Alison Kent
My expertise
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London
It's Nice To Meet You
My name is Alison Kent and I am an independent Travel Counsellor. I live in South East London with my partner John and our much‑loved menagerie: Bill, Ernie and Blossom the dogs, Mabel the cat, Coco, Petal, Pearl and Bree the guinea pigs, and Henrietta, Oregon, Florence, Pretoria and Dottie the chickens. It is a busy, happy home, and travel stories are very much part of the fabric of our lives.
My love affair with travel began when I was five years old, listening wide‑eyed to the stories of my big brother’s glamorous air hostess girlfriend. I decided there and then that I would work in travel, and I have been fortunate enough to spend the last 47 years doing exactly that.
Over those four and a half decades I have held a variety of senior roles across the industry, from high‑street retail and student travel to cruise, tour operating and high‑end tailor‑made. I have managed branches and regions, overseen fares and ticketing, led VIP and leisure sales teams, and worked as a product manager for destinations including the Indian Ocean, Caribbean and UAE. I have also spent time living in the USA and working at sea, which has given me a deep, first‑hand understanding of how every part of a journey fits together for my clients.
In March 2017 I was headhunted by Travel Counsellors. I love being a TC as , it allows me to give my clients truly dedicated, one‑to‑one service instead of being tied to a standard 9.00 to 5.30 day. I am incredibly proud of the level of service and care I provide, and many of my clients return to me time and again and recommend me to their friends and family.
I have visited around 70% of the world and have no plans to stop. My adventures this year so far have taken me to Moldova, with future trips to the Faroe Islands, the Azores and France, plus a staycation in Devon. My current bucket list includes Zanzibar, Greenland, Borneo, North Macadonia and Antarctica. My all‑time favourite destination is South Africa, and I am especially passionate about Africa as a whole: its wildlife, landscapes, cultures and people. I also have a real soft spot for the Balkans, with their complex history, dramatic scenery and wonderfully warm hospitality.
Responsible tourism is at the heart of how I like to travel and how I like to plan for my clients. Wherever possible I work with properties and experiences that support local communities, protect wildlife and minimise their impact on the environment, so that the trips we create are not only unforgettable but also positive for the places we visit.
Some of my most memorable travel experiences include: gorilla trekking in Rwanda, swimming with dolphins in Oman and turtles in Barbados in their natural habitats, wolf trekking in Spain, volunteering at an AIDS clinic in Uganda, and seeing the Big Five in Kenya and Tanzania. I have crossed 80 degrees north in the Arctic and seen a blue whale, snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef, surfed in Hawaii, practised yoga on the beach in Bali, stayed in a traditional ryokan at Mount Fuji, travelled on the Orient Express from Bangkok to Singapore, and taken the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. I have also been caving in Oregon, coffee tasting in Colombia, backpacking in Syria (once only 90 km from Baghdad), and even had the surreal experience of being offered a baby for sale in Papua New Guinea.
Travel has given me lifelong friends around the world and a few unforgettable celebrity encounters, including meeting the legendary Pelé and my travel hero Judith Chalmers, who once introduced me at a cruise conference as “more travelled than she is”.
I live and breathe travel and I am passionate about using my knowledge, insight and experience to make your travel dreams come true, in a way that is thoughtful, enriching and responsible. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you plan and book your next unforgettable journey.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Wild, Raw and Wonderful: My Short Break in the Faroe Islands
I have just come back from a few unforgettable days in the Faroe Islands, staying at the Tórshavn Hotel, and I am still slightly windswept and absolutely in love with this wild little corner of the North Atlantic. This is not a “lie by the pool” kind of destination. It is dramatic cliffs, ever changing skies, tiny turf roofed villages and the constant feeling that nature is in charge. If you are
04 Aug 2026 5 min read
A Dog Friendly Devon Escape: My Stay in Bideford with Bill, Ernie, and Blossom
If you have dogs, you will know that a holiday does not truly feel like a holiday unless they can come too. I have just come back from a break in beautiful North Devon, staying in Bideford at The Orangery (booked through Hoseasons) with my three dogs: Bill, Ernie, and Blossom. It was the perfect reminder that you do not have to travel far to enjoy fresh sea air, relaxed coastal towns and genuinely
22 Jun 2026 4 min read
Lille for lunch
A Perfect Day Trip to Lille by Eurostar: Why I Highly Recommend It If you are looking for a stylish yet stress free day trip from the UK, Lille is a little gem that ticks all the boxes. Easy to reach by Eurostar, beautifully walkable, and full of Flemish French charm, it is ideal for a spontaneous escape that still feels like a proper adventure. Let me take you through my own day in Lille and why
07 Jun 2026 4 min read
Moldova: An Undiscovered Gem
After years of exploring Europe’s better-known corners, my recent trip to Moldova felt like stepping into a secret that the rest of the world has not yet discovered. Based in a characterful wine hotel in the capital, Chișinău, I spent several days uncovering monasteries carved into cliffs, grand old mansions, atmospheric wine cellars, and leafy city boulevards. For well-travelled clients who feel
02 Apr 2026 5 min read
A Woodland Birthday Escape at Tilford Woods: Sauna, Forest Walks and Three Happy Dogs
Sometimes the best celebrations are the simple ones: time together, fresh air and a cosy place to come home to. For John’s birthday weekend, we escaped to Tilford Woods in Surrey and checked into a Watersedge 1‑bedroom, dog‑friendly lodge with its own private sauna, bringing along our three very excited dogs. It turned out to be exactly what we all needed: a peaceful woodland hideaway, birthday t
17 Feb 2026 7 min read
Bavarian Beauty at its Best
Munich City Break: Alison Kent - Travel Counsellor Experience
02 Jan 2026 3 min read
Kool Kosovo
I was totally blown away by Kosovo, I was apprehensive as a female travelling on my own, I felt safe. People were so friendly, everything ran on time, excellent value for money and a country with so much history even though they have had a very difficult past. Would 100% recommend, thank you Kosovo for an amazing trip!
02 Nov 2025 5 min read
Stepping out in San Marino
Day 1 Travelling to LHR is so easy now on the Elizabeth line from Woolwich it was a slick service. Heathrow was very busy; however, I paid for the My Lounge, wasn’t great value for money they had run out of rose and Chardonnay wines I did make a complaint and was given champagne. Not a great selection of food either. Excellent flight great service and only 47 passengers on board. Anthony one of t
07 Oct 2025 4 min read
Belfast at its Best
Day 1 - Easy journey to Heathrow once again on the Elizabeth Line from Woolwich (approx. 55mins) Heathrow was quiet as we dropped our bags and made our way through Fast Track Security. We were flying Club so off to the Lounge we went, which was busy. Great BA flight from LHR to Belfast, crew very attentive. Did wait about 20mins for a cab at the airport to take us into town, cab driver very frien
28 Jan 2025 5 min read
Awesome Andorra
Day 1 09 June London city airport a dream However very expensive to eat and drink Business class passengers no lounge Flight was delayed by an hour Flight was good crew were great Passport control was smooth & friendly at Barcelona Thankfully booked a bus that gave a lot of connection time Bus leaves from terminal 1 you should give yourself at least an hour after your flight arrives, so glad
27 Jun 2024 4 min read
Stunning Serbia
Day 1 London to Belgrade Excellent service on the Elizabeth line 1hr Woolwich to Heathrow Only had hand luggage but quick security and very friendly staff Had a nice all day veggie breakfast at Prince of Wales good value. Flight was delayed by 1.5hrs Service on board was efficient got a sandwich and water for free. Any other purchases needed to be paid for in euros no card! I paid £11 for eme
02 May 2024 2 min read
Zooming around in Zargreb
Zagreb – Not your usual pre-Christmas break but wow what an amazing place in fact wanted to keep it a secret as its just a beautiful city! Travelling to Heathrow is easy now as the Elizabeth Line connects straight from Woolwich to Heathrow. This BA flight left from Terminal 3, the Club lounge was a lot less busy than Terminal 5, very smooth transition with Fast Track. Flight was very good, smooth
24 Feb 2024 2 min read
Doggie Road Trip!
Day 1 If travelling with dogs the Le Shuttle procedures are slick and professional, they even have a dog park 3hrs to Rouen with a stop. Hotel basic, central, zero customer service, good comfortable bed. Drinks at Antico -Caffe by Cathedral excellent service Followed by dinner at La Petite Auberge -great Would recommend Rouen. Day 2 Tours Left Rouen and made our way Southwest to Tours What a
02 Jan 2024 6 min read
Yurts, Dogs and Hot Tub!
Trying to get my partner John to camp is near on impossible. So, when I found a Yurt in Somerset, I knew that would be a good start and we weren’t disappointed. We left home and took a leisurely drive down to Somerset, stopping a couple of times for Bill & Ernie. We arrived at the Yurt Sanctuary which is between Bath & Wells and was greeted by the lovely host Michele, who showed us to the Yurt o
03 Aug 2023 3 min read
Llamas trekking in Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a small principality between Switzerland and Austria, however, has a lot to offer for a short break which I took in July 2022 Day 1: Flew from Gatwick to Zurich on an early morning Easyjet flight which took off and landed early. Immigration was a breeze and the Swiss are so helpful. Made our way to the train station, which is in airport, bought 2nd return tickets approx. cost £8
21 Nov 2022 5 min read
Mooching in Mostar
There are some places that blow you away and Bosnia was definitely one of them! Bosnia has been somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time and I finally got there in October 2022 with my friend. Day 1 – 19 October 2022 - We travelled on Easyjet to Dubrovnik from Gatwick the flight was so empty it was lovely to stretch out, it was a quick trip only 2hrs 10minutes. Arrival in Dubrovnik was e
29 Oct 2022 4 min read
Memories made in Montenegro
I must say I was really apprehensive about travelling I hadn’t been on a plane since December 2019. We decided to overnight at the Premier Inn at Gatwick the package that we took included the meet and greet Car Park with Maple Parking Things have really changed since pre COVID, with Maple Parking you drive straight into the car park (by Sofitel) and leave your car so much better. The Premier Inn w
21 Jun 2022 5 min read
60 in Somerset
Saturday 19th March A leisurely drive with stops for the dogs and us to grab coffees as well as a shop at Asda in Frome took just over 3 hours. Definitely worth doing a shop at Asada’s as there is no online shop delivery here and the nearest Village (Mells) is 2 miles away. Luckington Stables Cottage is lovely very well equipped, clean and extremely dog friendly with a great hot tub!! Didn’t do mu
29 Mar 2022 6 min read
Mutts in Margate
We were in need of a breakaway and didn’t want to travel too far so decided to see what Margate had to offer. I hadn’t been here since 1979 and John had never been, we found a house in the old town which we knew had a lot to offer, bars, pubs, restaurants, quirky shops and dog friendly as well as a blue flag beach. Day 1- 4th October – The drive down was fine apart from heavy traffic on the Dar
11 Oct 2021 3 min read
Dog friendly Cornwall
Day 1: Leaving London at 9.00am the aim was to arrive at the Cottage by 3pm but no that wasn’t happening it was 7.30pm before we got here the traffic was horrendous and stressful with 3 dogs in the car. But it was worth the wait the Bull Pen is an amazing cottage, the host Kate is fantastic and so helpful. The cottage has everything you need and very dog friendly the garden is amazing Doris, Bill
12 Jul 2021 5 min read
Wandering in Puglia
When you think of Puglia, you think of something a bit different. Well it certainly didn’t disappoint! We travelled to Bari early December with Easy Jet from Gatwick. The flight was great, on time, excellent on board service and without a hitch! The flight was just over 2 hours. Upon at arrival at Bari the airport was pretty empty although I would imagine this would be very different in the summe
15 Feb 2020 5 min read
Pups in Pevensey
A quick break was needed after the Christmas mayhem! I found a wonderful house on the beach in Pevensey that took my 3 dogs.... Doris, Bill and Ernie. I arrived to a wonderful welcome of mince pies and Prosecco from the lovely host Jo! The house was called 3 Little Ducks and was amazing. The back garden was the beach, the view amazing and I knew I wasn’t going to want to leave! It was very well e
03 Jan 2020 2 min read
Solo Adventures in Albania
Check in very quick at Gatwick, the joys of travelling BA Club Europe. The flight was excellent, crew used my name, very professional and outstanding service. We arrived at Tirana and I was met by my driver took about 30 minutes to transfer to the hotel, although traffic was very busy. Arrived at the City Hotel, small hotel in very good location. The hotel was very clean, staff very friendly and
21 Nov 2019 6 min read
Romantic Paris in Winter
I love Paris but Paris in the winter for me is the best time! We left Ebbsfleet on an early morning train, the business first product is great you get a lovely breakfast and great coffee. 2 ½ hours later we arrived in Gare de Nord then headed to the Metro to catch the train to Odeon around 10 stops but direct. When we arrived at the Hotel Baume we were met with the usual exceptional service, th
09 Sept 2019 2 min read
Dogs and a Roadtrip
I decided to take my annual staycation to Cornwall this year as I hadn't been there since 1978 and I wasn't disappointed! However, I am travelling with my dogs Doris & Bill so decided to break the journey in Somerset. I stayed at the Mason Arms, Odcombe, near Yeovil. It was a lovely hotel within a pub and extremely dog friendly. The food, service and staff were amazing and couldn't do enough to m
14 May 2019 4 min read
Birthday at the Hard Rock Hotel - Tenerife
This year I decided to spend my birthday at the Hard Rock Hotel in Tenerife! To really celebrate in style, we flew British Airways Club Europe from Gatwick. The lounge is a great experience and it’s always good to have a glass of chilled champagne before you depart! I would definitely recommend Club Europe as Tenerife is over a 4-hour flight. A lovely breakfast and plenty of fizz flowing and th
24 Apr 2019 2 min read
Gorrilas in the mist!
It had been my lifelong dream to visit Rwanda and trek with the gorillas. I finally made the trip in November 2010 and was not disappointed. It was an amazing country and the people are so friendly. The highlight, of course, was to be with the gorillas, as well as trekking to Diane Fosse's grave in the Parc National Des Volcans. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience for me. Favourite a
15 Mar 2018 2 min read
Arctic Adventures
It has always been my dream to visit the Arctic and that's exactly what happened in June this year! I left Heathrow and followed the midnight sun to Longyearbyen, a three-hour flight from Oslo. I arrived at 1am to be greeted with daylight which was an amazing experience. The next day didn't disappoint; a morning of sightseeing in Longyearbyen. A must is a visit to the museum where it gives rea
15 Mar 2018 4 min read
Antigua
We travelled to Island of Antigua in the month of November. I had travelled to Antigua before however to different accommodation. We decided to do a two centre so we could get a different feel for the locations and hotels Our first stay was Blue Waters on the northwestern corner of Antigua. I would thoroughly recommend this hotel, it is set in 17 acres of beautiful tropical gardens and has e
18 Sept 2017 6 min read
Civil Rights in Alabama
I visited Alabama in the month of May. I flew into Birmingham via Charlotte. Birmingham - Where we visited the 16th Street Baptist Church for sunday service. This was the site of a racial bombing by the Ku Klux Klan, which took place in September 1963. Four children died as a result. The choir was amazing and gave me goose bumps! This church was a meeting place for Martin Luther King. This was
14 Sept 2017 5 min read
In search of Geysers and the Blue Lagoon
I had visited Iceland way back in 1993 so thought it was about time I returned, which I did in December 2016 with a good friend of mine. The flight over was excellent with Icelandair on their new aircraft, customs and immigration is quick and efficient. On arrival at Keflavik airport (50kms from Storm Hotel) airport we caught the feeder bus which transfers you to the relevant bus for your hote
14 Sept 2017 6 min read
One Love Jamaica
We travelled to the island of Jamaica in the month of November. We had no idea what to expect in Jamaica but we were totally blown away. It is an amazing island with its culture, scenery and people. Nothing was ever too much trouble for the staff in the hotels, they are genuinely passionate about their country and what they do. All four hotels were totally different and such a good contrast. I rec
12 Sept 2017 4 min read
Crystal Cruise - Istanbul to Corfu
This was my first Crystal and my partner John first ever cruise, we travelled in the month of September. We travelled to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines and was very impressed with the food and service. When we arrived at the port Crystal Serenity looked stunning against the backdrop of a cloudy and rainy night in Istanbul. Embarkation was quick and easy, we were taken to our cabin 10115 (
03 Aug 2017 5 min read
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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.
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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.
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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.
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