Coleen Matovu
My expertise
I'm based in
Bangor
Hello !
Thank you for taking the time to visit my webpage!
My name is Coleen and this year sees me celebrating 25 years in the Travel Industry. I have been with Travel Counsellors since 2007, meaning I have amazing flexibility on what products I can book for my clients, all the while knowing that everything you book with me is completely financially protected.
I started my career in NI's top selling Ski Travel Agency and arranging ski trips is still plays a large part of what I do. I have been lucky to travel to many areas around the world over the years and like to think I can glean on the travel experience I have to help pull together the perfect trip for every one of my clients. From a short city break, to a tailormade long haul holiday of a lifetime - and everything in between... I love to help bring those plans to fruition. Working with Travel Counsellors gives me access to top notch technology and suppliers that together with your ideas can pull together the perfect trip !
I work from home and my working hours are flexible to work around my clients and my family - I offer that personal contact where online sites & call centres can't compete. Experience is key in arranging travel - especially in these times where we have to, on occasion, think fast and have solutions to unexpected problems. Your travel is my focus - from the point of initial enquiry through to knowing you have landed home.
I'd love to hear from you to get planning your next trip :)
Coleen
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Oceania Cruises; small ship luxury, big experiences
Cruise holidays have never been more popular, and with so many ships to choose from it can feel a little overwhelming. If you are drawn to a more intimate, grown up experience with exceptional food and warm, understated luxury, Oceania Cruises are a brilliant place to start.
29 Apr 2026 5 min read
Why Book Your Next Ski Holiday With A Ski Specialist
There is something magical about a ski holiday: that first breath of crisp mountain air, fresh snow under your boots, and the glow of a long lunch on the slopes with people you love. But behind every seamless ski trip is a lot of careful planning, especially when you are travelling as a family or a larger group.
29 Apr 2026 5 min read
My 4‑Night New York Escape: How I Packed a Big Apple Adventure into a Short Break
New York is one of those places you think you already know: the skyline, the yellow cabs, Central Park in every film you have ever watched. But it is only when you are standing on a Manhattan sidewalk, coffee in hand and sirens in the distance, that you realise just how alive this city really is.
29 Apr 2026 5 min read
Formula 1 Weekend in Doha
In 2024 I wanted to attend a Formula 1 Race weekend, and chose to go for the Doha race in November. Qatar is becoming a more popular destination, either as a stand alone trip or as a stop over enroute to further destinations, so it made sense for me to take a trip & experience it for myself. I flew on the direct flight service out of Dublin with Qatar Airways – it is between 7-8 hours each way, an
23 Dec 2024 5 min read
Girls Trip to VEGAS !
Where better to meet up with your girl friends after these crazy few years of being kept apart ? October 2022 I took a trip out to Las Vegas - my first time back in over 16 years ! I lived in Vegas back in 2006 - so this trip was a long time coming :) We stayed in 2 hotels - The Venetian & The Linq. Very different styles of hotel - both with great pool areas.... although the Linq is definitely
13 Feb 2023 5 min read
Wintersun Getaway to Playa Blanca
A couple of weeks before Christmas I took the chance to grab a few days in the sun with my parents and my daughter - what a treat it was ! I booked us to stay at the Villas Kamezi just outside Playa Blanca - we just wanted a few days of relaxation and heat & it was perfect ! We flew with Jet2 and I can't rate them enough for comfort & service onboard - I booked a package with them so we had tran
13 Feb 2023 5 min read
Disneyland Paris
Disney Paris is a fantastic spot for any Disney fan! The benefit of getting your Disney fix so close to home is brilliant! We stayed in the Newport Bay Club - I chose it for location for ease of getting to the park but also for it's leisure facilities. It has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool for those times when you want a break from the park madness. The hotel is only a 10 minute walk from th
25 Sept 2019 5 min read
NCL Bliss First Trip !
I was lucky enough to be invited on the first cruise on the new NCL Bliss trip in April 2018 - for a 2 night sailing from Hamburg to Southampton. The ship is of course very large - but has a lovely ambience around every area. We managed to sample many of the different restaurant areas which offer something really to suit everyone. The show on board was the Jersey Boys - which was first class! T
25 Sept 2019 5 min read
Family trip to Palma Nova
Majorca is an island that really has it all - it caters for families, groups, singles, those looking lots of nightlife or a quieter resort. Just a 2.5 hour from Belfast - Majorca is a top selling destination for me for families and also those looking for a short sunshine trip. We stayed in the Palma Nova area. Don't be put off by the masses of nightlife in the area - families are well catered for
25 Sept 2019 5 min read
Northern Ireland North Coast Delights
A couple of weeks ago, I took a few days out of the office to be a tourist here in Northern Ireland! We headed up the North Coast and along the way went to the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, Portstewart, Portrush, Coleraine and of course the Old Bushmills Distillery. We got lucky with the weather we had. We are so lucky to have some world-class scenery here in 'Our Wee Country
28 Mar 2017 5 min read
Would you like more spare time?
If somebody came along and gave you 30 hours of spare time, what would you do with it? Spend more time with the kids? Make a dent in that redecorating job you’ve been putting off for weeks? A bit of ‘you’ time in the garden, with a good book and a glass of wine? Some research? Ok, maybe not the last one – but recent findings from Club Med suggest that the average UK holidaymaker is spending
21 Mar 2017 5 min read
Mauritius - the Beachcomber way !
In May 2016 I was very lucky to be part of a team of Travel Counsellors that got to travel out to Mauritius and stay in the beautiful Paradis hotel by Beachcomber. We flew out with Emirates and got to experience their business class product. As I flew from Dublin I was able to experience business class on both the B777 & A380 products which were great. Beachcomber were the 1st Hotel company
04 Jul 2016 5 min read
Hong Kong - At last!
I cannot tell you how many years I have wanted to visit Hong Kong for - and eventually last month that wish came true! I was lucky enough to be the only TC selected to take part in a trip with The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Hong Kong Tourist Board & Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific are a wonderful airline - we flew economy there and back and it was probably the most comfortable economy seating I've ever
08 Dec 2014 5 min read
Trip of a lifetime to Malaysia.....
I was recently lucky enough to be part of a small group of Travel Counsellors travelling to Malaysia to 'test out' the area for our clients. We travelled on flights with Emirates from London Heathrow via Dubai to Kuala Lumpur and were very lucky to go business class the whole way. We got to enjoy the business class products on both the A380 & the B777 - and both are FAB! Our itinerary consiste
30 May 2012 5 min read
Uganda Revisited......
November 2009 Uganda – Revisited! November 2009 saw my second trip to Uganda – and again we took some friends with us to show the country off. The only direct flight service from UK to Entebbe is still with British Airways; however there are other options such as Emirates and Kenya Airways that are not direct. Again we did a lot of travelling about the country and revisited Queen Eliz
27 Sept 2011 5 min read
Dubai Sunshine Delights
On 12th June I travelled to Dubai for 5 nights with 2 of my best friends for a much needed girlie getaway ! I had booked our package through Emirates Tours - who had their fabulous free upgrade to Business Class offer on. So our day started with being taken by our chauffeur from my friends house to Manchester airport. This is a free service when flying business class (subject to a maximum dista
03 Apr 2011 5 min read
Paradise on the Riviera Maya
In September 2008 along with my husband I travelled to Maroma, just outside Cancun on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. We travelled with Thomson Fly from Manchester direct to Cancun airport - it was a 10.5 hour flight on the way there, and thanks to heavy winds we made it home in just under 9 hours ! Once we got out of the airport we met a really nice transfer representative who quickly arranged ou
06 Oct 2008 5 min read
Uganda - the Pearl of Africa
In November 2007 I made my first trip to Uganda. My husband is originally from there and hadn't been back in 13 years - so we decided it was time to pay a visit! Together with 2 friends from the UK, and 1 friend flying in from Sydney, Australia, we headed to 'The Pearl of Africa'. Uganda would never have been on my list of countries to travel to before I met my better half, but how glad I am n
18 Aug 2008 5 min read
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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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