Mike Morton - Travel Counsellors

It's Nice To Meet You

If you are looking to travel, whether for leisure or business, and would appreciate a bespoke, personal service to satisfy your wanderlust, give me a call or send me an email.

My name is Mike Morton and I am a Travel Counsellor living near Cockermouth, in the Lake District. I grew up in Cumbria but left to find work in London. After an absence of many years I am delighted to be back where I belong, working from home between the lakes and the fells.

I have more than 25 years’ experience in the travel industry and am fortunate to have travelled extensively throughout Western and Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, and North and South America. I have specific expertise in long-haul travel and in much of Central and Eastern Europe, in particular Romania for which I am a specialist. If you are looking for adventure or somewhere different for a holiday check out my travel diaries for a few ideas. I work from an office at home so I can be available at times suitable for you, rather than those dictated by the high street.

I am proud to be part of Travel Counsellors which in my opinion, is the most exciting travel agency in the UK. Our award winning technology means I have access to scheduled, charter and low-cost flights, and hundreds of the best suppliers and hotels worldwide, at my fingertips. I am also part of a fantastic network of like-minded individuals, dedicated to providing you with the highest levels of customer service.

So if you are looking for that romantic Valentines Break in New York, or want to soak up the sun on a desert island, to shop until you drop in the boutiques of Paris, the malls of Singapore or the dazzling souks of Marrakech, ride the Old Patagonian Express, spend Halloween in Transylvania, encounter Whales, or Penguins, or Komodo Dragons, or if you just want get away from it with a weekend in the Lake District, look no further. Nothing is too much trouble, so please get in touch.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Contact Me

Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so please either fill in and send the form below or simply give me a call and I can get things started for you:-

My customer stories

Our visit to Gujarat was more than wonderful. Our guide, Vimal Shukla, was knowledgeable and attentive and had taken on board our preferences. He spoke excellent English and was unstinting. We could pretty much leave plans for each day to him and there was much that wasn’t in the schedule. The driver, Push, was excellent too. Not an easy job driving in India but we never felt ill at ease. The car was comfortable and he kept it immaculate. Highlights were the glorious step wells, the street markets, and the building of the trade dhows at Mandvi. All the hotels were good except for the House of MG. It is a beautiful house and comfortable but we found the senior and waiting staff off hand. We hope it was just that it was Christmas Day and a Sunday and they were stressed. The Devpura homestay was fun – they also run a school. So, altogether a cracker, thank you.

Cordoba was full of interest. The Mezquita (Christian cathedral built on site of Muslim mosque) was the most wonderful building I have been in. We found a modest restaurant behind a shop and as we eat our meal there was Flamenco dancing from three young people in their twenties. It was stunning. Breathtaking. Malaga had much of interest without going to the beach areas. A splendid promenade, yachts moored, good restaurants. There is also a Roman amphitheatre. Hellish busy place though. We would particularly applaud the staff in the Malaga hotel for their friendliness and command of English. We did not breakfast in the hotel preferring to seek out places where the locals went. The weather throughout was warm and sunny. We had a most enjoyable week. Thank you very much.

Knows our preferences snd is very proactive on suggesting great places to stay and things to do. Service is really personalized!

We thoroughly enjoyed it, loved the drive through the Atlas mountains – saw so many sides of Morocco. Everything went very well – no hiccups or problems, drivers all arrived on time. All the hotels were of a high standard and each was very different but wonderful in its own way. The only exception was the Taddard in Meldit but it was understandable that we had to have a break in the journey at that point. The stand out place for hospitality was the Ourika Garden Hotel but i think you already know that - The manager and staff could not have been more helpful.

We have used Mike's services for our forthcoming trip to Morocco because we were very impressed with the arrangements he made for us on a previous trip to Romania - very welll organised to suit us individually..

Excellent interaction on a compound booking.

Mike is a gem: helpful, knowledgeable, kind and works within a budget. Priceless.

Fantastic! Helpful and knowledgeable advice and suggestions. Mike really knows his stuff and is 100% efficient getting us best deals. Excellent guides and drivers. He made a memorable trip for us. Nothing was too much trouble. Will always use him for travel now.

Mike, you were prompt, thorough, knowledgeable and very considerate! We look forward to traveling with you in the future, thanks very much.

Great service, friendly with all questions answered to my full satisfaction. Also was offered a great deal on my holiday arrangements. Well done Mike and thanks again for a job well done.

We have been hugely impressed by the service provided and the personal interest taken in our needs for a tailor-made holiday.

I have been very happy with Mike and his arrangements for holidays especially when it is at very short notice. I have recommended him to others and was very happy to do so.

Just to let you know I had a fabulous time with George Lurca! It all worked really well and George was lovely. We zoomed around in his car, stopping to take photographs etc, and he taught me a lot about Romania. His house was very comfy and I slept incredibly well (unusual for me), and his wife cooked the most delicious food. I was very spoiled and I had a truly lovely time. Thank you very much for recommending George. It was all a great success and I really enjoyed my time in Botiza. Now I have to think about what I can do next year! There is still masses to see in Romania - I will be in touch again.

We have just arrived back from our second Transylvania trip which was better than the first. The only thing that was a little iffy was when the gypsy lady tried to convert us to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Didn’t see that one coming! True to form, we bumped into a load of people from the a village about 3 miles from home at Count Kalnoky’s pad. So... what are you going to suggest to us for next year? (Yes, we are hooked!) Thanks for all your recommendations and arrangements, they all went like clockwork.

I have been deputed to write to you to thank you for the holiday you organised for us. We loved the variety of region, places to stay, activity and people. George was ‘different’ (we’re quite sure you have had comments about him in the past!); all of the Trust people were delightful and informative. We learned absolutely loads about the history and culture – mind-blowing really. We’re glad we saw it before it changes too much. Budapest was also great. We could go back there for a week and still be fully occupied. Weather not brilliant but bearable. In any case, we couldn’t have done it without you. So thanks again.

Just a few lines to thank you for arranging our trip. Both Michael and I thoroughly enjoyed Romania. Everything went well, the guides were very knowledgeable and good company. Once again Mike many thanks

Just a note to say thank you for organising such a great holiday for Robin and myself. All the arrangements went extremely smoothly. Robin, who hates trains, even said our 6 hours back to Cluj was OK! Really great experience, people very friendly, food great, guides brilliant, everything on time, really beautiful countryside, visited lots of amazing places, totally blown away. Only down side - potholes and night time barking dogs. Rather confused about Romania's future, so much to offer, yet so many hurdles to overcome. Will definitely recommend it.Thank you.

I would give Mike ten out of ten! Everything he organised went like clockwork and the itinerary was perfect for us. Despite a lot of rain we loved every minute and amazingly the two days it most mattered we had beautiful warm sun. Very best wishes and thanks galore!

We got back yesterday. Thank you for organising such a great trip for us. All the connections and transfers went according to plan; the accommodation was perfect and the guides excellent. Altogether a fun and stimulating holiday.

I'd never heard of Travel Counsellors until I was planning a trip to Romania and contacted a number of organisations looking for recommendations of a travel company to use. Mike was recommended to me as an expert on travelling in Romania. Mike lived up to his reputation and organised a truly memorable trip, he worked with me through every stage of the planning making sure we could see and do as much as possible whilst still having time to relax and not spending too much time simply travelling between destinations. He took on board our interests and our ‘must see’ items and came up with a fantastic itinerary incorporating a number of ‘one-off’ experiences that were his own suggestions including staying on the Prince of Wales’ estate and staying with a real life Transylvanian count.

Our trip was just the most enormous success and I thank you all for your part in it. It is very hard to believe that just this time yesterday we were at the Church of the Bread in Delani, surrounded by all those kind local people. Sorin was the most wonderful guide, deeply well informed which he delivered to us in such an interesting and accessible fashion. He was always thinking of how best to achieve all the things we wanted to do, and his mind racing in how to do it in the time available, and he achieved it! Our journey home was smooth and thanks to Tyrolean we even caught our connection.

Mike provides an excellent service. Nothing is too much trouble and he is always prepared to go the extra mile to make every holiday 'the holiday of a lifetime'. He has the willingness and expertise to make this happen.

A very big Thank You for arranging the trip. Every one met and greeted us on time and nothing was too much trouble for them. Di -as you said was a wonderful cook and manager I am sure that the scales will tell a lie the next time I step on them. Both of them were complete hosts nothing was too much trouble, the trips that they arranged were so well organised that we feel that we are the privileged ones.

Let me say a big, “THANK YOU!!” for the wonderful trip to Romania. We truly couldn’t have done it without you! If Chuck and I had a question about something, we’d say, “Well, let’s see what Mike has written down for us.” We were never disappointed. Your guides on the ground, Sorin and George, were true gems. They were extremely knowledgeable, and George knew of some local traditions, such as the Monday market, which we would have never experienced otherwise and definitely a highlight of our trip! While we were in America and you in Europe, our communications went without a hitch! I must admit I had a few qualms about that at first, but even after our first conversation, I knew that we were in good hands.

Just a quick note to say thank you for such a wonderful holiday in Transylvania. We adored the country and its people and were very impressed with the service you offered. Everything was attended to and special mention must go to all our guides and transfer drivers who were most helpful and friendly. Please pass my thanks on to Jez and Di who, in particular, were most welcoming and looked after us very well. Again, thanks for your help. The holiday was everything we wished for and more and I cannot recommend your services enough.

Slovakia was wonderful, thanks! Gorgeous hot sunny weather every day (except for our 'Orava' day - the castle from Nosferatu - so an overcast sky was more atmospheric! And the rain later only stopped us from visiting one other ruined castle). Everything went like clockwork - the places visited at the right time, with enough time to appreciate it all. Even when we turned up at a castle or monastery and it appeared closed, or we couldn't get in as a group, our lovely guide sorted it out, and we gained access! Full praise to the local guides - Marcela, who was with us all week - and the Vienna guide, Uta, who took us round for the morning. Thanks, Cecilia, for last minute arrangements - pick-ups/transfers, etc. all arranged perfectly! (And the Cox & Kings addition to our itinerary of the small Carpathian wine route with wine-tasting was absolutely splendid!) A brilliant trip!

Just arrived back today after a fascinating trip. All the logistics were spot on and we both really enjoyed the diversity and adventure that Romania offers. Thanks for everything you did to make the trip run like clockwork.

I just got back from Bucharest yesterday evening. I wanted to write immediately and thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip. It's amazing how few western tourists there were, even at the monasteries; I can't imagine how Romania has kept its secrets for so long. Everything went like clockwork. The guides were wonderful; I actually took an extra day's excursion with Mr Lurca in Maramures. Both were extremely tolerant of my idiotic questions and very patient with me when I kept asking them to stop on hairpin bends so that I could take yet another photograph (Sorin actually started anticipating me and pulling over every time he saw a good view!). I saw everything I wanted to see and lots more that I never expected. Again, many, many thanks - a very enjoyable and absolutely fascinating two weeks! Rosemary

We had an amazing time in Romania - thank you so much for organising everything for us! The people at Count Kalnoky's were lovely and I was pleasantly surprised at how well they coped with my vegan requirements - we've eaten so much in the past couple of weeks! You were right about the manor house being spooky! We're glad we stayed in it though, it's definitely a unique experience!

Mike has been unbelievable! He always surpassed the service we expected. I have travelled twice to Romania through the assistance of Mike Morton, and cannot express how wonderful his agendas, and co-workers have been. I feel we got to experience the "real" Romania with our home stays and expert tours. We were always safe and taken care of! Thank you so much Mike for the wonderful memories!

Knows our preferences snd is very proactive on suggesting great places to stay and things to do. Service is really personalized!

Excellent interaction on a compound booking.

Mike is a gem: helpful, knowledgeable, kind and works within a budget. Priceless.

Mike, you were prompt, thorough, knowledgeable and very considerate! We look forward to traveling with you in the future, thanks very much.

Great service, friendly with all questions answered to my full satisfaction. Also was offered a great deal on my holiday arrangements. Well done Mike and thanks again for a job well done.

We have been hugely impressed by the service provided and the personal interest taken in our needs for a tailor-made holiday.

I have been very happy with Mike and his arrangements for holidays especially when it is at very short notice. I have recommended him to others and was very happy to do so.

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My Travel Blogs

I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.

A Tale of Two Cities: Cluj & Timisoara, Romania

18 November 2013

Mention city breaks and you think of Paris, Vienna, Barcelona, Venice or, perhaps, Budapest and Prague. However, with the opening of borders and the rise in low cost flights more European cities are becoming accessible for easy weekend breaks. Two of my personal favourites are Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara, both of which lay claim to being Romania’s second city. That is where the similarity ends. Cluj (‘Kolozsvár’) was the capital of Transylvania under Hungarian rule, while Timisoara’s influence is apparent from its ‘Little Vienna’ tag. The Carpathian mountains acted as a shield for Europe for centuries, while the...

A Land that Time Forgot - Maramures, Romania

02 May 2008

If you are looking for somewhere completely different, but don't wish to travel too far, why not consider Romania? I have travelled there many times and although, I sometimes feel I know the country inside out, there is always something new to discover. It isn't too surprising when you consider what a huge country it is, with so many diverse landscapes from the High Carpathians to the Transylvanian plateau, or the natural paradise where the Danube forms a huge delta as it reaches the Black Sea. One of my favourite regions is called Maramures - an unspoilt, traditional enclave...

New York - A Walk on the Wild Side

06 October 2006

'New York! New York!' - the 'Big Apple' - The 'City that Never Sleeps' - whatever you call it, New York is an addictive place, familiar to us all from the silver screen, but it is also a city with many different faces. I think that is the reason that it is probably my favourite city, Certainly the most exciting city I have ever visited. I took my wife for our wedding anniversary, albeit two months early ... I couldn't wait! Like me, she was bowled over. We flew direct from Manchester and took the airport bus...