Matt Hills
I'm based in
Kendal
It's Nice To Meet You
Hello, how can I help you with your travel arrangements? With many years of travel industry experience, and access to a huge range of exciting products, I’m sure I can find you the perfect holiday.
No two holidays are the same. My goal is to find, or create, the perfect experience for you - be it a new country, a special occasion, or simply a long-standing favourite destination. I will take the time to make it seamless, memorable and stress-free, with that all-important personal touch. Getting to know you, and your individual needs, means I can tailor-make your holiday precisely to fit your budget and time-frame, and exceed all your expectations. After all, I’d love you to book with me again next year!
Travel has been a passion for me all my life. I’ve been lucky enough to visit around 65 countries, from the wild and adventurous to the exotic and relaxing, across six continents. My personal experience can help us plan your trip in detail, to make sure you get the most out of it. I’ve skied in much of Europe and North America, back-packed around Asia, relaxed in the luxurious islands of the Indian Ocean, and driven a camper-van around beautiful New Zealand (to name a few of the highlights)! Where will your next adventure be?
I’m a home-based Travel Counsellor, so I’ll always be available to take your call. If the evenings or weekends are more convenient for you, that’s fine too. It’s exactly like having your own personal travel expert! And for your peace of mind, everything booked through Travel Counsellors is 100% financially protected.
I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Exploring Madagascar!
Have you seen the movie?? Well, it’s nothing like that… It’s pretty different from the rest of Africa too, it split off from the mainland around 160m years ago, and never looked back! I travelled in August, part of a small group tour with G Adventures – a leading light of the adventure touring market, with a real focus on responsible tourism and making a positive impact on local communities. Ther
28 Nov 2024 5 min read
A grand way to see Italy!
There’s more than one way to make a pizza, as an Italian chef once said (*probably). Likewise, there’s more than one way to discover a country… Many of you (as am I) will be big fans of the city break – a long weekend cramming in a few highlights, but heading home disappointingly soon. But suppose you want more – a longer trip giving you time to get under the skin of a country, more destinations,
02 Jul 2023 5 min read
Andermatt – a Swiss gem, small but perfectly formed
Andermatt is a relatively unknown Swiss resort, just a ninety-minute scenic drive from Zurich. Recently it’s received a fair bit of investment, in the accommodation as well as the ski infrastructure, and it’s turning into a fabulous destination for a long weekend, or even a relaxed week of skiing, chilling out, eating and pampering. So, that’s the big attraction? Firstly, ease of access. Regular
01 Apr 2019 5 min read
Around the World in 440 Days - Part 3 - South East Asia
In the summer of 2007, with thirteen years at Trailfinders under my belt, I decided it was time to move on and explore new opportunities. Rather than find another job immediately, I followed the slightly less sensible but vastly more appealing idea of going travelling. I hadn’t done the traditional ‘gap year’ thing, so while I’d had plenty of exotic holidays over the past 13 years, I hadn’t been a
24 Feb 2018 5 min read
Around the World in 440 Days Part 2 - India and Sri Lanka
In the summer of 2007, with thirteen years at Trailfinders under my belt, I decided it was time to move on and explore new opportunities. Rather than find another job immediately, I followed the slightly less sensible but vastly more appealing idea of going travelling. I hadn’t done the traditional ‘gap year’ thing, so while I’d had plenty of exotic holidays over the past 13 years, I hadn’t been a
22 Feb 2018 5 min read
Around the World in 440 Days Part 1 - Africa
In the summer of 2007, with thirteen years at Trailfinders under my belt, I decided it was time to move on and explore new opportunities. Rather than find another job immediately, I followed the slightly less sensible but vastly more appealing idea of going travelling. I hadn’t done the traditional ‘gap year’ thing, so while I’d had plenty of exotic holidays over the past 13 years, I hadn’t been a
21 Feb 2018 5 min read
F1 Weekend in Abu Dhabi
I’ve always kept an eye on Formula 1, without claiming to be a die-hard fan. A whole race? Maybe not. Highlights? Yes please. But I have a friend who lives in Abu Dhabi, home of the final F1 race of the season, which was developing into an epic battle between the Mercedes of Messrs Hamilton and Rosberg. So it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss – a bit of winter sun (the race is in Novembe
11 Jan 2017 5 min read
South Island, New Zealand - Unmissable!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit a huge number of places during my 16 years working in travel, but New Zealand holds a special place in my heart. If it were closer (say, where France is?!), I’d live there… So what’s the attraction? Firstly, the people. So friendly, so welcoming, and such a relaxed, laid-back attitude to life. Away from the major cities, the pace of life is pretty chilled, people
10 Jan 2017 5 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Additional offers
More destinations to enjoy
Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
Get in touch