Clare Payne
My expertise
I'm based in
Exeter
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I’m Clare, a premium travel specialist based near Exeter in Devon
Hi, I’m Clare, your personal Travel Counsellor, based just outside Exeter in Devon. I design premium, tailor‑made holidays for couples, families & solo travellers who want expert advice, honest guidance & a truly personal service. With a specialism in Australia, New Zealand & South East Asia, I help clients in Exeter, Devon and across the UK plan everything from once in a lifetime adventures to relaxed luxury escapes & family holidays.
I am an independent & impartial travel consultant with access to a wide range of trusted suppliers & partners. This means I can plan your trip exactly as you would like it, with your requirements front & centre, creating a bespoke holiday especially for you. Whether you would like to meet in person in the Exeter area, or prefer to work together by phone, video call or email, I can offer a flexible service at times that suit you.
Travel has been a huge part of my life for many years & I have been fortunate enough to explore a wide range of destinations all over the world. My greatest expertise lies in Australia, New Zealand & South East Asia, where I can help with everything from self drive itineraries & touring routes to boutique beach resorts, cultural highlights & complex multi‑centre trips.
Most recently, my family and I spent a year travelling throughout South East Asia & beyond, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia & Australia. This unforgettable year on the road has added a whole extra layer to my experience: I have seen first‑hand which routes work in reality, which hotels are genuinely family friendly, & where to find authentic local experiences that make a trip truly special. It is this combination of extensive global travels and in depth, on the ground knowledge that I bring to every holiday I create.
I can assist with all types of travel, including tailor made itineraries, luxury beach escapes, family holidays, European city breaks, cruises, honeymoons, golf holidays, business travel, UK breaks & simple flights or hotel only stays. I will always tailor the style of each holiday to what feels right for you and your budget.
Alongside my work as a Travel Counsellor, I am also Editor of The Travel Daily. This role keeps me closely connected to the wider travel industry & up to date with new hotel openings, airline routes, destination trends and travel regulations. It gives my clients reassurance that their holiday plans are shaped by current, insider knowledge & a broad view of the global travel landscape.
My aim is always to go the extra mile, providing the best possible service & take away the stress and hassle, so that you can simply relax & enjoy your trip. My working hours are flexible & I am more than happy to chat in the evening or over the weekend about your plans. I also remain contactable 24/7 while you are away, for complete peace of mind.
You will also benefit from the protection that ATOL & the Travel Counsellors Financial Trust provide. Your money is fully protected & you have a single point of contact, as well as the support of our 24/7 duty office team, from the moment we start planning until you return home.
I have two main passions in life: my family & travel. I love getting to know my clients & understanding what really matters to them, then using my knowledge & experience to bring their ideas to life.
I am incredibly proud to have been named one of only a handful of finalists for New Travel Agent of the Year at The Travel Industry Awards by TTG in 2024, a recognition reserved for leading new talent & a reflection of how much care & attention I pour into every holiday I create.
If you are looking for a travel specialist in the Exeter area, or you are dreaming of your next tailor‑made holiday, I would love to help. I cannot wait to share my experience and expertise with you as we plan your next adventure together.
Clare x
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Thailand with Kids: The Best 2 Week Family Itinerary for 2026
Thailand is an outstanding choice for a first (or repeat) long haul family adventure. With warm, child‑friendly hospitality, gorgeous beaches, jungle scenery and a huge range of family focused resorts, it is easy to create a holiday that works just as well for toddlers as it does for teens. Drawing on my own experience of travelling around Thailand with and without my children, I have put together
09 May 2026 5 min read
Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta: Thailand Luxury Reviewed
Introducing Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta, Thailand
20 Apr 2026 5 min read
Cambodia Family Holiday With Intrepid: Our First‑Hand Experience With Three Children
Thinking about a Cambodia family holiday, but not sure how it would work with children of different ages? In January 2026, partway through our year travelling around Southeast Asia and Australia, my husband and I took our three kids (then 14, 9 and 6) on an 8‑day Intrepid Travel family tour in Cambodia. It was the ideal blend of small‑group adventure, meaningful local experiences and reassuring st
13 Apr 2026 5 min read
Our Indonesian Adventure: From Bali’s Rice Terraces to Komodo’s Dragons
Indonesia had always been high on our family wishlist, but nothing quite prepared us for just how varied, beautiful and welcoming it would be. Over eight weeks, we island-hopped our way from iconic Bali to wild Komodo, discovering rice terraces, volcano views, coral reefs and some of the friendliest people we have ever met. Here is a glimpse into our Indonesian adventure and a little inspiration
07 Feb 2026 5 min read
Uga Ulagalla: Eco-Luxury Retreat in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle
Set within 58 acres of paddy fields, reservoirs and jungle in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, Uga Ulagalla is the only all-pool-villa resort in the country’s cultural triangle. It is peaceful, beautifully designed and quietly powerful in how it connects you with nature and local life. We arrived with high expectations and left feeling genuinely moved by the people, the setting and the thought
07 Feb 2026 5 min read
A Magical Christmas Markets Cruise on the Danube
Imagine twinkling Christmas markets, storybook cities and watching the world float by from the comfort of a luxury river ship. That is exactly what I experienced on my very first river cruise along the Danube in December, and it completely exceeded my expectations. If you love the idea of exploring beautiful European cities but prefer to travel at a relaxed, unhurried pace, a Christmas markets ri
07 Feb 2026 5 min read
Exploring The Ultra-Luxury Expedition Yacht Scenic Eclipse II
In September, the ultra-luxury discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse II docked in Plymouth for a day as part of a UK and Mediterranean taster cruise before crossing the Atlantic to sail in the Americas and eventually spending the winter in Antarctica and we were lucky enough to be invited on board for the day! The original Scenic Eclipse, launched in 2019, became the World's First Discovery Yacht™, pion
02 Aug 2024 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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