Claire MacInnes at Travel Counsellors

30/07/2026

I heard you like aeroplanes… because I do too ✈️

As a self‑confessed plane geek, I get genuinely excited about places where aviation takes centre stage. That is why I love that Pensacola is home to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the world‑famous flight demonstration squadron.

From March through October you can watch their free weekly practice sessions, and twice a year they put on incredible airshows over the Pensacola Bay area. The noise, the precision, the formations… it is aviation heaven.

If you are anything like me and could happily spend hours watching jets carve across the sky, Pensacola is a brilliant addition to your Florida holiday itinerary. I can help you plan a trip that lines up with the shows and still leaves time to enjoy those gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches. 💙

If you are a fellow aviation fan, follow me for more plane‑inspired travel ideas and message me to start planning your Pensacola adventure.

25/07/2026

23/07/2026

JUST BOOKED ✨🚁

Not one but two helicopter rides… because if you’re going to do it, do it in style.

I’ve just confirmed a very special mother–daughter celebration trip taking in both Niagara Falls and New York City 👩‍👧💫

For Niagara, I always focus on the Canadian side. It is widely considered the best vantage point, with:

Full panoramic views of Horseshoe Falls plus the American and Bridal Veil Falls 🌊
Stunning night illuminations and seasonal fireworks over the gorge. The lively Clifton Hill strip packed with attractions, restaurants and a ferris wheel 🎡
Beautiful riverside walkways and parkland, perfect for soaking up those views

From there they fly to New York in time for the Thanksgiving sales 🛍🗽 They will have The New York Pass® with access to 100+ attractions, another unforgettable helicopter ride over Manhattan 🚁 and a night on Broadway with tickets to Wicked 🎭 The ultimate mother–daughter memory‑maker.

If you’d love a trip like this designed around you, from helicopter rides to show tickets and shopping days, I’d be delighted to help you plan it ✨

[email protected]

22/07/2026

Swap city streets for shimmering blue ice...

If you’re heading to New Zealand’s South Island, a guided adventure on Fox Glacier is a true bucket-list experience. From breathtaking heli-hikes high on the ice to full-day technical adventures and even an E‑bike & hike through ancient rainforest to the glacier valley, there is something for every level of explorer. All trips are fully guided with safety gear and waterproof clothing provided, so you can simply soak up the views, the ice caves and those incredible West Coast landscapes.

If you’d like to add Fox Glacier Guiding to your New Zealand itinerary, contact me and I’ll talk you through the different options and help you choose the experience that’s perfect for you.

[email protected]

20/07/2026

If Antarctica is on your bucket list too, you’re going to love this…

I’ve just had face‑to‑face training with AE Expeditions all about Antarctica: the only continent I haven’t visited (yet!) and one of the most extraordinary journeys you can take. These are true small‑ship expedition voyages, led by expert guides, designed for people who want real adventure with comfort, sustainability and care built in.

Right now there are some incredible savings available on selected AE Expeditions sailings:

Up to 30% off and up to £2,600 per person air credit on selected Antarctic 26/27 and Arctic 27 voyages
50% off selected Small Ship Cruises in 2027
Travel to Antarctica on a small ship from just £10,726 per person

These purpose‑built small ships are designed for polar travel, which means:

Fewer guests and a staff‑to‑guest ratio of around 1:7 for a truly immersive experience
More time ashore, more chance to respond to wildlife sightings, and the flexibility to follow nature rather than a rigid timetable
Voyages from 8 to 30 days, so you can choose a focused escape or combine itineraries for the ultimate polar adventure
AE Expeditions are also a Certified B Corporation™, which means they are independently recognised for their commitment to sustainability and protecting the world’s wild places: perfect if you care about the impact of your travels as much as the experience itself.

If you’d like to know more about these offers, the routes, ships or what daily life is really like on an expedition cruise, I’d be delighted to talk you through it and help you find the voyage that’s right for you.

Message me to start planning your polar (or small‑ship) adventure while these offers are available. [email protected]

20/07/2026

Discover Patagonia with AE Expeditions – March 2027 ❄️🏔️
Experience one of the world’s last great wildernesses on an unforgettable expedition through the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia. Cruise past towering glaciers, navigate spectacular fjords, encounter incredible wildlife, and explore remote shores with AE Expeditions’ expert expedition team.
📅 28th March 2027
🛳️ Glaciers & Fjords of Southern Patagonia – 11 days
✨ Cabins from just £7,100 per person (twin share)
With purpose-built small ships, immersive Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, and enriching onboard lectures, every day brings a new adventure in one of South America’s most spectacular regions! 🚢
Spaces are limited - secure your cabin today and start planning your 2027 adventure!
https://www.aexpeditions.co.uk/.../glaciers-fjords...

[email protected]

13/07/2026

Roaring on England and ready to turn your football dreams into a real-life adventure?

If you’d love to be in the stands, singing your heart out and watching England play live, I can arrange flexible flight options and tailor-made packages so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

I can put together:
✈️ Flights to get you there in time for the match
🏨 Handpicked accommodation to suit your style and budget
🚐 Private transfers so everything runs smoothly
🎟️ Tours and experiences so you can make a proper holiday of it, not just a quick dash for the game

Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or in a larger supporters’ group, I will build a bespoke itinerary around your dates and preferences, so you can simply focus on enjoying the football and soaking up the atmosphere.

If you would like to fly out and support England, message me today and let’s start planning your trip. [email protected]

06/07/2026

Just Booked!

I’ve just booked a gorgeous adults‑only boutique hotel in Zante for a lovely couple, and I’m so excited for them. It’s set in Kalamaki, which is that perfect balance: relaxed but still with a nice little buzz, a really good mid‑range resort with plenty going on when you want it and space to switch off when you don’t.

Think golden beach days, great little tavernas, bars with atmosphere, and those warm Greek evenings where you completely lose track of time. Between Kalamaki and Zante you have it all: chilled pool days, island exploring, boat trips and a friendly, welcoming vibe that keeps people coming back year after year.

My clients have some mobility considerations, so we’ve chosen a beautiful ground‑floor room with its own private pool, which will make life so much easier and more comfortable for them. I’ll also be arranging support with their airport meet and greet so the whole journey feels as smooth and stress‑free as possible.

If you ever see a holiday and think “that’s so me”, I’d love to turn it into your next escape too. I’ll take care of the details so you can simply relax and enjoy.

[email protected]

03/07/2026

From October 2027, a new era of travel opens up between the UK and Australia.

Qantas will begin daily non‑stop flights between London and Sydney, which will be the world’s longest commercial flight. For the first time, customers will be able to travel between the UK and Australia’s east coast in a single, uninterrupted journey, saving up to four hours compared with the fastest one‑stop services today.

It is an incredible evolution of the original Kangaroo Route which, back in 1947, needed seven stops to reach Sydney. Today, the new Airbus A350‑1000ULR has been designed specifically for these ultra long‑haul flights, with every aspect of the onboard experience reimagined: cabin lighting calibrated to your destination time zone, an innovative Wellbeing Zone to move and stretch, and cabins thoughtfully created for comfort on very long sectors.

For both my leisure and corporate travellers, this opens up exciting new opportunities:

Faster, more efficient itineraries between the UK and Australia
Reduced connection times and missed‑connection risk
A more seamless door‑to‑door experience for tight schedules or precious holiday time
If you are already thinking about future trips to Australia, key business travel between London and Sydney, or simply want to understand what these changes could mean for your travel strategy, I would be delighted to help you start planning.

We are at the start of a new chapter in long‑haul travel between the UK and Australia – and I cannot wait to share this journey with you. 🇦🇺✈️

A journey 105 years in the making. Introducing the A350-1000ULR. A ...

02/07/2026

Making Christmas plans and dreaming of something a little more magical this year?

Here’s the day‑by‑day festive line‑up at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, perfect if you’re thinking about a luxurious escape over Christmas and New Year:

21 Dec: Tree Lighting Ceremony & Starlight Champagne Soirée + Celestial Champagne Hour
22 Dec: Maldivian Moonlight Feast + Celestial Champagne Hour
23 Dec: Constellation Wine Dinner + Celestial Champagne Hour
24 Dec: Celestial Christmas Eve Gala + Celestial Champagne Hour
25 Dec: Christmas Day Champagne Breakfast + Celestial Champagne Hour
26 Dec: Lobster & Champagne Beach Barbecue + Celestial Champagne Hour
27 Dec: The Bartender’s Atelier + Celestial Champagne Hour
28 Dec: Japanese Whisky & Sushi at Koko Grill + Celestial Champagne Hour
29 Dec: Sea‑Aged Champagne Dinner at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant + Celestial Champagne Hour
30 Dec: Festive Street Food Market + Celestial Champagne Hour
31 Dec: Sunset Cocktails at Rangali & Celestial New Year’s Gala Dinner + Celestial Champagne Hour
01 Jan: New Year’s Day Champagne Breakfast + Celestial Champagne Hour
02 Jan: Wagyu & Lobster Champagne Dinner + Celestial Champagne Hour
03 Jan: Mixology Under the Stars + Celestial Champagne Hour
04 Jan: Tuscan Harvest Dinner + Celestial Champagne Hour
05 Jan: Chef’s Table at Koko Grill + Celestial Champagne Hour
06 Jan: Orthodox Christmas Gala Dinner + Celestial Champagne Hour

All season you can also enjoy daily Celestial Champagne Hour with premium labels, caviar and refined accompaniments, plus show‑stopping performances from the Nefelopetra cabaret troupe and the incredible duo Holly & Kacie, bringing dance, aerial, fire and circus skills to the island.

If you’d love to swap the winter chill for warm seas, sparkling Champagne and a different celebration every evening, I can help you plan a tailor‑made festive escape to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Message me to start designing your Christmas and New Year in the Maldives.