Dawn Hilliard - Personal Travel Expert - Travel Counsellors

15/03/2026

So after a long but scenic drive to Thekaddy we arrived at Periyer national park. Stunning views as we were quite high up and a lovely hotel ! 18k steps done on a lovely nature water with rafting. Didn’t spot any Elephants sadly but lots of birds, monkeys, giant squirrels and a group of Bison 😬 thank god we had a ranger with us with a gun 😂 Some chill time now on the backwaters 🥰

13/03/2026

So things don’t always go to plan for me too !

After a crazy few weeks rebooking clients affected by the Middle East conflict it was our turn to rebook our hosted trip flights to Kerala ! Now travelling from Heathrow a minibus was arranged and off we went. Then after a 9 hour delay, overnight hotel in Heathrow missed connection in Delhi we arrived 15 hours after planned in stunning Kochi 🥰 my clients were very happy that I was on hand to navigate this disruption!

Kochi is a lovely city and staying in the old town we went to see the Chinese fishing nets, a laundry on the side of the road which fascinating watching them bashing the clothes to get the clean but the highlight had to be the kathakali dance drama in a local theatre.

We all managed to catch up on some lost sleep and the next stop is Thekkaddy.

28/02/2026

Ok, we weren’t fully prepared for Mother Nature !!

Having scaled Table Mountain on what appeared a really clear, sunny and warm afternoon we stepped off the cable car and stood in awe of the jaw dropping views.

We could see for miles and thought we’d smashed it but Table Mountain and Mother Nature had different ideas !!

The weather can change very quickly up there and as the clouds rolled in it quickly became a ‘white out’. We were effectively stood in the clouds with the wind and rain whipping around us. This change took place in just 20 minutes and it got cold and very wet !!

We can laugh about it now and our cab driver had a real laugh at the expense of us being ‘naive tourists’.

Safe to say that any of my future clients visiting Table Mountain will get a lesson in being prepared!!

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26/02/2026

Cape Town started with a hop on hop off bus tour…….we do this wherever we go as it’s a great way to get your bearings. This one cost us around £36 for two people for a two day pass…….a bargain.

Who knew that Cape Town colour coordinates its open top buses with its lighthouses !!

Quick food and drink stop at the V&A Waterfront, great for people watching and really impressive views of Table Mountain.

Speaking of impressive views, it was so clear in the afternoon that we decided to venture up the Table Mountain cable car…….what an interesting experience, you’ll need to wait until the next reel for what happened there ??

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15/02/2026

South Africa you have not disappointed so far ! From the stunning city of Cape Town to the wine region of Franschoek to the beautiful beaches of camps bay ! Next and last stop Victoria Falls ! We are already planning our return to this amazing country ❤️

27/01/2026

January offers are ending this weekend !!……..I’m already seeing price increases come through. If you’ve seen a holiday that is on offer but not booked yet, feel free to call me for a chat and we can discuss your best price options before the sales end.

22/01/2026

I’m sat here watching The Traitors, (love it !), and it got me thinking about some traitorous mistakes to avoid when booking your next holiday.

❌ Avoid bookings where no human interaction is possible. This creates problems when you do have questions and can’t reach anyone.
❌ Watch out for any provider who will happily take your booking and then distance themselves from any further contact. It’s not a good way to start the relationship !
❌ If you have a query make sure you can talk with a human and not just a chatbot or web chat. This will just cause you unnecessary frustration.
❌ If anything goes wrong during your trip will your provider leave you to deal with the issue yourself ? Any professional worth dealing with will want to help you in times of need.
❌ Booking a holiday that isn’t financially protected can cause you further uncertainty in the event of changes.

In contrast, your holiday booking is so important it demands more ‘faithful’ behaviour from your travel professional. Look for these key points when making your next booking:-

✅ Choose a travel professional who will talk with you directly via phone or email to ensure that every requirement of your holiday is confirmed before booking.
✅ Choose a travel professional who can provide inspiration and honest feedback regarding destinations and accommodation choices. This is usually because they’ve been there and experienced it themselves.
✅ Choose a travel professional who is on hand 24/7 to support you with any questions or special requests on the lead up to, during and post your holiday. This is even more important in the event of any issues such as delays or cancellations when you are in a different time zone.
✅ Choose a travel professional who genuinely cares about the trip as much as you do.
✅ Ensure your holiday is financially protected.

Follow or DM me for further hints and faithful tips.

20/01/2026

22/10/2025

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with this small group tour through Kenya’s most iconic landscapes. Experience thrilling 4x4 game drives in the Maasai Mara, a boat trip on Lake Naivasha, a village walk and cooking class at Lake Nakuru, and a cultural visit in Loita Hills.

Don’t miss this unforgettable small group adventure — the perfect mix of wildlife, culture, and authentic local experiences.

03/09/2025

✨🚂 Vintage Luxury Train Experience – Northern Belle 🚂✨
🎆 Fireworks Dinner Excursion 🎆
🎁 The PERFECT Treat or Gift!

💰 NOW £395pp (Save £100 per couple!)
📅 Book by 30th Oct 2025 | CODE: TCFIRE

Your luxury package includes:
🥂 Champagne Welcome
🍴 Canapés & Caviar Course
🍽️ Seven-Course Sumptuous Dinner
🍷 Bottle of Wine per Couple
🧀 Port with Cheese Board
☕ Coffee & Petit Fours
🎶 Live Jazz Duo
🎩 Magician Entertainment
🎇 Stunning Fireworks Display at Arnside Viaduct

🚨 Seats are limited — book now for a night of magic, luxury & unforgettable views!

02/09/2025

✨ Discover the Magic of Kerala – March 8–19, 2026 ✨

Ladies, this one’s just for you! 💃 Join me on a TC-hosted, solo women-only journey through “God’s Own Country” – Kerala. From vibrant Kochi to the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey and the golden sands of Mararikulam, this 11-day adventure is the perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation. 🌴🌊

🌟 Highlights include:
✅ Kathakali Dance in Kochi 🎭
✅ Spice plantations & Periyar National Park trek 🌿🐘
✅ Luxurious stay in Kumarakom with yoga & Ayurveda 🧘‍♀️💆‍♂️
✅ Houseboat cruise through Kerala’s backwaters 🚤
✅ Relaxation on the pristine beaches of Mararikulam 🏖️

💰 Price: £2699 pp (twin sharing)
📌 Deposit: £250 secures your spot!

Travel alongside me and a group of amazing women for this unforgettable experience in Kerala. 🌺

📆 Book now and be part of this empowering solo women-only adventure →