Gemma Anderson Travel Counsellor

16/09/2026

Five days in New York for my surprise 50th and we still didn’t even scratch the surface of what this city has to offer. It was action packed from start to finish: exploring the sights, soaking up that festive buzz and making memories I know I’ll treasure forever.

And yes, the Rockefeller Christmas tree really is as magical and impressive as everyone says – it took my breath away seeing it in person.

It’s not too late to plan a New York escape like this for yourself. From flights and hotels to fun-filled days out, must-see experiences and those little extra touches that make a trip feel special, I can take care of every element for you.

Ready to start planning? Get in touch and let’s make your own New York story happen.

04/09/2026

CONFESSIONS OF A TRAVEL COUNSELLOR ✈️😂

I can organise your entire holiday.
I can find you the perfect hotel.
I can check your luggage allowance.
I can even tell you exactly what you actually need to take…

But can I pack my own suitcase? Absolutely not. 😂

Chronic. Over. Packer.

Please tell me I’m not the only one! 🙋‍♀️

02/09/2026

August has been a whirlwind! ✈️☀️

Between family and work, it’s been a seriously busy month, so I’m very much looking forward to a proper week away with the family and a chance to switch off and recharge.

My out-of-office will be going on Friday lunchtime, so if you have any last-minute holiday enquiries, now is definitely the time to send them my way! 😉

My lovely colleague Alice will be looking after anything urgent while I’m away, and I’ll be back at my desk, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, on Monday 14th September.

I’ll hopefully share a few holiday snippets while I’m away… although I’m also going to try very hard to put the phone down and enjoy some proper family time! 😂

See you when I’m back! ❤️

26/08/2026

What did you think BNI was before you experienced it?

Awkward networking?
Handing out business cards?
Standing in a room trying to sell yourself to strangers?

We get it!

But BNI Mercury is so much more than that.

It’s about building genuine relationships, supporting local businesses, making introductions, passing referrals and having a group of people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

And yes… we have plenty of laughs along the way too!

You don't have to take our word for it, come along and experience a BNI Mercury meeting for yourself.

Curious about what we do or wondering whether BNI could work for your business? Drop us a message. We’d love to tell you a little more and invite you along to meet us.

More than a network. We’re a team.

26/08/2026

Today, the BNI Mercury Leadership Team delivered a 10-minute presentation looking at where our Chapter is now and, more importantly, where we're heading!

Our goal is to grow with high-quality members, welcome more visitors, and create even more connections, referrals, and business opportunities for everyone in the room.

We already have a fantastic group of businesses, and we're really excited about what we can achieve together.

Would you like to see what BNI Mercury could offer your business? Come and visit us! 😊

22/08/2026

One Year as a Travel Counsellor ✈️

This weekend I’m celebrating one whole year as a Travel Counsellor — and honestly, what a year it’s been! 🥂

It’s been a huge learning curve, challenging at times but incredibly rewarding, and a world away from my previous life.

I’ve absolutely loved learning the industry, building my business and, most of all, helping clients plan and book some truly amazing trips — from Iceland to South Africa, and so many incredible places in between. 🌍

A huge thank you to every single client who has trusted me with their holidays this past year. Every booking, recommendation, social media like, comment and share has meant more than you probably realise. Your support really does mean the world, and I feel incredibly lucky to play a small part in your travel stories. ❤️

I also couldn’t have done it without my amazing Academy support squad — and . Thank you for all the advice, encouragement, laughs and support along the way!

And, of course, a massive thank you to my friends and family who have been behind me from day one. ❤️

Here’s to year two — and many more years of creating personalised, stress-free and beautifully tailored holidays, and hopefully plenty more adventures along the way!

If you’re thinking about your next escape, I’d love to help you start planning it. ✈️🌴

Here’s to year two! 🥂

19/08/2026

For a 3-night stay, I’d choose one of these areas depending on the type of trip.

1. Sultanahmet – for first-time visitors

Hotel: Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel

Stay here if seeing the major sights is the priority. You can walk to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.

✨Best for sightseeing
✨Historic atmosphere
✨Minimal taxi use

2. Karaköy – my personal pick

Hotel: The Bank Hotel Istanbul

Karaköy feels more contemporary, with great restaurants, cafés and easy ferry access.

✨Best for food & nightlife
✨Bosphorus access
✨Stylish boutique feel

3. Taksim / Galata – for a city-break vibe

Hotel: Pera Palace Hotel

A beautiful historic hotel close to Galata Tower and Istiklal Street.

✨Best for shopping & cafés
✨Lively atmosphere
✨Easy metro connections

I would personally choose Karaköy. It gives the best balance of sightseeing, restaurants, Bosphorus views and transport links, and it feels less touristy than Sultanahmet while still being very convenient.

Which area would you choose — historic Sultanahmet, stylish Karaköy or lively Galata? 👇

17/08/2026

Following on from last week’s post on why Istanbul is such a great stopover choice, here’s exactly how I’d spend 3 nights there.

✨Arrive, check in and head straight for the Bosphorus for those “two continents, one skyline” views from your very first evening.
✨Spend a full day in historic Sultanahmet, taking in Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, plus the cool, atmospheric Basilica Cistern underneath the streets.
✨Lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, then ferry across to Kadıköy on the Asian side for cafés, street food and a more local vibe.
✨Reset completely with a traditional hammam experience before your onward flight.

The beauty of using Istanbul as a layover is that it breaks up a long journey, lets you adjust to the time zone, and adds a huge dose of culture, food and scenery without needing extra flights. You arrive at your final destination feeling like you have already had a bonus city‑break.

If you are flying long‑haul soon and like the idea of building in 2–3 nights in Istanbul, I can plan the whole thing for you: the right area to stay, private transfers, key sights and those little touches that make it feel seamless rather than stressful. Just send me a message and I will talk you through the options.

11/08/2026

Istanbul is a great stopover city because it gives you a completely different travel experience without adding a huge amount of time to your journey.

Why it works so well as a layover

• Direct flights from London, Manchester and other UK airports

• Major hub for flights to the Maldives, Thailand, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam and many other long-haul destinations

• Only around 4 hours from the UK

• Excellent value for hotels and food compared with many European cities

• Easy airport transfers by taxi or metro

What makes Istanbul special?

It’s the only city in the world that sits on two continents. In one day you can explore grand mosques, wander through historic bazaars, cruise along the Bosphorus and enjoy a rooftop dinner overlooking the skyline.

It’s perfect for…

✨Couples
✨Food lovers
✨Culture seekers

A 2–3 night stopover is ideal — enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed.

Would you add Istanbul to your next long-haul trip?

09/08/2026