Joanne Grogan
My expertise
I'm based in
Stockport
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Your time, your memories, your holiday: personally looked after
I am an independent, Travel Counsellor based in Stockport: a mum of two now‑grown‑up children and a proud Mancunian with a genuine passion for travel and taking care of people. I love nothing more than talking through your holiday ideas and turning them into carefully thought‑out journeys that feel like they have been created just for you.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the travel industry, including 17 years working within the airline world, I bring both professional expertise and real‑world insight to every booking. I have seen first‑hand how important it is to have someone you trust guiding you through the detail, and I am here to be that person for you.
Over the years I have developed particular expertise in planning trips to the USA (especially California), Japan and Italy alongside the rest of the world.
In the USA and California, I can help you design everything from classic Highway 1 road trips and stays in San Francisco or Los Angeles, to itineraries that weave in national parks, wine country and family‑friendly stops.
In Japan, I understand how to make the most of your time with well‑paced rail itineraries, the right mix of cities and quieter spots, and experiences that blend the must‑see sights with more authentic moments.
In Italy, I can help you link together its lakes, cities and coastline, or create slower, food‑focused journeys that showcase local flavours, vineyards and historic towns.
These destinations reward good planning, and my role is to make them feel effortless for you.
I believe every holiday should feel personal. I take away the stress, confusion and hours of online searching by handling the research, design and organisation for you, so you can simply enjoy the anticipation and then relax once you are away.
Travel has always been a big part of our family life. I have extensive first‑hand experience of travelling with young children, teens and now adults, with our own holidays taking us to Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Barbados, European city breaks and road trips across America. That lived experience means I know what works in reality: timings, transfers, hotel choices and little touches that make all the difference on the ground.
Now that my children are older and new milestones are being reached, I truly understand how precious time away is, whether you are marking a special birthday, planning a multi‑generation celebration or treating yourselves to a much‑needed escape for two.
Every holiday you book with me is 100% financially protected by either the Travel Counsellors Financial Trust or ATOL, giving you complete peace of mind. I also keep you up to date with the latest guidance on visas, vaccinations and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice, so you always feel informed and supported in an ever‑changing travel landscape.
I am available when it suits you: daytime, evenings or weekends. I know how busy life can be, and my aim is to save you time, remove the hassle and give you the confidence that everything has been taken care of properly.
If you have travel ideas, a destination you are curious about, or a special trip in mind, please do get in touch by phone or email. I would love to help you turn your holiday plans into memories you will always treasure
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Beautiful Florence
A city I return to many times
03 Jul 2026 5 min read
Pisa - A start to an Italian adventure
A whirlwind start to our Italian holiday
02 Jul 2026 4 min read
New York in a Weekend: Making 21st Birthday Memories with My Daughter
A birthday wish come true.
21 May 2026 5 min read
Surf, Stars and Desert Dreams:
Discovering new parts of California.
20 May 2026 8 min read
Shinjuku to Shibuya and Beyond: Our First Taste of Tokyo
Part one of our Japan Travels
27 Feb 2026 6 min read
Part 4 - the last part of the California Road Trip
For as long as I can remember India has wanted to go to San Diego Zoo. It is one of the best kept and reputable zoo’s in the world that does a lot of work with rescued and endangered animals. Set in over 100 acres it is massive. We thought okay, maybe a couple of hours…..7 hours later we finish. Travelling around the zoo with 15000 steps and by cable car and bus! It is very impressive. The zoo is
02 Aug 2023 6 min read
California Road Trip Part 3
The big drive…. Leaving Yosemite we looked on the phone for a route and they were all saying 5-6 hours back via Los Angeles,to get us to the next campsite in Lone Pines, so you can imagine our delight when the sat nav said about 3 hours, which is what we had expected when we planned the route. Weknewis would be a challenging drive with lots of curves and climbing but we were ready for the challeng
02 Aug 2023 5 min read
Road Trip Part 2
The drive from Monterey to San Francisco had a stop that we just had to do. Having 2 avid Lost Boys fans with us meant we had to stop at the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Be aware that parking can be expensive in an RV, but there is parking in the bus car park at the end of the pier. Santa Cruz Boardwalk is everything you imagine a US boardwalk to be, lots of rides, game stalls, shops and food. Th
02 Aug 2023 6 min read
A family RV adventure in California Part 1
To holiday as a family of 4 adults does become very expensive. You are usually looking for 2 hotel rooms now which means your holiday price doubles. We decided that we would try something different this time and hired an RV to travel around in, so we all had some space and we could have an adventure together. First stop on the US adventure is a couple of nights in Anaheim. We have stayed in the H
02 Aug 2023 6 min read
Madeira – A Gem of an Island.
Madeira – A Gem of an Island. Madeira is a destination that is going through a renaissance now. Post pandemic it was one of the first places to open up and it is good to see that tourism to the Island has gone from strength to strength. My knowledge of Madeira prior to travelling was Madeira Wine, hills, flowers and possibly an older clientele, What I was not aware of was the beauty and diversity
05 Apr 2023 7 min read
Magical Ubud
24 years ago Paul and I went on our first holiday together and that adventure included Bali. We have such special memories of the Island and especially Ubud that it was with excitement we returned. The first big change is the traffic....be aware that the traffic in Bali is madness and so busy. We arrived into the domestic terminal, after transferring in Jakarta to be told by Kimmy, our driver th
02 Sept 2019 3 min read
3 Night stay.
I last visited Singapore nearly 30 years ago, and I really did not like it as it felt too controlling and clean. This time I could appreciate how the city has changed beyond recognition whilst regaining its character. We stayed at Clarkes Quay, next to the river and on the doorstep of a great number of restaurants and bars. It was a lovely area to wander around at night and you felt safe. It is w
02 Sept 2019 3 min read
Milan
Milan is not the most obvious destination for a weekend break, but it has always been a favourite of mine. There was a time a few years when my Mum and I would go over for a couple of days once a year. Milan is a city that comes with an image of industry and glamour, and it does live up to the reputation. A lot of the time it reminded me of Manchester. The large imposing Duomo is a sight to b
04 Jun 2019 2 min read
Hua Hin
We discovered Hua Hin and Cha-am whilst touring round Thailand on our honeymoon. We were sat in Chiang Mia trying to decide where to go next for a beach and we discovered a hotel in Cha-am that looked great and the idea of just flying to Bangkok instead of a couple of flights was ideal. We flew to Bangkok the next day and got a car to meet us at the airport. To get to Hua Hin or Cha am it involve
04 Jun 2019 3 min read
Marrakech - A great getaway destination
Marrakech is such a great place for a long weekend, just 3hrs 45 mins from Manchester and you find yourself into a completely different world. The smell and sights are to be experienced. We decided to have a weekend away to celebrate a birthday in December. We stayed in a Riad in the heart of the Medina. It was basically a heavy door that opened into an oasis. With a rooftop terrace that looked ov
22 May 2019 2 min read
Bangkok - A great city to explore
In the late 90s and early 2000s, most of our holidays involved a brief stop in Bangkok. Usually as a stop-off place to somewhere else. Bangkok is unlike anywhere else and somewhere that has to be experienced. It never seems to stop, the horns are blaring, the river always has boats on it and the tuk-tuks dart in and out of the traffic. With the skytrain within reach of many hotels, it is an easy
22 May 2019 3 min read
American dream holiday
Day 2 and lets go Stateside today. When kids come along we got told we would need to change the way we holiday, no more adventures and only hotels with kids club. We never liked to do the normal we decided that we would take the family holiday and turn it into the trips we had seen on films and went for the American family Holiday, This involved travelling with a 4 year old and a 6 year old to Vir
03 May 2019 2 min read
Manchester Libraries
Manchester, my wonderful home town. It is a vibrant, historical and fun city to visit and live. There is lots to do linked with the music and football history, especially the Football Museum. What it also has is 3 important libraries that are all worth a visit in their own right. The Central Library dominates St Peters Square and is a large round building. It houses a small theatre in the base
02 May 2019 2 min read
Vancouver and Seattle
Looking for somewhere different to go on holiday? Seattle is not the first place that springs to mind. But the flights were available and great times and an adventure was beckoning. Seattle is famous for music, coffee and Bill Gates, as well as being close to the Canadian border. It is here that we decided to start our journey, as we had a soccer game to go to. Travelling with two pre-teens, we
27 Nov 2018 6 min read
Teenage City Break
As a family with a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old, most of the communication with them is via technology. To get them away from the Xbox or Snapchat is hard, which is something that I am sure most of you will understand. It can be frustrating especially when you know that when they are unplugged they are inquisitive and engaging people. We have always travelled with them and tried to teach th
15 Jul 2018 5 min read
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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.
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