Blue Skies & Sunnies

Blue Skies & Sunnies My name is Ruth De Avila and I'm an experienced independent travel expert at Travel Counsellors It was inevitable that I would build my career in travel.

I found my love for seeing the world when I was young, so life to me has always been a series of unique journeys. I am passionate about creating sensational holidays and amazing memories. ​

I've been in the industry since folding t-shirts for my brother's tour operator business more than 30 years ago. I have been an independent travel expert since 2006. ​

My professional goal has always been very simple: to offer my clients the best of everything!

Today we celebrate Sir David Attenborough reaching an incredible milestone: 100 years old. What an inspiration he is, re...
08/05/2026

Today we celebrate Sir David Attenborough reaching an incredible milestone: 100 years old. What an inspiration he is, reminding us all of the beauty and fragility of our natural world.

One of the reasons I feel so connected to his work is that he has championed responsible and respectful wildlife encounters. He even visited Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, which is a place very close to my heart. I have been twice myself and have sent many clients there over the years.

At Elephant Hills, guests can observe elephants in a natural, carefully managed setting that puts their welfare and the environment first. It is a wonderful example of how we can travel thoughtfully, support conservation and still enjoy unforgettable experiences.

If you are feeling inspired to follow in his footsteps with an ethical wildlife adventure, I would love to chat about ideas tailored to you.

29/04/2026

Just an hour from Bangkok and suddenly I’m in Siem Reap. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, jungle time at Phnom Kulen, channelling my inner Lara Croft at Ta Prohm and finishing with those iconic faces at Bayon. Hot, dusty, incredible.

Thinking about your next holiday and wondering whether to DIY it online or use a travel professional?It’s all great when...
27/04/2026

Thinking about your next holiday and wondering whether to DIY it online or use a travel professional?

It’s all great when it goes right, but who’s got your back when it goes wrong?
I’ve spent 36 years in travel, 20 of those running my own business, personally looking after my clients’ holidays.

During the recent Middle East crisis I was in New Zealand, 12 hours ahead, and still on hand reassuring clients and managing their changes with our 24/7 duty office, so they were never left to deal with it alone.

If you ask Facebook for hotel recommendations, you get a long list of mixed options and hours of research. If you ask me, I listen to what you want, work to your budget and recommend hotels that actually fit, saving you time and stress.

Do you want that level of backup on your next trip?

send me a message or do the old fashioned thing and pick up the phone -

Ruth 🥰

☎ +44 20 8920 0816
💻[email protected]

Sun, smiles, and a city soaked in joy 💦✨Songkran in Bangkok — celebrating the Thai New Year, where water washes away the...
16/04/2026

Sun, smiles, and a city soaked in joy 💦✨
Songkran in Bangkok — celebrating the Thai New Year, where water washes away the old and welcomes the new 🇹🇭

29/03/2026

Back on New Zealand’s South Island for part two of this incredible adventure. Different region, same “wow” factor: dramatic coastlines, wide open roads and those views you just cannot capture fully on camera. Not a filter in sight!
Ready to start planning your own South Island road trip, wine escape or adventure holiday? Get in touch and I will put together something completely tailored to you.

16/03/2026

Watch till the end

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ  - Don't book with a BOT - Book with a Human.When everything in the world feels calm, booking onli...
01/03/2026

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ -

Don't book with a BOT - Book with a Human.

When everything in the world feels calm, booking online can seem quick and easy.

It is when something unexpected happens, like airspace closures or sudden changes to flight routes, that the difference really shows.

If you have booked everything yourself online, it can look like this:
• Waking up to worrying headlines and immediately wondering what it means for your trip
• Refreshing airline apps and emails, trying to make sense of changing information
• Sitting on hold or talking to chatbots, repeating your story to different people
• Feeling like you have to fix everything on your own, often under time pressure

If you have booked with me, it feels very different:
• I keep an eye on situations that might affect my travellers
• I know your full itinerary, your connections and what matters most to you
• Whilst you are sleeping, I can often work on reprotecting you on alternative flights so that, if you still choose to travel, there is already an option in place
• You have a calm, familiar person to talk everything through with.
• My priority is your safety, your time and your peace of mind.

Travel will always have elements that are outside our control. The difference is whether you face them alone with a booking reference, or with a trusted travel professional who has your back from first enquiry to safe return home.

February has been a busy month booking your holidays, so I am very ready to pop my out‑of‑office on next Wednesday.I am ...
26/02/2026

February has been a busy month booking your holidays, so I am very ready to pop my out‑of‑office on next Wednesday.

I am heading to the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island and I am so excited: think glaciers, alpine lakes, coastal scenery and of course the incredible Milford Sound.

If New Zealand is on your bucket list, make sure you are following along for updates. If you have any questions, pop them in the comments and keep an eye out for ideas and inspiration for your own trip.

If you had asked me back in October whether I was ready for a proper break, I would probably have laughed and said, “Jus...
28/01/2026

If you had asked me back in October whether I was ready for a proper break, I would probably have laughed and said, “Just give me a mug of Yorkshire tea and five minutes.”

This is the story of my own Vietnam escape: private pool villas, sunrise yoga, coral planting, cacao farms and markets full of colour and flavour.
More importantly, it is why I believe Vietnam is an incredible choice for those of you who want five‑star comfort wrapped around real, meaningful local experiences.




Link in comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

13/01/2026

Happy Tuesday. This is me, saying 👋 Blue Skies & Sunnies

"Twenty years! Hard to believe it's been two decades since I started this journey as a small business owner in travel.My...
12/01/2026

"Twenty years! Hard to believe it's been two decades since I started this journey as a small business owner in travel.
My latest newsletter is out, and honestly, it's packed with some of my favourite stories from recent months:
Little Luca's Lapland adventure, Rachel's spectacular journey through Norway, and my own 'work' week in Vietnam - coral planting, sunrise yoga, and four massages in seven days.
Testimonials from clients that reminded me exactly why I love what I do. ""Everyone needs a Ruth in their life"" - Andrew and Pat (I mean, I'm blushing).
If you're not subscribed yet... what are you waiting for?
Here's to a few more years of exploring the world together.
Ruth x"

As 2026 begins, I'm taking a moment to reflect on something incredibly close to my heart. This year marks 20 years since I first set out on my journey as a small business owner in travel. What an adventure it's been! From unforgettable trips to heartfelt client stories, every moment has fuelled my p...

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