Marco Williams - Travel Counsellor

Marco Williams - Travel Counsellor I provide seamless travel arrangements for the sophisticated professional, using my 30+ years of hospitality and travel management experience. Love Thailand!

I do this for both business and leisure travellers. Originally from London - lived in Clapham Common in the '60s. Moved to Rayleigh in Essex, then to Sandy, followed by Gamlingay. Went to Nottingham Trent University (when it was better known as Trent Poly). Worked in the photography business and eventually fell into the travel business. Now live in Oakley, Bedfordshire. I've had the good fortune t

o visit much of Europe (working for a tour operator), and some of the Caribbean islands - taking photos for a Tour Operator. Also Florida, California, Vancouver and Vancouver Island, Egypt, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Bangkok, Phuket, Taiwan, Bali, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. Lived in Hong Kong from 1997 to 1998. But would really like to explore Cambodia and Vietnam. In my 20's, spent 4 months backpacking around India. And also in my 20's, spent about 4 months in a Kibbutz in Israel. Both of which I really enjoyed. Married with two grown-up children. One's at Portsmouth University, reading Criminology and Criminal Justice, the other at home for now - she read Archeological Science at Reading. Hobbies - really enjoy scuba diving. Haven't really picked up a camera much - perhaps I should. I love to travel. And for me, exploring any new destination is what really excites me - and especially introducing others to that destination. Travel in my view, not only expands horizons and opens your mind to new ways of thinking and the appreciation of different cultures, but also brings home how beautiful and precious this world is. As someone wiser than me said: "To NOT travel, is like opening a book and just reading the first page.

11/06/2026

On more than one occasion, a client has come to me in January saying that they were looking to take their family away on a skiing holiday in February half-term. Which is such a shame.

It’s not that it can’t be done, but by leaving it so late in the day, it means the choice of accommodation is limited, and prices are higher.

There is a finite number of hotel rooms and chalets in any ski resort, and the UK market is not the only market that books.

Moreover, hotels, chalets and operators offer their deals now for the ski season, to get their base business in as early as possible, leaving what’s left to those who book late.

If you’re thinking of taking the family away on a winter holiday for February half-term in 2027 (and especially over Christmas and New Year), now is the time to start planning.

Give me a call or drop me an email, and let’s start planning your family winter fun.
Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

Mmmm. This is nice!JUST BOOKED... A cheeky little 10-night stay in late September in a fabulous 1-bedroom villa near Rho...
10/06/2026

Mmmm. This is nice!
JUST BOOKED...

A cheeky little 10-night stay in late September in a fabulous 1-bedroom villa near Rhodes, with loads of fabulous amenities.

Located in the ancient town of Lalysos, which sits quietly on the north-western coast of Rhodes, just six miles from the bustling, tourist mecca, Rhodes Town and next door to Ixia.

Only a few steps from the beach, restaurants, supermarkets, and anything you might need to have a comfortable stay, this is a little gem for a quiet week or two, enjoying the Greek sun and the laid-back life.

Looking for a little quiet 'me' time?
Give me a call or drop me an email:

Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

10/06/2026

There is travel for relaxation.
There is travel for adventure.
And then there is travel that changes you. Travel that introduces you to once-in-a-lifetime experiences that stay with you forever...

What stays with you long after Jabulani is the sense of reconnection. Reconnection with the natural world, with the rhythms of sunrise and sunset, and with yourself, once the noise and rush of daily life fall away. It is the kind of journey that leaves you calmer, more grounded and quietly changed.

If you want to do more in your next, much-deserved holiday, than sit by a hotel pool or on a crowded beach, give me a call or drop me an email.

Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

I was speaking to a Polish friend the other day, who went back a few weeks ago to see family. He was surprised to see th...
05/06/2026

I was speaking to a Polish friend the other day, who went back a few weeks ago to see family. He was surprised to see the cities were busy with many UK visitors!

Poland might not be the first place you think of for a city break, but once you’ve been, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

From colourful market squares and riverside castles to cosy cafés, street art and pierogi that should come with a warning label, Poland is full of surprises. Whether you fancy the big‑city buzz of Warsaw, the storybook charm of Kraków, the Baltic breezes of Gdańsk or the bridges and quirky dwarfs of Wrocław, there is so much to pack into a 3–4 night escape.

Want to learn why you should be making your way to Poland for a city break? Read my blog: https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/marco.williams/PolandThenotsoNewKidontheblockforacitybreak

This is a lovely 3-night city break in the stunning Polish city of Krakow, staying at one of the best addresses in the O...
03/06/2026

This is a lovely 3-night city break in the stunning Polish city of Krakow, staying at one of the best addresses in the Old Town: Hotel Saski Krakow Curio Collection by Hilton from just £722 per person!

The exceptionally atmospheric Old Town has one of Europe’s largest medieval squares, ideal for wandering, café‑hopping and people‑watching. Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, riverside walks and a compact centre make it easy to “do a lot” in 2–3 nights without feeling rushed.

Flying from Stansted on Thursday 3rd September, your private transfer takes you straight to your hotel, where you'll stay in a King Double Old Town side on bed and breakfast.

The next day, you embark on a guided tour of Kraków's Old Town's most essential landmarks. Starting at the iconic St. Mary's Basilica in the Main Square, you will appreciate the stunning Veit Stoss altarpiece, which captivates with its intricate woodcarvings and artistic brilliance. Wander through the bustling Market Square, visit the Renaissance Cloth Hall, and explore the historic Jagiellonian University. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this tour unveils the cultural and architectural treasures of Kraków's Old Town.

And then on the following day, you join a small group tour to the mind-blowing Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is a must when in Krakow. One of the oldest salt mines in Europe, Wieliczka is known for its carvings of fabulous figures, monuments, and altarpieces, such as the Chapel of St Kinga, which have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Price correct at time of publication and includes all taxes.
Fancy doing a city break with a difference?

Give me a call or drop me an e-mail:
Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

Despite being in the hospitality and travel industry for 30 years, I am still surprised when I get asked by clients, "Wh...
02/06/2026

Despite being in the hospitality and travel industry for 30 years, I am still surprised when I get asked by clients, "When's the best time to book my holiday?"

And it's even more frustrating when I hear clients say they'll hang on to see if there's a last-minute deal.

You see, the whole industry works on a pricing model called 'Demand Pricing'. And the way prices of hotels and airline seats are set has become very, very sophisticated, with much of the price setting now done not by people but by AI. Yes, folks, someone sitting in a back room setting prices is just so 20th century...

In essence, demand pricing means that prices change based on how many people want the same thing at the same time. But both hotels and airlines analyse trends (such as 'pick up and pace'). They also carefully analyse what their competitors are doing - and monitor metrics such as MPI (Market Pe*******on Index), to ensure that their offering matches their competitors (Comp Set), to make sure the business gets a 'fair share' of the market, at a market price.

They even analyse the 'last room value' rate. Essentially, they use LRV as a threshold to prevent selling the last few rooms below a specific rate. (I told you it was sophisticated!)

What no hotel or airline will do is dump the price at the last minute. In fact, they are more likely to hike the price at the last minute.

Add in peak dates like school holidays, big events or limited room types, prices can climb very quickly.

This is why you often see a fare or room rate jump if you “wait a few days to decide”. You are not imagining it: someone else has booked in the meantime, and the demand-based pricing has moved up a level.

Booking early usually secures a better price because:
1. More of the lowest fare buckets and room categories are still available.
2. You avoid price spikes as dates become busier or as events are announced.
3. You get the first pick of the most popular flight times, room types and cabins, which are often the best value as well as best located.

In short, travel prices rarely reward last‑minute hesitation. When you book early, you are not just securing your preferred options; you are also locking in the best value before demand pushes prices higher.

So, if you've not yet booked for 2026, my professional advice is get cracking!

And if you need help securing your holiday for 2026 or 2027, give me a call or drop me an email.

Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

Looking for Honeymoon Inspiration?A fabulous 10-night, 2-centre, Caribbean stay from only £4278 per person (includes roo...
01/06/2026

Looking for Honeymoon Inspiration?
A fabulous 10-night, 2-centre, Caribbean stay from only £4278 per person (includes room rate levy of £49)

Flying out from London Gatwick on 07 March 2027, direct to Barbados, you'll have a VIP service at Grantley Adams International Airport for a relaxed, easy experience from the moment you step off your plane. Then you'll be whisked off for 5 nights at the Bougainvillaea Barbados, staying in a Junior Suite on Bed & Breakfast. Perched along two spectacular, white-sand beaches on the island’s celebrated south coast, our resort offers a truly enchanting setting for a romantic couple’s getaway.

Then on 12th March, you're whisked off to get your flight to the beautiful island of St. Lucia - the only island named after a woman. Here, you're picked up for a 5-night stay at the 5-star Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences. Located on the north shore of St. Lucia, Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences overlooks the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea and boasts landscaped gardens and waterfalls, 6 outdoor pools and a luxury spa. You'll be staying in a Coastline Deluxe Room on All-Inclusive.

Also included is a Tropical Sunset Cruise. This adults-only cruise offers drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, the beauty of the skyline, cool evening breezes, and the romance and magnificence of the evening, surrounding you, with a chance to glimpse the elusive “Green Flash” of the sun slowly sinking beyond the horizon.

Of course, there are private transfers throughout, and the price is correct at the time of publishing.

Want to celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary or special occasion with a magical trip?
Give me a call or drop me an email:

Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

When my clients come to me to book their travel, they usually get a lot more than they bargained for...One of my clients...
28/05/2026

When my clients come to me to book their travel, they usually get a lot more than they bargained for...

One of my clients asked me to quote on a particular hotel for what would be a 7-day trip. It was to celebrate his daughter's 21st birthday. As soon as he explained more of what he wanted, I knew he was not going to get what he wanted from his planned trip: It would be a lot more than he bargained for, and frankly, would be a lot of money for just 7 days (as well as it meant a long-haul flight for just 7 days in a beach resort).

So, I suggested that he postpone his trip until Easter, change the location and make it a 2-centre holiday.

He took some persuasion. But after going through all the positive sides (not least, that he would get a lot more for his money than 7 days on a beach), he eventually agreed...

When he came back, he was delighted! He and his family had enjoyed (in his words) 'the adventure of a lifetime'. They'd done and experienced so much more than they would have done, had I just quoted as asked.

This is what I do. I listen to my clients and try to help them see beyond their initial horizons and get a lot more from their well-deserved break than they thought was possible.

Moreover, I was always at hand (even while he was away - on WhatsApp) to answer questions and offer advice.

My advice is free; the experiences I provide and arrange are priceless.

If you're looking for travel experiences that are a world away from AI algorithms, give me a call or drop me an e-mail.

̇ration

Now, this is a fabulous trip for a family of three (2 adults + a 10-year-old), for Easter 2027.From an amazing £3145 per...
26/05/2026

Now, this is a fabulous trip for a family of three (2 adults + a 10-year-old), for Easter 2027.
From an amazing £3145 per person!

Flying out on Friday, 27th March 2027, to Singapore, you'll spend 4 nights at the Jen Singapore Orchard Gateway By Shangri La in a Deluxe Family Room on Bed and Breakfast. Your stay here includes a full day at Universal Studios Singapore with a round-trip transfer. It features 24 rides, shows, and attractions in seven themed zones.

Then you fly out to the beautiful island of Bali, to spend eight nights at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa Handwritten Collection in a family room on a bed & breakfast basis.

Your stay here includes a full-day private tour to the Ubud Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Total tour includes:

Tegenungan Waterfall: A cascading waterfall surrounded by dense tropical jungle. Bring your bathers, bask in the cool water, and admire the gorgeous surroundings!

Monkey Forest Ubud: Home to approximately 749 Balinese long-tailed monkeys, it’s little wonder Ubud Monkey Forest is a hit with nature lovers. The cool and shady forest is the ultimate place to beat the midday heat.

Ubud Market: From stylish souvenirs to local food and handicrafts, you’ll find a wide array of goods at Ubud Market. Wander the colourful stalls and don’t forget to haggle!

Ubud Palace: Locally known as Puri Saren Agung, this spectacular temple belongs to the Balinese royal family. Admire gorgeous statues and carvings built in the typical Balinese style, not found anywhere else in the world.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces: The green and glorious rice terraces of Tegalalang are popular for wandering, snapping photos or upping the adrenaline levels and jumping on a zip wire or giant swing!

Pura Tirta Empul temple: As one of the holiest places in Bali, this water temple is popular with tourists and locals alike. Wander the sacred grounds or take a dip in the cool water. Bliss!

Looking to do something special with your family next Easter?
Give me a call or drop me an email:
Tel: 01234 581066
Email: [email protected]

Address

Bedford

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441234581066

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