Alison Shipman - Travel Counsellors, Sheffield, England

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Alison Shipman - Travel Counsellors, Sheffield, England

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09/11/2026

The hotel I’d recommend when you really need to switch off… 🌿❤️

I’ve stayed in some wonderful hotels over the years, but if you asked me to name my favourite, Santani in Sri Lanka would be very difficult to beat.

And not because it has the biggest swimming pool, the fanciest rooms or the longest list of facilities.

Quite the opposite, actually!

Santani is tucked away high in the mountains, surrounded by nature, and the whole experience is about slowing down and switching off.

There’s no air conditioning or noisy generators. Just fresh mountain air and the sounds of birds and wildlife around you.

And believe me, there’s something rather lovely about that. 😊

You can enjoy yoga, wonderful spa treatments, walks through the surrounding countryside and down to the river, or simply sit and take in the scenery.

And the food? Absolutely incredible. Beautifully prepared, balanced and a real part of the whole experience.

It’s somewhere I felt completely away from everyday life.

Now, would I recommend Santani to everyone?

Absolutely not!

If you want lively bars, lots of entertainment and everything happening on your doorstep, this probably isn’t the hotel for you.

But if you’re looking for peace, nature, wonderful food and somewhere that genuinely encourages you to relax, it’s a very special place indeed.

And that’s why I always say choosing the right hotel is about so much more than its star rating.

Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply being able to switch off.

Santani certainly gave me that. ❤️

Thinking about Sri Lanka or somewhere a little different for your next holiday? I’d love to help.

📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

08/11/2026

Why did we end up going back to Lanzarote FOUR times? ☀️🤣

When my children were younger, Lanzarote became one of our favourite places for a family holiday.

And yes, we went back four times!

Now, I love exploring somewhere new as much as anyone, but sometimes you find a destination that just works for your family. And Lanzarote certainly did for ours.

One of the biggest attractions was the climate. During the summer holidays, we found it much more comfortable than the intense heat you can get in parts of the Mediterranean.

And there was something for everyone.

Lovely beaches, family-friendly hotels, plenty of places to explore and enough to keep everyone entertained without feeling we had to organise something every minute of the day.

It was familiar, easy and somewhere we knew we’d have a great time.

These days, I’m more likely to choose somewhere new, but I still have a real soft spot for Lanzarote. ❤️

And it’s something I always bear in mind when arranging family holidays for my customers.

The best family holiday isn’t necessarily the most adventurous or the furthest away. It’s the one that works for everyone going.

Sometimes that means exploring somewhere completely different. And sometimes it means going back to somewhere you already know you’ll love.

Lanzarote certainly earned its place in our family holiday memories! 😊

07/11/2026

If it were my holiday… I’d combine New York with a New England road trip. 🇺🇸🍁

Now, I love a good city break, but if I were flying across the Atlantic in autumn, I’d be very tempted to make a proper holiday of it.

And this is a combination I’d happily recommend.

🗽 First stop: New York

I’d start with three or four nights in Manhattan.

Enough time for the big sights, a Broadway show, a wander through Central Park and some fabulous food.

New York is exciting, busy and full-on, which is exactly why I’d do it first!

🍁 Then: New England

Pick up a hire car and head north, where the pace changes completely.

I’d build a route through some of the beautiful towns and countryside of New England, perhaps taking in Vermont, New Hampshire and the White Mountains.

Think covered bridges, little independent shops, cosy inns, scenic drives and those spectacular autumn colours.

And I’d definitely leave time for spontaneous stops along the way. Sometimes the places you hadn’t planned to visit turn out to be your favourites.

🏡 Finally: Boston

I’d finish with a couple of nights in Boston before flying home.

It’s a lovely contrast to New York, with plenty of history, great restaurants and neighbourhoods worth exploring.

Why would I do it this way?

Because you’re getting three very different experiences in one holiday.

The excitement of New York, the freedom of a road trip and the charm of Boston.

I’d allow around 14–16 days, rather than trying to rush through it all in a week.

And if those famous New England autumn colours are the main reason for travelling, I’d plan the route and dates carefully. Peak foliage varies by area, altitude and weather, so timing really matters.

Would you combine New York with New England, or would you rather spend the whole holiday exploring one area?

Thinking about a tailor-made USA adventure for 2027? I’d love to help. ✈️
📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

06/11/2026

Would you rather spend more on the hotel… or the experiences? 🤔✈️

It’s a question I often think about when putting holidays together, because the answer can completely change what I’d recommend.

Imagine you’ve got a set budget for your next holiday.

🏨 OPTION A: A gorgeous five-star hotel, beautiful room, fabulous facilities and somewhere you’ll genuinely look forward to coming back to every evening. But perhaps a little less left in the budget for exploring.

🌍 OPTION B: A lovely, comfortable hotel with everything you need, but more money to spend on the things you’ll actually do while you’re away. Boat trips, wildlife encounters, food tours, private guides or experiences you’ll be talking about for years.

Now, there’s no right or wrong answer.

For a relaxing week in the Maldives, I’d probably put more of the budget into the accommodation.

But for somewhere like South Africa, Japan or Vietnam? I’d be very tempted to prioritise the experiences.

And of course, the real trick is finding the right balance for the person travelling.

After all, there’s not much point booking a spectacular hotel if you’re planning to be out exploring from breakfast until bedtime! 😂

So, which are you choosing?

🏨 A – The fabulous hotel
🌍 B – More experiences

I’d love to know!

04/11/2026

If you think Sri Lanka is just another beach holiday… think again! 🇱🇰🐘

This is one of those destinations where you can experience so much in a fortnight.

One day you’re exploring ancient temples, the next you’re travelling through lush tea plantations, watching elephants in the wild or enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable.

And then, after all that exploring, you can finish with a few days by the Indian Ocean. 🌴

It’s the variety that makes Sri Lanka so special.

🐘 Wildlife and national parks
🚂 Scenic train journeys through the hill country
🍃 Tea plantations and beautiful countryside
🏛️ Ancient cities and fascinating culture
🏖️ Gorgeous beaches and lovely boutique hotels

Personally, I wouldn’t recommend spending the whole holiday in one place.

I’d combine a few different areas, choose some lovely places to stay along the way and finish with a little relaxation.

A proper adventure, without needing a month off work!

Could you see yourself exploring Sri Lanka in 2027?

Thinking about a tailor-made holiday? I’d love to help. ✈️
📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

02/11/2026

Three holidays I’d start planning NOW for 2027… ✈️🌍

If you’re thinking about making 2027 the year you do something a little special, there are three destinations I’d be looking at sooner rather than later.

And they’re all very different!

🇯🇵 JAPAN – for culture, contrasts and incredible experiences

If you love exploring, Japan is somewhere I’d happily recommend putting near the top of your list.

Tokyo’s bright lights, Kyoto’s temples, beautiful gardens, fantastic food and those wonderfully efficient bullet trains.

I’d combine several places rather than stay in one city, and I’d allow enough time to enjoy them properly.

Spring cherry blossom season and autumn are particularly popular, so planning well ahead really matters.

🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA – for wildlife, scenery and a bit of everything

This is one of those destinations where you can have several completely different holidays in one.

A few days in Cape Town, time exploring the Winelands and then a safari where you might find yourself watching elephants over your morning coffee. 🐘

I’d always look carefully at the time of year, the safari area and the type of lodge, because those choices can make a huge difference to the experience.

🇨🇦 CANADA – for a proper road trip

If you enjoy spectacular scenery and the freedom to explore, Canada is hard to beat.

I’d be very tempted by western Canada – Vancouver, the Rockies, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.

But I’d also be realistic about driving distances. Canada is enormous, and trying to fit too much into one trip can mean spending more time in the car than enjoying the places you’ve travelled so far to see!

Three very different holidays, and three I’d plan quite differently depending on who’s travelling.

That’s the part I love – working out the right route, the right hotels and the experiences that will make the trip special for you.

So, if 2027 is going to be the year of a bigger adventure…

Which would you choose? 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇿🇦 South Africa or 🇨🇦 Canada?

Thinking about your 2027 holiday? I’d love to help. ✈️
📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

01/11/2026

November already! 🍂✈️

How did that happen?! One minute it’s summer, the next we’re digging out the winter coats and wondering whether it’s too early to put the heating on. 😂

So, for a little Sunday escapism, I’ve got a question for you…

If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, which would you choose?

☀️ A little autumn sunshine – a lovely hotel, lunch outdoors and absolutely no need for a coat.

❄️ A snowy mountain escape – spectacular scenery, cosy evenings and perhaps a spa after a day in the fresh air.

🏙️ A European city break – wandering cobbled streets, stopping for coffee and discovering somewhere new.

I can see the appeal of all three, although I suspect the answer might depend on how cold it is outside when you’re reading this! 😂

So, where are you heading – ☀️, ❄️ or 🏙️?

30/10/2026

No two days in this job ever seem to look quite the same… ✈️

One minute I’m arranging a family get-together in Lisbon, the next I’m looking at a late-summer escape to Croatia.

Then it’s over to Tuscany for an Italian getaway… before going in completely the opposite direction and planning Lapland to meet Santa! 🎅❄️

And that’s just a handful of the holidays that have landed on my desk recently.

It’s one of the things I still love about this job after all these years.

Not everybody wants the same type of holiday.

Some people want to explore from morning until night. Others want a beautiful hotel and absolutely no plans whatsoever. 😂

Some are celebrating something special, some are travelling with the whole family and some just really need a week away.

My job isn’t to decide where everybody should go.

It’s to work out what’s right for you.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤️

What’s next on your travel wish list?

📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

26/10/2026

If January always feels about three months long… this is your reminder that you don’t actually have to spend all of it here. 😂✈️

I know, I know. We haven’t even got through Christmas yet.

But if you’re someone who gets to January and immediately starts wondering why you didn’t book something to look forward to, now is a very good time to do something about it.

And a winter escape doesn’t necessarily have to mean two weeks in the Caribbean.

☀️ Canary Islands for easy sunshine without travelling too far.

🇲🇦 Marrakech if you want a few days of food, colour and exploring.

🌴 Thailand if you do fancy going further and want proper heat.

❄️ Or forget sunshine completely and embrace winter with a snowy escape instead.

Personally, I think having a holiday in the diary makes that first alarm clock of January just a little easier to tolerate. 😂

If you could disappear somewhere in January, are you chasing the ☀️ or the ❄️?

Thinking about an early 2027 escape? I’d love to help. ✈️
📞 Call or WhatsApp me on 0114 299 6290

25/10/2026

Sunday question… what’s the furthest you’ve ever travelled for a holiday? 🌍✈️

Was it Australia or New Zealand?

Somewhere in Asia?

A tiny island that seemed to take about three flights and a boat to reach? 😂

Or perhaps you haven’t ventured that far yet, but there’s somewhere on the other side of the world you’d absolutely love to see one day.

Sometimes those long journeys feel slightly questionable when you’re halfway through the flight… but then you arrive and remember exactly why you did it!

So today I’m curious…

What’s the furthest you’ve travelled – and was it worth the journey? 👇

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http://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/alison.shipman

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