Based in Glasgow

Katharine Totoni

It's Nice To Meet You

Hello, welcome to Travel Counsellors and thank you for taking the time to visit my website.

My passion for travel started when I was very young, my parents were involved in the travel industry all their life and we were fortunate to travel extensively and experience wonderful holidays in far away and exotic places all around the world.

I definitely grew up with the travel bug and I used to dream of joining the airline business; when I was 19 years old I did just that! I was lucky enough to enjoy a rewarding and exciting globe trotting career that took me to all four corners of the world.

As an Independent Travel Consultant with Travel Counsellors I can combine all my travel experiences, knowledge and passion to help you have the most unforgettable, inspiring and exciting holidays ever. With 25 years in the travel business you can also trust me to offer you the very best and most up to date travel advice to help you have a hassle free and enjoyable holiday. And with so much first hand knowledge and experience I can also save you time and money handpicking your perfect holiday that's
personally tailored to you.

I can organise anything so whether you are looking for a luxury tailor-made holiday, a honeymoon of a lifetime, a family adventure, a short city break, or a luxury cruise then I will be delighted to help you. It gives me a lot of pleasure to help my clients have amazing holidays, my job is to help you create happy memories and joyful experiences that will stay with you for life!

Whether you are ready to book your next holiday or you are just looking for some inspiration or advice simply just get in touch for a friendly chat and I will be really pleased to help you.

Kalo Taxidi! (Greek for Happy Travels!)
Katharine

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Contact Me

Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:

Find me on social

My Videos

Making Memories

2/13/2021

From start to finish I'll help you plan and create your dream honeymoon.

My Blog

I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.

Budgeting for your Honeymoon

20 February 2021

For many couples their Honeymoon is a once in a life-time holiday and a chance to do something totally unforgettable and special. Whether your dream honeymoon is escaping to a tropical island, whisking yourselves off for a romantic city break or exploring the world with a once in a life time adventure, budgeting for your honeymoon will mean you have a greater chance of creating the honeymoon of your dreams. So here are some of my practical budgeting tips to help you get started on a stress-free honeymoon planning journey… Planning a wedding is an expensive time so deciding how much you want to spend on your honeymoon when you have so many other expenses can be quite challenging especially as there are so many possibilities and options out there. There’s lots of factors that will determine how much your honeymoon will cost from the time of year you travel, the destination, the duration and the type of accommodation and activities you choose to do. Try and not let your budget be barrier to you having your dream honeymoon. You’ll be amazed how, with the right planning, you’ll be able to have the unforgettable experience you’ve always dreamed of. If you still need time to save up maybe consider a mini-moon, booking a luxurious and sophisticated long weekend either here in the UK or in one of the stunning destinations that Europe has to offer. If you want to honeymoon in style avoid peak times, school holidays and other national holidays and events when you’re also more likely to achieve a saving that’s worth having. You might even get free room upgrades and other complimentary extras that will give your honeymoon that extra special touch. Offering a Gift Registry Service to your wedding guests is another great way to increase your budget and help you have the honeymoon you’ve always wanted. It’s certainly a great way for your guests to contribute to the most memorable gift you will ever receive! Alternatively, why not consider adding travel vouchers to your wedding gift list which you can then always put towards your honeymoon at a later date. Another way to help you get the most from your budget is to book a luxury all-inclusive resort that offers honeymoon packages. Couples will receive luxurious extras like champagne on arrival, flowers and fruit in the room, spa treatments and even private dining on the beach all included in the price of the stay. Some of my most loved resorts offering fantastic honeymoon packages include the sophisticated Secrets Spa & Resorts, the luxurious and boutique Zoetry Resorts and of course the well renowned and award-winning Sandals Resorts. Finally, planning well ahead can save you a fortune and I always recommend the earlier the better. Many resorts and hotels are already offering bookings for 2022 and there are some fantastic savings to be had right now which will mean you will have more to put towards all those other important wedding expenses. If you’re relying on last minute deals to save money this can often be a risky strategy, the best resorts and hotels get booked up well in advance so this can often lead to disappointment and then having to settle for alternative hotel or destination. I would always recommend booking your Honeymoon at least 12 months in advance. So are you ready to start planning your honeymoon? Whether it’s to receive some inspiration or just some free advice please do feel free to get in touch with me and I will of course be delighted to help you.

My Recommended Winter Honeymoon Destinations

20 February 2021

Whether you’re seeking tropical paradise, a Mediterranean escape combining romantic cities and sublime beaches or an multi centre action-packed adventure your experience and enjoyment of the destination you choose will very much depend on the time of year you visit. We all want to make sure we visit destinations when the weather’s at it’s best so to give you an idea of destinations you should be considering at different times of the year I have put together my own recommendations starting with Winter Honeymoon destinations that will ensure you escape the cold winter and jet set off to some guaranteed sunshine! January is the dry season in The Caribbean so makes this region of the world the number one choice for many Honeymooners. Whether you’re seeking adventure, romance or relaxation Barbados has it all. Glorious beaches and stunning landscapes makes this lively island one of the most sought after. Luxury resorts, picturesque villages and beach life can all be enjoyed on the well known Platinum Coast. Another popular choice is the compelling island of Jamaica. Blessed with golden sandy beaches Jamaica is also home to fascinating cultural sights, tropical jungle and natural wonders including the Luminous Lagoon where the water glows a luminous shade of blue. This natural phenomenon only occurs in three places around the world making it a truly once in a lifetime experience February is an excellent time to visit Thailand and Sri Lanka. Blending culture, adventure, relaxation and some of the best food you will ever taste, Sri Lanka will make for a Honeymoon you’ll talk about for the rest of your life. Combine temple visits with wildlife experiences, tea plantation and spice tours with days at the beach for a Honeymoon filled with variety. For the ultimate cultural experience you can even get involved in Buddhist rituals at the Maha Viharaya and relax with a local Buddhist Monk enjoying a calming meditation. Thailand is the perfect option for those looking to sample a bit of everything; jungle, city and beach. It’s also the perfect destination to enjoy the most magical and unforgettable experience of a life time; spending the night in a jungle bubble observing Thailand’s majestic elephants located in the northern part of Thailand, Chiang Rai. From here you can fly to the vibrant and dynamic city of Bangkok taking in all the sights, sounds and smells whilst paddling your way through the famous floating markets and marvelling at the incredible Emerald Buddda. Thailand is also home to some of the most unforgettable beaches in the world from the palm fringed beaches of Koh Samui to the pristine white sandy beaches of Khao Lak, Koh Yao Noi and Krabi. Sunshine is guaranteed in Mexico in the month March! Start your Honeymoon off on the long stretches of pristine, white sandy beaches enjoying a dip in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Combine beach life with a slice of fascinating history with a visit to the Mayan Ruins not forgetting to indulge in some luxury pampering in the lush surroundings of your beachfront resorts. The Maldives has always ranked high on Honeymooner wish list and quite rightly so! Picture perfect islands, crystal clear lagoons, palm fringed beaches, dinner under the stars is just the start. Combined with seclusion and exclusivity The Maldives makes it a newlywed heaven.

My customer stories

Sent by Lisa Mills

I found Katharine really easy to deal with. She gave me a few good options to choose from. I would definately recommend her to my friends and family .

Sent by Carolyn Scott

Katharine was professional, experienced, responsive and extremely helpful for our travel itinerary. She made fantastic suggestions and provided options that exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend her and will use her again.

Sent by Rachel Hunter

Amazing service, planned our perfect honeymoon. Won't be booking my own holidays from now on!

Sent by Donna Kerr

I am delighted to write this recommendation for Katharine who went above and beyond to help me book a very special trip to the USA to celebrate my husband’s 50th Birthday. I wanted more than just an off-the-shelf package holiday and when planning this trip I didn’t have the time or the knowledge to create something extraordinary so I asked Katharine to help me. And boy! She didn’t disappoint! Katharine created an amazing tailor-made itinerary that had us going to three exciting destinations; Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Hollywood. From start to finish, Katharine made the whole booking process so simple and stress-free and I was impressed with her attention to detail and level of support that ensured we had an enjoyable travel experience. Everything was taken care of so we didn’t have to worry about a thing; from checking us in for all our flights to private transfers and fast track passes. Katharine even personally delivered our travel documents and arranged a special surprise for our arrival in Las Vegas to help us celebrate this special occasion. It made such a difference in booking our holiday with Katharine knowing we had the expertise and personal service of such a professional travel agent. I would highly recommend Katharine to anyone who is planning a special or complex trip as it’s clear she is passionate about what she does and delivers fantastic service to create memorable experiences for her clients.

Sent by Laura Maginess

Katharine is a fabulous support from start to finish when it comes to booking a holiday. We have already booked 3 holidays with Katharine and will continue to do so!

Sent by Lesley Mackie

I have already recommended Katharine to friends and family and will continue to do so. She is great to work with and she has just come up with our third amazing trip which we are very excited about !

Sent by Zaria Young

If you are looking to book an incredible holiday without the worry and hassle of organising it all, Katharine Totoni is the women for you. ?? ?? Normally I like to organise everything myself, but for our honeymoon, I passed the reigns to Katharine to allow me to focus my time on planning the wedding. Now we’re back from our honeymoon and wanted to share what an amazing experience it was. ?? When we initially spoke with Katharine she listened to exactly what we wanted and asked lots of questions to find out what we both liked/disliked on holiday. What started off us thinking we wanted 7nights in Greece turned into a stay into a two nightstay Malta and a 7 night cruise, which was absolutely incredible! ?? Katherine went above and beyond in every part of it, from thank you card when we booked to surprising us with a decorated room in Malta. ?? She was there at the end of the phone and checked in to make sure we got transfers okay too. ??The app with all our travel documents made travelling so much easier and less stressful. It even updated as we went along to tell us the next leg of our journey. She truly went above and beyond as a travel agent. ?????????? If you are looking at planning your next holiday, please do check her out and see what adventures she takes you on next. ?????? (Honeymoon included stay in Malta then a cruise to Croatia, Greece and Italy)

Sent by Alison Fulton

Katharine was enthusiastic to help me with my special family holiday for next year. She listened and was very patient to ensure I was happy with my choices. Going forward, I look forward to discussing flights and hotels with her. I would definitely recommend her to my family and friends

Sent by Emma Rees

We came across Katharine at an online wedding showcase. We emailed her for recommendations as we could not decide where we wanted to go for our honeymoon and she helped us narrow down destinations based on our budget. We eventually chose Sandals Royal Barbados. She then helped us set up a gift registry for our guests as we chose not to get gifts, but for our guests to help with our honeymoon. Our honeymoon was more than we could have ever imagined, the room we booked looked exactly like the pictures we saw online. We choose an all-inclusive hotel which had so many restaurants and bars to choose from. We would highly recommend booking your honeymoon with Katharine as her knowledge of the travel industry is amazing. If we had any questions, we would email her and she would reply so quickly and put our minds at ease. Katharine also had fantastic knowledge regarding the paperwork that was required whilst in Barbados. She made things really straight forward for us which is always a stress when booking any holiday. Thank you so much for everything.

Sent by Claire Cointre

Katharine is an excellent communicator. She is clearly passionate about travel and listens to your needs to give you the perfect holiday. Can't recommend her highly enough!

Sent by Wendi Cochrane

I can't speak more highly of Katharine. Her expertise, patience, diligence, and passion for offering choices that exceed her customer's expectations are second to none.

Sent by Cheryl Devlin

Katharine has been so helpful, especially being deaf I was worried about the communication and accessibility but she explained a lot about how easy it is to travel in Paris and the hotel has 24 hr reception which I need. After I booked the deposit I felt relaxed knowing I had support in purchasing my holiday. Thanks for your support Katharine.

Sent by Samuel White

This is the second time I have worked with Katharine to design and book a holiday - this time for a special birthday celebration in Paris. Once again, Katharine exceeded all expectations - her recommendations were spot-on, she was always responsive and she made sure the experience of sorting the trip was enjoyable, as well as effective! I have been recommending Katharine to many of our friends, and look forward to working with her again in the not too distant future!

Sent by Renata Cook

Great communications, quick response, always with a smile! Booked our last minute Disney trip, hotel, tickets, and priority pass - stress-free for me. I will recommend to my friends and family and will be back for our next family holiday. Thank you so much!

Sent by Charlotte White

Katharine arranged a 10 day stay in Italy for us: 5 nights in Maiori and 4 nights in Sorrento this summer. Katharine was an excellent travel agent, keeping us up-to-date with COVID and airport issues right up to the day of departure, even though she was on holiday as well! We went on several excursions and enjoyed all of them. The quality of the tours and the tour guides were far above what you would procure through TripAdvisor or a typical travel agent. We were looked after from the moment we got in the car, through to meeting our guides and then making sure we go back to the hotel as smoothly as possible. Everything went perfectly bar one small delay caused by a boat captain having COVID. When we weren’t sure what was happening, we were able to call Katharine early on a Saturday morning UK time and she had us on our way in no time at all. This is one of the biggest value adds of using a TC agent - we didn’t have to stress even once while away. We had two video calls before booking our tour and I feel like Katharine really understood our interests and what we were looking for. It meant we had access to a local bank of knowledge that we wouldn’t have had if we were arranging the trip ourselves but with a more personalised experience than a high street travel agent. We are already looking forward to booking our next adventure with her!

Sent by Wendy Cochrane

Katherine is a fantastic representative of yours. She is helpful, prompt, makes fab alternative suggestions. She cares and is proactive. One of a kind!

Sent by Kirsty Templeton

Katharine was very helpful and understood what we wanted out of our trip. She was able to offer ideas and suggestions on locations and day trips. Katharine took the stress out of the process of booking a holiday and was very quick with responding to our emails, providing quotes and always available for a call. I would recommend Katharine in the future and will hopefully be booking again soon!

Sent by Charlotte White

We cannot believe how stress free booking our holiday has been, even amidst COVID. Katharine’s suggestions for excursions were spot on for our tastes as we cannot wait to go!

Sent by Alan Mackie

Booking an expensive, once in a lifetime trip, to The Maldives during COVID was always going to be a bit nervy. Katherine was great at coming up with an initial shortlist of possible resorts that fitted our bill and various flight options. Once booked all was good until all the uncertainty of Omnicron and a need for a negative PCR meant we wanted to move the dates. Amazingly we got new dates, at a more expensive time to go but at the same price with no hassle to us. Communication was always great around bookings and the never ending feast of COVID rule changes. We are just back and the whole experience exceeded our high expectations. Very good indeed.

Sent by Kirsty Templeton

Katharine was very helpful and understood what we wanted out of our trip. She was able to offer ideas and suggestions on locations and day trips. Katharine took the stress out of the process of booking a holiday and was very quick with responding to our emails, providing quotes and always available for a call. I would recommend Katharine in the future and will hopefully be booking again soon!