Josie Andrade
My expertise
I'm based in
Ightham
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
It's Nice To Meet You
Time is precious, so it is important to make every moment count.
I completed the Travel Counsellor Academy in 2016 and can’t believe that I have now run my travel business for over 10 years. I love talking about travel and how this role keeps me connected with so many like-minded customers (now friends!). I love the research side: learning about each destination and finding the perfect fit for my customers’ requirements. I love making the impossible possible, supporting those who might not have the confidence to take a journey without assistance. Most of all, I love sending people on their adventures and hearing their exciting stories when they return.
I can help you with travel plans for all worldwide destinations and all holiday styles. I have travelled extensively, and with great variety, staying in $4 guesthouses in Phnom Penh and 5* resorts in St Lucia. I used to live in Barbados, so I consider myself an expert on this location and the surrounding islands. If you’re not sure of what I can do; please just ask.
I specialise in complicated, multi-centre, tailor-made itineraries: the kind of trips that weave together several countries, unique experiences and special touches, without you having to worry about the logistics. I have been selected to be an Adventure & Touring Expert and have taken additional training in this area, so whether you are dreaming of small-group touring, self-drive adventures or off-the-beaten-track exploring, I can help you plan it with confidence.
As a mum of three children, I understand first-hand how important it is to balance adventure with ease. I am experienced in creating family-friendly itineraries that keep everyone happy: building in the right pacing, downtime and practical details to make your holiday feel exciting rather than exhausting.
Whatever your travel requirements, please get in touch. You will be talking to someone who listens, who cares, and who can make it happen.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Family island hopping in Greece: Santorini & Naxos
Greece is a wonderful place for a gentle family adventure, especially if you choose to travel outside the hottest months. We decided to visit during May Half-Term, when the days are warm and sunny but not too intense, and the islands are lively without feeling overcrowded. I have wanted to see Santorini for a long time, but we also like to escape the beaten path. So we chose to split our trip bet
08 Jul 2026 5 min read
Irresistible Italy
Do you know that Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in the world?! In simple terms, I translate this as: “Italy is a brilliant country to visit with a long list of impressive things to see and do.” I can personally confirm this to be the case; having holidayed in Italy six times, I 1) absolutely love the country and 2) feel like I have barely scratched the surf
30 Jun 2023 5 min read
Absence makes the feet grow fonder!
I want to go on an adventure! I’m definitely not the only one; when we get the chance to go again, let’s not take travel for granted. It will be time to tick off those bucket list items and see something truly amazing. When the world opens up again, where will you go? Here's my top three adventures just to keep you dreaming... Namibia Ranked the safest country in Africa, containing the oldest de
02 Jun 2020 5 min read
Costa Rica - an ethical adventure!
Costa Rica is a relatively small country in Central America, with an abundance of diverse ecosystems. It has a Pacific coastline, a Caribbean coastline, volcanoes, mountains, rainforest, cloud forest, wetlands and coral reef. As a result, it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, containing over 5% of all known plant and animal species. In 1994, Costa Rica amended its constitution
03 Jun 2019 5 min read
Warm Thoughts For A Cold Day
What images come to mind when you picture a holiday to the Caribbean? Are you lying on golden sand under a palm tree? Snorkelling with colourful fish in clear turquoise waters? Swigging down rum with a dreadlocked Johnny Depp? Yes, a trip to the Caribbean often includes one or more of these components (Johnny Depp unlikely). But what has surprised me is just how different each island I have vis
13 Feb 2019 5 min read
Surviving a long car journey in France... with kids!
I recently went on an Al Fresco park holiday, to Val De Bonnal, with my daughter, sister and niece. Before we went I was very excited about splashing around in the pool, exploring local towns and countryside, gorging on cheese and drinking cheap but tasty rose wine. But what I was not excited about was the long car journeys with a 3 and 5-year-old. Not. One. Bit. Here's how we survived it!
14 Sept 2018 5 min read
Unwind in Nevis
In April 2018 I visited the island of Nevis with my family. Nevis is one of two islands in the small country of St Kitts and Nevis. St Kitts is the bigger island, busier, more developed, but with areas of quiet and serenity. In comparison, Nevis is a small round volcanic island, quite undeveloped, with a nice choice of boutique, personal guesthouses and a couple of larger resorts. We stayed at
19 Jul 2018 5 min read
New Forest
"Magical" is how my sister chose to describe the New Forest following her evening bike ride with the wild ponies. With a two year old I didn’t really get to appreciate the same level of serenity but I did appreciate the vast amount there is to do to keep kids of all ages entertained. We could have spent a lot more than a week there. Here’s some of the things we got up to while we were away: - W
08 Sept 2017 5 min read
Porto Santo
What do you want from your holiday? Year round nice weather? For example, 25 degrees Celsius in April? A beach? 9km long, with soft yellow sand? Simple living? A safe, quiet and calm location? A local feel? Undeveloped, only a handful of hotels, restaurants and cafes? If you’ve answered yes to the above questions, go to Porto Santo. An island 43km northeast of Madeira, and the two couldn’t be m
08 May 2017 5 min read
Highlights of Madeira!
On Boxing Day, we kicked out our guests and headed to Madeira, a mere three and a half hours flight from Gatwick. West of Morocco, the weather was warm, mostly jeans and t shirt weather. A lovely break from the UK winter! Madeira was less touristy than I thought it would be. Funchal has its fair share of luxury hotels, however hop into a car for the day and you can explore lovely authentic coas
22 Feb 2017 5 min read
My Barbados - Top five activities
- Sail on a catamaran. Swim with turtles, snorkel over shipwrecks, and then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and rum punch while touring the beautiful west coast. Look out for flying fish! - St Nicholas Abbey. Explore this tranquil plantation house and watch its fascinating movie from the 1930s depicting life in Barbados at that time. Rum is still produced here; for a real treat and a fantastic s
12 Sept 2016 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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