yourself when you are on holiday, whether that’s preparing yourself for a long-haul flight or keeping active throughout your time away. That's why, in time for World Health Day, which this year is on Sunday 7 April, we've pooled together the expertise of our Travel Counsellors to offer a selection of health and wellness tips that you may be able to use on your

09 January 2018

You don’t want to stop travelling overseas just because you now have children and what’s more, you still want quality accommodation, great facilities and a little time for yourselves to relax. Great kids’ entertainment and occasional supervision for your children can be important. Plus, top tips on how to avoid the having a stressful journey with the kids. 1. Pace yourself. Go with the flow an

08 January 2018

Top ten tips for avoiding additional stress at your airport during peak travel 1. Long Haul - get to the airport a minimum of 3.5 hours before 2. Short Haul - get to the airport a minimum of 2.5 hours before 3. Check in online 24 hours prior to departure and print off your boarding passes 4. Set off from home earlier - no one can predict the traffic 5. Arrange parking for the Meet

08 January 2018

I don't always travel abroad and not always alone. Here at Travel Counsellors, we like to cover all sorts of travel so when the opportunity came up to help organize our rugby groups tour I jumped at the chance. Alnwick District is situated in the heart of Northumberland, with Alnwick Castle taking pride of place in the town. Under the Normans, and for some time after, the town was the administr

08 January 2018

This October I was extremely fortunate to visit Canada with 23 other Travel Counsellors. Canada has always been on my bucket list and this this trip was amazing. Our base for the first four nights was the Rosedale on Robson Suites. Perfectly located in this beautiful city where nothing is too far away. Being October, we had the pleasure of seeing the city as all the colours were changing, but t

22 September 2017

Dubai had been off my personal radar as I wasn't sure it was for me as I'm not a huge fan of shopping. However, we needed sun! With the help of the Travel Counsellors 'man on the ground' in the UAE, together we put a trip together for my family that wasn't focussed on shopping! (I did take a sneaky peek at the Dubai Mall though!). We stayed just out of town at the Dubai Creek side, with beau

04 September 2017

A must see in the heart of the Capital of Thailand, Bangkok is The Grand Palace. The Palace is a complex of buildings and has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. If the hectic city of Bangkok doesn’t suit, head South. Krabi is the perfect holiday destination for those looking for a relaxing area in southern Thailand. The province of Krabi is less developed and crowded

04 September 2017

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta and mountains. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the Royal Palace and the National Museum’s historical and archaeological exhibits. including Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum/Prison. Learn about the atrocities that took place here during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, seeing the spots where thousands of innoce

04 September 2017

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying the Malay Peninsula that flaunts the capital Kuala Lumpur, a bustling city full of colonial architecture and the Malaysian Borneo (spoken about previously). It’s known for its beaches, rainforests, misty tea plantations and chill out islands with a mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. In Kuala Lumpur see Petronis Towers. Known as

04 September 2017

Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, it's a global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural population. I have always advised passengers new to travel to include Singapore along with Australia, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand as a great introduction and a safe destination. Often viewed as a transit port by many you miss out on what is on offer by not spen

16 April 2017

After visiting and staying at every wonderful Sandals resort on the island I 'gave back' in a big way. Myself and the other travel agents I travelled with swapped our luxury apartments and in my case my butler to volunteer and support the Sandals Foundation Labour Day Project in Whitehouse, Jamaica. The foundation is making every effort this year to work with Jamaican schools in improving th

12 April 2017

Arinsal is a village in Andorra, set at an altitude of between 1550 and 2560 metres, close to the border with Spain at Tor, Pallars. In the summer Arinsal is home to walkers and bikers, as well as those who just want to relax in the mountain scenery. In the winter, it offers skiing and snowboarding for beginners, as well as a good selection of runs for intermediates. We have been several times n

05 April 2017

'A Luxurious Oasis for the Whole Family' was how the Royal Palm was sold and I couldn't believe how they please so many clients with different needs - and all well. Marrakech, that captivating, romantic and enchantingly ancient Moroccan city, is well known for its narrow alleyways, souks and bustling old-world charm. But for travellers seeking a little more space, seclusion and serenity, a shor

29 March 2017

The journey to Morocco’s Atlantic coast is short enough to make Essaouira and ideal “add-on” destination for visitors to Marrakech, and the drive is a pleasure in itself, with stunning scenery in every direction and surprises around every corner. (Direct flights are available though.) The most memorable of the sights is the bizarre sight of tree-climbing goats, which balance in the branches of

28 March 2017

Fifteen years ago, two English brothers, Anwar and Riaz Harland Khan, travelled out of Marrakech and up into the Atlas Mountains. There, in the scenic Ouirgane Valley, they discovered a land of such staggering beauty that they vowed to bring it to the world. Almost immediately an offer was made, accepted, and the dream of L’Amandier was born. We were some of the first travel professionals t

28 March 2017

I was lucky enough to have this trip sponsored by the Moroccan Tourist Board. They wanted to show me all that Marrakesh has so that I can pass my knowledge onto you. I have been before and do love the cultural diversity that is only a short flight away. While the ancient medina, with its bustling charm and exotic aromas, is the main draw of any visit to Marrakech, the city offers far more tha

12 January 2017

This trip was all about quality and fun with my friends. As a Club Med Specialist, I was rewarded with a trip out to Turkey along with 2 friends of my choice. And what a choice I made - my best friend and my sister. And we had a blast without the kids! Set against the backdrop of Mount Taurus, right by Antalya, this holiday resort has everything from watersports activities to spa sessions to qu

05 January 2017

Paris had never really been on my radar, just another European city I thought. However it was my husband’s wish that for his 40th birthday we visited the ‘city of romance’. Although I had never been I knew so much about the city and knew it was important to arrange a transfer from the airport as it is a long way out of the city centre. The transfer in gave us a chance to see the city and h

31 July 2008

Kefalonia, the hidden gem of the Ionian Islands! This amazing island is definitely unique. Even the locals spell it all different ways trying to keep this gem hidden, Cephalonia, Kefalonia, Kefallinia.. whatever... I found it! I am totally in love with this island – When I first started my job as a holiday rep back in the 1990’s I was given Kefalonia as my first ‘posting’. I wasn’t even su