Shilpa Patel-Emilsson
I'm based in
Stratford-upon-Avon
It's Nice To Meet You
Bespoke holidays, honest advice and concierge‑style care, whatever your budget.
Hello, I am Shilpa,
Thank you for taking the time to visit my page and get to know me a little better. Travel has been my passion for as long as I can remember, so turning it into a lifelong career felt completely natural. I have worked in the travel industry for over 38 years and have been a proud Travel Counsellor since 2001. I have never looked back.
I specialise in tailor‑made itineraries and honeymoons, from elegant city stays and multi‑centre adventures to relaxing beach and villa escapes. Many of my clients choose to travel in a more luxurious way, with handpicked hotels, private transfers and special experiences, but I am just as happy working to a modest budget. For me, it is about finding the right trip for you, not simply the most expensive one.
As a mum to two sons, now 20 and 22, I have been travelling on family holidays since they were babies. I understand how needs evolve over time, from baby‑friendly escapes and active teen adventures to trips that work beautifully for young adults too. I use that experience to match you with the right destination, hotel and pace to suit everyone.
My own travels have taken me across the USA, India, South Africa, The Gambia, Cuba, Dubai and many places in Europe, too many to mention. I have travelled extensively throughout Italy and, having been married to an Icelander, I have been lucky enough to visit Iceland many times too. Alongside these, my specialist areas include Italy, Iceland, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe in general. These first‑hand insights, combined with my professional knowledge, allow me to give you honest advice and those little tips that make all the difference.
Since Travel Counsellors introduced the Net Promoter Score in 2007, 100% of my clients who responded to our survey said they would be happy to recommend me personally to their friends, family and colleagues, consistently giving me a maximum score of 10/10.
I would like to thank everyone who has already placed their trust in me and shared such lovely reviews. To those who are yet to experience my service, I very much look forward to hearing from you and helping to plan your next journey.
Whatever travel means to you, from a simple short break to a complex, once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey, I will take care of every detail with personalised, one‑to‑one service, genuine attention to detail and over 38 years of experience.
For regular travel inspiration, expert tips and my latest offers, you are very welcome to follow my Facebook page: simply search for “Shilpa Patel‑Emilsson Travel Counsellors” on Facebook and click Follow.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
A Trip Of A Life Time - By Client, Lisa Cook
We did a private tour through Intrepid Travel booked with Shilpa. We flew from Gatwick to San Jose & spent the 1st night in The Hotel Dunn Inn in down town San Jose. We were picked up early the next morning for our coach & boat transfer to Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero where we stayed for 3 nights. We had our own lodges right in the jungle with wildlife & fauna all around you. We were woken up
04 Apr 2023 3 min read
Lake Garda - August 2013
I’ve always had a love for Italy and have visited many places but Lake Garda is a jewel that I wanted to return to with my family. We decided on a two week “Chalet” style package holiday in Gardone Riviera, flying from Birmingham. The holiday included: breakfast, all day tea/coffee, packed lunch, afternoon tea & cake as well as dinner which started with an aperitif & canapés, followed by starte
04 Sept 2013 4 min read
Family Easter Break In Windsor
We had previously been to Windsor to go to Legoland and decided we would quite like to go back for a short break. We stayed at the Macdonald Savill Court & Spa; the hotel is a short drive out of Windsor and set in some beautiful grounds. We particularly chose this hotel as it had a swimming pool and highlighted that it was family friendly. We were not to be disappointed as at all times the staf
12 Jun 2013 1 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Additional offers
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Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
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