Joanne Parsons - Travel Counsellors, Shoreham By Sea, UK

09/07/2024

This is what one of my crazy clients is getting up to next year - if you fancy sponsoring her please let me know it’s for some very good causes including Safe in Sussex

For all of you who have been asking what’s next, it’s this! A Motor Rally! With India’s Cup you get to explore the real India in the most individual way possible with this drive what you can rally. You’ll have to get from Chennai on the eastern coast on the Bay of Bengal all the way across the spine of India to the western coast overlooking the Arabian Sea in Goa. Watch this space! 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗

Sakala Steyning

03/07/2024

Welcome to ‘Handcrafted by Travel Counsellors’, a taste of our most immersive destinations, experiences and tours.

If you’re hungry to explore beyond your norm, discover different cultures, or (re)awaken your sense of curiosity, I can tailor-make these destinations for you.

From journeys by luxury rail or expedition cruise to exclusive exploration of the Earth's most beautiful landscapes, these holidays will open your eyes, change your perspective, and leave you feeling all the richer for it.

Find out how I can tailor-make your next adventure here 👉 https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/handcrafted?selecteduser=joanne.parsons

27/06/2024

25/06/2024

𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚'𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞!!

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝟏𝟐 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐑𝐕 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 £𝟏𝟔𝟖𝟗𝐩𝐩

Travel Date: 01 May 2025

Explore Canada’s breathtaking landscapes in ultimate style with the C25 Motorhome!

𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐄𝐑:

Drive 15 miles to Burnaby Cariboo RV Park. Visit Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Camp at Burnaby Cariboo RV Park.

𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐘:

Drive 210 miles to Okanagan Lake. Explore Othello-Quintette Tunnels, Hell’s Gate Airtram, and vineyards in Oliver, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, and Kelowna. Camp at Okanagan Lake Campground.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐄:

Drive 145 miles to Revelstoke. Visit vineyards, stop in Salmon Arm, and explore Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. Camp at Revelstoke RV & Cabin Resort.

𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐄:

Drive 145 miles to Lake Louise. Discover Banff/Lake Louise National Park, Bow Valley Parkway, Kicking Horse River, and Natural Bridge. Camp at Lake Louise Campground.

𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑:

Drive 210 miles to Jasper via Banff. Experience Athabasca Glacier and Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island. Camp at Jasper National Park or Hinton KOA.

𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑:

Drive 200 miles to Clearwater. Explore Wells Gray Provincial Park, Columbia Mountains, and enjoy a River Safari in Blue River. Camp at Helmcken Falls Lodge & RV Park.

Back to Vancouver, Drive 295 miles back to Burnaby Cariboo RV Park. Spend 3-4 nights exploring Vancouver: Harbour Centre, Grouse Mountain. Camp at Burnaby Cariboo RV Park.

Then, Drive 15 miles to return your motorhome. Enjoy your adventure!

View the Itinerary Here: https://we.tl/t-cOuyFp3ipq

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐧 & 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐇𝐆 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥

Prime location steps from Yaletown bars & Robson Street shopping.

Ideal for leisure with the Vancouver Seawall and Granville Island nearby.

Free Wi-Fi and business centre for corporate guests.

Enjoy our fitness centre and indoor heated pool.

Delicious dining options are available.

𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬:

Return Flights from Heathrow with BA

Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel

1 Night stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown, an IHG Hotel in a Standard Room with Bed & Breakfast

12 Days Motorhome tour across Canada

C25 Motorhome with unlimited Milage plus 2x Personal Kit & Vehicle Provisioning Kit

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝟐 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Hesthrow from £1689 per person

17/06/2024

Looking to dive deeper into the heart of your next holiday destination? 🌍

Connect with authentic culture through one of my unique dining experiences, hosted by a local family.

Share a home-cooked meal in stunning destinations like Cambodia, Colombia, Gambia, India, Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand, and create lasting
memories while supporting local communities. These authentic experiences not only bring you closer to the culture but also support and uplift the community.

Get in touch today to find out more, and make your next adventure truly special and impactful by booking with me.

10/06/2024

As the warm sun beckons, picture yourself stepping into your summer holiday this year knowing it has been crafted to perfection. Whether you want to jet off to Mexico for all-inclusive bliss or explore the rugged shores of Croatia, Get in touch with me for the perfect summer getaway for you and your family. ☀️

20/05/2024

Are you ready to discover the hidden gems of Domes Lake Algarve? 🌟 Here are my top 5 tips for an unforgettable visit:

1. Haute Living Lounge: Indulge in the ultimate luxury and relaxation.

2. Lakeside Dining at Makris: Savour exquisite flavours with breathtaking lake views.

3. Watersports on the Lake: Dive into adventure with thrilling watersports.

4. Rare Bird Watching in the Gardens: Connect with nature and spot rare bird species.

5. Sundowners at the Sandy Bottom Pool: Unwind with a perfect sunset and refreshing drink.

All this and more, curated just for you. When you book with me, you get tailored experiences and meticulous planning because I care more than anybody else. ✈️❤️

07/05/2024

"Life's too short for ordinary holidays. With our all-inclusive escapes, the only thing you'll need to worry about is which cocktail to try next.  Whether you’re craving the sun-kissed shores and Mediterranean charm of Greece or the idyllic beaches and tropical luxury of the Maldives, dive into our all-inclusive packages and unlock a world of adventure, relaxation, and gourmet delights.  Have a look through my latest digital brochure and please get in touch if any of the all-inclusive holidays featured catch your eye. Let me take care of the details while you focus on making memories that last a lifetime! 

01/05/2024

06/09/2023

Last day - Cannon Beach and a bit of a hike !

We had saved our visit to Cannon Beach to our last day as we were hoping it wouldn’t be as busy as it was when we passed through on our way to Seaside a few days ago. We got there early and easily found a parking space. We walked straight to the beach and shortly got our first view of the famous Haystack Rock. I have been seeing posts and photos of this for ages so to now actually be there was awesome. It certainly didn’t disappoint and I apologise in advance for all the photos ! The only negative was all the flies. Cannon beach reminded us of Carmel but not quite as posh. There are lots of quirky shops and plenty of restaurants and bars - I just wish we could have afforded to stay here but at least we have been now. You also get a fair view of Tillamook Lighthouse but we found that there was a better view from Ecola State Park so we headed there. At the end of a twisty road is Indian Beach - there were lots of surfers here and then we saw that it had featured in the film “Point Break” - a great movie ! Bill, Brian and I decided to trek up to the viewpoint for the lighthouse - we seemed to take to hard route up and to be honest the view once we got there was no better than from the beach but we’d done it and managed to find an easier route back. Our last night in Seaside we were treated to a lovely sunset although the clouds did get in the way a bit. A last ice cream from Oregon’s best - Sea Star was our final hurrah as we have an early start in the morning to get to Portland for our flight to Seattle and on to London. It’s been a blast !

05/09/2023

Tri- State trip!!!

We ventured into Washington State today up to Astoria and over the Astoria-Megler bridge which is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. The views were amazing as the weather was much improved from yesterday. Our first stop was the North Head Lighthouse which was built in 1898 after the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse which was built in 1856. The reason they built the North Head Lighthouse was because ships coming from the North could not see the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse due to it’s location further into the mouth of the Columbia River. We took in Cape Disappointment next and then drove up to Long Beach - apparently home to the longest beach in the world (not sure about that) it is very long and had lots of cars parked along it as because it was Labor Day this was now allowed. We had a little drive on it ourselves just for the experience before moving on back over the bridge and Oregon. Astoria is famous for the place where the Goonies was made - it’s an old fishing port and has lots of seafood restaurants. It only has a population of 10,000 so is small compared to other cities/towns. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Oregon. We took in Pier 39 which has a few quirky souvenir shops and views of the noisy sealions just across the water. Back in Seaside we had a couple of hours to chill before going out for dinner and hopefully a good sunset - watch this space !

04/09/2023

Newport to Seaside

We said goodbye to Newport and headed up to our last port of call - Seaside. We had hope to stop at a few places on route as this was not an overly long journey but the mist and rain put paid to that in the most part. There are a lot of viewpoints we could have stopped at but with nothing visible there was no point. We got a glimpse of the 3 Arches at Oceanside but not the best view. We were going to stop at Cannon Beach for lunch but the place was mobbed being Labor Day weekend so we headed on to Seaside and found our hotel. Our rooms were not quite ready so we went and found somewhere to have a sandwich and had a bit of a mooch round the shops. Seaside is a typical seaside town with a lovely beach and lots of souvenir shops and arcades etc - a bit like Blackpool or similar. We are near enough to Cannon Beach and Astoria to be able to visit those so lots to see and do. Hopefully the weather for our last 2 days will be kind.

02/09/2023

Newport

After a lovely evening meal at the Chowder Bowl last night and a restful night listening to the sounds of the ocean we were up bright and early for a day of sightseeing. First stop was the Bay Area where the fishing boats and fisheries are. As soon as we got out of the car we could hear the sea lions barking and the smell of fish pervaded the air. It’s a good place to stop and check out the quirky shops and restaurants although there are nicer places to eat in my opinion. Next we went over the yaquina bridge to the south beach area. Sam and I particularly wanted to go to the gallery of Out West Photography as we follow him on fb - he has some amazing photos which you can buy in various forms and sizes. We stopped at South Beach State Park and took a walk through the dunes to the beach. The views are stunning and it was really not over busy considering it is Labour Day weekend. Our next stop was Yaquina Head Lighthouse, after parking up we walked the short trail to the lighthouse- again amazing views and we even saw whales just off shore. I am writing this on my balcony looking out over the Pacific Ocean on a beautifully sunny day. Life just doesn’t get better than this!

02/09/2023

Sunriver to Newport

Sadly we had to say goodbye to our lovely cabin in the woods at the sunriver resort and move on to our next destination, Newport. It was around a 4 hour journey which took in some stunning scenery. We particularly liked the look of Sisters, which had some lovely shops and and a cool vibe to it. Oregon is famous for it’s covered bridges so we took a slight detour to take in Harris Bridge. We arrived in Newport around 3pm and were lucky enough to be able to check in to our rooms at the Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites. We have great rooms with a balcony overlooking the beach and out to the pacific. We took a nice walk along the beach towards the harbour and saw the famous Yaquina Bay Bridge - Sam and I had been wanting to see this for ages as we follow a photographer on fb who takes amazing pictures- we are hoping to visit his gallery tomorrow. We had a lovely meal in a local restaurant and then a nightcap by the fire pit at the hotel - ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.

01/09/2023

Sunriver and Bend

Today we took a walk along the river loop trail here on the Sunriver Resort. It takes in part of the Deschutes River and part of the golf course - it’s a nice trail of around 5 miles. It takes you past the airport and stables too as you keep your eye out for various wildlife like deer and various birds - so great for me! I managed to spot a red tailed hawk, American Robin, swallows and lots of geese. After a rest in our cabin we went into Bend - the largest town in the area to have a look around. It’s a nice place with lots of interesting shops and a lovely riverside area - we also went to the old mill district which was formerly the site of two lumber mills but has now been turned into an upmarket shopping area. It has lots of the shops we have at home and was pretty expensive so we didn’t buy anything/ instead we went back to our new find “Fred Meyer” a big superstore but with things at much more sensible prices. We picked a few bits up for dinner before heading back to our cabin for our last night in Sunriver. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone thinking of visiting Oregon - especially with kids.

31/08/2023

A chilled day at Sunriver today. Brian and I went off to the nature centre and observatory and then to the village where Brian rented a bike so he can ride around while I wander looking for wildlife. We spent the afternoon at the pool area - there’s a small flume and a lazy river as well as indoor and outdoor pools. This place is a bit like centre parcs on steroids! It is vast and has lots of different types of accommodation you can rent. There are various sports, a lovely golf course and you can even go horse riding. Brian is chef again tonight - spaghetti bolognaise is on the menu along with a few beers and some wine. Tomorrow hopefully will be more of the same but weather is supposed to be a bit cloudy with a chance of rain so we will have to see.

30/08/2023

Ashland to Sunriver

We had a chilled last day in Ashland - Brian and I went on a short walk along the Bear Creek Greenway Trail while Sam and Bill stayed by the pool. Late afternoon we took a walk in Lithia Park where there were lots of deer and a few wild Turkeys mooching about. We had a few drinks on our joint balcony before it got too smoky ( it has been pretty bad here) This morning we had breakfast before we set off to Klamath Falls before continuing on to Sunriver. We drove through stunning scenery and Bill had to be careful driving as deer in the road was a constant hazard. We arrived in Sunriver at around 3pm and after unloading the car we went off to the supermarket to get provisions for our 3 days here. We settled in and Brian cooked some lovely steaks on the bbq for dinner.

28/08/2023

Day 5 Trip to Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is around 2 hours from Ashland but well worth the trip. The lake was formed over 7000 years ago after the collapse of Mount Mazama. It is 6 miles long and 5 miles wide and is famous for it’s deep blue colour and water clarity. At 1949 feet it is the deepest lake in America. You can travel to the mini volcano Wizard Island but getting to the landing bays where the boats go from can be a strenuous walk and coming back up is apparently like going up 65 flights of stairs so not for those with breathing difficulties or heart problems! Bill, Sam and I took the 2 hour trolley tour while Brian had a walk about and sat in the sun while we were gone. There is lots to see and do here and there is a lovely lodge you can stay in too. Our guide told us there are 2 seasons here June, July and August and Winter ! It seems they can get snow from September right through to June and can get so deep you can’t see first floor windows! Luckily it was clear up at the lake as back in Ashland it has become quite hazy because of nearby wildfires. Tomorrow is going to be a chill day as we make use of the facilities at the hotel so next blog will be in a couple of days. First photo is to compare how hazy it is in Ashland compared with at the Lake.