Su Dillon
My expertise
I'm based in
Hedon
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
Trade Stress for Distant Sunsets and Making Stories
Thank you for visiting my page. I am Su Dillon, your personal Travel Counsellor.
I know your time, money and memories really matter, so my job is simple: remove the stress and give you the trip you are dreaming of, without you lifting a finger. I have been running my travel business since 2007, so I have seen it all: ash clouds, Covid, wars, earthquakes and operators going bust, and I know how important support and protection are when things change.
Working from my home office, I am available at times to suit you. Share your dates, ideas and budget, then leave me to research, plan and pull everything together. When travelling be assured of support with our 24/7 Global Duty office
I design holidays of all kinds:
• Ocean and river cruises
• Touring holidays and multi‑centre trips
• City breaks and beach escapes
• Tailor‑made itineraries for couples, families, friends and solo travellers
Cruising is a real passion of mine. I have sailed with multiple cruise lines and visited dozens of ports across the Caribbean, Europe and Asia, so I can help you choose the right ship, cabin and itinerary, and take care of all the details.
I also love touring and exploring on land. Highlights for me include a fabulous tour of South Africa, adventures across Canada and India, and iconic USA stays like Las Vegas to renew our vows. City breaks are another favourite: Paris, Prague, Rome, , Krakow and Budapest are just some of the places I know well.
Beyond holidays, I can also arrange:
• Major sports events and theatre or concert trips
• Business travel in the UK and overseas
• Group travel, awards ceremonies, conferences and incentive trips
You will benefit from a personal, efficient service, quick responses, and support with everything from check‑ins and special requests to your travel documents. Your online account makes your plans easy to access at home, at work or on the move, and there is always backup support if plans change.
Most importantly, everything you book with me is 100% financially protected, so you can book with complete peace of mind.
If this sounds like the way you would like to travel, I would love to help. Get in touch and let us start planning your next adventure together.
Your personal Travel Counsellor,
Su
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Thank you
Nineteen years, countless trips and so many lovely loyal clients. I’ve written a short thank‑you blog about where my bookings really come from and why your support means so much.
22 Aug 2026 4 min read
Weddings, honeymoons & “happily ever after” holidays (including cruises)
“From Beachfront ‘I Dos’ to Cruise Ship Sunsets: Romantic Escapes I Can Arrange”
01 Aug 2026 3 min read
All at Sea
What do I do all that time at Sea?
30 Jul 2026 6 min read
Revisiting - many times for 30 years
Why we come back time after time!
12 May 2026 2 min read
Bahamas & Caribbean Cruise on Nieuw Statendam
Blissful cruise in the Bahamas and Caribbean
11 Mar 2026 4 min read
See the world by Escorted touring
Over the past 8 years I've enjoyed escorted tours to Stunning South Africa, New York - Niagara and New England and last year Golden Triangle and Taj Mahal
16 Feb 2026 3 min read
Golden Triangle and Goa
Bucket List ticked - seeing the Magnificent Taj Mahal and Tigers !
13 Dec 2025 3 min read
Chilling time in Corsica
A quick summary of our week in stunning Calvi Beautiful Island in the Mediterranean sea French speaking locals with a touch of Italian flair Seafood Pizza and pasta , with choices of wine to compare 2 hour flight from London , and a 20 min transfer checked in Unpack and out with the locals for the adventure to begin Beautiful white sandy beaches ,warm and calm seas Great time September to v
28 Sept 2024 2 min read
HAL Rotterdam visit in Liverpool
Visiting a cruise ship in Port is always rather cool, but nothing better than being up North in Liverpool Monday this week I had a look around ROTTERDAM – a stunning ship from Holland America Line (HAL) With a stunning lunch on board too it was simply divine Holds just over 2600 passengers when every cabin is full So lots of space on board which felt really wonderful HAL would appeal to adv
16 Aug 2024 2 min read
Sailing away since 2016
As my last cruise blog was written in 2016- there’s been a good bit of cruising since I thought I’d update where I’ve been sailing and with which lines. Obviously 2020 saw a massive impact on all the travel industry when Covid struck. Hundreds of cruise ships laid up all around the world. I’m delighted to report that the last couple of years the business has returned, and then some! In 2023 CLIA
02 Aug 2024 5 min read
Weekend in Finland
You'd not be mistaken to see similar heading on my blogs this was our 3rd attempt to see the Northen lights but wasn't to be.... twice Iceland and this time Finland! Nevertheless it was an amazing experience! leaving from Humberside our local airport was a bonus. the operator we work with for this trip has an array of regional airports as well as Manchester and London On arrival in snowy Finla
13 Mar 2024 2 min read
Vancouver to Banff
We disembarked the ship in Vancouver. First time visits for all these places I took advice from colleagues who had visited previously and our own Destination Specialist to plan the week ahead. We took the Hop-on-off bus tour around the city. When in a new city we usually like to go around a full circuit and get a feel for the place first. Being perfectly honest, it was not the best tour we’ve b
24 Aug 2023 4 min read
Bucket List Cruise on Regent Seven Seas Explorer to Alaska
Wow - Jaw dropping – Breath-taking- Awesome. These are some of the adjectives we’ve used over the last couple of weeks. I take full advantage of the travel benefits available to me as a Travel Counsellor. Enhancing my travel knowledge of course so all for market research purposes! Many who know me well, know that Ken my husband rarely has a clue until weeks before where we’re going on holiday.
24 Aug 2023 4 min read
Iceland without the Northern Lights
We flew out from Liverpool with airline play.com, I can arrange any airport based on where you're from. Driver waiting in arrivals with our name on his tablet, Into a very comfy minibus and off we set Well located in central Reykjavik to take in all the sights, Of course the main thing on the bucket list to see the Northern lights A gentle stroll to the harbour by 9pm set sail from the shore,
01 Mar 2023 3 min read
Tenerife Eventually!
Since December 2020 we've had 4 attempts to get over to our loved Tenerife Others may have given up but we had the belief... That when it's was meant to be we'd make it and it would all be worth while. We've just enjoyed 10 fabulous days in the sun in true Canaries winter style So there's a few forms to complete and need to be jabbed or take a test. But we all want to stay safe don't we so it
15 Dec 2021 3 min read
NCL Epic - Barcelona
Anyone who knows me, know I love a cruise. It’s been so upsetting seeing all the cruise ships laid up over the last 12months. Even on my recent visit to the South coast saw three ships anchored in Torbay So, imagine how excited I was when invited on a “test-cruise” for Norwegian Cruise Line. A 4-night trip for travel trade and NCL staff. To trial all new systems and protocols, before the first co
12 Sept 2021 7 min read
North Coast 500
I must admit this is something I'd not heard of up to Summer of 2020 As we all know the Covid situation brought with it a demand for UK trip , so I've now booked it several times and finding some fabulous properties I can book anything from B&B , hotels or cottages along the route and car hire too if required Depending on where you live in the UK can add some stops en-route up to Bonny Scotla
09 Sept 2021 1 min read
North Yorkshire Cottage with friends
UK Cottage and Lodge breaks have been so popular I thought best sample one for myself We can offer them in all areas of the UK and for all size of families or groups Lots of clients have been booking them to get together having not seen one another for so long I booked a break in a little village called Glaisdale in North Yorkshire just outside Whitby. Fabulous walking area , so great when prop
05 Sept 2021 2 min read
Life during lockdown Part II
Almost 1 year on – WOW Who would have thought when we were in the early throws of this Pandemic, that we’d still be battling it now? What a year it’s been, and like millions of others my life has been turn up-side down like never imaginable. I took the difficult decision over 13 years ago, to leave a well-paid job and follow my passion. To run my own travel business. Whilst there has been man
04 May 2021 3 min read
Getting back to business
My first experience of Covid was quite a while before it arrived in the UK as I had clients on a Far East Cruise which was curtailed so it’s been affecting my work-life for well over a year now. Thankfully there is some light at the end of the tunnel with the introduction of the vaccine as some countries are opening their borders for travel as well as clients reverting to booking Staycations for t
16 Mar 2021 1 min read
Life as a TC during Lockdown
Life as a Travel Counsellor during Lockdown It seems like a lifetime ago, I spent a couple of weeks in Tenerife earlier this year, just as Covid19 had been found in a hotel there, from an Italian guest. I would never have dreamt then, what the next weeks and months were to become – like nothing experienced in my lifetime let alone my Travel Counsellors career. I returned to the UK on 7th March s
13 May 2020 3 min read
River Cruise Conference
Having been sailing and selling ocean cruises for over 20 years I thought it was time we experienced the vastly growing market of river cruising. My husband Ken and I attended the CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) river cruise conference in Amsterdam Nov 19, on which we heard from industry experts about the vast array of destinations of rivers around the world which are now available to
01 Jan 2020 3 min read
Colours of the Far East Cruise
So we set off from Hull by first class train All Ken knew was we were to be cruising again I’d done an itinerary of what was in store Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and more A night over in London staying in Cricklewood A few hours at bingo I thought would be good Starting at the airport in the lounge like a VIP A bite to eat and a few drinks are included free The flight was a long one, some
01 Jan 2020 4 min read
Bucket List trip
A true bucket list trip for me was going to South Africa – the problem is now I've been I want to go again! Unsure about doing the trip on our own, we took our first escorted tour. You may be put off (as I was to be honest) about being on the go all the time and the packing and unpacking along the way, but it was absolutely fabulous. The organization is brilliant, from being met at the airport
24 May 2019 4 min read
Anniversary Day and Spa treat in Manchester
Working from an office at home - can be very challenging, but as a Travel Counsellor we have not only the support 24/7 cover at Head office in Manchester, but 1500+ colleagues around the globe. It's a very unique ethos - we are not in competition with one another but work as a team. I'm very fortunate to have many colleagues who help and support my business every day - and never feel like I'm wo
11 Apr 2019 2 min read
Costa Blanca winter sun and catch up with friends
I've been visiting Benidorm for holidays since I was a teenager with my parents. It's image has changed over the years and appeals to both young and old. Sometimes media coverage doesn't give it the best image and I'm sure it is a love or hate place but personally I'm on the love side. I've stayed in many types of accommodation, both apartment and hotel and will continue to try different ones to
26 Mar 2019 2 min read
What's your travel wows
I've seen a lot of coverage on social media about wow moments on your travels so thought I'd share mine with you best I could narrow them down to is the following four: Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Named the most luxurious ship ever built. I've been very lucky to win a sailing on this ship and also a visit during CLIA conference: read both on my other journals The ship sure has the wow factor fro
26 Mar 2019 2 min read
What's on your Bucket List?
What's on your bucket list? Until very recently I didn't actually know where the phrase came from. I heard about bucket list but didn't know the literal meaning. Well here's what I'd love to see and do before I kick the bucket Number one for me is Canada. The reason I've not done it yet, is that I believe I'd need 2-3 weeks to see it all and obviously with the cost involved I'd want to start in
26 Mar 2019 2 min read
Going for GOLD
Since joining Travel Counsellors in December 2007, I've grown my business year-on-year and currently boast just over 350 clients. Travel Counsellors set a target every year to become a Gold Travel Counsellor, and out of more than 1,700 TCs worldwide, these forms the top 10%. Over the last two days, I've been on a course at our Head Office in Venus Manchester along with other TCs who are ul
16 Feb 2019 1 min read
CLIA conference in Copenhagen
As you'll know if you've read my other blogs, I do love a cruise. I think from last count I’ve been on just over 20, as well as numerous ship visits around the UK. When CLIA announced they were hosting an event in Copenhagen featuring ships rarely seen in the UK, I jumped at the opportunity. I'm very fortunate enough to have sailed on Regent Seven Seas Explorer so I was thrilled that day one sta
02 Jul 2018 2 min read
Benidorm Fiestas
We've been to Benidorm many times before, quite often visiting friends living nearby in Spain or taking a long weekend break. I sell it a lot and so each time like to sample different hotels. Following on from our Travel Counsellors conference in 2017 we jetted straight off to the Costa Blanca and met up with friends. We stayed this time at the Belroy hotel in a good central location in Levante
29 Jun 2018 1 min read
Cookery school with Oceania
Another cruise line I've yet to experience is Oceania, part of the group with NCL and Regent. They have fabulous ships, with all the features of the larger vessels yet small enough to get into many ports without tender and under 1000 passengers on board. One of their many focus’ is on cuisine and they highlight that many of the speciality dining on board is included on board with no supplement. M
29 Jun 2018 2 min read
Harwich to Hull Marco Polo
Cruise and Maritime include Hull in their yearly itineraries usually around the UK, Iceland, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic capitals including St Petersburg to name a few. Having one sailing leaving Harwich then calling at Hull before a UK 12-night trip, they had numerous cabins to fill for the one night and pushed out a promotion to sail for the night from £39. I got a group of friends together to
29 Jun 2018 2 min read
Fabulous Prize in Antigua
After last year's Travel Counsellors conference, I entered into a marketing competition - and won a fabulous trip for 2 to St James Club in Antigua, flying with Virgin Atlantic. Put together in verse day by day the posts I made to Facebook which sums up the trip: Set off this morning, the journey not too quick, But finally arrived at hotel in Gatwick. I don't often put travel onto my
29 Aug 2017 3 min read
Sunsets and Cocktails
With the introduction of the Flybe service from one of my local airports - Robin Hood Doncaster - what better excuse to squeeze in a few cheeky days away in Spain. With an early departure from Doncaster, and a 10 minute transfer from Malaga to Torremolinos, we left at 7am and were on the beach just after lunch We stayed at the Sol Principe which is a lovely hotel, but just a little bit far o
16 Mar 2017 2 min read
Visit Orlando Roadshow
The Visit Orlando Roadshow came to Leeds so a group of Travel Counsellors went along to find out all about what's new in Orlando and their amazing Theme parks Each presenter only had 20 minutes, but first up Visit Orlando gave us an overview of all that's new there - and not just the Theme parks, all the stunning new hotels/ villas - fabulous shopping malls and simply stunning world renowned g
10 Mar 2017 2 min read
CLIA Cruise Promotion Award
Back in February this year, I entered a competition to CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) where I had to write a proposal about how I'd promote cruises to "yet to cruise" clients. In May I found out I'd been shortlisted and would be attending the Agent Achievement Awards as guests of CLIA in London along with the other nominees. It was a fabulous evening with entertainment from Boo
20 Dec 2016 2 min read
Travel Counsellors Conference 2016
Travel Counsellors from around the globe look forward with anticipation every-year to the annual conference, usually held in November. This year was no exception - held at the Conference Centre in Manchester over the weekend 18-20th. During the day we hear from the Directors and staff from our head office at Venus in Manchester about the new and innovative ways they are working with operator
20 Dec 2016 3 min read
The most luxurious ship ever built
At Travel Counsellors annual conference I was the lucky winner of a place on board the most luxurious ship ever built along with my husband Ken. We feel so privileged to have had this experience and having recently watched back the Channel 5 documentary of the making of the ship, I actually shed a tear. I've wrote this poem which hopefully sums it up and have taken a few snaps around the ship.
20 Dec 2016 2 min read
Azamazing trip
I've been very fortunate to have some wonderful holidays but in November 15, to date is one of the most amazing trips. It was planned and saved for over 18 months, first the cruise element (which the free upgrade to a Balcony cabin was on) and then added to with flights/hotels and excursions. We flew out to Hong Kong for one night. We did an open-top bus tour including up the Peak Tram wher
19 Dec 2016 3 min read
Ocean Village - 2004
Back in 2004, times were changing in the cruise market with the demand for less formal cruising. P&O took the old Arcadia and changed it into the Ocean Village. No dress code, no set dining times and a bigger appeal to a wider market. Personally we found it all a bit of a strange experience, but probably as we were comparing it to when we'd sailed on her as Arcadia. We couldn't fault the foo
19 Dec 2016 2 min read
P&O Oriana - 2001
Like most people, you will remember where you were 9/11. I was being offered a cruise to depart the following day from Southampton, on the P&O staff stand-by offers. It's hard to put into words how different this was from Arcadia, but personally I found it a lot more formal (not as relaxed) which goes to confirm not every ship will suit everyone but there is a ship out there which will suit you
19 Dec 2016 2 min read
P&O Arcadia - Caribbean dream!
I worked for North Sea Ferries in Hull and once they were taken over by P&O, we were able to enjoy concessions not only on the ferry but also on P&O Cruises too. It was on a standby basis and often with very little notice to travel, but a great opportunity to experience cruising for a fraction of the brochure price! 2000 was our first trip, flying out to Barbados, cruising around the Caribb
19 Dec 2016 3 min read
Why I LOVE cruising...
Why do I love cruising? My first ‘cruise’ experience was not a particularly great one I have to say. Our honeymoon on board the Thomson Topaz, back in 1998. A very old, reconditioned ship, which was in much need of more than a bit of TLC, but none the less from this trip on – we had the ‘bug’. We spent a week in Florida and then sailed from Port Canaveral to the Florida Keys, Mexico, and
28 Jun 2016 6 min read
Amsterdam Mini Cruise - back to the 70's
Having always been a bit of an organiser I planned a trip on P&O Ferrries with a group of friends as a pre-40th Birthday celebration! I had done many trips on P&O so I knew the return crossing was usually a little reserved as everyone is tired and catching up from the early mornings. So… I decided to make it fancy dress - a 1970's night... After a late night on-board and a 06:30 wake up call, e
09 Apr 2013 2 min read
Iceland
One of Ken (my husband's) dream holidays was to see the Northern Lights, so after consideration and advice from fellow colleagues we booked a short break to Reykjavik for the first weekend in January. We travelled out from Manchester. This was just a two hour flight and a well-organized shuttle service into the centre of Reykjavik. We'd opted for a little hotel in the suburbs of the city which
15 Jan 2013 3 min read
New York New York & Viva Las Vegas
New York, New York so good they named it twice had for a long time been on my 'wish list' of places to go so when I was fortunate enough to win some flights there was no stopping us, and we coupled this with a another visit to Las Vegas. As you'll see from my other journals, we absolutely love it. Talk about the 'City that never sleeps' - was an understatement the pace of life was way faster th
25 May 2011 3 min read
A touch of luxury
As you will see by my other travel journals I have visited Tenerife on numerous occasions but always stayed Los Christianos, Playa De Las Americas or Costa Del Silencio. I took the opportunity whilst short break in the sun to visit some new places and spent 3 days at the Gran Bahia Del Duque in Costa Adeje. From the second you arrive, when the buggy whisks you from the main gate down to reception
24 May 2011 3 min read
World Cup 2006 Germany
A visit to Germany in 2006 had a dual purpose. We decided to go on a 'memory lane' trip for Ken having served in the army in Duisburg and also to be in the country when the World Cup was being played. We flew into Dusseldorf and caught a train over to Duisburg. Still speaking a little bit of German, Ken spoke to several people on the train en-route asking about the area as nothing appeared famil
19 Dec 2010 2 min read
Crete Surprise
One Saturday evening, we received a phone call from a friend who was in Crete for his regular two-week holiday- gloating about the weather and the chilled atmosphere... Being impulsive as we often have been known to be, we decided to see if we could get a late holiday and go out to join them! We had visited Crete several years previously and stayed at Aghios Nickolias so we wanted to find a new re
28 Mar 2010 2 min read
Winter Sunshine in Benidorm
With almost year-round sunshine, Benidorm is certainly the place if you want to brighten up a miserable winter! Having got fed up of the terrible snow and cold weather we were enduring during early February, husband Ken and I booked ourselves over to Benidorm for 4 nights! Being only a 2 1/2 hour flight from Doncaster, it is so easy to take a short break and shows it doesn't always have to be on
04 Mar 2009 4 min read
Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Royal Caribbean Cruise
Well the titles says it all..... First a 5 night stay in Las Vegas followed by 3 nights in LA where we picked up a cruise Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas and sailed to Mexico. Ken and I absolutely LOVE - Las Vegas and if you've never been then I'd say it's somewhere that you need to see to believe it! The famous strip is I believe 4 miles long. We stayed at the Imperial Palace hotel. It
18 Jul 2008 4 min read
Celebrating the BIG 4-0 on the ISLAND ESCAPE
Well what a way to celebrate turning the BIG 40? My husband Ken and I have travelled on Island Escape before and thoroughly enjoyed it so we decided what better way to celebrate my big birthday. To make it even better for me - some very good friends decided to join us and also my dad came along too. He had never cruised before and loved it so much he's booked again for 2009...! Our other friends
17 Jul 2008 3 min read
Fun and Friendly Silencio
Everyone's heard of Playa De las Americas, Los Christianos or Puerto De La Cruz in Tenerife - but not so many have heard of Costa Del Silencio. The secret is in the name - it means Silent coast in Spanish. If it's bright lights, wild night life and sandy beaches your after then this isn't the place for you - but if you want a relaxing inexpensive break in the Canarian sunshine then Silencio is
16 Jul 2008 3 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Videos
Discover the world with me
Bahamas with Nieuw Statendam
Blissful cruise in the Bahamas and Caribbean
02 Mar 2026
Galapagos Cruising with Celebrity
A real Bucket list trip
18 Mar 2021
Our Regent Seven Seas Explorer
Fabulous memories
12 Mar 2021
Stella Island Crete
Fabulous property in Crete - available for 2021 and 22
10 Mar 2021
5 reasons to book your holiday with me
5 reasons to trust me with your travel plans
20 Feb 2021
Corporate travel
5 reasons to choose me for your business travel
20 Feb 2021
Fancy a Cruise
Thinking of a cruise maybe for 2022 or even 2023 Now's the perfect time to get in touch with me
04 Feb 2021
Additional offers
More destinations to enjoy
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.
Get in touch
