Jo Vann

My expertise

Australia
Maldives
Greece
Thailand
Couples
Families
Bali
Tailor-made travel

I'm based in

Leicester

Available for new enquiries

Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here

“Mum of three teens, travel fanatic and your go‑to expert for highly personalised, bespoke holidays.”

Hi, I’m Jo, your personal Travel Counsellor.

I’m a complete self confessed travel fanatic, and for more than three decades I’ve been exploring the world: from backpacking through South East Asia and Fiji, immersing myself in the buzz of cities like Berlin, Budapest and Marrakesh, and soaking up sun and style in Australia and the USA. I’ve holidayed extensively across the continents, from the Caribbean to Iceland, from the Maldives to Ibiza, and The Greek Isles to Goa. It is safe to say I really do live and breathe travel.

If I had to pick a favourite, it would be Thailand. The warmth of the locals (it is called the Land of Smiles for a reason) and the incredible food make it a destination I return to again and again. I am a huge foodie, so I know just how important it is to find those unforgettable flavours and authentic places to eat while you are away.

I genuinely believe that going on holiday is good for the soul. Time away lets us reset, reconnect and create the kind of memories that last a lifetime. I understand how important family travel is, especially as a mum of three teenagers, because these trips are about more than just a break: they are about shared memories, stronger bonds and precious time together that you simply cannot get back.

Why choose me?
Before becoming a Travel Counsellor, I spent 10 years working in high street retail travel, helping clients turn their holiday ideas into reality. That experience, combined with my own first-hand travels, means I can bring destinations to life and design trips that feel just right for you, your family or your business with an elevated personal touch.

I also have a wealth of cruise knowledge and have sailed with lines such as Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Marella, whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor looking for something special.

What it is like to work with me
I am the complete opposite of booking online. My role is to give you a genuinely personal, human-to-human service. With the flexibility of working from home, you can reach me in the day, evening or at weekends, whenever it suits you.

From the moment you first get in touch until you arrive home, I am here to take care of everything: from inspiration and planning, through to documentation, check-in support and in-trip assistance. I cannot quite do your packing, but I can certainly help with your holiday checklist and those all-important finishing touches.

Over the years I have built fantastic relationships with trusted suppliers and hoteliers, which means I can add extra special touches that make your trip feel truly unique and personalised.

How I create your perfect trip
With me, it really is personal. I take the time to get to know you and understand what you are looking for: your travel style, your must-haves, your “absolutely nots” and your wish list. You tell me where you want to go, and I will work out the best way to get you there.

Whether you are dreaming of:

Bespoke luxury escapes
Tailor-made adventures off the beaten track
Multi-centre itineraries around the world
Ski holidays
Honeymoons and celebrations
Sustainable stays
Solo travel or group getaways
Cruise - Ocean, River and Expedition

I will carefully design an itinerary around you, using thousands of trusted suppliers and excellent rates to ensure great value as well as a premium experience. You deserve a holiday that feels truly special, and that is exactly what I will work to create.

Every holiday I book is also 100% financially protected through the Travel Counsellors Trust, so you can relax and enjoy every moment, knowing you are in safe hands.

I cannot wait to hear about your exciting travel plans and to help turn them into reality.

“To travel is to live.”
Hans Christian Andersen

signature

Explore my guides and blogs

What my customers say

Jo, as usual as the patience of a saint! Even though having a personally tough time herself, she was so supportive with my last minute holiday. Always friendly. Always helpful. Always a super service. Highly recommend. Thankyou!

J Devlin

Dumfries

We cannot thank Jo Vann enough for organising our recent holiday to Ikos Aria. After our planned trip to Dubai was unexpectedly cancelled at quite short notice, Jo stepped in and completely took the stress away. She listened to exactly what we were looking for as a family and quickly found us the perfect alternative. From the moment we arrived at Ikos Aria, everything was seamless. The resort was absolutely incredible and exceeded our expectations in every way. It was exactly the relaxing family holiday we needed, and we genuinely wouldn't have found it without Jo's knowledge, patience and expertise. Nothing was too much trouble, despite the time pressures involved, and Jo kept us updated every step of the way. Her attention to detail and exceptional customer service made what could have been a stressful situation completely hassle-free. We would highly recommend Jo to anyone looking to book a holiday. Her knowledge, professionalism and personal touch are second to none, and we will definitely be booking with her again. Thank you, Jo, for turning a disappointing cancellation into one of our favourite family holidays.

M Chesney

Derbyshire

Jo Vann organised the most amazing suprise birthday trip for my husband to Japan. We managed to keep it a secret for nearly a year and everything was planned out, tailored to our needs and must do things on our list but with flexibility that we weren't chained to an itinerary. Jo even sent some Japanese goodies with our holiday pack and a beautiful card to go with the big reveal. We had the best time seeing the cherry blossom and exploring different areas of Japan. All the hotels were great locations and easy access to everything. Fully recommend Jo to organise your holiday as she takes pride in the little things that go along way :)

E Daniel

Cheshire

Very quick and easy service, Jo was very friendly and approachable she found many options for me and helped me choose the best one! I would 100% recommend this service to family and friends

C Comerford

Manchester

We cannot thank Jo Vann at Travel Counsellors enough for arranging our recent family trip to Thailand. With a busy itinerary and lots of moving around to different locations, everything went smoothly from start to finish! We had the best family adventure and felt supported by Jo before and during our trip. Jo understood our requirements and nothing was ever too much trouble. Thank you Jo! We would have no hesitation in recommending you for any future travel plans 😀 Xx

H Coles

Leicester

Jo Vann at Travel Counsellors .. Amazing! Jo Vann at Travel Counsellors went above and beyond to help us organise a trip of a lifetime to Australia … 9 flights and hotels, private transfers and excursions. All ran like clockwork and there was even a lovely special touch of checking in on us and leaving notes in the hotel room for any helpful information. Jo even Checked us in on her wedding day( we told her not to!) . Amazing service and will be using again for definite!

M Commons

Leicester

Jo was simply amazing! Jo was super helpful. I always get a bit anxious going away because i just want it to be good. Jo is super patient and gives amazing customer care. She just takes the stress away. Even booked our trip for while in Krakow. There was also a mix up re flight seats and Jo sorted it. Jo is superb at her job. Our accommodation was perfect and we had a really great city break.

J Devlin

Dumfries and Galloway

Wow! Jo Vann has done it again! Organised a perfect trip for us involving 6 flights and the perfect 3 hotels for us. All the transfers run smoothly and it’s great to know it’s all organised for us. Jo knows what our needs and wants are, she can use her extensive knowledge of travel and her TC network to create perfect trips. She offers all trips to be organised and offers information and tips before the holiday and during. We know that we can call on her anytime for anything. We get personal welcome notes in our hotel rooms from her which are a lovely touch. Jo contacts the hotels prior to make sure we are looked after! We were treated to a show in one city that Jo organised as a surprise which was so thoughtful. It’s never stressful when you have booked through TC and Jo is so good at her job. Thank you Jo

K Kinch

Leicester

This was our first time using Travel Counsellors, and Jo Williams was amazing from the very first call right through to the end of our trip. She helped us plan a multi-destination holiday seamlessly. Jo really took the time to understand our travel preferences and provided options that suited us perfectly. Despite booking everything at short notice. the attention to detail was unmatched. We travelled to Singapore and stopped at three places in Bali and had multiple celebrations during the trip. Jo not only kept on top of every change but also ensured that each celebration was acknowledged by the hotels with thoughtful touches. It made the whole experience feel incredible personal. The level of service Jo provided, both during the planning process and while we were away, was by far some of the best customer service I've ever experienced. We felt fully supported the whole time, and it made the trip so much more relaxing and enjoyable. We cant wait to start planning our next adventure with Jo- Highly recommend. Thank you Jo !!

K Gokal

Leicester

We have used Jo (Williams) twice this year on the recommendation of our daughter. We are very pleased with the service she has provided and the support she gave us when our flight home from Cape Town was turned back and we had to spend two unscheduled nights in Cape Town. She supplied all the documentation necessary for both trips as well as patiently going through the paperwork. We are happy to recommend her services

H Ginvert

Leicester

This was my second trip that Jo Williams has helped me out with and when I say helped me out with I mean she took care of everything!! Even down to the travel insurance I feel so at ease knowing that she is just a phone call away and the trip was so smooth I would definitely recommend

S Sehmi

Leicester

Amazing Italian Adventure I would highly recommend Jo Williams at Travel Counsellors. I approached Jo last year with an idea for a multi centre trip in Italy for our family of 4. We knew which areas we wanted to visit but the logistics were just too complicated & the choices so overwhelming when I looked at arranging it myself. Jo made sure she knew exactly what we wanted & gave us options within our budget. She constantly checked to make sure we were happy with the details & shared her knowledge of the little extras that truly made it an amazing holiday to remember. It was so easy to follow the information on our itinerary at each location to get checked in and to get our transfers & car hire. We didn’t need any support whilst we were away but knowing we could have called on Jo or the Travel Counsellors team was so reassuring. Jo definitely took all of the stress out of holiday planning and we’ll definitely be using her again. Thanks so much Jo, you lived up to the title of Fairy Godmother!

S Bedworth

Leicester

Holidays Made Easy – Jo Williams is a Travel Wizard! ✈️✨ If booking holidays was an Olympic sport, I’d be in the “Procrastination and Confusion” team. Luckily, Jo Williams is basically the Usain Bolt of Travel Counsellors – fast, efficient, and always winning gold for “making my life easy.” From my very first contact with her, she took all the stress out of the process. I’d barely finished saying “I fancy a break somewhere sunny” before she’d sent over brilliant options, answered all my random (and sometimes ridiculous) questions, and given top-notch advice that saved me time, money, and my sanity. She’s already booking me a UK birthday trip in September, an October half-term getaway, and next year’s summer holiday – I’m basically on the Jo-Williams Annual Subscription Plan. In short: Jo is friendly, knowledgeable, and makes travel planning so simple that I’m starting to think she might secretly own a magic wand. 5 stars, no hesitation – I’d trust her to organise anything, including my weekly food shop.

T Prescod

Leicester

Jo was absolutely incredible and helped myself and my partner go on an amazing holiday to Cyprus!! the hotel and location was perfect and everything went smoothly and quickly! I would recommend Jo to anyone looking to go on the best holiday!

F Kinch

Leicester

Having just returned from a weeks cruise with 10 family members I can not thank ‘Jo Williams’ enough for all the hard work she has done! Nothing was too much for her, she booked everything for us and also checked us into our flight which I felt was a lovely touch. We will definitely be using Jo again and would recommend her services to anyone! Thanks Jo and speak to you soon for the next one !

L Judge

Leicester

Jo Williams at TC was again very organised and dealt with everything smoothly. It wasn’t the easiest of holidays to sort for us with numerous people / different rooms / people going on different dates etc, however jo helped us from start to finish. Queries we had were responded to beforehand and Jo as usual went above and beyond to sort extras out for us. Jo gave us information about trips and sorted private transfers etc out for us. It was great to know she was contactable throughout the holiday for anything should we need. Using jo takes so much stress away from us.

K Kinch

Leicester

Jo organised things efficiently and everything was very easy and straight forward. Great service.

J Devlin

Dumfries

Jo has been great in organising our travel plans. Attentive, reliable with good knowledge of the destination we are travelling. We wouldn't hesitate in recommending Jo! Xx

H Coles

Leicester

Jo was brilliant as ever! super helpful and responsive!

A Earl

Leicester

Jo was so helpful and made things very easy. I will be using her again to book my holidays and will happily recommend her to friends and family. Thank you

Z Ball

Leicester

What can I say about jo Williams our travel counsellor?! Absolutely amazing service from beginning to end. We received such a great personalised service. She handpicked and organised 19 days away in 4 hotels after lots of discussion about what we wanted to see and do. Flights and trips with all transfers sorted and she went the extra mile to make sure everything was wonderful. Extra little details to notes and treats in rooms was really special and appreciated. Knowing Jo was there on the phone in case we needed her too was so reassuring, I could not have done this trip without her. The work and effort jo put in was incredible and we are so very grateful. Jo is so knowledgeable and passionate about her job I would recommend her to everyone

K Kinch

Leicester

Jo appeared confident and knew some of the answers to questions I hadn't asked yet. Another plus was not being pushy and tailoring my holiday to my needs.

R Emerson

Leicester

Always find the planning and booking process rather testing but Jo made it stress free.

H Ginvert

Leicester

Jo has been really good and has eliminated the stress completely from the process. I have already recommended her and also planning trips for next year.

E Daniel

Leicester

Wonderful personalised support Jo Williams was amazing! Super helpful, responsive and friendly. Helped us find the perfect holiday to meet our specific needs. She gave fantastic advice, provided lots of different options and really listened to what we needed. I’d definitely recommend her!

A Earl

Leicester

We had a great holiday book through Jo Williams We had a great holiday book through Jo Williams of travel counsellors. Professional and prompt services and communications, listened to our requirements and delivered a great holiday for us. I’d recommend Jo Williams of travel counsellors if you want a hands on approaching when booking a holiday, whether for a special occasion or not!

T Hughes

Leicester

Such a personal service from Jo Williams. She answered all of our questions promptly and made the whole booking experience so easy. We would highly recommend Jo, so much so that we booked with her a 2nd time as soon as we got home from our holiday. Thanks Jo for all of your help, knowledge & support x

K Wilke

Leicester

Amazing experience x Hello lovely people! I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Jo Williams and her company for providing my family with the most amazing and memorable holiday! She organised every detail ... even to sending all our personalised luggage tags which were complemented with ALL travel details so didn't need to print anything out and more importantly a couple of bags of sweeties ?? much appreciated nom nom... we had a magical time in Mexico and did things we never dreamed of.. swimming with Turtles was the highlight... on a personal note Jo was also away on her own holiday at the same time and gave us her personal number if anything was to go wrong.. (it didn't) but a lovely touch from her.. I'd highly recommend Jo .. she has many previous connections with holiday companies thru her experience in the industry.. we can't wait for next year .. thank you Jo Jo xx

Neil O

West Sussex

Jo has been very helpful & professional throughout. We will definitely recommend her and book with her again.

Katrina W

Leicester

Jo is amazing. I wasn't expecting she would be able to find us our perfect holiday on our budget with our requirements but she excelled and got what we were after even cheaper than we expected. We weren't sure exactly what we wanted but talking to Jo she listened and gave us options helping us get exactly what we were after. Jo was kind calm and patient throughout our searching and booking process. She took all the hassle from us, booking, arranging seats on the plane, giving advice along the way. Even booking our hotel room (upstairs or down). I was honestly blown away by all the support Jo gave us. We were concerned at one point about passports due to the news update, Jo supported us with this also. She arranged our boarding passes, transfers and luggage tags. She also gave us a drawing book, crayons, wipes and sweets to take for us and my son. Jo also arranged for a welcome card to be in our room so we knew she would support if we had any issues. Honestly I can not thank her enough for supporting me with my first holiday with my son. It meant to much to know I wasn't alone, I was massively reassured that she was there and would help with anything. Sincerely can not recommend speaking to Jo about holidays and going with her. Pain-free, best deals with support. Thank you

Karen M

Leicester

Jo was so amazing. She listened to whatever wanted for our holiday and 100% delivered. Nothing was too much trouble.

Hayley P

Leicester

Jo was so helpful and gave amazing service booking our holiday for this year. Very knowledgeable and friendly. We will definitely be recommending her and booking our next holiday with her.

John J

Leicester

Jo has been incredible from the day we started looking for our summer holiday! So organised & in regular contact, she has the patience of a saint! Thank you so so much for everything can’t wait to book with you again xx

C Emma

Leicester

Great service, amazing attention to detail and proactively goes about making sure you have the best trip with no hidden surprises.

James B

Leicester

Jo couldn’t do enough to help us out, she went the extra mile to ensure we got the holiday we were looking for.

Steven B

Leicester

Additional offers

More destinations to enjoy

Let's plan your dream trip together

Icons 4

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.

Icons 2

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.

Icons 3

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.

Icons

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.

Find Tc Difference

Start planning with me

0/500 characters

Give me a call

Let’s talk through your ideas, no pressure.

0116 312 0030

Let’s connect

Villas 1 Awali Background Colour Banana Island 3 (2)

Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.