Clare Payne Travel

04/11/2026

In case you missed my email newsletter, here is a little life and business update from me!

October was a big one! My busiest month to date for sales, my business turned 3, I hit a big sales milestone (well over £1 million of trips booked), and I squeezed in an incredible work trip to Orlando with Universal Studios Florida.

Thank you to every single person who has supported my business over the past three years, I’m so grateful for every booking, referral and recommendation. Your trust means everything and it’s a privilege to play a small part in your big life moments.

A little reminder:
My booking & referral prize draw (an overnight stay for two at five star Lympstone Manor with breakfast and ch*****ne & £250 off a future trip) runs until 30 November, so there’s still time to enter! (more info on pinned post on my page)

I’m currently busy planning Thailand family adventures, Sri Lanka and Japan tours, Easter long haul escapes, scenic rail journeys, cruises and big trips to Australia & New Zealand.
I'm now also recognised as an Australia Specialist within Travel Counsellors and help other TC's plan epic Australia trips for their own clients which I love!

Black Friday travel deals have already started and it’s looking like the whole of November will be packed with offers, so if you’re thinking about 2027 or beyond, now is a brilliant time to get in touch.

If this has sparked an idea for your next trip, send me a message and let’s start planning

📲 Call or WhatsApp 01392 770024
📧 [email protected]
💻 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.payne
🔒 100% financial protection
🌟 Five star Trust Pilot review’s

(The w**e is this photo is from a gorgeous w**ery in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The sparking Shiraz was epic! 🥂)

03/11/2026

✨LAST CHANCE FOR FREE DISNEY DINING! 🍽️

Disney’s Free Dining offer ends tomorrow and will not be back again until well into 2027 for the following year’s holidays.

Having experienced the Dining Plan myself, I can genuinely say it is worth it. You save so much money, the food quality and variety are incredible and honestly… can you ever beat Disney snacks?!

If you have been thinking about booking, this is your final window to lock in Free Disney Dining for 2027. There are multiple hotel options and dining plans, but here are a couple of magical ideas you can grab before the offer ends:

1️⃣ 💫 WALT DISNEY WORLD + DISNEY CRUISE + UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 💫
Three amazing experiences. One unforgettable family adventure.

🏰 Walt Disney World
• 21 August 2027
• 6 nights at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Standard Room
• FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan*
• Disney Magic Tickets
• FREE Memory Maker

🚢 5-night Disney Cruise Line – Disney Fantasy
• 27 August – 1 September 2027, round-trip from Port Canaveral
• Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
• Call at Disney Castaway Cay & Cozumel, plus relaxing sea days
• Broadway-style shows, pools & waterslides, fantastic dining, kids’ clubs, adult only areas and those special Disney touches throughout

🎢 Universal Orlando
• 3 nights at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Standard Room
• Universal All Parks Ticket

✈️ London Gatwick: from £14,949 per family

2️⃣ - 🏰 DISNEY’S POP CENTURY RESORT
Step back in time at Disney's Pop Century Resort, with bold, nostalgic theming, great pools and direct access to the ultra convenient Disney Skyliner.

• 26 July 2027
• 7 nights in a Standard Pool View Room
• 7-Day Disney Magic Ticket
• FREE Quick-Service meals worth £377
• Private transfers

✈️From £7,831 per family

3️⃣ ☀️ DISNEY’S CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT

Lakeside oasis, stunning pool area and a must try rooftop restaurant, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, with beautiful views.

• 25 May 2027
• 14 nights in a Standard Room
• 14-Day Disney Magic Ticket
• FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan
• Private transfers

✈️ From £9,345 per family

4️⃣ 🦒 DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
After a day on the rides, unwind by the pool, surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and all the ambience of an African lodge.

• 24 May 2027 (UK May half term)
• 14 nights in a Resort View Room
• FREE Table-Service Dining Plan worth £2,855.44
• 14-Day Disney Magic Tickets
• Private transfers

✈️ From £12,861 per family

If you would love to make the most of Free Disney Dining before it disappears, message me today and I will help you find the perfect family package while this offer is still available.

*Terms, conditions, dates and availability apply.

02/11/2026

02/11/2026

Feeling very proud today after watching Travel Counsellors receive the King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 in Innovation from the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of the King.

This award recognises how we combine human care with clever technology so I can look after you and your travel plans with even more personal support.
Only 185 organisations across the UK received this honour in 2026, so it really is something special.

Read the full story here…https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/inspiration/blog/celebrating-the-king-s-award-for-enterprise-for-innovation/

02/11/2026

Who caught the first episode of Celebrity Race Across The World this week? 👀 Got you dreaming of your own big adventure?

If you’re thinking “this all sounds amazing, but where on earth do I start?”, that’s exactly where I come in. I work with a huge range of trusted tour and travel partners across the globe, which means I can match the right style of holiday to you, whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or with the whole family.

As a family, we did our own small group tour in Cambodia last year and absolutely loved it. It was such a brilliant way to explore with the children, with everything organised and so many memorable experiences. If you’d like to read my blog the link is here… https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.payne/CambodiaFamilyHolidayWithIntrepidOurFirst%E2%80%91HandExperienceWithThreeChildren/

If you have little explorers in tow, there are some incredible small group family tours suitable for children aged 6 and up. Imagine your children going back to school after the summer holidays with real life Borneo stories to share… rainforest river cruises, spotting wildlife in the trees and learning about local cultures first hand. 🌿🦧

Here’s just one idea I can arrange for you in Borneo (for families, couples or friends):
✨ Wildlife rich river cruises and rainforest walks
✨ Visits to orangutan sanctuaries and conservation projects
✨ Time with local communities and traditional longhouse experiences
✨ Handpicked hotels, guided sightseeing and most meals included
✨ Finish with some much needed beach time to relax, recharge and soak up the sunshine.

All the planning, logistics and details are taken care of for you, so you can simply turn up and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

If you’d like to chat about Borneo or any other adventure, with or without the kids, send me a message and I’ll help you find the perfect tour for you.

(Itinerary and photos used here are from Wendy Wu, one of our amazing tour suppliers)

30/10/2026

❤️🇦🇺🍿

28/10/2026

We’re delighted to share that Travel Counsellors has been named ‘Star Homeworking Group - Large’ at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards 2026! 🏆

Voted for exclusively by our valued supplier partners, this award recognises the trusted relationships we’ve built across the travel industry and the passion and professionalism of our community.

With comprehensive training, personal support, AI-powered technology and access to exclusive products, our Travel Counsellors can create exceptional travel experiences and deliver outstanding service. This is the third year in a row we’ve taken home a Star Awards trophy, and we’re celebrating with everyone who helped make it happen.

Most of all, thank you to our customers for choosing Travel Counsellors and trusting us with your travel plans. Our award-winning community of travel experts is here to help you plan a trip that’s personal to you, with thoughtful advice and support every step of the way.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

28/10/2026

Universal Trip Day 3: Halloween Horror Nights 💀🎃

To be honest, I was not looking forward to this one. Horror films are not my thing and I was convinced it would be far too scary. In reality though, it was so much fun and I would actually recommend it to anyone visiting Orlando.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on selected evenings from late August right through to Halloween, with 10 haunted houses, multiple scare zones, live entertainment and some rides still open late into the night.
We were lucky enough to have VIP tour guides again, so we got through all 10 houses, enjoyed the scare zones and still fit in the late show at around 11 pm, which I would highly recommend.

Each house has a different theme. My favourites were Stranger Things, Hellraiser and Sinners. The theming inside is incredible and the actors really do jump out at you from every angle. The make up and costumes are so detailed, it feels like walking through a film set. It was great fun doing it as a group and watching everyone’s reactions!

There are various scare zones throughout the park too. We walked through an area filled with clowns wandering around and another that really made me jump, with actors roaming the street revving chainsaws (not real, obviously!), plus lots of smoke, lighting and sound effects to keep you on edge.

A few normal rides are open during the event as well, so you can break up the houses with some of your favourite rides.

A good tip if you have park tickets for the day is to use the Stay & Scream style entry so you can access some houses earlier and get a bit of a head start. I would not recommend doing a full park day and HHN back to back though, as there is a lot of walking and it makes for a very late finish.

Considering I went in thinking it would be too much for me, I came out saying I would absolutely do it again! 👻

26/10/2026

Day 3: Universal Orlando: Volcano Bay 🌋

This morning was all about water park fun. It is a nice easy walk to Volcano Bay from our hotel, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, as it is right next door.

I absolutely love this water park, I think it is the best one I have been to. It feels so family friendly with rides for everyone. We loved the aqua coaster and the bigger multi‑person raft rides, plus both rivers: the gentle lazy river where you float along in a rubber ring, and the faster river where you pop on a life jacket and bob through the current.

The beach area with sun loungers in front of the main volcano is huge, with so much space to spread out and relax between slides. There are loads of great food and drink options dotted around the park too, so it is really easy to make a full day of it.

What I like most is that it works for all ages and confidence levels: there are plenty of big, thrilling water slides if you are brave, but also lots of quieter corners and shady spots if you just want to chill out and enjoy the sunshine and views of the volcano.

Please note that Volcano Bay is currently closed for extended seasonal maintenance and infrastructure refurbishment, and is expected to reopen in April 2027. It is usually included within your Universal ticket bundle too, so it is well worth planning a visit once it is back open.

26/10/2026

✨ Greek Island Hopping Escape ✨
🇬🇷 Cyclades & Dodecanese Discovery 🇬🇷

5 stunning Greek islands, 15 nights, one carefully crafted adventure 💙

Sail between some of Greece’s most picturesque islands: crystal clear waters, whitewashed villages, sunset views and that unmistakable Greek island atmosphere.

✨ Your island hopping itinerary ✨
🌅 Santorini – 3 nights
Iconic caldera views, sunset terraces and those famous whitewashed clifftop villages. Perfect for photos, strolling and evening drinks.

🏖️ Paros – 3 nights
Inviting beaches, pretty harbours and the charming lanes of Naoussa with waterfront bars and tavernas. Effortless Greek island charm.

🌿 Naxos – 3 nights
Golden sandy beaches, mountain villages and a relaxed, authentic feel. Ideal if you enjoy exploring as well as unwinding.

🦋 Astypalaia – 3 nights
The beautiful “Butterfly Island”: a hilltop Chora, quiet coves, crystal waters and a real sense of untouched Greece. A true hidden gem.

☀️ Kos – 3 nights
Finish with long sandy beaches, atmospheric old town streets, ancient sites and sunset drinks by the harbour.

Why this island hop works so well:
✨ Discover two amazing Greek island groups in one trip
⛴️ Ferry travel between all five islands arranged for you
🏖️ Gorgeous beaches and clear, swimmable waters
🏡 Characterful villages, local tavernas and that “real Greece” feeling
😍 15 nights to slow down, explore and make unforgettable memories

📍 Regional UK airports available
📅 Departures from May to September
✅ All ferries included
✅ Transfers between ferry ports and your hotels included

Five islands, one beautifully put together Greek escape. 🇬🇷💙 Perfect if you love discovering new places, finding hidden corners and soaking up that Aegean sunshine.

💃 Who’s ready to go island hopping?!