David Bishop
My expertise
I'm based in
Edinburgh
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
It's Nice To Meet You
Hello my name is David and I would love to be your personal Travel Counsellor. I have over 18 years-experience as a successful premium travel consultant for an award-winning high street firm, specialising in long-haul luxury travel. I’ve qualified for both the Australian specialist and Canada specialist programs so you can be sure you are speaking to an expert. My customer service focused approach has led to many satisfied leisure and corporate clients over the years.
I’ve lived in Edinburgh for over 20 years now, and am lucky to do so with my 10 year-old and 7 year old daughters. I love this city and think it’s one of the best places to live, work and bring up a family.
I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and I have lived and worked in both Australia and New Zealand for almost two years. I have experienced everything from sleeping under the stars in a swag in the outback to staying in some of the finest hotels in the world.
From my varied travel experiences I know what makes a great holiday and can make that journey special for you too. From extra space on long haul flights to room upgrades, or even a table at an “unbookable” signature restaurant, I’m here to help! I have expert knowledge in the premium cabins of all major airlines and have been very lucky to fly business class with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and British Airways, as well as numerous others in economy and premium economy. So, I’m well placed to give advice on the nuances of seating product, plane types and routes. It is these small details that often can make all the difference.
Since joining Travel Counsellors I achieved the TC Care award where my peers voted me the most helpful TC globally, while also achieving the Gold Travel Counsellor, standard which means I am in the top 10% of Travel Counsellors globally and one of only a handful of Gold Travel Counsellors in Scotland.
I'm here to support with all the complexities of travel at the moment too, from what form to fill out on departure, to tests required on your return. I'll lead you through every step, safely and securely so you know you are being dealt with by a trusted travel expert.
Whether it is a business trip to Singapore, a weekend break to Venice or a family holiday to Mauritius (my first daughters first and best holiday she’ll never remember!), I’ll be delighted to assist and turn your holiday experience from the ordinary of the internet and high street, to an extraordinary, totally personalised, and unique trip for you.
By booking through Travel Counsellors, every part of your holiday is 100% financially protected either through the Travel Counsellors Financial Trust or ATOL and I’m personally here for you 24/7 if you need anything while you are away.
You deserve the best so please call or email me and let me start your extraordinary journey.
David
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
2020 - the year that travel forgot.
So 2020 eh? Not been much fun has it so far, I’m always one for looking on the positive side of things, but that really has been put to the test during the last year for sure. But I really do believe that there have been some core elements of this session of general misery for humanity which does lend itself to a different perspective, a dive into our personalities and our focus on what is really
11 Nov 2020 5 min read
Travel Trade Crusade 2019
As I walked into the car park in Reims dressed as a pirate and walked past an inflated panda followed by someone who would not look out of place in a remake of deliverance I did question whether I'd not made another serious error of judgement? But here we were in Champagne country getting ready for the travel trade crusade. After enjoying the benefits of this region the day before I'm not sure I w
11 Sept 2019 5 min read
Cruising to the end of the Earth.
"Cruising? Really?" I exclaimed as my fiancé floated the idea of doing some of our honeymoon on a boat. Now it wasn't that I was totally against cruising, simply that my travel preferences had previously always been on the less static and more fluid kind of focus. Just rocking up in a place and seeing what there was before moving on, I always preferred to immerse myself a little in the place somet
24 Jun 2019 5 min read
Mexico Madness
"What’s spring break" I heard one of the group exclaim, as we queued up to get into Coco Bongos, a nightclub with some level of infamy but also with an equal level of fun attached. I'd luckily won a place on a work trip to Cancun and the Riviera Maya and joined 20 of my fellow Travel Counsellors on a trip to explore the region and some of the best hotels around as well, tough gig! The only issue
02 Jun 2019 5 min read
There is nothing so nice as messing about on a river.
I realised after I'd met Gianfranco my driver, who was about to chauffeur me towards my river cruise, that I was about to be immersed in a world that I was not used to. The immaculate new Mercedes S Class was luxury defined, the handmade leather interior and refreshing towel to cool my sweaty brow was a welcome from the oppressive heat of a Bologna summer. This is how all clients who cruise wi
01 Sept 2018 5 min read
Carving out a new experience in North America.
Most of us who like to slide down mountains for fun have a pretty good gauge on European destinations, what works for us, our families etc and what's the kind of place that suits. Most of us have been on a few of these trips in our time and for some of the lucky few it’s a yearly adventure into the snow. However, with the changes in foreign exchange rates and simply the massive differences in expe
10 Jun 2018 5 min read
Majorca - the unexplored corner.
I'll be honest, I didn't have massive expectations for our first family holiday as a foursome to Majorca. I mean we already have a lunatic raver of a 3-year-old and a 4 month old who quite frankly looks like she enjoys a buffet, so I thought they'd fit right into my perception of how the holiday was going to go as a stereotypical Med trip. I am happy to say my perception was 100% incorrect and we
05 Jun 2018 5 min read
Down under but always on top
This was one of many adventures I'd done in Australia while I lived there for over a year, and this country has everything to offer the first-time visitor or the frequent traveller. My favourite state is Queensland. I lived in Brisbane for six months and so found the relaxed lifestyle and incredible weather very appealing. There is even a beach in the middle of the city, what's not to love? Wi
14 Jan 2018 5 min read
Rocking and Relaxing in the Canaries
Walking into the lobby, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody moving me closer to the feathered Brazilian Carnival ensemble once worn by Sir Elton, I did question what was I getting myself into. Our next adventure with our daughter Summer was a bit of winter sunshine in Tenerife and more specifically staying in the Hard Rock Hotel initially, before moving to one of the Luxury Hotels of the World, the magn
27 Nov 2017 5 min read
Roll the Sheep Knuckles
As I sat in a Mongolian Ger in my shorts, with the raging blizzard whirring outside, sipping vodka neat and wondering on my clothing choice, knowing I would soon need to use the facilities and would have to brave -45 temperatures, I did wonder how I had got to this point? And also why there was a board game with Sheeps Knuckles in front of me? But I've jumped ahead a little too far, let me rol
17 Aug 2017 5 min read
Travelling with an 8 month old - What were we thinking?
Were we prepared for a journey of 16 hours to Mauritius? Well if by taking 15 bags of nappies, enough baby biscuits to fill a Mcvities convention and furry toys that could rival a clear-out at Toys R Us, then possibly?! Of course though like all good plans, something was bound to go wrong. My wife alas, the true organiser and in control of everything fell ill on the way out, literally as we pa
28 Jul 2017 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