Claire Ritchie

My expertise

Scandinavia
Caribbean
Italy
North America
Ski
Honeymoons
Wellness
Expedition Cruise

I'm based in

Belfast

Available for new enquiries

Hello, your perfectly planned journey starts here,

I am Claire and I am here to curate seamless journeys for both your leisure and business travel. I am a Scottish lady based in Belfast with a global outlook and a life long passion for travel and high end service. For you this means I do the time consuming research and booking whilst you get to relax with the reassurance that every detail has been thought through.

Before joining Travel Counsellors, I built a career in international marketing, leading global teams and campaigns and hosting corporate events across the world. That experience sharpened my attention to detail and the importance of a VIP service and care, skills I now bring into creating bespoke travel for all my clients.

My own personal, family and corporate travels have taken me across the globe ,from Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean (where my grandparents lived on St Lucia- and yes I have been a few times!), the Canaries, Mauritius, Norway (where I lived as a child), and the USA, to countless destinations across Europe, the UK and Ireland. I’ve skied in the Alps, Norway, Canada and the USA, sailed around Europe, climbed many mountains and swam in many seas.

These experiences fuel my curiosity and give me a deep appreciation for the memories that travel creates.

As a Travel Counsellor, I bring my experience and passion to others. It’s about designing journeys, whether for work or wonder, that are seamless, personal, and full of joy.

With the backing of Travel Counsellors’ award-winning expertise, technology, financial protection, and global network, you can feel confident you are in safe hands.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury escape, a short trip away, a wellness program, a family adventure, a cruise, a ski holiday, a special celebration, or a business trip handled with meticulous care, I’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and curate a journey worth remembering and one that inspires many more.

I look forward to hearing from you and creating those moments of wonder for you.

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Explore my guides and blogs

Which cruise are you?

Which cruise are you?

Forget everything you think decides your perfect cruise. Not your age. Not even your budget, not really. After a glorious run of stepping onboard some of the most beautiful ships at sea, the truth I keep coming back to is this: the right cruise is a personality match. It is about how you want to feel when you wake to a new view each morning, and the kind of stories you want to be telling at dinner

09 Jun 2026 5   min read

From 37 Tabs to One Simple Plan: How I Make Holiday Planning Feel Easy Again

From 37 Tabs to One Simple Plan: How I Make Holiday Planning Feel Easy Again

Offering peace of mind and real guidance in an overwhelming market. From the moment you start to dream about your next holiday, it should feel exciting, something to look forward to and enjoy planning. Very quickly, questions can start to build. Where should we go? What’s the best destination for us? Will it suit our dates, our budget, and how we actually like to travel? Is this the right time

29 May 2026 5   min read

Falkensteiner Hotels & Resorts: Luxury Wellness, Ski & Beach Escapes Across Europe

Falkensteiner Hotels & Resorts: Luxury Wellness, Ski & Beach Escapes Across Europe

There are luxury hotel brands that feel polished but interchangeable — and then there are hotel collections that feel shaped by a genuine philosophy of travel. Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences sits firmly in the second category. Known for its blend of wellness travel, design-led hospitality, alpine retreats, and Mediterranean beach resorts, the family-founded European hotel group has built a re

21 May 2026 5   min read

Jesolo and Venice: Combining Venice with a luxury beach and wellness escape

Jesolo and Venice: Combining Venice with a luxury beach and wellness escape

After a day spent wandering through hidden alleyways, crossing canal bridges, learning centuries of history and absorbing the atmosphere of one of the world’s most unique cities, arriving back beside the sea with a spritz in hand and the Adriatic stretching out in front of you feels like discovering a completely different side of Italy.

17 May 2026 5   min read

Venice Travel Guide: History, Culture, Things to Do and Why This City Stays With You

Venice Travel Guide: History, Culture, Things to Do and Why This City Stays With You

Venice is one of those rare destinations that feels almost impossible to describe until you experience it for yourself. It is not simply a city of canals and bridges. It is a place built on water, shaped by centuries of history, artistry and resilience, where every street feels like a story and every view feels like a painting.

16 May 2026 5   min read

 Why Italy Is Perfect for Romantic, Family and Luxury Holidays

Why Italy Is Perfect for Romantic, Family and Luxury Holidays

There are some destinations you visit once, tick off a list and move on from. And then there’s Italy. A country people return to again and again because it doesn’t just give you a holiday, it gives you a feeling. It’s difficult to fully explain until you’ve experienced it for yourself. Italy somehow manages to slow life down in the most beautiful way. Time feels softer there. Meals last longer.

15 May 2026 5   min read

Find out why Grecotel Is one of Greece’s most underrated luxury hotel collections

Find out why Grecotel Is one of Greece’s most underrated luxury hotel collections

Authentic Greek luxury, exceptional hospitality and beautiful resorts for every kind of traveller When people think about luxury holidays in Greece, the conversation often focuses on the big international names or the trendiest island openings. One of the brands I keep coming back to both for couples and families alike is Grecotel. And perhaps what makes Grecotel so special is that it still fe

08 May 2026 5   min read

Why Greece Is One of the Most Exciting Luxury Destinations for 2026

Why Greece Is One of the Most Exciting Luxury Destinations for 2026

Greece continues to be one of the most popular luxury holiday destinations for UK travellers in 2026, offering a perfect mix of short flight times, beautiful scenery and world-class resorts. With an extended travel season that now runs well into October and November, it’s an ideal choice for both summer holidays and October half-term escapes. From iconic island resorts to stylish mainland retreat

08 May 2026 5   min read

Expedition Cruise Uncovered

Expedition Cruise Uncovered

Expedition cruising opens the door to some of the most remote places on Earth, from Antarctica and the Arctic to Iceland, Patagonia, the Galapagos and beyond. It is a style of travel built around access exploration and expert insight rather than traditional cruising comforts. ( although it is very comfortable). In this blog, I share what I learned after stepping onboard two very different expedi

04 May 2026 5   min read

What my customers say

Claire was so helpful in planning our trip. Her expertise and knowledge helped put us at ease and ensured everything was perfectly organised. Thanks to her guidance, the trip was seamless and far exceeded what we would have been able to plan on our own

Courtney .

.

Thank you to Claire for organising such an amazing trip. Everything was so easy and stress free, from the travel arrangements to the fantastic central hotels and personalised guidebook. We loved exploring Rome, visiting Michelangelo’s David in Florence and enjoying cocktails by the river, but Venice and the gondola ride completely stole our hearts!

Grace .

.

Claire was thorough, helpful, responsive and gave a great service

Kerrie .

Belfast

Claire was very thorough and considered all needs for an elderly couple such as us with one of us being fairly immobile.

Anonymous .

Northern Ireland

Claire was so pleasant , well informed, easy to contact & listened carefully to what my hubby & I were looking for . Thank you

Gillian .

Spain

Claire was very easy to contact and it was great to discuss the options available, She understood what I was after and provided a variety of options for me to choose from

Gregg .

.

"Dealing with Claire was a smooth and professional experience from the very beginning- friendly communication and an easy booking process throughout. Would highly recommend!"

Anonymous .

Belfast

Additional offers

More destinations to enjoy

Let's plan your dream trip together

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Find Tc Difference

Start planning with me

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Let’s talk through your ideas, no pressure.

02895 684397

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Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.