Lucy Thurston

My expertise

South Africa
Vietnam
Adventure Travel
Private Tours
Multi-Generational Travel
River Cruise
Tailor-made travel
Sports travel

I'm based in

Cheltenham

Available for new enquiries

It's Nice To Meet You

Welcome....

Hi, I am Lucy and I live in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Having been in the travel industry for more than 30 years working for high street travel agencies, luxury tour operators and the last 10 years in the cruise industry, before i started my business with Travel Counsellors 14 years ago, travel is a real passion of mine.

The destinations I have travelled to are Barbados, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Majorca, Egypt, Canary Islands, Dubai, Mauritius, Cyprus, Canada, New York, Mexico, Morocco, cruised around the Caribbean, Baltic Capitals and Norway, Iceland, Finland, Doha, South-East Asia, Florida Keys to name but a few.

I can help with any travel enquiry. Whether it is a luxury break, family holiday, city break, cruise, sports or spa break or a tailor-made around the world, I can give you my personal advice and recommendations on all types of holidays across the globe. In addition, I specialise in tailormade itineraries in the Far East, South Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

As a company Travel Counsellors prides itself on its exceptional customer service. This is one of the main reasons that I joined them and working from home means I can provide the highest possible customer service to ensure that each and every travel arrangement meets as well as exceeds expectations. As I do work from home I’m available at a time and place to suit you. I offer appointments and home visits outside of usual office hours as I understand the heavy demands made on your time with the busy lives we lead. My job is to make planning your holiday as convenient and stress free as possible.

I treat each enquiry with the time and attention it deserves and I like to recommend hotels and resorts that I have stayed in myself, or ones that I have had great feedback from my clients. Overall you can ensure you’ll get personal reviews that you can trust.

Your money is 100% financially protected against supplier failure, by either our ATOL licence or the Travel Counsellors Trust giving you complete piece of mind when you book your holiday. It’s the best financial protection in the industry - no other company will protect your money like Travel Counsellors.
I very much look forward to hearing from you and becoming your personal Travel Counsellor

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Explore my guides and blogs

Dazzling Dubrovnik

Dazzling Dubrovnik

Everyone talked about how amazing Croatia was, so I thought I would go and find out for myself. I booked 3 nights departing from my local airport Bristol to Dubrovnik and stayed at Hotel More and I wasn't disappointed. Dubrovnik sits at the southernmost point of Croatia’s Adriatic coast - a stretch of seafront that’s famous for its crystal-clear waters. Firstly, the hotel was beautiful - bu

14 Jun 2018 3   min read

Tantalising Thailand

Tantalising Thailand

It has been over twenty years since I last visited Thailand so I jumped at the opportunity to visit again in April. I flew with Thai Airways from Heathrow direct to Bangkok to arrive the following day. From experience I know getting into Bangkok City can be horrrendous with all the traffic, so decided to take the BTS skyrail which leaves the airport and takes you to the city centre, which was r

31 Oct 2017 4   min read

Miami and the Florida Keys

Miami and the Florida Keys

Myself and a friend decided to visit the Florida Keys but of course a stay in the cosmopolitan lively city of Miami was a must first. Florida Keys offers a land based escape and linking these two wonderful destinations is one of the iconic road trips following US Highway 1 - a highlight of this dramatic drive is the spectacular seven mile bridge linking Islamorada to the lower keys. We stayed

14 Jun 2016 6   min read

Abama Golf & Spa Resort

Abama Golf & Spa Resort

I stayed five nights at the Abama Golf & Spa Resort which is a Ritz Carlton hotel in Guia De Isora (approximately 30 minutes from the South Airport). My partner Mark and I were welcomed with friendly staff at reception and a glass of champagne where we were told they had upgraded us to a Villa deluxe room. Our room was lovely and spacious and had access to one of the shared pools amongst the vi

10 Jun 2014 3   min read

Dubai Wedding

Dubai Wedding

Having flown with Virgin Atlantic we landed in Dubai and the heat hit us when we got off the plane – it was 37 degrees! However, it was September and had expected it to be quite warm as this is one of the hottest times of year for Dubai. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is located in the heart of the desert, just a 40-minute drive from the city of Dubai and only 45 minutes from Dubai Interna

14 Jun 2013 4   min read

Beautiful Barbados

Beautiful Barbados

Educational Trip with 6 colleagues flying British Airways We were met and driven to CORAL REEF HOTEL in St James Parish and WOW, myself and a colleague was given a 3 bedroom villa set amongst the gardens and a swimming pool which was shared by the other 2 villas next door. The hotel has 88 rooms, cottages and suites & is family owned. It is also part of the Small Luxury hotels of the World. Onc

18 Jun 2012 4   min read

What my customers say

Lucy provides friendly, fast and efficient communication. Takes all the stress out of booking

Sue Johnson

Gloucestershire

Travel Counsellor Lucy is very helpful , efficient , friendly and answers all questions thoroughly for out pending holiday and past trips. She is knowledgeable in all spheres of the travel and hotel world. Keep up the good work Lucy and team.

Suzanne Langley Sowter

Cheltenham

Swift to act and get things moving. Explained things clearly and what to expect over the coming months.

Grace Watkins

Gloucestershire

Very attentive and reassuring. Put up with all are changing of plans. Would thoroughly recommend Lucy’s advice and help to anyone wanting to book an holiday.

Fiona Moir

Gloucestershire

Lucy has taken all of the stress out of booking group friends’ holiday. She listened to all of our requests and delivered. I highly recommend getting Lucy’s help. All we need to do is travel to the destination and relax. Thank you Lucy x

Susan Pitcher

Cheltenham

A very professional agent and lovely to work with.

Stephen Cole

Cheltenham

Lucy always responds very quickly and booked another wonderful cruise for us, finding good flights. Great communication by email, phone and Whatsapp. We value the complete service we get from Travel Counsellors. We only need to think about enjoying our holiday, safe in TC hands.

Cathy Hipkiss

Cheltenham

Lucy was super helpful, knowledgeable and lovely with it. We really appreciated the quick responses and taking a late call on a saturday evening to we could book to secure our flights! Thank you so much and can't wait for our trip!

Victoria Heaven-Chinnick

Gloucestershire

Lucy was super helpful, knowledgeable and lovely with it. We really appreciated the quick responses and taking a late call on a saturday evening to we could book to secure our flights! Thank you so much and can't wait for our trip!

Victoria Heaven-Chinnick

Gloucestershire

Lucy listened carefully to what we said we wanted in our holiday booking and found exactly the right thing for us. She has excellent customer service skills and her professionalism and experience inspires great confidence. Thank you!

David Evans

Cheltenham

Lucy has been really helpful and very patient with all the questions I’ve asked. I’m really looking forward to our holiday! Thank you Lucy for all of your help, it’s much appreciated.

Taliah Badger

Cheltenham

Superb - the most efficient travel service I have ever used

Stephen Cole

Cheltenham

Lucy is always at the end of the phone to sort any queries. She never minds how many times we change our mind about arrangements and does her absolute best to give us the exact holiday we asked for. We have full confidence in Lucy.

Liz Robinson

Gloucestershire

Personal service and attention to detail at its best

Peter Walsh

CHELTENHAM

Super efficient friendly and reliable service! Lucy is great.

Dave Fisher

Cheltenham

Lucy is a truly expert travel adviser She invariably finds the right option for us and responds very quickly. Very satisfied with the service she offers.

Linda Edmonds

Cheltenham

Lucy was lovely to work with - very efficient and flexible. I am very happy to recommend her in future

Lesley Davies

Cheltenham

Super helpful, fast responses, took on board what we were asking!

Georgiana Adlkish

Cheltenham

Lucy is very efficient, provides bespoke holidays to fit requirements, and takes the time to alter things as necessary. I have used her services three times and would definitely recommend

Gill Forbes

Cheltenham

Fantastic service. Nothing was too much to sort. Speedy response and a holiday that is tailored to our needs. You couldn't ask for more. Highly recommended.

Sharon Marson

Gloucestershire

Lucy @ travelcounsellors have always given a first class service and I expect I’m one difficult customer but you always deliver. Thank you.

Andrew Nash

Gloucestershire

Lucy is fab, she listens to what you want and puts it together, with recommendations for enhancements and helps you to get the best out of your plans. I wouldn't book anywhere else.

Charlotte Morris

Cheltenham

Lucy is brilliant at anticipating my every need both pre and during the visit. An absolute star!

Rebecca Chaplin

Cheltenham

Approached Lucy because we wanted to go to Paris (short notice - and not travel savvy) We wanted car pick up / flight / and nice hotel (Paris central) Lucy sorted all of this (including boarding passes) - this gave us a great holiday and great memories. Lucy also took our calls when we had a few questions - great personal service

Paul Kerby

Cheltenham

Always so grateful for Lucy's help and guidance when booking our more adventurous holidays. We have had a great expereinces on the holidays Lucy has booked for us and would not have know to have tried the hotels recomended and booked by Lucy, which made our holiday. Looking forward to our next trip in March.

Georgina Phillips

Cheltenham

Lucy was recommended by a friend and she has provided a fantastic service so far and we feel looked after

Caryn Wright

Cheltenham

Listens to our needs, always answers our queries quickly. All round great service.

Liz Robinson

Dursely

Lucy is very patient and helpful at all times. We continue to use her always.

Paul Engelbrecht

Cheltenham

Lucy is excellent in every way as a travel consultant. She is responsive, attentive and thorough. Great working with her on our future travel.

Linda Edmonds

Derbyshire

Communication with Lucy was brilliant either by email or on the telephone She went out of her way to get us the flights and hotels that we wanted at the best price. We very much look forward to our holiday next year in Panama and Costa Rica thanks to Lucy’s careful planning.

Heather Eaton

Gloucestershire

Discover the world with me

Iceland Trip Feb 2022

Iceland Trip Feb 2022

Join me on an adventure for 3 nights in Iceland

16 Feb 2021

Devon Surf Weekend

Devon Surf Weekend

Who fancies a surf and yoga weekend? This unforgettable wellness break, hosted by a local guide on the spectacular North Devon Coast.

16 Feb 2021

Additional offers

More destinations to enjoy

Let's plan your dream trip together

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Tailor-made for you

Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.

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Personalised service. Always

When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.

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Stress-free travel, and more time
for what matters most

I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.

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Support when it matters most

If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.

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Start planning with me

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Let’s talk through your ideas, no pressure.

01242 809560

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Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.