Gill Nicholls
My expertise
I'm based in
Reading
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
It's Nice To Meet You
Hello and thanks for taking the time to look me up. I've been with Travel Counsellors since 2004 and every day is a fantastic challenge which makes me enjoy my work more and more. It's such an honour to be part of such an exciting and innovative company where our ethos is firmly rooted in excellent customer service.
For 18 years I specialised in Business Travel and enjoyed creating itineraries which include flights, hotels, cars, ferries and rail reservations but since joining Travel Counsellors, I now have the opportunity to put together some really exciting itineraries for leisure customers as well and my knowledge of the leisure sector is growing by the day.
Of course I have done some travelling myself and have been many times to Europe. I loved the buzz of New York, the 'Summertime' feeling you get in Miami and the clean air of San Francisco. Dubai is fabulous for shopping and sizzling on the beach or relaxing in the desert. I've also been to Hong Kong where the pace never eases up and in contrast, to the Caribbean where nothing is rushed and you'd fare better if you just relaxed!
I'm also an avid cruiser and have cruised with P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America cruise lines and this year I was on board for P&O's Azura and NCL's EPIC inaugural events. Cruising is fantastic these days and really has something for everyone.
So you see, I love travelling and when I'm not, I take pleasure in arranging travel for my friends, and my clients become my friends, and I always arrange a holiday on the basis of ' would I go there'.
Thanks for taking the time to read my page and get in touch when you next want your dream holiday arranged.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Kind regards
Gill
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
The Azores, Europe's Best-Kept Secret for Nature Lovers
Dreaming of a holiday that's refreshingly different from the usual summer hotspots? Let me introduce you to one of Europe’s most underrated gems: The Azores. This stunning Portuguese archipelago, set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, offers the perfect mix of dramatic landscapes, vibrant culture, and peaceful escapes. The Azores are nine volcanic islands located roughly halfway between Lisbon a
08 Jul 2025 5 min read
A Journey Through Africa's Heart
A Journey Through Africa’s Heart My clients, Sue Andrews and her travelling companion Laura Blight, have just got back from an amazing African adventure. Sue sent me this fabulous summary of their adventure which I am sharing with you so that you can read, first hand, what this amazing adventure was like in her own words! Rwanda: A Surprising Gem Rwanda, often misrepresented in the media, pro
28 Feb 2025 5 min read
Ponant - Luxury expeditions to the Polars
In April I was invited to a seminar at sea by the French cruise company, Ponant. They were showcasing their flagship Icebreaker vessel, name Le Commandant Charcot. The vessel took 6 years to design and build, 2 years longer than usual and is the most technological craft on earth and the only one to be powered with L&G energy. It’s Hull is 3x thicker than conventional ship hulls and this allows th
03 May 2023 5 min read
Cappadocia - A sight to behold
It's perfectly possible to do a 3 night trip to Cappadocia in central Turkey, but I would recommend you do it as part of a twin or triple centre itinerary. There are no direct flights to Cappadocia, you have to fly via Istanbul so it does makes it a long journey. You can fly into either Kayseri or Nevsehir. However, when you arrive, it's like being another world. The town scenery is lunar like
02 Apr 2023 5 min read
A Great Referral
At Travel Counsellors, we are trusted travel experts who believe in supporting our clients through every aspect of the booking from enquiry, through booking, before departure, during their holiday and even after returning. This also holds true for my business travellers. When you’re thinking of who to send my way, it could be anyone, really but I thought I’d give you some ideas…. It could be a f
06 Aug 2019 5 min read
Exhausted Ocean cruising? River cruising may be your answer
The Travel Counsellors Gold trip is Travel Counsellors way of rewarding me for achieving my target and retaining my Gold status. This year, the trip was a luxury River Cruise on the Danube. I flew out to Budapest and boarded the Scenic Jewel, where I headed for the bar with its panoramic windows to meet my fellow Gold TC’s. Eventually, Valerio, my butler showed me to my stateroom where my lugga
22 Nov 2016 5 min read
New York, New York....so good they named it twice!
This was my 4th visit to NYC aka The Big Apple and each time has been better than the last. New York is frenetic and exciting and sucks you into its positive energy. There's so much to see and do that I would strongly recommend you do some research before you go. There were still things I didn't get to do but I guess I'll just have to return. We purchased a New York Explorer pass which off
08 Jul 2016 5 min read
Villa holiday to Majorca
Villa holidays are becoming so popular now that I decided to experience it for myself. I flew to Palma courtesy of a leading Villa holiday company and they showed me their programme of Villa’s on Majorca and I was able to experience Villa and Resort living. My Villa was a traditional Finca, all thick stone walls and small windows which keep the house cool during the daytime. It was set in a l
16 Sept 2015 5 min read
Switzerland and the Swiss Alps
In May I spent a wonderful 3 days in Switzerland with a few of my Travel Counsellor colleagues. Everything you hear about Switzerland is true – the trains run impeccably (always to time), the air is clean and the roads are pristine. It was still quite chilly in Switzerland when we arrived but it it’s not like the UK – everything is set up for snow! Our first two nights were spent in Interlak
08 Jul 2013 5 min read
Porto - Great Food, Great Drink, Great City!
I’ve just got back from a great city break – Porto. Situated on the North coast of Portugal, this fantastic city has so many things going for it. It’s only 2 hours from London, is in the same time zone and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Porto is very hilly but is quite compact and if you’re fit, the best way to get around is on foot although there is a metro system, trams and
28 Mar 2012 5 min read
Washington & Williamsburg - a Tauck Tour
I’ve just returned from a wonderful tour of the North-Eastern States of the US – history buffs will love this itinerary. I flew into Newark, New Jersey with Continental airlines but there are other airlines operating from London and incidentally, it’s a great alternative to JFK as you can either take train from Newark airport straight into Penn Street Station, New York or alternatively, there’s
05 Oct 2011 5 min read
St Lucia, West Indies
While holidaying in Grenada, my Mum and I decided to pop over to St Lucia for a few days. We arrived at Vigie airport on the northwest coast, much closer to the main resorts on the island. If you’re arriving from the UK you will arrive into Hewanorra which is a 90 minute drive from the resorts, but then I suppose you could use that as an excuse to take the helicopter up to the northwest and ma
09 Apr 2011 5 min read
German Cities by Rail
I’ve just had a lovely weekend in Germany and rather than flying, we travelled by rail. We travelled 1st class on Eurostar from London to Brussels and then changed to the high-speed ICE train to Cologne. We left London at 08.27am and arrived in Cologne at 14.30pm and that’s also taking into account the 1hr time difference. The advantage of arriving by rail is that you’re right in the city c
30 Jul 2010 5 min read
BEAUTIFUL ANDALUCIA
I’ve just spent 4 days in Andalucía and it’s captured my heart. Day one was spent in Malaga city. Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol and Andalucía and it’s often overlooked – it’s a beautiful city with a lot of history. I would recommend a couple days spent here to explore the city centre with its typical Andalucían architecture, the palm tree lined boulevards, the narrow cobbled streets
15 Dec 2009 5 min read
Cairo & the Pyramids of Giza
I met colleagues at Heathrow and checked in for our BMI flight. We were then taken to the BMI lounge, situated airside. It’s a lovely lounge, decorated in contemporary style. There was a good selection of pastries on offer along with other drinks and snacks. They have a lovely fireplace with comfy sofas arranged around it. The flight is about 4 hours and BMI’s economy cabin offers a tasty m
11 Oct 2009 5 min read
Dubai & Maldives part 3
One & Only Reethi Rah is huge in comparison to the other islands we had been to. Two thirds of the island is man-made and has been reclaimed from the Ocean. It has 130 rooms & villas but there is at least 65ft between each accommodation which helps to maintain a spacious feeling. On arrival at your villa, you are introduced to your Villa host who performs a foot bathing ritual with essential
18 May 2009 5 min read
Dubai & Maldives part 2
The next morning it was time to move on again and this time it was quite a journey! The Beach House is reached by a 40 minute flight from Male to Hanimaadhoo then a 45 minute exhilarating speedboat ride. Its well worth the effort, the resort is beautiful. All accommodation has a private pool and a personal butler. Each Beach Villa also offers a private Cabana on the beach. It’s one of a few Is
14 May 2009 5 min read
Dubai & Maldives part 1
I’ve just returned from a fabulous trip to Dubai & the Maldives and I had the most fantastic time. I flew Emirates and was upgraded to business class which gave me the chance to sample their award winning business class cabin. When you board, you are greeting with hot towels and complimentary Orange, Apple juice or Champagne. I arrived in Dubai after the overnight flight and was met by Tariq,
14 May 2009 5 min read
Captivating Canada & Alluring Alaska
I flew from Heathrow to Calgary via Minneapolis with Northwest Airlines. I was impressed with NWA, the plane was modern and spacious and the crew were very friendly and professional. After a long day, I eventually arrived at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary. A majestic looking hotel, right in the heart of Calgary. This hotel is a good choice if, like me, you are taking the Rocky Mountaineer t
30 Nov 2008 5 min read
Day Trip to Venice
I'd never been to Venice but, as with so many places around the world, it was on my wish list so when I found some bargain flights with Ryanair I persuaded my husband and 6 other friends to part with their money and enjoy a day out with me. I took a flight from Stansted to Treviso with Ryanair. I have to say, you do get what you pay for with Ryanair and that was very evident in the 'scrum' for
17 Jul 2008 5 min read
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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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