Sarah Coombes
My expertise
I'm based in
Coulsdon
It's Nice To Meet You
Hello, I’m Sarah and I’m a Travel Counsellor based in Coulsdon, Surrey.
I have much personal travel experience to draw on when helping you plan your own adventures. My time spent travelling around South East Asia, Australia and South America after finishing university is the root of my passion for travel. This led me to start working in the travel industry in 2004. Before becoming a Travel Counsellor early in 2019, I gained 13 years experience as a travel consultant with a large independent travel agency. During that time I continued exploring the world, both independently and with organised group tours, and more recently with my daughter, introducing her to the world. I have visited diverse regions in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania, enjoying spectacular scenery, culture and wildlife in over 60 countries.
I pride myself in offering fantastic customer service and will always do everything I can to personalise your perfect holiday or business trip, based on your requirements and making use of my personal travel experiences and the extensive knowledge gained whilst working in the travel industry. I can help you with a variety of styles of trip from a European city break to a once in a lifetime trip around the world, beach breaks to trekking, from adventure tours to cruises, safari to skiing. Whether it be a special occasion like your honeymoon or anniversary or even a wedding abroad, a big birthday, a retirement treat or you just need a holiday, I will be able to help with your plans. Get in touch to chat about your travel ideas and I will tailor unforgettable travels around your interests and wishes and turn them into reality.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Why Book Your Next Holiday With Me?
Travel is so much more than flights and hotels. It is the anticipation before you go, the moments that take your breath away while you are there, and the memories that stay with you long after you return home. With 21 years of experience in the travel industry and first-hand visits to well over 60 countries, I am here to make every part of that journey effortless, personal and memorable.
29 Apr 2026 5 min read
Spring cherry blossoms: Japan vs South Korea 🌸
If you dream of strolling under clouds of pink blossom, picnicking in the park and soaking up gentle spring sunshine, Japan and South Korea are probably at the top of your list. From late March into April, both countries burst into colour as cherry trees bloom, and people travel from all over the world to see this short but spectacular season. If you are torn between the two, this guide will help
22 Apr 2026 5 min read
Copenhagen: Our Spring City Escape
Esme and I are back from wonderful Copenhagen and, although she is back to school and I am back in the office, we are both still glowing from such a lovely break. It was one of those trips where everything just felt easy: blue skies, smooth journeys, friendly faces and a city that works beautifully for both grown ups and children.
14 Apr 2026 5 min read
Central Portugal: Quiet Luxury, Big Waves and Even Bigger Hospitality
I have just returned from a curated journey through the heart of Central Portugal and it has firmly established itself, in my mind, as one of Europe’s most exciting options for a special, luxury escape. Think wild Atlantic coastline, characterful small towns, historic wine villages and a food and wine scene that massively overdelivers, all wrapped up in warm, genuine Portuguese hospitality.
23 Mar 2026 5 min read
An Icelandic Adventure: Nature, Food, and Wellness in the Land of Fire and Ice
There are some places that manage to exceed every expectation, and Iceland is firmly on that list. I recently spent a few unforgettable days in this Nordic wonderland, and from the moment I landed in Reykjavík, it felt like a true adventure—one filled with dramatic landscapes, mouth-watering cuisine, and moments of pure relaxation.
07 Jan 2026 5 min read
A Whistle-Stop Journey Through Sri Lanka
I’ve just returned from my first trip to Sri Lanka, and what a whirlwind adventure it was! From serene manor houses and cultural wonders to hidden beaches and wildlife-filled national parks, every stop brought something new and unforgettable. Stop 1: A Gentle Start at The Wallawwa What a wonderful start to our trip around Sri Lanka. Just 20 minutes from the airport, The Wallawwa is often used as
26 Jul 2025 5 min read
A Thailand Adventure
I have visited Thailand many time but this is the first time with a 7 year old in tow and she loved it! We had a great couple of (very sweaty days!) in Bangkok where we stayed in a lovely riverside hotel with a pool to escape to for downtime. Making use of the wonderfully air conditioned Sky Train and the Chao Praya Express Boat to get around, we visited the Grand Palace, where Esme really loved
20 May 2025 5 min read
Lapland - It’s not just for kids
We were lucky enough to visit Lapland recently and it was a wonderful trip - a completely different holiday to anything else I’ve been on. There are some great activities (and we got to meet a certain person who gives out presents at Christmas time) but just being there is an amazing experience in itself. You’re up in the Arctic Circle so the sun never officially rises in winter - which isn’t to s
12 Dec 2023 5 min read
A little work whilst on holiday - a visit to Nido
Whilst being back at fantastic family hotel MarBella Corfu this summer I popped next door to her beautiful adult only sister, Nido. So beautiful and peaceful, built on the hill like a village. All low rise, small blocks of spacious rooms. All sea facing with the choice of terrace, whirlpool or private pool. This property comes on bed & breakfast or half board basis (next door is All Inclusive),
15 Sept 2023 5 min read
Celebrity Cruises…. Not just for grown ups!
Whilst Celebrity Cruises do not really push themselves as a family friendly cruise line, they are actually a great option for families wanting a bit of luxury but not needing all the bells, whistles, ice rinks and rock climbing of sister cruise line Royal Caribbean. Outside of school holidays you wouldn’t usually find many kids on board but we met plenty during our May half term break to the No
13 Jun 2023 5 min read
Our Corfu & Paxos Adventure
We don’t normally go for all inclusive but Esme loves a kids club, so we opted for a couple of different hotels in Corfu with premium all inclusive offerings and found a lovely villa for our stay in Paxos in the middle of the trip. The all inclusive at Grecotel Daphnila Bay and MarBella Corfu are premium in that they include a la carte restaurants plus wine and spirit options rather than just the
10 Oct 2022 5 min read
2 Contrasting Sides of Tenerife
I am sure that most people that haven’t visited the island just think of Tenerife as a beach resort destination good for some winter sun, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Not being beach-sitters, when I planned to travel to Tenerife with my family in mid-February we booked a 2 centre holiday. We spent the first two nights in a beautiful resort hotel in Costa Adeje in the south. We didn’t rea
20 Mar 2020 5 min read
Exploring 3 Stunning Places in Croatia
After leaving a wet and windy Gatwick it was only a two and a half hour flight to Split where the sun was shining and the skies and Adriatic Sea were both a beautiful blue. The Old Town of Split is mainly within what was the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace and makes for a wonderful place to explore the narrow lanes, with the odd little square popping up on your wanderings. With plenty of resta
28 Oct 2019 5 min read
Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas
I recently had the opportunity to spend the day on board Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. It is a fantastic ship for families, with the Perfect Storm waterslides, Flowrider (for surfing!), climbing wall, SkyPad (bungee trampolines with virtual reality headsets!?), mini golf and fantastic kids clubs for different age groups. Plus, there is a choice of pools and the Splashaway Bay splash
27 Aug 2019 5 min read
Tips for Travelling with a Baby - Have Baby, Still Travel!
Many people do not travel with their young baby as they think that it will be too hard or too stressful. It is actually easier when they are quite small, as once they are on the move it is so much harder to keep them entertained on a journey. Other parents think it isn’t worth taking them away as they won’t remember it – this is about you getting away as well and even if they don’t remember the
09 Jul 2019 5 min read
My Lake District Weather Jinx May be Broken!
We visit the Lake District regularly when we go to Penrith to see Esme’s grandparents but whenever I have been it has rained – often quite a lot! Planning a two week trip there felt quite a risk but we were lucky. We split the trip in half, spending the first week in the southwest corner of the Lake District. As this is the furthest point from Penrith we thought it was where we would be most unli
06 Jul 2019 5 min read
Have Baby, Still Travel
I was determined to carry on travelling once we had a baby to take with us and I am sure that if people had known our plans for her first year many of them would have thought we were crazy. Most of the plans were made before she was even born! First flight, Aberdeen. You would think it would be the flight that would be hard but getting from Streatham to Heathrow by public transport on my own wit
22 Mar 2019 5 min read
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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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