Based in St Ives

Katie Lomas

It's Nice To Meet You

I’m Katie, based in St Ives, Cornwall, where I live with my husband & daughter. I joined Travel Counsellors in 2006, and have worked in the travel industry for nearly 20 years. During this time I have indulged my own passion for travel by visiting many popular holiday destinations including Dubai, Mauritius, the Caribbean (Antigua, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic) Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, The Gambia, Southern Ireland plus all the hotspots in the Mediterranean & Canary Islands.

Customer service is at the heart of what I do … your holiday is as important to me as it is to you. I promise you will receive the highest level of personal service & 100% honest/impartial advice when you enquire & book with me. I will always take the time to listen to your personal needs and use this information to help you choose your perfect holiday! I am completely independent, and under no pressure to book holidays with specific tour operators, as is the case with many high street agents.

I have access to cutting-edge technology which along with my own personal expertise helps me to search through hundreds of different flight, accommodation and transfer alternatives on your behalf. I can offer a bespoke holiday at a competitive price, exactly tailored to your needs.

I realise that not everyone is free to discuss travel arrangements during the normal working week so I work flexible hours (this also helps me to fit in with offering a taxi service for my teenage daughter!) I am more than happy to be available at a time that suits you, including evenings & weekends.

You can book a full range of travel products with me, including: package holidays, flight only, tailor-made itineraries, tours, cruises, hotels, car hire, UK Short Breaks … so whether you are looking for a once in a lifetime trip or a luxury holiday, if it involves travel - I can help!

I am also pleased to offer advice on complex multi-centre itineraries. Perhaps you have always dreamt of visiting Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the Far East but don’t know where to start? Plus, I can organise all those extras which make your holiday complete, such as overnight airport hotels, holiday car parking and travel insurance.

I would be delighted to assist you with your holiday plans, so give me a call today and let’s see where in the world it takes us!

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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.

Bermuda ...Paradise Found

24 September 2015

Despite being the oldest British Overseas Territory, Bermuda is often not a destination requested by many UK holiday-makers. Having been invited to experience what this tiny cluster of islands has to offer by the Bermuda Tourist Board, I was keen to see if there was any reason for it being overlooked? I also wanted to see if the rumours were true that Bermudian men only wear shorts!!? With a flight time of just under 7 hours from the UK, Bermuda lies in the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s just a short hop from New York and the East Coast of the USA, so it lends itself perfectly to a twin-centre holiday. If you are able to stay longer, then you won’t be disappointed, there are countless, stunning, powder soft beaches (all with a subtle pink glow), the sea is plenty warm enough to swim in and beautiful to look at. With water the lightest shade of turquoise imaginable in the sunshine. The climate here is very mild all year round (with high season between May & September), and unlike other popular hot-spots located further South in the Caribbean Sea, the humidity is not as high here, which results in a very pleasant temperature for getting out and about on land and water without working up too much of a sweat! On arrival we transferred to our home for the next 4 nights, The Fairmont Southampton - a large luxury property with a traditional feel. It’s located around an hour from the airport and has magnificent views plus a private beach club just below the property. We enjoyed dinner "tapas style" and drinks down at the Dock on arrival with a live band performing for our enjoyment. Our first day began with a tasty breakfast at the only all-inclusive property on the island - Grotto Bay. The staff here are amazing - guest satisfaction is definitely high on the agenda. Despite the rooms being quite basic, the property has a lovely relaxed feel, and some pretty unique features. Namely the spa, located in a real underground cave (a magical setting for a massage). The neighbouring cave has been opened up for swimming, and it really was a very cool spot indeed. We took a water taxi from here across the bay to nearby St Georges, a small town with a lovely traditional town square. Every day there is a live re-enactment of the ducking stool – so if you are female and like a good gossip then watch out! You may get more than you bargained for! Next we were off to Tobacco Bay, this is a truly idyllic spot, with a sheltered cove & beach ideal for chilling out and snorkelling. A local band were playing whist we enjoyed our lunch and sipped the frozen version of the islands signature cocktail “Dark & Stormy” – a delicious blend of Goslings Black Rum and ginger beer (highly recommended!) Then it was back to St Georges for a jet skiing tour - a fabulous way to see some of the coastline from a different perspective! The day was topped off with dinner at The Reefs, and a chance to sample the local fish chowder with added Rum & Sherry Pepper for an extra kick! The next morning I was in heaven! A gourmet breakfast of Eggs Benedict at Rosewood Tuckers Point. The property itself is fairly small in terms of room numbers, but is set in vast grounds rolling down to a stunning pink sand beach giving the feeling of a large country estate. After breakfast we paid a quick visit to “Masterworks Gallery” where they have a large collection of art connected with the island, including some fabulous old Pan Am posters. All in all today was shaping up to be a real foodie day … after a look around the Hamilton Princess Hotel (which has undergone extensive refurbishment recently) we enjoyed an amazing lunch at 1609 overlooking the docks & marina. Warm home-made bread, spicy prawns and Fish tacos to die for! Our final stop of the day was just across the water by boat to Newstead Belmont Hills, which is a good option for anyone looking for accommodation close to Hamilton with in-room kitchen facilities. The property also scores highly if you fancy trying your arm at a couple of rounds of golf. This is offered free of charge for hotel guests at Belmont’s nearby golf club. Dinner this evening was “family style” with lots of different dishes to share down at Elbow Beach. This hotel would be especially good for families due to its fantastic shoreline and also for couples who enjoy a lively atmosphere. A sharp shower of rain on our final full day meant that a cycling tour which was planned was unfortunately cancelled (although secretly I was relieved after falling off a push bike quite badly on another trip!) None-the-less, cycling is a great way to see the island and there are guided tours available following the old railway trail. After the rain had blown away we headed off by minibus to visit Somerset Bridge (the smallest drawbridge in the world), and continued from there to enjoy the views from the top of Gibbs Hill. I also climbed to the top of the lighthouse here, around 180 steps in total. I couldn’t quite bring myself to step outside at the top though, you definitely need a head for heights to do that!! After a drive through Hamilton City we were treated to a wonderful lunch at Cambridge Beaches, a resort where time seems to stand still. There were tasty salads, all manner of cocktails and Bermudian Fish Sandwiches on offer (although the best of the latter are from Woody’s so I’m told!) This location is very special, with a series of secluded coves and beaches, definitely a place for pure escapism and peace and quiet. We ended the day with a glass bottom boat trip and a wander around Dockyards – a great spot for a whole host of water-based excursions and also a wide range of shopping housed in the old buildings there. Our final evening was spent enjoying yet more delicious food at the Fairmont’s fish restaurant Ocean Club. Waking up on the final morning to find it’s a Sunny Sunday can only mean one thing – it’s time for some time off! So after enjoying a tasty brunch with the management of some of the smaller properties on the island, it was definitely beach o’clock!! A dip in the turquoise ocean, followed by some lazing on a sunbed and finally a short walk to nearby Horseshoe Bay (probably the most famous and photographed beach in Bermuda) = Pure bliss!! One final pit-stop to make on the way back to the airport … the famous “Swizzle Inn” the oldest pub in Bermuda and home to the best (and most lethal) “Swizzle” cocktails of the whole trip! This was a fleeting visit and I left wishing I could have stayed longer … not only am I a “Bermuda Triangle Survivor” but I am also a “Bermuda Island Convert” and hope I can return one day to stay a little longer in paradise!

Vietnam (Part 2) - Imperial Hue, Magical Hoi An & Chilled out Da Nang

27 March 2014

Continued from Part one: Our final day in the Mekong started early - at 6am to be precise! It was time to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Can Tho Floating market. Here we witnessed the local community going about their daily business, shopping and haggling for fruit, vegetables and other essential supplies. I am glad we set off so early actually as there were lots more tourist boats around as we headed back into dock. It was a special glimpse into the lives of the residents of the Mekong Delta. After lunch and visiting a boutique hotel in this area, it was time for the long drive back to Saigon and our flight to Hue in the Central Region. A quick pit-stop on the way, where I found a whole host of gifts and local crafts to take back home. It has to be the best stocked service station I have ever seen! We arrived at the airport just in the nick of time, after a brief encounter with rush hour traffic. Not sure what the official term is for a large collection of mopeds? Mopedi perhaps? Rush hour certainly means a constant stream of mopeds heading in every possible direction! It was a sight to behold. After our flight with Vietnam Airlines, we were soon at our next destination, the Pilgrimage Village. Wow! What a fabulous hotel. The rooms here were huge, very modern and stunningly decorated and furnished. A luxury property with a jungle retreat style atmosphere. Our first day in this area was spent exploring the Imperial City of Hue, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can wander through the vast citadel and imagine the King in residence with his 100’s of wives and children! Hue is known as the city of Pagodas; we stopped off to visit the most famous one and caught a glimpse of the young monks studying the ways of Buddhism there. Lunch today was my personal favourite of the trip, in a converted garden house called “Ancient Hue” – the red snapper in tamarind sauce is highly recommended. Our day was rounded off with a fabulous spa treatment. A full body massage is incredible value for money at approximately £30 for one hour. In the morning the time had come for cycling tour number two (and it seems our guide did not want to risk me taking another tumble, so a driver and motorbike had already been pre-booked for me!) This time the scenery was a total contrast to the Mekong Delta. A peaceful landscape of vegetable patches and rice fields. After a brief stop to see how incense is produced, we were off to our final location - Da Nang beach. Our home for the remaining two nights was the 5* Furama, a very comfortable hotel with a stunning beachfront location. From Da Nang it is only a short bus ride into Hoi An where we decided to spend the evening. I am so pleased that we visited the town at night, it is totally magical. A very traditional atmosphere with coloured lanterns hanging everywhere, it was just like fairyland. Then it was time for the last day’s activities. We visited Tra Que - Vegetable Village, all worked by hand and laid out like a huge green patchwork quilt. We walked through the plots sampling aromatic herbs along the way. Before sitting down to enjoy lunch we received a relaxing foot massage and also a short cookery lesson in the art of making Vietnamese style crispy pancakes (definitely an improvement on Findus!). Then it was back into Hoi An by day to see the sights including the Chinese temple, a traditional trading-house, the Japanese Bridge and finally some all-important shopping! Personally I had lost the will to haggle or be measured at the tailors for a silk shirt so I opted for a comfy seat on the balcony of a local bar to enjoy the view and an Appletini or two! With one full day left before jetting back to the UK, what better way to spend it than relaxing at the beach and around the pool. A perfect end to a fabulous trip, and time to reflect on all we had seen and done. Vietnam has certainly left a lasting impression with me, from the stunning scenery to the delicious food and the wonderfully warm and welcoming people. I hope it is not too long before I can wake up and say “Good Morning Vietnam” again!

Vietnam (Part 1) - Saigon City Sights & Mekong Delta Delights

31 March 2014

Holidays to South East Asia are certainly growing in popularity, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Vietnam and discover a small slice of what this amazing country has to offer. Our journey began with Emirates Airlines on their A380 from Heathrow, with a welcome upgrade to Business Class on the connection to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). It was great to stretch out on flat bed seats and enjoy fabulous food and service on board. We spent two nights in Saigon staying at The Grand and The Majestic hotels - both of a high standard and located close to the riverbank. This area is surprisingly up-market with designer shops, and a great choice of bars, restaurants and nightlife right on the doorstep. You need to watch your step when crossing the road though; mopeds and motorbikes rule, so cross slowly and carefully and let them weave around you! On our first morning we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, a top attraction for visitors to the South of Vietnam and within easy reach of Saigon. Here you can learn about how a series of tunnels were used as a revolutionary base to front the enemy during the war, you can even climb through one if you are feeling brave enough! The remainder of the day was spent city sightseeing, the buildings and gardens in the heart of the city are beautifully kept, with a strong French influence. It felt a very safe place to wander around, and I would have had no qualms exploring on my own in this friendly city. The day was rounded off with bartering for clothes and handbags at Ben Thanh market, plenty of bargains to be had for “genuine” designer goods here! Next morning it was time to say “Goodbye Saigon” and head to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. It is a fair distance by bus but well worth the effort. The Mekong is simply beautiful, and it soon became clear that the river is the lifeblood of this part of Vietnam with so much activity and commerce taking place on its banks. We boarded a traditional boat (with a pair of beady eyes painted on the bow to keep watch for crocodiles!) and made our way up river to visit a local brick kiln and coconut workshop. It was really interesting to see how local families’ work together using natural resources to produce items by hand. Everywhere we went we were greeted with welcoming smiles. Later in the day we visited a mat weaving house – I had a flashback to my youth, lazing on the beach on top of a roll up woven mat, not knowing at the time that it would have been pain-staking made by hand! Next on the agenda was a slightly hair-raising trip via motorised rickshaw to sample local cuisine for our lunch - Elephant ear fish (scales and all!) and river shrimp, all washed down with cold tiger beer! Our day of boarding boats was not quite over yet, next on the list was a traditional wooden canoe which took us deeper into jungle territory along narrow canals. We arrived later that evening at the Mekong Riverside Resort. Sitting in a stunning location overlooking the river, and only accessible by boat. This property has a back to nature feel and offers a high standard of food and service. Our next day was a very interesting one for me personally. Having set off by boat to travel further into the Delta we embarked on a cycling tour along the small lanes which run alongside the river and criss-cross via bridges over 100’s of small canals. Clearly it has been too long since I was let loose on two wheels, I misjudged a narrow section of pathway and managed to fall off! Cue my local superhero with his moped – I was issued with a helmet and with a rev of the engine all was well again! Later that day we arrived in Can Tho, and after dinner at a local restaurant we ventured out to see what nightlife was on offer. It seems that every night in Can Tho can be a Karaoke night! It took a few attempts to find an establishment with a Western Song Book, but once we did there was no stopping us – great value for money, topped off with a souvenir CD of our efforts (which is best kept forever under-wraps I think!) To be continued…

Mexico ... Relaxing in the Sun

24 November 2013

This year we opted to spend our two weeks in the sunshine at Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort near Puerto Morelos. It proved to be a great choice for all inclusive family fun. We flew with British Airways non-stop from London Gatwick and as Jon had celebrated a special birthday earlier this year we treated ourselves to seats in Premium Economy Class. It’s definitely a more comfortable option and well worth the extra cost to stretch out a little more than usual in-flight. On arrival, the transfer was fairly short (always a bonus after a long journey!) and we were soon checked into our room. We were allocated a "preferred club room with private plunge pool" and it was very comfortable indeed. Stylish and modern with all the usual creature comforts you would expect from a 5* star Caribbean resort. We spent lots of time relaxing around the pool area this year (just my kind of holiday!) There was never a fight for a sun lounger and our favourite spot was lazing on the comfy cushions of the sofa style loungers close to the beach bar and wedding gazebo. We enjoyed very attentive service from the staff who brought us a never ending supply of drinks all day long! Personally I have really enjoyed a bit of pampering in the spa on all our recent holidays and this year was no exception. The Dreams Spa is beautifully tranquil and well-appointed with a great hydro circuit and a range of treatments available. I opted for a calming facial (so good in fact, that I went back again for the same treatment before departure!) Kira enjoyed a papaya facial for the first time, and also had her hair braided. It was really lovely to spend some quality mum and daughter time together. The kids club was excellent, but at 12 years old now, Kira was definitely at the top end of the age range they catered for here. She joined in with some of the activities, but I would say that most of what is offered is really aimed at younger children. The resort overall is a friendly and safe environment, so as parents we felt comfortable giving her total freedom this year - she made some great new friends amongst the other guests and staff alike! I had actually visited this hotel once before (on an agents trip last September). During my last visit the beach was looking beautiful - white sand, turquoise sea and flat clam. However whilst we were there due to some recent storm activity the sea was quite rough so we didn't swim too often but took long walks up and down the shore line each day instead. You can walk quite a distance in both directions - a good way to work off all the delicious food we were eating! The choice of restaurants and standard of food is certainly a big selling point for this property in my opinion, we were spoilt for choice and thoroughly enjoyed all the restaurants. Personal favourites have to be the Seaside Grill (for its Chateaux Briand) and Himitsu, the Asian Restaurant for the Prawn Sambal. I would stay here again in a flash just for the quality of the food alone! After dinner there were shows to enjoy most evenings, they were quite entertaining and suitable for all the family. After the show, the staff in the lobby bar worked really hard to ensure everyone was having a fabulous time. When in Mexico it's a must to sample the tequila! I recommend ditching the idea of a slammer and instead just sip your tequila slowly like the locals do with a shot of Sangria on the side (far more civilised!) During our stay we enjoyed an interesting day trip to the Mayan Cities of Coba and Tulum - our guide was excellent, very informative and we learnt a lot about this ancient culture. We also had the chance to climb up the temple at Coba - over 100 steps and stiff legs for three days after that! Well worth it for the views though. At Tulum, after walking around the remains of the city we had a dip in the sea to cool down - it's a magical setting, swimming beneath high cliffs with a view up towards the temples located closest to the edge. All in all a wonderful holiday spent in a lively resort with fabulous service and food, and I would return without hesitation...

The Cayman Islands … Paradise with a Sophisticated Twist

17 June 2013

I have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean within the past seven years both for work and pleasure, but The Cayman Islands was a first and it exceeded my expectations as a fabulous alternative to the more well-known islands. Lying just south of Cuba, the islands of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac benefit from tropical weather, accommodation suiting all budgets, plus a wide choice of excellent restaurants. Add to this some interesting local attractions and excursions plus some of the most outstanding snorkelling and diving in the world and you have all the makings of a paradise holiday destination! We were hosted by the Department of Tourism for five nights at the Sunshine Suites (close to Seven Mile Beach). Our accommodation was clean, comfortable, well equipped and central to the heart of Grand Cayman. We visited a large range of hotels during our stay - from more basic budget options to 5 star luxury resorts, and we also checked out some smaller boutique style properties, plus specialist dive hotels too. I am now very well placed to give detailed personal advice on where is best to stay. After a delicious breakfast at Icoa Fine Foods, our first morning was spent at Pedro Castle with a multi-media presentation giving an overview of the islands history along with some time spent exploring the grounds and the castle itself. Later that afternoon we enjoyed a dip in the sea and a cocktail at Rum Point, a great spot to chill out and enjoy the sunshine. We set off early the following day for Little Cayman, this turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip – a short 30 minute flight afforded us amazing views of the reef system below and on arrival we were touched by the serene atmosphere which prevails across this sleepy little island. After gaining an overview of the accommodation options (condo/villa/beach house style is the norm here) we drove to the tip of Little Cayman, called “Point of Sand”. I have never seen such beautiful shades of turquoise blue in the ocean, it was simply stunning. I would have loved to settle down on the beach with a picnic, I can imagine how blissful it would be to while away an afternoon surrounded by sea, sky, peace and quiet. We enjoyed a tasty lunch at the Hungry Iguana and headed back to the airport shortly after that. With Bob Marley playing on the radio, airport check in suddenly became quite a unique experience. The music was turned up full power and a little dancing on the tarmac followed whilst waiting for our plane to arrive. Memories that will stay with me forever (I don’t think there are many places in the world where it would be possible to do this!) Over the coming days we enjoyed several popular excursions, diving 104 feet into the blue on the Atlantis submarine, enduring temperatures close to 192 degrees on the Seven Fathoms Rum Tour and walking up the observation tower followed by designer shopping at Camana Bay. We enjoyed delicious meals at a number of local restaurants including, Cayman Cabana, Tikki Beach, The Wharf, Ortanique, Cimboco and Casanovas. I would definitely recommend room only or B&B basis as the food available locally is too good to miss! We were lucky enough to sample the most popular daytrip here too - Stingray City with added snorkelling to explore the reef and coral gardens. What can I say, the stingrays are amazing (you have to be brave to stand in the midst of them) braver still if you fancy kissing one for seven years good luck! But the highlight of this trip for me personally was snorkelling in such crystal clear waters. The reef system is simply pristine with a huge abundance of fish. I could have spent hours here just watching the underwater world go by. Our final day included a visit to Hell and lunch at the Cracked Conch where we sampled conch fritters (a local delicacy) all washed down with a “painkiller cocktail”! Prior to visiting these beautiful islands, my perception was of a high-rise commercialised holiday playground. I was very wrong indeed, the American influence prevails to a certain degree (mostly in the size of the portions served in restaurants!) but the beach front is certainly not over-developed, and the warmth and friendliness of the Cayman people gives the whole place a laid back Caribbean vibe. I hope I can visit this slice of paradise again soon.

Iceland - Land of Fire, Ice & The Northern Lights

19 December 2011

My husband Jon has had a long standing desire to try and see the Northern Lights. In early December of 2011 that wish finally came true! We flew to Reykjavik for a three night break in the cold and snow (at this time of year dawn breaks at 10.30am and the sun sets at 4pm) so it was a little like being in the twilight zone! We stayed at the Reykjavik Centrum hotel, right in the heart of the downtown area. It was a comfortable base in an excellent location with a selection of bars, restaurants and shops right on the doorstep. Reykjavik is a compact city, more of a large town really – everything is within an easy walk and there are plenty of museums and shops to browse round. You will need ample funds to shop until you drop though, as prices are higher here than in the UK. Save receipts if you buy gifts in a tax free store as you can claim the tax back at the airport. It is also worth picking up some duty free at the airport if you like a drink or two; alcohol is expensive to buy due to a high level of tax (this is set at 25.5% currently). We spent our first day exploring the city and visiting the 871 + /- 2 exhibition, this was actually situated underneath our hotel. It is a museum and interactive exhibition about the early settlers. Its centrepiece is the remains of a Viking Long House (the oldest evidence of human settlement found in Iceland to date). It is a really interesting display and well worth a visit. That evening we had booked an excursion to try and see the Northern Lights (this was the main aim of the trip after all!) We were picked up by Iceland Excursions, who offer a no-quibble second tour if you are not blessed with seeing the lights on the first attempt. This was very fortunate for us, as our first trip away from the city proved to be a fruitless one! However, the next evening (having re-booked to try again), we were treated to a fantastic all-natural show in the skies up above! We headed out to a different location this time - a National Park full of snow-capped lava fields and mountains. After some time spent standing around in the freezing cold, (staring at the sky like a couple of lunatics!) we were finally rewarded with a wonderful display. It was quite an emotional experience watching the lights creep into view like a grey halo at first, then morphing into lime green fingers that moved across the sky like brush strokes on canvas. A real “hairs on the back of your neck” type moment and one we will treasure for a long time to come. I would highly recommend this excursion, although sightings are not guaranteed. What I would say, is not to be put off even if the weather in the city is bad. On the night we saw them it was snowing in Reykjavik and the sky was anything but clear – fortunately, there was a break in the clouds at just the right time. Seeing the Northern Lights was certainly going to take some beating in terms of an experience...until we arrived at the Blue Lagoon! This is probably the most surreal thing we have done to date! Jon and I stripped off (in minus temperatures) to our swimwear, and ran screaming across the snow to enter the lagoons milky blue waters! Once we were submerged in the geothermal pool (heated in parts up to 104f) we were suddenly blissfully unaware of the cold that surrounded us. To top it all it started to snow! We ordered ourselves a cold beer from the swim up bar and bobbed around for about an hour or so. We had teamed the Blue Lagoon with a departure transfer back to the airport - a great feel-good factor to prepare for the flight home in my opinion. We thoroughly enjoyed Iceland, and will definitely visit again in the future... maybe even as soon as next year. The Northern Lights are affected by the Solar Cycle and this is currently at its peak, so chances of sightings are much improved. The next best time to try again will be in 11 years from now and I don’t think we can wait that long!

St Vincent - Pure Bliss!

28 November 2011

As the weather in the UK changed from autumn to winter it was high time for a family holiday in the sunshine! We have become real Caribbean Junkies over recent years – the warm weather, relaxed atmosphere and of course, the rum punch, are all big selling points! This year we opted to stay at Buccament Bay Resort on the island of St Vincent. The resort opened during summer 2010 and is now fully operational, but with more facilities due to be added over the coming months. It is located in a beautiful valley, flanked by high cliffs and tropical vegetation on either side. Buccament Bay offers very slick, contemporary style accommodation; we stayed in a two bedroom villa which was extremely spacious and comfortable. Our daughter was thrilled to have her own bedroom, bathroom and even a walk-in wardrobe! There are currently three restaurants open at the resort, a Caribbean Buffet/Italian A La Carte, an Indian A La Carte and a Steak/Seafood A La Carte (plus a coffee shop and take-away sushi bar). The food was excellent quality and always served with a smile. I think the selection of food on offer will be even better in the very near future once the remainder of the restaurants are completed. There is a Dive Centre at the resort offering a full range of equipment and excursions to enjoy both snorkelling and diving. This is alongside all the normal water sports activities such as Kayaks, Hobbie Cats etc. My daughter enjoyed a taster session in the pool with an aqualung and got on very well, so I can sense an expensive hobby in the making there! If you feel the need to be sporty, then you can work out in the Gym, or join the Liverpool Football Club Soccer School or Pat Cash Tennis Academy to brush up your skills. For any budding singers and actors there is a Performing Arts Academy where you can be coached by West End Stars. I was feeling very lazy indeed, so opted to do none of the above! Instead, I treated myself to a pedicure in the ESPA Spa – being pampered for an hour or so is my idea of heaven! There are enough things to do on the island if you want to get out and about and explore. You can take a day trip to Tobago Cays for snorkelling, or head into Kingstown for shopping and nightlife. We took advantage of a complimentary Sunset Cruise (not once but twice actually!) This was a lovely trip along the coast and out to sea chasing the sun, looking for the elusive green flash and keeping our eyes peeled for pods of dolphins. I highly recommend it. We also arranged a day trip to nearby Mustique. This little island has played host to both royalty and the celebrity jet-set over the years. It is also home to the Cotton House, a “Leading Hotel of the World”, and the only hotel on the island. Perfect, in my opinion, for honeymooners seeking an exclusive get-away. The island is simply stunning, from its palm trees and white sand beaches to its manicured lawns and gardens. But bear in mind you will be sharing your paradise with the local residents…there are land turtles (tortoises) literally everywhere! Another excursion we thoroughly enjoyed was a full day trip to Dark View Falls. The journey took us by boat up the leeward coast of the island, as far as Soufriere Volcano in the North. We stopped off en-route at Wallilabou Bay (made famous as a film location for The Pirates of the Caribbean), then onwards to a black sand beach where we took a short bus ride to the Falls. After a gentle hike through the rainforest we cooled off under natures own power shower – this was great fun (even if it did nearly knock us off our feet!!) I have to say that we all absolutely fell in love with this resort due to the totally chilled out ambience it offered, along with the friendliest and most genuinely caring staff we have encountered to date. It is truly a destination to enjoy just switching off from life for a while and immersing yourself in doing nothing very much in particular – pure bliss in my opinion!

Morocco - Magical Marrakech

07 July 2011

I am finding myself being asked regularly these days to recommend slightly more unusual city break destinations. Many people have already visited European cities located closer to home, and are looking for something new and more exotic. So when I was given the chance to experience Marrakech for myself I was keen to find out what this Moroccan city had to offer. We stayed at Club Med La Palmeraie, located twenty minutes from the airport, just outside the city centre. La Palmeraie is a four star all inclusive property; low rise and traditional in style, with extensive well-kept gardens and comfortable rooms, most of which interconnect. It offers an excellent standard of service, with a very high staff to guest ratio, plus an extensive choice of quality food, both in the main buffet and Moroccan style speciality restaurants. The all inclusive board covers meals, drinks and a host of activities, including sports such as tennis, golf and even a flying trapeze! There is a kids club and a regular entertainment programme during the day and evening for those who wish to join in. Within the resort there is a five star section called Le Riad. This area has a distinctly adult feel and guests who stay here benefit from all the facilities of the main resort, whilst having a more exclusive area to escape to. There is a spa on-site, and I would highly recommend a full body massage - 50 minutes of pure relaxing bliss, especially good for aching limbs after a quad biking excursion! Also accessible from here are the Atlas Mountains and the coastal resort of Essaouira, so there is plenty to do if you get tired of lounging around in the sunshine! We were also entitled to use the facilities of the sister property Club Med La Medina, which is served by a regular complimentary shuttle bus and located just a stone’s throw from the souk and main square of Jemaa El Fna, right in the heart of the city. This meant we had the best of both worlds, easy access to the hubbub of the medina for shopping and exploring the real flavour of Marrakech, coupled with peace and quiet and lively poolside atmosphere available at the main hotel. We took a horse & cart ride through the square and winding streets of the souk area to the other side of the medina walls and then walked back with a guide on foot – stopping off to take a glance at the local workshops where many handcrafted items are made. Leather slippers, handbags, intricate metal lanterns, ceramic plates and tagines are all available for sale in the labyrinth of shops within the souk – and there are real bargains to be had if you are prepared to barter hard! The square is manic mayhem at night, so I would recommend that you have your wits about you; be on the lookout for mopeds and bicycles weaving through the crowds! I also found it necessary to adopt a firm approach with the hundreds of traders wanting to entice me to eat at their stall or buy something from their shop! It was very atmospheric though, I loved the hustle and bustle, the sounds and smells; I have never been anywhere quite like it before. When we had had enough of the square, we took a short walk back to Club Med La Medina where we climbed the steps to the rooftop terrace, which looks directly over the square – the view from here at night was totally hypnotic! One thing which did surprise me is that Marrakech has some really great nightlife; there are some very exclusive bars and clubs for the night owls amongst you – live bands, chill out lounges and dancing - all in very stylish surroundings too! There is clear evidence of more up-market development coming to the city, so Marrakech is one to watch for the future! For now, it remains a city that can cater for everyone’s pocket and taste. I will certainly be visiting again; I thoroughly enjoyed my four night stay here. It is a fabulous destination, reached by a fairly short flight but with a real far flung, exotic feel.

British Virgin Islands - The Secret Caribbean

15 December 2009

My journey started with a non-stop flight from Gatwick to Antigua, then an internal flight with LIAT (nicknamed “Leave Island Any Time”) which made a couple of stops en-route to Tortola. Finally, a 40 minute ferry transfer to the island of Virgin Gorda. Make no mistake - these islands are not easy to reach. But although the journey was long, it added to the anticipation that I was going somewhere special and on arrival I was not disappointed. My first stop was Bitter End Yacht Club where accommodation is rustic in style and the setting is just magnificent. My room was positioned on a hillside making the most of the gentle trade winds. I remember waking up and watching a perfect sunrise from the comfort of my own private veranda complete with hammock! As with many resorts in the BVI’s, room keys are not necessary here as there are no issues with crime. During my stay at Bitter End, I enjoyed a catamaran & snorkelling trip and a sunset cruise. The resort itself has plenty of activities available and would suit couples or families who enjoy water sports and a lively atmosphere. The food was plentiful and I must say - this is THE place to sample the best key lime pie in the world! From here, I continued to Biras Creek, a Relais & Chateaux property, which has a relaxed but refined atmosphere. The restaurant is outstanding, and has a well deserved reputation as one of the best places to enjoy a meal in the North Sound area. It is a popular haunt for non-residents who have moored their super-yachts nearby. The location of this resort is simply stunning, affording views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines from the ridge at the top. There are trails all over the resort, which give guests an opportunity to walk or cycle around, experiencing breathtaking scenery at every turn. I was given the opportunity to use a Boston Whaler here – these are small self-drive motor boats which guests can use to explore the local area, they are easy to captain and a lot of fun! My next night was spent on Guana Island, a private island hideaway which is completely unique. The emphasis here is on personalised service - a place where every whim can be indulged. I spent a totally surreal evening here, as it was full moon that night. The island had an almost un-earthly atmosphere, the sort that gives you goosebumps! This is a true escapist’s paradise, only accessible by boat. A place where you can lose yourself and relax in total privacy. On leaving the island I was invited to throw a hibiscus flower from the boat, the legend is "if the flower reaches the shore, you are destined to return one day" - I’m certainly hoping this is true! En-route to the last hotel on my itinerary, I enjoyed a tour of the North Sound area and a visit to “The Baths”. This is a must see when visiting the BVI’s – an area of Virgin Gorda’s coastline dominated by enormous granite boulders, similar to those found in the Seychelles. It was great fun squeezing through the smallest of gaps on the pathway through these giant rocks. I arrived later that day at Peter Island, fairly large by BVI standards, although the resort itself, gives guests plenty of personal space. It is an up-market, but very relaxed property, with a choice of several gorgeous beaches to relax on. There is a wonderful spa here, and a choice of excellent restaurants. The island opposite the main beach called “Dead Chest”, reputedly got its name when notorious Blackbeard put 15 men ashore here after a mutiny with only a bottle of rum … and hence the song “15 men on a dead man’s chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!” Although I have travelled to the Caribbean before, I must say the BVI’s surpassed all my expectations. This little collection of islands is extremely lush and green, and the people are some of the most welcoming I have ever encountered. If you have visited the larger Caribbean islands and want to experience something different, then the BVI’s could be just what you are looking for. You have to like water, as this will play a major part in any trip to the islands. In my opinion – the BVI’s represent a slice of un-touched paradise and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to stay here.

St Lucia – Laid back Caribbean Vibes

31 October 2008

St Lucia was a great choice of destination for my family, as the island had something to offer for all of us. I love going somewhere hot in the winter, my husband Jon likes to get out and about and explore, and our daughter Kira is a bit of a waterbabe, so a decent swimming pool is all she asks for! St Lucia delivered all of our wishes and more besides; we had a wonderful holiday here and found it very easy to slip into the laid-back Caribbean pace of life. We stayed on an All Inclusive basis at the Almond Smugglers Cove in the far North of the island. The guest accommodation was comfortable, clean, and perfectly adequate for our needs. The property is set in a small cove with direct access from the pool area to the beach. This was great, as there was always a lovely gentle breeze coming in off the sea to take the intensity out of the heat and it was easy to keep an eye on our daughter whether she decided to splash in the pool or the ocean. It was the first time we had tried an All Inclusive property and it worked really well for us. The food was good quality, and with 4 different restaurants to choose from we didn’t tire of eating from the same menu every night. Our firm favourite was the “Waterside Grill”, partly due to the menu, as we all enjoy eating fresh fish (the Red Snapper was to die for!), but mostly because of the setting, it’s on a decked area looking back across the cove towards the hotel and was magical when lit up with candles in the evening. As well as lounging around the pool, we took some time to explore the island. The landscape is truly stunning - it’s mostly rainforest and there are plenty of places to stop by the roadside and admire breathtaking views. The view from the top of Marigot Bay was one of our favourite spots - plus you can buy some fantastic spiced rum here (allegedly the local Viagra!) We saw the famous Pitons (the twin peaks of St Lucia), the botanical gardens, and, a must-see on any tourist itinerary to the island - the worlds only “drive-through volcano” – the Sulphur Springs at Soufriere. I think the best excursion we booked was a 4WD Jeep Safari which took us off road through countless banana plantations, including a short rainforest hike and some fruity refreshments supplied by a local farmer (see photo gallery “Bongo & his Machete!”). This was a brilliant family day out. We stood up in the back of the jeep to get the best views. It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride at times as the roads undulated to the top of hills and down into steep valleys with plenty of hairpin bends thrown in for good measure! I can still hear Kira screaming “go faster, go faster!!!” with great delight as we reached the top of a steep hill and started our descent. We finished the trip with a couple of refreshing Piton Beers (the local brew) in the village of Anse La Raye, home to the Fish Friday Festival. One other trip, which I would personally recommend, especially for families, is to venture out to sea on the “Brig Unicorn”. Used in the filming of The Pirates of the Caribbean, this ship runs several daytime and evening excursions. We opted for a sunset cruise … which, with plentiful rum punch, a steel band playing, canons at the ready, and a friendly pirate crew … was a perfect end to a hot sunny day. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday to St Lucia. We had fabulous weather, saw some beautiful tropical scenery and had a really relaxing time. But I think what makes St Lucia particularly special are the people, who are so warm and genuine. I would not hesitate to return to the island again one day.

My customer stories

Sent by Anne Tredrea

Katie has been a fantastic Travel Counsellor for me. Our holiday planning began in 2019 and the holiday finally happened in 2022 after being postponed twice due to COVID. Throughout that time Katie has kept in touch, kept me up to date with all options and has booked - and following researching the best options for our family - changed our departure airport to our benefit. She has organised baby facilities, found out the answers to my numerous questions and all with a smile in her voice and a quick response. My daughter was joining us from a different airport on a later flight which was delayed and then diverted; Katie notified me of this immediately she found out and then kept us both up to date, even making attempts to organise a taxi to bring her to our villa - although it seems taxi firms do not operate after 11 p.m. on Kefalonia! While on holiday I realised a car would benefit us - none to be found on the island by the local rep. - but Katie organised one for us and then extended the booking when I asked her. I honestly cannot praise Katie highly enough. She provides a truly fantastic service. I would not hesitate to recommend her and will definitely be booking my next holiday with her. Thank you Katie! You're awesome!

Sent by Kelly Gilmore-Caze

We always feel that we're in safe hands with our travel counsellor (Katie Lomas), the service, personal touch, and tailored experience is second to none!

Sent by Andy Laslett

Katie is very friendly and knowledgeable and has been fantastic in recommending and organising our trip to the USA next year! I will be and have already mentioned her to friends.

Sent by Danette Craig

Katie had been recommended to me on more than one occasion. We were extremely happy with the service we received. Katie listened to our requirements and came up with some wonderful choices. From someone who really does not enjoy trawling the internet for holidays, she took the strain and frustration out of it completely and made the whole process easy and enjoyable. We will definitely be using Katie's services from now on and would like to visit some of the other suggestions she made. Thank you Katie for everything...x

Sent by Ben Chalwin

Fantastic as always - thank you.

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Katie is enormously patient with me, now in my eighties and not as confident as I was. I would (and do) recommend her to my friends and family.

Sent by Ken Wilson

We have recommended Katie to many friends/acquaintances. She is brilliant not only from making arrangements but for being available when things go wrong during the holiday. She is a very caring person.

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So helpful, a fantastic service! Thank You.

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Just like to thank you very much, as always most helpful and obliging.

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A very friendly and helpful person.

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I don't know how she does it, but she always manages to find exactly what we want. The world of travel booking is a real mine field. We could be looking for ever and not know what we're doing - but give Katie a couple of days and it's sorted. Full marks !!

Sent by Mick Brackley

I never use 10 as it can be confused with zero. Katie is consistently exceptional. Katie is not only excellent in her inter-personal skills but also exceptional in her customer service and her attention to detail quite exquisite.

Sent by Susannah Lee

Katie is a delight to deal with, professional, knowledgeable, quick to respond and always has a useful insight or tip to pass on. She has a real passion for what she does and thus shows through in her interaction with me.

Sent by Pat Tatspaugh

Katie has helped my friends and me to plan trips to Morocco, Faro, Lisbon, and various cities in the Netherlands and Belgium. She's super -- list the words that make one a professional and you've got Katie.

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So flexible, patient and knowledgeable. Efficient, thorough and totally reliable.

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Katie has been helping me with planning my holidays for more than 10 years. I have always been happy with the hotels she has suggested and booked for me. She is very knowledgeable and informative and I value her suggestions.

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Excellent service from Katie. A delight to speak to & couldn't be more helpful.

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Katie is amazing, we have a stress free holiday because Katie takes care of every detail. Any problems Katie looks into it fairly and sorts it.

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Very helpful and always seamless service.

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Everything is done with utmost professionalism and all questions answered efficiently. Highly recommended

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Thought Katie was fab and took time and effort to understand all our families requirements!

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Katie is excellent. I would thoroughly recommend her to others.

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Excellent advice, service & support! Thank you Katie x

Sent by Ken Tuck

My first time using Travel Counsellors, but certainly not the last, after trawling the internet unsuccessfully trying to confirm multiple flight connections, I contacted Katie, who in no time at all confirmed flights by phone and email, plus documents and boarding passes were received by post within a few days, Thanks Katie.

Sent by Neil Harrison

Excellent help on the holiday wanted.

Sent by Emma Cawley

Katie Lomas has been simply amazing again! In March she organized our trip to the USA which was incredible. We have just booked Thailand & she has catered for our every need. We are so looking forward to our 2020 holiday. Thank you Katie & thank you Travel Counsellors.

Sent by Malcolm Pollard

The normal excellent service we have always experienced.

Sent by Nicky Harris

Professional, helpful, honest and friendly service. We always recommend Katie to friends and family!

Sent by Pat Stevens

Always fantastic support and nothing too much trouble.

Sent by Jill Knights

Katie is a fantastic lady, and always comes up with what we require. Thanks, Katie.

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Already passed contact details to others.

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Katie, you’re fantastic. Thanks for faultlessly organising all my wonderful holidays, Jacquie

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Katie has looked after me for years and she is totally fantastic.

Sent by Joan Packard

Fabulous, efficient, personal , knowledgeable. Wonderful service as always. Thank you Katie Lomas .

Sent by Paul Gill

Katie is absolutely amazing, why would you book else where!!

Sent by Barbara Ridge

Great personal attention, all our needs catered for

Sent by Nigel Pearn

Katie always comes up with what we want in a holiday, friendly and very knowledgeable.

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Katie has been very helpful and friendly

Sent by Jo Robson

Each time Katie has organized a holiday for us it has been a complete success and this is all down to her expert knowledge and her determination to give her clients the perfect experience.

Sent by Cathy Hiley

Katie just takes out all the stress of looking for places and booking it. I just tell her where I want to go and hey presto it's done. Fabulous service and great person who over the years has become a friend thank you x

Sent by Sharon Sandercock-Beard

Simply Katie is amazing - she listens, advises and goes the extra mile - from now on, I'll be booking all my long haul holidays via Katie!

Sent by Jill Yelling

Katie, Thank you so much for your help sorting a trip at very short notice for me...…….and then having to change the flight! I very much appreciate your help.

Sent by Emma Haase

Really helpful. Very quick to respond and always gets us a good deal.

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Brilliant friendly professional service

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As always everything was dealt with in such an efficient and helpful way. Definitely to be recommended.

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Have already recommended to friends/colleagues.

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Made it so easy for me and found a really good deal! Would recommend to family and friends and more than likely use this service again!

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Katie is an excellent travel agent

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Immediate response over a weekend to a quite complicated request completed by Monday am. Excellent service, thank you!

Sent by Nick Everett

I have found Katie Lomas to be absolutely fantastic since she booked our first holiday a number of years ago. Her attention to detail and understanding of individual needs is phenomenal. Thanks Katie.

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Love Katie, excellent service. Will definitely use again.

Sent by Barbara Cock

Katie will sort any holiday wishes you have at a realistic price!

Sent by Freddie George

Katie is most efficient, helpful beyond belief and she is very charming to do business with.

Sent by Imelda Wray

I have been booking my holidays with Katie for about 12 years and she has always been very helpful and given me good advice when sorting out very complicated, multi destination holidays. The hotels Katie has chosen for me have been 1st class just like the service she provides.

Sent by John Nicholas

Always good advice, suitable for our requirements and trust her judgement. We wouldn't go anywhere without speaking to Katie first. Our friends and son have also used Katie to book holidays and will do again.

Sent by Ann Pownall

I've booked my holidays with Katie for probably 10 plus years. Katie has always found the best deal for us and she goes that extra mile. Would have no hesitation in recommending Katie to friends and family.

Sent by Anne Eddy

We were very impressed with the way that Katie handled our booking.

Sent by Maria Matthews

I have booked with Katie Lomas before. She is always professional, helpful, efficient & knowledgeable. She was recommended to me via friends. I would always recommend her.

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Great service. Thankyou Katie.

Sent by Mick Brackley

Not only do we recommend Katie to others we keep coming back for more.

Sent by Ian Wornell

Brilliant service, speedy responses and very reassuring at all times.

Sent by Sophie Hills

Katie was absolutely fantastic right from the first phone call I made to her. There was a lot of waiting and uncertainty on our part during the course of our booking, but Katie was incredibly patient throughout and constantly kept me updated with the itinerary and any changes that came about due to the waiting on our part. Katie has put together an amazing itinerary for our family holiday to Costa Rica which will be a holiday of a lifetime for us. I feel 100% confident that should any problems arise during the trip or beforehand, Katie would instantly be there to help us on the other end of the phone. Thank you Katie. I look forward to booking again with Katie.

Sent by Naomi Frears Hogg

Katie is great. We feel confident that our travel arrangements will be smooth and our holiday better because she helped us out. Very impressed.

Sent by Benjamin Wood

Always extremely efficient and found us an amazing summer holiday this year.

Sent by Robert Fry

Could not have been more helpful.

Sent by Andrea Cockett

Katie has organised several holidays for us and they have all been outstanding. Her attention to detail and knowledge is fantastic and all of the arrangements she has made for us have gone without a single hitch. She is also great at finding a good deal! Katie is my go to person for organising holidays now.

Sent by Tim Pardoe

Very happy to recommend Katie. She has always gone the extra mile for us. Thankyou

Sent by Maurice Herbert

We heard about Katie from friends while we were on holiday in Barbados, so we got in touch with her, she is so helpful and knowledgeable. She sorted out a cruise in 2016, and this year we went on a Panama canal cruise, she got us a good price and it was the best cruise we have ever been on. It doesn`t matter what questions you throw at her she always finds the answer. She does all the legwork for you and reminds you of things you need to do before leaving. We would not use anyone else.

Sent by Richard Clement

There was a popular phrase many years ago describing exemplary service as someone who "goes the extra mile". Katie goes the extra FIVE miles whether the request is for an airport hotel with parking; trans-Europe train tickets; or, sorting out rearrangements required when our planned cruise boat collided with a pier in Norway. Removal of personal stress with holiday bookings is a real bonus. We could not recommend Katie more highly.

Sent by Ben Chalwin

Katie is always brilliantly helpful with any request that we have and possesses a wonderful sense of humour. All queries are dealt with professionally and promptly. Katie ensures that we get the package that is right for us and, for me, really takes the stress out of planning and organising a holiday. Highly recommended.

Sent by Michele Wright

Katie you have infinite patience but most important of all you listen to what a person wants from a holiday and come up with the goods.

Sent by Kelly Gilmore-Caze

I have and will continue to recommend Katie's service. It's a weight off my mind to know she takes care of all the paperwork and detail for us. We just pay our money and get to enjoy our holiday xxx

Sent by Barbara Cock

We first used Katie's services in 2014 for a trip to Thailand. This was for 8, ages 5 to 68 to attend a cousin's wedding on an island and from 2 parts of the country. It was a complex trip with many transfers using all modes of transport. But all went like clockwork. I wouldn't have known where to begin! Since then she has sent us to Morocco on a resort stay. Again no problem. And this year to Sydney, New Zealand and Dubai. Why bother with the hassle of ploughing through numerous brochures and stressing about transfers and visas? Katie can sort everything with a couple of phone calls. We have no hesitation in recommending Katie to anyone who wants to try new adventures in far flung lands!!

Sent by Catherine Hiley

I have been using Katie for years ever since I met her on holiday in Cornwall. Every single holiday she has arranged for me has been first class. Her attention to detail is fantastic and I feel so safe knowing that when she books my holiday I have nothing to worry about and I can just go away and enjoy. I have referred many of my family and friends to Katie and they agree with me. She is not only my travel consultant but my friend aswell. Thankyou Katie your amazing here's to many more holidays to come.

Sent by Julie Rafton

Katie was extremley helpful and imformative on the occasion we used her for holidays and flights. Would highly recomend

Sent by Liz & Andrew Nicholson

Always a pleasure dealing with Katie, she goes out of her way to be helpful and nothing is too much trouble whatever your need. We would recommend to anyone. She takes all the stress out of arranging a holiday.

Sent by Jo Cooper

Wonderful service, very personal, friendly, professional service, highly recommend to anyone looking to book an over night stay to a round the world trip. Katie you really do make travelling easy.

Sent by Gary Mitchell

We came into contact with Katie through our friends when we needed to book shore excursions. Our friends have used Katie to handle their cruise arrangements frequently in the past, so we had no hesitation in using Katie to secure our requirements. Although Katie has only provided a small service to us, she showed us the same professionalism and friendliness as if we had booked our entire holiday package with her. With this in mind I will certainly be turning to Katie for our future holiday requirements, for which I’m sure she will be able to fulfill with absolute peace of mind.

Sent by Michael Jose

We find Katie very approachable and her knowledge is very helpful when trying to make a decision.

Sent by Catherine Freeman

Katie has always been unbelievably patient, helpful and efficient. We recommend her services constantly; and use her whenever we want or need to go abroad. She always returns calls and deals with any matter of concern. We cannot recommend her highly enough.

Sent by Alan Mckee

So professional. Everything organised,taxis booked,visas obtained. It could not be better organised. All the worry removed!

Sent by John Wright

Katie has booked several holidays for us and has been very efficient, helpful and nice. Our holidays have been trouble free with the comforting reassurance that Katie is at the other end of the telephone line if any problems arise. I would not hesitate to recommend her services to anyone.

Sent by John Nicholas

Katie has arranged three fantastic holidays for us, and a separate one for family members. We would not go on holiday again without speaking to Katie first. Everything is so easy, her destination knowledge excellent and most importantly she listens to us and arranges the sort of break we want.

Sent by Kathryn Loveluck

Katie is incredibly helpful, patient and full of great advice. She helped us put together an individual programme for Cuba and for our next trip to India we will be using her again.

Sent by Jill Jeffery

On recommendation from friends we used Katie to help us with our holiday destination, bookings etc. So glad we did. Katie is very friendly and approachable and also very knowledgeable. After conversations with her when we were asked what kind of things we were looking for in a holiday, we agreed on a destination in Croatia. Fabulous. Took all the stress out of making the decisions and the bookings. Everything was organised for us and went without a hitch. Perfect. Next time we go anywhere we shall definitely be contacting Katie.

Sent by Nancie Raby

I’ve never had such an easily planed holiday, my other half huffs and puffs and by the time it’s organised I’m fed up. This time round you've taken the worry out of my hands and his, I can’t thank you enough, and I will definitely recommend you to all my friends, thank you so much.

Sent by Roger Tonkinson

Consistently first class service whether a major trip or purely organising flight tickets.

Sent by Pat Stevens

Katie is brilliant and goes out of her way to help in any way she can.

Sent by Jill Knights

We love Katie. She is a wonderful agent, and always works hard for us. We are always delighted with the itinerary. Thanks Katie.

Sent by Paul Stayne

Katie fulfilled all our requirements in every detail. Thank you.

Sent by Peter Dundon

Excellent, prompt efficient and professional. Highly recommended.

Sent by Lynne Spon Smith

Informative, friendly and efficient. Got just what we wanted and more, already passed on Katie' s details to two friends!

Sent by Roger Tonkinson

Usual friendly and ultra efficient service, thanks.

Sent by Mollie Chaston

Katie is the best! So helpful and makes travel so easy as well as giving great advice! Would be lost without her!

Sent by Jet Gutteridge

We have now used Katie Lomas on a number of occasions we find Katie lovely to deal with patient and highly professional. Nothing is ever too much trouble. She's is brilliant!

Sent by Gill Horner

As always Katie is very helpful and it is always a pleasure to use her for our travel needs.

Sent by Philippa Roberts

Katie listens to the brief, provides a good range of destinations and gives good advice based on her knowledge and experience. Top class service!

Sent by Emma Sparks

Katie has always provided us with first class treatment! Wouldn’t use anyone else x

Sent by Jill Jeffery

Although we haven’t had our holiday yet I was thrilled with Katie’s attention to detail and her relaxed and friendly approach and her knowledge of the subject. I have already recommended her.

Sent by Trisha Brandon

Totally takes the hassle out of complex travel. Katie, our agent was super friendly, helpful and really listened to and understood our needs.

Sent by Maurice Herbert

Katie is a very very nice and helpful person have recommended her to all our friends would not go anywhere else.

Sent by Sarah Bassett

Katie is always helpful and very friendly, would always recommend.

Sent by Debbie Jago

Katie always gets it just right, listens to what we need and offers a number of reasonable options. This is the 3rd or 4th time she has sorted out travel arrangements for us. I have recommended her to friends in the past who have also used her and been delighted with her service

Sent by Tiffany Tempest

Amazing service as always.

Sent by Doris Lindemann

Absolutely fantastic service as always.

Sent by Tim Pardoe

Always helpful. Thank you.

Sent by Deena Robinson

Katie was fantastic. She was very attentive and thorough to find us the holiday that was right for us. I would definitely recommend her as her service is First Class.

Sent by Phil Treyvaud

Katie has been very patient and understanding of our changing travel plans, and very responsive to any requests, I would definitely recommend her.

Sent by Ella Skomra

Fantastic and quick service. Thank you Katie.

Sent by Maureen Murray

A pleasure dealing with Katie who is always prepared to go the extra mile and does everything with total efficiency and competence but with the added bonus of patience and friendliness. I came to her through personal recommendation and happily recommend her to others.

Sent by Chris Matthews

Lovely friendly helpful service and honest answers to any questions! Would and have definitely recommended Katie Lomas!

Sent by Pauline Clement

Katie always goes that extra mile. Very much appreciated.

Sent by Andrew NIcholson

Brilliant service, couldn’t fault it if I tried.

Sent by Rob McIvor

Katie has organised several holidays for my family and has always done a superb job. As well as being delightful to deal with, she he is exceptionally thorough and efficient; nothing ever seems to fall between the cracks. Most importantly, she also offers wise and unbiased advice, coming up with ideas and suggestions that would make the holiday even better or make the difficult much easier. Her commitment doesn't end when the booking is made as she is always available to help iron out any unexpected problems beyond her control that might crop up while her clients are away. I am always happy to recommend Katie to my friends and colleagues.

Sent by John Toms

We greatly appreciate the excellent service provided by Katie Lomas, her in depth knowledge of the travel industry gives us confidence and peace of mind when she helps us make our travel arrangements.

Sent by Paula Smith

Excellent service.

Sent by Amanda Ezra

Excellent service. Every detail taken care of which we left Katie to deal with for us. Thank you so much.

Sent by James Trethewey

A fantastic service. Katie went above and beyond. If you're going to spec your own holiday, use a professional, as you would for anything else. The time and money saved is great but all the other extras that you wouldn't know about until it was too late are just taken care of. Cannot recommend Katie enough. A true professional and lovely to deal with.

Sent by Roger Tonkinson

Usual ultra efficient and friendly service.Totally reliable as always !!

Sent by Deborah Hayward-Smith

Very efficient ... great communication.

Sent by Imelda Wray

I let Katie know what places I wanted to visit and she came up with an excellent itinerary. She also sent me useful links of websites for me to do more research on places to visit etc.

Sent by Wendy Nicholas

We would not book any holiday without speaking to Katie first. We have recommended her to all our friends and those that have used her are also really pleased and passing on details. Thank you so much.

Sent by Jacqueline Windsor

Fabulous as always!

Sent by Alan McKee

Excellent service and advice.

Sent by Paul Carter

I'd just like to say Katie was fantastic in sorting our holiday plans and will most definitely be using her in the future.

Sent by Freddie George

Katie's services are outstanding. She works at any day/time of the week sorting my travel requirements and does it at a very fast pace, delivering solutions to suit. It makes me able to go to places at short notice without having delays as I work offshore and telephone/internet is not always 100%. 11 out of 10 for me. Captain Freddie George MWS for Global Maritime

Sent by Russell McDermott

Katie is always very friendly, efficient and very helpful! Nothing is too much trouble for her.

Sent by Charlotte Wright

Love dealing with Katie - really quick at getting back - very efficient in taking the brief and getting everything booked.

Sent by Gemma Davis

You always go above and beyond to book us the best holidays!

Sent by Peter Dundon

Katie is a genius :)

Sent by Adrienne Dennison-Reed

Katie has been fantastic, we will definitely recommended her to friends and family and use her service again.

Sent by Jimmy Cocking

Very helpful, pleasant, curious, and any other platitude you can think of.

Sent by Ricky Ellerby

Katie is just fabulous, not only is she super efficient but gets us great prices that would take us hours to find. She has all the details and options back to you so quickly, it takes all the pain out of organising your trip.

Sent by David James

Katie is the most helpful Travel Advisor/Agent that we have ever used.

Sent by Demelza Elliott

Katie always listens to what we want, shows awareness of our budget and gets us the perfect holiday - she's fab!

Sent by Liz Creaser

Prompt responses, friendly, helpful, flexible.

Sent by Charlotte Barden-Lees

Katie was excellent! She listened to exactly what we wanted and within 24 hours had sorted out everything. What a star. x

Sent by Pat Paris

Smooth and professional booking through Katie - yet again a first class experience. Many thanks

Sent by John Winn

Always excellent service.

Sent by Mike Treglown

As it is the norm with us we are indecisive, we procrastinate and are never really sure what we seek. Katie counters that approach with endless patience, excellent communication skills and continuing contact even after confirmation of the booking. Unfortunately for Katie we keep coming back. Thank you Katie!

Sent by Loraine Brett-Knowles

Excellent service as usual

Sent by Nick Everett

Katie, was yet again absolutely awesome. She was there to take the stress out of life. January / February has been the most hectic time of my life ever and Katie's support was invaluable and we have a wonderful holiday to look forward to, which I am extremely grateful for. Thank you Katie.

Sent by Clodagh Phelan

This is the first time I have used Katie's services. She was recommended highly by a friend. She has been wonderful - efficient, knowledgeable andfriendly. Nothing is too much trouble. I will turn to Katie again and have already recommended her to friends.

Sent by Annie Cleland

The best and most friendly and efficient help. Such a pleasure to have Katie's help.

Sent by Christina Gutsell

Katie is always amazing from start to finish! I'm lucky I found her.

Sent by Mick Brackley

In my view giving a score for Katie's performance is demeaning to her actual status in our holiday plans, preparation and delivery. An "Americanism" might be to award 15 out of 10? As soon as I have an agreed outline of a holiday itinerary it is communicated to Katie; quite literally "over to Katie". She is flexible in her support, whether chatting over the phone to my wife or, because I'm hard of hearing, I have SMS and email. I also suffer with anxiety problems, so I find Katie's personable professionalism very reassuring, at all times.

Sent by Mike Bradbury

Great service from Katie as usual!

Sent by Pat Stevens

Very very helpful

Sent by Maurice Herbert

Lovely, friendly and knowledgeable person would recommend to friends will definitely use again

Sent by Jill Knights

It is always a pleasure to book our holidays with you, Katie. You are very efficient, and it takes all the worry out of booking.

Sent by Stuart Veal

Katie has been great with organising our holiday plans. We don't go abroad very often, so when we do it is a big deal, Katie's knowledge and experience is so helpful, she is also patient, polite and friendly.

Sent by Catherine Freeman

We find Katie the most efficient and helpful of any Travel Counsellor or agent we have used. Nothing is too much effort for her. Long may this continue! She provides an excellent service.

Sent by Kathryn Loveluck

We always mention Katie to anyone talking about travelling.

Sent by Tony Byrne

The fact that we are booking yet another year's holiday with Katie says it all really ... We decided to go on a family holiday with two weeks to go and as usual Katie has come up with the goods again. Thanks Katie!

Sent by Barbara Cock

Katie has been brilliant on all the occasions we have contacted her and we have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone else. No matter how complicated your plans she'll sort it all out and keeps in regular contact. In fact she's a STAR!

Sent by Sibyl Broadway

Katie was amazing!

Sent by Rachel Perkin

Katie always goes above and beyond to make sure we get the right holiday for us. Would recommend and always are recommending Katie to family and friends.

Sent by Peter Craze

The holiday booking by Katie is first class. I haven't had to ask for information, it's all been sent to me down to the last detail. I have told all my friends. I look forward to booking my next holiday with Katie. Thank you very much for all your hard work Katie.

Sent by Kelly Gilmore-Craze

As always Katie met our needs creating a tailor made package. We're all thrilled with our booking.

Sent by Victoria Onoufriou

Katie was extremely helpful and attentive throughout and would not hesitate to recommend her to other friends and family.

Sent by Jason Widgery-Rowe

We are a dance school that attends overseas dance workshops bi-annually. Katie has booked our travel arrangements over the last 10 years, Always a perfect and well organisied trip, We would never go anywhere else. I know Katie understands the what we are looking for our budget also where we need to stay. Thank you Katie. JTPA

Sent by Lauren Trudgeon

Katie was so helpful and catered to our every need Thanks :)

Sent by David Mills

I found Katie extremly helpful and a pleasure to book my Holiday through. Katie was very helpful and always seemed to go that 'extra mile'. I suggest if people are looking for excellent customer service, attention to detail and somebody who is extremely professional, book through Katie Lomas.

Sent by JERRY SPARKS

Mid June to mid-July 2011 four of us travelled to Australia via Bangkok on the way out, and via Singapore on the way back. Having given Katie a list of things we wanted to do and places to see, Katie came up with all of our holiday of a life time. Despite the fact I suffer with MS, travelling with a wheel chair wasn’t a problem anywhere. We had 3 days in Bangkok, 6 days in Sydney overlooking the Opera House, then to Ayres Rock for 2 days, Port Douglas for 7 days doing the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane for 5 days, Singapore for 3 days and then home. The flights, hotels, hire car and most of the trips all done by Katie. So many thanks to Katie from the four of us for sorting/ booking things, and making this a holiday we will never forget...we shall return to you soon. Many thanks again Katie.....fantastic!

Sent by Richard McSWEENEY

Katie was recommended to me by a work colleague and so I thought I'd give her a try and I'm so glad I did. Katie worked tirelessly on our travel plans always looking to source the deal that offered the best value for money. Our plans changed a few times and each time Katie researched the best flights, hotels and prices without a fuss and was always happy to help in a cheerful manner. I cannot praise her service enough and will use her time and again to source our future holidays. Thanks Katie for all your help.

Sent by Mann Lisa

Katie helped us book a family holiday for 8 people. It took 3 months to find what we were looking for and Katie listened to our needs and requests and weekly change of ideas. She was helpful and patient and we got there in the end. I have recommended her to others and would use her expertise to book another holiday. Thanks Katie

Sent by Norman Stoneley

Katie has dealt with us on several holidays and the assistance she gives is second to none. Keeping in contact to update us on travel arrangements is first class and also the welcome back card when you arrive back home gives a sense of satisfaction.

Sent by Catherine Hiley

Katie is a fantastic Travel Counsellor, every holiday we have booked with her has been fantastic. It is great to know that you can ring her up and tell her where you want to go and the next thing its there in an email, and its not only one choice but loads!!! Nothing is too much trouble and she even tells you to ring her while you are away if we have any problems which we haven't. She's just great.

Sent by Stuart Veal

This is our first family holiday abroad, so we were a little anxious, but Katie made everything so easy for us. Katie has catered for our needs making our holiday exactly what WE wanted; not something picked from a brochure because that was the only option. We will definitely be using Katie's services again. Thanks

Sent by Gary Rich

Katie has done a fantastic job arranging our dream honeymoon split between snow and sun. Nothing has been too much trouble for her. A top class service with friendly, helpful advice and ideas. Every avenue was explored and researched and her knowledge and experience over a wide range of possible destinations was excellent. Highly recommend anyone wanting to book a hassle free holiday to go through Katie.

Sent by Tim Pardoe

I am more than happy to recommend Katie. Forget all the hassle of internet booking & benefit from her experience.

Sent by Shirley Peak

Katie has been a great help, she never minds how many enquiries you make and the end result has always been a lovely holiday. We have already booked next year's Cruise with Katie.Thank you Katie,

Sent by Josephine Young

Katie is fantastic! She manages to combine a very friendly and caring attitude with extreme professionalism and efficiency. I have been very pleased with the deals she has managed to get for me and her attention to detail... I just wish I had discovered her many years ago. She is a fantastic find! Josephine Young

Sent by Nicola Pollard

I am pleased to be able to recommend Katie at Travel Counsellors. Myself and my fiancé have recently booked our 'dream honeymoon' with Katie and we can honestly say that the whole experience was faultless. Katie's knowledge, enthusiasm and determination mean we have the most wonderful honeymoon to look forward to. We'll always use Katie to book our holidays.

Sent by Tony Taylor

We are not the best holiday planners, maybe it's because we have our own guesthouse.There are always jobs to be done. Eventually one of us will say "We must get away. Ring Katie and get her to sort something within the next three weeks". The next thing you know the tickets arrive, car parking is booked, hotel on outbound or inbound journey is organised, taxis to hotel etc etc. It's most painless.

Sent by Bernard Banks

Katie has organised several holidays for us through Travel Counsellors. She is always efficient, quick, reliable and enthusiastic. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone requiring travel arrangements.

Sent by Hannah Clatworthy

Katie has always been friendly and efficient, always delivering a first class service. I have booked three holidays with her now, I have such faith in her that I have booked my brother's honeymoon. She is also excellent in a crisis. I was in Thailand and potentially stuck during the riots; Katie maintained excellent communication with me and had two alternative routes home planned. Thank you.

Sent by Richard Clement

My wife and I have been extremely well looked after each time we have arranged a holiday with Katie. Not only are the usual travel arrangements organised but Katie is more than willing to "go the extra mile" to ensure that all possible wrinkles are ironed out inclusive of such things as long leg room seating, airport lounges and even weather maps. Overall we rate Katie at 15 out of 10 !!!

Sent by Barbara Ridge

We have used Katie on a number of occasions to organise our holdays, she is very much in tune with our requirements and goes to a great deal of trouble to make sure that they are met.

Sent by David and Ann Middleton

Katie has helped us have a stress free holiday every time. My husband is paralysed on his right side and is wheelchair bound, so it is very important to have the correct disabled accommodation in the right area to make our life easier. She excels everytime, nothing is left to chance, she checks and double checks - door widths, bathrooms, mobility aids and.taxi transfers. Professional and efficient always!

Sent by Chris Osborne

We value Katie's experience and advice very much; she always looks into every aspect of the holiday and we travel with every confidence and should anything go wrong we have help at the end of a telephone line.

Sent by Louise Gore

This is the second time Katie has booked a holiday for us and once again we are thrilled with her professionalism, speed of service and honest/open advice. I have recommended Katie to my friends and family. Excellent time saver for anyone with a busy life AND excellent value compared to booking direct!

Sent by Ylenia Haase

I have never had a better service from any travel agent! She managed to get us on our way to our dream holiday against all odds last year. The service she offers is friendly, personal, efficient and professional. Nothing is too much trouble - she even writes out our baggage labels! We will be in touch soon about our next holiday...

Sent by Maggie Wayte

Katie offers an excellent service. This system is very good for me as Katie is avaliable outside normal hours. Great if like me you work long hours.... Thanks for all the bookings Maggie

Sent by Joan and John Packard

It is with the greatest of confidence that we recommend Katie Lomas to you. She is always bright and effecient, returning calls and answering questions by return whenever possible. She views her clients as individuals with individual needs and preferences. She has tailor made long haul journeys for us together with family and friends and also booked shorter holidays. Briefly, Katie is excellent.