24 January 2025

As we start to emerge from what is arguably the longest month ever, many people’s thoughts turn to getting a well-earned summer holiday booked. Here are a few of my favourite short-haul and long-haul destinations for a special time of year when many families are seeking to make the very best of memories. Majorca Majorca is the go-to Mediterranean destination for anyone seeking sun, sea, sand, shops and sangria. With glowing beaches, lively nightlife and iconic buildings including Palma’s Gothic Cathedral, this sun-kissed Balearic island has plenty to offer all interests. With an average temperature of 30 degrees in the summer holidays, and boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year, the largest of the Balearics mixes a Med beach vibe with fantastic nightlife. Cyprus Cyprus still offers a diverse range of tourist activities to rival any other popular holiday hotspot. From beautiful beaches and impressive ancient ruins to bustling cities and outstanding natural beauty, all complete with a distinct traditional flavour. The island has a strikingly rugged interior, perfect for adventurous pursuits. The island’s rich history dates back some nine thousand years and as you travel across the island you’ll see constant reminders of it, including the Tomb of Kings in Paphos, the Temple of Aphrodite in Kouklia, and the Kamares Aqueduct in Larnaca. Singapore If you're looking for a destination that will leave you in awe of its beauty and culture, Singapore is the perfect place to visit. From stunning rooftop infinity pools to vibrant street markets, and don't miss its surprising number of gorgeous green spaces. These include Gardens by the Bay, a unique nature park and greening project with state-of-the-art glasshouses and sci-fi-like Supertrees – vertical gardens beautifully illuminated by night. A leisurely amble around Chinatown is a must, Singapore’s largest heritage neighbourhood, with its cultural treasures, architectural gems and hip haunts. Still home to the descendants of Singapore’s early Chinese settlers, its major sights are the Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. And don’t miss Little India, another absorbing enclave with brightly painted shophouses, colourful street art, temples and mosques. Mauritius When you think of Mauritius, images of palm-fringed white-sand beaches may spring to mind. The beaches here are almost entirely encircled by coral reefs and offer sanctuary for those who want to spend days lounging on the beach, but the nation’s crystal-clear waters are perfect for diving, snorkelling, swimming, kayaking too. Mauritius is also a nature lover’s delight, with water activities and on-land delights that will please every person after an island adventure. There are opportunities to dive amongst shipwrecks and canyons in the west and northern islands, whilst wildlife enthusiasts will revel in the chance to see sharks, turtles, eagle rays and moral eels in their natural habitat. Home to beautiful colonial mansions, lush botanical gardens and hospitable locals of African, Indian and Chinese heritage, the island is the perfect combination of culture and exciting attractions. Roam colourful markets, peaceful temples and sample delicious cuisine. From ‘fly and flop’ havens to far flung adventures, summer 2025 promises a world of adventures, and I can help you to take the very next step. For more holiday inspiration, ideas, hints and tips, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and I look forward to planning the perfect trip for you. 01772 915645 joanne.wilson@travelcounsellors.com travelcounsellors.co.uk/joanne.wilson

10 October 2024

With a bit of strategic thinking, you can effectively turn your 26 days' annual leave in 2025 into 56, by booking time off around the eight UK public bank holidays. Doing so gives you longer stretches of time off and hence the chance to get away for longer – great news for all of us, but especially for parents trying to navigate school holidays. The 2025 UK bank holiday dates are 1st January, 18th April, 21st April, 5th May, 26th May, 25th August, 25th December, and 26th December. If you book off 14th-17th April, and 22nd-25th April, you’ll get 16 days off for Easter while only using eight days of leave. To get nine days off consecutively (including weekends) in May, simply book off 6th-9th May, or take your leave at the end of the month and book 27th–30th May. And if you book 26th–29th August, you can enjoy a week off in summer, while using any remaining balance to book off December 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th and 31st, so you can maximise your festive break with a full 13-day holiday! Need some inspiration on where to go? Look no further... Easter holidays - The Mediterranean is already lovely by Easter, and if you go to Crete, Rhodes, or another Greek destination, you might also get to enjoy some of the Greek Orthodox Easter traditions such as candlelit processions, fireworks, and feasts of spit-roast lamb. Portugal's weather is lovely at Easter, especially the sun-drenched family-friendly Algarve region with its many Blue Flag beaches. Alternatively, head across the pond to Florida, which is cooler now than in high summer and perfect for everything from theme park days out to wildlife spotting. May Bank Holiday - By May, the Mediterranean has the weather of summer but without the crowds of high season - we love Sicily, Malta, Greece, Majorca, and Cyprus. The Algarve, again, is a great choice at this time of year before the start of higher summer temperatures. Alternatively, head over the Atlantic to California with its spring warmth, blue skies, and low rainfall. Cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles have ideal weather for sightseeing and theme park trips, while national parks such as Yosemite are coming into their own after the snow in the high country has melted. August Bank Holiday - In summertime, Croatia is a European favourite (especially gorgeous Hvar, which is perfect for sailing holidays), but you might also want to think about East Africa at the heart of its dry season and the best month for safaris. Further still, Bali and the rest of Indonesia are cool, dry, and inviting at this time of year. In the other direction, the USA with its cooling temperatures and children going back to school spoils you with choice. Hiking in the Colorado mountains or cycling on Cape Cod are just two lovely ideas for things to do. And don’t forget Mexico, which has its low season in August. It’s still enjoyably warm in destinations including the Riviera Maya, with its mix of beach resorts and Mayan ruins. Christmas - The party-loving Caribbean is a great place to spend the festive season, with dry weather and unique cultural celebrations to tempt you away from those stunning beaches. Or head to South Africa, which is by now in full summer bloom; perfect for beach life, hiking, and exploring national parks – including Kruger. The Maldives is great for a full-on tropical escape at Christmas while, closer to home, the Canaries (especially Tenerife) are becoming more popular as a festive destination, with weather warm enough for strolling or hiking on the beaches.

10 October 2024

Getting married soon? Planning your wedding can be one of the most stressful things that you will ever do. From seating plans (who likes who), food (hot buffet/cold buffet), entertainment, venue dressing, flowers, the list is endless! You will stop at nothing to make sure that your Wedding day is as amazing and perfect as it can possibly be, and your Honeymoon should be no different. That's where I come in, think of me as your Honeymoon PA! Whether you're thinking of two weeks on a beach, an adventure of a lifetime or something in the middle, I've got you covered. I will take care of all of the planning and research, so that all you need to do is pack! Plus you can take advantage of our Honeymoon Gift Registry Service. Let's face it, we're in 2024, most people will already live together and have everything that you would find on a traditional gift registry. By using our Honeymoon Gift Registry, your guests can give you the ultimate gift! They can contribute to your Honeymoon, rather than putting money in a card or giving gift vouchers. It's a very popular choice now for most couples that I speak to, and also helps to alleviate some of the pressure of paying for their Honeymoon. Your Travel Counsellors Honeymoon Gift Registry webpage will be personalised just for you – with your photo and a personal message to your guests. Your guests can contribute using a personalised link to your page (which can also be turned into a QR code and included in your invites). And the best bit? There is no extra charge to use this service (weddings are expensive enough!). Plus, all monies received into your Honeymoon account are completely financially protected and secure in the Travel Counsellors trust. For more information, please get in touch with me, I would love to help.

15 February 2024

Sustainable or “Responsible” travel is the buzzword of the moment, but it’s so much more than the latest top trend. Day by day we’re waking up to the fact that we should be as kind to our planet as we are to our pocket, ensuring that the locations and communities we love to visit across the globe are preserved for generations to come. As a Travel Counsellor, I run my business as sustainably as possible from my home office, or from any location that allows my customers to keep in touch with me. This care and attention I show to my customers also informs how I craft the travel experiences they crave, with many travellers now keen to ensure the enduring impact of their tourism has a positive impact for the planet. When thinking about travelling sustainably, we give the following some food for thought: Managing your carbon footprint As with most day-to-day activities, it’s no secret that taking a trip creates carbon emissions. There are ways and means to reduce this impact, however, such as reducing your footprint by opting to train travel where possible, or offsetting with schemes such as Travel Counsellors partnership with Trees4Travel, who oversee a wealth of carbon reducing projects across the globe, including planting more trees to absorb CO2. I have also personally signed my business up to this scheme too. Green accommodation Happily, all manner of accommodation options now support the idea of making greener choices, and to make the decision easier Travel Counsellors bespoke booking platform enables me to search through hundreds of accommodations badged with our “Green Leaf” logo – this means that they meet special criteria certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, highlighting the fact that they’re working to support their community and cultural heritage, reduce negative impact on the local environment, and plan for their futures with sustainability front of mind. A simple example of this is eliminating all single use plastics from a hotel or resort. Local communities and wildlife Travellers can support the people in the communities they visit by shopping and eating at locally owned businesses. Not only does this benefit the locals, but all of our customer feedback suggests that you’ll enjoy a truer taste of the location and make more authentic memories. What’s more, taking part in these experiences helps create and maintain job opportunities in the local area. Similarly, we encourage the conservation of natural habitats and their wildlife, with the best way to view wild animals being when they are living freely. All of my bookings adhere to Travel Counsellors animal welfare policy, acting as an essential guide to ensure I create the best wildlife viewing experiences for you, whilst also ensuring the safety and welfare of any animals you may encounter along the way. In summary, through education, knowledge-sharing and showing care to people and the planet, we CAN travel responsibly. I would be delighted to share more details with you, and support your travel experiences with the most sustainable options in mind.