Based In Hampshire

Clare Charles

Available for new enquiries

It's Nice To Meet You

I live in North Hampshire with my husband, children and dogs. After many years as a corporate lawyer, I decided to follow my passion for travel and transition from the boardroom into the world of travel. I have my dream job!

Everyone who knows me understands how much I love travelling, from backpacking to top end luxury and everything in between. My love of travel began in my teens with an island-hopping holiday to Greece, followed by a two year backpacking trip through Australia and Asia. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively as a solo traveller, as a couple and as a family of five. I still love exploring new destinations and creating unforgettable experiences for my family.

I do things differently, offering a bespoke, impartial and tailored service which makes each of my clients feel valued and special. By taking the time to learn about you, your family, needs, interests and travel ambitions, I create unique holidays designed around your individual preferences.

I provide a level of service far beyond anything available on internet booking sites (no call centres here!). I take care of everything (from the planning stage to arriving home) and ensure you have a seamless, stress-free, supported travel experience.

Working very flexible hours to fit in with your schedule, I treat every holiday booking as if it were my own and provide a concierge level service without the extra cost.

Travel Counsellors is a global, award-winning brand and I am proud to be part of it. As an independent travel counsellor, I have access to thousands of offers from our trusted global partners and use custom made technology to give clients access to their quotes and bookings. With the unique Travel Counsellors Trust and ATOL protection, clients have 100% financial protection. We also have 24/7 customer support in the event of a crisis (we were named as MoneySavingExpert’s number one travel company for customer service during the Covid 19 pandemic).

I would love the opportunity to plan your next holiday, whatever your budget and whether for a complex multi-centre holiday, a single destination holiday, a cruise or an overnight hotel stay. In addition, if you have been considering a more adventurous holiday, I can provide the guidance and reassurance you need to confidently book your trip.

When you're ready to discover a new way of booking a holiday, please do get in touch.

‘Collect moments, not things’. Unknown.

‘Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer’. Unknown


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My customer stories

Sent by Laura Anstey

We engaged with Clare for our honeymoon booking about a year ago. This was the first holiday me and my new husband had ever been on alone and I was rather anxious. Clare set my mind at rest. Clare came up with some absolutely cracking holidays and destinations and we chose Bali. Once we had decided the real magic began. Clare organised everything from the flights to the transfers, villa and even some excursions. She was constantly in contact with us and the hotel. We had meetings closer to the time and she had even helped me fill out the immigration forms as I was clueless. Before the trip she even gave us a beautiful pack with all our documents printed off ready for every aspect of the trip and surprised us with a beautiful bottle of champagne, such a lovely gesture. We travelled on the 30th of May 2025. Upon arrival to the villa we were absolutely speechless this place was an absolute paradise we couldn’t believe Clare had found such an amazing venue. She had even got the villa to leave us a lovely honeymoon welcome gift and ensured we were treated like royalty throughout our stay. Everything was smooth sailing after that and Clare was in contact throughout the holiday whenever we needed her, which was mainly to share photos and updates on the amazing time we were having. Clare catered to our every whim she gave us the best experience and I had no stress whatsoever in the lead up. I managed all my payments on the myTC app which was super convenient. I cannot thank her enough for such an amazing experience from booking to landing back in the UK. I can safely say we won’t book a holiday without her now it’s just a case of deciding where our next destination will be, but I’m sure she will help us find another paradise. I highly recommend Clare to anyone who wants a stress free holiday planning experience she is so knowledgable and clearly has a passion for giving people the most amazing holidays and all round planning service possible. We can’t wait to book again!

Sent by Julie Pullen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars A bespoke level of service We have booked two holidays now through Clare and have been impressed with all the options and costs involved she gave us to make our decision. Clare was able to tap into the knowledge of her colleagues when we booked to go to Cyprus for a particular event and that was very helpful. When we had an issue in Benidorm I text Clare and she rang the hotel and was also able to escalate it and we were more than satisfied with the outcome. We felt so looked after and we do not think we would have received that level of personal service anywhere else. We look forward to arranging our next adventure knowing we are in safe, caring, knowledgable and professional hands.

Sent by Louise Blunden

5* service! Absolutely 5* service from start to finish! We had a couple of issues while away and Clare was on top of it straight away. I will definitely be using Travel Counsellors in the future and from now on. Date of experience: 22 April 2025

Sent by Sarah Tame

Clare was amazing, from being super efficient in listening to our requirements and organising and booking our trip, to being a very helpful point of contact for all our flights. She was messaging us reminding us to check in, and to make sure that we were happy with everything. It was like having a personal assistant with us on holiday and gave us great confidence that if there were any problems that Clare would sort them out. There were no problems of course, the holiday plans ran perfectly, and I would definitely recommend Clare and the Travel Counsellors for anyone booking a holiday!

Sent by Janice Wickham

Why would you use anyone else? Clare is professional, knowledgeable and caring. She goes that extra mile and beyond.

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.

South Korea – The New Travel Hotspot

28 September 2025

I asked my daughter recently where would be at the top of her list for our next family holiday and, without hesitation, she said South Korea. I wasn’t surprised. Once considered an add-on to a Japan itinerary, South Korea has established itself as a standalone destination for travellers of all ages. With its blend of history, culture, food, and natural beauty, South Korea offers something for e

Nevis: The Caribbean’s Incredible Hidden Gem You Need to Know About

10 September 2025

If you’re dreaming of the Caribbean but want something different, you should look at Nevis – one of the Caribbean’s most authentic and lesser visited islands. At just 36 square miles and with just over 400 hotel rooms across the island, it offers a unique sense of exclusivity that feels very different to the larger Caribbean islands. You won’t find crowded beaches or towering resorts here. Inste

How a Travel Professional Plans Your Holiday (It’s Not Just About Price!)

18 August 2025

When it comes to planning a holiday, my job isn’t to find the cheapest deal - it’s to make sure you get the best possible value and holiday for your budget. That means avoiding false economies that might look like savings on paper but end up costing you in wasted time, missed experiences or sheer exhaustion. When I book a holiday for clients, I treat it as if it were my own. My priority is to und

A Small-Group Adventure in Borneo – Why We Loved It (and Why You Might Too!)

05 August 2025

Small-group travel is something I love to arrange for my clients - it’s such a fantastic way to see the world. But I realised it had been far too long since I’d experienced it for myself. So, a few weeks ago, my family - myself, my husband, and our 11-year-old daughter Edie - set off on a family adventure with a difference: a small-group family tour with Intrepid Travel in Borneo. I decided to “b

Why Bali Is Still A Fantastic Destination

05 June 2025

Travel trends come and go but some destinations are always popular. One of these destinations is Bali – and for good reason. I first visited Bali years ago when I was backpacking through Indonesia. This was when the huts on Gili Trawengan didn’t have electricity! Since then, I’ve been back many times, most recently on a luxury family holiday. There’s no doubt that Bali has changed since my fir

Beyond the Ordinary: Why Expedition Cruises Should Be on Your Travel Wishlist

29 May 2025

When most people think of cruising, they imagine sun-loungers, poolside cocktails and bustling ports. But what if your cruise could take you far beyond the usual, to places where glaciers calve into icy seas, blue-footed boobies nest on lava rocks, and polar bears roam the tundra? Welcome to the world of expedition cruising. Expedition cruises are for the curious, the nature lovers, the adventure

Why Every Family Should Have an Adventure Holiday

25 April 2025

When you think of family holidays, what often comes to mind? Perhaps it's lounging by a pool, all-inclusive resorts, or relaxed beach days. While these are wonderful ways to unwind, there’s another type of getaway that every family should consider: an adventure holiday. An adventure holiday is the perfect way for families to discover new places, enjoy shared experiences that will last a lifetime

When Things Go Wrong (and they can, even in beautiful Bali!)

26 November 2024

Travel is one of the greatest joys in life, exploring new cultures, landscapes, and experiences is something many of us cherish. But, as any seasoned traveller knows, even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry. While it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of booking a dream trip online, what happens when the unexpected happens? Having a Travel Counsellor can make all the difference, espe

Creating a Two-Year Holiday Plan

05 November 2024

Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, offering opportunities to explore unfamiliar places, meet new people and experience different cultures. When it comes to travel, the best experiences often require a little forward thinking. Much like financial planning, a well-thought-out travel plan ensures you maximise your time, budget, and, of course, your enjoyment. It all starts with a conversation

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