Colette Cooper
My expertise
I'm based in
South East London
It's Nice To Meet You
Hi, I’m Colette — your local Travel Counsellor in Dulwich.
I’ve lived and worked in this brilliant part of London for over 20 years, but my real qualifications were earned elsewhere — usually with a backpack, a questionable plan, and a very strong sense of curiosity.
I’ve been travelling for over 40 years, long before travel became filtered, airbrushed, and reduced to “top ten must-sees”. My career began in a Greek campsite, peeling potatoes to pay my way — which may not sound glamorous, but it was the moment I fell headfirst into a life of travel.
I’ve always travelled properly.
And occasionally… bravely.
Like in St Anton, where my enthusiastic-but-terrible learner skier self-misjudged a mountain and ended up hitching a ride down on the back of an Olympic skier. Not recommended. Unforgettable.
In the Caribbean, I’ve lived the rhythm — salsa dancing under the stars, street dancing during Jump Up in Castries, St Lucia, and learning to roll cigars on my (then younger, thinner, sun-kissed) thighs in Cuba. Research, obviously.
I’ve crossed the USA coast to coast on a Greyhound bus, watching the scenery shift from neon city lights to vast, wide-open plains — proof that sometimes the journey really is the point.
Asia is where it all really comes alive.
In Cambodia, I’ve explored ancient temples, rattled through villages in tuk-tuks, stayed in homestays, and hopped between restaurants and hidden bars on the back of a motorcycle — the best seat in the house.
In India, it’s been forts and palaces, ancient history and colourful mayhem — a sensory overload of incense, spices, chaos and beauty, all somehow working in perfect harmony.
I’ve surrendered to wellness retreats in Bali and Thailand, floated through the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, and perfected the art of doing absolutely nothing on the beaches of Malaysia, Goa and the Andaman Ocean.
This isn’t tick-box travel - this is lived, breathed, slightly chaotic, joy-filled experience.
So why travel with me?
Because I don’t sell holidays — I design them, using decades of real-world experience and a very good understanding of what makes a trip unforgettable for you.
What you get that the internet can’t:
• A real human who actually listens
• Honest advice (no algorithms, no upselling)
• Tailor-made trips — never off-the-shelf
• One calm, capable point of contact before, during and after you travel
Online booking won’t help you when flights change, seats disappear or plans wobble. I will. I’m available evenings, weekends — even holidays — because travel rarely behaves itself.
Whether it’s a simple hotel stay, a family escape, a solo adventure, or something wonderfully different — like a village homestay, a food-focused itinerary, or a wellness hideaway tucked into Bali’s foothills — I’ll craft it around your style, your pace and your budget.
Everything you book with me is 100% financially protected through the Travel Counsellors financial trust — so you can relax and enjoy the fun bits.
No bots.
No hold music.
No “please listen carefully”.
Just thoughtful, personal service — with experience, humour, and a healthy sense of adventure.
Let’s turn your travel dreams into plans.
I’m ready when you are.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Lisbon & Coastal Zen: Sun, Sangria & a Side of Bougie
From pastel tiles to poolside cushioned sunbeds – a whirlwind of boutique bliss, birthday antics, and the kind of seafood that makes you weep (in a good way). I took off from Heathrow T2 with TAP Air Portugal — fully braced for a knee-crushing short-haul. Instead? Spacious cabin, actual legroom, and a screen in the seatback. For a 2h40 flight, that’s basically first class. Even with 23kg of lugga
05 Oct 2025 5 min read
Kamalaya Calm: The Cult Retreat That Rewrites the Meaning of Wellness
It all started in the mystical highlands of Ubud, where I first dipped my toes into the world of wellness sanctuaries. Como Shambhala—the kind of place whispered about among the wellness elite—was my gateway drug to the art of switching off. I was hooked. Phone off, sarong on, worries slipping away like incense smoke into the jungle air. But there was another name that kept echoing through the sp
28 Jun 2025 5 min read
Walking, eating & drinking in Porto city
She buzzes during the day with an army of pavement-pounding wanderers, clicking furiously with their phones at the gorgeous baroque architecture, intertwining cobbled streets, and stunning hillside views of the Douro River. Porto is a city that sits comfortably within its confines. There’s no need to shout from the rooftops; she knows her worth. This magnetic European bolthole makes the perfect b
15 Oct 2023 5 min read
Como Shambhala - Unique Holistic Healing In Bali
A chance to return to Como Shambhala Estate has always remained high on my bucket list, after a life changing visit back in 2007. Since then, the wellness industry has boomed, so I was curious to discover if their offering is still up there with the big hitters of today, and oh boy, they certainly did not disappoint. As soon as we disembarked from the plane, our friendly VIP escort with the wide
18 Feb 2023 5 min read
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Mighty Angkor Wat, Hikes, Phare Circus & Vespa Street Tours (Part 2)
Angkor Wat and Kbal Spean The following morning it was an early start to beat the crowds at the mighty Angor Wat, which for many, is one of the major highlights in Southeast Asia. The sheer magnitude and intricate workmanship put into the construction of this fascinating city, which in the early 12th century took over 37 years to build, undoubtedly blows everyone’s mind. Suryavarman II was t
30 Aug 2017 5 min read
Cambodia Village Homestay, Countryside Bike Rides & On the Road to Phnom Penh (Part 3)
Bantaey Chhmar Village and Temple BBQ Once our touring of Siem Reap came to an end, I found myself still craving further adventure in this vibrant city awash with French colonial architecture, galleries, lakes, rivers and the friendliest of locals, but sadly it was time to hit the road to our next stop of Bantaey Chhmar village and temple complex. Our digs for the night would be in a local vill
30 Aug 2017 5 min read
Cambodia’s Captivating Countryside, Sleepy Riverside and Coastal Towns (Part 5)
Otres Beach, Sihanoukville After reluctant goodbyes with staff and management of super Song Saa, we headed back to port and towards Otres Beach which swoops around a massive bay. It’s dotted with several small boutique hotels, with low key restaurant and bars, overlooking the beach and nearby neighbouring islands which are soon to see luxury retreats from the Six Senses and Alila hotel groups.
30 Aug 2017 5 min read
Cambodian Southern Coastline and Untouched Islands (Part 4)
Cardamom Mountain Range & Sihanoukville Depending how much time you have, one can either fly within 2.5 hours from Phnom Penh to the main costal region of Sihanoukville or drive, as we did for approx. 4.5 – 5 hours where you’ll be rewarded with beautiful scenery and the mutterings of WOW at every given turn. Cambodia’s southern provinces offer dramatic contrasts to the flat central regions
22 Aug 2017 5 min read
Siem Reap, Cambodia – Boutique Retreats, Temples and Gondolas (Part 1)
Cambodia, tightly sandwiched in-between the ever-popular Thailand and Vietnam, is a region sadly overlooked by many of today’s travellers. This wonderful country is full of the gentlest of people wearing the biggest of smiles, beautiful landscapes and undiscovered southern islands like those of Thailand 20 years ago, and certainly has more to shout about than just the spellbinding temples of Angko
22 Aug 2017 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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