Based in Chipping Sodbury

Sarah Todd

It's Nice To Meet You

Hello, I'm Sarah and many thanks for visiting my webpage.

I live in the lovely town of Chipping Sodbury with my little family and our energetic dog, Hooper!

I have been working in the Travel Industry now for over 35 years.
My fascination with travel started way, way back in the 1970s - never missing an episode of 'Holiday' or 'Wish You Were Here'...it all looked so glamorous (thanks to the lovely Judith Chalmers)! The World looked like an exciting place, and I couldn't wait to start exploring.
Fast forward 10 years to the mid-80s and I was enjoying studying at college and passing my Travel & Tourism exams... I was on my way.
From there I went on to manage numerous travel shops and was lucky enough to take some wonderful trips overseas and still do - and people call this 'work'?

In between jobs I spent a year travelling around Australia in a beaten-up old VW campervan (how we made it from Brisbane to Alice Springs I will never know) and then spent 6 months backpacking around South-East Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Laos - what an experience!
I am also extremely proud to say that I worked at EPCOT Centre in Disneyworld, Florida - well, who wouldn't want Mickey Mouse as their boss?

The World is full of so many incredible places but those that really have a special place in my heart are New Zealand, for the sheer breath-taking beauty of the South Island; Grenada, for that little sparkling gem in an already stupidly-beautiful Caribbean; Iceland for its surreal landscape, pure air and magical twilight that really does make you question your very existence; Kenya for a night I will always remember at Treetops Lodge where I was incredibly lucky to stay in the same room where Queen Elizabeth stayed when she visited as a Princess and left as a Queen.

So, while my back-pack is (temporarily) confined to the loft I have been enjoying more family travel - a visit to Lapland to meet Father Christmas (maximum excitement levels), numerous trips to Disneyland Paris, short breaks and beach holidays in Europe and some good old fashioned camping and motor-homing in the UK!

Please feel free to get in touch about any aspects of travel - I can help with most things and if I can't then I will point you in the right direction.
Absolutely nothing is too much trouble and time is precious so let me do all the hard work for you.

Wherever in the world you choose to travel, I hope you choose me to arrange your travel plans for you.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Happy Travels!

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Contact Me

Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:

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My Blog

I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.

The Lisbon Coast....

21 September 2023

What a terrific place for a two-centre break, combining the dramatic coastline of South West Portugal with some exploration time in lovely Lisbon - it really is the perfect partnership! We based ourselves in Cascais (pronounced Kash-Kise) which is an easy 25 minute taxi ride from Lisbon Airport. It's laid-back luxury steeped in history, with a fabulous marina and pretty winding side-streets full of souvenir shops, and restaurants spilling out onto the cobbled streets. The combination of old and new just works here and you'll be pleased you came, in fact the only thing you need to worry about is which beach to choose and which Sangria to order!

Surprisingly Split!

18 September 2019

I was so impressed with Split - perfect for a 2 or 3 night romantic break! A labyrinth of old city streets with cafes and restaurants spilling out into the square, bursting with architecture and history with ruins dating back to the Roman Empire. We found a fantastic little restaurant in the heart of it all and then spent the rest of the evening just wandering - taking in the sights and the smells and soaking up the general atmosphere of this beautiful city. Split - you were a nice surprise!

Having it all in Hvar....

18 September 2019

Well what can I say about Hvar? Even ''breathtakingly beautiful' doesn't seem to do it justice! This place has beauty and personality in huge doses. Hvar Town with its cobbled streets and maze of alleys holding surprises around every corner. It's hilltop fortress and 13th Century walls are in stark contrast to the shiny new super yachts anchored up in the harbour. It's chilled and relaxed during the day with quirky little coves perfect for exploring with a snorkel or by paddle board. And as the sun begins to set, the vibe begins to change and the island comes to life - this place really does have it all.....

Menorca - it's a family affair.....

12 March 2019

It was 20 years ago that I first visited this wonderful little island and this time I was back with the parents and my 9 year old son and thankfully, not much had changed! Menorca has a real charm about it, from the beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Cala Galdana & Cala Blanca, to the cobbled back streets of Ciutadella - a great spot for people watching with a plate of fresh Calamari and an ice-cold beer! We hired a car and with Grandma and Grandad strapped safely in the back we headed off to explore the many coves and small villages that Menorca has to offer. There is a slow pace to life here so you just sit back, relax and enjoy the Sangria. Salud!

Lapland...the land of make believe.

12 March 2019

There are no words in the English Dictionary that can describe the beauty of this enchanting part of Finland, and until you experience it for yourself you will never know. We stayed in Rovaniemi, just inside the Arctic Circle, and at -20 degrees it made it even more breath-taking (literally)! The whole landscape looked like it had been sprinkled with magical pixie dust...just for us! Fun-filled days were spent on reindeer and husky rides, snowball fighting with the elves (they are Olympic champions), sledging and snowmobiling. Quieter times of Lappish tales around a campfire drinking hot berry juice, a visit to Father Christmas and sometimes just standing still for a minute and listening…to nothing but the sound of the snowflakes falling. It was like walking through the wardrobe into Narnia...and just for those few, short, snow-filled days I was 7 years old again and I believed.

The Spirit of Iceland....

12 March 2019

Iceland, it’s not a destination – it is an adventure! It may be freezing cold in the winter but the beautiful Icelandic people will give you the very warmest of welcomes. The air is clean and crisp and every gust of unforgiving wind will feel like it’s blowing away any troubles you may have. The Icelanders have a pride in their island and an appreciation of the great things they have rather than bitterness about the things they don’t. The ‘spirit’ definitely lives here. We explored just a glimmer of this fabulous island – from snowmobiling to surreal sunrises and sunsets. From geyser hopping to stunning waterfalls, from geothermal pool dipping to star gazing – and of course… the Northern Lights! Being the least densely populated Country in Europe, Iceland will allow you to connect with nature and make you feel like the last person in the Universe. In short, Iceland makes you feel ALIVE……

Sardinia.... a little piece of paradise

05 October 2011

This was my second visit to Sardinia and I was wondering whether this time would be as good as the last... may I say that it was even better !! Sardinia is simply beautiful - the crystal clear sea lapping the soft, white sandy beaches - I haven't seen any beaches this good outside of the Caribbean (and I will challenge anyone to tell me otherwise)! We stayed in the South of the Island this time and made the most of our 4 day break with a nifty little Fiat 500 to explore the local area. Once you head out of bustly Cagliari you hit the coast road which takes you to some great little beaches dotted in between the local villages. I can definitely recommend a little beach called 'Tuerredda' (not well signposted so look carefully) with a great beach cafe/bar called 'Poseidon' - we could have quite easily spent all day and night here! Travelling at this time of year can be a bit of a risk with the weather but we were very lucky and enjoyed 4 days of cloudless skies (which was just as well because there was a heatwave going on back in the UK)! The weather was also at a perfect temperature for our little 2 year old who spent his days on the beach, jumping the waves and building sandcastles on the shore. Yes, Sardinia can be quite pricey but remember....you are paying for a 'little bit of paradise' ... surely that's got to be worth every penny!

The wonderful world of Disneyland Paris.....

12 March 2019

For a 'fun packed' short break with (or without) kids then this is the place to be.... We took the direct Eurostar for a 3 night trip from the beautiful St. Pancras station - this takes you straight to Disney and is the perfect way to travel ''stress free''! Disney is not only for the little ones but there is also plenty to occupy the 'big kids' too. There are two parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios), where you will find enough to entertain children (and adults) of all age groups. I would recommend a day in each park and be on the look out for the 'New Generation' characters...Nemo, Buzz, Woody, Sulley - they are all there waiting for a friendly hug! In the evening there are a great choice of restaurants at Disney Village. If you havn't experienced it before then try the 'Rainforest Cafe' (my favourite restaurant), or go back to 50's America at 'Annettes Diner' where the waitresses serve you on roller skates! If you still have enough energy then head on over to 'Billy Bobs' and try your hand at line dancing - it's free to join in and afterwards stick around for the live band.... yee hah! For the less energetic then there are plenty of things to entertain you... for some retail therapy then head over to the nearby open-air shopping outlet at La Vallee Village or catch the latest movie at the onsite Imax movie theatre. If you just want to completely 'chillax' then treat yourself to a massage at the 'Celestia Spa' at the Disneyland Hotel. There's ice-skating outside the New York Hotel if you fancy it, or for keen golfers then how about the 27-hole golf course at the nearby 'Golf Disneyland' (ask for my friend Colin)! As you can see - there is something for everyone at Disneyland Paris so give it a go and I will guarantee that you come home with a smile on your face!

Beautiful Grenada....

11 June 2008

Wow.... what can I say about this beautiful little Caribbean Island - it may only be 21 miles by 12 miles but it has certainly managed to find a place in my heart! Grenada has the fabulous climate, the beautiful beaches and the stunning scenery but in my mind - it's the people that make it. The locals greet you like you're an old friend and when you leave ... that's exactly how you will feel - like an old friend! The great thing about Grenada is that there is accommodation to suit all tastes - from a luxury, boutique hotel to a tree house style villa set in lush tropical vegetation with views to die for. So whatever 'Caribbean experience' you are looking for - you'll be sure to find it here in Grenada. A must for your holiday is a visit to ''Fish Friday'' where we were able to sample the local catch of the day whilst listening to the sounds of the steel drum band - go easy on the rum n' coke though - this is Grenada measures! If snorkelling is your thing then don't miss the ''underwater sculptures''. We hired a catamaran for half a day from Grand Anse beach and were able to experience these underwater visions which was truly amazing! If you'd rather stay on land then make sure you enjoy all the island has to offer by hiring a car - they drive on the same side of the road as us so there's no excuse! We took a trip up to Concord Falls - perfect for a quick dip on a hot day followed by an ice cold ''Carib'' beer in the shop nearby. I also recommend a trip over to Carriacou Island which is more rustic than Grenada and part of the 'Grenada Grenadines'. We were able to catch the ferry from St. Georges which takes approx 2 hours - and were fortunate enough to spot dolphins and flying fish on the way! To finish a perfect holiday we joined the gang down at the 'Dodgy Dock' at True Blue Bay Resort and danced the night away underneath the stars............................

New York, New York.....

06 October 2010

''New York, New York - so good they named it twice''.... It's only when you visit New York that you actually realise just how true the saying is! New York has a pulse - an undescribable feeling that you will only understand once you have been here. Yes, there are all the well known sights to take in - The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, Times Square...... but New York is so much more than that - it's the people you meet and the story they tell..... Take the subway to Queens and have a beer in a local bar, try a delicious breakfast in 'Bubby's' in Tribeca, have a barefoot picnic in Central Park, catch a baseball game at the Yankee Stadium - mix with the locals and enjoy their company - they love to talk to you about their beautiful city....... ...... and what a city it is......go see it and FEEL it for yourself......

The Best of Bruges...

12 March 2019

Bruges is a quaint little 'toy town' steeped in history and just perfect for a short break at any time of year. It's laid-back and relaxed and you can while away the days wandering through the maze of cobbled streets for a spot of window shopping and then stop off at one of the many street stalls selling hot Belgian waffles (yum)! How about hiring a bike for an afternoon - a great way to get around and for burning off those extra 'waffle calories'? If that's all far too energetic then hop onto one of the many boats for a leisurely canal cruise followed by an ice cold Belgian 'Blonde' ale at a chilled-out street cafe while you just sit and watch the world go by? If you are looking for a great hotel then I can thoroughly recommend where we stayed - the 'Hotel De Tuilerieen' - just fabulous and considered to be one of the best in Bruges! Give me a call and I will tell you all about it.......

My customer stories

Sent by P Mullen

We are back! What a great trip. Everything worked out perfectly, we did everything that we could have ever dreamed of, it was a great break. Thanks so much for your help, we couldn’t have put this together on our own.

Sent by Carol Taylor

We had a fantastic time and New York was a perfect get away. Thank you. I will definitely recommend and book through you again. Appreciate all that you did and in particular calm me down when I was having a last minute panic!!

Sent by Nicola Morgan

Thank you so much!!! We had an amazing time in New York - it was everything I’d hoped it would be!! Memories of a lifetime made ?? Really can’t thank you enough for taking away the stress of trying to book it all myself Thank you again.

Sent by M Lynch

Many many thanks Sarah for helping us make Callum & Emily's wedding experience and celebrations so so very very special. A hugely memorable occasion for every one.

Sent by K Mayo

We had the best time!! Absolutely loved Cala Galdana, so beautiful and everything was so easy and exactly what I asked for! Thank you so much, where to next...?

Sent by C Kimber

Hi Sarah Heading to the airport soon for our flight back. Thank you for the second to none organisation of our trip and for all the help and advice. Peru is just amazing, such varied scenery and regions. We have had an unforgettable trip . The best country so far. You saw the photos, everything was just amazing the people so kind and great food. Love Cathy

Sent by C French

Just dropping you a quick note to say thanks for sorting our ski holiday. We got there in the end despite Covid (round 2) and a chest infection to contend with! The hotel was perfect, the staff were lovely, food was amazing and close to all the amenities, plus we had snow! We would definitely go back to the area again. Thanks again.

Sent by D Shipp

Sarah has answered all of our questions and has helped us to look forward to a memorable holiday we will probably always remember.

Sent by Sarah Marshall

Great personal service as always. Amazing holiday. Thanks Sarah x

Sent by Catherine Ball

Sarah has found us some amazing holidays. We have booked package holidays and independent travel with Sarah and she always knows what we are looking for. The best!

Sent by Catherine Kimber

Sarah is amazing. She is conscientious and always keeps you posted of the development of the organisation of your itinerary. She always replies promptly and never leaves you wondering. She cares about you having a great time and you know you can trust her and that you are in good hands with her.

Sent by Alexandra Arnall

Sarah has been amazing, from finding our holiday and booking to the little touches of providing luggage labels and all documents printed out, but especially when we had to change our honeymoon due to my husband getting Covid. While I was upset, Sarah dealt with everything and was so patient while we found new dates and arranged the changes with work. She absolutely took the stress out of the situation and I would 100% recommend booking with her :)

Sent by Mark Stephens

Thank you for your efforts and the professional way you go about your work. You are the only person that I deal with that I don’t have to chase for things. It is a pleasure to work with you.

Sent by James Went

Just wanted to give you the positive feedback that this place is exactly what the doctor ordered. Child clubs are included in the price, our villa is stunning as is our own private pool. A very good choice indeed! My mother and wife are already talking about rebooking the same place for next near or somewhere with the same facilities in a different place within the same flight time.

Sent by Callum Lynch

I just wanted to say thankyou so much for all your help over the last few months. The trip has honestly been one of the best of our life’s and we will never forget it! Everything was perfect and wouldn’t change a thing! It honestly wouldn’t have been possible without your help and I can’t thank you enough!

Sent by Helena Wells

We had the most wonderful time! What a place! Thank you SO much for organising, the hotel was stunning and the concierge was incredible. Everything was just perfect. An unforgettable holiday - so sad that it's over! Really can't thank you enough.

Sent by C Watkins

Our holiday was beyond amazing, it totally surpassed our expectations, our room, 320, was perfectly central for everything and if we went again we would request the same room again. The memory of the incredible sea life, especially the turtles, will stay with us forever. Thank you for arranging our holiday of a lifetime

Sent by Eileen Bulsara

Just wanted to say thanks for arranging an amazing holiday. We really experienced the real country. Wonderful people. Tasty food. The cruise was brilliant. Meeting a local family travelling on the train with three Children was rather special, we gave them some our foodstuff that we had spare, to have one of the little lads searching out our room to give us an apple in return. Also the views of local scenery, going through towns, mountains, lakes and the sea was amazing. Will always remember the scents, colours and people of this beautiful county Thanks again.

Sent by Alice Crowley

I’ve always used travel agent shops but it was having the time to actually go somewhere with a child who can’t sit still. I got fed up of trawling the Internet myself. I gave Sarah our requirements and she came back with the perfect holiday at the right price. She took care of everything for the 11 of us traveling! I couldn’t recommend Sarah’s professional, friendly service enough. Will 100% book our 2019 abroad holiday with Sarah again. Thank you!

Sent by Sophie Banks

Sarah helped organise a trip to New York for me and from start to finish it ran like clockwork. Sarah’s organisation and professional approach made the whole trip such an enjoyable event and I honestly can’t recommend her service enough. Thank you so much Sarah, I will be back very soon for another adventure!

Sent by Sarah Kenyon

We had a plan to go on a California experience of a lifetime for our family (two adults and two smalls 7 and 5). We hadn't got much idea in terms of the detail just that we wanted to do Disney, the coast and experience an RV. Sarah was great at making suggestions proving sample itineries that's encompassed our requirements and making suggestions on what and where we could go. Once agreed the trip was costed and booked, everything was easy and some excellent accommodations in great locations easy for sight seeing was arranged. We've used Sarah previously for family holidays for 9+ people and she's always been great, really responsive and helpful, a pleasure deal with. Many thanks Sarah.

Sent by Darren Campbell

We had an amazing time, it was just what we needed. Thanks as always for all your help, you're the best in the business!

Sent by Jennifer Harvey

Sarah provides a very personal service at all times. She is always available, reassuring and calm and incredibly knowledgeable. Sarah is always my first port of call for any travel inquiries and nothing is too much trouble for her, however small. She understands that a travel issue that might seem trivial to some are a big issue for me! I cannot recommend her highly enough and have certainly recommended her to my friends and family.

Sent by Brian Meredith

My wife, Kate and I have just enjoyed a sublime holiday in Crete, organised by Sarah. The organisation was faultless, flights transfers, etc. all in place which means that you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and relaxed, ready to enjoy your holiday. Well done Sarah and thank you, we will certainly use your services again and would not hesitate in recommending you to friends and colleagues. Cheers :)

Sent by Ian Furey

Sarah has helped us (a family of 4) with 3 holidays to date over the past couple of years - Egypt, Australia & most recently, Iceland. Sarah is very adept at understanding our requirements and supplying suggestions via email and then tailoring her proposals based on our discussions. This is of real value to me and we have benefitted from Sarah's suggestions and knowledge to ensure our time is maximised on vacation enjoying ourselves as opposed to researching and planning once we arrive. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sarah's expertise and will certainly use her again for our next trips.

Sent by Eileen Haycox

Excellent service from the start. Sarah made sure we had all relevant details, offered us plenty of options and responded immediately to any questions we had. Travel details were sent out extremely quickly with all areas covered. Sarah gave us brilliant advice about our hotel booking in Italy and the hotel was indeed of a high standard. We had a wonderful time in Italy. We also got a great deal on a booking for a London hotel. We would have no hesitation in recommending Sarah to anyone wishing to book travel and accommodation.

Sent by Tom Bowers

Sarah is flexible, knowledgable and extremely professional. I'd recommend her to anyone that has specific and detailed holiday requirements - she always comes up trumps.

Sent by Diane Gwyther

Thank you Sarah for arranging all the travel arrangements for our recent wedding and also finding us a wedding planner at the resort. Everything went really smoothly and we had the best time. We could not have managed it without you.

Sent by Jane Ribeiro-Fernandes

We have known Sarah for many years and I cannot think of anyone else more efficient, proficient, knowledgeable, friendly and so very helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. Sarah has booked so many cruises for us and she has just made our holiday so stress free right from the start. We have recommended her to many of our friends who are equally as delighted with her services.

Sent by Martin & Tracey The Lynch Family - Bath

Sarah has thus far organised holidays for my family namely in Sorrento, Italy - what a beautiful part of the world, the hotel was fabulous. Also a family Ski holiday at La Plagne, France over New Year which was wonderful and the ski-in ski-out chalet perfectly accommodated our four familes. We are now looking forward to our next Sarah-planned holiday to Fuerteventura - a week in the SUN - WOW.

Sent by Liz Horler

Sarah's service is always excellent - I have used her to book trips many times and she has always done a great job and managed to find exactly what I was looking for. I have happily recommended her to my friends, who have been very pleased with her service as well. Thanks Sarah - I look forward to booking my next trip with you!

Sent by Les Beckett

Sarah was recommended to me by mutual friends who were delighted with her efficient help. I am pleased to say she has fully lived up to her reputation and a `phone call to Sarah is all that is necessary to have a bespoke holiday put together to your specification in little more time than it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Sarah provides a personal service with a dedicated and cheerful manner.

Sent by Hazel Marsh

Sarah has booked a number of holidays for our family over the years. We absolutely trust that she checks out every detail. It is great to have the confidence in knowing that she will listen and match our requirements to the perfect holiday, making the whole experience completely stress free.

Sent by Karen Bexter

Sarah arranged our belated honeymoon to Dubai/Hong Kong/Thailand in May 2010, and went way above & beyond the call of duty when the Icelandic ash cloud marred our original itinery in April. We can thoroughly recommend her. Excellent communcation and a lovely friendly voice at the end of the phone. Nothing was too much trouble for her at what must of been a manic time for all Travel Counsellors!

Sent by Christina Verden

Thank you soo much for arranging a fantastic time in Sardinia! Budoni was a great base to explore beaches from - and what amazing beaches! The kids loved the pool and made friends with some Italians. Now we are back to normal and armed with great memories we can plan our next holiday ! Thank you so much again ! Best wishes Christina and Otto Odin Olea Oscar

Sent by Rachel Cockburn Buhl

What an epic journey!! But well worth it. Thank you so much for making everything as easy and enjoyable as possible. We will certainly be using your fantastic services again.

Sent by B Black

Sarah has now booked a few of my holidays, China, Ecuador and Japan. Every time she has looked for the best deals for me and come back to me immediately. I knew that if I had a question or an issue then she would be there to listen and resolve it. Sarah has now becoming my travel friend who I can depend on for inspiration due to her worldly knowledge!

Sent by Michele Jackson

Sarah is an absolute gem! She is so polite, pleasant, professional and helpful! Nothing is ever too much for her and she has managed to get us some great deals. Through her we have enjoyed holidays in Greece, Mauritius and Venice over the past year. She has always managed to find the RIGHT type of holiday for us and moreover, at very competitive prices. I can only recommend her wholeheartedly!

Sent by Glynne Jones

Sarah has been booking our holidays for several years, destinations include St. Lucia, Canaries and the Maldives (twice). We have been very impressed with Sarah's attention to detail and knowledge and now wouldn't consider booking a holiday in any other way!

Sent by Michelle Hughes

I'd not long had my baby and was in need of a holiday but hadn't got the time or the energy to look for the perfect break for my new family. This is where Sarah came to the rescue, she listened to my long list of requirements and was able to deliver every single one!!! We had the most fabulous time in Portugal. Our accommodation was second to none and she managed to get the mix just right to suit us all. Sarah was so professional and took care of everything from start to finish. Gone are my days of sitting in a travel agent for hours and still not coming away feeling satisfied - for me I can trust Sarah to deliver.

Sent by Ben Murphy

I love Travel Counsellors - they take all the hassle out of booking a holiday. Sarah's knowledge and experience means I only have to pick up the phone and tell her where in the world I want to go. I know whatever she advises or arranges will suit my needs and tastes perfectly. Its reassuring to know that should anything go wrong, there's always someone there to help in person.

Sent by Tammy Rose

Trustworthy, reliable, friendly, helpful and always on hand 24/7 (oh for mobiles!). The hassle was taken from us after a number of fantastic holidays booked by Sarah including Australia, Antigua, Disney Florida, South Africa - rugby 2009, even down to looking for a small hotel in Amsterdam and Madrid for a group of girls. It's made booking hols 100% easier for me. Keep up the hard work!!