Craig Stephenson
My expertise
I'm based in
Derbyshire
It's Nice To Meet You
Welcome to Travel Counsellors! It's a real pleasure to introduce myself and I'm really looking forward to hearing about your travel aspirations!
I had one dream as a young man: Travel the world to learn and experience as much about this beautiful planet as I possibly could. I began that quest by achieving a Diploma in Travel Studies and in the years that passed, the desire to fulfil my mission never diminished. I 'backpacked' whenever and wherever the mood took me and built my industry knowledge working extensively within the world of travel agencies, airlines and tour operations over many years. Experiencing life living in places such as Australia, Greece, Cyprus and 9 years in Spain only served to enhance this knowledge.
Fast forward to present day and, as an independent Travel Counsellor, I now have the opportunity to give something back to my customers. Relying on decades of experience to help them choose, plan and execute their travel dreams is the greatest of pleasures. I care about what and where they book with me and I just love listening to their stories when they return home. Your holiday is my holiday too.
My service is bespoke. It is tailored to those looking for a service that gives them an experience from the very first conversation and removes the 'transactional' nature of booking a trip. I have access to fares and pricing that are not always available to traditional agents and you're not restricted by 'pre-packaged' deals, which don't always fully cater for what you really want. Knowing that someone cares about your plans and is there for you throughout the whole process, brings you a service that is second to none.
Finally, a Travel Counsellor booking is 100% financially protected. No ifs, no buts! Just peace of mind from the very beginning.
Take a look at some of the great itineraries below for inspiration and/or send me a message about where your travel dreams are leading you next. I'd love the opportunity to talk with you about how I can help you turn them into a reality alongside industry leading service.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
On track for luxury
Have you ever sat back and thought about your favourite mode of transport?
30 Apr 2026 5 min read
You just never know
When war breaks out there is comfort in having a Travel Counsellor
02 Mar 2026 5 min read
Beyond the Brochure
Tailor making Vietnam your way
11 Feb 2026 5 min read
The Whizz around Oz
It’s easy to make a case for visiting Australia.
30 Jan 2026 5 min read
Malaysia & Borneo
The ultimate holiday?
30 Dec 2025 5 min read
Free Airport Lounge Passes!
Did I get your attention? Of course I did! Keep reading.
02 Dec 2025 5 min read
Quiet please?
Let me be clear. I’m not a huge lover of crowds. I’ve been to some incredible concerts over the years, but you’d never see me packed in at the front. I like to have my space. Therefore, it always makes me chuckle when I think of visiting the Maldives. This is an island nation that is world renowned for being the ultimate ‘get away from it all’ destination. A place of calm, and yet an arrivals
27 Oct 2025 5 min read
Ahead of the crowd
When one of my sons decided, a couple of years ago, that Christmas was taking too long to come around, he decided that his own playlist version of ‘That’s what I call Christmas’ was acceptable listening in the middle of July. No end of pleading or persuasion would shake him from his cause. He was fully ready and prepared for his favourite time of the year and he was, unfortunately for the rest of
03 Oct 2025 5 min read
‘Soul’ Breaks
Remember when we were all forced to go away for 7 or 14 nights. Just 2 options…take it or leave it! Sure, those options are still widely available, but I suspect this has much to do with our own learned holiday habits which drives demand. What is the duration ’sweet spot’ though? 7 nights not enough? 14 nights just too long to be away from home? So, how about just 3 or 4 nights away? Err….what?
13 Aug 2025 5 min read
Click & Regret?
Friday afternoon. Laptop firmly shut. A little something cold from the fridge? More ‘me time’ and less ‘deadline’ for a couple of days. Sound familiar? We all need a break from work, right? Well, that’s not my world. People love talking about holidays and travel so much, it’s even used as a conversation starter in some arenas (Hairdressers, anyone?). So, it’s common for me to ‘talk shop’ outs
15 Jul 2025 5 min read
Land of the rising tourism
I’ve been talking about Japan an awful lot lately. It’s intriguing how one country can conjure up so many different emotions and perceptions for different generations. My grandparents would most likely have had nothing positive to say. ‘Boomers’ would most likely remember the rise of their car industry. For me, Japan was the home of video games, ‘Sony’ (a brand that I still admire to this day) and
20 Jun 2025 5 min read
Avoid getting the hump!
Back in the 90's a traveller was left in a rather precarious position after taking a short cut with their travelling budget in India. He set out to find a way to experience the wonders of the Thar Desert, an area of over 200,000km2 that stretches far into neighbouring Pakistan. Experiencing remote desert villages and a dramatic view of the Milky Way, was only ever going to be achieved by a camel e
20 Jun 2025 5 min read
Island Shopping
I love going on holiday. In fact, I've just come back from one. Its real medicine for the soul and I, like many, crave it. Towards the end of the last century, we turned an annual flight towards sunshine from a 'nice to have' to a 'must have' when we looked at our plans for the year ahead. Nothing would get in the way of our holiday...'the hamster will be fine with the next-door neighbour, I'm su
20 Jun 2025 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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