May Swan-Easton
My expertise
I'm based in
Hornchurch
It's Nice To Meet You
Welcome, I’m May: your dedicated personal Travel Counsellor and single point of contact for every aspect of your journey. I am here to remove the stress, worry and guesswork from planning your travels, so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.
I specialise in bespoke, tailormade itineraries, honeymoons, weddings abroad, group travel and luxury holidays, as well as discreet, efficient arrangements for corporate travellers in small to medium-sized businesses. Every trip I design is created around you, your tastes and your priorities.
With over 40 years’ experience in the travel industry and extensive first-hand knowledge of the resorts and destinations I recommend, I believe the best advice comes from personal experience. If you are looking for inspiration on where to spend your next special occasion or once-in-a-lifetime trip, explore My Travel Diaries for insider tips and guides, all based on places I have personally visited.
When you book with me through Travel Counsellors, you enjoy complete peace of mind. Alongside ATOL protection, our unique independent Financial Trust protects every element of your booking, from flights and accommodation to car hire. Even in the unlikely event of an operator failure, your money is fully protected.
Whether you are planning a chic city escape, an indulgent long-haul retreat or another memorable tick off your bucket list, I take the time to understand what truly matters to you, then craft a travel experience that exceeds your expectations.
Click on Testimonials above to hear how I’ve helped many other delighted customers on their journey.
I would say that selling dreams must be the best job in the world!
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Wellness & Wildlife in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, the teardrop-shaped island nestled in the Indian Ocean, offers travellers an unforgettable blend of rich culture, lush landscapes, and serene coastlines. From tranquil rural villages to historic colonial towns and misty highlands, Sri Lanka is a mosaic of vibrant experiences waiting to be explored. My visit in March 2025 focused on exploring Sri Lanka’s Wellness Retreats and Wildlife e
06 Jun 2025 5 min read
Destination Podcasts - Travels with May
I’m launching a travel show, available to download as a podcast, and I’d like you to be the first to hear it! Follow the link in the comments below, choose your podcast platform and MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ‘FOLLOW’ because one follower will win a very cool prize on launch day. I’ll have more details soon but get following right now! In comments: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1750890
02 Jun 2021 5 min read
High Five with a Donkey!
You can fly, drive or take the train to Disneyland Paris. We decided to take the train (as our 2yr old grandson loves buses & trains) so arrived directly in the park & took advantage of the baggage transfer so on arrival we could hit the ground running and enjoy the parks straight away. Our luggage was taken from the train to the hotel directly & we just collected on arrival when we checked in lat
02 Apr 2021 5 min read
Walking Amongst Giants
Who knew we had the Garden of Eden right here in our own backyard just 90 minutes by train from London? In the very heart of Southern England, you’ll find an ancient forest, an oasis cradled in the middle of Hampshire which measures approx. 566 sq. metres. From Lush green meadows to deep open woods and heathland – the New Forest has been shaped by man & animal since the end of the ice age 11,00
31 Mar 2021 5 min read
Top 10 Reasons to Get Married Abroad
Bridebook.co.uk 2019 wedding report revealed that the average spend on UK wedding is £14,674.00, so it's no wonder that savvy couples are looking to get married abroad in order to have that 'wedding of their dreams'. Consider the reasoning behind this idea:- 1. The Destination The pull of exotic backdrops is too enticing for Brits to resist, making this the number one reason for sunshine wedding
02 Jul 2019 5 min read
The spice of life...
An intimate, unspoiled paradise just 21 miles long and 12 miles wide, Grenada is one of the most alluring destinations in the world. Known as the ‘Spice Island’, this Caribbean gem is truly exotic, with fragrant crops of nutmeg, cacao, cinnamon and ginger plantations, a lush landscape, soft volcanic sand beaches, well preserved reefs and vibrant island culture. For those seeking a destination tha
02 Jul 2019 5 min read
OMG what an amazing destination!
Cemented as the most popular Central American country for Brits, it’s easy to see the appeal of eco-haven Costa Rica. This tiny nation is devoted to ‘Pura Vida’ (best translated as ‘full of life’ – you can even get the T-shirt). English is widely spoken, US dollars are commonly accepted, and the country feels safe and welcoming – in 1948 Costa Rica disbanded its army and put the money into educati
25 Sept 2018 5 min read
And the kids came too.....
Whilst in Jamaica visiting the Sandals resorts I also visited the Beaches Resorts in Negril & Ocho Rios. Beaches Resorts offer most of the same luxuries as Sandals Resorts but are family-friendly with many extras for the kids and family accommodation that sleeps up to 12. The have an exclusive partnership with Sesame Street so you can arrange character breakfasts and bedtime stories with one of
25 Sept 2018 5 min read
For Adults-Only
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the charming Caribbean island of Jamaica with Sandals & Beaches Resorts. I was able to explore the resorts, as well as several sumptuous rooms and suites, sample diverse cuisine in gourmet restaurants and even manage to have one (or two) of their exotic cocktails! You have a choice of two airports to fly into, Kingston or Montego Bay from the UK and with
25 Sept 2018 5 min read
ENDLESS MIAMI HEN WEEKEND
When my niece Lisa announced, she was getting married in July and wanted her hen party to be in Miami in June and asked her best friend and I to organise it all for her – I nearly fainted with excitement! There were 4 of us in the party (she had an afternoon tea as well for everyone else at a swanky London hotel later in June); My niece Lisa, her best friend and I all travelled from UK and my
12 Apr 2017 5 min read
THE MANY FACES OF CAMBODIA
If you’ve been to Thailand and think you’ve ‘done’ Asia – think again, because until you’ve visited Cambodia you really haven’t experienced Asia at all! Over the decades, the Cambodians have experienced poverty and political instability through the genocide of Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge but modern Cambodia is a delightful country with plenty to offer tourists. This is due in no small part to th
10 Apr 2017 5 min read
Our ‘Familymoon’ Med Cruise
We joined my niece, her new husband and their children on a ‘Familymoon’ aboard the brand new Carnival Vista. Which measures 1055 ft. in length and has the capacity to carry 3,956 passengers. After flying with Easyjet from Gatwick to Barcelona, we spent the night before the cruise at the 5* Eurostars Marina Hotel in Barcelona in order to meet up with the rest of the party. Carnival Vista
19 Feb 2017 5 min read
Whoa we're going to Barbados...
We wanted somewhere hot & tropical to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary & chose the lovely island of Barbados for an 8 night trip. We flew Business class return on a nonstop flight with British Airways which took approximately 9hrs flying time. Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation. It’s a relatively small island at only 166 sq. miles.
30 Jan 2017 5 min read
Malta's little sister - Gozo
The ferry between Malta & Gozo takes just 30 minutes and runs at regular intervals throughout the day. Costing just €5 per person it’s really easy to do a twin centre. The name Gozo means “Joy” and the charm is apparent from the moment you arrive. It’s greener, more rural and smaller than Malta and prettier too. Life on Gozo moves at a leisurely pace. The rhythms dictated by the seasons, fi
29 Jan 2017 5 min read
Malta - Surprise of the Mediterranean
I travelled to Malta with 9 other TC colleagues after being invited to visit Malta & Gozo courtesy of Malta Tourism UK. We flew from Gatwick directly to Malta with Easyjet with a flying time of 3hrs 15mins. There are also regional departures of other UK airports such as Luton, Heathrow, Manchester, Bristol & Birmingham. Malta's climate is typical of the Mediterranean and is strongly influenced
29 Jan 2017 5 min read
Salzburg 70th Birthday Celebration by Private Jet
I flew by private jet from Farnborough to Salzburg with 29 of the group which took 2hrs 30mins. The Executive terminal was opened in 2006 but still looks space age and brand new. There are 3 private lounges plus a VIP lounge upstairs where we were hosted. I organised head rests, napkins & baggage tags for the journey to highlight the theme of the trip. On board there was an open bar & a light cold
29 Jan 2017 5 min read
SAWADEE KA SAMUI
We flew directly from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok airlines in just over an hour. Koh Samui is Thailand’s second most popular island destination and located in the Gulf of Thailand roughly 700 km. south of Bangkok. Samui is the third largest island in Thailand and the largest in an archipelago of more than 80 islands that includes the Ang Thong National Marine Park, which is a day trip f
23 Jan 2014 5 min read
Bustling Bangkok
We flew from Heathrow to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur on Christmas day aboard the new A380 with Malaysian Airlines but there are non-stop services also available. There’s 2 airports in Bangkok; Suvarnabhumi for international flights and Don Muang for domestic flights, 40-50mins away by taxi. The weather in Thailand is generally marked by three seasons, rainy season (Jul-Oct), hot season (Mar-Jun),
22 Jan 2014 5 min read
Fabulous Fiji
We flew from Heathrow via Los Angeles with Air New Zealand and Air Pacific who in June will be re-branding to ‘Fiji Airways’. You can also get there via Hong Kong/South Korea and it’s only 3-4 hours from New Zealand and Australia, so a perfect stop over point. Fiji enjoys a mild tropical climate averaging 31c (88F) during the summer months of November to April and 29c (84f) during the winter mo
03 Jun 2013 5 min read
Memories made in Mauritius
Journey: Non-stop British Airways from Gatwick with a 12 hour flying time. Other airlines also offer the route on a non-stop & indirect basis. Weather: Mauritius has 2 seasons; Summer from Oct-April (their cyclone season is in during the month of February) with & Winter May-Sep. Mauritius enjoys an average year round temperature of 32 degrees. My accommodation: 5* Long Beach Hotel on
08 Jul 2012 5 min read
Mysterious Marrakech
Destination: Marrakech, Morocco – May 2011 Journey: Flying time approx. 3hrs 25 minutes flight, based on a non-stop service from UK. Transfer time from airport to city centre approximately 20mins Weather: Temperatures can reach high 30s in the summer months & much cooler in the winter months of Dec-Feb with approx temps of around 19c. May and September are the best times to visit. Althoug
08 Jul 2012 5 min read
Weekend in Dubrovnik
Journey: Dubrovnik is an up and coming destination becoming rapidly popular for weekend breaks as it’s reachable in only 2hrs 40 minutes, based on a non-stop service. A number of cruise companies also include a scheduled stop in their itineraries. Weather: Temperatures can reach mid 30s in the summer months & slightly cooler April to June and September to November, which I think are best for s
23 Mar 2011 5 min read
New York - New York
This was a 21st birthday celebration for my stepson Chris and his girlfriend Rachel, along with my husband for 4 nights, staying at the 4* Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Manhattan. An all-suite hotel with separate bedroom and living room area and offers complimentary daily breakfast and nightly Managers cocktail reception. We flew into JFK airport with a taxi transfer time of 50 minutes Ch
17 Aug 2009 5 min read
Bruges - The Medieval Capital of Europe
My birthday weekend treat started the minute I stepped aboard the Eurostar train at St Pancras station. I was very impressed with the ease and speed of check-in which can be done up to 30 minutes before departure. Before I knew it, I was sitting in my very comfortable seat being offered a choice of hot or cold breakfast with tea / coffee. There are 3 classes to choose from: Standard, Leisure Selec
14 Aug 2009 5 min read
Amazing Cuba
This trip was a 60th birthday present for our friend Bob. We flew from Gatwick on the non stop service with Virgin Atlantic to Havana, with a flying time of 9hrs 40mins. This is one of my favourite destinations in the Caribbean as it’s still relatively unspoilt. Step back in time as you disembark the plane at Havana and walk through the arrivals Hall, the smell of aromatic cigar smoke assaults
14 Aug 2009 5 min read
Memphis, Las Vegas, Miami & Caribbean Cruise
This was a surprise 50th birthday holiday for my husband Mick. We flew with British Airways from the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport to Memphis via Dallas and spent 2 nights at the historical 5* Peabody Hotel. After breakfast I took a taxi to Gracelands for the ‘Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tour’, an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion and grounds, Elvis' two custom airplanes, Automo
13 Aug 2009 5 min read
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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.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
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