Charlotte Smith Travel

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Charlotte Smith Travel

Ashtead based independent tour operator who can look after all types of travel.

03/09/2026

From Nashville to Miami… but make it Dolly inspired. ✨

Live music, mountain views, pretty Southern cities and golden beaches all in one road trip.

Start with 3 nights in Nashville for honky‑tonks, hot chicken and all the country music vibes. Then it is into the Tennessee hills for a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, followed by fresh air and mountain scenery in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.
From there, roll through Greenville for a little small‑town charm, then hit the coast: cobbled streets and incredible food in Charleston, storybook squares and ghost tours in Savannah, chilled beach days on Amelia Island and finally Miami South Beach for Art Deco hotels, rooftop cocktails and ocean sunsets.

I have organised this road trip for clients before and they absolutely loved it, so I know how to tweak the route, hotels and experiences to fit you perfectly, whether you want full‑on Dolly energy, something more low‑key or a bit of both.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, save this post and drop me a message to start planning your USA road trip.
 

31/08/2026

I am hosting my first women’s only ski trip next March and I would love for you to join. Spaces are filling up with some other lovely women and it looks to be an amazing 4 nights.

If you never put yourself first, always looking after kids or sorting out the home please think of this trip as your saviour next winter 🙏🏻 we will have a beautiful blend of wellness, skiing, apres, friendship, laughter and meeting new people

I’m so excited about this, if you are too then please get in touch and ask any questions you have. I hope you can join us and have the best time with us

29/08/2026

Disneyland Paris looks easy to plan at the beginning but when people come to me they’ve often started pulling their hair out!

I book it lots for my families and there are always lots of little decisions to make that can make a huge difference to your holiday.

The biggest thing I always say to clients is that there isn’t only one way to do Disneyland Paris. The right hotel, dining plan and itinerary depend completely on your family.

If you’re thinking about Disneyland Paris, save this post and send it to whoever you’re planning your trip with.

And if you’d like me to take care of the planning, send me a message and we can start creating your magical trip

Those of you who know me, know that I love Disney so I can assure you all that I will think of everything for your trip

Can’t wait to start planning with you 🐭🏰

Planning Disneyland Paris family Disney trip Disney mistakes Disney tips

27/08/2026

Ski in ski out can be great for experienced skiers or in easier resorts. But you do not want to pay more for it in a low resort during Easter when you have kids. Those children will not be skiing out of the chalet, you will need to get them to ski school in the morning which is why I always recommend a chalet with a driver service

Last season I called our driver so many times, to pick up street shoes, pick up poles, pick up me to then pick up my daughter to then drop us off at the bubble to then have lunch and back again to ski school.

If you’re new to skiing and need some help on where to go and where is best, I’ve been helping families ski for 20 years so drop me a message and we can start planning

Only a few months to go until ski season 🫶🏻🎿⛷️

Luxury ski tips. Family ski tips. Where are you skiing booking skiing early

15/08/2026

Our first week down in Croyde 💜

Our new chariot
Cheesy grins
Excellent coffee neapcoffee
Runs with my bestie
Sunny swims and drinks
Looking for bunnies
Breakfast at Biffen's Kitchen
Eclipse dinner and music The Lazy Wave
Drinks
The best ever cabbage BEYOND THE BREAK

14/08/2026

This weeks Fridays Finds ☀️

These are my favourite September getaways for couples

Six senses ibiza - literally just a fly and flop with a bit of wellness to top you up
Birkenhead House in Hermanus outside of Cape Town. Combine this with a road trip along the coast enjoying whales, w**e and amazing scenery.
A California road trip from San Francisco, to Tahoe, down to Yosemite, popping into Carmel Valley and Morro Bay and ending in Santa Monica.
Visiting Tofino in Vancouver Island and stying at the Wickinnish Inn to go bear and whale watching. This works best when combining it with a stay in Vancouver, you can also head up to Campbell river to a wilderness lodge for more animal sightings and the most incredible coastal scenery we’ve ever seen
A jungle retreat in Ubud, a ritz Carlton reserve just along the river. Mandapa is genuinely incredible and so restful and a perfect stop along a Balinese itinerary

Which one would you choose?

Couples trips | holidays for September | Luxury holidays in September | where to go in September

13/08/2026

I love a staycation, especially in the summer holidays and especially when the weather is like the UK is currently experiencing. It means we can pack up the car with anything we need and hit the road. I feel like I am getting every year with what to pack, not forgetting anything and not overpacking is a skill and I might have nailed it this year
So a few tips for you all (not an exhaustive list)
For the kids I pack bucket, spades, the beach tent and then they’re allowed one bag each of toys. For my 6 year old we packed a box of lego and a bag of pokeballs along with his puzzle books which he adores. Highly recommend for dinner out to keep him busy! For my 2 year old we packed dolls, small doll buggy, pretend play food and colouring. To be honest the beach is the most entertaining for them at their ages.

We invested in a trolley this year to go to and from the beach - I think the children think it is their chariot but obviously it is quite fun for all involved! Just make sure you get one with thick wheels to work on the sand.
An empty tote bag or beach bag because we are always laden with stuff!

We have a beach tent which is perfect for the kids to escape to and hide from the wind or sun! And for the dog too!!

A more thorough list is on my new blog post
Austinrosetravel.com have a read for more…

tipsforstaycation

Family Holidays in the UK | Luxury houses in the UK| Coastal Breaks UK | Packing tips

07/08/2026

Friday Finds | 5 Hotels with Incredible Kids Clubs
A great kids club can make all the difference to a family holiday, children can make new friends, you can enjoy the spa and everyone is happy!

Here are five of my favourites:

🌿 Ikos Porto Petro, Mallorca – luxury all-inclusive with excellent childcare and fantastic facilities for all ages.
🌊 Martinhal Sagres, Portugal – one of the best resorts in Europe for families with babies and younger children.
🐠 Atlantis The Palm, Dubai – perfect for children who love adventure, with the incredible Explorers Club, Aquaventure Waterpark and endless activities.
🏝️ Niyama Private Islands Maldives – home to one of the best kids’ clubs in the Maldives, combining island adventures with unforgettable experiences.
☀️ Sani Beach, Greece – a brilliant choice for multi-generational holidays, with something to keep toddlers, teenagers and grandparents equally happy

When I’m planning a family holiday, I don’t just look at the destination or the hotel. I think about the ages of the children, what they will genuinely enjoy, and what will make the holiday feel effortless for everyone

If the children are happy then so are the parents!!

Which one would be at the top of your wish list?
Save this post for future holiday inspiration, and if you’re looking for the perfect family escape, I’d love to help you find the right fit

Friday finds travel tips. Holiday ideas. Where to go with a family. Kids club hotels. Luxury kids clubs

06/08/2026

If New England isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be. Think charming seaside towns, lobster rolls, beautiful beaches, historic villages and some of the prettiest autumn scenery in the world. This is a road trip you’ll never forget

There are also various add ons that work so well on this trip, my favourite spot to add on would be actually in the mountains in Vermont

Save this itinerary for later

New England Road trip. Family road trip. Couples road trip. Autumn road trip. Summer road trip

31/07/2026

Planning a weekend in Cannes?
Save these beach clubs ☀️

One of my favourite things about the French Riviera is that no two beach clubs quite feel the same.

You can have a glamorous lunch one day, a long afternoon on the sand another as well as a full on party lunch

Here are five I have on my go-to list:
✨ La Môme Plage – chic, glamorous and perfect for a long lunch and a little people watching.
✨ Nammos Cannes – Mediterranean glamour, music and a lively atmosphere. The sort of place where lunch can easily turn into staying for the sunset
✨ Carlton Beach Club – classic Cannes glamour. If you want that iconic French Riviera experience, this is the one.
✨ La Plage du Festival – a little more relaxed and understated. Perfect for a slower day of swimming, sunshine and lunch by the sea on a chilled day
✨ La Guérite – completely different from the others. Over on Île Sainte-Marguerite, you can choose from two sittings for lunch and it is all about the music and atmosphere

Chat to me about which might be best for you and your day

And if you’re planning a trip to Cannes, I can help with more than just the hotel. From the best beach clubs and restaurants to day trips, boats and those little places that make a trip feel really special

Save this for your next Cannes escape, and send it to who you want to go with

Cannes weekend. Girls weekend in France. France riviera. Luxury Beach clubs. France Beach Clubs

Address

Ashtead
KT21

Telephone

+441372240048

Website

http://www.travelcounsellors.com/charlotte.smith, http://www.austinrosetravel.com/

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