Gary Manners
My expertise
I'm based in
Oldham
It's Nice To Meet You
Hello and welcome, I am Gary. Welcome to my Travel Counsellor web page.
I am your award‑winning personal travel expert, with over 40 years in the travel industry and more than 12 years running my own successful Travel Counsellors franchise. If you are looking for high‑end, tailor‑made holidays, luxury cruises or exclusive escapes from your local UK airport, you are exactly where you need to be.
Luxury, tailor‑made travel designed around you
I specialise in:
Bespoke luxury holidays for couples, families, solo travellers and groups
Tailor‑made cruises and luxury cruise holidays on river, ocean and expedition ships
High‑end family holidays in school holidays, flying from your preferred local airport
Multi‑centre and long‑haul trips, from the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bali to the Caribbean and Cuba
Special occasion travel such as honeymoons, anniversaries, big birthdays and weddings abroad
Every itinerary is created just for you, with personal service, genuine care and meticulous attention to detail.
Real experience, not guesswork
I started in travel in 1984, across business and retail travel, from high‑street branches to managing a busy travel superstore. Today, I use decades of first‑hand knowledge to shape every recommendation.
Some of the journeys that inspire my planning:
Cruising the Nile, Mediterranean and Caribbean aboard Ventura
Exploring Egypt from ancient sites to Red Sea resorts
Escaping to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Bali and beyond
Staying in luxury beach resorts, boutique hideaways, adult‑only retreats and family‑friendly hotels
My suggestions are based on real trips, trusted partners and years of looking after clients who expect a truly premium experience.
Hassle‑free, fully protected luxury holidays
When you book with me, you enjoy:
Financially protected holidays for complete peace of mind
Flexible booking and payment options, often including low deposits and easy payment plans via the free MYTC app
Calm, proactive support if plans need to change
Clear, straightforward communication from start to finish
You enjoy the anticipation. I look after the detail.
Award‑winning, 5‑star service
My business is built on trust, recommendations and long‑term relationships:
Consistent 5‑star Trustpilot reviews
Loyal clients who return year after year
Referrals from families, professionals and business owners
There are no call centres and no passing you around. From your first message to your safe return home, you deal directly with me. I take time to understand what you love, what you do not, and what you still dream of, so each trip feels even more “you” than the last.
Proudly part of the local and LGBT+ community
Member of the BNI Pyramid Chapter at Bramhall Golf Club
Regular guest travel expert on “Gaydio Manchester”
Canal Street’s trusted travel adviser, proudly supporting Manchester’s vibrant community
This visibility reflects the confidence my clients and colleagues place in me and the service I deliver.
Ready when you are
Right now you might be dreaming of:
A luxury beach escape in the Maldives or Mediterranean
A tailor‑made family holiday in school holidays from your nearest UK airport
A premium or ultra‑luxury cruise
An exclusive city break or boutique cultural journey
A bespoke honeymoon or destination wedding abroad
I will listen carefully, give honest advice and design a holiday that feels effortlessly special, whether it is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure or a much‑needed escape.
At Travel Counsellors we are not trying to be the biggest, just the best at what really matters: personal service, genuine relationships and unforgettable travel experiences.
If you are ready to plan your next journey, or simply want to explore ideas, I would be delighted to help.
Get in touch today to start creating your next tailor‑made luxury holiday with your personal, locally based, award‑winning travel expert.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Like No Place On The Planet....
Venice is magical and unlike any other place you will visit, built on water, dominated by canals and bridges with stunning architecture. There’s no such thing as just getting a cab, you will either walk or take a vaporetto (small ferry). You can also get a water taxi, but this is an expensive way of getting around and not that convenient depending on where you are located. We stayed on Venice Lid
20 Apr 2019 5 min read
Stay Safe This Year. Check out my travel blog.
Booking a holiday and then counting down the days until you can set that ‘out of office’ on your work email account is one of the most exciting times of the year, isn’t it? We look forward to making those memories for so long. But how protected are you? And how much do you really know about it? Having the peace of mind that no matter what, your holiday is safe is priceless and it’s not somethin
11 Jun 2018 5 min read
Gift Experience Ideas Just For You...
Following on from my 10-minute presentation at BEXC in February, I thought I would give some inspiration with Easter around the corner and Mother’s Day too. Car Driving Experience Days Why not experience the thrill of driving an Aston Martin, Lamborghini or Knight Riders’ Kit Car. Yes I did say that! I can even arrange that and have been asked a few times for that one. Thrilling, adrenaline
26 Feb 2018 5 min read
Venice - A City Of Romance
One area of my Personal Travel Specialist Business I get asked to book time and time again is for City Breaks so I thought I would write a blog about a personal favourite of mine, Venice. Italy is a fantastic place to visit with so many unique, historical and romantic cities to visit just waiting to be discovered. In Venice you get to experience one of the most romantic cities in the world,
21 Apr 2017 5 min read
Old Town Benidorm, Spanish Costa Blanca
A visit to Benidorm needn't lack contact with authentic Spanish culture. The Old Town in particular is an evocative maze of cobbled streets and inviting establishments to drink and shop in. With its blue-domed church and white houses, it manages to retain its character amongst the forest of tower blocks to the east and west. Do yourself a favour and time your visit to coincide with one of the more
30 Oct 2015 5 min read
South African Adventure With A Touch Of Luxury..
I have recently been looking at a fantastic itinerary for some of my customers wanting to visit South Africa, and really felt I wanted to share this with you too. I based the travel dates on Mid May to Mid June a really good time to see the Big 5 and get the best weather too. This wonderful Itinerary around South Africa, begins in Johannesburg and takes in Ulusaba in Kruger National Park and K
03 Sept 2015 5 min read
"Nevis " A Caribbean Hideaway !!
I recently visited this wonderful Caribbean Island, having visited many of the larger Islands during my 20 years in Travel and found this a breath of fresh air. If you need any information or recommendations, please let me know. I loved this island and called it my "Caribbean Hideaway" We travelled over on the local ferry from the terminal at St Kitts, and it took about 45 minutes to get over.
02 Jan 2015 5 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Videos
Discover the world with me
Destination Dupes
Here are a few ideas of swaps you can try out if you have travelled a lot, why not give me a call and give it a go...
21 Feb 2026
Family Holidays Try Multi Destinations
Extend the Family Holiday This Year with a Multi Centre Trip , Maybe Try Disney and then the Beach, lots of fun to plan and even better to enjoy
21 Feb 2026
Shamwari, South Africa Viewing Elephant Family
Take a look at these wonderful Elephants and Baby Elephants on their way home in the evening after a days grazing on the Shamwari, South Africa
15 Oct 2024
Hand Crafted Itineraries Just For You Call Gary on 0161 826 7430
Hand Crafted Destinations Around The World Created by myself and our skilled Travel Counsellors call Gary for more inspiration on 0161 826 7430
15 Oct 2024
Lapland 2022 On Sale Now call 0161 826 7430
Its never too early to plan your Santa Escape Winter 2022 now on sale call Gary right now on 0161 826 7430
09 Oct 2021
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