Simone Taylor-Gray

My expertise

Honeymoons
Train Travel
Beach
Ocean Cruise
River Cruise
Safari
Tailor-made travel
Culture & History

I'm based in

Southsea

Available for new enquiries

Your personal travel expert, crafting unforgettable journeys and lasting memories

Bespoke travel, personal care, memories that stay with you.

I started working in travel in 1987 and joined Travel Counsellors in May 2003 to run my own franchise. With decades of experience, I create tailor-made holidays, cruises, flights, UK breaks and short-haul escapes that are built around you.

Flexible, personal service

I work from home, which means I can be available at times that suit you. While I do not work 24/7 (everyone needs some downtime), my customers know they can reach me when it really matters. You deal directly with me every time, not an anonymous call centre, so I get to know you, your preferences and what makes your perfect holiday.

Passionate about creating your holiday memories

I genuinely love what I do and feel incredibly lucky to have a job that is all about making happy holiday memories. One moment I can be planning a UK staycation, the next I am arranging a trip to Dubai, the USA or Australia. Every day, my clients take me around the world, and I treat every booking with the same care and attention.

Trusted by repeat clients and referrals

I rarely need to advertise because my business is built on repeat clients and recommendations. Over 70% of my bookings come from returning customers and referrals from friends and family. Many clients have been with me for years, and I am now arranging holidays for the next two generations, which is something I am incredibly proud of.

Why book with me

You are guaranteed a personal, honest and friendly service. I am self-employed, so finding the right holiday for you really matters: it needs to be perfect for you, and I want you to be so happy that you come back to me time and time again. I cannot be compared to online travel providers because I offer something they cannot: a real person who cares about every detail of your trip.

Get in touch

If you are thinking about your next holiday, I would love to help. Please feel free to contact me by email, WhatsApp on my business number or by phone to start planning your next trip.

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What my customers say

Simone listened and very quickly came back with a good selection of trips. Her attention to detail, efficiency and friendly service is second to none. Would highly recommend.

Carolyn Weir

Glasgow

Simone is fantastic, she always sorts out the perfect holidays, accommodation, itinerary, etc. even when we go to her with the most vague of ideas about what we want . She organises literally every last detail for us. She is our holiday magician! Thank you

Janice Brown

Cambridge

My TC advisor is Simone Taylor-Gray and, over a period of more than 10 years, she has successfully helped me in choosing the right holiday package for me and my Mum.

S H

London

Simone is great. Always able to for any queries. Always helpful and gives us great advise

Julie Prout

London

Great service from Simone. Prompt, well organised, effective, knowledgeable and friendly.

Dave Cox

Ipswich

Simone was so helpful and friendly, our trip was tailored exactly to our needs and we had many options to choose from to book our perfect holiday!

Niamh Braiden

Ruislip

Dedicated person. Always, ready to suggest, plan and assist any time I requested

Jes Sacco

Malta

Not my first booking with Simone and she was my first choice to book for me again

Carol Ledwidge

Bexleyheath

Great personal service.

Sara Nimmo

El Pinoso

Thank you have made life so much easier for us to book holidays, I have already told people about you.

Debbie S

Cranbrook

Simone was fantastic in helping us narrow down a very big brief! We wanted a luxurious honeymoon in June but had no idea where to go. She quickly suggested 3 top places and then kindly walked us through the pros & cons of each, with a breakdown across climate, cost and things to do. Although she knew what we were looking for, Simone didn’t push any of the locations and allowed us the time to work out what felt right. In the end, we’ve got exactly what we wanted in a 10 night stay to Mauritius with a fantastic hotel and flights that allow us to maximise our stay. We couldn’t be happier. The process was so smooth & simple thanks to Simone’s expertise and guidance along the way, thinking of things we wouldn’t have considered and ensuring we were completely satisfied with the choice.

Georgia Moore

Snodland

Simone has again come up trumps in assisting and booking our 2026 summer holiday. Simone provides an excellent service from start to finish. Would not hesitate to recommend.

Julian Biggerstaff

Durham

Best travel service we have ever used. Nothing is too much trouble. Simone is a diamond.

John McGrath

Colchester

Simone is just the best. Nothing is too much trouble, no question is too silly and she always goes the extra mile. Have already recommended her to several people and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again. She epitomises personal service.

Fiona Anderson

Edinburgh

Finding Simone has been wonderful, she has gone above and beyond to find us the perfect holiday, or should I say holidays! Nothing has been too much trouble and communication is fantastic. I don't know how she does it but Simone managed to do a totally tailor made holiday better than online. If you want fantastic service, a bespoke holiday, total peace of mind and a good price... ask Simone! Oh, and even better - you talk to an actual person rather than a robot! What a refreshing change.

Jane Endean

Southsea

We have been using Simone for over 10 years now to help us arrange and book holidays both grand trips, and small weekends away, to help us create some wonderful memories. Nothing is too much trouble, and her eye for detail is second to none! Our holidays have been truly wonderful, and we cannot thank her enough. We have no hesitation in recommending Simone to anyone searching for that perfect holiday of a lifetime.

Yvonne Jones

Vidaillac, France

Simone is extremely professional, and no query was ever too much trouble. We were presented with multiple well-thought-out options for our Disney trip, each tailored to our requirements. I would definitely recommend Simone and her business to anyone looking to book a holiday.

Lucy Wajner

Pontefract

Simone has been organising my holidays for over 20 years and has always delivered on any request we have put to her. The attention to detail from airport transfers to hotels and the type of rooms we prefer is superb, always telling my friends about this lady and the service she provides.

Joanne Kemp

Chelmsford

I wanted to say a massive thank you to Simone Taylor-Gray , our amazing Travel Counsellor. She consistently goes above and beyond. Here are just a few of the things she does (in no particular order) that make her exceptional: A mind reader- give her the vaguest idea of what we want from a holiday and a very broad list of wildly differing countries and she comes up with the perfect options . Super woman Organisation skills - Every detail is thought through and arranged—car parking, online check ins, flights, and more—often before I’ve even realised they needed doing. Absolute godsend when you’re two cocktails in on the beach! True holiday maker- she pays so much care and attention to every detail , we can relax and just enjoy the holiday from the moment it’s booked . Economist - Best Price searcher - every time She is all that and more. In summary she represents everything and more that a Travel Counsellor represents, and we wanted her fabulous care and hard work to be recognised, and to say a huge thank you . Looking forward to our next trip — organised by Simone of course! “Your dream holiday is Simone’s priority. Perfect holidays are all about relaxation or adventure. Connect with your very own travel expert to arrange your next holiday with care and lose the pain of planning. We'll take care of every last detail so you can explore with confidence and make memories to last a lifetime. “

Janice Brown

Cambridge

Simone has been our travel counsellor for over 20 years. In that time she has organised and advised us on some dream holidays. Nothing is too much trouble and she knows us so well now that each holiday is tailored made for us! We have recommended her to so many of our friends and colleagues and will continue to do so with confidence.

Helen Jackson

Windsor

Simone went out of here way to help advise and maximise the booking of our trip I would most definitely use her services again and would recommend here to my family and friends.

John Duhig

Cheshire

I won’t go to anyone else to book my holidays. Simone has put herself out to find out exactly what we want and need for our much needed breaks. As we’ve aged our choices have changed and Simone totally takes it all on board and sorts us out. Can’t say enough good things about her .

Jill Middleton

Blackheath

Nothing seems to be a bother to Simone would recommend her to all my friends.

Grace McCulloch

Kilmarnock

1st class service as always

Julia Nolan

Colchester

Simone never ceases to amaze us. No matter what we throw at her, Simone always delivers a perfect solution. This is especially so when we want her to build a multi-site, unique holiday as we did on this occasion. We have used Simone for many years and we will continue to do so.

Peter Terry

Hoddesdon

Simone Taylor-Gray always goes above & beyond for me, no tweaking is too much trouble.

Lisa Fincken

Leamington Spa

Simone is amazing at what she does. I asked her to find us a holiday in the UK where we could see otters. The options she sent me were all lovely, but as it is for me and my husband’s birthdays, she warned me that most properties were either Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday. I asked her about one of the destinations and how much it would cost for a week. Simone said if we go before the school holidays it would cost significantly less. I know Travel Counsellors are often about the luxury end of travel but Simone ensured our holiday was well within our budget. I would recommend her to anyone.

Suzanne Wilkinson-McKay

Warwick

Simone always goes above and beyond And always keeps me up to date.

Julie Prout

London

Simone Taylor-Gray always goes above & beyond for me, no tweaking is too much trouble.

Peter Terry

Hoddesdon

Simone is super knowledgeable with the itinerary options and great at adapting to alterations in the quote process. Communication very efficient! Cant wait for our trip with the family. Not the first time Joanne and I have used Simone and wont be the last.

Ian & Jo Higgins

Horsham

Simone was so patient with me when I kept changing my mind over price and dates. She found a fabulous holiday for myself and my aunt. Thank you!

Laura Woodrofe

London

We have been using Simone for years because she is fantastic at what she does. She takes the hassle out of planning my holidays. Everything about the service is seamless. All I have to do is tell her when, where, what i want to do when there and my budget. Her extensive knowledge and professional connections do the rest. On arrival until departure, the experience to just what I need. Effortless!

Derrick Gooden

Cardiff

Simone always delivers the holiday that I want within budget, is always on hand to answer queries no matter how small. She is very friendly & approachable always.

Sue Noonan

Bromley

Amazing personal service! Tailored to what you want. Simone is the best.

Janet Quick

Liverpool

Because she is the most awesome of the awesomest!

Julie Durrans

Wolverton

Additional offers

More destinations to enjoy

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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.

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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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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.

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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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Let’s talk through your ideas, no pressure.

020 3627 5180

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Finding your match...

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.