Marina Schumacher Travel Counsellors

21/01/2025

Are you a Summer Baby or more of a Winter Bunny?

Or neither - tell me in the comments when you rather go on holidays or what kind of season you prefer to experience whilst away.
After all... the picture on the left was taken at the same time of year (December/January) than the picture on the right... fancy that!🤯😍

31/12/2024

🎉✨ Cheers to a New Year of Adventures! ✨🎉

New Year's Eve, at least for the last 6 years, has been a bit of a surreal experience for me personally... 6 years ago today I was in hospital... giving birth! My son finally made an appearance at 01:09am on the 1st January 2019, but I still remember lying there, working very hard and all of a sudden hearing "shots" outside... My brain needed a moment to make the connection that it wasn't just the 31st December anymore (I was there since 5am), but midnight and a new year and new day is starting... and for us a new life...

May your 2025 be as magical, happy, eventful and full of adventure as that New Years (and every year since) was for us....

31/12/2024

This Winter Trainscapade is the last one for 2024 and marks Pete’s very first journey on the Eurostar! I’ve heard lots of grumbles about long queues at check-in and therefore wanted to get to St Pancras early… well, Sunday before Christmas and our national rail services were either so full that we couldn’t get through the doors or delayed BUT we got to St Pancras tube station at 11.34am for a recommended 11.45am check-in and we had our bags scanned, passports checked and little corner of floor space for bags and Pete to sit on in the departure hall by 11.55am!! First WIN of the day…
The train departed on time, the whole journey ran smoothly and as we travelled in Eurostar Plus (formerly Standard Premier), we had a light meal with free tea/coffee included and I assure you mine at least tasted a lot better than it looks in the picture! The coffee on the other hand… typical train coffee – will I never learn?!
Luggage space was plenty in our carriage at least but I’d still recommend to not overdo the number and size of pieces you bring. Plug points are fab – you don’t even need to have an adapter (but of course you may need that wherever you go next).

At Lille, we had to change from Lille Europe to Lille Flandres station, which are about 10 minutes’ walk apart, and I don’t really recommend to cut through the shopping centre on the Sunday before Christmas, no matter how drizzly it is…
There was no direct connection from Lille to Reims or Champagne-Ardennes TGV station, and I really wanted to avoid central Paris, so we changed at Charles-de-Gaulle, which was super easy.

Reims is a pretty town with a gorgeous cathedral, just too bad we got there late in the evening after the Christmas market already closed and left before it opened. As it’s in the heart of the Champagne region (and the home of V***e Clicquot Champagne), I would definitely consider visiting again for longer.

We were hoping to stop in Strasbourg for a couple of hours and check out the Christmas markets there, but there was no space left in the luggage lockers, so we sadly headed “home” straight away – well in time for Christmas Eve!

30/12/2024

Part 3 takes us on Pete’s very first night train all the way from Zürich HB to Hamburg. We were a bit late with bookings and ended up with reclining seats only – Pete luckily can sleep nearly anywhere… it just took him forever to fall asleep as there was quite a bit of commotion and of “you sit in my seat” from fellow passengers for the first couple of hours… Tip: book as early as you can if you want to get a bed/couchette and if you’re too late for that, reserve your (reclining) seat!
Hamburg was drizzly and dreary and to be honest, this time around mainly a pit stop to stretch our legs after the long train ride and a place to recuperate before the next leg. One day, I do want to take Pete to the famous though and watch all the trains – just make sure I reserve our visiting slot well early!!

The next day we headed further north up the Schleswig-Holsteiner coast to the very family-friendly resort of Büsum (if you continued on the main train line, you’d end up in Denmark!). We stayed at the lovely hotel, which was a short stroll from a supermarket and the d**e and the Perlebucht Family Lagoon. With the guest card we got for paying city tax, we had free admission to the lagoon and the playgrounds (not that anyone checked our visitor card until the very last day when we technically already checked out…) and this was Pete’s paradise! Playgrounds, trampolines and ice cream galore as well as shallow waters for paddling…
The weather was not always awesome and one day we got totally drenched on the way out and ended up at the tourism office/community centre where they had a play room with table tennis and air hockey and a different room with a mix of soft play, climbing contraptions and play corners – as long as you have your visitor card and (dry) socks, you’re free to enter!
A stroll through the Wadden Sea at low tide, where we almost got chased by crabs, a harbour cruise as well as plenty of ice cream and seafood for me, fish goujons for Pete, rounded up our holiday. We travelled home via my cousin’s and Pete’s new bestie Jenny (best toast bread ever) and night train back from Bremen to Zürich.

29/12/2024

From Saint-Pol we left for the "big city" - Brest, where we were met by my friend Emmanuelle ( ), wo took us to their gorgeous B&B in Lanildut. Quintessential Brittany at its finest!

We got there in the afternoon, and after settling in, Pete and I went for a walk to the nearest bay for a bit of paddling, rock pooling and general adventuring. The next morning, a fabulous spread prepared by Emma awaited us, where all the baked goods were courtesy of her dad (professional baker - omg, I was so happy when Pete didn't want to eat his frangipane tartelette 🤭), complemented by local honey... YUM!
Emma put on her tour guide hat and took us on a drive along the windy country lanes to a few bays further up the coast and honestly, it felt like paradise – or the Caribbean or Seychelles: sparkly white sand, crystal clear waters and rocky cliffs… We went for a little hike, where Pete showed off his mountain goat impressions and after a couple of swims in the chilly water, we were ready for lunch. Savoury galettes followed by sweet crêpes – heaven! Pete had chips and ice cream… Later both Emma and I had to work a bit, so Pete made use of the hammock and running around in the garden before we all sat down for home-made pizza.

In the morning, we headed to Nantes, the last overnight stop before getting to Switzerland. What a gem that city is! I didn’t make any plans for sightseeing as travelling with Pete in the past taught me to listen to him a bit more and if a couple of hours in the hotel room were needed to just go with that… when dinner time came around, we headed towards the centre of town and walked past the imposing Duke’s Palace. Pete loves a castle and as admission was free and they were open till 7pm, we had an hour to explore and work up an even bigger appetite…
From Nantes, we had an early start but that gave us the opportunity to spend a little time in Strasbourg, where we had to change trains to get to Basel – unfortunately not enough to get too much of a feel for the place, but enough for an ice cream!

Part 3 tomorrow...

28/12/2024

Back in July, I was facing 6 weeks of working from home and having a very active 5-year-old on school holidays - and I did not enjoy that prospect at all... so I decided to take him on a (mainly) train holiday to France, Switzerland and Germany, visiting friends and family along the way (whilst still working on and off).

In today's first part, we left Reading for Paignton, where we spent a family weekend incl. daddy paddling in the sea, eating tasty scallops in Brixham and playing pirate-themed mini golf.
On the Monday, we said goodbye to daddy and Pete and I headed to Plymouth to board Brittany Ferries' Armorique later in the evening. This was quite an adventure and thanks to lovely friends (, that's you 😊) we got to the port in very good time and saw the ferry come in. Once aboard, Pete got a balloon sword and was greeted by the ferry's mascot. We found our reclining seats and headed outside to watch the last rays of sunset before getting a bite to eat in the takeaway buffet before it closed for the night.
The next morning, I was up early enough to see the sunrise - soooo lovely - and soon we docked at Roscoff. We caught the local bus just outside the ferry terminal and it took as all the way to Saint-Pol-de-Leon, where we had a hotel booked for the first night. We spent the day visiting the local market with lots of local artisanal stalls; unfortunately, the charm was totally lost on Pete and I wasn't allowed to linger, take photos or heaven forbid, buy a treat... and checking out the nearest beaches.
The sand was white and soft, the water clear but with quite a bit of seaweed but it was still very lovely to wade through - or in my case find a shady spot and sit and read while Pete was digging for treasure. For dinner, we went to the first of many creperies... Tip: make a reservation - speaking from experience...!

Part 2 tomorrow...

28/12/2024

Swiss Family Hotels is a network of family-centric accommodations in Switzerland that goes the extra mile to ensure a memorable and hassle-free family holiday. They are designed with all of you in mind, offering a range of amenities such as spacious family rooms, on-site indoor and outdoor play areas or game rooms for kids, and family-friendly dining options. Additionally, you can often find facilities like swimming pools, organized outdoor activities, and convenient access to local attractions, making Swiss Family Hotels an ideal choice for families looking for both comfort and convenience during their Swiss adventures.

These hotels are also typically accessible by Switzerland's efficient public transport system, making it easy for families to explore the surroundings without the need for a car - and some resorts are even car-free (and how much fun is it to get there by train, boat and cable car?!)!

Contact me for more information.

25/12/2024

My family and I are spending Christmas in Switzerland and whilst there was even snow in my hometown on Monday morning, by the evening, when we arrived, there was merely some slush left on the ground... but there's still hope for some more glittery white flakes to grace the little front lawn at my parents' place while we're here!

In Switzerland, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, so this morning, I'm enjoying a first leisurely coffee while writing this post and the rest of the house (no small feat, given that we're 9 people) is still tucked up and in the case of the children, probably dreaming of all the presents they received and how they can play with them...

On this note, I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas time and if you want to learn a bit more about how it was to travel by train all the way from the UK to Switzerland, keep an eye on my socials as I will share Pete's and my journey in the coming days as part of our Trainscapades 2024!

27/11/2024

This Black Friday & Cyber Monday, it's not just about deals—it's about discovering the world with confidence through personalised travel experiences. 🚂🌍✈️


With me as your personal Travel Counsellor, you'll enjoy tailor-made adventures, exclusive insights, and the peace of mind that comes with having someone who truly cares about your journey.


26/11/2024

I'm very excited to announce that Travel Counsellors partnered with Inntravel - one of the leading walking and cycling holiday providers in the UK!

Who are Inntravel:
🎒They’re pioneers and specialists in self-guided holidays, including walking, cycling and
Journeys by rail.
🎒 For five years in a row, Inntravel has been endorsed as the only Which?
Recommended Provider for self-guided tours.
🎒 They have over 40 years of experience and meticulously plan every itinerary.
🎒 They walk every route of their 300+ holidays, which span the UK, Europe, and
Channel Islands, visiting all the hotels themselves.
🎒 They champion authentic, sustainable travel, taking customers to off-the-beaten-track locations, routes, and quieter corners.
➡Personal favourite point: a vast selection of hotel-to-hotel routes (walking and cycling) with luggage transport!

Locations featured in the pictures (from top left: Gran Canaria/Roque Nublo, Alsace vineyard, Black Forest, central Mallorca, Dolomites, Dordogne - all pictures courtesy of Inntravel)

Ready to book your next adventure? Contact me on 01183290059 or [email protected].

19/07/2024

A beach holiday is a favourite amongst holiday styles for families and couples alike and the Caribbean with its many island paradises and long stretches of coastline along the mainland offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy this kind of holiday...

Today, I'd like to focus on the Dominican Republic, the area around Puerto Plata in particular, and show you how you can make a "basic beach holiday" a memorable, meaningful experience the whole family can saviour - quite literally (at least with one of the suggestions)!😉

At the you have the opportunity to learn about the tradition of petrified wood carving with the artisans of the Petrified Wood Association (Asoartep) - interact with them, watch them when they use machetes and knives only (no machines allowed) to transform a piece of talc formed from a sedimentary sandstone rock (also known as "petrified wood") into a work of art.

If you are looking to endulge your sweet tooth whilst on holidays, join the "Women of Altamira", the proud owners of the CHOCAL cooperative, when they share their expertise in the life cycle of a cocoa bean from pod to delicious chocolate confectionary.

Best of all, should you be looking for a truly unique, ethical and local souvenir, by purchasing from these two initiatives, you'll be supporting over 400 local farmers and families as well as improve community-wellbeing while protecting the environment, and celebrating culture and traditions.
Both community experiences have been facilitated at the hotel through a partnership with Planeterra Foundation / .

28/06/2024

Looking for a slightly different beach holiday destination? Check this very short and snappy video out!
The Gambia Experience
Cape Verde Experience
Goa Experience
Corsican Places
Sardinian Places
Contact me for further information.

11/06/2024

Especially now that I have a child, I'm looking for ways to make our travels more meaning- and impactful. Resposible and sustainable practices are important to me and I'd like to share with you a selection of them here.

24/05/2024

Time flies when you're having fun, they say...

Running one's own business is not all rainbows and unicorns, but I do not regret starting my journey as a TC three years ago, despite doubts, occasional tears and way too much coffee...

Thank you to my TC family (IYKYK) and of course my "real" family for your support, on and off-screen!

But above all, thank you to all of you who have trusted me with your holiday plans - you're the main reason I'm very much looking forward to year 4 and beyond!

04/04/2024

CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING A 2024 TTG SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AMBASSADOR (IN TRAINING!)

I just received happy news this morning - I'm in the 2024 cohort of TTG's Sustainable Travel Ambassador program!

Ever since I've heard from fellow TCs about last year's program, I was curious about it and because I want to do my part to give my son and his (potential) children a better chance to still have a planet to explore and enjoy, I made the conscious decision to apply.

Thank you Travel Trade Gazette for this opportunity - I am looking forward to continuing my journey of learning and sharing!

https://www.ttgmedia.com/fairer-travel

01/02/2024

Safaris have been amongst the three top honeymoon styles at my last two wedding fairs I attended. That is only one motivation for me to join this webinar on the 29th February.

If you have any questions about ethical wildlife encounters, please feel free to comment below or message me - and if it's before the 29th February, I can ask the question on your behalf during the webinar and later share the outcome with you!

The Kiwano community and World Animal Protection are back after much demand. Discover Rethinking Wildlife Tourism Part 2

16/01/2024

👉Did you know, the Swiss Travel Pass allows you to travel in Italy - and not just a hop across the border to Tirano!

A journey on the Centovalli Line is not for the faint of heart, but oh so worth it for a different way of getting to Locarno!
Do you know on which other route(s) on public transport through Italy you could use the Swiss Travel Pass (subject to seat reservations)?

Our slow travel expert alights from the express train in Domodossola to discover a rural route through the hills into Switzerland

02/01/2024

When the needs of the people living and working (legitimately) in a place no longer are compatible with the wants or requests from visitors...
This brief article highlights how unbalanced tourism in a city like Venice has consequences for many people wanting to travel to the Italian city during the summer months.
I recommend visiting between October and March -> fewer people+lower temperatures+better air quality = lovelier experience :-)

Loudspeakers and tour groups of more than 25 people will not be allowed in Venice, under new plans due to come into place this summer. The move, which