Michael Croft
I'm based in
Leeds
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It's Nice To Meet You
Hi I'm Michael, thanks for reading my webpage.
I am a travel expert based in Leeds with 37 years’ experience and I offer a bespoke service tailored to my clients' individual requirements. I arrange group, leisure and corporate travel to all parts of the world.
My areas of speciality include travel to Europe, Southern Africa (especially amazing South Africa where I can offer a range of unique, sustainably focussed experiences that no one else in the UK travel trade offers), and also the Caribbean, United States & Asia.
I am committed to playing my part in seeing that travel becomes more sustainable. Tourism is a key driver of many countries' economies, and we need to ensure that the benefits of it are shared fairly. In partnership with UK charity The Travel Foundation, I have undertaken training on sustainable travel practices, and conducted research into this subject in order to develop a range of tourist experiences in South Africa. These are focussed on ensuring there is the maximum possible economic benefit in the destination, and that this is shared as widely as possible. I am also recognised as a South Africa Specialist by South Africa Tourism in London.
If you're looking for something a bit more personal and bespoke than what the high street chains and internet offer, and if you like the idea of having a professional look after your travel arrangements, saving you time, hassle and money. please give me a call for a chat - or send a message from the link on my webpage.
Best wishes
Michael
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Jo'burg & Soweto - essential reading
I've been to Johannesburg five times in the last few years and cannot recommend the place highly enough. Very often the reality of a destination is different from the perception, and this is certainly true in this vibrant, interesting and welcoming city. From whatever perspective you'd like to view it from; cultural, historical, music & theatre, shop till you drop, party till you drop, football, c
07 Sept 2015 5 min read
Leeds Rhinos' Florida trip!
I'm proud to count Leeds Rhinos amongst my clients. Next January the team will be in Jacksonville, Florida for their winter training camp and you could join them on this specially created trip. Departing on Tuesday 12th January for seven nights & returning on Tuesday 19th January. You will spend 3 nights in Orlando at Sheraton Vistana or the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, followed by 4 nights at th
24 Jul 2015 3 min read
Azamara Club Cruises: France & Italy
In mid-October 2013 I went on a fantastic cruise on Azamara Club Cruises with a group of friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend Azamara to anyone looking for a high quality cruising experience, without any of the stuffiness that's sometimes associated with the more old-fashioned cruise lines. Azamara Quest is a small ship accommodating just under 700 guests, and with 400
18 Nov 2013 3 min read
Beautiful Botswana
After crossing the Zambezi River from Zambia and joining the Chobe River, we reached the land-locked country of Botswana. Bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia, and Angola to the west and Zimbabwe and Zambia to the north, it is a land of stark visual contrasts with a whole host of wildlife spotting opportunities and populated by wonderfully friendly people. We spent two magical nights
26 Jul 2013 3 min read
Pilansberg National Park
For many years I had been under the impression that visiting the Game Reserves anywhere north of the Cape in South Africa would necessitate taking anti-malaria tablets for young children. How wrong I was! The Pilansberg Game Reserve is just two and a half hours' drive north from Johannesburg; it is in a malaria free zone and makes a brilliant introduction to safaris. The first lodge we visited
18 Feb 2013 3 min read
Namibian Cultural Tour
I recently visited the enchanting country of Namibia with a small group of industry colleagues, invited by the Namibia Tourist Board. We travelled to the north and west regions, from the capital Windhoek and spent time visiting the Hei//Omm, San and Himba tribes and learning about their rich and diverse cultures. Since returning I can say with confidence that you would not be disappointed if you t
22 Nov 2012 3 min read
A true Wonder of the World
Over the years I have been incredibly lucky to visit some amazing places, meet wonderful people and experience things that you just don't get in Leeds! One spectacle that will stay in my memory forever is the sight of the Victoria Falls near Livingstone in Zambia. Spectacular, majestic, awe-inspiring: superlatives that can't do justice to what you see before you. We spent two nights at the
28 May 2012 3 min read
Do not miss Johannesburg!!
If you have never been to Johannesburg and have negative preconceptions please forget them, head to the right parts of the city and you'll find it as alive and enriching as any of the world's best cities. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you were to avoid Jo'burg over safety concerns, it really is the heart and soul of the country and I would advise everyone who can spare the time to try an
09 May 2012 3 min read
California Dreamin'
I count myself lucky to have two great friends living in California. Helen, my former work colleague, upped sticks and moved out to the West Coast of the US over ten years ago. Now living in the beautiful beachfront district of Santa Monica nr Los Angeles, I've visited this area many times and it has a real attraction for me. It's one of the places where I feel most relaxed and at home. One of
08 Jun 2009 3 min read
Enchanting Ethiopia
Without doubt Ethiopia was one of my most memorable travel experiences. The trip was a spur of the moment decision really; after watching a television programme about the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa, the capital city, I thought "I wanna do that!". So after very little persuasion my friend Gill agreed to join me and we embarked on our African adventure. We went to Addis to take part in the e
12 Jun 2008 3 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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