Lucy Thurston - Travel Counsellor Cheltenham

11/09/2026

A lovely testimonial from a customer just back from their family holiday

13/08/2026

Discover the highlights of Southern Peru

🇵🇪 Journey through Peru’s most iconic landscapes, from the flavours and history of Lima to the ancient wonders of the Inca civilisation. Discover dramatic mountain scenery, traditional communities and the unforgettable Machu Picchu.

🍴 Explore Lima’s food scene on a historic city walking tour
🦅 Watch Andean condors soar above the Colca Canyon
🌊 Cruise Lake Titicaca and meet traditional communities
🚂 Travel across the Andes by scenic train
🏔️ Discover Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
🍲 Learn Peruvian cuisine during a local cooking class

📍 Lima → Arequipa → Colca Canyon → Puno → Lake Titicaca → Cusco → Sacred Valley → Machu Picchu

Departure: 12 July 2027 | 11 nights from £5,349pp

What’s included:
✈️ Return flights from Heathrow with Avianca
🏨 11 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
🚐 Private transport and airport transfers throughout
🧭 English-speaking guides throughout the journey
🎟️ Experiences mentioned in highlights
🍽️ Selected meals and lunches

ℹ️ Prices are based on two adults sharing. No mandatory fees payable in resort. Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to availability.

30/07/2026

Your recommendations and referrals mean the world to me… and right now, they could be worth £2,000! ✈️
If you’ve enjoyed booking your holidays with me, I’d be so grateful if you shared my details with your friends and family.
Thanks to Travel Counsellors’ Mention Me referral programme, anyone you refer who books a holiday over £3,000 through me will receive an entry into a £2,000 prize draw.
Sharing couldn’t be easier – simply send them my personalised referral link:
www.travelcounsellors.com/lucy.thurston/refer-a-friend

Every recommendation means so much to my business, so thank you for your continued support.

21/07/2026

WOW WOW WOW - check this out..

The Seychelles and Safari - Cruise & Land Journey
15 Days Mahé, Seychelles > Nairobi

From £11,284 per person based on 23 February 2028 departure
White sand beaches and legendary wildlife

Experience two extraordinary worlds in one journey as you combine a luxury yacht cruise through the Seychelles with an immersive Kenyan safari. You’ll discover dazzling beaches, rich marine life and lush jungle, then head inland to spot Africa’s ‘Big Five’ and immerse yourself in Maasai culture.

The Emerald Cruises Difference

Experience an unforgettable voyage of discovery with shore excursions, EmeraldPLUS cultural experiences, and the EmeraldACTIVE program all included.

✈️Return UK flights
🚤7 nights on board an Emerald luxury yacht
🚤Airport transfers to and from the ship
🚤The services of an Emerald Cruises Shore Excursion Manager
🚤Included excursion and EmeraldACTIVE experience
🚤Included EmeraldPLUS experience
🚤Complimentary use of aquatic toys on Marina days
🚤Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
🚤Complimentary mini bar on board
🚤All tipping, gratuities and port charges included – no hidden costs
🚤Meet and greet services on arrival
🚤Return airport transfers
🏨1 night in Nairobi
🦁6 nights on safari on a full board basis
🦁Safari Transport in a custom-designed 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with an English-speaking guide
🦁All game drives while on safari
🦁Park entrance fees
🦁Unlimited supply of bottled water with refillable bottles while on safari
🚤40 superb meals including 14 Breakfasts (B), 12 Lunches (L), 13 Dinners (D)
🥂Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner on your cruise, and a bush dinner in the Masai Mara
🚤Complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks & selected cocktails on board your Emerald luxury yacht

Please contact me for more info and to book- this is a truly magnificent cruise!

[email protected]
01242 809560

16/07/2026

Who fancies something completely different …. how about expedition cruises 🚢

😎The 130th Anniversary Offers Don't Stop Here!😎
🐧Antarctica in 2027🐧
🤩15 Nights for the Price of 11!🤩
😍Plus Free Suite Upgrade! 😍

🐧Iconic Antarctica - The Explorers Route
🐧21st November 2027
🐧15 Nights
🐧All Inclusive Onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen

✈️Includes 1 night pre stay in Buenos Aires and return charter flights to Ushuaia✈️

❄️Polar Outside Cabin - From £8653 per person
❄️Suite with Balcony - From £11,457 per person (same price as Outside with Balcony)

Add on international flights from £1861 per person

Suite Benefits:

✅Pre-voyage experience at Arakur Resort & Spa
✅Premium views from your private balcony or large windows
✅Prime upper deck location perfect for spotting wildlife
✅Spacious living with separate seating area
✅All meals included at fine-dining restaurant Lindstrøm
✅Preferred seating and priority boarding on charter flights
✅Priority embarkation and check-in
✅Daily laundry and turn-down service
✅Welcome bottle of Champagne

10/07/2026

🌿 8 Day Multi-Activity Experience in Montenegro

Journey from Old Town Bar to Kolašin, Tara Canyon and Plužine on an action-packed adventure through Montenegro’s wild side.

Highlights include:
🚣 2-day rafting experience in Tara Canyon
🥾 Guided mountain hikes in Komovi and Durmitor
💦 Guided canyoning adventure
🛶 Privately guided kayaking tour
🏡 Comfortable, characterful stays

📅 21 Sept 2026 | Gatwick from £2,459pp
📅 22 Sept 2026 | Edinburgh from £2,599pp
📅 23 Sept 2026 | Manchester from £2,499pp

Included:
✔️ Return flights with Easyjet
✔️ 7 nights accommodation with breakfast
✔️ Return airport transfers and all transport
✔️ 5 dinners
✔️ Guided kayaking, canyoning, hiking and rafting experiences
✔️ Equipment, entrance fees and national park taxes
✔️ 24/7 service of a certified adventure guide

ℹ️ Prices based on 2 adults sharing. Local tourist tax approx. €1pppn. Prices correct at time of publication and subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

09/07/2026

I always get asked why should i book through you when i can get the exact same holiday either same price or cheaper.....
Here is why.....

Sunday morning at 0830 my mobile rang with a customer in Budapest airport on their way home from a great Danube River cruise only to be told by the airline check in staff their ticket had been cancelled.
Customer rang me where I jumped straight into action, could see on the airline website that their booking was still live but being told by check in staff that they couldn't book my customers on that flight or any flight departing that day because as far as they were concerned the customers didn't have a reservation.

Between myself and my contact at the River Cruise Line we managed to get my customer booked onto another flight that day at no extra cost, booked them into a lounge and paid for any expenses they may have during their time at the airport.

In turns out that there was no airline representative at the airport and the check in staff i was being told had no authority to override the system and book my customers onto another flight.

Now whilst i appreciate being at the airport longer than is needed isn't great fun at the end of your holiday, had my customer not had my mobile to call me though, then they would have been stuck at the airport, probably had to buy new tickets and then go through the process of claiming that back from the airline.
I even offered to go to Heathrow and pick her up once the flight had landed if her driver was unable to collect her now that the landing time had changed..

So, that is why you use me to book your holidays because sometimes travel does go wrong and isn't it best to have someone in your corner looking after you, so if you are looking at booking your next holiday, or about to click that book button, then hold fire, give me a quick call and let's see if i can't get that booked for you, and you being reassured that everything is in safe hands from the minute you book to the minute you come home.

21/06/2026

19/06/2026

Arrived at Paradise Island Villas - such a warm welcome from Eleni …
We are staying in a 3 bedroom superior villa called Athena with our own private pool..
Can’t wait to see more of this beautiful complex & the surrounding area

18/06/2026

🍾🎉Yay…. Good news for travellers! ✈️🌍

The FCDO has now lifted its travel advice restrictions for UAE & Qatar meaning travel can now continue as normal.

If you’ve been holding off on booking a holiday, business trip, cruise or stopover in the UAE or Qatar, confidence is returning and flights are operating as scheduled.

As always, it’s wise to check the latest travel information before you fly and ensure you have appropriate travel insurance in place.

Let’s get those holidays booked & memories made - give me a call