Donna Meredith
My expertise
I'm based in
Banbury
It's Nice To Meet You
Hi, I’m Donna – a personal Travel Counsellor with a real passion for helping people get the most out of their holidays.
Before joining Travel Counsellors, I specialised in arranging Florida holidays including villa holidays near Disney. I know the Sunshine State well, especially favourites like Anna Maria Island and Key West, and have also enjoyed exploring California and New York.
My travel experience is wide-ranging. I’ve recently visited destinations including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Barbados, St Lucia, Maldives, Aruba, South Africa, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Antigua, Sri Lanka, Marrakech, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Croatia, Sharm el Sheik, and Cyprus – as well as taking city breaks to Berlin, Prague, Cordoba, Seville and Barcelona. I’m also very familiar with all the Canary and Balearic Islands, returning often to favourites like Playa Blanca in Lanzarote and Puerto Pollensa in Majorca.
Across Europe, I’ve travelled extensively through Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece, France, Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany. But it’s the Caribbean that holds a special place in my heart. I’ve visited many of the islands, both by land and on numerous Caribbean cruises – which I often recommend as a great way to get a feel for different islands before choosing your favourite. Mine’s always been Barbados!
What I love most about this job is sharing real, first-hand travel advice. My clients trust me to guide them honestly and with care. I treat every enquiry as if I were planning my own trip, taking the time to find the right hotel, in the right location, at the best value – tailored exactly to your needs.
Because Travel Counsellors is fully independent, I can offer completely unbiased advice. And with a global network of over 2,000 colleagues, there’s always someone with specialist insight to help make even complex trips a reality.
Every holiday booked with me is 100% financially protected, giving you total peace of mind – whether it’s a flight, cruise, or a bespoke itinerary.
So if you're looking for a better, more personal way to plan your travel, get in touch. I work from home, which means I’m flexible and easy to reach whenever it suits you.
Expert advice, personal service, and peace of mind – that’s what you can expect when you book with me.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Our Explora I Caribbean Cruise: A Week of Pure Luxury at Sea
Back in February 2024, we were lucky enough to sail on Explora I, the stunning new luxury ship from Explora Journeys, cruising from Barbados to Miami. And WOW — what an experience! A Breezy Start in Barbados We flew in a few days early and stayed at The Rockley Barbados by Ocean Hotels, right by Rockley Beach. The sea view from our balcony was incredible. No need for a car — we walked everywher
08 Jul 2025 5 min read
Discover Ikos Kissamos: Crete’s brand-new luxury masterpiece
Opening Spring 2026 coming on sale early July, Ikos Kissamos is set to redefine luxury holidays on the stunning western coast of Crete. Seamlessly blending indulgence with sustainability, this new addition to the Ikos Resorts family is as much about elevating comfort as it is about reconnecting with nature and culture. Whether you’re seeking tranquil relaxation, immersive cultural experiences, or
08 Jul 2025 5 min read
Seville in Spring – The City That Stole Our Hearts
We spent two days in Seville this May, and honestly, I don’t think we could’ve chosen a better time. The weather was perfect—warm, sunny days, live music drifting through the streets, and a city that feels alive around every corner. It ticked all the boxes. From the moment we arrived, Seville had us. The mix of Moorish architecture, leafy courtyards, and colourful tiled buildings makes you want t
08 May 2025 5 min read
Córdoba – A City Full of History and Charm
We really enjoyed wandering through Córdoba’s narrow cobbled streets, where colourful ceramic flower pots hang from balconies and walls. Each street eventually leads to a small, tree-lined square filled with friendly little tabernas and bars—perfect for a break and a bit of people-watching. Located in the heart of southern Spain, Córdoba is packed with history. Roman bridges, Moorish arches, and
07 May 2025 5 min read
Unforgettable Hong Kong
We had the fortune to be invited to stay with my fellow Travel Counsellor, Graham Parker and his wife Jane, who recently moved to Hong Kong. We flew direct from London Heathrow with Cathay Pacific. On arrival in Hong Kong we were met by Graham and Jane who took us via the scenic route to their apartment in the lush hills above Sai Kung to the north east of Hong Kong. They have the most enviable
21 Nov 2016 5 min read
The Charm of Cyprus
I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit Cyprus with eleven other Travel Counsellors courtesy of the Cyprus tourist board. After we touched down in Larnaca with Aegean Airlines, we headed for the Olympic Lagoon Resort in Ayia Napa. The resort is a collection of pools and rivers surrounded by a variety of rooms and apartments. Some with private pools, some with small gardens. It’s perfect
15 Nov 2016 5 min read
Aruba - One Happy Island
I was thrilled to be given the opportunity by the Aruba Tourist Board and KLM to visit the tiny exotic Dutch island of Aruba on an educational trip with 10 of my fellow Travel Counsellors. It was an intense, five day tour of this postcard paradise island with blond beaches, located just off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean. Being located outside the hurricane belt, this 19-mile
15 Nov 2016 5 min read
Captivating Croatia
Croatia has been on my radar for many years and this summer I got the opportunity to explore this fascinating and beautiful country. A direct flight to Dubrovnik from London Gatwick only takes 2 hours 40 minutes and there are plenty of choice in flight times and departure airports. We found the people to be very friendly, the food delicious and excellent value for money, the Adriatic Sea crysta
14 Nov 2016 5 min read
Mauritius - The Star and Key of The Indian Ocean
Mauritius is an island that truly does have something for everyone and it didn’t disappoint on a recent trip that my husband (Simon) and I took to celebrate our anniversary. Mauritius is best known as a honeymoon destination, and it’s easy to see why with the stunning beaches and turquoise waters. It is however fast becoming a popular choice for family holidays with many choosing it as an altern
17 May 2016 5 min read
South Africa Tour
South Africa had been on my wish list for a while, so I was thrilled to finally go on an educational trip with ten fellow Travel Counsellors. It was a whirlwind few days through Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Knysna, finishing with a bucket-list safari at Shamwari Game Reserve. We landed early in Cape Town and went straight into exploring. First stop: the gorgeous beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, f
25 Jun 2015 5 min read
Magical Marrakech
Marrakech is a vibrant, colourful city where modern and traditional life are naturally united. At its heart is the ancient Medina, with its myriad of bustling alleyways, souks and the famous Jemma el Fna Square, where you will find snake charmers, story tellers, and the maze of stalls serving delicious, freshly cooked local food. In contrast, there is the new town where you will find sophistica
23 Jun 2014 5 min read
St Lucia - Simply Beautiful
I visited the beautiful Caribbean Island of St Lucia in May 2014 on a whirlwind five day educational trip to experience three different resorts and to explore the islands many attractions. St Lucia is in the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands known as The Windward Islands, 21 miles South of Martinique and 90 miles NW of Barbados. English is widely spoken in St Lucia although a French influence
20 Jun 2014 5 min read
Dazzling Dubai
The United Arab Emirates may seem like a whole world away from the cosy shores of the UK, but I was surprised at just how at home I felt while perusing the streets of downtown Dubai. This is a place where cultures collide in a wonderful way – a delightfully cosmopolitan atmosphere where east mingles with west between the souks and the sand dunes. Dubai has so many incredible hotels; this is a c
10 Jun 2013 5 min read
Pollensa & Cala D'Or - Mallorca
In October 2012 I was invited by our supplier, Villa Select, to visit the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca. We viewed some of the villas they offer in the resorts of Pollensa in the north of the island and Cala D’Or in the south east. We flew from East Midlands to Palma in approximately two hours and 20 minutes. The transit through Palma airport was fast and efficient as was the collection
30 Nov 2012 5 min read
Celebrity Equinox Cruise – Eastern Mediterranean Part Two
The next morning we arrived at the very pleasant resort town of Kusadasi. We decided not to take the tour to Ephesus and instead enjoyed exploring Kusadasi on foot. We found the many shops much cheaper than in Istanbul and bought several convincingly genuine fake items of clothing for our kids – they won’t know the difference! We enjoyed some good humoured haggling with the local shopkeepers. W
30 Nov 2012 5 min read
Celebrity Equinox Cruise – Eastern Mediterranean Part One
I recently went on an amazing 11 night cruise as a result of attaining ‘Admiral’ status in the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises training. One week before sailing I was advised that I had the opportunity to sail on the beautiful Celebrity Equinox, one of the five Solstice Class ships in the Celebrity Fleet. A hectic week followed organising childcare, flights, hotel in Rome and t
30 Nov 2012 5 min read
Brighton Beach Jubilee
I spent the Royal Jubilee weekend in one of my favourite UK seaside resorts – beautiful Brighton. I have been to Brighton many times as it just a two hour drive from my home in Oxfordshire. On previous occasions I have stayed in one of the many Seafront hotels, probably the most notable of which is The Grand Hotel - one of the most iconic seafront hotels in the world and it certainly delivers
10 Jul 2012 5 min read
Beautiful Belek – Antalya, Turkey
This was my second visit to Turkey having stayed many years ago in the beautiful Olu Deniz area on the Turquoise Coast. On this trip to Turkey we opted for Belek which is located about 21 miles to the east of Antalya airport in this fast developing golfing region. We stayed at the Cornelia Deluxe Resort Hotel which was very comfortable and offered us an excellent all inclusive package. We re
10 Jul 2012 5 min read
Charming Sharm el Sheik - Egypt
For our wedding anniversary we decided on a week’s holiday to the popular dive resort area of Sharm el Sheik in Egypt. As my husband is a qualified diver, we were able to combine his interest in diving whilst also enjoying the luxury resort at the Royal Grand Sharm hotel. This was our first visit to Egypt and we were delighted by the warmth and friendliness of the hotel staff and locals. The
13 Jun 2012 5 min read
Southern Florida Tour - Key West
Following on from Miami, we had a 167 mile drive ahead of us along US1 over the spectacular Overseas Highway, where at one point it looks like you are going to drive right into the Gulf of Mexico. The Keys are a string of islands ending with Key West at the southerly most point in the USA and only 90 miles from Cuba. As we wanted to get to Key West as soon as possible we didn’t stop along the
01 May 2012 5 min read
Southern Florida Tour - Miami
We decided in August 2010 that we wanted to explore the southernmost part of Florida which includes Miami, Key West, the Everglades and Marco Island. We started our trip with a direct flight into Miami. As parking is quite expensive in Miami and there is absolutely no need for a car as everything is within walking distance, we decided on a taxi transfer from the airport to the Loews Hotel on M
01 May 2012 5 min read
Southern Florida Tour - Marco Island
Following on from Key West.... The next morning we set off back to the mainland along US1 and took a left onto Route 41 also known as the Tamiami Trail, which got its name from the Tampa to Miami Trail. This road goes straight through the Everglades, a vast expanse of sub-tropical wetlands and home to the Seminole Indians – it’s a common sight to see Alligators basking by the side of drainage
01 May 2012 5 min read
Lovely Lake Luzern - Switzerland
Swiss Chalet Holiday Overlooking Lake Luzern – April 2010 As my husband (Simon) was brought up in Switzerland as a child, we have always talked about visiting Switzerland to show our daughter where her father lived and for Simon to relive past memories. Simon used to live on outskirts of Zurich, but for our holiday we decided that we wanted to be located somewhere picturesque to experience t
12 Jan 2012 5 min read
A Week in Orlando & Cruising the Caribbean
As the idea of Cruising became more intriguing I became quite concerned that I was hurtling towards middle age at break neck speed. Cruising had previously evoked images of the blue rinse brigade, sequins and ceremony. I could not have been more wrong and am happy to report that my first cruise this year was a revelation As we are always looking for the next thing to explore on our Florida vac
27 Sept 2011 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