Nikki Cumming Travel Counsellors

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Nikki Cumming Travel Counsellors

I run my own travel business as part of Travel Counsellors and can find the perfect break for you.

18/08/2026

Booking the holiday is only the beginning.

Once the deposit is paid, I don’t disappear until it’s time to send the final documents!

I’ll keep an eye on the booking, let you know about any important changes and help with the details that come later, such as seats, transfers, special requests and anything else you need to arrange before travelling.

As the holiday gets closer, I’ll also make sure you know what needs checking, from passport validity and entry requirements to travel insurance and the practical information in your documents.

And if something doesn’t go to plan while you’re away, you won’t be left trying to work out who to contact on your own. Support continues throughout the trip and until you’re safely home.

Finding the right holiday matters, but so does everything that happens between booking it and coming back. Strong communication is a big part of the service I provide—not an optional extra.

Whatever you have in mind, call me on 01529 280004 and I’ll be here throughout the whole journey.

17/08/2026

Why do Singapore and Bali make such a good combination?

Because they give you two completely different holidays without making the journey overly complicated.

I’ve visited Singapore three times and Bali twice, and I’d usually begin with a few nights in Singapore. It’s an easy city to explore, with brilliant food, rooftop bars, gardens, shopping and very different neighbourhoods all within a relatively small area.

Then I’d fly on to Bali for a week or longer. You could relax at a beach resort, stay among the rice terraces around Ubud or divide your time between the two if you have enough days.

Singapore brings the energy, food and sightseeing. Bali adds scenery, culture and time to slow down. The flight between them is relatively short, so you get plenty of contrast without losing days travelling between several different countries.

My only advice would be not to squeeze it all into a week. Three nights in Singapore followed by at least seven in Bali gives you enough time to enjoy both without feeling as though you’ve barely unpacked before leaving again.

If this sounds like your kind of holiday, call me on 01529 280004 and let’s start planning.

16/08/2026

The upgrade I’d pay for—and the one I’d probably leave.

I’d pay for the better flight.

A sensible departure time or a direct service can make a much bigger difference than people expect. It could mean avoiding a 2am alarm, spending fewer hours in an airport or arriving early enough to enjoy the first day rather than losing it completely.

The upgrade I’d be more likely to leave? A sea-view room—if the price difference was significant.

A lovely view is a bonus, but if I planned to spend most of my time by the pool, on the beach or exploring, I’d rather have a good room in the right hotel and put the extra money towards the journey, an experience or a longer stay.

There are exceptions, of course. If it were a special occasion, a cruise through the Norwegian fjords or a hotel where the view was a major part of the appeal, I might decide very differently.

That’s why I look at what an upgrade will actually add to your holiday rather than assuming the more expensive option must be better.

Want help deciding which extras are genuinely worth it? Call me on 01529 280004.

15/08/2026

P&O or Cunard? Same parent company, but a very different holiday 🚢

I’ve sailed with both, and although they each offer plenty of departures from Southampton, the atmosphere onboard isn’t the same.

P&O Cruises generally feels more relaxed and familiar. It suits travellers who enjoy British-style entertainment, plenty of dining choices and a less formal approach overall. Some ships welcome families, while others are exclusively for adults, so even within P&O, choosing the right ship matters.

Cunard is more traditional. Think elegant surroundings, afternoon tea, ballroom dancing, guest speakers and evenings where people are more likely to dress for dinner. It has a stronger sense of occasion, particularly on its transatlantic crossings.

In simple terms:

☀️ I’d choose P&O for a relaxed, sociable cruise with familiar British touches
✨ I’d choose Cunard for tradition, elegance and a more formal onboard atmosphere

Neither is automatically better. Someone who loves the relaxed feel of P&O may find Cunard too formal, while someone who enjoys dressing up and the heritage of cruising may see that formality as part of the appeal.

If you’re deciding between cruise lines, call me on 01529 280004 and I’ll help you find the one that suits you.

14/08/2026

Mauritius: the part people often underestimate 🌴

It isn’t just a beautiful hotel and a beach.

I’ve visited Mauritius several times, and one of the reasons I’d happily return is how much there is beyond the resort. You can explore the scenery of Black River Gorges, see the coloured earth at Chamarel, visit markets and villages, discover the island’s different cultures and cuisines, or simply stop somewhere local for lunch.

The different parts of Mauritius offer quite different holidays too. Some areas have more restaurants and activity nearby, while others are quieter and better suited to spending most of your time at the hotel. The weather and sea conditions can also vary between the coasts, depending on when you travel.

It’s a larger and more varied island than many people expect, so hotel choice isn’t just about finding the nicest room or pool. The location matters, particularly if you want to get out and experience more of Mauritius while you’re there.

If you want a gorgeous beach, Mauritius can certainly deliver—but I think it’s even better when you see something beyond it.

Want some ideas for your Mauritius holiday? Call me on 01529 280004.

13/08/2026

A beautiful hotel in the wrong location is still the wrong hotel.

The rooms may be lovely, the pool might look fantastic and the reviews could be excellent—but none of that helps if you wanted to walk to restaurants every evening and the hotel is half an hour from the nearest town.

Before recommending somewhere, I want to know how you imagine spending your holiday.

Do you want everything within the resort, or do you like going out and exploring? Is being directly on the beach important? Would you prefer a quiet setting, or would quiet start to feel isolated after a couple of days? And how far are you happy to travel from the airport?

Location can also change the cost of the holiday. A hotel that initially looks better value may become less appealing once you factor in taxis every evening or a long private transfer.

I’d much rather recommend a very good hotel in exactly the right place than a more impressive one that doesn’t suit how you want to spend your time.

If you’d like help finding a hotel that looks good and works for you, call or WhatsApp me on 01529 280004.

12/08/2026

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting an easy European package holiday ☀️

Not every trip needs three countries, four hotels and an internal flight before you’ve even reached the beach.

Sometimes you want a sensible flight from your local airport, a comfortable hotel, a pool, good food and everything arranged in one straightforward package. And sometimes that is exactly the right holiday.

I love putting together long-haul itineraries, Indian Ocean escapes and cruises, but I’m just as happy helping someone find a week in Greece, Spain or Cyprus. The important part is still choosing it properly.

Is the hotel in the right location? Does the atmosphere suit you? What is actually included? Is the transfer manageable? And are the flight times civilised enough that you won’t need another holiday to recover from the journey?

Simple doesn’t have to mean generic, and an easy holiday still deserves the same care and attention as a complicated one.

Whatever you have in mind, call or WhatsApp me on 01529 280004 and let’s find the right holiday for you.

11/08/2026

Is a balcony cabin always worth paying for?

Honestly, no—but there are times when I think it’s absolutely worth considering.

For a scenic itinerary, such as Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, having your own outdoor space can be brilliant. You can enjoy the views without getting dressed and racing up to the open deck every time someone spots something!

I’d also consider one for a warm-weather cruise with several sea days, when you’re more likely to sit outside and use it properly. If you enjoy a quiet coffee in the morning or somewhere private to relax before dinner, a balcony can add a lot to the holiday.

However, on a busy, port-intensive itinerary where you’ll be off the ship most days, you may spend very little time in your cabin. If the price difference is significant, I might prefer to put that money towards excursions, speciality dining or extending the holiday.

The position of the cabin matters too. I’d rather have a well-located inside or ocean-view cabin than a balcony in a part of the ship that doesn’t suit you.

So, is it worth it? Sometimes yes—but I’d look at the itinerary, the ship and the actual price difference before automatically saying you need one.

If you’d like help choosing the right cruise and cabin, call or WhatsApp me on 01529 280004. 🚢

10/08/2026

How would I combine Thailand without spending half the holiday packing?

I’d keep it simple: three nights in Bangkok followed by seven to ten nights in one beach resort.

Bangkok gives you time to see the temples, explore the markets, try the street food and recover from the flight without rushing straight on to another journey.

Then I’d choose one beach area rather than attempting to tick off several islands. Khao Lak works well for a quieter stay with easy access to national parks and boat trips, while Phuket offers more restaurants, nightlife and a much wider choice of resorts. At a different time of year, I might suggest Koh Samui instead—the season you’re travelling matters.

Thailand has enough variety that you don’t need four or five hotels to feel as though you’ve experienced it. Two carefully chosen stops can give you the energy of the city and plenty of time to enjoy the beach, without constantly packing, checking out and travelling again.

If you have longer, we can add somewhere such as Chiang Mai—but I’d add proper time there rather than squeeze it into an already busy itinerary.

Thinking about Thailand? Call or WhatsApp me on 01529 280004 and I’ll help you put together a route that gives you more holiday and less luggage-wrangling.

09/08/2026

“I don’t know where I want to go.”

That’s a perfectly good starting point!

You don’t need to arrive with a destination, hotel and departure date already chosen. In fact, sometimes it’s easier when we start with a completely blank page.

I’ll usually ask questions such as:

• Which holidays have you enjoyed before—and what did you like about them?
• Do you want to explore, relax or have a mixture of both?
• Are you happier in a lively resort or somewhere quieter?
• How far are you willing to fly?
• What would you definitely not want?

That last question is often surprisingly useful. Knowing that you don’t want a huge hotel, an isolated resort or several internal flights can narrow the search far more quickly than a vague request for “somewhere lovely.”

You only need to tell me how you want the holiday to feel and what matters to you. I can help with the geography!

Not sure where to begin? Give me a call or WhatsApp on 01529 280004 and we can talk through some ideas.

Address

Sleaford

Telephone

+441529280004

Website

http://www.travelcounsellors.Co.uk/Nikki.c

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