Cara Hudson
My expertise
I'm based in
Nelson
It's Nice To Meet You
Hi, I’m Cara - your personal Travel Counsellor based in Nelson, Lancashire.
I’m what’s known in Thailand as a Luk Krueng - half Thai. Growing up in a working-class town in England in the mid-80s, that certainly made me stand out. But for me, jumping on a plane to my mother’s wooden stilt family home deep in the Thai jungle was simply part of childhood. Those early adventures sparked a lifelong love of travel that eventually became my career.
My first trip to Thailand in 1987 even made the local headlines, and since then I’ve returned more than 30 times - including four years living there while teaching English. My travels have taken me across Asia and far beyond: journeying up Mount Fuji in Japan with my sister and Japanese brother-in-law, exploring the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor in Cambodia, discovering the beautiful islands of the Philippines, and sleeping under the stars in the Dubai desert.
Other highlights include cruising through Alaska (with a close-up grizzly bear encounter!), road-tripping through the Canadian Rockies, snowmobiling across Icelandic glaciers, and watching the Milky Way appear above us during a safari game drive in South Africa.
With nearly 25 years’ experience in long-haul leisure travel, I bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience to the holidays I create. I’ve travelled extensively with leading airlines such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates in both Economy and Business Class, and stayed in some exceptional hotels around the world - including the famous Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
My role is simple: to take away the stress (and hours!) of searching the internet or queuing in travel agencies. Instead, I’ll design a holiday tailored completely to you, with the kind of personal service you simply won’t find on the High Street. Whether it’s a special anniversary, honeymoon, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I’ll make sure every detail is just right. I’m also very fussy on behalf of my clients - if something isn’t good enough, it simply doesn’t make the cut.
I love creating trips so vividly that I can picture the whole journey myself. (Don’t worry - I promise I won’t sneak onto your flight or turn up at your hotel pool with a lilo in hand!) But I will be here if you need anything while you’re away, and I’ll be just as excited to hear your highlights when you return.
And because life doesn’t always happen between 9-5, I’m available evenings and weekends too. Whether by email or phone, we can chat in whatever way suits you best.
I look forward to having a good natter and helping you plan your next adventure.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Kanazawa, Japan
A step back in time in this beautiful place.
23 Apr 2026 5 min read
Across the Canadian Rockies: Our Roadtrip Through Ever-Changing Landscapes
After our time in Seattle and an unforgettable cruise through Alaska, we continued our journey into Vancouver, where we picked up our car and set off on what would become one of the most memorable parts of our trip - driving through the Canadian Rockies.
23 Apr 2026 5 min read
A Winter Return to Toronto: A Birthday Trip to Remember
This was my third trip to Toronto, and somehow, it just keeps getting better. My first visit was during the magic of Christmas as a teenager, followed by a Halloween trip a couple of years ago. So returning again, this time in the first week of December 2025, felt like the perfect way to reconnect with a city I already loved - only now, with my partner Adam, and for a very special reason: my bel
23 Apr 2026 5 min read
From Onboard Bars to Mini Q-Suites: My Qatar Airways Business Class Journey
I recently had the pleasure of flying Business Class with Qatar Airways once again - and it reminded me exactly why they’re so highly regarded. This journey was part of a longer trip across Asia. I travelled from Manchester to Japan via London with British Airways in Premium Economy, before continuing on to Thailand with Singapore Airlines via Singapore, again in Premium Economy. For the journey
26 Feb 2026 5 min read
Why Thailand Will Always Feel Like Home
There’s always a very specific moment when I know I’m back in Thailand. It’s the smell as soon as the aircraft door opens. It’s hard to describe exactly what it is, but it’s a familiar mix of heat, humidity, and something unmistakably Thai. The moment that warm air hits you, it instantly makes me think, “Ah… I’m home.”
26 Feb 2026 5 min read
From Premium Flights to Caribbean Shores: Our NCL Prima Cruise Adventure
A belated 40th birthday, a flight to Florida, and a Caribbean cruise aboard one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships - this trip turned into quite the adventure. In late November 2025, we set off on a trip that took us from sunrise walks on Florida beaches to crystal-clear Caribbean waters and life onboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Prima. Here’s a look at our journey, the destinations we vi
25 Feb 2026 5 min read
An amazing stay at the Makakatana Bay Lodge
Our first night was at the beautiful Makakatana Bay Lodge, which is set on the banks of Lake St Lucia within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. This is one of the few natural wonders left on this planet. We had such a warm and friendly welcome upon our arrival. The rooms were stunning - I had two chairs and a table looking out to the bush. Within half an hour of arriving, I had a
15 Oct 2019 5 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Videos
Discover the world with me
Our time in Kinosaki Onsen, Japan
Kinosaki Onsen, Japan, was pure magic! Onsens, plum wine, a dreamy ryokan, and timeless charm. Peaceful, quirky, and beautifully Japanese. Loved every minute.
03 Jul 2025
Kanazawa, Japan
Here's a video clip I've put together, to bring Kanazawa to life...
02 Jul 2025
My Scotland Adventure
I've narrowed down hours of my own video footage taken over the years in one of my favourite countries, Scotland. Turn up the music, and enjoy!
16 Apr 2021
My South African Adventure
South Africa is an incredible country! From Lake St. Lucia, to the Drakensberg mountains, Rorke’s Drift, the wildlife, and even seeing the Milky Way.
20 Apr 2020
Additional offers
More destinations to enjoy
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.
Get in touch
