Mel Stead
My expertise
I'm based in
West Yorkshire
Luxury Tailor-Made Travel Experiences, Designed Around You
✈️ Luxury Holidays • 🦁 Safaris • 🚢 Cruises • 💍 Weddings & Honeymoons • 🌿 Retreats • 🌍 Hosted Experiences
Hi, I'm Mel
I'm a Yorkshire lass who loves nothing more than helping people discover incredible places around the world. Whether it's your dream safari, a luxury cruise, a honeymoon, family adventure or simply a week in the sunshine, I'll take care of every detail so all you need to do is look forward to it.
I've been fortunate enough to travel extensively myself, and I love sharing those experiences to help my clients discover places they might never have considered. From Thailand and Africa to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, I'll help create a holiday that's completely personal to you.
My clients often tell me they love having someone who'll simply "sort it". That's exactly how I work. No call centres, no passing you from person to person—just honest advice, personal service and someone who's with you before, during and after your trip. And remember, I'm from Yorkshire so I'm always trying to find the best price for my clients!
Alongside tailor-made holidays, I also run hosted experiences, bringing people together to explore some of the world's most incredible destinations. I'm also an official travel partner for yoga instructors delivering retreats across the world.
So, if you're wondering where to go next, let's have a chat. I'd love to help you plan something unforgettable.
📞 07764 244813
📧 Mel.Stead@mytc.com
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Why Your Retreat Deserves More Than Just a Beautiful Venue
When most people start planning a wellness retreat, the first thing they search for is a beautiful venue. A yoga deck overlooking the sea, luxury accommodation, healthy food and a peaceful setting. Whilst those things are incredibly important, they're only one piece of the puzzle. The truth is, the success of a retreat isn't just about where you stay. It's about how every part of the experience c
18 Jul 2026 5 min read
Why Vietnam Is Rapidly Climbing the Travel Bucket List
For years, Thailand, Bali and Japan have dominated travellers' wish lists across Asia. But there's one destination that's quietly stealing the spotlight, and for good reason. Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing long-haul destinations for UK travellers, combining breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, world-class cuisine and exceptional value for money. Whether you're seeking adventu
16 Jul 2026 5 min read
I Spent a Week on Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship – Here's What I Honestly Thought
As a travel consultant, I'm lucky enough to experience some truly incredible destinations around the world. But every now and then, something genuinely surprises me. Recently, I was invited onboard Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas before she welcomes her first guests, giving me the opportunity to explore every corner of what is now the world's newest and largest cruise ship. I'll admit, I ar
06 Jul 2026 5 min read
Thailand: My 12-Day Luxury Journey Through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Elephant Hills, Khao Lak & Koh Samui
There are some destinations that exceed every expectation, and for me, Thailand was one of them. I'd visited Thailand with an open mind, but I came home completely inspired. Over 12 incredible days, I experienced bustling cities, peaceful temples, luxury hotels, ethical elephant encounters, floating lake camps, incredible food and some of the warmest hospitality I've ever received. More importan
06 Jul 2026 5 min read
7 Destinations Luxury Travellers Are Booking for 2026
For many travellers, planning the next big trip has become as much about meaningful experiences and exceptional service as it is about the destination itself. Luxury travellers are increasingly looking for destinations that offer something special — whether that’s unique culture, breathtaking scenery or simply the space to truly relax. Based on current travel trends, client enquiries and my own e
16 Mar 2026 5 min read
✨ What the 50+ Luxury Traveller Really Wants in 2026
If you’re over 50, love to travel and expect a certain level of comfort, style and personal service — you’re not alone. The UK’s 50+ luxury travel market is thriving in 2026, and the trends are clear: this is the generation leading the way in premium, experience-rich holidays. Having worked with clients who’ve spent years building businesses, leading demanding careers or stepping into a well-earn
17 Feb 2026 5 min read
Japan: Why This Is The Time To Go
There are some journeys that feel right for a particular season of life. Japan is one of them.
06 Feb 2026 5 min read
Sailing Croatia - One of my all time favourite trips
Sailing around Croatia in 2023 is still one of those trips I think about all the time – and it is exactly the kind of holiday I love designing for my clients I spent a week on a small luxury yacht, tracing the Dalmatian coast and waking up somewhere beautiful every single day. Because it was a small boat, we were able to slip into tiny bays the big cruise ships simply cannot reach, anchor up in c
06 Feb 2026 5 min read
Why a small yacht, not a big cruise ship?
Sailing Croatia: My Small Yacht Adventure & Why It Is The Perfect Way To See The Dalmatian Coast In 2023 I sailed around the coast of Croatia on a small luxury yacht, and it was, quite simply, spectacular. It is one of those trips that has really stayed with me, and it has completely shaped the way I now recommend Croatia to my clients. If you imagine “cruising” as big ships, crowds and fleeting
01 Feb 2026 5 min read
Are You Living to Work, or Working to Live?
As professionals, it’s easy to let our careers define us—our routines, our rhythms, even our identities. But in the midst of urgent deadlines and ambitious goals, it’s worth asking: are we living to work, or working to live?
13 Jan 2026 5 min read
How Working With Me Feels: From First Chat to Cloud Nine
🌏 Dreaming of your next escape, but want to know exactly how it works when you reach out to an independent travel expert? Here’s how I make every journey personal, effortless, and perfectly tailored for you.
08 Jan 2026 5 min read
Discover Stella Island, Crete: The Maldives of the Med
If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to shimmering turquoise waters right outside your room, drifting from daybeds to cuisine that delights all the senses, let me introduce you to one of my absolute favourite escapes: Stella Island in Crete.
04 Jan 2026 5 min read
Tee Time in Paradise: My Insider Guide to the Golf Courses of Vilamoura
As a self-confessed golf enthusiast and regular visitor to Portugal’s stunning Vilamoura region, I’m often asked, "Is it really as good as everyone says?" The answer: it’s even better. There’s something truly special about the way the sun rises over well-manicured fairways, the hum of excitement on the first tee, and (of course) the post-round stories over fantastic food at the marina. Having play
09 Dec 2025 5 min read
Why Your Perfect Golf Holiday Is Just a Conversation Away
If you’d told me four years ago that my idea of “holiday happiness” would involve an early tee time, a buggy buzzing beneath the sunshine, and an ice-cold drink at the 19th hole… I might have laughed! But here I am: a passionate (if not always perfect!) golfer, ever on the lookout for the world’s best fairways—a woman who also adores great hotels, heavenly spas, and downright delicious dinners. I
08 Dec 2025 5 min read
Reviews
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My favourite offers
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Videos
Discover the world with me
What a Hole!
My favourite hole in the UK. Halifax Golf Club 17th Hole. From the summit of the elevated tee to the green below is a huge drop, an elevation gain of 62 feet!
10 Feb 2025
Massimo Cocktail Bar - Korcula, Croatia
Perched atop a 15th-century tower, this tiny bar delivers drinks via a pulley system from below, hoisting them up the side of the building.
01 Aug 2023
Additional offers
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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.
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