12 June 2018

You all know I am a Travel Counsellor, but do you know exactly what a Travel Counsellor is? I'm part of a global network of travel professionals established in 1994. With independent access to thousands of trusted travel suppliers around the world, when booking with me – it will be travel and customer service like you've never experienced before. If you’re still a little unsure why you should book through me here are just a few reasons: * I have 23 years’ experience in the travel industry * I would NEVER sell a holiday I didn't think was right for you * Our Financial Protection Plan, means that your money is safe * Our 24-hour Duty Office, monitors worldwide events and happenings if anything goes wrong anywhere in the world I will know about it and we will have a crisis team set up to ensure that no clients are left stranded. * You can contact me via my office landline, mobile, website, Skype, Facebook, email, our own MyTC travel app, there is no on hold music or a call centre somewhere else in the world! * Travel Counsellors have unbiased reviews that I can pass onto you, these are from our own clients who have stayed in resort, so their feedback is honest and unbiased. All I ask is you give me a call before you press that 'confirm' button on a website. If your internet website can do more for you than me, I really won't be offended! But give me a try as I am sure that I can offer so much more. My business is built on referrals and word of mouth travel, you might not be in the market for a holiday now, but you may know someone who would love to experience my expert advice and service in booking their holiday, so please pass on my details. So, what are waiting for? Get in touch with me and experience the difference for yourself - it's time for you to sit back, relax and to get your 2018 holiday booked.

13 May 2014

I was lucky enough to win a spot on a Virgin Educational organised by our head office. This was so that I, along with 8 other Travel Counsellors, could get a chance to go to our International Conference in Telford from the 14th of November to the 20th of November 2013. It was an absolutely amazing experience and one of the highlights was meeting some of our Travel Counsellors from around the world. We had fantastic guest speakers who were incredibly inspiring. They make you just want to become bigger and better. The entertainment was top class and this included Mcfly, The Jersey Boys and comedian Rob Brydon. It truly was an amazing opportunity and experience and left me ready to take on whatever might come my way. After the Conference we were transferred by coach through to London which was about 4 hours. We stayed at the Royal National Hotel in Russell Square. The hotel is a very basic 3 star hotel, but it is very centrally located and very easy to get to the tube stations and shops. When we got to the hotel we checked in and dropped off our bags, but no one could keep us in our rooms, we wanted to go and have a look at all the Christmas lights and take in the awesome atmosphere of London. On day 2 we were up early and had breakfast at The Royal National, it was a continental breakfast, not the greatest but it did its job. Our first stop was at Ripley’s Museum. It was so much fun and really fascinating, really worth a visit. We had lots of fun in the maze of mirrors and at the Laser Zone. After Ripley’s we quickly had lunch and made our way to the Tower of London. I would highly recommend a visit to The Tower for its rich history and viewing of The Crown Jewels. After the Tower of London we quickly stopped to get a glimpse of Big Ben and the London Eye. We also stopped briefly at Harrods where we got to see all their Christmas goodies and amazing festive season lights. To finish off a brilliant day we were treated to a VIP dinner at Planet Hollywood…yummy! On day 3 we all got to do our own thing and I visited one of my best friends who I had not seen in years. It was quite an experience trying to navigate all the under grounds and trains by myself with my big bag but I did it and survived to tell the tale. All too soon our trip came to an end and I was back at Heathrow Airport. On arrival we found out that Virgin had upgraded us to Upper Class for our flight home. A real treat! We also got to experience the Virgin Club House Lounge beforehand and got spoilt rotten with cocktails and delicious food. The Virgin Club House even offers a beauty salon and a hairdresser. The flight home was an experience as we were treated like royalty. I can highly recommend Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic. My trip to the UK was amazing! Thank you Virgin and Travel Counsellors for making this trip possible.

28 May 2012

After our Travel Counsellors conference I decided to extend my stay in Mauritius by 2 nights, just so that I could put my feet up for a little while and do almost nothing. I decided to spend the time at Club Med La Plantation d'Albion and I was glad I made that decision. On the Sunday morning I got a taxi from Shandrani through to Club Med Albion which is about an hour’s drive from the Airport. When we arrived we were given a very warm and friendly welcome by the staff at reception who offered us a choice of ice tea or Champagne...what a choice. We were then taken through to our Club Room which I must say was beautiful, so much room and an absolute gorgeous bath. Our Club room over looked the gardens but it had a very pretty view. Club Med La Plantation d'Albion is split into two areas "Zen area" where you will find the Spa, le Phare restaurant and a beautiful pool. In this area no children are allowed so it is very quiet a peaceful. On the other side of the hotel is where everything happens, you will find the main pool area, bar, restaurant and swimming beach. All of the entertainment happens here so can get a little noisy, but it has a great vibe. On the Monday morning I tried snorkelling for the very first time, it was an experience which I most definitely would like to repeat. We then had the whole beach all to ourselves and had drinks served to us while we soaked up the rays. There is so much to do at Club Med you are assured of never having a dull moment. You can do snorkelling, Archery, Aqua dynamic, Pilates, Flying Trapeze Academy, Golf Academy, tennis academy, sailing academy, beach volleyball, water polo, mini football, kayaking, kin ball, archery and scuba diving. If all you are wanting is just a little pampering visit the Spa and enjoy a massage or a facial to name a few treatments. Children and teens are also very well looked after. The Kids Clubs opening hours allow parents to make the most of their day and evening, or take off for a day's excursion. There is a Petit Club for 2 to 4 year olds, Mini Club for 4 to 11 year olds and Juniors Club for 11 to 18 year olds. I can highly recommend this hotel I had a wonderful time there and I am saving up so that I can take my family soon. If you have any questions please give me a call. Your Travel Counsellor Debby

28 May 2012

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel to Mauritius for our Annual Travel Counsellors Conference. Mauritius will enchant you and make you feel that you belong to the chosen few. Every encounter is an opportunity to discover a friendly face. The contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, the island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. We checked into the beautiful 5-Star, Fully Inclusive Shandrani Resort and Spa, only 6 kilometres from the Airport. The Shandrani caters to all travellers whether it is for a family holiday or conference and incentive groups. The hotel has two swimming pools in separate areas, three beaches, sports and nature programme, sailing club, a diving centre and La Source Spa. There is also a 9-hole Mashie course. The hotel has 5 restaurants which offer different dining experiences so you won’t get bored with getting served the same food night after night. Le Grand Port: main restaurant serving buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Le Sirius: open for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seasonal restaurant. Teak Elephant Restaurant: open for dinner, situated in the Sirius complex. Porto Vecchio: Specializes in Mediterranean food at lunch and dinner. Le Boucanier: an exclusive seafood restaurant and only open for dinner. The hotel is made up of superior rooms, superior beach rooms, interleading deluxe rooms, family apartments, senior suites and family suites. We flew on SAA to Mauritius. Mauritius is a quick 4 hour leap frog over Madagascar and Reunion from Johannesburg. We arrived in Mauritius at 15h40 (Mauritius time) which gave us just enough time to get ready for our Cocktail party which was held at the La Source Spa, a very classy event was organised. The next day we had a delicious breakfast at Le Grand Port Restaurant and straight into our first conference session. We had inspirational talks from our MD, Steve Byrne; our CEO David Speakman; and Sales Director Malcolm Hingley. We were also treated to sessions with motivational speaker Mike Finnigan; and I feel as though I can make all my dreams come true. That evening we had our awards evening which was an all-white attire affair where all the Travel Counsellors who had performed well during the past year were recognised. On Saturday I had the privilege to do a sight inspection of the 5-Star Long Beach Hotel which is on the east coast of Mauritius. This hotel is not the typical Mauritian hotel; it is a modern and chic hotel. It is true luxury and we were made to feel welcome from the minute we stepped into the reception. Nothing was too much trouble and we were spoilt with a 3 course meal and each course was at a different restaurant at the hotel. Long Beach is known for the longest, widest stretch of white-sand coastline of any Mauritian beach resort to date All rooms at Long Beach have a sea view and Long Beach offers Standard Sea View rooms, Superior Beachfront rooms and Family Beachfront Rooms as well as Deluxe Beachfront Suites. You can enjoy 3 swimming pools at Long beach (one heated, one beachfront and one lap pool). If you are a very energetic and active person there is flood lit tennis, aerobics, step classes, stretching yoga, bocciball, Frisbee, table tennis, badminton, archery, pitch and putt, volleyball, football, a jogging track, cycling track, outside trim park, skating park, wall climbing and accro-branche for kids. Water sports: kayaks, laser sails, aqua sports, glass bottom boat trips, snorkelling, wind surfing, fun boats, aqua gym, water polo, volley polo, basket polo. If you are not so active or just want to be pampered for a little while Long Beach has a stunning Spa. While you are being pampered you can leave your kids at the kiddie club where you know they will be very well looked after and kids of all ages are catered for. We ended our conference with a beach party with a pirates theme. We had a wonderful conference and were spoilt rotten. I can highly recommend both hotels and if you need any additional information please just let me know. My Mauritius trip did not end there as I extended my stay for 2 nights and stayed at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion, please refer to that journal for more information. Mauritius is a melting pot where past and present are smoothly blended together, offers an essential beauty that will compel you to return to its shores time and time again. Your Travel Counsellor Debby