Catherine Mackey - Tailormade, Adventure & Luxury Travel Expert

07/10/2026

Come yacht hopping with me in Ibiza! 🛳️

Last week I swapped my desk for a whirlwind overnight trip to visit two very different luxury yachts, Emerald Sakara and Scenic Eclipse II.

From an intimate 100-guest yacht to helicopters, a submersible and fabulous dining, it was such a brilliant opportunity to experience them both first-hand.

Read my blog here:
https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/catherine.mackey/IbizaLuxuryYachtHopping

You can also watch my Ibiza Instagram highlights here:
https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18122634101063295/

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more about Scenic or Emerald Cruises! Xx

06/10/2026

Where to Go When: October

October is a brilliant month to travel, with cooler temperatures making it a great time to explore cities and cultural sights, while some long-haul destinations are particularly appealing as the seasons change.

🌴 Marrakech – warm, sunny days without the intense summer heat make October a lovely time to explore the souks, palaces and gardens, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city’s fabulous food and atmosphere.

🎶 Dublin – crisp autumn days, lively pubs, great food and plenty going on make Dublin a fantastic choice for an October city break. It’s also home to Ireland Music Week, bringing live music and new talent to the city.

🌿 Cambodia – October marks the end of the rainy season, leaving the countryside beautifully green and the temples looking spectacular. It’s a wonderful time to explore Angkor Wat and combine the sights with some relaxing time on the coast.

Three very different experiences: vibrant city life, Moroccan sunshine or ancient temples and tropical landscapes.

Which would you choose for an October adventure?

30/09/2026

Last night I spent a really interesting evening learning more about Guatemala, and it has gone straight onto my ever-growing travel wish list!

It’s a country with so much variety:

🏛 The beautiful colonial city of Antigua
🌋 Volcano adventures, from the more accessible Pacaya hike to the challenging overnight Acatenango experience
🌊 Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and traditional villages
🛕 The ancient Mayan sites of Petén
🧵 Colourful markets, living Mayan culture and wonderful local food

What really stood out was how easily history, culture, nature, adventure and some beautiful accommodation options can all be combined into one journey.

A big thank you to the Guatemala Tourism Board and its specialist partners, including Journey Latin America and Air Canada, for hosting such an informative and enjoyable evening. The hospitality was great, it was good fun and I learnt lots!

Guatemala is definitely somewhere I’d love to experience for myself. Is it already on your travel list?

20/09/2026

🏁 ATAS CONFERENCE - 21ST & 22ND SEPTEMBER 🏁

I’m swapping my desk for Silverstone Circuit this Monday and Tuesday as I head to the annual ATAS Conference. ATAS stands for the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers - a travel industry body representing the touring and adventure travel sector. Its annual conference brings together specialist tour operators, travel professionals and industry partners to share ideas, learn more about different itineraries and experiences, and explore the latest developments in this exciting way to see the world!

There’s plenty packed into the two days, including conference sessions, a trade fair and lots of opportunities to catch up with my supplier partners and learn more about their latest journeys, adventures and experiences. For me, it’s a chance to ask questions directly and come home with plenty of fresh ideas and useful knowledge to share with my clients.

I’m particularly looking forward to hearing from keynote speaker Lizzie Daly, a wildlife presenter, filmmaker, scientist and author whose adventures have taken her from the Arctic and Antarctic to the Amazon. I’m sure she’ll have some fascinating stories to tell!

Tuesday is also going to start rather earlier than usual - before breakfast I’ll be joining other delegates for a charity run around Silverstone’s International Track to raise money for Reuben’s Retreat, which supports families who have lost a child and families of children living with medical complexities. It’s not every day you get the chance to run around Silverstone, especially for such a worthwhile cause.

I’ll share a few highlights while I’m there. If touring or adventure travel is on your wish list, let me know and I’ll keep an eye out for inspiration for you.

17/09/2026

🏁 MONACO F1 RACE WEEKEND - REIMAGINED 🏁

Just look at that location!

From 2 to 7 June 2027, luxury cruise ship EXPLORA I will take her place in Monaco’s legendary Port Hercule, just steps from the circuit for the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco.

Guests can enjoy the comfort of a spacious oceanfront suite, exceptional dining and F1®-inspired experiences throughout the weekend. You can choose a suite-only stay or enhance the experience with three-day Grandstand access or F1 Paddock Club™ Hospitality.

The excitement continues onboard with appearances from drivers and motorsport legends, live race coverage beside the Conservatory Pool, a morning run around the circuit, golden-hour cocktails, live music and elegant evening events.

While Monaco is buzzing with the energy of race weekend, EXPLORA I offers a luxurious retreat right at the heart of the action.

Reservations open on Monday 21 September 2026.

Contact me for further details or to register your interest in advance to secure the best availability when booking opens 🏎️

16/09/2026

100 days to Christmas everyone! If you are thinking about planning a magical Lapland adventure with your family this December there is still availability, it's limited but I can find it 👀 Trips for 2027 have also been on sale for quite a while already and are selling fast, it's absolutely not too early to book for next year! 🎅 Xx

🎅 100 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS! 🎅

It might still feel a little way off, but Christmas will be here before we know it, and if you've been dreaming of making this Christmas extra special with a family trip to Lapland, now really is the time to start planning.

Availability for our 2026 Santa trips and Christmas departures is now very limited, with many dates already full and just a small amount of availability remaining.

And if you're thinking ahead to Lapland 2027 we're already seeing families secure their preferred dates, resorts and departure airports, so it's absolutely not too early to start planning.

Imagine snowy forests, reindeer and huskies, tobogganing, cosy cabins, searching for Santa and, with a little luck, seeing the Northern Lights dancing overhead. Most importantly, it's the chance to spend a few magical days together as a family at the most special time of year.

If you'd love to make Christmas 2026 one your family will never forget, please get in touch as soon as possible and we'll help you find the best of the remaining availability.

Or if 2027 is the year you're planning your Lapland adventure, talk to us now and we'll help you get everything in place early.

Contact our team of friendly Lapland experts to arrange a personal consultation & to book your Lapland adventure 📧 [email protected] Xx

15/09/2026

New availability released for this December! Contact me for details and quote for your family 🎅 Xx