Catherine Summers - Travel Counsellor

Catherine Summers - Travel Counsellor I can tailor make bespoke holidays to make your travel dreams a reality.
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I'm an independent tour operator with first hand experience in many countries and direct connections with Destination Management Companies and over 1900 Travel Counsellors worldwide.

Special Star Clipper OfferIf you have been inspired by my recent posts and would like to try a Star Clipper Cruise take ...
07/06/2026

Special Star Clipper Offer

If you have been inspired by my recent posts and would like to try a Star Clipper Cruise take a look at this special offer below:

Rome Stay & Italy & Corsica Mini Cruise on the Royal Clipper

📅 Departs 7th September 2026

⚓ 5-night package from £1,699pp

Solo Occupancy from £2,399

⛵ Visiting: Civitavecchia (Italy) • Saint-Florent - Corsica (France) • Portoferraio - Elba (Italy) • Civitavecchia (Italy)

Price Includes:

✅ Return flights from London (local airports may be available)

✅ 2-night say in Rome at H2000 or similar

✅ 3-night full board sailing aboard Royal Clipper in a Category 3 cabin

✅ Overseas transfers

✅ Port charges

Price includes £5 charges payable locally. This amount is calculated on an exchange rate of GBP 1 = EUR 1.16.

Get in touch if for more details.

Back to reality... sort of! ☕🚗After an incredible journey aboard Star Clipper, sailing from Nice to Monaco, Portofino, S...
03/06/2026

Back to reality... sort of! ☕🚗

After an incredible journey aboard Star Clipper, sailing from Nice to Monaco, Portofino, Sardinia, Corsica and St Tropez, we rounded off our adventure with two more wonderful days soaking up the atmosphere of Nice before heading home.

From glamorous harbours and colourful coastal towns to hidden coves and unforgettable sunsets under sail, this trip has reminded me exactly why I love helping others create their own travel memories. Experiencing destinations first-hand allows me to offer genuine insight and recommendations to my clients.

Today, reality looks a little different. I'm currently sat in Starbucks while the lovely team at Unity in Cheltenham service my car! But one of the things I love most about being a travel agent is that my office can be almost anywhere. Whether I'm onboard a sailing ship in the Mediterranean, exploring a new destination, enjoying a river cruise, or simply catching up on work with a coffee while waiting for my car, I'm always available to help clients plan their next adventure.

Travel may have brought me home, but the inspiration from this trip is still very much with me. Whether you're dreaming of a luxury ocean cruise, a relaxing river voyage, an escorted tour, a tailor-made long-haul adventure, a family holiday, a city break, or simply somewhere new to explore, I'd love to help turn those travel plans into reality.

The world is full of incredible places waiting to be discovered by land, river, or sea — and helping people find the perfect trip is what makes this job so rewarding.

So, where is your next adventure taking you? 🌍✈️🚢⛵

There’s something truly magical about exploring the Mediterranean by tall ship ✨Last Saturday we set sail from Nice aboa...
29/05/2026

There’s something truly magical about exploring the Mediterranean by tall ship ✨

Last Saturday we set sail from Nice aboard the magnificent Royal Clipper, beginning another unforgettable adventure with two lovely American couples — our THIRD Clipper Cruise together! 🥂⛵

So far we’ve:
🇲🇨 Visited glamorous Monaco and enjoyed cocktails at the iconic Café de Paris
🇮🇹 Wandered around beautiful Portofino with its colourful harbour and stunning views
🏖 Relaxed on a beautiful beach near Propriano in Corsica
🍷 Explored charming Alghero in Sardinia with wine tasting and a wander through the old town
🌅 Strolled through picturesque Calvi back in Corsica
⚓ And today we’ve arrived in stunning Saint-Tropez

This style of travel is perfect for those who love smaller ships, unique destinations, relaxed luxury and unforgettable experiences.

I can book Clipper Cruises and tailor bespoke pre- and post-cruise stays to create the perfect itinerary — whether that’s a city break, beach escape, rail journey or luxury hotel stay.

And it’s not just cruises… I create bespoke holidays worldwide 🌍

If you’d love help planning your next unforgettable trip, send me a message ✈️

I’ve been a little quieter on here recently because we’ve been busy hosting two lovely American couples for a few days i...
24/05/2026

I’ve been a little quieter on here recently because we’ve been busy hosting two lovely American couples for a few days in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds before setting sail together on our latest adventure. 🇬🇧⛵

Our UK itinerary included wine tasting at Woodchester Valley Vineyard, lunch at The Vine Tree in Randwick and dinner at The Old Fox at Coaley — both fantastic pubs championing local produce and locally brewed beers. We also enjoyed tours and tastings at the Cotswold Gin & Whisky Distillery, with a final stop at Dunkertons for lunch before flying from Bristol to Nice.

After two nights in Nice, we boarded the beautiful Royal Clipper and have now enjoyed our first full day sailing the Mediterranean. Today we’re heading to Monaco, with Portofino, Sardinia, Corsica and Saint-Tropez still to come.

One of the reasons we love Clipper Cruises so much is their focus on sustainable travel under sail, combined with wonderful food that celebrates fresh local produce from the regions we visit. This is our third Clipper cruise together and it truly has become our happy place.

We all love travelling together, sharing experiences, supporting local businesses wherever we go, and making memories in some incredible places. ☀️🌊

As a travel agent, experiences like this remind me why I love helping people create holidays that are completely personal to them. Whether it’s a luxury cruise, a tailor-made itinerary, a city break, beach escape, rail journey or adventure on the other side of the world, I can package travel worldwide to suit every style and budget.

If you’re thinking about your next getaway, feel free to message me — I’d love to help you plan something special.

30/04/2026

I was at a Travel Counsellors conference in Bristol yesterday where I learned more about using CapCut—and as part of it, I had to film myself!

So… I’ve decided to just go for it and post it. First take (in the hotel corridor) a bit out of my comfort zone, and definitely not perfect—but anyone who knows me will know being in front of the camera doesn’t come naturally to me.

I wanted to share a little glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of running my business, and how much care and thought goes into helping my clients create amazing travel memories.

Here goes… 😊

I wanted to share an offer for my absolute favourite way to see the World! Take advantage of Star Clippers Winter 2026/2...
20/04/2026

I wanted to share an offer for my absolute favourite way to see the World!

Take advantage of Star Clippers Winter 2026/27 sailings with up to 20% early booking discount, when booked by 30.04.26.

If you’re tempted by the Caribbean breeze, golden sands between your toes and a rum punch in hand, take a look at a Barbados stay combined with a 7-night Windward Islands sail. Embark Royal Clipper, the largest five masted full-rigged sailing ship for an unforgettable voyage.

Fly from LONDON HEATHROW

Barbados Stay & Windward Islands Sail

📅Departs 4th December 2026

⚓️8-night package from £3,219pp

⛵️Visiting: Bridgetown (Barbados) | Rodney Bay (St. Lucia) | Cabrits (Dominica) | Falmouth Harbour (Antigua) | Basseterre (St. Kitts) | South Friar's Bay Beach Stop (St. Kitts) | Terre-de-Haut (Iles des Saintes) | Beach Stop (Martinique) | Bridgetown (Barbados)

Price Includes:

✅Return flights from London Heathrow

✅1-night stay at Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa

✅7-nights full board sailing aboard Royal Clipper

✅Overseas transfers

✅Port charges

✅Includes £4 taxes payable locally

✅20% Early Booking Discount ends 30.04.26

If you want to find out more about this way of cruising please get in touch as I have sailed in the Caribbean with Star Clippers several times and will also be sailing with them in May in the Mediterranean.

About me!For those who are new here, I’d love to introduce myself — and for those who have followed and supported me ove...
15/04/2026

About me!

For those who are new here, I’d love to introduce myself — and for those who have followed and supported me over the years, a little reintroduction 💙

I’ve been a Travel Counsellor for over 6 years now, and I’m just as passionate about travel as when I first started… if not more ✈️

Travel isn’t just my job, it’s something I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. Exploring new places, cultures and experiences has always inspired me, and now I’m lucky enough to help others do the same every day.

This isn’t a “side hustle” — it’s my full-time career. As an independent business owner, I’m not salaried, so my success is completely built on looking after my clients and helping them travel with confidence. I’m supported by an incredible UK head office team with over 30 years of experience in the travel industry. Behind the scenes, they work with a global network of airlines, hotels and trusted partners to help me create completely bespoke holidays — not just “off the shelf” trips. You also have the reassurance of full financial protection and expert support every step of the way.

Before travel, I spent over 30 years building a career in procurement, progressing to Procurement Manager and later running my own successful consultancy for 8 years. That experience not only shaped my attention to detail, negotiation skills and client focus, but also gave me the opportunity to now focus fully on what I truly love — travel.

I’m based in Leonard Stanley, Gloucestershire, but I’m certainly not limited by distance. Many of my clients are local, but I also work with people across the UK and beyond — often through recommendations from those who already know and trust me.

Having visited 78 countries over 6 continents (and counting!), I’m often able to draw on my own first-hand experience when planning your trips. And as part of an award-winning global community of over 2,000 Travel Counsellors, all running our own businesses with the support of a UK head office team, I also have access to a wealth of shared knowledge and real, first-hand insights from colleagues around the world for destinations I haven’t yet visited.

I was proud to be a Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Sustainable Travel Ambassador in 2023, championing more responsible and thoughtful ways of travelling 🌿

To make sure I truly understand what you’re looking for, I always start by getting to know you — whether that’s over the phone, a Teams video call, or meeting in person. It’s all about exploring your ideas, preferences and what matters most to you, so I can create something perfectly tailored.

What does that mean for you?

✔️ Tailor-made holidays designed around you
✔️ Access to a wide range of trusted suppliers (not tied to one operator)
✔️ Personal, one-to-one service from start to finish
✔️ Support when you need it most

When you contact me during the day, you’ll always speak directly with me. And when you travel, you’re never alone — with 24/7 duty office support for emergencies wherever you are in the world. I even keep an eye on flights (especially connections), so if anything changes, I’m ready to step in and help.

Now more than ever, having a real person to turn to when plans change or disruption occurs makes all the difference — something you simply don’t get when booking online. It’s about having reassurance, support, and someone in your corner when you need it most.

For me, it’s about more than just booking a holiday — it’s about creating unforgettable experiences, lasting memories, and complete peace of mind 🌍

** I also send out a weekly email with travel inspiration and offers — if you’d like to receive this, please DM me with your name, mobile number and email address **

If you already know me, thank you for your continued support — it really does mean everything. And if you’d like to get to know me and see how I can help plan your next adventure, I’d love to hear from you 😊

Did you know I can book small-group adventure travel at full price parity with leading operators — and package everythin...
14/04/2026

Did you know I can book small-group adventure travel at full price parity with leading operators — and package everything so your whole trip is seamless, protected, and flexible?

I work with some of the best names in responsible and experiential travel, including:

• G Adventures
• Intrepid Travel
• Explore Worldwide
• Exodus Travels
• Wendy Wu Tours

💡 The key point: you pay the same price as booking direct, but with the added benefit of having your flights, add-on land stays, and cruise extensions all professionally packaged together — with full ATOL/financial protection and support from start to finish.

🌍 Right now, there are also limited-time offers available with G Adventures:
• Save up to 25% off select worldwide trips (for travel by 31 July 2026)
• Or save up to 15% off departures later in 2026 (up to 31 October 2026)

Think: trekking to Machu Picchu, safari across the Serengeti, exploring Vietnam, Nepalese cultural journeys, and so much more — all with a strong focus on local community connection and responsible travel.

As a TTG Sustainable Ambassador in 2023, I’m particularly passionate about working with operators who prioritise sustainability, wildlife respect, and meaningful local engagement — which is exactly why I love selling these kinds of trips.

✈️ I can build your full itinerary around these tours — flights, extensions, upgrades, and cruise add-ons — giving you one simple, protected booking and the flexibility to customise it further.

📩 If you’re thinking about 2026 travel, now is the ideal time to secure availability and take advantage of current offers. Message me and let’s start planning something unforgettable.

🌿🌊 Following on from last week’s incredible escapes… we’re heading somewhere completely different but just as unforgetta...
13/04/2026

🌿🌊 Following on from last week’s incredible escapes… we’re heading somewhere completely different but just as unforgettable!

This week, let me take you to one of Europe’s best kept secrets ✨ — the breathtaking Azores 🌋

Discover the magic of São Miguel Island on this 6-night island adventure, where dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush green valleys and incredible ocean wildlife come together for the ultimate off-the-beaten-track escape.

🌋 Hike through volcanic craters, crater lakes & lush green trails
🐋 Spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat
💧 Relax in natural volcanic hot springs
🚙 Explore hidden corners of the island by jeep & on foot

🗓️ Any departure date May–October
💰 Private tour from £1,497pp

✨ What’s included:
✔️ 6 nights accommodation
✔️ Breakfast + lunches (day 2–6)
✔️ All transport & guided tours
✔️ Whale & dolphin watching experience
✔️ Jeep tours, hikes & volcanic experiences

📲 This is a private tour, so it can be fully tailored to your plans.

ℹ️ Prices based on 2 adults travelling in May or October. Flights excluded however, I can quote and package these direct from London Heathrow. Local taxes may apply (approx. €2pppn). Prices correct at time of publication and subject to availability.

👇 Ready to swap the ordinary for something extraordinary?

📩 Message me to find out more or start planning your next escape ✈️


✨ Today, I’m thrilled to share another incredible escape from one of our most-loved destinations: Costa Rica! ✨Looking f...
09/04/2026

✨ Today, I’m thrilled to share another incredible escape from one of our most-loved destinations: Costa Rica! ✨

Looking for something off the beaten track? 🌍

Think wildlife encounters, hidden waterfalls, and unforgettable moments that truly connect you with Costa Rica ✈️

🌿🐒 Costa Rica, done properly

This is not just a holiday — it’s a 14-night journey from San José to Nosara, packed with immersive experiences and stays you’ll never forget:

🌊 Swim beneath jungle waterfalls and in crystal-clear lagoons
🌳 Zipline above the cloud forest canopy
🐢 Spot turtles, monkeys and exotic wildlife in Tortuguero
🍽️ Cook traditional dishes with local families
🌋 Hike at the base of Arenal Volcano and relax in natural hot springs

Sleep in a jungle lodge, unwind in a hot springs resort, and stay on a working coffee farm, all while exploring the very best of Costa Rica.

✨ San José – Tortuguero – La Fortuna – Monteverde – Nosara

🗓️ Any departure date | Private tour from £3,475pp

What’s included:
✔️ All accommodation across unique, characterful stays
✔️ Private transfers throughout
✔️ Guided national park visits, volcano hikes + waterfalls
✔️ Ziplining + canopy tour in Monteverde
✔️ Coffee & chocolate farm experience
✔️ Authentic cooking + community experience
✔️ Tortuguero stay with full board

See Costa Rica, but more importantly, experience it.

ℹ️ Flights not included – I can package these for you from your preferred airport.

Prices are based on 2 adults sharing , travelling between May-Jun/Aug-Nov. No mandatory fees or taxes payable in resort. Prices correct at time of publication and subject to availability.

📩 Message me to start planning your Costa Rica adventure!

Address

Leonard Stanley

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