Claire Ritchie
My expertise
I'm based in
Belfast
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.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
Reviews
What my customers say
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