"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes My first travel experience was aged 13 on a school exchange to Brittany, hardly speaking any French at the time but it started my love of exploring new cultures and cuisines and making new connections. Funnily enough my next trip overseas was a school skiing trip aged 15 and it was the new cuisine that turned me vegetarian, a horsemeat burger changed me forever. My plans to be the physio for the Welsh National Rugby team were then diverted into a career in Travel and in 1986 moved from a tiny hamlet in Mid-Wales to the bright lights of Ealing in West London for my Business Studies and Tourism course. Since then I have been fortunate enough to visit over 50 counties around the globe and believe each trip has left me richer for the experience, such is the joy of travelling - be that chatting to the barman at the beach shack bar on the pristine sands in Anguilla to incredible sights and sounds in Uruguay during their annual carnival, meeting locals and sharing food on an overnight train in Vietnam to trying to learn the cultural dance in Czechia, it is these interactions that leave a lasting memory and make travel so inspiring. Along the many, many years in the travel industry I have had amazing roles at some of the biggest brands and all this experience has led to many contacts around the world that are on hand to share the latest insider tips. Now I am part of the award winning Travel Counsellors community a global network of likeminded individuals who believe in providing the ultimate service and care in planning, curating and designing the best escapes for you. So if you are ready for your mind to be stretched by a new experience and simultaneously be eased in the knowledge that you are getting exceptional service and value and the utmost in financial protection then please get in touch, I cannot wait to be your escapologist.
Ali
My customer stories
Sent by Steven Towndrow
Manchester 08/08/2025
Ali has been brilliant twice now.
First time with a trip for five couples to Kalkan, Turkey. Every detail was managed and communicated. As the deputy organiser for the rest of the travellers she made my life that much easier and stress free. We even knew what carousel our bags were arriving on before we got through inbound immigration!
Just worked with Ali on a second trip for my wife and I to go to mainland China and she figured out how we could use the 240 hour visa free option. We were nearly out of time for applying for a formal visa - phew!
Now looking into Bali with her to meet up with another couple we know in Oz. We will be using Ali for many more far flung remote holidays, we feel.
Thank you Ali and Travel Counsellors.
Steve
Sent by Francesca Gazet
Surrey 29/06/2025
Alison Nicholls was the best and sorted our March trip - our brief was only date and budget, she came back with so many options. One of them was Jamaica which we’d never thought of and it was the best holiday we’ve ever had! Thank you so much
Sent by Coll Cox
Suffolk 29/06/2025
Indian Odyssey Experience
Having always wanted to visit India for a multiple of reasons, we assigned the task of compiling a bespoke three week trip of a lifetime from north to south to India to Alison Nichols at Travel Counsellors.
From our initial discussions we outlined places we wished to visit and our reasons for wanting to go and handed over the project to Alison who took on our travel requirements, transfers, drivers, hotel accommodation, one to one tours at each destination, dining and excursion recommendations all were provided.. our Indian Odyssey trip became our reality !
Alison was highly professional, informative thorough and attentive throughout from planning to home bound; even throughout our three week trip was to hand 24/7 should we require anything.
We have experienced India in it’s entirety, from the warmth and hospitality of the people, culture, cuisine and history to pleasures on board the luxury Maharaja Express, and the delights of The Golden Temple, Taj Mahal to name but a few..
if anyone is perusing their dream, whether a trip of a lifetime, holiday or week end trip.. Alison will meet your requirements with her experience and warmth.
Sent by Richard Tams
Surrey 29/06/2025
Ali was amazing
Our Travel Counsellor was Ali Nicholls. She crafted a fantastic trip to Argentina and Uruguay. We enjoyed some great experiences and excellent hotels. Ali took all the stress out of booking the trip and provided invaluable advice. We will definitely be asking her to arrange our holiday again.
Sent by Olly Sanders
Surrey 02/04/2025
Great company - great people - great experience
Wanted to have a stress free once in a lifetime trip. Ali understood my requirements and discussed changes really easily. All was booked hassle free and went 110%.
We had minor problem when away (not travel counsellors problem) but called them and they sorted it really fast for me - brilliant
Will definitely recommend and use again!
Sent by Ian Queeley
London 09/02/2025
Alison is an extraordinarily talented and customer focused travel agent.
Sent by Ruth Bennett
Surrey 09/02/2025
My recent trip to India was my first time using Travel Counsellors. I thought I didn’t really need to use a company to plan a trip, but how wrong I was. From beginning to end Alison Nicholls was professional and efficient with a friendly reassuring manner. All throughout the trip I felt safe and reassured that if any issue came up it would be sorted out straight away. I was contacted daily in case I needed anything and guided through the Visa red tape and chaos of the intimidating airports with patience and skill. Having a Travel Counsellor like Alison makes a holiday extra special.
Sent by Esther Smith
KINGSTON UPON THAMES 23/10/2024
She was amazing with recommendations and totally understood what I wanted even though I had lots of questions. I will be using her again later this year to book another holiday
Sent by Megan Horne
Stone 23/10/2024
Alison was extremely helpful in getting us the right quote and holiday package for our honeymoon. She went above and beyond!
Sent by Charlotte Pheonix
Hampton Wick 23/10/2024
Alison is fantastic and goes over and above to work on a great outcome. Definitely highly recommend!
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09/02/2025
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Primates in the Wild
09/12/2024
An unforgettable experience!
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Handcrafted trip to Japan
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09/08/2024
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Handcrafted
05/08/2024
Journeys to inspire you
There is a world of opportunity out there !
23/05/2024
Inspiration
My Blog
I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.
The time has come to announce to you an exciting new project we are launching here at Travel Counsellors.
Over the coming months we will be creating some incredible itineraries for you to sign up to, hosted exclusively by us Travel Counsellors in partnership with our amazing suppliers.
These tours are going to have a focus on supporting the local communities around the world and going to allow yo
Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa, Seminyak | Alila Ubud, Ubud | Melia Bali, Nusa Dua
13 Days | 12 Nights
Explore trendy Seminyak and its stunning beaches.
Relax in Ubud and see the monkeys in the monkey forest.
Full day tour taking in waterfalls, traditional villages and Tampak Siring.
See the sights and enjoy the beautiful coastline at Nusa Dua.
Days One to Five
Arrive at Denpasar airport.
Transf
St Vincent & The Grenadines
The 32 islands and cays of St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG) are an off the beaten path destination, nestled among the south-eastern Windward Islands. Characterised by natural beauty, lush landscapes, sustainable development and a nostalgic Caribbean scene, SVG offers you a diverse experience highlighting Eco-adventures; Sailing & Yachting; Snorkelling & Diving; Roma
Puerto Rico
The cobbled streets and huge stone fortresses of Old San Juan. The powder white beaches and crystal waters of Isla Verde. The waterfalls, birds and wild orchids of the El Yunque tropical rainforest. And of course, the thrumming salsa beat playing long into the night; it could only be Puerto Rico. This is an island that has something for everyone. With an unbelievable natural environmen
Jamaica is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean and stretches about 146 miles and expands to 51 miles at its widest point. With its highest point being, newly named World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountain Peak at 7,402 ft. Jamaica is a kaleidoscope of beauty, and there’s an allure which keeps first time visitors coming back.
It’s the home of reggae, home of jerk and home of ‘All Right’.
Part 2 of my Caribbean highlights
Bermuda
Bermuda offers a unique and enchanting experience, blending British charm, stunning natural beauty, and a rich history. Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches, such as Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach. The pink hue comes from crushed coral and shells mixed with the sand, creating a beautiful and distinctive shoreline. The island also has a long maritime
Thinking about the Caribbean brings thoughts of sunshine, warm weather, beautiful beaches, rich culture and pure relaxation. The Caribbean offers so much choice and is a diverse region made up of over 7,000 islands, islets, and cays and while the islands share some common characteristics, each one has its own unique culture, history, geography, and identity.
I have been fortunate to visit so man
Europe is home to some of the most magical Christmas markets in the world, each offering a unique blend of holiday cheer, local crafts, festive foods, and beautiful decorations. Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Europe:
1. Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg, Germany
• Dates: Late November to Christmas Eve
• Highlights: One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, Nurem
These locations offer a blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and fewer crowds, making them perfect for a unique autumn adventure.
1. Quebec City, Canada, with its cobblestone streets in charming Old Town where the historic architecture is adorned with the riot of colour from the foliage and nearby the stunning Montmorency Falls surrounded by the warm hues autumn are a sight to behold, c
My first trip to Brittany was as a shy awkward 13-year-old on a school exchange trip. Having only been studying French for less than a year it seems a little crazy now but I found my Welsh was also useful in filling in some of the blanks with the maman, who spoke Breton a Celtic language that is still spoken by around 20% of the population in Brittany. We explored the region around Quimper to the
10 Flower Festivals from around the world.
Have you been watching coverage of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show it is right on my doorstep and there is a real buzz around here but I thought I would share some of the other amazing floral extravaganzas around the world.
Many flower shows incorporate cultural themes and historical elements, offering insights into the traditions and heritage of di
Alentejo in spring has been a delight. With balmy 20ºCdays, azure skies and wispy clouds, it’s the perfect time to explore the largest region of Portugal.
We start in Alentejo’s capital city, Évora. Within its original Roman walls we found a buzzing university campus but also pretty cobbled streets and a church with an
exhibition of nativity scenes made by craftsmen from around the world.
The hist
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