Joanne Kemp - Travel Counsellors (2023)

Canadian Adventure including Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through The Clouds

22 December 2022

A belated big birthday celebration and third time rebooked, and what an amazing trip this was! We started off with a few nights in beautiful Vancouver, the city is the gateway to the natural beauty of British Columbia – staying here you get to see the best of both worlds, a cosmopolitan busy city plus a host of exploring to do too! If you can incorporate visits to the following - these would be my must see; Capilano Suspension bridge - 140 ft bridge within breath taking scenery/rainforest easily done in a few hours. I would combine this with a visit to Grouse Mountain - which has spectacular views on a clear day of the city, it is also home to two orphaned Grizzly Bears Coola and Grinda! Hire a bike and Cycle around Stanley Park - it’s a brilliant way to see the sights with over 27km of forest trails and cycle the stunning sea wall. Depending on the time of year - Whale Watching trips is another must do, usually morning and afternoon trips, we were lucky to see humpback on our trip! From Vancouver some will go onto a Cruise to Alaska - we opted for the iconic rail journey of Rocky Mountaineer - Journey Through The Clouds, just one word AMAZING!!Early early start from Vancouver Rocky Mountaineer station - I had opted for Gold Leaf, which is the upper deck of the carriage and highly recommend this, we travelled through scenic valleys, along the mighty Fraser River, through Hell's Gate, past Pyramid Falls, Mount Robson which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, included a stop in Kamloops overnight, up again early for our second day onto Jasper, again spectacular scenery with fantastic views from the upper deck.A quick overnight stop in the pretty town of Jasper, then headed down to our next stop Banff which stopping en route through Icefields Parkway, which is listed as one of the spectacular drives - it is a 232km stretch of double lane winding along the Continental Divide, through the Rocky Mountains, peaks and icefields. The abundance of wildlife along this drive is incredible and I was lucky to see bears! Make sure you stop off at the Columbia Icefield - these glaciers or fields of ice straddle Banff and Jasper National Park and the largest south of the Artic Circle. Alongside the Icefields is the Glacier Sky Walk, a glass floor observation platform 918 feet over Sunwapta Valley - breath taking unless you don't like heights!Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls are amongst the most breath taking and powerful falls I have seen and well worth visiting on this route.Next stop Banff – my favourite town in Alberta! Quaint shopping and restaurants – it has a lovely vibe about the town, which you can safely cycle or walk around. Take the bus up to the Banff Gondola for the cable car up to Sulphur Mountain, where you can see scenes of six mountain ranges on a clear day, make sure you book in advance a time slot as it can be busy at times! There’s a wonderful restaurant you can enjoy lunch at the top with spectacular views – Northern Lights, amazing food!Our final part of our Canadian Adventure was a flight over to the East Coast and stayed in Toronto for a few nights, I loved the city – very vibrant and a great way seeing the city is on Hop On Hop Off Bus tour, plus we also took full day trip over to Niagara Falls, another breath taking view of the Falls we experienced on a helicopter and well worth!!An amazing itinerary and I absolutely love Canada – so if you are thinking of getting away and need my help, do get in touch!

Celebrity Edge European Premiere

25 July 2019

In May this year I was lucky to have been selected as one of the few travel agents to take a first look at a brand new cruise ship, Celebrity Cruises introduced Celebrity Edge as their first visionary vessel in their Edge Class line, showcasing unrivalled innovation designed to leave the future behind. Whilst on board for 2 nights - I saw many different cabin categories and experienced the different dining areas and on board activities too!This fantastic ship changes in the way you experience the world. Indulge the senses in a transformative atmosphere within the multi-faceted Eden experience available on board, reflecting a natural environment like no other available on a cruise liner. Representing an ever-evolving stimulation of the senses, three distinct levels explorable from dusk until dawn include chillful, playful, and sinful as Celebrity Edge lures you into a new state of mind.Celebrity Edge certainly has the edge when it comes to jaw-dropping venues, with the extraordinary Magic Carpet reflective of an outward-facing design vision ensuring you feel fully immersed in your natural surroundings during your cruise. The first cantilevered floating platform to be installed on a luxury cruise liner is crafted with comfortable seating as you enjoy drinks from a fully-stocked bar to the sound of live music performances as a starboard located destination-within-a-destination. An alluring urban playscape and aquatic haven, The Resort Deck on Celebrity Edge encompasses the main pool area, the new Rooftop Garden, the jogging track, and the adults-only Solarium as a superb location in which to connect with the best of nature. Dramatically oversized art installations include treetop sculptures, private cabanas, and two-storey hot tubs competing with the best in resort-style settings, while the new garden space contains a movie hub and spectacular dining at the Rooftop Garden GrillWhat to know more about Celebrity Edge and available itineraries, please do get in touch with me!

Captivating Croatia

25 July 2019

Wow...what a truly beautiful destination the Dubrovnik Riviera is and I can see why many of my clients return here, I’ve loved spending a week in this beautiful part of Croatia, I stayed in a quiet town of Slano around 40 minutes north of Dubrovnik - which has a stunning bay of crystal clear waters and scattering of authentic restaurants, perfect for relaxation, it's an easy bus ride to famous city of Dubrovnik or you can visit the stunning Elephiti Islands - just off the coast, these are a cluster of beautiful islands and perfect for relaxation and some are car free too.Described by George Bernard Shaw as heaven on earth, it is encircled by ancient city walls, Dubrovnik’s stunning Old Town with its cobbled streets and narrow stepped alleyways boasts an 18th century Cathedral, a 14th century Dominican Monastery and the handsome Gothic Renaissance Rector’s Palace, housing the Cultural Historical Museum...Dubrovnik is a fantastic destination. It's also perfect for any Game Of Thrones fans - there are many excursions that will incorporate the places used for filming! In Dubrovnik, there are lots of markets and boutique shops, plus a myriad of dining and nightlife opportunities around the pedestrianized Placa promenade or Stradun. The Mount Srd cable car offers great views over this city known as The Pearl of the Adriatic, also during July and August, the Summer Festival boasts a fantastic music and theatre programme.It’s a perfect destination as just a city break or if you are looking to combine with another area of Croatia. Please get in touch if you want to hear more about it for your own #TCexperience in #croatia

Luxury Caribbean Island Hopping

02 December 2019

In June this year, I had an incredible experience visiting 5 different Caribbean islands and staying in a selection of truly exquisite hotels over 8 nights. My first stay was spent in East Winds, St Lucia. From the moment I arrived at the hotel, I felt totally relaxed. The gardens were huge and beautiful, lots of species of birds was a delight. The whole experience of staying here is one of total relaxation in an elegant informal surrounding. The staff were so friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed the Yoga held in the outside pavilion and the teacher is fantastic! Spa treatments were amazing too. Their set menus are perfect and huge choice and I loved the open-air restaurant positioned by the beach. Beautiful location and very, very friendly staff. I loved the reception held in the lounge plus rum tasting too where guests meet each other and hotel owner Judith too.My next stay was a short flight over to St Vincent and staying at Young Island in St Vincent & The Grenadines, a short crossing was a great experience to start a holiday. I was lucky to be allocated Duvernette Suite, this two-bedroom hillside cottage features king-size beds, spacious separate living and dining areas and air-conditioning. The cottage is perched at the top of Young Island with incredible views of the sea, Fort Duvernette, St. Vincent and Bequia. Breakfast was amazing and enjoyed trying the homemade bread which was INCREDIBLE! Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed on St Vincent and you can take a Pirates of the Caribbean tour to the set, which we did, and it was fabulous!From St Vincent – we took a ferry crossing over to Bequia, this stunning Island in the Grenadines, which has yet to be spoilt with mass tourism and my own personal favourite. The Bequia Beach hotel remains unique as far as experiences go. All rooms were spacious and most had great sea views. A real jewel of the Caribbean that would not disappoint anyone. Food fabulous at Bagatelle and Jacks bar/location was unbeatable – all staff at the hotel were fantastic and so were locals too, a place I would love to return back too!Next stop was a short flight over to Barbados and a stay at Good Little Harbour, a scattering of whitewashed coral-stone cottages, the seaside hotel smacks of unpretentious luxury – the perfect in-the-know hidey-hole for Caribbean beach-bunnies. The Fish Pot restaurant was a truly memorable experience and one of the most celebrated spots on Barbados. The food we experienced was exceptional, which I am sure is why so many people, not just guests, visit on a regular basis. Graham & his team were very accommodating and friendly.Lastly was another flight over to Antigua and stay at the stunning Curtain Bluff – a beautiful premier all inclusive resort. The Sea Grape and Tamarind restaurant served the most varied and interesting cuisine. The spa is incredible, and they really give you the best experience from before sitting up on the terrace & after with refreshments and nibbles! Entertainment was really good on both nights we stayed and I would also recommend the Cellar tour (with wine tasting too!) There’s two beaches which were fantastic. I really loved the snorkelling trip and that staff came into the sea with us to ensure we felt safe whatever level of swimmer you are. The spa area is right on the waterfront and is beautiful, the relaxation area, which is 5,000 square feet, overlooks the Caribbean Sea and it is really peaceful and tranquil – if you are looking for something truly special, I would recommend Curtain Bluff.

Why you should choose Hurtigruten?

24 April 2019

Did you know that Hurtigruten have brought travellers to the heart of Norway for the past 125 years? Also offering explorer cruises around the world to Antarctica, Alaska and the Arctic islands.Whether you are sailing with Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast or to other remote destinations around the world, you will always be accompanied by an expert Expedition Team. They are your hosts on board and ashore, and will provide lectures in subjects such as geography, history, wildlife and much more!Sailing with Hurtigruten, you are on an expedition with likeminded adventurers who value personal growth and exploring over luxury. You won't find waterslides, casinos or any sort of dress code. However, you will find a casual and relaxed atmosphere, great food, and all the quality equipment you need to explore new destinations.As they operate in some of the world’s most pristine and vulnerable natural landscapes, Hurtigruten take this responsibility very seriously, which is why guests on board are educated on how to reduce their environmental footprint. Guarantee 100%. That’s how sure Hurtigruten are that the spectacular Northern Lights will make an appearance on your 12-day Hurtigruten voyage. If they do not appear on your voyage, you will be given another 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage free of charge, so your Hurtigruten experience will be one with zero regrets.If you want to learn more about Hurtigruten and why you should explore the world with them - contact me today!

South Africa The Garden Route - Cape Town to Shamwari

23 April 2019

I was very lucky to travel to one of my bucket list destinations South Africa in Sept 2018 and it did not disappoint!Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities in the world and I’m glad that we had our first view of the city from Table Mountain. If you go – aim to do this in your first/second day as the cable car trip up the mountain is weather dependant. The view of the coastline, with white sand beaches and many hues of blue sea, Robben island and the city itself were stunning. Cape Town is a great base as, from here, there is a huge amount of wildlife viewing experiences available – from African penguins at Boulders Beach, to whale (July – Nov) and dolphin spotting from the shore, and even diving with great white sharks. If you are not driving, there are trips to the Winelands also available.We stayed at the Table Bay hotel, the largest hotel in Cape Town, and situated in the compact Waterfront area, connected to the V&A Waterfront mall. It is very easy to get about the centre of the city with plenty of restaurants, outdoor entertainment, shops and markets for the whole family to enjoy and has a great atmosphere. The rooms in the hotel have either a view of the mountain or the ocean, and the breakfast buffet is very extensive, with sparkling wine, oysters, fresh fruit and hot options. Dinner in the Cape Grace hotel, the oldest hotel in the city, was a real treat, served in the Signal restaurant with the knowledgeable sommelier on hand to pair each dish with a superb glass of wine – our first taste of South African wine! Each hotel guest can choose a bottle of wine from the hotel’s cellar upon check in, which is a lovely and unique touch!Cape and Peninsula Tour - We left the hotel at 8.30am for our full day tour of the Cape and Peninsula Tour, passing through Camps Bay and Clifton areas before travelling along the spectacular coastal route and then through the Cape Point Nature Reserve (photo stop at Cape of Good Hope compulsory) where we had our first view of baboons. Lunch at “Seaforth” in Simonstown was a great place to stop – you must try the fish. We could walk from there to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. It was amazing to see these funny creatures, which are an endangered species, enjoying running into the surf. They are threatened by commercial fishing practices and are preyed on by seals and sharks at sea, whilst their eggs and chicks are targeted by mongooses and seabirds on land. The final stop on the tour was the tranquil Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a popular spot for picnics set against the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, with a fabulous canopy walkway through the treetops. Our next hotel for the night was the Leading Hotels of the World “The Twelve Apostles” – overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The terrace of the Azure restaurant is a perfect viewpoint for sunset and the African tradition of “sundowners”. The hotel has a modern, bright feel, with each room individually decorated – this hotel is very proud of their impeccable service and generous hospitality, as well as being very family friendly. I loved the concept of “tiny noticeable touches” where the staff will go out of their way to look after guests in as personal a way as possible. There is a lovely spa built into the hillside, which makes the spa experience very atmospheric! There is a complimentary shuttle service to the Waterfront area as well as Camps Bay, giving easy access to the attractions and restaurants in these areas. From Cape Town we then went on to stay at Franschhoek which is quieter than the neighbouring Stellenbosch. We visited Boschendal Wine Estate where generations of families have worked. We took a cycle tour of the land and a spot of wine tasting too! Alternatively, there’s a famous tram service takes you along several local estates where you pay a small fee at each to sample an array of wines, with about an hour at each estate. Then you simply hop back on and head to the next one!Onwards along the Garden route, we next stopped at the unique town of Hermanus famous for whale watching and stayed overnight at my personal favourite Grootbos. This luxury eco reserve is tucked between mountains, forest and the sea, with 2500 hectares of wilderness and a huge array of plant species. From here we experienced the best whale watching along the coast, a truly magical experience!Our next stop was Knysna and then onto the beautiful Lairds Lodge Country Estate in Plet Bay, which is a Cape Dutch style homestead set on a 24-acre estate and delivers first class hospitality. Food and wine at Lairds offer exceptional and delicious choice…just watch out for monkeys! A visit to Elephant Sanctuary just across the road is worth a visit, where you can feed and touch these great animals too. Another option would be also to stay at Tsala Tree lodge which again is another unique stop along the Garden Route.Our final stop was at the amazing Shamwari Game Reserve whose name means “my friend.” There are 6 lodges here plus 1 explorer camp, each provides a distinct experience. I stayed at Long Lee Manor which overlooks the magnificent plains for 2 nights, I also visited Eagles Crag, Riverdene, Bayathe whilst there too. Included are 2 game drives per day, either first thing at 6am or afternoon (around 4pm). Vehicles are comfortable and open which gives you a truly panoramic view of seeing the Big 5. The rangers and guides are passionate about wildlife and very knowledgeable, enabling you to have an unforgettable experience…which I certainly did! Another must visit at Shamwari, is their Born Free Big Cat Rescue, in partnership with Shamwari Private Game Reserve, which operates two sanctuaries within the Private Game Reserve, for lions and leopards rescued from zoos, circuses and other captive facilities. The bush enclosures at Shamwari give the lions and leopards the space and privacy they so desperately need and is a truly moving experience.

MSC Bellissima Beauty At Sea

11 March 2019

This March, I was very lucky to be invited to the launch weekend of the new MSC Bellissima in Southampton - the ship exceeded my expectations completely and loved being on board and seeing so much of the "Beauty At Sea". Having not been on board any of their ships before, I really loved their atrium, which has a real wow factor. Here you find the famous Swarovski crystal staircases, which has a stunning 640 crystals per step...these are breath-taking! Another wow factor for me was their LED screen ceiling above the promenade - which is the longest LED screen at sea. The screen changes images every 30 seconds and in the evening turns into a light and sound show. The promenade incorporates speciality restaurants, shops and lounges. As well as the main buffet restaurant which has a really good choice of food options, you have a variety of different food/snack options...speciality restaurants such as Teppanyaki as well as a steak restaurant – The Butchers Cut and Hola, Tapas Bar and a sushi bar, as well as a macaroon shop and an ice cream parlour and creperie. My favourite was the amazing chocolate factory – The Jean-Phillipe Chocolat and Café. Here you can watch chocolatiers make their chocolate - I was in Chocolate Heaven. For families, on the top deck is the Arizona Waterpark which has three different waterslides. Located close to the children’s clubs. There is a Baby Club, Junior Club and Teen Club all are well equipped to keep children occupied and happy. Also, a fantastic Sports Zone where there was an indoor basketball court, as well as a full-size bowling alley and two Formula 1 simulators. There is also a 4D theatre and virtual reality games.For those looking for some relaxation, there is the Aurea Spa which offers everything from treatments to facials, alongside a hair salon, nail spa and for any fitness enthusiasts a large gym area.If you are looking for something a little bit special, then I would highly recommend the MSC Yacht Club could be for you. It has the feel of a private club area with exclusive cabins with private facilities and butler service. There is also an exclusive Yacht Club bar and restaurant which has stunning views out to sea.In summary, I had an exceptional stay on board MSC Bellissima and if you are thinking of cruising with MSC, please do get in touch!

On Board The British Pullman

01 June 2018

On Friday 25th May 2018 I had the real pleasure of experiencing one of my bucket list trips - a luxury rail adventure with Belmond on board the British Pullman. The trip was called "The Golden Age of Travel" and started at 11am and finished at 4pm, travelling through the stunning Kent countryside and coast over 170 miles.The Belmond British Pullman (sister train of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), is the stateliest of trains. Over a century ago, George Mortimer Pullman issued orders to the finest craftsmen of the day to construct in his words "Palaces on Wheels". His instructions were honoured in every respect - she is truly a stunning train. Your steward will show you to your reserved seat in one of eleven carriages, each an original masterpiece from the 1920's or 1930's with their own name and unique personality. The service, like your journey, will be elegant, calm and unruffled. Settle back into your deeply comfortable seat and be transported into another age while Britain's glorious countryside unfolds past your window! Your table is set with perfect white cloths, shining silver and glittering glass. The five-course cuisine we had was perfect and was accompanied by wines chosen to complement the fine food or you can pay to upgrade for something else to drink (champagne/other wines/drinks if you prefer)It was a fantastic day out and one I will never forget - perfect for a special birthday, anniversary or for any lovers of unique train journeys!

Amazing Universal Orlando Resort

21 December 2017

Universal Studios has absolutely something for everyone. If you like to sit at the top of a high rollercoaster and plummet at speed to the ground before being whisked back up into the sky whilst screaming your head off or maybe getting soaked on a water ride, there are plenty of these rides to keep you entertained! There are ever evolving rides and additions each year. Currently there’s Shrek, Minions, Spider Man, Transformers, Jurassic Park, Kong, Jimmy Fallon race through New York and the old favourite “ET” which was my favourite. Not forgetting all you Harry Potter Fans out there - the Wizardly World of Harry Potter is simply amazing. Walk through Diagon Alley, pop into Ollivander’s to purchase your interactive wand where you can undertake magic spells around the Alley. If you are brave enough, go into Gringott’s bank and ride the indoor rollercoaster, then run through the wall at King’s Cross Station Platform 9 ¾ and take the Hogwarts express over to Islands of Adventure before arriving at Hosgmeade for more rides, thrills and a Butter Beer (or ice cream!) Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have kid’s zones (Seuss Landing and Woody Woodpecker) for smaller children.Don’t forget the shows, fantastic parades and the opportunity to meet your favourite Marvel Character or Minion around the parks too. I also visited Volcano Bay, which is the new waterpark that opened in June this year, with many thrill rides. My own favourite is the lazy river but watch out - you will get wet! The parks are open in the evening too, these times depend on the time of year and each day there will be a notice of the opening times. I would recommend the Cinematic show at Universal Studios, showcasing 100 years of Universal films with water show and fireworks, and a top tip is to eat at Lombardo’s in the park who offer a set two course meal followed by sweet treat buffet while watching the show on their seated veranda - a great view. City Walk is open until 2am every day with a huge choice of different restaurants and bars, my favourite was The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium – amazing unique food! If you are staying on site, the water taxis run until 2am to take you back to your onsite hotel.I would recommend staying onsite even if it just for maybe a few days during your stay in Orlando. All the onsite hotels are walking distance to the entrance, it is much easier to use the shuttle bus or water taxi. Three of the hotels, Lowes Portofino Bay, Lowes Royal Pacific and Hard Rock also include express passes, so a 1-night stay at either of these hotels will include a two day express pass each. With express passes costing from $99 per person per day (on top of the normal ticket price) a stay in one of these hotels will pay for itself, especially in busy school holiday and peak times when queues are long.There is much more to say about Universal Orlando Resort, please get in touch for some more hints and advice on this fantastic destination.

06 October 2016

In September, I visited the spectacular and beautiful island of Turks and Caicos and stayed at the luxury Beaches all-inclusive resort. This island is blessed with heavenly uncrowded beaches with bone white sand, crystal clear water and coral reefs that offer spectacular snorkelling and diving opportunities. The most amazing I have seen in the Caribbean!Most visitors stay on the island of Providenciales (Provo) which is home to the 12 mile Grace Bay beach, which is frequently named as one of the world’s best beaches. If you want to escape this beach, there's also flamingo sanctuary on North Caicos, the world's only Conch farm in Provo. My favourite visit was to Iguana Island which is inhabited only by these unique reptiles. All of them have a name and age! Humpback whales can be spotted around Grand Turk and Salt Cay from late January to early April. We saw wild dolphins on our trip out to the islands - which was such a fantastic sight!Beaches Resort is a fantastic all-inclusive resort offering many facilities and activities for all ages. The resort has four themed villages so there’s somewhere to please everyone: the new Key West Village, the Italian village, the French village and the authentic Caribbean village.For the adults there is a fantastic Red Lane® Spa offering rejuvenating treatments and a variety of land and non-motorised water sports. For young guests, this resort is heavenly – the fun starts with the huge Pirates Island Waterpark and continues with the Kids’ Camp, Xbox Play Lounge and the opportunity to meet their favourite Sesame Street characters. As part of your luxury all-inclusive package you can dine at any of the 21 restaurants, a few of which are just for adults while most feature full children’s menus. The 15 bars range from chic and sophisticated to casual pub style. My favourite was the Sky Bar rooftop restaurant which also had a fantastic view at sunset!There is so much to do here at Beaches or if you simply want to sit back, relax and enjoy the views, you can! I'm already planning a return visit, as to date it has been one of my favourite Caribbean island visits.

Chasing The Northern Lights - Iceland

01 March 2016

At the end of January, I took a flight up (2 hours 30 minutes) up to Reykjavík in Iceland...to experience this beautiful country known as the land of Fire & Ice, that everyone has been talking about. With routes from Birmingham, Manchester and London - there are a range a dates and durations possible. Transfer to the city is just a short ride either by coach or taxi of around 45 minutes/1 hour. Reykjavík offers a good choice of hotels, from budget to five-star - along with Self Catering options tooIt may be one of the smallest capital cities in Europe, however it seems there's a multitude of various events all year round - most visitors tend to go between November until March in the hope of seeing Aurora Borealis (or Northern Lights).We had packed our weekend with a variety of excursions, which I'd recommend is the best way to see everything in a short amount of time. A trip to the Blue Lagoon, some 40 minutes out of the city - it is renowned for its health benefits and mineral-rich, geothermal seawater, which have made it one of the most visited locations in Iceland....it is definitely worth a few hours of your day! It is an outdoor spa is located simply in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, so don't forget your swimsuit!We were also hoping to see the Northern Lights - the glowing patterns of light that twist and turn restlessly in the sky are created by electrically-charged particles that make the thin air shine...and we were very lucky, we did see them on our last night! For this we took our excursion with Superjeep - where we were taken to the coldest/highest point, I would highly recommend this - as they can go to many off road destinations unlike standard coach excursions could.We also pre booked The Golden Circle excursion which again is another popular tourist route from Reykjavik. This trip covers about 300 km distance from Reykjavik to central Iceland and back. The three main stops on the route are the national park Thingvellir, the waterfall Gullfoss (Golden Falls) - absolutely stunning and spectacular waterfall that is a must see. The geothermal active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur - these are also very interesting to watch too!I really loved my visit to Iceland - it was very different and unique to any other city I've been to and the Icelanders are also considered to be the friendliest nation in the world, so why not try a visit there yourself!

Extraordinary Western Australia

28 May 2015

In October, along with a small group of travel agents, I was very fortunate enough to experience the fantastic sights of Perth, Scarborough and Broome in Western Australia. I flew out from Heathrow on Qantas' fantastic A380 aircraft onto Dubai and then connecting flight to Perth operated by their airline partner Emirates.Perth makes the perfect base for a very unique Western Australian experience. It is bustling with new bars, restaurants and shopping. Situated beside the Swan River, the best views of all of the city are from Kings Park and Botanic Garden - one of the biggest inner-city parks in the world. Larger than New York's Central Park, there are so many ways to enjoy its 400-plus hectares of sculpted gardens.Perth is also the sunniest state capital, averaging 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and boasting a string of 19 beautifully clean and uncrowded beaches, from iconic Cottesloe to the surf hotspot of Scarborough.After an interesting walking tour around the maritime historical town of Fremantle, we caught a ferry over to the car free paradise island of Rottnest, with no cars on the roads, riding is the best way to get around, with bicycle hire available at the ferry terminals and on the island. On its shores, there are 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays and many coral reefs and wrecks invite you to enjoy some of Australia's finest swimming spots, snorkel trails and surf breaks. You'll also get to meet the cutest mini marsupial, found only in Western Australia, the world famous quokka.We then flew up to Broome (which is around 2 hours), the gateway of the Kimberley, to experience the rich pearling industry that this small town is famous for. The colourful sunsets here at Cable beach over pure white sands are a must - also a sunset camel ride! At certain times of the year, you can also witness the Staircase to the Moon, this natural phenomenon is when the full moon rises over the sea at extremely low tide and creates a beautiful optical illusion of stairs reaching to the moon! Located on the tip of the Dampier Peninsular, we took the road from Broome up to Cape Leveque which is all part of the adventure, following the four wheel drive track - a guided tour for the three and a half hours. A quicker scenic route is available by air - at Cape Leveque you can see some of the Kimberley's most stunning coastal wilderness - a stunning contrast of pristine white sands and red rocks. If you want to venture a little further north (by air) you can also have a bird's eye view of the world's only horizontal waterfalls.From seeing a humpback whale as we travelled to Rottnest Island, to the incredible colours of the sunsets at Cable Beach - for me it was my first ever visit to Australia and it most definitely exceeded all my expectations!

Dazzling Dubai

02 December 2014

On this amazing trip - I was very fortunate to be have been picked to be part of a travel group called "Mission Possible" where I had the opportunity to see as much of this wonderful city of Dubai as I could in 5 days!Our first two nights, we stayed at the stunning The One & Only Royal Mirage which is located on Jumeirah beach and close to the Dubai Marina. The best way to describe this luxurious (and also one of my favourite hotels) is a peaceful and enchanting oasis in the midst of a busy and hectic city.From the beach we then took a Catamaran excursion which sailed around the Palm for most of the day – an excellent opportunity to take in the beautiful views of the Burj al Arab and Atlantis The Palm. After experiencing the wonders of the Palm by boat, it was time to head back and see the sights of Downtown Dubai. The Address Downtown Dubai is another amazing hotel, it’s located right in the heart of the Dubai shopping Mall area and perfect also for sightseeing the Burj Khalifa and fountains which at around 6pm are synchronized with lights and music - a definite must visit on your trip!My next 2 night stay was at Atlantis The Palm, this huge and incredible hotel is iconic for Dubai – one of the other factors is the world-famous Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park & Lost Chambers, which is a must for those who want to experience those fast water rides (or maybe like me - you prefer the lazy river!!) You also have the opportunity to pre book a swim with dolphins too, again perfect for adults and children! At Atlantis there are numerous choices of restaurants and bars, so there's really no need to leave the hotel!Another highlight was our Desert Jeep Safari - taken out just before sunset, this involved driving around in 4x4 jeeps on an incredible safari route, complete with a barbecue dinner under the stars. On this trip, I was able to experience so much more of Dubai - beach, sightseeing, markets! There is so much to see and do in this inspiring and ever growing city - from swimming with dolphins to sky diving, beaches/sunbathing to shopping, Dubai most definitely has it all!

Mexican Magic

31 July 2013

Mexico boasts some of Central America's finest white sandy beaches with brilliant blue turquoise seas, luxurious resorts and excellent tourist facilities, along with a spectacular historical heritage.From the UK, the flight time is approx. 9 hours and there are many resorts along the Yucatan Peninsula from Cancun where it is a 24 hour resort - so you can party as much as you like! There’s also the laid back European-influenced town of Playa del Carmen which is a great base for exploring of the nearby ruins of Tulum and Coba and is also a good destination for diving tours.Mexico is well suited for everyone - from singles, couples to also families with children. There are many adult only hotels for those looking to celebrate a special occasion or honeymoon. The best time to travel is from November until May for maximum sunshine, as hurricane season usually runs from June until October time.We stayed in Dreams Puerto Aventuras which is situated approx. 60 minutes from Cancun. The hotel is one of the smaller resorts and is a perfect family getaway. There's a host of activities and water sports available and you can also swim with the dolphins and manatees at the nearby dolphinarium. In the local area there is a golf course and a small market with shops full of surprises. I found it to be very safe to walk around the resort if you wanted to leave your sunbed.The highlight of our trip was most definitely our excursions – one to the Ancient ruins of Chichen Itza. This historical site means “at the mouth of the well of Itza” and is the 2nd most visited archaeological site of Mexico today. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which is known as “El Castillo” (the castle), is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Make sure you take plenty of water and comfortable walking shoes as there’s very little shade and it is extremely hot - yet it is definitely worth the journey!Our other excursion was to the Xplor! Adventure Park which is an eco-friendly park where there’s fun for everyone from zip lines (I do suffer from heights and to my amazement did all of them!) 4x4 vehicle driving, rafting, cave swimming to riding a zip line into the water! It is worth the time to investigate this park but make sure you plan to have the whole day. It's huge and there's so much to do - a great adventure and fun for all your family.With incredible adventure activities, activity-packed eco-parks, world-class diving, spectacular archaeological sites, as well as great shopping and a lively nightlife, Mexico offers a host of captivating combinations and I would highly recommend a visit!

Maldives

01 July 2011

This is my favourite place on earth!! I was very lucky to visit 12 of these beautiful islands in May on a business trip. Utterly peaceful, beautiful and exotic, the Maldives' will leave even the most discerning travellers awe-struck!The Maldives are situated 400 miles southwest of the southern tip of India and approximately 300 miles from Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean - there are a chain of 26 coral atolls consisting of over 1000 islands - only around 100 of the islands are for visitors.They all boast the most stunning lagoons you will ever see, beautiful white sand beaches and dazzling underwater coral gardens with an array of different coloured fish, sting rays and even baby sharks, the islands are home to three quarters of the world's reef fish and is the ultimate destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. There are direct flights from London which take around 10 and a half hours to Male, then depending on your island - onward transfers are either by speedboat or sea plane. The sea planes will offer the best views of the coral atolls and are the perfect way to start and end your holiday - just remember they only operate during daylight hours.The Maldives are the perfect romantic retreat and are a very popular honeymoon destination - if you're after quiet, secluded beaches or maybe just want to laze around your private beach bungalow/water villa watching the endless turquoise waters and then finish the day with your dinner under the stars, you will love this destination. They are also popular with families and couples wanting an idyllic, relaxing, get away from it all holiday.Each are very different - all of which are islands in their own right, from small romantic hideaways to the larger resorts with a full range of facilities - it will depend upon what you want from your own holiday which I'm more than happy to discuss with you in further detail, as an alternative you can also combine the islands with other destinations such as Sri Lanka, Singapore and Dubai.The Maldives is a truly fantastic destination and I would highly recommend a visit!

Luxury Jamaica

26 June 2013

I was lucky enough to visit this wonderful Caribbean island in September. It is the third-largest island and is also one of the most colourful. Just as I imagined there are white sandy beaches, turquoise bays. It has an authentic feel but the proud, unique heritage makes it a place like no other island I have visited in the Caribbean. It is also well known for many other things such as Blue Mountain Coffee, good food (Jerk chicken being popular and a must if you like spicy food!) and of course the music – reggae in particular.I stayed at the fantastic Sandals Grande Ocho Rios – an ultra All Inclusive luxury hotel which is two distinctive resorts in one. You can either choose to stay on the mountainside or beachside. Wherever you choose, you can still use all 11 restaurants, 5 bars and 7 pools meaning you are simply spoilt for choice. All the staff I found at Ocho Rios will do everything to ensure you have a wonderful time. The resort itself is beautifully nestled in the centre of Jamaica’s north coast and is a busy bustling town. It has lots to offer whether you simply want to shop or sightsee. It is very close to the famous Dunns River Falls where you can all join hands and form a human chain through this 600 ft waterfall! I also visited Sandals Royal Plantation which caters for those who appreciate refined elegance with an authentic island experience.Known to all as Mo' Bay, the lively Montego Bay has a reputation as a party town, but is also a paradise for shoppers too. I stayed in Sandals Montego Bay, a complete resort that offers everything - unlimited dining and drinking at 7 restaurants and 5 bars. You also have the advantage of ‘stay at 1 and play at 3’ where you can use all the facilities of the nearby Sandals Royal Plantation and Sandals Carlyle. In simple terms this means you have the full use of up to 17 restaurants and 12 bars. Where else in the Caribbean would you find this?!There are also lots of other things to see and do in Jamaica. To name a few there are: catamaran cruises, jungle-river tubing, swimming with dolphins and also the Jamaica Bobsled Tranopy, which is not for the fainthearted. If you want to combine great beaches with plenty of things to see and do then Jamaica is just the place for you! I have plenty of tips and advice so just contact me to find out more.

Beautiful Bahamas

18 November 2009

The Bahamas are made up of around 700 islands offering the clearest of blue waters. The islands are situated from just off the East coast of Florida and are sheltered by the second largest barrier reef in the world so perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. I stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort which is an adult only, luxury, all inclusive resort. It is situated on the crystal waters of Cable Beach on New Providence Island and is an idyllic setting for honeymoons and weddings or if you purely wanted a luxury adult only resort.In its original form this resort was once called the famed "Balmoral Club" and a favourite escape for many famous Monarchs. Within the resort, the architecture portrays this feeling of an "old British colonial charm" and there are even roman columns and a large 25 foot statuary guard at the entrance. The are 9 dining options available to choose from; elegant dining in Baccarat to having fish and chips in The Cricketer's Pub - my favourite was the Crystal Room. There is also "Gordon's on The Pier". There are many bars to choose from plus nightly entertainment ranging from piano melodies to themed livelier parties - the choice is entirely yours. During the day, I'd highly recommend escaping to the Sandals private offshore island - Sandals Cay which offers secluded beaches and shaded hammocks, perfect for the ultimate hideaway. If you wanted something a little more energetic than relaxing around the pool areas, there is a wealth of daytime sports activities included - volleyball, windsurfing, tennis, aqua fit to name a few plus the fitness centre.The Royal Bahamian is just 20 minutes from Downtown Nassau which has superb duty free shopping, designer stores, jewellers, crystal shops plus much more for you shopaholics. It is easily accessible either by taxi or local bus from the Royal Bahamian. There is also an abundance of excursions to see and do whist in the Bahamas; Swimming with Dolphins (and also sharks too!), Ferries to the Outer Islands, Deep Sea Fishing, Nature Tours plus there are many excellent Golf Courses to choose from. Without a doubt, Sandals Royal Bahamian it is most definitely my favourite Caribbean luxury all inclusive resort and I look forward to returning there very soon.

Cuba - Playa Pesquero

11 May 2009

Cuba is one of my favourite holiday destinations and so this was my second visit to the island. Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, on the North and East Coast is the Atlantic Sea and the South is the Caribbean - flying time is roughly 9/10 hours depending where you fly into.The main tourist resorts are situated on the Cayos, Varadero, Guadalavaca and Playa Pesquero, the latter being where we stayed.The first thing you will notice when driving from the airport are all the amazing old style American cars and friendly smiling faces of the local Cubans - which is a great welcome to this beautiful island. We stayed at the hotel Playa Pesquero which is situated on a idyllic white sandy beach, if you don't want to just sit on the beach with crystal clear blue waters, there is an abundance of non motorised watersports here for you to try, pedalos, kayaks, windsurfing - we went the Hobbie Cats on a windy day, which was amazing (and a little scary too!).Away from the beach, the huge free form swimming pool is very child friendly which has not really any deep parts so don't dive in! If sunning by the pool or beach makes you feel a little restless, the hotel has a comprehensive daytime programme from volleyball, football, spanish lessons to even salsa dancing!As well as all the above you now have to decide on where to eat!! There are endless eating options to choose from, breakfast is usually served in the main buffet restaurant and lunch can be taken in one of many areas. Evening meals can be taken in the main buffet or a choice of A la Carte restaurants, these of which need to be booked on arrival, our favourite was the Romantica.The bar/reception area at night is a hive of activity before and after dinner - you must try one of the many cocktails!Although there is so much going on at the hotel, you must get out and see the "Real Cuba" - a trip to Havana is a must do - either a day trip or overnight visit, there are also many other excursions such as a visit to a cigar factory in Holguin, Guardalavaca, Swim with Dolphins, Catamaran trips plus others to chose from.Another fantastic holiday and I can't wait to return to Cuba again!

Magical Disneyland Paris

30 April 2009

I travelled to Disneyland Paris in November 2008 with another family (as well as my own!). We travelled by Eurostar from Ashford which is a great alternative to flying and also I found a lot less hassle. The quick and direct train took us virtually to the park gates and so on arrival we jumped on one of the courtesy shuttle services which took us to our hotel - New York. The theme throughout was very much of the "Big Apple" and rooms were clean and spacious for two adults and two children, we were very lucky that the Christmas lights and decorations were up and also much to the childrens' delight a huge skating rink outside!The following day we started up early (which is recommended if you want to see it all!) and decided on the Disneyland Park, these are split into five magical lands, all with rides and shows for both adults and children alike. Again the theme inside was of Christmas so very magical. Make sure you get a map at the gates which will give you information on timings for shows and where the characters will be for those all important autograph books. Allow plenty of time to get a good position to watch the Main Parade as this does get very busy!Our second day, we had a Character Breakfast for my daughters birthday and much to her delight Mickey and friends sang Happy Birthday to her, then went onto Walt Disney Studios which is next door to the Disneyland Park. The theme here is of cinema and television with 4 "lots", showing behind the scenes of films and how they are made. As well as this there are shows, rides and the Disney characters - again get a map at the gates and plan your day. Our personal favourites here were the Tower Of Terror and Crush's Coaster.Overall it was a really magical three day break and good fun for all the family.

Mauritius

30 April 2009

In September 2008 I was lucky enough to travel to the beautiful island of Mauritius which is situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of south east Africa. It is a tropical island surrounded with coral reefs and turquoise lagoons and is a pure luxury destination.I was visiting Mauritius on a business trip and during my week visited 14 hotels. They were situated in different parts of the island and uniquely offered something totally different and catered for all. From a relaxing spa break, golf packages, family holidays to a relaxing honeymoon or wedding holiday – Mauritius has it all.If you can be tempted away from the fantastic white sandy beaches, golfing is well catered for on Mauritius, with many courses including championship courses and those for beginners. There are also plenty of water sports available from most hotels. You can also snorkel or take a glass bottom boat out to see the amazing varieties of fish and coral. The island is covered in sugar cane plants and is responsible for much of the world’s sugar production. Tea is also very popular and comes in different varieties such as vanilla, green, tropical as well as many others; if you are a tea lover like me you must try them. There are many excursions available, I visited Pamplemouses botanical gardens – they are the third oldest botanical gardens in the world and have many different, rare trees and exotic plants including some amazing giant lilies.Whilst here I also had time to sample the souvenir shopping at Port Louis’ - a bustling Central Market where you can haggle a price for your gifts, or nearby there is the craft market at The Caudan Waterfront which has also restaurants overlooking the sea. In Port Louis, I particularly enjoyed the fine architecture such as the Government House and no trip is complete without a visit to Blue Penny Museum which has some of the world rarest stamps. This island is one of those perfect places to get married on, have a fantastic honeymoon, to celebrate that special birthday/anniversary or maybe just a holiday somewhere a bit special! You will come away from Mauritius feeling you have experienced a very special destination! I did!Having seen so many fantastic hotels on my visit I would be happy to recommend one to suit your needs. With so much choice, it is so very important that especially for this kind of holiday that you make the right choice.I would love to visit Mauritius again!

Amazing Antigua

12 June 2008

As soon as I arrived in Anitgua, I felt in the Caribbean way of life immediately - very relaxed and easy going. They had just encountered an unusual amount of rainfall but we had two weeks of glorious sunshine!! I stayed at the Jolly Beach Resort with my family and I feel this hotel represents excellent value for money on an all inclusive basis. Our chosen hotel had plenty to offer by way of activities and entertainment - we found we could do as little or as much as we wanted. The sea was blue crystal clear and had a long stretch of fine white sandy beach with pedalos and jet skis on offer. There are a friendly bunch of local market traders set up on Jolly Beach selling usual souvenirs, t-shirts, jewellery which you can usually negotiate a reasonable price with them. There are 6 different room types at the Jolly Beach from small Supersaver rooms to the new superb Beachfront Cottages – they were also building a health and beauty spa which I believe is now open.There are plenty of things to see and do whilst in Antigua. One day, from Jolly Beach we took a catamaran trip all around the island stopping off to snorkel at various places; this was a great way to see all the beautiful beaches on offer - they say there are 365! We also booked a private minibus and local driver who took us all around the island, it was a great way to see everything and our driver was very knowledgable about Antigua and it's history. We first stopped in St Johns which was great for souvenir shopping and duty free, then onto Betty’s Hope - Antigua’s first sugar cane plantation. Further up the coastline, Devil’s Bridge is a natural rock arch produced by the erosion of the sea – watch out here as you may get wet!! We stopped off for lunch at Nelson's Dockyard which is now the only restored working Georgian dockyard in the world. The drive up to Shirley Heights had spectacular views over English Harbour. Many people go here on a Sunday night to party with steel bands and reggae music. Driving back to Jolly Beach we came through the lush rainforests (where you can embark on zip wiring if you want!) with banana plantations - a fantastic day out!In summary, we all agreed Antigua was a fantastic island and nothing was too much trouble for the staff at Jolly Beach and I hope to visit their beautiful island again very soon.

Sent by Jennie Coulthurst

Fareham, Hampshire 06/01/2023

Jo is amazing! All my queries have been dealt with in a timely fashion, & all through the recent travel hassles I had to endure she was 'in the background' keen, with the help of others, to ensure as positive an outcome as possible- despite the late evening times. Jo keeps me up to date with my travel arrangements & offers help in all areas, or points me in the right direction if needs be. Thanks Jo. Jennie

Sent by Michelle Yeomans

Redditch 19/11/2022

Highly recommend Jo We had an amazing time on our recent twin centre Hoilday to Dubai and on to the Maldives .Just perfect in every way.Thank you Jo for arranging the perfect trip for our 30th anniversary.

Sent by Andrew McDade

Dorset 16/11/2022

From start to finish Jo was there for our every need. She helped us make quick decisions at short notice and was always available to answer our questions. Can’t fault her service, customer care and attention to detail in any way. We will definitely be back to book more holidays through Jo.

Sent by Lucy Gibbs

Redditch 10/11/2022

We just had an amazing few days in Iceland, I can’t thank Jo enough for organising our entire trips including excursions! Everything was so easy and she was on hand 24/7 and always checking in with us! I could not recommend Jo enough and will not hesitate to book with her again! :)

Sent by Jenny Bishop

Droitwich 31/10/2022

We’ve just returned from an amazing trip to Capetown. We were cautious and wanted to make sure we stayed in the safer areas of the city and Jo talked us through several options. She also suggested indirect flights (that saved us a considerable amount of money) that we would never have considered if booking independently. Our chosen hotel was great, Jo kept in touch with us right up to departure and was even on call on a Thursday evening to assist with an online check in issue. Will definitely use her services again, thanks Jo!

Sent by Carol Ebanks

Redditch Worcestershire 31/10/2022

Had the most amazing time away with my family. There were 10 of us and a tiny baby so the resort had to fulfil many requirements. We left everything in the hands of Jo and she came up trumps, it was perfect in every way. I believe she went above and beyond to make the process as stress free as she could and succeeded. I could not fault anything. We all had an amazing time and I would not hesitate to use her again, I will definitely be recommending her to family and friends xxx

Sent by Emma Simpson

Worcester 19/10/2022

Another heartfelt thank you to Jo for organising our Norwegian cruise. You are always in safe hands when booking with Jo. Jo covers every little detail and makes everything easy so you can really relax and enjoy every minute of your holiday. We wouldn’t book with anyone else :)

Sent by Helen Draper

Studley 17/10/2022

What an amazing holiday we have just come back from! Jo listened exactly to what we needed as a family, she provided a really great choice of hotels and organised everything for us. It's been a while since we've travelled, due to Covid, and she advised on restrictions for our choice of resort. Having completed check in for us, she sent us all the documentation we needed so all we had to do was turn up at the airport!The hotel she suggested was absolutely amazing- the staff there were fantastic, the food divine and accommodation first class.We highly recommend Jo for a complete stress-free holiday and can't wait to travel to Vienna on our next holiday that she's organised!

Sent by Mike and Steff Brown

Solihull 03/10/2022

We have used Jo for many years now and find her personal approach takes away a lot of the stress and legwork out of booking a holiday, she is very patient and keen to make that you are completely happy with the holiday. We would recommend her services wholeheartedly .

Sent by Karen Bishop

Redditch 18/09/2022

Would like to thank Joanne Kemp travel counselor so much for arranging and booking our wonderful holiday to Majorca, we had such a lovely time, everything went smoothly we didn't have to worry about anything as she did it all for us, resulting in a lovely holiday for us in a beautiful location, couldn't have asked for anything better, look forward to the next time, would definitely recommend Jo Kemp travel counselor to all family and friends who will do all the hard work for you, researching your chosen destination giving you the best choice of hotel/resorts, and then booking it for you, sending all the nessasary documation to you by email and post making sure you have all you need for travelfrom airport to destination and your return home so then all you have to do is enjoy your holiday taking all the stress away so you can then just relax. Thankyou so much once again ???????

Sent by Alison Cummings

Redditch 17/09/2022

We've used Jo to organise our holiday's over the last few years, and her attention to detail and service is exceptional.

Sent by Julie Wilkes

Frome 17/09/2022

We have used Jo several times to book our holidays. We have always found her very helpful and efficient. It is reassuring to know that she is available at the end of the telephone in case we should need her. As yet we have not experienced any problems, but we feel happier with that backup.

Sent by Jayne Campion

Redditch 15/09/2022

We booked our trip to Olu Deniz in Turkey through Jo. The attention that she gives you before you have booked, throughout the booking process & your holiday and upon your return home is exemplary. I know that if there is a problem on my holiday I can email or call Jo and she will sort it out although, I must say in all of the time we have booked with Jo, there has never been a problem. She seems to anticipate any issues and makes sure that your holiday is enjoyable and an all-round positive experience. I cannot recommend Jo enough. I always used to book all of my own travel and accommodation but for my peace of mind Jo will be used a lot in the future! Thanks again Jo. You are a star.

Sent by Samantha King

Weybridge 08/09/2022

Just returned from a wonderful holiday in Malta Thanks to Jo , We travel with confidence knowing Jo is in control of all the details . Our holiday was relaxing and exciting and no stress which is priceless ... All i need to do now is decide where next.Thanks Jo.

Sent by Deborah Phillips

Studley 03/09/2022

We asked Jo to help us plan our Disney Orlando holiday, we were so greatful for the help and support. Jo made such a big undertaking easy, nothing was too much trouble with selecting the perfect house, advice on cars, flights took alot of the stress away, even having a port of call with issues while away and some one to bounce any pre holiday concerns off was brilliant. We had the best time and would no hesitate to ask for her expert assistance again. Thanks Jo ??

Sent by Claire Hale

Blakedown 03/09/2022

We’ve just come back from a fantastic couple of weeks in Kefalonia organised by Jo. All went like clockwork and Jo gave us some great advice when we were looking to book a holiday about where and what would meet what we were looking for. Jo sorted all the paperwork, checked is in etc. could t have been easier. Highly recommend giving Jo a shout if you are looking for help sorting your next holiday ??

Sent by Luke Clarke

Worcester 25/08/2022

I was a little worried about not using the bigCompanies. However, Joanne has taken all my worries away. We’ve now had 2 holidays with her and every little detail was completed. From initial enquiry through to advice. She spent numerous hours looking at destinations hotels and deals, booking flights, excursions checking us in and keeping us updated throughout. Don’t go big again and go independent. Can’t wait for the next holiday to be booked.

Sent by Jan Searle

Bromsgrove 21/08/2022

Using Joanne Kemp to help us find holiday accommodation was the best thing we have done!We were quite a large group with specific needs. Joanne could not have been more informative or helpful. Every query we had was answered promptly and clearly. We certainly felt that she had our best interests at heart and will no be booking another holiday without consulting Joanne first!Thank you once again!

Sent by Adrian Thomas

Redditch 15/08/2022

After first booking the trip in 2019, to go in 2020, like most people we had to rearrange due to Covid. Jo was amazing in rearranging the holiday not once but twice, and sorting out the money issues involved in swapping dates and Villas. We finally went summer 2022 and it was amazing. Would definitely recommend Jo to sort your holiday out as it just makes it so much easier having a professional at the end of a phone or an email.

Sent by Andy Cassidy

Lincoln 14/08/2022

Hi Jo,Thank you so much for all of your help and assistance in organising our first foreign holiday since Lockdown.We had a brilliant time in Italy and can’t wait to return.All of the prep (helping to find hotels, flights, checking passports, printing off documents, pre booking seats on flights etc) really helped put our minds at ease and relieved lots of pressure. It meant we could just sit back and relax and enjoy our holiday. Absolutely perfect!We also had lots of peace of mind knowing that we could get in touch if we had any issues or problems.The holiday itself was fantastic - the hotel you helped source was the best we have stayed in so far - staff could not do enough for us - it matched what we like 100% which shows you really listened to us - for that we are really grateful.

Sent by Charlotte Stanton

Redditch 13/08/2022

Hi Jo, We just wanted to say thank you very much for organising such a fantastic holiday for us. Once again, your recommendations were spot on and the accommodation and destination were just what we wanted. We both had a wonderful time and your care and attention to detail (checking us in on line, printing the documents and sending them to us, messaging us just before we went to check if we needed anything else or had any last minute questions) meant that all we had to concentrate on was having a good time!We are already thinking about our next holiday booking, which of course will once again be booked through you!Thank you again for all of your help and support,Charlotte and Adam

Sent by Debbie Roberts

Droitwich 11/08/2022

Dear Jo,We have just returned from a perfect trip from Malta. Thank you so much for picking a wonderful hotel The San Antonio), checking us in at the airport, and finding us such a lovely destination. We cant recommend you enough and always travel with confidence knowing we are in such good hands.Debbie & Steve

Sent by Rebecca Campion

Redditch 19/07/2022

We have booked a couple of holidays with Jo now including our honeymoon. We have just returned from our first holiday since the pandemic and our first with a baby. Because of these 2 things, we did feel abit nervous about travelling so got straight in touch with Jo to start planning our holiday. We went to Jo as this just gave us the piece of mind that everything will be booked correctly, our money would be protected and we had somebody on hand when needed right up until returning home from the holiday with any queries and covid questions. I would highly recommend Jo, she cannot do enough for you and makes sure that she takes everything into account that is important to you personally, Jo also speaks to suppliers for you, for instance we wanted to ensure that a travel cot would be set up ready for when we arrived so Jo liased with the hotel directly to ensure this was done. Jo is in contact with you when needed and messaged to ensure all was OK when we arrived and returned home. The reassurance that comes with booking with Jo is just priceless and takes any worry you have out of booking a holiday.

Sent by David Oliver

Scunthorpe 28/06/2022

After many years dealing with Sharon who retired we were introduced to Joanne to take over from Sharon.This was a massive task as Sharon had looked after us successfully for years.After just returning from our first adventure under Joanne I can only say everything went to plan and perfect.She looked after us and made sure everything was as requested even dealing with a late plane change which meant a change of seat types.Hopefully we can carry on as before and have many more successful trips with Joanne looking after us.

Sent by Tara Day

Redditch 28/06/2022

Once again Jo you did not let us down - fabulous suite in a boutique hotel in Paris - easy to access the main tourist areas but just a little bit out of the main city which was perfect - thank you for organising our weekend trip to Paris and for your well wishes when we arrived there - The Day Family

Sent by Judith Stephenson

Birmingham 26/06/2022

Joanne has helped me to plan and book many holidays over the years and I have found her knowledge and expertise indispensable. She has a very pleasant and caring nature and nothing is too much trouble. I have had the pleasure of meeting her on several occasions and found her to be very good company. She has sorted out a number of tricky issues for me in the past without any hesitation or fuss. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to both family and friends and am looking forward to continuing to use her knowledge and advice to book further memorable adventures in the future.

Sent by Lorraine Roberts

Redditch 19/06/2022

So glad I asked Jo to organise my holiday which enabled me to attend a family wedding in Turkey. It was an excellent service, I was fully informed and nothing was too much trouble. Jo took the hassle out of booking a holiday and I just looked forward to the trip. I would definitely book another trip as Jo's expertise was very reassuring. I have recommended the service to my family and friends. Looking forward to booking my next adventure!

Sent by Emma Morris

Redditch 16/06/2022

My husband and I contacted Jo as we wanted a short city break away in the sun, but needed some help finding the right location.She found us a few options within our budget. We opted to go to Sorrento in the end.Everything was organised for us, boarding passes issued in good time before departure. It really took the stress out of everything.We had an amazing stay in Sorrento in a wonderful hotel.We couldn’t have been happier and won’t hesitate to use Jo again for our future holidays.

Sent by Lesley Dyke

Redditch 13/06/2022

Just got back from another fabulous holiday booked by Jo. From the first enquiry right through to arriving home Jo is always on hand, any day, anytime. She always goes the extra mile to answer any queries, however many there are!! We wouldn't book with anyone else.

Sent by Sonia Thompson

Cookhill 07/06/2022

With all the stress of planning a wedding, it was nice knowing that we did not have to worry about planning a honeymoon and that we were in good hands when we booked with Jo. Right from the start she accommodated our budget, our needs, our likes and dislikes and came up with many options. Even better that she had first hand knowledge of the destination that we finally chose and it was a destination that we would never have found ourselves. It was completely stress free, we didn’t need to do very much at all. The little touches like the card in our room from her on arrival, the checks during our stay to ensure all was well and on our return the personalised cookies received. Everything made us feel very looked after; VIP-esque!We definitely will be using Jo again and fully recommend you do the same.Nige and Sonia Thompson

Sent by Sheila Clarke

Wirral 29/05/2022

A very big thank you to Joanne for organising our recent trip to Budapest . We were a group of ladies of a certain age and Jo 'planned a bespoke itinerary for us . Nothing was too much trouble and with her superb organisational skills and attention to detail everything went according to plan and way beyond. I would highly recommend Jo and we are already thinking of our next adventure and Jo will be the person we will go to .

Sent by Annie Dunn

Warwick 26/05/2022

The wonderful Jo has organised all my holidays the last few years. Her service can’t be faulted, from the initial enquiry to the return home. It’s so much more personal than booking on the internet - and also no more expensive. For me it’s about the attention to detail and knowing that someone’s there should anything go wrong - and in todays world that’s worth a lot! Your holidays are supposed to be stress free - booking with Jo will make sure it is.

Sent by Tracie Garland

Tamworth 11/05/2022

Just back from another fabulous holiday, organised by Jo. We visited Sol Lanzarote and cannot fault the hotel. We had a lovely sea view and the hotel was clean and the food lovely.Jo went above and beyond as usual as it took 4 attempts / bookings to finally have this holiday. We had two cancelled with Lock down, one with us having Covid, and one where we had to change the date. The holiday was certainly worth the wait. Thanks again Jo.

Sent by Sophie Hayes-Watson

Nottingham 24/04/2022

I can not recommend Jo highly enough, she is always so helpful and patient from initial enquiry right up to getting back off the holiday. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Jo and I will never stop booking my holidays through Jo.

Sent by Charlie Teasdale

Swindon 19/04/2022

Thank you so much for organising our holiday! This is the first time we have booked via Joanne after our previous travel Counsellor retired and we were not disappointed.We needed extra assistance for a family member and this was very well organised.. look forward to planning our next trip with you.

Sent by Joanne Kerins

Redditch 03/03/2022

Have recently returned from a 12 night stay in Mauritius ???? In desperate need of a break & still unsure of where to go & what restrictions were in place we placed ourselves in the hands of Jo, saw her pop up a few times on Facebook & thought I’d give her a whirl. Had a helpful chat about where we might like to go & left it with her. Jo knows stuff, easy as that, she keeps you well informed with what she’s found as well as offering alternatives. We didn’t give her a great deal of time & had to be quite strict with dates… The wand was waved & we were off to Mauritius ??Jo had been to this resort so I was happy with her recommendation, we were not disappointed. She gave advice on pretty much everything PCR tests & best time to take them & even saved us a considerable amount of money by switching the flight by a day. I’m sure I must of driven her mad with my texts & emails, but as promised she always replies. Jo goes above & beyond to make sure everything is perfect, I think she realised my techno phobia as she text & told me she’d checked us in for our flight, not before checking our preferred seats.On arrival, as soon as I told reception our surname you knew Jo had got there first, there was even a welcome message from her in our room.We had sunshine ?? & a cyclone ?? & texts to make sure we were ok . I cannot fault Jo’s attention to detail, she cares about what she does & she cares about her clients. Everything about our trip was great, no delays, all paperwork in order, transfer car waiting for us & for me just knowing everything was in order allowed me to fully relax.Hotel, resort & staff were all amazing, it’s a long way to go but definitely worth it, Jo even mentioned the sunsets which were just beautiful.Hand on heart this lady knows what she’s doing, I would definitely recommend, & I have, using her to find whatever kind of holiday you are looking for. To finish, thanks Jo we had a fabulous holiday & get ready .. we’ll be back ??

Sent by Leona Latham-timms

Redditch 12/02/2022

Myself and my daughter had the most enjoyable holiday to Iceland with Jo. We saw northern lights whale watching and my favourite was going to the blue lagoon. It was so amazing to see gulfoss and the geyser on the day we went snowmobiling. And Reykjavik was also a lovely city . I didntvwant to leave and I hope Jo to travel to Iceland with you again in the future

Sent by Joe Hudson

Redditch 20/01/2022

We had to cancel our holiday unexpectedly and Joanne has been really helpful and understanding which we’ve really appreciated. We will be coming back to Joanne for a holiday in 2023

Sent by Terry Plumb

Redditch 24/11/2021

Jo provides an exceptional level of service and provides her clients with a wonderful holiday experience.Ensuring that all her clients requirements and wishes are delivered if not exceeded. I would highly recommend for anyone to use Jo if they want that special service that she provides, to deliver that outstanding holiday experience that we are looking for in a friendly and efficient manner . Thank you Jo

Sent by Colin Watton

Cookhill, Alcester 28/09/2021

We have used Jo at Travel Counsellors a number of times over recent years and each time she has exceeded our expectations. whether its a last minute weekend break in Budapest, a 7 day holiday in Split, or a long haul multi destination tour of Canada - everything is exactly as you would like it to be! Nothing seems to be too much trouble, added to a very professional service which caters to your exact needs. Jo always seems to give you what you ask for and more - we simply wouldn't use anyone else!

Sent by Alison Harman

Redditch 10/10/2020

What would we do without Jo? She has been amazing at helping us through the nightmare of holiday cancellation and refund. Well we didn't have a nightmare as Jo kept us informed of everything which was going on and got everything refunded for us with no long waits or hassle on our side. Not a Travel Counsellor but a Travel Angel.Jo has booked our holidays for a number of years now and knows exactly what we like so can tailor her suggestions to what we like. We do not have to spend hours trawling through holiday brochures getting confused and frustrated. Every holiday she has organised has been wonderful and she is always available if there is a problem.Would never hesitate to recommend Jo to any of our friends as she always does a wonderful job.

Sent by Jessica McGrath

Redditch 14/10/2019

Jo is absolutely fantastic! She researched and booked our honeymoon whilst on a trip herself! She is so dedicated and no question is too much for her! Have used her before and would absolutely use her again and recommend her to all my family and friends! She’s amazing! We cannot wait for our honeymoon and it’s all thanks to Jo :)

Sent by Vikki Tunstall Brown

Warwickshire 07/09/2019

Jo has been fantastic at organising all of our trips these past two years. From my 40th Birthday trip to NYC & Las Vegas which we then combined with a secret wedding in Las Vegas, her recommendations for hotels based on our brief was fantastic. We have already taken our honeymoon to Zante via Jo and booked our 1st anniversary trip back to Vegas and LA. Again, her recommendations on times, accommodation, etc have been excellent and we utterly trust her with making our special trips just right. I have also booked Jo with my sisters hen party which has been hassle free considering there are 18 to cater for. And we fully expect to book via Jo for any of our future trips. I’ve already recommended Jo to family and friends and some of the hen party team have already commented about how fabulous Jo is. Couldn’t recommend her highly enough. Well done and thank you so much Jo!

Sent by Michelle Taylor

Redditch 12/06/2019

Jo is just the very best. She gave us lots of knowledge, options and advice whilst deciding on a trip to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Excellent first class. service. Thank you!

Sent by Charlotte Stanton

Redditch 12/06/2019

Jo has always found us fantastic holidays. She really listens to want you want and makes booking a holiday so easy. We are so excited about the recent holiday she has arranged for us. I am always recommending her to my friends and family, infact I have passed her details on to two people at work this week.

Sent by A Irving

Redditch 12/06/2019

Jo has been a great help, we have booked a Fly Drive California Trip with her and without her expertise and help we would not have had such a great itinerary at a reasonable cost. Would and will recommend Jo to Friends and family. Thanks Jo. Andy & Cheryl

Sent by Mike Brown

Solihull 11/06/2018

Jo is always very knowledgeable and listens to your individual needs. She is happy to change any aspect of your holiday that you are not quite sure about to make it perfect. She takes the hassle out of planning your perfect holiday. We have used her services several times and so we really feel she knows what we will like and tailors her suggestions accordingly.

Sent by Helen Ludlow

Redditch 30/11/2017

Jo was so patient with me changing our travel dates, more than once!! She is easy to talk to and understands the needs of travelling with children. She was thorough with letting me know what documents I needed for us all to travel, made me feel at ease and that nothing was too much trouble. I would without a doubt recommend Jo to my friends and family and will be booking future holidays with her.

Sent by Judy Strutt

Droitwich 29/11/2017

Jo's knowledge has been invaluable when booking our 2018 holiday! I’ve emailed what appear to be 100’s of questions which she answers promptly - can't wait to go on holiday

Sent by Esther Fletcher

Redditch 28/11/2017

I’ve used Jo numerous times for family holidays and she’s always helpful, reliable and full of good information. Recommended to take the stress out of booking a holiday.

Sent by Julia Greensall

Balsall Common 25/10/2017

I have used the services of Jo on three occasions - and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is professional and friendly and her attention to detail is excellent. Jo has helped me to travel easily with my 90 year old mother, dealing with our particular needs and special requests; booking wheelchair assistance at the airport, reserving seats on planes, ensuring hotel rooms have sea views and booking car rentals. Jo takes away all the pressure and stress which can be caused when planning a holiday. I know that she can be called on at any time if problems arise. As my mother says, "she is worth her weight in gold!" Roll on our next holiday!

Sent by Gwynneth Nichols

Whittington, Lichfield 25/10/2017

I was away when Monarch ceased trading and I was expecting to fly with them in February. By the time I returned Jo had re booked me and there were no worries with the holiday. She gives a brilliant advice. Thank you, Jo.

Sent by Julie Fisher

Redditch 07/07/2017

No words can express my gratitude and genuine affection. I was introduced to Jo through a mutual friend and that's where it all began. We wanted our dream holiday to Disney in Florida I knew nothing and thought I would be Jo's nightmare customer. If I was or am she has never made me.feel that way. Jo found us the perfect holiday answering all my questions and putting up with me. She has been wonderful throughout from the initial enquiry to messaging me on day of departure and checking on us when we were in Florida. We were one of the unfortunate bookings on British Airways flights when they had "major" internet issues. I phoned Jo from the airport and she went above and beyond for us arranging other flights from an alternative airport, contacting our hotel amd transportation amd rearranging. We were treated terribly by BA but Jo's calmness and professionalism got me through otherwise I would still be at Gatwick crying! Still to this day Jo is helping me with my claim. I will never book anywhere else again. Jo is truly amazing and went above and beyond for me and mine so you rest assured your holiday plans are in the BEST possible hands. Jo Kemp is a legend.

Sent by Alma Martin

Bromsgove 30/05/2017

From the moment we contacted Jo, seeking advice regarding our plans for an extended holiday in the USA, we felt confident that we had made the correct choice for a travel arranger. Jo was meticulous in listening to our needs, she was able to offer knowledgable assistance in choosing appropriate hotels and flights, and responded quickly to the last minute changes we requested. From boarding the first flight at Heathrow until our arrival back in the UK everything went as she had planned. The itinerary worked very well and all the various arrangements she made clicked into place with few problems. The hotels were of a good standard and we were very comfortable, and felt safe, wherever we went. We are most grateful to her for taking such care over all the arrangements and we shall certainly not hesitate in calling on her services in the future.

Sent by Martyn John Muddyman

Redditch 13/05/2017

Well Jo was fantastic. I approached her reference my wifes and her twin 50th birthday.We wanted to book somewhere special in secret.Jo pointed myself and my brother in law in the direction with hotel ideas.We picked hotel and Jo did the rest including special requests drink , birthday treats etc.Apart from the weather none of us can control ( it was only e days of rain could have been worse.)The holiday the destination was unbelievably special.Thank you thank you Jo.

Sent by Francesca Gibbs

Redditch 11/02/2017

Jo has been fantastic once again! Sorting out our holiday travel plans with utmost professionalism; quick responses to all questions, offering advice on prices and options. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Jo, I wouldn't trust anyone else with our holiday planning - why go anywhere else with the service she provides and the comfort and security you get through booking with Travel Counsellors.

Sent by claire morgan

REDDITCH 21/10/2016

When we decided to get married abroad we had no idea where to turn. I found Jo - Travel Counsellors on facebook and contacted her. She did everything from start to finish and the wedding was wonderful, I cant thank her enough for all her hard work planning our perfect wedding and honeymoon holiday in Mauritius - she was there every step of the way. We are planning to go back and of course we wont be going through anyone else but Jo I cant wait for my next adventure.

Sent by Sue Stokes

Harvington 05/10/2016

Always have an excellent service from Jo. She knows our holiday needs.

Sent by Samantha Manfredi

Redditch 05/10/2016

Yet another fabulous trip. Thank you Jo. From the second I picked up the phone all those months ago to make an enquiry, nothing was too much trouble. The care and attention you show is effortless and a breath of fresh air. No pushy sales - no rushing. Just a breeze from start to finish. The hotel was perfect, the private transfers were smooth & a bonus as we felt our holiday was more special and with a personal touch. Thanks again Jo. You are a superstar.

Sent by Neil Walley

Redditch, Worcestershire 04/10/2016

Thanks to Joanne for all her help and advice in booking our holiday of a lifetime to Las Vegas and New York. Because we were fussy, it took a few attempts to get the right hotel. But thanks to Jo's endeavour and perseverance we got the perfect hotels in both Las Vegas (Cosmpolitan) and New York (The Wolcott). Perfect locations for both cities. That is two more places ticked off our bucket list! Highly recommended.

Sent by Jackie Gameson

Redditch 03/10/2016

Well what can I say, your expertise in arranging our holiday of a life time paid off. We had the best time ever and I truly thank you.

Sent by Stephanie Osbourne

Birmingham 01/05/2016

Jo was recommended to us. I was stressing about planning our honeymoon and she helped take all that stress away by seeking to understand what we wanted whilst also giving us options that we had not thought of. She also dealt with any queries promptly. Now we can relax and look forward to our honeymoon.. We have recommended her to some friends who are also planning their honeymoon. Thank you Jo!

Sent by Daniel Mcgrath

Redditch 29/04/2016

Great service as always, any questions answered so promptly and nothing is too much trouble makes our Disney bookings so easy

Sent by Julie Poole

Bromsgrove 30/11/2015

When I first contacted Jo, we spent a good half an hour discussing exactly what we were looking for with our holiday, going into good detail and she also checked the budget we were working with. Jo came back with an itinery which practically matched all of our requests and very close to the budget. She also gave other alternatives and explanations and then we were able to give further consideration to all of the options before finally settling on the complete itinery. The advice and service Jo gave us was excellent, she listened to what we had to say and the recommendations she gave were excellent, all of which resulted in us literally having the holiday of a lifetime. We are so grateful to Jo and will definitely be using her again in the future.

Sent by Debbie Roberts

Droitwich Spa 07/09/2015

I have been using Jo from Travel Counsellors to book my holidays for the past six years. She is amazing. For example at New Year I like to go somewhere hot. Jo researches the best places to go, finds the best offers and prices and provisionally books a number of places. Myself and friends can then individually ring her and pay over the phone taking the stress out of having to all go and pay at the same time in a travel agents.She is available 24/7 and can sort problems out immediately before the holiday or whilst there. The little extra touches mean alot, such as a postcard when we get home, a welcome card in the hotel room or a guide book or luggage tags through the post just before we leave.We have had many tailor made holidays with Jo too. She finds the flights, hotels, transport and any special requests with the hotel. I cannot praise her enough. I recommend Jo to everyone, she is incredible!

Sent by Lynn Whyte

Redditch 07/09/2015

Joanne has arranged several of my holidays, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services to everyone. She takes the utmost care to ensure that every detail about your trip is dealt with to your satisfaction. Leave it to Jo and you will be sure to have a happy happy holiday.

Sent by Lorraine Bicknell

Redditch 06/09/2015

The service that I received from Joanne from start to finish has been wonderful.There has not been any time when I had not been informed and as promised all of the relevant information was provided.Joanne made the process of booking a holiday a very easy, smooth and enjoyable experience and I would definately use this service again and recommend to friends and family.

Sent by Mike Brown

Solihull 03/12/2014

We would wholeheartedly recommend Jo - she helped us to organise a holiday of a lifetime.We started with only vague ideas of what we wanted and Jo was great in suggesting and shaping the options in to a bespoke itinerary that exceeded our expectations. Even when we were away Jo was contactable and still working to ensure everything went smoothly.Our holiday marked a special anniversary and through Jo's personal contact with our hotels we were very well looked after, with each place marking the occasion and helping us to celebrate, usually with champagne and chocolates!Thank you Jo, you put together a very special special holiday for us. We hope to use your services again soon.Steff and Mike Brown

Sent by Sara Beaumont

Redditch 03/04/2014

Booking our holiday with Jo was SO easy. We were doing the usual trawl through websites and couldn't decide where to book. I contacted Jo and within about 3 emails, she had totally understood the type of holiday that we were looking for and sent us several great suggestions. Our holiday is now booked and we couldn't be happier with the service. No hassle, no hidden charges, all of the information has been incredibly professionally presented. We would not hesitate to recommend Jo.

Sent by Sue Hearn

Solihull 27/03/2014

I can't speak highly enough of the impeccable service that I have had from Jo. She has organised three holidays for me so far and I have been delighted with how easy she makes the process of booking a trip. It is very personalised to you. Jo takes great care to find out exactly what you are after so that she can get a good feel of what will be suitable. It is lovely to have her at the end of the phone if you have any questions or any hitches - very reassuring to have that personal customer service. I have no hesitation in recommending her to my friends or family and have already done so. I am confident that they will be as pleased as I have been. Thank you Jo!

Sent by Sarah Dutson

Redditch, Worcestershire 01/03/2014

Jo Kemp at Travel Counsellors provides a personal and faultless service to customers wherever they want to travel to. I have used their services for trips to U.S.A. and Europe...most recently Paris, and Jo has provided a service that is really second to none. Jo's recommendations and the extras that are required are always offered with a smile and excellent customer care. We loved our trip to Paris and I highly recommend Travel Counsellors and Jo Kemp to anyone who reqiures a quality service. With Travel Counsellors.....it really is personal.

Sent by Andy Loe

St Albans 25/08/2013

We were recommended to Jo at Travel Counsellors by a friend. We spoke to Jo directly regarding our vision for spending 3 weeks touring the Pacific Coast Highway aka California 1.From the first call and throughout the whole process Jo worked with us to find the perfect solution for our dream vacation. She provided several options for accommodation, flights, places to go and other recommendations, based on a broad knowledge of the area, industry experience and all with a personal touch. Basically, she gave us all the information we needed to plan the most unforgettable family holiday ever.The holiday was more memorable than we could ever have imagined. Jo was brilliant as she really cared about our needs and was so organised. Throughout the whole process she was virtually there 24/7. Sometimes you only get a few opportunities in life to experience such a vacation, so it is important to get the right advice from people who care. On our return Jo even contacted us to get a full post-holiday report to see if everything was to our satisfaction, which is a really nice touch, as opposed to those questionnaires you get on standard package deals.We cannot praise Jo enough and would have no hesitation in recommending her and Travel Counsellors to others for future holidays, both big and small.Many thanks once again!

Sent by Ashleigh Bull

Solihull 29/07/2013

We have used Jo twice now to book two amazing holidays - our honeymoon to Dubai/Maldives and a road trip through Canada. Jo has been absolutely fantastic from beginning to end on both of these trips and she makes you feel totally at ease through the whole process. Speaking to Jo is like speaking to a friend - she is helpful, always at the end of the phone and extremely patient. I can't praise Jo enough for all the hard work she puts in and for always including those extra special touches to make your holiday unique. I look forward to asking for Jo's help many times more in the future and urge anyone thinking about booking a holiday to get in contact as soon as you can, you won’t be disappointed. Thanks Jo for all your wonderful help!

Sent by Stella Parsons

Redditch 28/07/2013

I have used Jo for some years now to organise my adventures abroad and have found her to be the most efficient and helpful person ever. She goes to so much trouble to ensure that your every wish is for filled and that you have the most perfect holiday from the moment you leave your own front door until you return. Jo likes to get feedback on how the holiday was and how you enjoyed yourself. She is always there to help should you need her even when I rang her from Australia last year she sorted out my small problem. I have no hesitation in recommending Jo to anyone (even complete strangers) and will definitely be using her again in the future to organise and arrange my adventures. Thank you Jo for all your help we can't manage without you.

Sent by Sue Murray

Birmingham 19/07/2013

We have used Jo many times now to book our holidays.Jo has arranged straight forward packages, beach holidays and also complex long haul flights, internal connecting flights and accommodation for us. She manages to remove all the hassle involved and then leaves you free to get on and enjoy yourself. Being a simple sole myself the above arrangement is perfect for us. We have just returned from a week in Egypt which was booked through Jo. I asked her for some options and she sent them across within 24 hrs – they all met our requirements. We made our choice and rang Jo during my lunch hour. It was all booked and paid for as simply as that! Thanks Jo you’re a STAR! Also, can I just say that if you do have any queries or problems while your away Jo is available to assist with this as well, WHAT A SERVICE!! Don't leave or change your job Jo as you’re invaluable! Thanks again!

Sent by Glenda Fraser

Redditch 18/07/2013

My friend and I had a most wonderful 8 week holiday last year in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, back to Australia, and Bangkok thanks to Jo's excellent organisational skills. We travelled by plane, coach and train and on every step of our journey transport was waiting to take us to our hotels, days trips were arranged and an extended coach trip fitted into our itinerary. We are planning another extended holiday for next year and I will be calling upon Jo's services again for this. Jo's is presently assisting us with a trip to South America in September. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to others.

Sent by Nik Thompson

Solihull 16/09/2012

Gold star, world class service. Arranging a holiday with Jo is so simple, easy with everything tailored to what you want in your trip. The difference Jo provides is the personal touch that goes beyond the booking. Always checking everything is OK, looking to ensure everything is covered. Superb service and already looking forward to the next adventure. Thank you Jo.

Sent by Stacey Tudor

Redditch 08/08/2012

Thankyou so much Jo, for everything you have done, and making our honeymoon extra special. The service you have gave us was first class from start to finish, and nothing was too much hassle for you. We look forward to booking all our future holidays with you, and will highly recommend you, to family and friends. Thanks again.