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Merredew Travel

Joanna Merredew - Travel Counsellor 🌎
Specialist in bespoke travel with 30 years experience.

02/11/2026

South Africa 🇿🇦🐘🦛🦒

This beautiful country having a real moment with my travellers right now, attracted by wildlife, w**elands and coastal adventure. In the last month alone, I've arranged two incredible honeymoons, a New Year escape and multi‑generational adventure for October half term 2027!

Sunset views over Cape Town, lazy vineyard lunches in the Winelands, road‑tripping the Garden Route and the thrill of safari game drives with a camp to suit everyone: it is such a perfect combination for both couples and families.

Some stunning locations featured include....

La Cotte Farm, Franschhoek
Charming heritage cottages nestled in the hills above Franschhoek, combining privacy, mountain views and easy access to the world‑class w**eries.

Babylonstoren, Winelands
A unique working Cape Dutch farm with elegant cottages, beautiful gardens and vineyards to wander, taste and completely switch off.

Coot Club, Stanford
A wonderfully relaxed hideaway on a pristine lagoon, with fynbos, birdlife and wide sandy beaches nearby: perfect for coastal downtime and nature lovers.

Sabi Sabi Selati Camp, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
Boutique, relaxed and reminiscent of a bygone era, the all suite Selati camp is all about the romance of safari with exceptional guiding and superb wildlife. One of my favourites!

Hlosi Lodge, Amakhala Private Game Reserve
A small, family‑friendly lodge in a malaria‑free reserve, ideal for multi‑generational trips with relaxed game viewing and a very personal feel.

Kapama Buffalo Camp, Kruger
An intimate tented camp in a private Kruger reserve, offering Big Five game drives, elevated walkways through the treetops and old‑world safari atmosphere.

If South Africa is on your wish list for 2027, this is the ideal time to start planning. I will help you stitch everything together into a seamless, tailor‑made itinerary.

Ready to start dreaming up your own South African adventure? Message me to begin planning your trip.

24/10/2026

Step aboard a different kind of cruise: Explora Journeys ⚓☀

Sailing 5th to 13th December, this 8‑night Caribbean voyage invites you to slow down and savour every moment in all‑suite, residential‑style comfort: your private “Home at Sea” with refined dining, curated entertainment and a focus on relaxed, barefoot luxury rather than big‑ship bells and whistles.

From vibrant Miami, you will:

Snorkel the turquoise reefs of Cozumel

Discover Costa Maya’s ancient Mayan ruins and hidden stories

Explore the rich Mayan heritage of Santo Tomás de Castilla

Experience Belize City’s wildlife, cayes and powder‑soft beaches

Enjoy a serene day at sea, sinking into Explora’s pools, spa and stylish lounges

Arrive in Roatán, a true tropical paradise, before returning refreshed to the energy of Miami

Explora Journeys blends the elegance of a boutique hotel with the freedom of the ocean: fewer guests, more space, immersive destination experiences and soulful service designed around you.

Ready to make the Caribbean your home for a week for some pre Christmas winter warmth? Explora have amazing offers on winter sun escapes for late 2026 and early 2027.

23/10/2026

Hotel Gems 💫

The Regency Kalkan: where legendary views meet laid‑back luxury 🇹🇷

I am regularly asked for hotel ‘gems’ for the spring and summer months and love making suggestions for families, groups of friends and couples. And my biggest tip is to book early to secure the best rates and room types.

Perched above the harbour with what many call the best view in Kalkan, the Regency Kalkan is a much‑loved, boutique family‑run hotel and all about warm, personal service and relaxed elegance. Wide‑angle sea vistas, a huge pool that feels like the heart of the hotel, and staff who remember your favourite drink before you even ask.

Perfect for couples in spring and early summer, then welcoming families in the main school holidays, with spacious suites sleeping up to four. There is a tranquil spa and traditional hammam, an excellent restaurant showcasing local produce, and plenty of quiet corners to unwind, even when the hotel is full.

All just a 10–15 minute stroll from Kalkan village and the harbour: once you arrive, you may find you hardly want to leave.
Please contact me for offers that include flights, accommodation on a B&B basis, complimentary hamam, boat trip and Indigo Beach Club entrance.

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22/10/2026

Hotel Gems 💫

The Regency Kalkan: where legendary views meet laid‑back luxury 🇹🇷

I am regularly asked for hotel 'gems' for the spring and summer months and love making suggestions for families, groups of friends and couples. And my biggest tip is to book early to secure the best rates and room types.

Perched above the harbour with what many call the best view in Kalkan, the Regency Kalkan is a much‑loved, boutique family‑run hotel and all about warm, personal service and relaxed elegance. Wide‑angle sea vistas, a huge pool that feels like the heart of the hotel, and staff who remember your favourite drink before you even ask.

Perfect for couples in spring and early summer, then welcoming families in the main school holidays, with spacious suites sleeping up to four. There is a tranquil spa and traditional hammam, an excellent restaurant showcasing local produce, and plenty of quiet corners to unwind, even when the hotel is full.

All just a 10–15 minute stroll from Kalkan village and the harbour: once you arrive, you may find you hardly want to leave.

Please contact me for offers that include flights, accommodation on a B&B basis, complimentary hamam, boat trip and Indigo Beach Club entrance.

20/10/2026

Costa Rica Family Adventure! 🇨🇷

Cloud forests, hot springs and Pacific sunsets.....Direct British Airways flights from London to San José now operate all year round, making Costa Rica a wonderful option for a family adventure in any school holiday.

Begin in vibrant San José for a first taste of Costa Rican culture and cuisine.

Sleep in the heart of the rainforest in Sarapiquí, waking up to birdsong, howler monkeys and misty jungle views. Explore lush trails, hanging bridges and learn about the incredible biodiversity right on your doorstep.

Head to La Fortuna for zip lining through the treetops, a gentle floating safari to spot wildlife along the river and time to soak in natural hot springs with views of the iconic Arenal Volcano.

Meet Costa Rica’s most laid back residents, the sloths, and visit a traditional farm where the whole family can see how local produce is grown, taste fresh tropical fruits and glimpse rural life up close.

Finish on the Pacific coast: golden beaches, warm surf and fiery sunsets. Enjoy a catamaran cruise, snorkelling in clear bays and lazy afternoons by the pool or on the sand.

Ready to turn Costa Rica into your next family story? Message me to start planning your adventure.

Please call 0330 313 2650 or email [email protected].

18/10/2026

Italian Road Trips 🇮🇹🚗

Next week I have clients setting on off a gorgeous road trip to explore the Puglia and Basilicata regions and it's reminded me that Italy is so much more than a tick-list of famous cities. It is one of my all-time favourite destinations, and I specialise in helping my clients discover the real, authentic Italy by road and rail.

Think slow journeys through regions like Puglia, Sicily and Tuscany:
whitewashed hill towns in the Valle d’Itria, vineyard-framed agriturismi in Chianti, plus characterful seaside stays along Sicily’s rugged coast.

I handpick charming, authentic places to stay from family-run masserie with olive groves, boutique palazzi in historic centres, and countryside villas with pools. Then I suggest tried-and-tested favourites: seafood lunches in tiny Sicilian fishing villages, w**e tastings and truffle hunts in the Tuscan hills, and realistic routes and driving times that actually work in real life.

If you (or your clients) love Italy but want to experience “the Italy Italians actually holiday in”, I would love to design the journey: from the most convenient arrival airport to that final sunset aperitivo.

Ready to start planning your Italian road trip?

14/10/2026

Just Booked ✈ : Two extraordinary journeys to look forward to in early 2027… and I couldn’t be more excited for my wonderful clients 🇱🇰🇹🇭

Sri Lanka Journey
Misty sunrises and gentle, early morning hikes around Sigiriya, followed by time at Gal Oya Eco Lodge for jungle night walks, morning treks and bicycle exploration in the heart of nature. On to cooler evenings in the hill country, waking up among emerald tea plantations in a beautifully converted tea factory hotel. Time to completely switch off at a stylish boutique beach retreat, before ending with atmospheric walks through the ramparts and lanes of historic Galle.

Thailand Island & Culture
Big-city energy with soft, barefoot luxury. We start beside the river in Bangkok, drifting between glittering temples and colourful markets by boat and on foot, with plenty of time to sample incredible street food. Up to Chiang Mai for slower-paced days exploring the old city’s temples and artisan streets, plus a visit to a carefully chosen ethical elephant sanctuary. The finale is pure escapism on Koh Yao Noi at Cape Kudu Hotel, where long, lazy days are all about poolside lounging, island-hopping and dreamy Phang Nga Bay views.

As a Southeast Asia specialist, these are exactly the kind of in-depth, tailor-made Asian adventures I love creating. If you are dreaming of Sri Lanka, Thailand or wider Southeast Asia for 2027, I would be delighted to design something completely personal for you.

01/10/2026

Corfu Summer Villas 2027!

It's never to early to start thinking about next summer and the best places to stay are snapped up early.

'Magical' 'Sumptuous' 'A True Gem'

This pretty Corfu villa is perched above the pretty harbour of Agios Stephanos and withing walking distance of tavernas. The elegant interiors spread over three levels and a curved infinity pool offers mesmerising views. Most guests hardly leave this dreamy hideaway, but when you are ready to explore, you will find gorgeous beaches within easy reach.

For the ultimate Corfu experience, hire a small boat and discover jewel-coloured coves and that sublime coastline at your own pace.

Ready to start planning your Corfu escape ?

29/09/2026

October is almost upon us! Some stunning tailor-made journeys departing over the next month....🍁

✨ A twin-centre escape in Madeira: start in Funchal at a chic boutique hotel set within lush botanical gardens, then on to a tranquil coastal retreat for pure relaxation by the ocean.
✨ A magical weekend in Marrakech at La Farnatchi in the heart of the Medina, with lantern-lit courtyards and intimate luxury.
✨ A relaxed half-term break to Lanzarote at the Gran Meliá Palacio by the sea, ideal for sunshine, swimming and easy family downtime.
✨ An active family adventure in Agadir, combining golden beaches, surfing, sand dunes and Berber culture.
✨ A special birthday journey through the Deep South: Memphis and New Orleans by train, with live music, soulful food and historic neighbourhoods.
✨ A three-week exploration of Australia: Queensland’s sun-kissed coast, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the Great Ocean Road and Sydney’s iconic harbour and Blue Mountains
✨ A perfectly timed 7-night Celebrity Cruise from Southampton, chasing the warmth to Lisbon, Madeira and the Canary Islands in a beautiful Infinite Veranda suite.

If one of these is calling your name, message me to start planning your next escape ✈ 🌍

27/07/2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The biggest compliment I receive is when my lovely clients feel confident to recommend me to friends and family.

As a special thank-you, I have introduced a new refer-a-friend scheme: Recommend me to a friend or family member and you’ll both be entered into a prize draw to win £2,000 towards your next holiday.

If you know someone who would love truly personal, stress-free travel planning, please feel free to use this link or share!

www.travelcounsellors.com/joanna.merredew/refer-a-friend

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https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/joanna.merredew, https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/joanna.merredew/#reviews

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