Clare Davis - Personal Travel Planner

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Clare Davis - Personal Travel Planner

I am a Travel Counsellor based in Co. Durham. I have over 22 years experience in the travel.

If you are looking for a holiday designed with you in mind then look no further! As a Personal Travel Counsellor I specilise in tailoring your holiday to your specific needs. As I work from home so I am available to discuss all of your travel needs at a time that is mutually convenient. Travel Counsellors is a leading independent travel company delivering a personal, bespoke travel service for ov

er 20 years. Travel Counsellors give me access to 100s of reputable suppliers who I have no obligation to therefore I am completely impartial when advising you! By booking your travel through me you will receive complete financial protection.

03/09/2026

The enquiry that had me changing my mind about the destination

Sometimes a client comes to me with a destination in mind and, at first, I completely agree with them.

Then we start talking.

What do you actually want to do while you’re away?

Do you like having somewhere to wander in the evening?

How much exploring do you want to do?

Is the hotel the main event, or do you want to be out discovering somewhere new most days?

And occasionally I find myself thinking… actually, I’m not sure I’d send you there at all.

I had one of those conversations recently.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with their original choice. It just became obvious as we talked that another destination suited them much better.

That’s one of my favourite parts of planning travel.

I’m not here to talk somebody out of the place they’ve always wanted to visit. But equally, I don’t think I’m doing my job properly if I simply book the first destination mentioned without asking a few more questions.

Sometimes the right holiday isn’t the one you started looking for.

And those are often some of the most interesting ones to plan.

01/09/2026

The holiday moments you could never have planned

I’ve always loved planning holidays.

But strangely, some of my favourite travel memories are the things nobody could have put on an itinerary.

Standing by a lake in Lapland watching the Northern Lights after everyone else had gone back inside because they were cold.

Finding somewhere for lunch that wasn’t in any guidebook and staying far longer than we’d intended.

Watching the girls become completely fascinated by something I’d barely given a second thought to.

They’re rarely the big things I’d researched before we left.

And I think that’s something travelling has taught me.

A good itinerary matters. I want to know we’ve chosen the right places, allowed enough time and aren’t going to spend half the holiday rushing around.

But I also want some space in it.

Because you never quite know which ordinary little moment is going to become the one you talk about for years afterwards.

And those are often my favourite ones.

31/08/2026

Looking back at a month of milestone trips, family adventures and exciting plans ahead

As another month comes to an end, it’s made me stop and think about all the different reasons people travel.

I’ve been planning anniversary celebrations, milestone birthdays, honeymoons and family adventures, and every one has been completely different.

That’s one of the things I love most about my job.

No two clients are the same, so no two holidays should be either.

It’s also been a reminder of why I enjoy tailor-made travel so much.

The best trips aren’t always the ones that cover the most ground or stay in the fanciest hotels.

They’re the ones that mean something.

The ones where families spend quality time together.

Where couples celebrate a special chapter in their lives.

Or where someone finally takes the trip they’ve been dreaming about for years.

As I look ahead to next month, I’m excited to see where the next enquiries take me and to help create even more memories for the people who trust me with their holidays.

Thank you to everyone who has followed along, liked, commented or got in touch recently. It really does mean a lot.

Here’s to another month of exciting plans and unforgettable journeys. ✈️❤️

29/08/2026

What destination is still on your bucket list? 🌍

One of the best parts of working in travel is that my bucket list never seems to get any shorter!

Every time I plan an itinerary or hear a client come back full of stories, another destination gets added.

At the moment, I’d love to visit Japan.

The contrast between the vibrant cities, peaceful temples, incredible food and beautiful countryside really appeals to me, and I love the idea of exploring different regions rather than staying in just one place.

Of course, there are plenty of others on the list too…

But I think that’s one of the lovely things about travel.

No matter how much you’ve seen, there’s always somewhere new waiting to inspire you.

What destination is still at the top of your bucket list, and what makes it so special to you? ✈️🌍

27/08/2026

When the perfect itinerary isn’t the busiest one

It’s easy to think that the more you fit into a holiday, the better it will be.

More cities.

More hotels.

More sightseeing.

But I’ve found that some of the best itineraries are actually the ones that leave a little space to breathe.

Space for a long lunch that turns into an afternoon.

Time to wander without looking at a map.

A chance to sit on a balcony, watch the sun go down and not feel like you should be somewhere else.

When I’m planning a tailor-made trip, I always ask myself one question…

“Will this feel enjoyable, or will it feel like hard work?”

Sometimes the answer is to add another destination.

Sometimes it’s to take one away.

I’ve learnt that the perfect itinerary isn’t about squeezing in everything there is to see.

It’s about finding the right balance between exploring, relaxing and making memories you’ll actually have time to enjoy.

Because when you come home saying, “I wish we’d had one more day there,” that’s often the sign we got it just right. ❤️

25/08/2026

Three destinations I’d recommend for a special birthday 🎉

I always think milestone birthdays deserve something a little different.

Whether it’s turning 40, 50 or 60, it’s the perfect excuse to plan a trip you’ll remember for years to come.

Here are three destinations I’d happily recommend…

🦁 South Africa
For anyone looking for a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Combine vibrant cities, incredible scenery, the Garden Route and a safari, and you’ve got a celebration that’s hard to beat.

🇮🇹 Italy
Perfect if your idea of celebrating involves amazing food, beautiful scenery and taking your time. Whether it’s Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast or the Italian Lakes, every itinerary can feel completely different.

🏝️ Mauritius
If the priority is switching off somewhere beautiful, Mauritius is always high on my list. Luxury hotels, wonderful service and plenty of time to relax make it ideal for marking a special occasion.

The destination is important, but I always think the best milestone trips are the ones that reflect the person you’re celebrating.

Some people want adventure.

Some want complete relaxation.

Others just want quality time together somewhere special.

That’s why no two birthday itineraries I plan ever look quite the same. ❤️

24/08/2026

The travel experience that made me appreciate true luxury

People often assume luxury travel is all about five-star hotels and extravagant surroundings.

For me, it was something much simpler.

Early in my career, whilst working for American Express Centurion Travel, I was fortunate enough to experience some incredible hotels.

Of course they were beautiful.

But what really stayed with me wasn’t the marble bathrooms or the designer interiors.

It was how I was made to feel.

Being welcomed like a valued guest.

The staff remembering the little details.

Everything feeling effortless from the moment I arrived.

That completely changed my perspective.

I realised that true luxury isn’t about showing off.

It’s about exceptional service, genuine hospitality and those thoughtful touches that make you feel relaxed from the minute you check in.

It’s something I still think about when I’m recommending hotels today.

Because two properties can both be five-star, but the experience can be completely different.

And for me, it’s always the experience that matters most. ✨

22/08/2026

Why I think slower travel creates better memories

I’ve realised over the years that my favourite holidays haven’t been the ones where I’ve seen the most.

They’ve been the ones where I’ve had the time to really enjoy where I was.

Lingering over lunch because there’s nowhere else you need to be.

Wandering through a town with no real plan.

Sitting with a coffee and watching the world go by.

Those are the moments I remember.

I think that’s why I often suggest spending longer in fewer places, rather than trying to fit everything into one trip.

Of course, there are times when you want to see as much as possible.

But I’ve found that when a holiday feels less rushed, you notice more.

You discover places you hadn’t planned to visit.

You enjoy the hotel you’ve chosen instead of just sleeping there.

And you come home feeling like you’ve genuinely switched off.

For me, that’s what great travel is all about.

Not rushing from one highlight to the next, but giving yourself the time to create memories that happen naturally. ❤️

20/08/2026

Three conversations I’ve had with clients this week

No two days are ever the same, and that’s one of the things I love most about my job.

This week alone I’ve had conversations about…

🌍 A couple celebrating a special anniversary
Not just where they wanted to go, but how they wanted the trip to feel. Once we talked that through, the whole itinerary started to come together.

🍷 A family trying to choose between two completely different holidays
On paper, both looked great. The decision came down to what they wanted to get out of the holiday, rather than which hotel had the biggest pool.

✈️ Someone who said, “I know I want to go away… I just don’t know where.”
Believe it or not, that’s one of my favourite conversations to have. Sometimes the destination isn’t the starting point. It’s the reason for travelling that helps us find the perfect place.

That’s why I never jump straight into searching for flights and hotels.

I always start with a conversation.

Because once I understand why you’re travelling, finding the right holiday becomes so much easier. ❤️

18/08/2026

What’s one hotel you’ll never forget?

As a travel consultant, I get asked about favourite hotels all the time.

The truth is, it isn’t always the most luxurious one that sticks in your mind.

Sometimes it’s the hotel where the staff remembered your name.

The one with the incredible view.

The quirky boutique hotel full of character.

Or simply the place where you made some wonderful memories.

I’d love to hear yours…

What’s one hotel you’ll never forget, and what made it so special? 🏨✨

I always enjoy adding new places to my own list!

Address

Crook
DL158HP

Website

http://www.travelcounsellors.com/clare.davis

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