Nicky Mellusco
My expertise
I'm based in
Horsham
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Your next unforgettable journey starts here....
With 16 years’ experience at a leading UK luxury tour operator and 9 years now as an independent business owner, I bring extensive knowledge of the travel industry and a genuine passion for creating exceptional journeys. My own travels have taken me to Venice on board the Orient Express, swimming with dolphins in Bermuda, sailing the Norwegian fjords, sampling afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, arriving in Monaco by helicopter and marvelling at a performance of Cinderella at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg.
My travel inspiration started from a young age when I lived in the south of France and East Germany for a year as part of my language degree. Later, a sabbatical in South Africa saw me volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation centre while exploring Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. I am also a self-confessed USA enthusiast, with particular expertise in California—having visited 17 times—and designing bespoke road trips. Every itinerary I create is entirely tailored to your tastes, budget and sense of adventure.
A passionate foodie, I take great pleasure in enhancing each trip with carefully chosen dining recommendations and reservations. My attention to detail, industry insight and calm, considered approach ensure every holiday is thoughtfully planned and seamlessly executed—something reflected in the loyalty of my clients and consistent positive feedback.
I was born & bred in Horsham, West Sussex and after London adopting me for 15 years, returned to my home roots with my husband and dog Sammie. My personal circumstances allow me to work flexible hours and I am more than happy to discuss travel plans outside of normal office hours.
Now approaching my ninth year in business, I remain as passionate as ever about what I do and excited for what lies ahead.
So.....where will this year take you?
I very much look forward to hearing from you.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
A winter escape to Lapland’s frozen wilderness
Nowhere captures the magic of winter quite like Finnish Lapland...
27 Mar 2026 5 min read
Winter Cypriot Sun
My last visit to Cyprus back in 1999 had looked quite different. Fresh out of university and new to the travel industry, my cake-tin Renault Twingo rental car (which is all my budget ran to!) was certainly put to the test in negotiating the rugged hills of the west. Incidentally, self-driving is pretty straightforward on the island as the Cypriots also drive on the left - just make sure you have a
21 Nov 2023 5 min read
A restful Corfiot getaway
In the thick of the pandemic when learning went online and as a work community we became innovative with our self-development, travel counsellors took to teaching one another about a destination they had in-depth knowledge of. My colleague had been returning to Corfu since she was a child and the webinar thoroughly brought the destination to life, so much so, the island jumped straight to the numb
17 Jun 2023 5 min read
The charm of Palma - Miró, meandering and an evening 'vermut'!
I love a European city break and I especially love a European city break in the winter; your euro goes that little bit further, there are fewer crowds and if you’re very lucky you’ll get bright, sunny days (albeit a little chilly at times). This was my first time in the city itself having previously used Palma as a gateway to other resorts on the island. Thanks to a large inventory of flights fr
24 Mar 2023 5 min read
Untouched Italy
Historically Puglia (often referred to as the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy) has been considered ‘undiscovered’ but going by the number of unsold seats on my recent flight, it appears the secret is out! The region is conveniently served by two airports, Bari and Brindisi making it a very accessible destination. Whether you are after history, culture, glorious beaches, gastronomy, unique or pamperi
19 Jan 2023 5 min read
A wintry Nordic break
Until recently I had spent no longer than 12 hours in the city of Copenhagen on the final leg of a Baltic cruise holiday back in 2011. I have always had a soft spot for all things Nordic and those 12 hours are still engrained in my memory. I can even recall my first authentic smørrebrød experience at the very lovely Skt Annae (which is still going by the way!) Our base for this return visit was
07 Apr 2022 5 min read
Escaping the British winter
I am often asked where I would recommend for short haul, guaranteed heat during the depths of the British winter. Well…….the Canary Islands are always my ‘go to’ but sometimes unfair expectations are still of mass-tourism and large, soulless resort hotels. How things have changed. The Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Tenerife (the adults only sister property to the more family-focused Royal Hideawa
10 Dec 2021 5 min read
California dreaming
The fact is I love Americana; drive-thrus, diners, outdoor shopping malls, stars & stripes, hot dogs & the Pacific Coast Highway to name a few. With thanks to family links, the state of California has been well trodden over the years but each time we return we weave in a new side-trip. In December 2018 we decided to include a couple of days pre-Christmas in Santa Barbara, by trying the Pacific S
22 May 2020 5 min read
The beauty of the Loire Valley
My exploration of western France started upon arrival in to Orleans, the main gateway to the eastern edge of the Loire Valley and just one hour from Paris. Feeling the warm April sunshine on my face on the seamless journey made me thankful for opting for the rail option. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the “Valley of the Kings”, when you will find wisteria covered facades on every corner, fl
28 Apr 2020 5 min read
When in Rome......
I decided that my fourth visit to The Eternal City would be a little different. Having marvelled at The Vatican City, the Colosseum, Pantheon & Roman Forum on previous familiarisation trips I decided to dedicate my 3-day visit with Mr Mellusco to primarily gastronomy. Stumbling across any further significant landmarks on our foodie road map would be a bonus! Our home for the weekend was the exqu
10 Sept 2019 5 min read
City, Lake & (the best U.S) Beach
I love a ‘fly & flop’ holiday as much as the next person and still yearn to visit many of the world’s most idyllic island escapes. However, when deciding on our honeymoon, Alex and I wanted not just pristine sands but good food, adventure and experience of a new city. Who doesn’t like the fun of a road-trip and who said honeymoons should only mean all-inclusive resort hotels? Ultimately our shared
18 Jun 2019 5 min read
Italy's best kept secret
The Puglia region (referred to often as the heel of Italy’s “boot”) remains a relatively unexplored part of the country. I found this to be one of its charms when I visited back in October 2014. This together with its characterful baroque villages and trullo houses, sandy beaches and excellent cuisine. Hotel Canne Bianche is a wonderful beachside retreat, perfectly positioned for visiting the
01 Nov 2018 5 min read
Magical Marrakech & The Atlas Mountains
There really is something quite magical about visiting Marrakech (even though this was my third time!) The evocative call to prayer, beautiful riads hidden behind nondescript wooden doors and the fascinating contrast between bustling city streets and tranquil hotel courtyards. Our base in Marrakech was the charming Riad Noga – perfect for those seeking an authentic riad experience. Freshly sq
21 Aug 2018 5 min read
Holidaying like a Parisian
My first visit to Ile de Ré was last spring. A tantalising one-night stay at the end of a research trip through the Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine country. I vowed as soon as I was crossing the causeway back towards La Rochelle at the end of my stay that I would have to return! Barely more than an hour’s flight away followed by a smooth 30-minute transfer, Ile de Ré makes a perfect weekend getaway
05 Jul 2018 5 min read
Amalfi Coast first-timer
I wondered how it had taken 16 years in the travel industry to make my first visit to the Amalfi Coast. Would all the breath-taking cookery programme photography and old Hollywood movies watched over the years live up to my expectations? Naples often gets overlooked as simply the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, but this proved to be one of the biggest surprises. Once you have inched your way out o
11 Jun 2018 5 min read
Costa Navarino, The Peloponnese
Tucked away in an unspoilt corner of the south-west Peloponnese is the beautiful resort of Costa Navarino. The location is everything you would expect (and more) from authentic Greece; olive groves as far as the eye can see, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and authentic tavernas where locals wile away the afternoon sipping strong coffee and playing backgammon. My short and sweet weekend
15 Jan 2018 5 min read
Portugal in a nutshell
Lisbon's friendly rival, Oporto is an unspoilt city at the mouth of the Douro River. This is where my tour through Portugal began. Oporto’s riverfront area is home to several port houses, many of which are magnificently covered in ornate blue tiles and offer tastings, local specialities and wine pairings. My recommendation would be to spend two or three nights at the hotel Infante de Sagres, (dati
15 Jan 2018 5 min read
Wintering in Tenerife
There’s something even more satisfying about holidaying in the depths of winter, when home temperatures are hovering around zero and the central heating is on constantly but you’re stocking up on sun cream and loading your Kindle in preparation. I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to feel the sun on my skin! Upon arrival at the Gran Hotel del Duque we were offered a glass of chilled cava in the
09 Jan 2018 5 min read
Magical St Petersburg
Russia remains unticked on many people’s wish-list – mainly due to the perception of cost, organisational complexity and the added inconvenience of obtaining a tourist visa. I am able to handle the Russia visa application on your behalf and have access to a fast-track service for short-notice breaks, removing all possible “hassle factor”. Russia also need not be extravagant – especially if you tra
22 Nov 2017 5 min read
Monte Carlo by Helicopter
The Cote d’Azur is possibly one of my favourite places on earth and even more spectacular when viewed from a helicopter. My weekend in Monaco started in true ‘James Bond’ style with a 7-minute flight, hugging the coast line. Almost within an hour of landing in Nice I was checking into the Fairmont Hotel, located on the famous hairpin bend of the Grand Prix circuit. If you happen to be a luxury car
13 Oct 2017 5 min read
Life on the Orient Express
Checking out of the Hotel Cipriani would ordinarily be a deflating experience but during my private water taxi journey to Venice Santa Lucia station, I was filled with excited anticipation for my journey back to London on board the Venice Simplon - Orient-Express. Following check-in, a steward wearing an immaculate royal blue uniform greeted me at the entrance to my designated carriage. Every
09 Oct 2017 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.
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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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