Ben Burgess
I'm based in
Wokingham
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It's Nice To Meet You
How many people can say they have their own personal travel consultant 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that finds no request too big or too small and is able to be contacted any way that’s convenient to you?
Welcome to Travel Counsellors, and thank you for stopping by my webpage.
I’m Ben, I live in Finchampstead, just out of Wokingham in Berkshire and have over 15 years’ experience working in the travel and tourism industry so you can rest assured you are in good hands when booking your perfect holiday.
Originally from Cairns, Australia and now in the UK I have been fortunate to travel to some of the most amazing places the world has to offer.
I have travelled Australia extensively including everything from diving the Great Barrier Reef to exploring the outback, touring the wine regions, sailing the Whitsunday Islands and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is very little in Australia I haven’t done myself.
But my experience does not stop there. To date I have visited New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Bali, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA (Hawaii, California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Washington DC, New York), UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi), Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, Turkey, Malta, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. The list goes on and is forever growing.
At Travel Counsellors we have access to thousands of suppliers and the best available flights, car hire, tailor made holidays, weekend getaways, cruises, all inclusive holiday packages and travel insurance policies you will find. All perfectly matched not only to your budget, but also to your dream holiday.
When it comes to booking your holiday (or mine), I believe the journey is just as important as the destination. Whether it be a transfer from your home to the airport, a comfortable pre-flight airport lounge, a stopover for shopping or some advice on day trips and excursions. I will do all of the research and take all of the hard work out of it for you.
I am far more than just a travel consultant, I am YOUR Travel Counsellor. I am here to provide expert advice, confirm all of your arrangements and to make sure that everything from the planning stages of your holiday right through to the time you return back home is entirely stress free and exceed all of your expectations along the way.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
36 Hours In Guangzhao
Recently I decided to dash home to Australia to celebrate a milestone birthday with my family. Until recently flying with a Chinese Airline was almost an impossible task as you needed to organise transit visas with the Chinese Embassy and honestly, who needed all that extra effort? However, China have relaxed their immigration law allowing tourists enjoy their major cities for up to six days on a
09 Dec 2019 5 min read
Neon lights in an adults playground
Wow, Las Vegas truly is the city that never sleeps, and I can first hand agree with their self-proclaimed title as ‘the entertainment capital of the world’. Las Vegas is a city which does not apologise for being what it is. It’s bright, it’s loud, it’s big and it’s in your face! The mere size of the hotels and themes they replicate is surprising! If you’re going to walk along the strip and take
07 Nov 2018 5 min read
Cruising around the Caribbean
Cruises, one of those holidays which always strikes a response of positiveness or apprehension, followed by a ‘it’s not for me’. It was two years ago when I was invited down to Southampton for a ship inspection aboard Celebrity Silhouette. A typical ship inspection includes a walk around a selection of room types; inside rooms right through to penthouses, a glimpse in the restaurants with one r
29 Oct 2018 5 min read
City Break : Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city which I believe has two very distinct personas. The first being the one that hits you upon arrival and built a global reputation: the red-light district, the café shops with the aroma, we will say of marijuana and the number of bars and clubs to support the ever-growing number of weekend getaways. The second and less obvious, but if you’re able to look beyond first looks is a b
29 Oct 2018 5 min read
A gem in the middle of the desert
Whilst planning a trip through California, I had a few days between being in Las Vegas and needing to be in LA for an onwards flight. Knowing the drive between Vegas and LA didn’t have a great deal to offer which I hadn’t experienced already I looked further afield and what a gem I discovered! La Quinta, California, is a beautiful small town nestled within the Coachella Valley with the Santa Ro
25 Oct 2018 5 min read
More than just an all-inclusive package destination
I was recently fortunate to be selected as one of a small handful of UK travel agents to take part in a trip to Dominican Republic, hosted by the Dominican Republic Tourist Board. If, like me, the moment someone mentions Dominican Republic you instantly think of all-inclusive package holidays and Brits abroad - think again! Dominican Republic has so much more to offer than I had ever imagined.
22 Oct 2018 5 min read
Olive Oil Tasting in Marbella
Cold pressed olive oil. Remember when you hunted it down? Looked frantically to get it for that recipe! Smugly nodded, yes it is cold pressed. Well, it seems we were all sold a pup. Apparently, according to good authority, it was a method last used by the then Arabs in 711. Yes that’s right the Gregorian 8th century. My good authority is the owner, David Gallarado of D.Olivia, a beautiful special
26 Aug 2016 5 min read
Marbella - Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa
Set back from the beach, the Puente Romano is equidistance (for walking) between Puerto Banus and Marbella town. Its location is a gem. The hotel offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and isolation to bask in, with the option to step into the nightlife or go sightseeing. If you are looking for escape and relaxation you can get it by basking in the setting’s replicated architecture of an Andalus
26 Aug 2016 5 min read
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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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