Vanessa de Vere
My expertise
I'm based in
Penzance
Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here
Expert touring specialist for authentic, seamless journeys by road, rail, sea and river.
I have been creating unforgettable travel experiences for discerning clients for more than 45 years. Since starting my career in travel in 1978, I have dedicated my professional life to helping people explore the world in comfort, safety and with complete peace of mind. With a lifetime of travel experience, I specialise in Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and touring holidays by road, rail and sea, although my clients’ travel plans extend far beyond these destinations, and often include city breaks, villa holidays and beach stays.
My background spans resort, hotel and travel operations management, which means I understand travel from the inside out. During the pandemic years, and more recently the Middle East Crisis, I looked after my clients with a genuine “whatever it takes” approach: rearranging plans, securing refunds promptly and ensuring every journey was protected and as stress free as possible. Since then, my business has gone from strength to strength, with recent years becoming my best yet as a Travel Counsellor, thanks to the many clients who continue to entrust me with their most precious travel plans.
Italy is my enduring passion and true area of deep expertise. I have visited 28 times, worked there across both summer and winter ski seasons, and know the country intimately: from the great cities of art to hidden hill towns, serene lakes and glamorous coastlines, wine regions, islands and mountain resorts. I have also been refreshing my Italian language skills, which helps me unlock special experiences, smooth logistics and add a richer layer of authenticity to every itinerary I design.
I create tailor made journeys that often combine rail travel, iconic grand hotels, boutique hideaways, and private touring. Whether it is a chic city break by high speed train, a leisurely journey through lesser known regions by local rail, or an indulgent escape pairing multiple cities and countries, I bring together the finest routes, properties and experiences to match each client’s personal style.
Rail travel is one of my great specialities. I have planned complex itineraries across Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and in Europe including Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Montenegro and the Alps, journeys combined with carefully timed flights, private transfers and hotels to meet the budget.
My clients come to me because they want seamless, beautifully paced journeys with all of the detail taken care of: connections, seat reservations, overnight stays and those special touches that turn “getting there” into a highlight of the holiday.
I am also highly experienced in river cruising. From Europe’s great waterways to more far flung rivers of India, Egypt, Asia and South America, I curate itineraries that pair elegant ships with immersive shore excursions, fine dining and unhurried time to simply sit back and watch the world glide by. Many of my clients choose to combine a river cruise with pre and post stay arrangements or rail journeys, particularly in Italy and across wider Europe, which I carefully choreograph to feel like one continuous, effortless trip.
My clients value my calm, knowledgeable and highly personal approach. Many come to me after feeling overwhelmed by online booking sites and conflicting information. They want someone who truly listens, understands how they like to travel and creates something that feels genuinely theirs, with every element checked, protected and thoughtfully designed.
If you are dreaming of your next special trip, I would be delighted to help.
Let us create a journey that feels effortless, indulgent and uniquely yours: that you will remember for years to come.
#Italyexpert #japanexpert #newzealandexpert
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
Ascent to the Matterhorn
It was a magnificent adventure; not something you would do everyday but when you take a trip and come back totally fulfilled you know you did it well. I flew to Zurich, and overnighted in this delightful city before heading off by train to Zermatt. I love Swiss trains, clean and comfortable and usually pretty much on time. The sun was shining heading through the Matter Valley, the mighty Matterho
30 May 2025 5 min read
Hidden Neighbourhoods of Singapore
Beyond the likes of the well-known Chinatown and Little India, Singapore is home to some more ‘off-the-beaten-track’ neighbourhoods which are well worth exploring! Tiong Bahru: the oldest housing estate in Singapore, this quaint community is an eclectic mix of old and new. Steeped in history, its transformation began in the 30’s and some of the landmark buildings from that era still stand today w
07 Apr 2021 5 min read
An adventure in Borneo - Part 3 - Onto Kinabalu
A short internal flight of about 40 minutes takes you to Kota Kinabalu, the final leg of your adventure where the following day you will visit Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site and is the Centre of Plant Diversity for South East Asia. The Park boasts more than 5,000 vascular plant species and the Park has no shortage of fauna as well, being home to some 90 lowland mammal species
12 Jan 2020 5 min read
An adventure in Borneo - Part 2 seeing Dolphins, Crocodiles and cheeky Proboscis monkeys...
As you are on an island, we’ll add some more water based activities into the mix today with an exciting cruise along the Santubong Peninsular to spot some of Sarawak’s very own fascinating array of wildlife, such as the iconic Proboscis monkey, crocodiles and even the lively dolphins! Starting at Sarawak Boat Club you’ll head for the mouth of the Santubong River. Here, sightings of the Irrawaddy d
12 Jan 2020 5 min read
An adventure in Borneo - Part 1
Just recently we've seen so much media coverage on Borneo, and the plight of the magnificent Orangutan. From Judi Dench's adventures to BBC's Natural World and the latest BBC production, Earth's Tropical Islands. I watch them all, in awe of this charming ape. On my desk this year I have a National Geographic Calendar, gifted to me at Christmas and my January Pin Up, is nicknamed Oscar the Oranguta
12 Jan 2020 5 min read
The Cilento Coast Part 2 - The hidden gem in Italy's crown Teggiano, Castellabate to Palinuro
You will not want to miss the charming medieval village of Teggiano which has a maze of ancient wobbly houses and streets and is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the park’s villages. It dates from Roman times but the Norman Sanseverino castle dates to medieval times. It’s often called a mini-Rome with six churches, shady cobbled streets and four small museums hidden amid its tangled maze of a
12 Jul 2019 5 min read
The Cilento Coast Part 1 - The hidden gem in Italy's crown Salerno, Paestum & Padula
Hidden from the tourist trail for the moment at least, Cilento is one of the best kept secrets in Italy. I’d like to share my experiences of this wonderful area with you. Long a retreat for the chic Italians to holiday and stay cooler than in cities like Rome when the temperatures soar, the Amalfi Coast has kept its traditional Italian seaside retreat vibe with (mostly) rocky beaches, indulgences
12 Jul 2019 5 min read
If I said Middle East ...what thoughts does it conjure up?
I bet it isn't miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, adrenaline filled activities, delicious cuisine and really affordable luxury hotels? Well if you are planning a late summer, autumn, winter or early spring escape - tune in because this is just for you - there is an Emirate or country in the Middle East that will be right up your street. Bur how do you know which one to choose? I'
30 Jun 2019 5 min read
Heading south to Antarctica - is it for you?
It was International Day of the Penguin on 25th April. Probably a day that slipped past unrecognised to most, but it got me thinking again about Antarctica. If the last time you saw a penguin was at a zoo you really do need to get out more. In February 2016, I sailed a circumnavigation of South America and made several ports of call in the Falkland Islands, Argentina and Chile. Penguins were the
26 Apr 2019 5 min read
My Top 5 Cruise Ports in Japan (Part 2)
Sakaiminato This is a really “out there” pick, but I believe visiting a country properly means taking in a few contrasts. In the prefecture of Tottori Sakaiminato's claim to fame is the Matsuba crab – another opportunity for a culinary exploit. Sakaiminato is also the hometown of Japanese manga artist and historian Shigeru Mizuki. Although Shigeru passed away in 2015, his legacy still lives on t
21 Apr 2019 5 min read
My Top 5 Cruise Ports in Japan (Part 1)
In the news and media a lot recently, and a country on so many people’s bucket lists…Japan. Slightly mystical and far removed from our society and culture, it sparks the imagination and ignites curiosity. I started planning my own adventure to Japan a few weeks ago after passing the Japan National Tourist Office Master of Japan Certification, so I thought I’d share with you my top 5 cruise ports i
21 Apr 2019 5 min read
3 Road Trips you won't want to miss....
One of the best experiences of all must be driving somewhere new and exciting. We've all had enough of the M5, M4, M6 by the time we put our out of office on...especially if you have a long commute. But a driving holiday can be hugely rewarding. Read on to find my top 3 destinations... Bella Italia As a specialist in Italy it was inevitable this would come first. The well know SS163, or the
01 Dec 2018 5 min read
My top 5 Asia Detox Destinations...
Just how many parties can one fit into their diary in December – it’s excess gone mad! Another mince pie and that extra glass of mulled wine are outrageously tempting, especially when everyone else is getting into the "spirit" of things. If like me you follow a healthy lifestyle 10-12 months of the year you may be concerned that the festive season is going to send your healthy habits, into a
30 Nov 2018 5 min read
Ditch everything and just go !
So, what's wrong with taking a career break? Apparently, we all live longer now, so we have more time on our hands. I did it a few years ago - and it changed my life. Do you like the idea of a long, mid-career break to go do something really different? India is surprisingly the most popular of these locations thanks perhaps to the film, The First Exotic Marigold Hotel. Whilst this article is no
29 Nov 2018 5 min read
It's not all about bars and karaoke.....Come with me to unveil something just a little different and
Ah Tenerife. What's the first thing that comes to mind? Package holiday hotels, bars and karaoke? Over the years this popular destination with Europeans has picked up quite a reputation for all the wrong things. When we say Tenerife, you are immediately pointed to the south of the island, with the usual big hotels and all-inclusive brands making their mark but if you venture to the north you wi
14 Sept 2018 5 min read
Don't like the sand in your toes - take to the Jungle !
I see part of my role as a travel professional is to promote travel to places that take responsibility for their footprint and actively encourage eco-tourism. You may have read in the press that The Beach is Thailand made famous by Leonardo di Caprio and the Island of Boracay in the Philippines have been temporarily closed in a bid to save the corals and give the eco systems time to regenerate. In
06 Jun 2018 5 min read
Eco Tourism - who cares ?
In the 1980's I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Mauritius. I was writing a thesis for my degree in Oceanography. Mauritius is an island in the south west Indian Ocean around 2400km south-east of coast of Africa and 855km east of Madagascar. Back then we didn't know what we were doing to our planet. Plastic was big news in the 80's as it was seen as the new and better alternative to p
05 Jun 2018 5 min read
MyTC - Start planning your adventure today!
These days we have apps for everything. Some are more useful than others and some you just can’t live without. At Travel Counsellors we have access to state of the art technology - you don't usually see it. When I'm researching and booking your holiday I use real time systems that reach out across many platforms to collate and deliver accurate information to build your holiday. Although it
30 Mar 2018 5 min read
Jet sets, sun sets, yachts and moussaka
Much loved by yacht owners, artists, celebrities, well-heeled visitors from Italy and holidaymakers alike, Fiscardo is one of Kefalonia’s most charming and elegant destinations. It is the northernmost town on the island and is a port (and fishing town) that offers ferry routes out to Ithaca ports of Lefkada and Frikes. It is beloved by artists for its Venetian buildings painted in pastel colours a
28 Mar 2018 5 min read
Where summer is really something - April 2017
Sweden is beautiful in the summer. It is gorgeous any time of the year! A few weeks ago, some clients asked me to put together a two-week itinerary for Sweden for their summer holidays. Too often Sweden is not even on the summer holiday radar which is such a shame. It offers a powerful combination of city, islands and countryside which offers the opportunity to experience many aspects of Swedis
28 Mar 2018 5 min read
Island Hopping in Croatia - From Korcula to Dubrovnik ( Part 2)
Arriving in Korcula you will be taken aback by the vegetation, the proliferation of vineyards, olive groves and small villages. Home to the enchanting old town, the island of Korcula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching nearly 47km in length. It's made up of dense woodlands with numerous pathways ripe for walking, leading you to quiet coves and small sandy beaches which you'll find alo
28 Mar 2018 5 min read
Island Hopping in Croatia Split to Korcula (Part 1)
With hundreds of islands, this is an idyllic location to hop on and off ferries and seek a new adventure every day. A green and lush version of the Greek Islands, this charming country offers something for everyone and is a walker’s paradise. On a trip I did in 2017 I flew into Split and took a 20-minute (17km) transfer to the Maksara Riviera and the town of Seget Donji on the Adriatic coast.
28 Mar 2018 5 min read
Chowder Time - February 2017
I’m not sure that February is the right month to visit San Francisco but wherever you go you will need very deep pockets. This is one of the most expensive places I have ever visited, and certainly kept my wine habit in check. Visiting anyway in the US shortly after an election you will feel the out pouring of emotion and a certain post-election fever. I always had certain iconic ideals of this ci
24 Mar 2018 5 min read
Sing-a-Long with Sydney -March 2017
There is so much to Sydney; its young and vibrant population of many cultures. My recent three-night stop off in Sydney was exciting. It was at the end of a cruise from San Francisco, although slightly tinged with sadness disembarking the Queen Elizabeth in the pouring rain (yes it rains in Australia). A swift transfer to our hotel in Darling Harbour was pre-arranged and early check-in meant we ha
24 Mar 2018 5 min read
Anyone for Cricket?
We arrived in Colombo to a colorful sweaty hustle and bustle to start our two-week adventure; met by our enthusiastic driver Sammy we joined our private transport, luggage stowed we started on the hectic drive through the capital of Sri Lanka. Nothing prepares you for the array of colour and smell and the disorder of traffic. A front seat in the bus is not for the faint hearted! Our drive to Ga
04 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 2 - We are sailing!
With all trips there is a start date and end date, because we all have commitments and a set time span to do things in, unless we are really fortunate, and I'm not there yet! In working out how best to spend my days I've made a list of all the things I want to do (you will find this list in Part One if you missed my opening article). Norway is a long country with approx. 14,000 miles of coastl
04 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 9 - The Final Push
We will arrive in the small town Kirkenes around 9am, located north east in as far north in Norway as you can go. It's the capital of the Barents Region and the gateway to the east. We are talking Russia and Finland - Lapland country! Guess I would have missed Santa in March? The Kirkenes Snow hotel is my next destination, open between December and April (subject to global warming) it is built
01 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 8 - Straight down for Cape Town!
I took a long look at the huge map which covers an entire wall in my office this morning before I started planning today's article. I often refer to this when talking to clients looking for holiday inspiration. I realised that for as far north I was going to travel on my adventure I would also be moving east. Tracing a longitude of 18.955324 downwards from Tromso I would be in the same parallel as
01 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 3 - The big train journey
When going away on any sort of trip I always look to maximise the time I have by doing as much as I feel comfortable with - I call it top and tailing. In my article "Planning an Adventure Day 2" I wrote about my choice of ship for the coastal exploration side of my adventure. Today I am looking at taking the train between Oslo and Bergen, courtesy of NSB (Norges Statsbaner AS) or the Norwegian
01 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 5 - Now the fun begins...
As I've previously mentioned Hurtigruten are working ships which have sailed along the Norwegian coast since 1893 bringing much needed supplies and post to remote towns. After a few days of taking in the sights of Oslo and Bergen and having spent my first night on the MS Nordlyss we will have already made a few overnight and morning stops. Firstly at Florø (meaning strong stream) once a centre
01 Dec 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure - Planning a trip to Norway Part 1
As many of you know, I started in travel in 1978 and the travel bug has never really left me. I work at home now and run my own business as a travel professional who "delivers travel solutions to people who want to travel". I'm part of Travel Counsellors Ltd. Every day I have access to hundreds of airlines, suppliers; I attend webinars and supplier days and come away armed with brochures, pens and
22 Nov 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 6 - Lofoten Islands to Tromsø and beyond
The Lofoten Islands have beckoned me for years; I have absolutely no idea why. The sun will be setting as we sail into Stamsund, but I feel sure we wont miss the soaring Lofotveggen, rough and ragged peaks, misshapen and multi-coloured mountains as a backdrop to the westerly skies. Throughout the night we will drift through this Nordland archipelago making our stops; I think it will be a night
22 Nov 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 7 - Continuing North..again
Arriving into Tromsø, the "Capital of the Artic" 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle with its large islands and high mountain back drop will spark excitement. It's said Tromsø has a mild climate because of the gulf stream, so somewhere between 0C and -9C isn't that cold... really! I last came here many years ago on a conference in the summer and experienced the midnight sun. This time the
21 Nov 2017 5 min read
Bucket List Adventure Day 4 - Contemplating Bergen
As my itinerary "topping" continues before the big voyage, I know I need to be in Bergen (Bryggen) for the Hurtigruten departure at 11pm. My train gets in at 3pm so I have a few hours. I'm quite a laid-back person and I don't like rushing things. After a long 7-hour train journey I think I would probably want to chill out and take in this gorgeous city. Bergen has an ice-free harbour sheltered fro
21 Nov 2017 5 min read
From Outback to Outpost
Darwin was my first Australian experience which really having now seen much more is the real scene setter for this wonderful country. I flew into Darwin from Singapore; the vastness of the landscape strikes you and the colour green is vivid and contrasting to the deep blue sea. This won’t be everyone’s bag, but to say it’s something completely difference won't over egg the stark contrast between D
06 Sept 2017 5 min read
Reviews
What my customers say
Videos
Discover the world with me
I just unbottled the world !
After a lifetime in travel I am here to share my knowledge and experience to help you life your best life through your travel adventures.
08 Apr 2026
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
