Based In Stevenage

Shara Smith

It's Nice To Meet You

Thank you for choosing to visit my travel page.

My name is Shara Smith and I am a Global Tour Operator.
Travel is a necessity and a luxury. We all travel, but we travel differently.

I'm here to offer you a unique travel service; I speak with all of my clients personally before offering you a quote, this is important so I can begin to build a picture of you and all of your travel requirements to be able to create your idea of 'perfect'. Once we've established, where, when and how, we can then proceed to the fun stage - designing and building your dream, bespoke trip!

I’m independent, so there are no hidden loyalties with suppliers. I work hard to find you the exact holiday that fits your requirements. I'm here to take care of the finer details so you don’t have to, I particularly focus on building your long haul and specialist Europe trips, this is where my niche sits.

Being a Tour Operator means I'm with you through the full cycle of your holiday - from searching and booking to your return home. I offer my clients a personal, 5-star bespoke service, giving you the full attention you deserve. I have thousands of destinations, accommodation, suppliers and flights available, nothing is too much trouble to arrange. Booking with me also means you'll be 100% financially protected by Travel Counsellors and ATOL, who are the very best in the industry.

I'm a qualified African specialist, I've reached country number 11 on this magical continent travelling as a solo female, so who better to arrange your special African adventure then someone who knows all the best tips, and local connections.

Many clients ask about how they can travel and perhaps feel a little easier about their Carbon Footprint. This later inspired me to qualify with the Travel Foundation, I can now design your holidays to include any 'sustainable travel' options you might require.

Whatever your personal preferences or special requests are I'm waiting to hear from you - you dream it, I find it.

My business is built on referrals and repeat business, so if you've had an outstanding service from me, why not tell someone you know about me today? Let me help you discover all this wonderful world has to offer.

Life's a journey • Live Boldly • Travel Differently
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My customer stories

Sent by Piers Lyon

10/10 Shara is always so professional; helpful and incredibly quick to respond; I must have asked a hundred questions trying to research the best possible options and she has never complained once and always found me the answers really quickly and cheerfully. Can’t recommend highly enough!!

Sent by Melvin Towersey

10/10! Shara was most helpful, particularly with adjusting rail times to make connections easy and unhurried for our Europe trip.

Sent by Natalie Walker

10/10!

Sent by Peta Fowler

Shara had been so accommodating and helpful at a difficult time, I would highly recommend her and use her again in the future.

Sent by Olga Sipcenoka

Shara is absolutely fantastic. 10/10 Very helpful and very knowledgeable. I am devastated I didn’t meet her earlier! It’s such a pleasure to book a holiday now, no stress and no worries any money saved. What else you can wish for?

Sent by Michael Toft

We had a difficult holiday to arrange and Shara helped enormously!

Sent by Natalie Read

Shara was recommended to us by multiple people on Facebook. We gave her all the information about a trip to Australia we wanted to do, and I think we had it booked within a week! Shara was so prompt in sorting everything out and helping us with the travel itinerary where we weren't too sure. She was available with any questions we had and a pleasure to deal with. Would definitely book with her again

Sent by Joe & Liv Hughes

Firstly I want to thank Shara from Travel Counsellors for booking the tour for Joe and me and helping us to get a small discount. She offers amazing advice on all things travel related and is a qualified Africa specialist, so hit her up if you’re interested in a bespoke tour! Even better, she has recently started to offer more opportunities for sustainable travel – what more could you want?!

Sent by Sophia Fraser

Shara was wonderful, so helpful and patient, nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend!

Sent by Fran Sundler

Recently returned from an amazing trip to South Africa arranged by Shara. As we were unfamiliar with our destination having someone arrange things who really knew the country was invaluable. Shara was helpful, professional, informative and nothing was ever too much trouble. The arrangements that she made were faultless and we felt that she had actually tailored everything to suit us perfectly - despite the fact that she had never met us! Have no hesitation in recommending.

Sent by Pauline Smith

Shara has booked two holidays now for my friends and I - one walking holiday with Inghams and we just booked our Croatian Sailing adventure with her too for Just You. Shara was very reasonable and came in at a better price than going direct, she already has our details so its just a case of saying 'yes go ahead'! I also know that as a nervous traveller, she takes care of me, booking my seats, printing paperwork and even checks us in! Shara, you will go far. You are very good at what you do, my thanks as always!

Sent by Babara Higgins

Need to book a holiday? Then look no further than Shara Smith at Travel Counsellors. I told Shara what I was looking for, she came back with a solo holiday for me with Just You, meaning I could travel in a group around Canada. It was incredible and credit to Shara understanding my needs. It was so easy and she even comes in with a better price than going direct and added service! She popped around to help with my Visas and then posted them for me too. Whatever you're looking for, Shara can sort it out for you and always with a smile ?? Just a lovely lady and nothing is too much trouble. Give her a go, you won't regret it.

Sent by Elaine & Ruth Pert

Shara Smith is a great Agent! As busy people, we gave her a task of finding us a cruises that covers a Friday to Monday and within a couple of hours came back to me with choices. She's now booked me 2 cruises and has been wonderful even with advising about the BA strike that was going to affect us. Thank you Shara you have been amazing and will have no hesitation booking with you again and again and certainly recommending you to others.

Sent by Sarita Gray

10/10 Shara's excellent and we ended up booking a holiday that we would probably never have considered left to our own devices...excited and cant wait to see how the whole thing unfolds. Thank you

Sent by Michaela Morris

10/10!

Sent by Margaret Fellows

What can I say. This fantastic lady helped me put together my dream holiday. Nothing was to much trouble, even though I changed my mind for my holiday destination after she'd put together a fantastic trip - and we started all over again. She is more than 'just someone' to contact. Nothing is to much trouble, she's passionate, knowledgeable, friendly, lovely to talk to and unflappable. Will I be using her services again...you bet I will! We all need a Shara in our lives. ??

Sent by Alison Ashman

Incredible! From a very vague brief, that we changed several times, Shara managed to put together an unforgettable trip. Her choice of hotels was perfect every time. Every little detail was taken care of, from check in to help with lost baggage, and the app helped us keep track of flight updates/ changes. She was so patient with us, and nothing was too much trouble. It gave me so much reassurance, knowing that we had support before and during the trip. I am very grateful for all she did- we have a lifetime of amazing memories from this holiday, and it wouldn't have happened without Shara.

Sent by Abigail Langridge

She's so attentive! When assisting a client with a complicated holiday, Shara knew all the questions to ask so that everything was covered. Her travel experience definitely shines through as she can personally recommend places. I highly recommend her to book all aspects of travel, including flights.

Sent by Jacqueline Cunningham

Shara Smith was truly amazing. She has been so attentive and responsive whilst booking our holiday and during our stay. She has been the best travel consultant we have ever used, and we have booked a number of holidays with Travel Counsellors over the years. We have exceptionally fortunate to have had Shara booking our holiday and would highly recommend her to anyone! 10/10

Sent by Glenn O'Grady

10/10 Shara has been excellent.

Sent by Sukeana Bartlett

We just want to say a Massive Thankyou to Shara Smith. We've never used a Travel Counsellor to book our holidays before, Shara's service levels were amazing from start to finish. The hotel was beautiful, the transfer service was spot on and we were right in the heart of everything. Even the fact that Shara responded to our questions whilst she was on her own holiday is fantastic. Anyone that wants the perfect holiday should look into using a Travel Counsellor - and we highly recommend Shara.

Sent by Anita Mohabeer

Shara is just amazing! She has such a passion for travel and finding the perfect holiday for you. We asked Shara to source us a holiday to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We had asked for a specific area of the world but it wasn't working out and her advice was second to none. We now have a holiday of dreams booked and we cannot wait to get there in October. I had many requests and kept shifting the goal post, but this didn't deter her. Always really happy and has such a zest for life and travel. Thank you so much Shara you really are awesome!

Sent by Maria Isaeva

Shara's knowledge of the world, her bespoke service and travel knowledge is incredible. She takes the time to listen, understand and then creates a personalised experience that exceeds all expectations. She is attentive, very efficient and her positivity is infectious! If you're thinking of booking your honeymoon or the holiday of your dreams - get in touch with Shara, you won't be disappointed!

Sent by Ruth Goodmaker

Thank you Shara for finding the cruise for me. I just don't have the time and you were a great help and also thank you for the goodies you sent me in the post, a really nice touch.

Sent by Krystal Woodbridge

Shara really listened to what we were looking for for our perfect honeymoon. She got back to us very quickly and sent us a range of options in great detail. Because she had listened so intently, she found us the perfect match just in the first round of options! Booking it was a dream - all we needed to do was complete a simple form and Shara took care of the rest. Booking a holiday has never felt so easy, and all we need to do now is look forward to it!

Sent by Christopher Hardwicke

10/10 We haven’t booked our holiday yet but Shara has been amazing helping us set up our wedding gift registry and talking through possible honeymoon plans.

Sent by Sonia Bassey

I booked this travel on behalf the Mandela family and must say that Shara (Travel Counsellors) made this experience so easy and stress free!

Sent by Michaela Vaux

10/10

Sent by Katie Pierre

10/10

Sent by Nic & Dean

Where do I begin? I usually book my own holidays but during a busy time I wanted some reassurance and some help with the leg work! Shara took on board what I wanted and found me the best for my budget. However, the dreaded thing that we are all scared of happened. My flight was cancelled a matter of hours before I was due to fly. Thanks to Shara I was informed of this before I left for the airport. (Many weren’t that day and were hours in the airport.) Shara was understanding and kind and supportive in a situation that was totally out of her control. Despite the fact I was gutted and she couldn’t really change that, having a sympathetic, kind person at the end of the phone instead of a call centre that didn’t care meant the world. Booking through Shara means I am financially protected so thankfully Shara has informed me I will receive a full refund. And we hopped on the ferry and enjoyed a few nights in Paris instead of Barcelona! Shara continued to check in on us and ask if we needed advice or research doing on our behalves. If you want peace of mind then Shara is your girl. She can’t control the airlines but she personally won’t let you down!

Sent by Debra Hull

10/10 - Good communication and understanding of requests. Polite and knowledgeable

Sent by Nicola Hankin

Shara found exactly what I asked for within my budget! Cannot wait to get there!

Sent by Sarah Gledhill

I cannot express how much Shara helped us find our dream holiday. We changed our minds so often and were at a loss to find a holiday we really wanted and could afford. With time, patience and humour it was Shara who focused on what we really wanted and came up with the idea of Sri Lanka. Our perfect holiday is now booked and we can’t wait to be on a plane. She was always available to talk through ideas even on a Friday night and never rushed you. We can’t thank her enough!

Sent by Silas Zindel

Shara was so helpful and welcoming, thank you!

Sent by Jill Claridge

10/10

Sent by Anthony Pierre

10/10!

Sent by William Pateman

I usually plan my own holidays but as I have been so busy I thought I'd ask for Shara's help. From start to finish she was brilliant and nothing was too much to ask. Shara is very knowledgable and passionate about her job and made sure we got a lovely place to stay. She is kind and friendly and always a pleasure to chat to! Look forward to booking our next holiday with you, thanks!

Sent by Natalie Harris

An amazing lady who couldn't possibly do any more for her clients! Passionate about her job and loves what she does which reflects in her work! Cannot recommend her enough!

My Videos

I'll be traveling right beside you, anytime you need me!

07/04/2021

When you're ready to travel again, I'll be here for you, for trips around the UK, and to distant shores. Shara

My Blog

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.

Top tips for first time skiers

06 February 2020

If it’s your first time on a skiing holiday, you’re probably excited to get to the beautiful mountainous surroundings of your ski resort. There’s no feeling like heading out on the slopes to experience the thrill of the wind whirling past you as you glide across the powdery white snow. Skiing is an extreme sport, however, so before you go, check out our top tips for first-time skiers to make sure

Argentina - all in the name of research

21 October 2019

I arrived after our long flight and I was just excited to get to our hotel room and freshen up – well, once we arrived that went out the window! We stayed at The Gran Melia Iguazu in the National Park – the one and only hotel in the park! Incredible, from the outside, she’s camouflaged, designed to fit in amongst the jungle, but inside, she radiates luxury, sustainability, comfort, class, eco frie

Africa is where the heart is...

17 October 2019

So, you think you know Africa? That was me. I thought I knew. When you know what you don't know, you then realise, you knew nothing. I’ll let you into a secret, Africa is why I’m here right now, in this job, enjoying my life, feeling happy, healthy and traveling the globe. Might sound a little dramatic, but it’s the truth. I always worked in busy, reactive industries, eventually took their toll

Luxury, history and relaxation in the Channel Islands

16 October 2019

What a wonderful week spent working and exploring Guernsey and Herm. The Channel Islands are on our door step, with so much charm, history, sights and beautiful reasons to visit for your holiday. The second-largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey is home to stunning beaches, spectacular coastal walks, hidden coves and beautiful countryside filled with wildflowers. Discover an 800-year-old fortre

Iconic QM2 Cunard Transatlantic Ocean Liner

09 August 2019

You may remember that one lucky client got to come away with me on a free QM2 Cunard Cruise. If you didn’t apply this time, please remember to follow my social media and sign up to my offers (pop me your email address if you'd like to be on there) as this is where you can be in it to win it! We spent one night, two glorious days in NYC really fitting in as much as we could in the Big Apple during

Casa de Campo

11 June 2019

“Your Caribbean Dream - any way you want it.” Casa de Campo Welcome to paradise. I was invited to spend 7 nights here in La Romana, not something you would really want to say no to. But when I arrived, the realisation of just how much there was to see and do hit me. I come from a shooting background, English Sporting, this was one of the main attractions for myself and my guest, who just happen

Top Resorts for Golfers...

12 April 2019

With the start of golf’s biggest annual event, the Masters, I decided to pool together the knowledge and expertise of our Travel Counsellors and get their recommendations for the world’s top golfing resorts. If you want to play 18 holes in the day then retire to the lap of luxury in the evening, read on to find out where you could be enjoying your next golfing escapade. Pine Cliffs – Algarve, Por

Luxury in Morocco Part 2

08 April 2019

Back to Marrakech... The Fairmont hotel awaits. You're 'wowed' from the moment you drive into the entrance gate of this hotel. The immaculate grounds, the elegant, classy touches throughout. The staff are worthy of a mention, they took the time to learn my name and remember it. Those are the caring touches that I certainly remember when I relayed my stay to friends, family and clients. The Fair

Luxury in Morocco

08 April 2019

Marrakech, Morocco’s best-known city, has a life of its own. With its frenetic energy, the city is a constant hive of activity through a maze of bustling streets and lively squares. The famous Djemma el Fna square in the heart of Marrakech really comes to life as dusk falls, with musicians, dancers, acrobats and snake charmers all adding to the unique atmosphere. Escape to the labyrinth which form

Affordable luxury – Five-star hotels without the price tag

12 November 2018

We all deserve a little bit of luxury in our lives, especially when it comes to a holiday. Luckily, now many resorts around the world offer high-end suites and services for a fraction of the price. We’ve put together a handy list of some of our favourite five-star abodes for three-star prices, so that you can holiday in style without a hefty bill at the end. Majestic Malacca Hotel, Malaysia

Fly privately with Air Partner for a winter family holiday to remember

31 October 2018

If you’re thinking of planning a family holiday this winter, it’s worth considering flying privately. It’s a hassle-free solution that ensures your next family holiday is extra-special. One of the main advantages is time-saving, as you can bypass busy airports and spend more time with your loved ones. Flexibility can transform your holiday and flying privately allows you to plan the timings an

Sail the glorious Adriatic Sea from Dubrovnik to Split

27 September 2018

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Experience the old-world charm of Croatia on a sailing odyssey from Dubrovnik to Split. I spent days cruising around impressive coastlines, exploring lush national parks, wandering through medieval towns or rolling off the boat into warm, turquoise waters to swim. Contrast this emergence into Croatia's natural beauty with regular doses of the unique culture and

My 18 night Cuban adventure...

21 September 2018

My trip broken down... Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba! I had organised a tour in Cuba. I felt, as a solo traveller, this was the best way to get around to seeing all the flavours and style Cuba had to offer. Arriving at the small warm airport, you soon become accustomed to the relaxed character of the Cubans. The luggage will arrive when they are ready, and not a moment sooner. It broug

Tips -Travel to Cuba to experience the rhythmic Caribbean vibe

21 September 2018

From Cuba's historical streets of Havana to the pristine shores of the Caribbean, stroll through World Heritage cities, relive a fascinating colonial history and experience the rich heritage of music and dance that Cuba is renowned for. Dive into the incredible marine world and history of the Bay of Pigs, prepare to be wowed as you discover Baracoa’s mountainous surrounds, visit the birthplace of

When and where to go on a family safari

15 July 2018

A safari is a great family adventure that needs careful planning and expert advice so that you and the kids can make the most of what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With some exceptions, wildlife viewing in Africa is best in the dry seasons, when animals are more visible due to sparser vegetation and tend to congregate around water sources. The main dry season in equatorial east Afri

How travelling changes you...

16 June 2018

Coming home feels like a complete contradiction. On the one hand it brings me joy to see my family and friends, hearing their voice and just being in their presence - especially my 4-legged best friend! On the other hand, it is completely overwhelming how little has changed. How little everything has changed but me. I’m no longer the sheltered, insecure and indecisive 33-year-old that left fo

What's HOT for summer 2018

11 May 2018

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to decide where your next adventure will take you. Although it’s a popular time of year to go away, there are plenty of destinations to go around and we have selected seven of the best. Whether you’re looking for non-stop adventure in New York, a luxurious escape to Dubai or an immersive tour of Thailand, discover a destination that will get you in the h

African Rain Journey's

06 May 2018

The Blue Train The Blue Train is regarded as one of the most luxurious trains in the world and offers a truly unique journey across South Africa from Cape Town to Pretoria (or in reverse). Aimed at creating a hotel on wheels experience, the Blue Train is a sumptuous choice for a pan-South Africa journey with beautifully crafted wood-lined suites. The Blue Train takes 27 hours to travel from

Travel and be at one with nature

29 April 2018

Seeing the natural wonders of the world isn’t limited to backpacking treks and rough camping. There are many outstanding hotels and resorts that are tailored to giving you the luxury hotel experience, whilst also being at one with nature. Elephant Hills As the name suggests, a safari holiday at Elephant Hills gives you the chance to get up close to elephant herds at the local camp. You’ll ba

Tips for a more responsible holiday

29 April 2018

The world’s most treasured places are precious. We have a responsibility to help make sure they stay that way. Here are some tips on how you can ensure you have a positive impact on the people you meet and places you visit while also having a more enjoyable, authentic experience on your holiday. These tips have been compiled with the help of the sustainable tourism experts, the Travel Foundation.

Zebra migration

24 April 2018

Chobe National Park, Botswana A population of zebras surprised biologists by making a more than 300-mile beeline across parts of Namibia and Botswana—the longest big-mammal migration ever documented in Africa. In the wilds of Africa, food and water come and go with the seasons, and animals follow. The Serengeti is the site of what most consider the most dramatic migration, with giant herds o

Clay Shooting tips for competitors looking to travel

21 April 2018

Some great shooting tips. More and more established grounds are offering fantastic safe, professional facilities in the UK and abroad. Shooting in Europe in particular is becoming more and more popular with UK shooters, though there are a number of things to consider and much planning and preparation is required. There are many precautions you need to take before and during your shooting holiday,

Uganda Part 2

05 April 2018

Local Villages; In two days I've had a baby and got married to a guy I'd only known for an hour (all pretend of course, I'm not a super woman). The locals demonstrated what you would need to do to prove you're ready to get married. I wanted to experience everything they had to offer. I prepared food (picking, peeling, grinding etc), cooked, looked after the children, made rugs (women need t

Top 5 Best Locations when Travelling to South Africa with Kids

05 April 2018

The pinnacle of cultural and natural experience can be found when venturing out to South Africa for a family holiday adventure. Representing a wonderful introduction for children and teenagers to the African continent, inviting cosmopolitan cities, accessible road networks and swift public transport allows for safe, straightforward travel through majestic landscapes and activity-rich locations.

Uganda part 1

05 April 2018

Gorillas It was one of the hardest, steepest, beautiful mountains I've ever climbed after day three of not sleeping due to travelling. But, oh boy, what an incredible reward at the end seeing the Gorillas. I had a great group. There was a couple from the USA; it was the chap's 70th birthday that day. He was an inspiration and they put my fitness to shame. I'm told Uganda is a little tougher th

54 unique ways to show your love – one for each country in Africa.

03 April 2018

ALGERIA: Read a love poem written in French, one of the languages of Algeria ANGOLA: Give a back massage with palm oil, sourced in Angola BENIN: Listen to a bedtime story sung by Angelique Kidjo from Benin, a Grammy-Award winner BOTSWANA: Buy a piece of jewellery (maybe a ring?) with diamonds mined in Botswana BURKINA FASO: Serve a gluten-free sorghum beer, brewed in Burkina Faso BU

Western Cape Tips

03 April 2018

In no particular order! 1) Trips on Table Mountain Aerial Cableway start at 8am and end as late as 9.30pm, but these times vary seasonally and are weather-dependent. Check on the day by calling the information line on +27 (0)21 424 8181. Be prepared that if you go up and the cable car shuts, you'll need to make your way down. If you haven't booked in advance, the tip is go on line get your tic

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