Tarnya Stern - Travel Counsellors

24/12/2020

It’s been a tough year and I’ve been looking after all my clients throughout as stressful as it’s been

So nice to get recognition like this after such a tough year!

Always book your holidays with someone you can trust.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and let’s hope 2021 is a better one ! Stay safe and well.

27/11/2020

Would it be possible to do me a big favour? I would really appreciate it, if you could share my business card below, and if the topic of conversation turns to holidays, can you give me a mention? I know it’s been a difficult year, but hopefully we will be able to travel again some time next year.
My business grows on referrals, as well as repeat business, so I’d really appreciate it, if you could pass on my details. Thank you abs have a great weekend. Stay safe and well.

26/09/2020

06/08/2020

I know many of you have been concerned that Covid isn’t covered on travel insurance policies.

I am really pleased to announce that any holiday booked through myself, with Travel Counsellors, can now be partnered with Rush Insurance, who can offer you COVID-19 cover!
Being one of a handful of insurance companies who can offer this cover, coupled with our flexible booking policy, gives our customers complete peace of mind when booking a trip away either this year or in the future.

🌟Cancellation cover – if you contract Covid-19 before departure
🌟Cancellation cover – If you are asked to isolate due to a positive diagnosis
🌟Cancellation cover – If you are refused boarding at your UK airport due to showing symptoms
🌟Curtailment Cover – cutting short your journey
🌟Medical Cover – If you become ill with Covid -19 whilst overseas
🌟Repatriation Included
🌟Cruise Included
🌟Single Trips Covid-19 covered with NO age limit

So you can book with confidence knowing that I’m with you every step of the way 👌🏻

30/07/2020

Sri Lanka five star Beach Stay offer 7 nights including free upgrade to Half Board

DEP 15 MARCH ,2021 from Heathrow £1099.00 PER PERSON
(Based on 2 persons travelling together sharing a twin or double room)
16 -23 MAR 2021 stay at five star Property Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Arrival and departure transfers by private car
Free Upgrade to Half board

Deposit £99.00 per person

In case your wish to upgrade to All Inclusive basis :the supplement for the same will be £ 315.00 per person

Contact me for more detials:
[email protected]
01707-450044

08/07/2020

All the hard work over the past few months is paying off. Well done to my travel counsellors family. Well deserved.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/07/latest-travel-survey/

New MSE survey shows Virgin and Loveholidays join Ryanair at the bottom of the refunds table

03/07/2020

Had a lovely surprise today. Received this from some lovely clients who’s holiday we’ve had to change from this year to next. So lovely of them - they must know me well !!! Cheers !!!!

01/07/2020

*****AMAZING OFFER *****
Travel date: 17 October 2020 for 7 nights
Includes flights from London Gatwick with EasyJet
Half Board Basis
Complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Sea View Room with Individual Pool
From £1119 pp
Save over £800 per couple

Daios Cove Crete

Set in a secluded cove in Crete, Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas is the perfect choice for customers looking for luxury 5-star accommodation in an exclusive location. With uninterrupted views to the Aegean Sea, access to a private beach and impeccable service, this really is an idyllic beach resort.

For more information please get in touch
[email protected]
01707-450044

01/06/2020

So it's another week and another Monday again and time to carry on trying to sort out more work stuff , today i will be dealing with all things travel, or the version it has become for now ! Please believe I am doing what i can as fast as I possibly can to change your holidays and chase refunds but the magnitude and lack or staff everywhere within travel because they have been either furloughed or made redundant is making all this even harder. I'm trying to help and stay as positive as possible whilst working for no income at all so please be kind and be patient ###xx

WE WILL TRAVEL AGAIN ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

18/05/2020

I am delighted to see that Travel Counsellors has been voted best travel firm for looking after customers during the COVID-19 pandemic by readers of MoneySavingExpert.com. Our top spot is thanks to the care and support we show to our customers in providing the best travel and booking experiences possible. I'd like to thank you for all of your support over recent weeks, and we look forward to the time when we can explore the world again, keeping your safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-8324355/The-53-best-worst-travel-firms-coronavirus-cancellation-refunds-revealed.html

The ranking was drawn up following a survey of 27,000 travel customers. The findings will be reported to the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority.

08/05/2020

Lovely thank you card received from clients who decided to cancel their USA trip for this July and I managed to get them a full refund. Travel will commence again and they will definitely have their trip but at a later time.

05/05/2020

Gorgeous flowers received today from a client who was meant to be going on a lovely holiday this month but it’s cancelled. I managed to secure the full cash refund for her so was so pleased it’s getting sorted. Really made my day.

01/05/2020

Your suitcase may be gathering dust right now but there has never been a better time to plan your next escape.

You just have to look around you to know personal service, financial security and industry knowledge is essential in planning travel in today's incredibly challenging travel industry.

Cancelled flights, failing airlines and tour operators, inadequate insurance cover, impossible to get through to call centres - its a minefield out there.

Arranging your travel through me gives you absolue security that should your travel plans have to change I will be there for you every step of the way.

Please feel free to contact me at anytime to discuss future travel plans and please dont keep me a secret, please share with friends and family.

[email protected]
01707-450044

12/04/2020

If you fancy a night off from cooking please look at the menu being delivered this coming week.

10/04/2020

The world will heal and be waiting for us , at Travel Counsellors we care and are always here .
Can you spot me?
No, this isn't a game of Travel Counsellors version of 'Where's Wally', these are all my wonderful colleagues. Each and everyone here is a super hero, they worked tirelessly to get each and every client home safe and healthy. See that's where we care more than anybody else, we go above and beyond for our clients. ❤️

We of course want to get you away again as soon as possible, but the world will wait. We urge you to stay at home, look after yourselves and protect OUR WORLD. 🙋‍♀️☀️🌎?? ❤🌍🌎🌏🏖🗻🏝🏜🏞🏔🗺

20/03/2020

I have had many questions from people who have booked holidays online, direct with companies or third party sites and while I will endeavour to help/advise as much as I can I want to explain a couple of things that are very important!

❤️ My customers come first meaning priority will be given to those who have trusted and booked with me.

✈️ I am self employed with a reputable, Independent Travel Agency and as such I get paid on bookings I book. This means that at the moment, I am earning nothing dealing with the cancelled and amendments and actually in a position where I have to pay back what I have earned for cancelled bookings travelling over the next 30 days, all while working so hard right now for free.

☀️ Everyone in the travel industry is constantly reacting to the changing government & FCO advice. Whilst I will always give you the latest information I have access to, it is continually changing.

🧳 Make sure you use a reputable travel agent always! People who claim to have become a travel agent overnight and recruit others to do the same do not have the skills, experience or support to support you in circumstances like these.

🦸‍♀️ Next time you are looking to book a holiday, please come to me first. A lot of the time I can match and beat the online/direct prices with our exclusive agent discounts and where I can’t you will be paying any difference to receive unrivalled service, care and attention to detail.

🌍 Be kind to the people working in travel, this is an extremely difficult time for us as it is for many others around the world.

❌ Where you can, do not cancel, please rebook and keep on booking holidays for late 2020/2021. Do it all with a Travel Agent/myself as we will go out of our way to be here and support you when the going gets tough.

Much love to you all, together we will get through this. 💪

Tarnya Stern ,Travel Counsellors. ❤️

20/03/2020

✈️✈️✈️✈️🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝🏝❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have one request during this coronavirus crisis - please keep booking holidays, please rebook your cancelled holidays and please use a travel agent! Why?

1. Holidays are on sale up to February 2021 and some holidays I can book upto the end of 2021 and under the current circumstances are cheaper than normal AND this is providing a demand that will keep people in business.

2. If your trip is cancelled, where possible rebook it for another date. This will keep airlines and tour operators in business so they are not refunding people and have a demand.

3. Use a travel agent as they can give you the right advice and help you in circumstances like this. Also, the demand will keep travel agents in a job. Did you know many people who booked online or direct still cant get in touch with the people they booked with and are out of money and in limbo? Book local and you have someone to speak to promptly. Please keep recommending me 🥰

4. Save jobs abroad. If you cancel and dont rebook or if theres no demand for holidays. Hotels, excursion companies, ground handlers and bus companies abroad will cease to trade. In some countries tourism is the only source of income. So this will cause huge effects in those countries.

I know things are uncertain just now. But this virus will peak and slow down. Might take 3 weeks might take 6, may take longer but people still need holidays, so if you dont support the travel industry now there might be a chance that the way you holiday changes forever.

So please BOOK NOW, REBOOK NOW AND BOOK LOCAL.

20/03/2020

I hope you, along with your friends, family and loved ones, are keeping safe and well at this difficult time.

I wanted to personally get in touch to let you know what we’re doing here at Travel Counsellors to keep our people and our travellers safe, and to thank you for your continued support.

At this moment our focus on caring for people, their welfare and safety, has never felt more important. We have been diligently following the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as supporting our customers, Travel Counsellors and colleagues to take the necessary steps to take care of themselves.

As the situation continues to evolve, we’re doing everything we can to ensure your travel safety, look after every element of your booking, and provide as much flexibility to you as possible. Here are some of the key steps we’ve taken:
In this fast paced and dynamic situation, we’re working diligently with our industry bodies, as well as having direct conversations with our supplier partners to ensure we support our customers with refunds or re-bookings. With ATOL protection alongside our financial trust, our customers money is protected.
As a travel company that supports thousands of customers to explore the world each year, we have pointed all available resources towards looking after people both in-resort, and due to travel in the next 30 days and more. We will continue to monitor the situation closely over the weeks to come.
With support teams in seven countries we are running 24/7 operations, with dedicated teams monitoring the latest travel news and communicating updates to our community of over 1900 Travel Counsellors across the globe.
We are using credible sources of information, following the latest announcements from the UK Government, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the World Health Organisation, as well as utilising the close relationships we have with accommodation and airline partners.

Despite uncertain times one thing will always remain constant - we are here for you. Your Travel Counsellor is continuing to run their corporate and leisure travel business wherever it’s secure to do so, working flexibly to be there for you whenever you need them.

Naturally you may have concerns about making new travel plans at this time. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your dedicated Travel Counsellor for any help or advice you need. This is the time to lean on experienced, trusted travel experts who will always go the extra mile for you, no matter the time zone or where you are in the world.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

Please do take care good care of yourselves, and each other.

17/03/2020

With so many changes and travel restrictions and many different posts and opinions on social media. I thought these key points may help you if you’re confused about travel plans ...

1. Have you checked the FCO website to see if there are travel restrictions?

http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

2. If there are no restrictions your booking will travel as normal.

3. If there are, your agent will contact you.

4. Have you checked on the airlines website if your flight is cancelled?
If not, your booking will travel as planned until advised otherwise.

5. If you’ve booked with me please rest assured I am fully aware of everyone travelling and will be contacting you in date of travel order, if you’re affected.
Any questions I’m here !!

This is a rapidly changing situation. Please be paitent with us and your travel company we are trying to do the best we can. xx

Latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

08/03/2020

Disney’s springs was a bit chilli last night we had our puffers on!

05/03/2020

Another reason not to use the internet when booking your holiday...

I have spoken to someone this morning who had been on hold for 2 hours to an internet call centre to find our what was happening with her trip, to then be cut off twice, speak to someone who said she just had to 'wait and see and that someone would be in touch at some point'. Great customer service right there.

This lady originally came to me for a quote and ended up booking online herself with this well known package holiday company as the online price was £15pp cheaper and price was important to her.

Today, she has now cancelled her original booking with that operator at a loss of deposit of £60pp. The price no longer being so important, as the ability to speak to someone and have her queries answered is now her priority.

I have rebooked her the same holiday and, despite losing her initial deposit with the operator and effectively this now costing more than the original quote, I have a happy client feeling safe and secure with her future travel plans.

Lesson of today for me... People's priorities change at the most unexpected of times and the service I provide is probably worth a lot more than that £15pp price difference!

Posted with the consent of my new happy client 😍

04/03/2020

Im on my holidays - when is your next trip? want to get something booked to look forward to? Get in touch .......

03/03/2020

Huge savings at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

From £875 per person



Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai

Departing 22nd April 2020 for 4 nights

Staying Bed & Breakfast in a Superior King room

Flights from Birmingham with Emirates (other airports available)

Private transfers included

Based on 2 sharing

02/03/2020

It's hard to miss the constant coverage of the Coronavirus outbreak on every media channel at the moment. It's a worrying time for many who are either travelling currently or preparing to travel in the coming weeks and months. Maybe you're considering booking a trip but feel there is too much of a risk at the moment.

That's why I thought I would write this post. I have had many emails, messages and phone calls from people asking about what the current situation and advice is for travel.

As a responsible travel provider and, more so, someone that cares deeply about those who have chosen to trust me with their travel plans, myself and Travel Counsellors are monitoring the constant flow of information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the World Health Organisation for updates.

Here are a few of the questions I'm getting and the current advice:

Question 1
Is it still safe to travel for those looking to head off in the next few weeks and can travel plans be cancelled or amended?

Answer:
It is still currently perfectly safe to continue travel to most destinations across the world, with the exception of mainland China. You're encouraged to increase your hygiene rituals and ensure that hands are washed thoroughly, hand sanitiser is good to have with you and remain vigilant to anyone showing symptoms of Coronavirus in your vicinity, particularly in destinations where the virus is known to potentially be.

In terms of cancellation and amendment that would be totally down to the way you have booked your arrangements and the booking terms and conditions. However currently there is no advice against travel from the Foreign Office and so it is likely in the event that you CHOOSE not to travel you would incur cancellation fees. Travel Insurance is an essential part of your travel arrangements and should be purchased for all trips, however they will not cover cancellation if it's you choosing not to travel also.

If the advice from the WHO and Foreign Office changes and advises against travel to your destination, arrangements made through reputable companies will be cancelled and refunds issued as a general rule. Again this will be down to how and who you booked with.

Question 2
Should I avoid booking a holiday at the moment?

Answer:
In all honesty there is no reason NOT to go ahead and book a trip at the moment. If the situation becomes more serious after you have booked then the answer to the above question would apply. I am personally looking to book my summer trip shortly and Coronavirus hasn't, and won't, factor into my decision at all.

Question 3
What happens if I'm on holiday and contract Coronavirus or find myself in lockdown due to an outbreak in my accommodation?

Answer:
Your travel provider and the local Government will offer guidance in this situation. It's an ever evolving issue and, whilst being in that situation is not ideal, every effort to ensure that you are looked after and returned home at the earliest opportunity will be made by them.

Question 4
Why is booking with myself as a Travel Counsellor a benefit?

Answer:
Not only do you have your own personal travel expert on hand at all times, Travel Counsellors has a 24/7, 365 days a year Duty Office who can assist not only with Coronavirus related issues but any emergency that may arise during your travels. I also have over 19years experience in the travel industry and have dealt with many situations like this over those years.

Travel Counsellors offers complete financial protection on EVERY booking made not just ATOL protection and I will only ever share factual information with you, not rumours or hearsay.

I hope that this helps and if you know someone who is looking for some advice please feel free to share this with them.

If you would like to give me a call you can reach me on 01707-450044, or email on [email protected]

Thanks for reading :)

01/03/2020

Savannah. What a place. We did the hop on hop off bus tour. Recommend staying on it for the whole route then decide which stops you want to get off at and explore.

27/02/2020

Where are you going this Summer ???

26/02/2020

With the Coronavirus 🦠, Bush Fires🔥, Canary Sandstorms, ✈️flight cancellations, Storm Ciara & Dennis distributions 🌪 and other situations out of your control that you don’t expect to happen.......It’s these times that booking with a personal Travel agent is a godsend! knowing you have your Agent there for you! 💖

I wish I could help those that booked themselves online or direct, but if you have booked elsewhere and concerned about your holiday, unfortunately you will need to get in touch with who you booked with as your holiday contract will be with that supplier.

Anyone who has booked with me, you have the peace of mind that I am here for you 24/7, I will be the one to get in touch with you if your holiday is effected.

You don’t need to worry, I have your back and I will be there helping if needed.

Even when on my own holidays I’m always checking emails and I always have emergency cover while away too as we have a 24/7 duty office 😍

25/02/2020

Portugal? Family holiday? girlie break? get in touch

24/02/2020

Port Canaveral Florida. We ate at Fish Lips looking out over the water

23/02/2020

A walk on Cocoa Beach Florida. Beautiful day here today.