Michelle Goulding - Travel Counsellors

03/02/2025

Finally, January is over! And WHAT A MONTH!

I knew that I had worked every single day and barely had time to make a cuppa, let alone catch up with friends and family (sorry everyone!), so I sat back this weekend and did a bit of analysis and discovered that;

⭐I booked 31 trips in January alone
⭐That's 110 people who booked with me
⭐75% of those were repeat clients
⭐25% were new clients and nearly all were referred by people who have travelled with me before
⭐The top 3 destinations were; Greece, Portugal and Japan! With Greece and Portugal being a mix of people lying on a beach and also travelling around exploring.

I thought February was going to slow down but looking at the enquiries that have arrived on my day off yesterday, I'd say I'm in for another busy month.....

So, I just wanted to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all of you.
When you support a small business like mine, you really are helping someone follow their dream. It means ALOT.

24/01/2025

I started the week with a penguin so I'll finish it with one too!

The weekend is here for most of you, but not me....It's still January and the enquiries and bookings are still flowing in, which means another weekend at my desk. Although, to be honest, with the forecasted weather, staying in and looking at sunnier climates on my laptop is probably a nicer option than having to leave the house.

So, if you've still not sorted your 2025 travel plans yet, drop me a line and I'll be able to get something booked for you this weekend, while you enjoy your well-deserved free time with friends and family.

23/01/2025

Dreaming of your next getaway but worried about the cost?

With our flexible payment options, you can spread the cost of your holiday and make your travel dreams a reality!

Whether it's a tropical escape, a city adventure, or a holiday for the whole family, I've got you covered. Get in touch today to find out more.

22/01/2025

🌟AMAZING INDIA OFFER🌟
SAVING £1,790 per person - total price £2,790 per person
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Departing 14th March 2025;
14 days touring around India seeing the classic sights of India's Golden Triangle including the iconic Taj Mahal, discovering delightful Udaipur, cruising across Lake Pichola, finding some hidden gems in Rajasthan and searching for tigers at Ranthambore. This really is the perfect first-time trip to India.

The price includes;
✈ Return flights
🏨 3+/4 Star accommodation
🍲 All meals (35 in total)
🚌 All transportation and transfers
👩‍🏫 Touring with guides and entrance fees
🗞 Visas included and Visa service to complete visas

Max group size 28 (avg 20) with 1.5 seats per person on the coaches - More space to spread out.

Get in touch now to find out more about this tour or any of the other departures throughout 2025 and 2026 - guaranteed pricing and no single supplements!!

21/01/2025

Do you fancy an adventure this year? But don't want to do it alone? Loads of my suppliers have got a whopping 20% off their group tours for this year, if you book by the end of the month.

Whether you want to see the sloths in Costa Rica, the Orangutans in Borneo, taste fresh lobster on the beach in Vietnam or hop from island to island in Thailand, I can find the perfect tour for you....and check out the demographics of the people on the tour for you, so you can decide if they sound like a good fit.

It doesn't matter if you're a solo traveller, in a couple, with a friend or taking your kids with you, there is a group tour out there for you. A tour where you will be mixing with like-minded people and have an informative guide for the whole duration. A guide who will take your from hotel to hotel without you having to think about a thing, who can teach you about the history and culture and who can tell you where are the good places to eat within your budget. What's not to love?!?!

I've done a few of these tours myself (and about to do another one next month) so I have experience of the good (and not so good unfortunately).....

If you'd like to find out more about an easier way to travel and secure 20% off the trip this year, get in touch at [email protected]

20/01/2025

As today is supposed to be the day that many people feel a bit low....I thought I'd steer you towards something cuter that will put a smile on your face. It's Penguin Awareness Day!

How adorable are these guys? However, did you know their numbers around the world are dwindling. I've been lucky enough to observe them in the wild in both South Africa (Boulders Beach) and Australia (Phillip Island) and found them fascinating (and quite amusing).

I loved watching them waddling around their habitat, socialising together and looking out for each other after a hard day at work.

Here are some fun facts for you today about these quirky little creatures;
🐧 Many penguins mate for life (Emperor, Adelie, Gentoo) but the Marconi penguin choose a new mate each season.
🐧Emperor penguin males take on the role of incubating eggs.
🐧 Penguins share child-care duties
🐧 Penguins can swim up to 22 miles per hour
🐧 Penguins often slide across snow or ice on their bellies in a behaviour known as "tobogganing." This allows them to travel faster with minimal effort, using their flippers to steer.

I've spent too many hours today already googling videos of penguins, but that's set me up nicely for the day ahead and I've got a cruise to the Antarctica as well as a trip around Galapagos (not on a cruise) to plan....both great places to observe penguins.

Happy Monday Everyone!

17/01/2025

Is it the weekend yet? I can't remember the last time I've worked so many hours in a week, but it's all good.....I'd rather be busy than not!

So, a HUGE thank you to all of you have enquired and booked with me so far this month - there are twice as many of you as last year, which is just AMAZING.

I'm going to log off by 6pm tonight, as I've got a friends big birthday to celebrate tonight, but fear not, I will be back at my desk on Saturday and Sunday to continue getting your 2025 plans locked in.

Have a great weekend and if you haven't booked your holidays for 2025 year, do get in touch as I'm here to help.

16/01/2025

Did you know today is World Snow Day? 🏂❄️

I've compiled a list of my top 5 must-visit ski resorts in Europe - is your favourite in there? If not, tell me where yours in and why it should be in my top 5.

Dust off your skis and get ready to hit the slopes!

Whether you're conquering black runs or taking it slow on the bunny slopes like me, these destinations offer stunning snow-capped views and cosy après-ski moments.

Swipe through my top picks to explore and get inspired. ❄️✨

15/01/2025

South Africa is one of the top countries that I book, and from the video, it's easy to see why.

The country has everything you could want from a holiday. It is a captivating destination that offers a rich blend of diverse experiences. From the stunning landscapes of Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands to the vibrant wildlife of Kruger National Park, there's something for everyone.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, explore historic sites such as Robben Island (one of the best trips, I've been lucky enough to do), or embark on scenic drives along the Garden Route.

The country's beaches, adventure activities, and world-class safaris make it a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and adrenaline. South Africa’s warm hospitality, rich history, and natural beauty ensure that everyone has an unforgettable experience.

If you'd like to find out more about getting to South Africa in 2025 or 2026, drop me an email at [email protected] and I can start planning the perfect trip for you.

14/01/2025

You may find this helpful......

Something was bought to my attention yesterday that I hadn't realised was an issue with my business.......you all don't realise that I can book with hundreds of suppliers, and at no extra cost to you. I've seen previous clients away with some of the below suppliers this month and all because I haven't communicated correctly what I can offer.

Having access to hundred of suppliers, means that I can do all the hard work of checking each tour operator for the best prices (and service), saving you your precious time (and hopefully a few pennies too as I'll find the better offers).

So, although I do mainly specialise in complex multi-stop itineraries, I do also book alot of TUI and Jet2 Holidays! Therefore, if you're after an all-inclusive in Greece, a cottage in the UK, a villa overseas or a cruise around the med, you can be sure that I will be checking every single supplier to make sure that I get the very best for you.

If you're fed up of trawling every single website available for your holiday and are now tired of internet searches......drop me a line at [email protected] and let me do the searching for you.

Note: I have hundreds of more suppliers on top of those listed in the photo!

14/01/2025

Something was bought to my attention yesterday that I hadn't realised was an issue with my business.......you all don't realise that I can book with hundreds of suppliers, and at no extra cost to you. I've seen previous clients away with some of the below suppliers this month and all because I haven't communicated correctly what I can offer.

Having access to hundred of suppliers, means that I can do all the hard work of checking each tour operator for the best prices (and service), saving you your precious time (and hopefully a few pennies too as I'll find the better offers).

So, although I do mainly specialise in complex multi-stop itineraries, I do also book alot of TUI and Jet2 Holidays! Therefore, if you're after an all-inclusive in Greece, a cottage in the UK, a villa overseas or a cruise around the med, you can be sure that I will be checking every single supplier to make sure that I get the very best for you.

If you're fed up of trawling every single website available for your holiday and are now tired of internet searches......drop me a line at [email protected] and let me do the searching for you.

Note: I have hundreds of more suppliers on top of those listed in the photo!

13/01/2025

Hope you all had a restful weekend. Mine was spent booking some fab trips for 2025 for you lovely people!

Looking forward to another hectic week creating itineraries that should make loads of fun memories for my clients this year.....

If you'd like to find out more about how I can help you this year, drop me an email at [email protected]

10/01/2025

Looks like we've got another chilly weekend ahead.....

What are your plans?

I'll be wrapped up at home working the whole weekend (wearing my turtle gloves and oversized oodie - no fashion awards for me this year).

If this cold spell is making you want to head for sunnier climates, then get in touch and I can come up with some ideas to suit your needs, wants and budget.

Whatever you're up to, I hope you have a fun one and stay warm 🥶🥶

' ❄️

09/01/2025

🌟🌟Important travel update! 🌟🌟

The new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will be mandatory for European nationals from April 2, 2025. The system is currently in operation for non-European nationals.

Remember I'm here to help you with all aspects of your holiday, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

08/01/2025

I've been busy booking Thailand Island hopping trips this year for clients. The key to Thailand is making sure you pick the right side of the country / right islands for the time of the year. Thailand is a destination that can be explored all year round, as long as you pick the right side!
Get in touch to find out what could work for you.

07/01/2025

Do you need something to look forward to and get you through this cold and dark January? I know I did so I booked myself on a trip to Sri Lanka. I was supposed to do this trip in 2020 but obviously all travel got shut down and Sri Lanka took a bit longer to get up again than most. But now the stars have aligned and it's time for me to take the trip.

Sri Lanka looks AMAZING. It has everything I want from a trip - culture, FOOD, scenery, wildlife and beaches to relax on after all that excitement. I think I'm most excited about the train ride from Kandy to Ella as I've wanted to do that for years.

Sri Lanka is a great destination for EVERYONE - if you're a solo traveller, in a couple or a family - this country has something for all of you (and it's also pretty affordable). It's a destination that works for most months in the year too so if you're looking for an Easter holiday (2025 or 2026), Summer holiday or you want to avoid school hols (like me!) then this could be the perfect choice.

Whether you want to travel independently or in a group with like-minded people, I can help find that perfect trip. I have plenty of family group trips so your kids can mix with others kids from all over the globe and you can mix with the parents or just have some quiet time!

Get in touch if you'd like to find out more, especially on those group trips as I've got some good January Sale prices on offer.

03/01/2025

For many of you, today is the last day of your festive break before returning to work / school / normal routine on Monday.

If that's the case, then don't waste your chance to have those all important chats with friends and family about your 2025 travel plans - and then get in touch with me. I can work away behind the scenes to pull together some great ideas for you - from UK cottages, European villas, all-inclusive breaks to multi-centre adventures across the globe where you immerse yourselves in new foods, culture, scenery and wildlife.

If you're around anyone over the next few days who is struggling to find their perfect trip in 2025, please drop my name into the conversation. As a small business owner, it really means a lot to me.

Let's get planning your next adventure so that you've got something to countdown to in 2025.

28/12/2024

I hope you're all still enjoying the festive period!

Based on my inbox, it seems many of you have spent your time well and been chatting with friends and family about your travel plans for 2025.

If that is the case, and you've not yet dropped me an email, I thought I'd let you know that I am at my desk and working on some fantastic trips for clients for next year.

So, if you're wondering what to do and where to go next year, get in touch now so that I can help you start the year with something to look forward to....

Email: [email protected]