Caroline Joyner
My expertise
I'm based in
Buckinghamshire
Luxury & Adventure Travel Specialist | Bespoke, Responsible Journeys for Curious Travellers
I’m Caroline, an independent travel expert specialising in responsible travel and tailor-made holidays across the globe.
Whether your dream is to sink your toes into powder-soft white sand, immerse yourself in a new culture, finally tick off a bucket list icon, or push yourself to the summit of a mountain, I take care of all the research, planning and logistics so you can simply relax and enjoy the journey.
Based in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, where I live with my husband and two children, travel has been at the heart of my life ever since I graduated Leeds University (a while ago!). I’ve lived, worked and travelled overseas, and spent many years as a Product Manager for an educational expedition tour operator. That background means I understand travel from every angle, from the excitement of exploring somewhere new to the behind-the-scenes detail that makes a trip run smoothly.
I’ve tangoed in Buenos Aires, dived with whale sharks in the Galápagos, slept under the stars in the Australian outback, tracked elephants in Kruger, floated down the Amazon in wooden boats and hiked through the jungles of South East Asia. I’ve watched the sunrise over both Machu Picchu and Angkor Wat and countless places in between. Just as importantly, I’ve stayed everywhere from a stilted family home in the Cambodian rice fields to a rondavel in the African savannah and a convent in rural Mexico. Those authentic moments and the people I’ve met along the way have shaped my belief in travel as a force for good for both travellers and local communities.
Having seen first-hand the positive impact tourism can have, I’m deeply passionate about sustainable, responsible travel. I love helping my clients make meaningful choices, from the style of accommodation to the experiences they enjoy, so that their holidays support a brighter future for the destinations they visit.
I specialise in bespoke itineraries, luxury escapes and adventure trips: honeymoons, once-in-a-lifetime bucket list journeys, family getaways and multi-generational holidays are where my expertise truly comes into its own.
As part of Travel Counsellors, I have access to an award-winning global network and an exceptional range of hand-picked partners. I work with trusted hotels, major airlines, expert local partners on the ground and specialist tour operators you will not find on the high street. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, including supporting clients through some of travel’s most challenging periods such as natural disasters and the Covid pandemic, you can be confident you are in safe hands. Travel Counsellors offers 100% financial protection and round-the-clock support, giving you complete peace of mind.
I see my role as far more than “just” a Travel Consultant. I am your personal travel concierge, here to look after you from the very first conversation until you arrive home, and beyond. No two travellers are the same, so the service I provide is entirely tailored to you and your family.
You can follow my journeys and recommendations on Facebook, Instagram and via my blog below.
If you are ready to start planning your next adventure or simply want some inspiration, get in touch for a personalised consultation and let’s begin creating unforgettable memories together.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Hotel Review: Grecotel Marine Palace, Crete
Grecotel Marine Place is located between Heraklion and Rethymno next to the village of Panormo on Crete's north coast. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed in the style of a village, with low rise Mediterranean style buildings sprawled across beautifully landscaped gardens perched on the coastline with great views. Flower lined pathways link up the different areas of the hotel which has 4 lar
17 Sept 2025 4 min read
My Animal Welfare Policy
My business is committed to responsible tourism and protecting animals who are impacted by the travel industry. Animal encounters have become increasingly popular as part of people’s holiday experiences, however, in recent years the world has realised that some animal-related activities, such as elephant washing and rides, photo opportunities with tigers or watching dolphins perform, lead to suf
13 Dec 2023 5 min read
My Sustainable Travel Pledge
I am both personally and professionally passionate about ethical, sustainable travel and the incredible potential tourism has to be a positive force in sustainable development. Here is my poetic commitment to travelling more sustainably, both as a traveller and a travel professional! Our planet is changing by the day, To explore it is a privilege, if we don’t respect that we will surely pay
13 Dec 2023 1 min read
CAPTIVE WILDLIFE ATTRACTIONS: DOLPHIN DISCOVERY, ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO.
Over the past 10 years (or more) the travel industry has begun a journey of awareness about the ethics of animal attractions. However, back in 2010 I had been backpacking around Central America and ended my trip at a hotel next door to Dolphin Discovery. Wandering into this attraction one day was a defining moment for me on my responsible travel journey. A solitary sealion crunches his body int
21 Nov 2023 6 min read
Sydney for Beginners....
It's up there with the likes of London, Rio, Vancouver and New York as one of the world's most iconic cities, yet Sydney boasts a relaxing Aussie vibe. It's not a city to hot foot it around sights, it's a city to hang out and savour the famous beaches, parks and beautiful views. Sydney’s harbour setting is among the world’s most stunning, but there is so much more to take in. The compact centr
08 Jun 2023 6 min read
Delving deeper into Mauritius
The sun is gently sinking in the sky, the waves lapping the white sand beach. Bird call echoes around the swaying palms; an owl-like 'twit too', squawks, clatters and tuneful song all make up the sunset symphony. A lone fisherman casts a hopeful net in-between boats, and beyond the lagoon, the waves break over a reef filled with colourful fish. The sunshine glimmers in a perfect channel across the
08 Jun 2023 6 min read
Miss Rachel, an Inspirational Story from Belize on International Women's Day
During my time as a product manager for an educational travel company, my role was to set up volunteer projects around the world. Over the years I met some incredible women doing incredible things, often with little support, in all sorts of places. Miss Rachel always stuck in my mind, and I wrote this about her for International Women's Day in 2019. Straddling Central American jungles and the c
08 Mar 2022 5 min read
New York: The 9/11 memorial museum - remembering 20 years on
September 11th 2001 is a day the world will never forget. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a tasteful tribute to those who lost their lives, to heroism and the to resilience of a city that has somehow picked itself up and recovered. Above ground it's all very serene and relaxing. Water gently cascades into “reflecting pools”, essentially underground waterfalls whose enormous perimeter marks the footpr
10 Sept 2021 6 min read
The South America Diaries: The Salkantay trek to Macchu Picchu (Part 2)
(Continued) Day Four. Peruvian transport at it´s best We jumped on a bus to get down to a cable we would need to take over the river. Well, it had been a bus once upon a time but now it was a battered heap with no glass in the windows and a piece of plastic for a door. As we arrived near to a river the bus stopped and 30 local men ambushed it, pushing and shoving to get the luggage as it was br
01 Jul 2021 4 min read
The South America Diaries: The Salkantay trek to Macchu Picchu (Part 1)
Day One. “Can I borrow that Llama’s coat please?” Our minibus zig-zagged the dirt roads, clinging perilously several times to the edges of the cliff edge. Whilst trying to get around a hairpin bend the bus driver bumped into a tree and chipped the corner of the minibus. Good start. We had set off from Cusco, already 3400m above sea level before even the roosters were up. Cusco, once the centre o
01 Jul 2021 5 min read
The South America diaries: the passion of Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires, pulsates with a glamorous and seductive energy. A combination of rich architecture, cultural heritage, world-class cuisine, electric nightlife, and a vibrant arts scene makes it one of the world’s most intriguing cities. Here are some of the reasons I fell in love with it on my first visit. Getting to know Gardel. It was on the second night that my love
21 Jun 2021 5 min read
The South America diaries: the Post Office Debacle
Many years ago I spent a year travelling around South America. This is a tongue-in-cheek article I wrote towards the end of that year about South American bureaucracy, an integral part of the Latino culture! In the early days, as a South America Postal System Virgin I would collect my things together, trot off to the nearest post office and presume sending a parcel would be a task no more diff
18 Jun 2021 5 min read
Disneyland Paris Top Tips Part 2: Dining, Characters & fireworks
How can I meet the characters? The magic of Disney is undoubtedly created by the characters, but unfortunately wait times to have that special moment and photo with your most dreamed about character can be long. To beat the queues here are 3 tips: • Download the Lineberty App. The App texts you when they’re ready for you • Bear in mind that its relatively easy to meet Mickey and friends in the
22 May 2021 3 min read
Disneyland Paris Top Tips Part 1
So you’ve got your tickets, booked your hotel and worked out how you are getting there, but holidays to Disneyland Paris need some prior think time. Planning and strategy are key if you want to make the most of your time (and all the money you have spent on tickets!) Firstly, have a think about what you want to get out of this visit, are you more interested in the Disney Characters and the parade
21 May 2021 4 min read
The South America diaries: The Zebras of La Paz
This article appeared in the Daily Telegraph as winner of their "Just Back" competition. Why Bolivia is using animal onesies to tackle the problem of road deaths Squinting in the high altitude sunshine of downtown La Paz my lungs struggle and all my senses are assaulted at once. Businessmen whizz past homeless people begging, colourfully dressed Cholitas sell their wares from stands, shoeshine
20 May 2021 4 min read
New York, One World Observatory
Spectacular views are not the only draw card to New York's 541m high One World Observatory. Nearly 20 years since the day the world can never forget, the new One World Trade Centre pierces the clouds in its brand new glass and steel glory. Built on the northwest corner of the World Trade Centre site, it stands where 6WTC once stood before the entire area was decimated by the September 11th attack
25 Mar 2021 6 min read
Eswatini, King of the conservationists
Tiny Eswatini (previously Swaziland) lives in the shadow of its big-5 neighbour, South Africa, but a long conservation heritage has left a legacy of impressive yet intimate game reserves. I have had the good fortune of visiting Swaziland a few times to set up volunteer projects (Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV in the world) and game viewing activities during my time as a Product Manager. Its
25 Mar 2021 6 min read
Bolivia: The real South America
For many years I was fortunate enough to have a job that involved travelling to some of the world's most incredible places. My role was to set up educational experiences for young people in the developing world. I would travel around on public transport and set up volunteer projects, treks and activities checking their safety and suitability. The people I met, the sights I saw and the hospitality
22 Mar 2021 6 min read
Land based cruising in the Galapagos
The Galàpagos Islands, an archipelago of 14 islands 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, is described by UNESCO as “a living museum and showcase of evolution”, being home to more than 100 species found nowhere else on earth. For most, the mere mention of the Galápagos conjures up images of giant tortoises lumbering across the volcanic landscape and various other species cavorting lovingly with tourist
18 Mar 2021 6 min read
Vancouver: Whats the big deal?
Vancouver rates as one the world’s top cities on just about every count. A vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis with diverse and distinct neighbourhoods, it is framed by spectacular scenery. Mountains, forests and blue sparkling waters characterise a stay in Vancouver not to mention the incredible wildlife opportunities. Here are a few reasons to put Vancouver on your bucket list! STANLEY PARK A qu
18 Mar 2021 6 min read
Khao Lak: more than just a beach
Vast unbroken stretches of golden sand, a wide range of beach accommodation, family-friendly atmosphere and many of Thailand’s true gems within exploring distance. In 1999 Khao Lak had just 3 hotels, now it has 10,000 beds. Completely destroyed by the 2005 Tsunami, 13 years on its access to some of Southern Thailand’s best rainforest, dramatic coastal scenery and world-class dive spots have help
18 Mar 2021 6 min read
Why take your kids to Greece?
Almost 90 years ago it Inspired Gerald Durrell’s “My family and other animals”, and in many areas, Corfu's natural beauty and charm has remained intact despite the invasion of tourism. You can still happen across the unspoiled corners which inspired Durrell. With its wooded mountainous interior, irresistible bays and olive groves, Corfu provides a great balance of culture, fun, and relaxation even
17 Mar 2021 6 min read
Searching for Santa in Lapland
The dogs are barking furiously and there is a flurry of activity, we get into the sledges and the chorus reaches a crescendo. The sledge in front moves and we are off. Instant silence fills the crisp air, only broken by the smooth crunching of the snow as we whizz through the forest of pine trees, each branch holding a thick layer of snow. Two Hundred and fifty miles north of the arctic circle t
17 Mar 2021 4 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Videos
Discover the world with me
Trou Aux Biches Exterior
Garden rooms and beach at Trou aux Biches
24 Jan 2024
Beachcomber Trou Aux Beaches, Mauritius
Beachcomber Trou Aux Beaches, Lobby, Beach and Pool
29 Nov 2023
My Sustainable Travel Pledge
I am passionate about ethical, sustainable travel and the incredible potential tourism has to be a positive force in the world's sustainable development.
26 Nov 2023
Christmas Markets
Inspiration for your trip to Europe's best Christmas Markets!
01 Nov 2023
Sol Beach House, Santa Eulalia, Ibiza
Video review of Sol beach House hotel, Ibiza
01 Oct 2023
Victoria Beachcomber, Mauritius
A video review of Victoria Beachcomber hotel, Mauritius
28 Oct 2021
Victoria Beachcomber for 2 -Mauritius
Victoria Beachcomber for 2 is the new Adult Only section of Victoria. Perfect for couples - separate to the main hotel but with access to all the facilities
21 Oct 2021
Beachcomber Trou Aux Beaches, Mauritius - Room Types
Beachcomber Trou Aux Beaches, Mauritius. A beautiful 5* All-Inclusive hotel on the North West coast of the island.
20 Oct 2021
Iberostar Creta Panorama, Crete
A video review of the Iberostar Creta Panorama, Crete
01 Nov 2020
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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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