Kelly at Travel Counsellors

15/06/2022

Fantastic day today attending the ‘Inspire – Take time to make time’ Travel Counsellors conference. It was particularly inspiring to hear from Amar Latif (founder of traveleyes and the first blind guest to appear on Masterchef)

His story on how he overcame so many obstacles during his life, including earning a degree, becoming an accountant, learning to cook, creating his own successful business and even being able to ski, completely moved me. He explained the many difficulties he has faced through his life and how a number of times he has felt powerless but determined.

His achievements throughout his life are nothing but outstanding and it has really proven that anything is possible if you are open to it.

I would highly recommend anyone to take a look at his journey.

10/06/2022

Ras Al Khaima offers an experience of a lifetime. With over 7,000 years of fascinating history, traditions and culture, Ras Al Khaima promises an authentic and easily accessible Arabian experience.

Located within a 45 minute drive from Dubai, this is definitely one for the bucket list.

To enquire or for further information please get in touch - [email protected]

01/06/2022

The magic is… a fairy tale castle, a galaxy far, far away, pixie dust. It’s that look of amazement on your loved ones’ faces. It’s that family time you’ll cherish forever and ever. And now, with this 2023 Early Booker package, The Magic is Yours, an unforgettable holiday at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Book this package by 27th July 2022, for arrival dates between 1st Jan and 25th March 2023 and between 17th April and 17th December 2023, and you’ll get up to $1,200 Disney Dining & Merchandise Credit per room, Disney 14-Day Magic Ticket for the price of a 7-Day and $200 Disney Spending Money.

If you’re dreaming of your next big family holiday, this is it. Book the best offer for 2023 now and start counting down the sleeps until The Magic is Yours at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

We connect you with experienced travel advisors who will craft your holiday with care and be on hand every step of the way

25/03/2022

Thrilled to announce that last night, Travel Counsellors for Business were awarded TTG Top Business Travel Agency.

To learn more about corporate travel, our platform and how I can help you, please get in touch at [email protected]

23/03/2022

The Netherlands will end the requirement for European travellers to take pre-departure tests from Wednesday (23 March).

The country, which has enforced some of the strictest rules in Europe during the pandemic, will no longer require international passengers from across the EU and the UK to provide a negative Covid-19 test on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.
Travellers will also not have to provide proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus. But they will still have to fill in a health declaration form.

The move is part of a wider relaxation of Covid rules in the Netherlands taking place this month.

09/03/2022

The last thing you want is to contract Covid whilst you’re on holiday but if the worst was to happen, you’ll want to know that your hotel provider will do their utmost to accommodate you, ensuring that you can still enjoy your holiday experience.

With this in mind, we’ve created the ‘Assured Partners’ stamp which is awarded to hotels that promise to best look after you should you test positive for Covid whilst you are away on holiday.

Sleek and adult-only, the 5* OBLU SELECT Lobigili is a cosseting couples’ retreat with decor inspired by nature creating a true castaway feel.

Should you test positive in resort, you can take your quarantine period in a villa in a separate wing of the resort*, enjoying the outdoor space of your private veranda and/or private pool. You’ll still avail of the resort’s superb all-inclusive offering which will be brought direct to your room.

07/03/2022

Ireland has now relaxed all of its entry requirements. From Sunday 6th March you will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, a negative test result or a passenger locator form.

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02/03/2022

Since opening in September 2008, Atlantis, The Palm has become Dubai’s most popular family entertainment destination, attracting fun-loving families from all corners of the globe with a variety of unique family-friendly experiences that have redefined tourism in Dubai.
From thrills at the onsite Aquaventure waterpark to chills diving with sharks in The Ambassador Lagoon, there are a whole host of incredible experiences to discover.
Animal lovers can also get up close and personal with the resident dolphins and sea lions, while foodies can indulge in one of the 24 restaurants and bars that call Atlantis their home.
With special events and the resort’s kids’ club, little ones will be exhausted from an action-packed day of fun, so make sure to avail of the Nanny services in the evening to enjoy a romantic meal and even a spot of dancing.
A one-stop resort, Atlantis is the ultimate family destination.

09/02/2022

Still looking for Valentines present ideas this year?

We think 2022 will bring lots of pent-up demand for travel and with that in mind, Travel Counsellors gift vouchers make the perfect present for a loved one.

Valid for everything from a short break to a trip of a lifetime, you can make Valentines extra special by creating magical new holiday memories. Contact me today for more information.

26/01/2022

Ultra-luxe Indulgence at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI

Launched to great acclaim in December 2020, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers full-on luxury with a focus on wellness – it embraces a fabulous overwater spa employing ancient Ayurvedic healing techniques and island-produced coconut oil to leave you feeling soothed and ready to enjoy your tropical-island paradise. Tucked away in a corner of the South Malé Atoll, it’s far from anything, for a truly remote feel, yet also just a zippy 20-minute luxury catamaran from the international airport at Malé. Alternatively, snag yourself the resort’s 25m superyacht for the ultimate in getting away from it all.

Everything is taken care of with the Ozen’s superb Reserve Plan, which covers all dining, drinks, activities and adventures, 60-minute spa treatments, kids club and you even get your own butler who will tend to your every need around the clock.

Get in touch for further details.

05/01/2022

Delighted to share that the Government has confirmed the removal of its pre-departure test requirements for passengers travelling into England.

PCR tests and self-isolation on arrival has also been scrapped, with the government reverting to its previous requirement of a lateral flow test to be taken within 48 hours of arrival and, if positive, a PCR test to check for variants.

The changes to international travel rules will come into effect from 4am on Friday, January 7.

31/12/2021

2021 - that’s a wrap. This year started off for me continuing to be full of grief for a dear lifelong friend that we suddenly and tragically lost last year. Fast forward a few months, I took the leap and started my own business in the most uncertain times for our industry. I remember a number of days where I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing, however, I continued to work hard and push through. I have now had my best few months in business to date with record sales and I couldn’t be happier with how life has treated me this year.

I am so grateful for all of the blessings and opportunities that have came my way, for all the amazing memories I have made and for all the people I have met.

Thank you so much to my wonderful new, existing and repeat customers who have supported me this year, you will never know how much it means to me.
Thank you to my beautiful daughter who is my rock and the reason I do what I do. She is always there for me. She is more than just a daughter, she’s my forever friend as well.
Thank you to Carly Chinn, our beautiful angel in the sky for giving me the strength to finally enjoy life again and to take every opportunity that has come my way. If only our angel in the sky could see just how much she has changed my life for the better this year ❤️💔

I am now welcoming 2022 with open arms and with my daughter by my side and I cannot wait for more blessings and opportunities that are coming my way.

Happy new year to you all ❤️

03/12/2021

Here are some incredibly stunning pictures of a customer of mine currently out in Lapland.

This gorgeous itinerary is very popular right now and includes the following...

*Accommodation in a glass-roofed Aurora Cabin
*Full board meals at the onsite restaurant (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
*Private Aurora Expedition on Snowshoes (2.5h)
*Reindeer Express (1.5h)
*Snowmobile Safari (4h)
*Private Aurora Hunting by Heated Sleigh (3h)
*Guide for all organised activities
*Private sauna & 60-minute aroma or hot stone massage
*Thermal clothing and the necessary equipment
*Complimentary use of cross-country skis, snowshoes & toboggans
*Private transfers to and from Ivalo airport

16/11/2021

• Walk Vegas’ Strip after nightfall, to see its iconic hotels and casinos lit up in their neon glory and its fountains choreographed to Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly tunes.
• Thrill to the city’s indoor theme-park, its urban adrenaline rides such as The Strat, its epic zip-lines, its light shows and even its Venetian gondola rides.
• Take advantage of Las Vegas’ brilliant retail therapy in venues including Caesar’s Palace.
• Head just west of Vegas to the Red Rock National Conservation Area in the Mojave Desert, with hiking, horse-riding, mountain-biking and a unique geology.
• See the Hoover Dam on the mighty Colorado River by guided tour, by walking along the bridge or from a boat on Lake Mead.

What's included:
• 5 nights at MGM Grand, Las Vegas
• West Wing King Room, room-only basis
• Return flights from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, departing 12/03/2022, with private return airport transfers

5 nights from £879 per person

05/11/2021

Treat yourself to an indulgent late-summer holiday at the long-awaited Club Med Magna Marbella at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains in southern Spain. Club Med is renowned all around the world for its all-inclusive resorts offering a vast array of sports and activities to suit all tastes, and this latest opening lives up to the hype.

• Relax as hard as you like at the resort’s sleek Cinq Mondes spa with its sauna, hammam and tailored treatments, or at the adult-only Zen Zone pool and juice bar.
• Enjoy bright and airy accommodation with balconies with sea, mountain and/or city views and contemporary decor enlivened by pretty Arab-Andalusian patterns.
• Join in complimentary activities including flying trapeze, archery and padel tennis (which was created in Marbella). There are also golf and tennis schools with both free and paid-for sessions and courses.
• Dine sumptuously in the resort’s upmarket Suenos restaurant with its Mediterranean cuisine prepared in front of you in an open kitchen, and in the Tierra Gourmet Lounge, a lively bar, wine cellar and gourmet snack bar all rolled into one, serving late breakfasts, jamon iberico and tapas all through the day, and also offering wine- and olive-oil tasting workshops and live music.

Standard Superior room, Premium All Inclusive basis - Prices from £1,167 per person

04/11/2021

**US Bound travellers must have COVID home tests monitored on video**

Travellers going to the US from 8 November will be able to take a home or self-test as proof of being Covid-19 negative, but the process will have to be monitored using an online video link.

All passengers aged two and above will be required to take a Covid test, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated or not, before boarding their flight to the US. Antigen or lateral flow tests will be accepted by US authorities.

Those opting to take a self or home test will be required to have the process monitored by a “telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection”.

“The telehealth provider must confirm your identity, observe the sample collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order,” said the US health body.

03/11/2021

**Foreign office issues new COVID pass warning**

The Foreign Office has issued new advice for holidaymakers who need to prove their COVID status for travel to countries in the EU.
It says that clients who intend to show a PDF printout of their COVID Pass must ensure the PDF is dated from 1 November.
Anyone who printed a PDF of their COVID Pass from the NHS app or website before Monday should be advised to print another copy.
The Foreign Office said this is to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced in a tweet on Monday that the NHS COVID Pass is now linked up to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. He said this would make travel to EU countries easier by using tech to digitally recognise someone’s vaccine status.

The Foreign Office included the warning in its updated advice for Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and the Netherlands yesterday and has since added Greece, Italy and Malta.
The new rule also applies to clients travelling to Switzerland, which is not part of the EU but it has signed up to the EU Digital Certificate.

14/10/2021

British Airways - October Sale!

BA's latest worldwide sale launches today..

- Valid for sale until midnight 27th October 2021
- Travel dates up until the end of 2021 and throughout 2022

For further information please get in touch

07/10/2021

The world really is your oyster when you book a skippered yacht charter, combining adventure on the high seas with bespoke service, safety, privacy and luxury.

With a captivating selection of one-of-a-kind activities available both above and below the waves. Come face-to-face with dolphins on the new Dolphin Sled experience, which glides through the ocean depths, encounter nocturnal sea creatures on a moonlit snorkelling expedition, or swim with gentle manta rays.

Aside marine encounters, you’ll enjoy a four-course dinner on-board your yacht, Soneva in Aqua, before retreating for the evening to its indoor spa tub with its glass-bottomed floor allowing views of the marine life below. Those looking for an adrenaline rush can swing from the boom mast or try out a range of new and exciting water sports from the yacht’s tender, including wake skating, skurfing or fun tubing. Or, for something more relaxing, there’s picnics on deserted islands, sustainable fishing or dolphin-spotting from the bowsprit nets. Your mornings will include sunrise yoga with the onboard wellness therapist on the top deck and light breakfasts prepared by the skilled chef.

Get in touch for more information.

23/09/2021

Updated traffic light changes commencing 4th October 2021.

20/09/2021

Breaking News!

America is lifting its ban for UK and EU vaccinated travellers.

Get in touch for more details

17/09/2021

I'm delighted to say that Travel Counsellors has won the award in the best homeworking agency category at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards!

These awards celebrate excellence in the travel trade and are highly regarded in the travel industry.

At Travel Counsellors we work hard to show our customers the highest level of care and support, so winning this award means a lot.

I look forward to helping you with your travel plans in the coming weeks and months too.

08/09/2021

**Lake District Offer**

Treat yourself to a break in the Lake District and a hearty Cumbrian welcome at the award-winning Castle Green Hotel on the outskirts of the charming market town of Kendal, in a plum location for some of the top attractions this iconic region has to offer, including Lake Windermere and historic sights including Levens Hall, Sizergh Castle and the Lakeland Museum.

Bed & Breakfast included with sparkling afternoon tea

This deal is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to arrival

Prices based on 2 people sharing a twin/double room

£65pp Valid for November & December

£75pp Valid in October (£40pp Supplement for Saturday Nights )

£80pp Valid in September (£35pp Supplement for Saturday Nights)

08/09/2021

Canada reopens its borders to double-vaccinated passengers from the UK.

From 7th September, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are eligible to enter Canada without any need for quarantine. As Canada is on the UK’s Green List, there will be no requirement to quarantine on return either.

If you're looking to plan a trip to Canada, I'd be happy to answer any of your questions and offer some insight on all that you can see and do across this enthralling country.

01/09/2021

Experience the greatest natural show on earth, nestled in the wilderness of the Finnish backcountry, in a unique, first-class setting. Spend your days immersing yourself in the pure natural environment of including a visit to Father Christmas himself, and your evenings gazing in awe at the brilliant colours of the Aurora Borealis.

Your package includes a 4 night itinerary with plus full board meals and thermal clothing and equipment provided.

For a full itinerary or for further information please get in touch.

23/08/2021

This October, whisk the family away to Amber-listed Dubai to enjoy some quality time in the sun in the luxurious surrounds of Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Get in touch with me today to take advantage of October half term savings.

04/08/2021

We’ve got great news! Travel Counsellors has been rated ‘Green’ for Covid flexibility on the new Which? Holiday Checker!

After taking part in several surveys with the leading UK consumer champion Which? this year, today the company launched a consumer-focussed online tool that rates companies green, amber or red based on their refund and amendment policies in relation to Covid-19 travel disruption. It is designed to makes it easy for people to check which travel companies have provided the best service to their customers, offering flexible booking options and refunds, and which ones could leave them out of pocket if circumstances change.

This accolade further highlights how we have looked after our customers throughout the pandemic, building on our consistent 5-star Trustpilot rating and three-times been voted ‘number one’ in MoneySavingExpert’s consumer poll, which ranks how well travel companies are looking after their customers during COVID-19.

30/07/2021

Holiday at home from home... are you looking for a staycation and to be able to bring your pet along?

This is a three-bedroom luxury holiday home in Richmond, North Yorkshire. An idyllic location by the River Swale and Richmond Falls, it is a short walk into the market square where you will find plenty of amenities, shops and restaurants.

Located on Riverside Road in the Georgian market town of Richmond, offering stunning views of Richmond Falls and the River Swale. Set underneath the ramparts of an 11th century Norman castle is the site of the old gasworks. Now transformed into five stunning apartments, the building still retains many of the characteristics of the original buildings.

With many walks from your doorstep, this is the ideal family-friendly holiday home for exploring North Yorkshire and is a haven for walkers and cyclists. Walk along the riverside and take in the falls, which are particularly striking after a rainy day. Follow the trail to Richmond Bridge, rewarding yourself with a treat from the award-winning bakery in The Station, a converted Victorian railway building. On Saturdays, make sure you don’t miss the Market in Richmond’s marketplace.

Prices from £400 for 6 people. For availability and further information please contact [email protected]

29/07/2021

All fresh and glowing from its opening in Mexico in November 2020, this sumptuous resort of villas and private residential estates truly makes the most of its spectacular rainforest location on a serene, undeveloped stretch of coastline, with Ocean Cliff, Tree House and Mountain options all with secluded free-standing positions to match those intoxicating views.

The resort’s One with Nature experience is a biologist-led hike to La Abuela (the Grandmother Tree), believed to be 235 years old, to connect you with your surroundings through learning about the endemic plants and birds along the way and in doing so reconnect with yourselves, followed by intimate private dining deep in the rainforest. You can also hike The Flatlands, challenge yourself on mountain-biking trails, experience ATV off-roading through volcanic shelves, and sign up for horse-riding tours. On-site, think world-class farm-to-table dining, a lively beach club, pools lined by cabanas, and a cutting-edge spa and fitness centre using traditional Mexican elements in its hi-spec treatments.

For enquiries please contact me at [email protected]