Kathy Gillies - Travel Counsellors

Kathy Gillies - Travel Counsellors I am an independent travel consultant offering expert, personalised travel advice to all my clients.

Which African safari destination is right for you? 🐆Choosing a safari isn’t just about deciding that you want to go to A...
05/09/2026

Which African safari destination is right for you? 🐆
Choosing a safari isn’t just about deciding that you want to go to Africa. Experiences are completely different depending on where you go, how you like to travel and what you most want to see.

Is your safari dream full of iconic wildlife encounters and vast open plains? Somewhere seriously remote with barely another vehicle in sight? Walking through the bush rather than simply watching from a 4WD? Or perhaps you want incredible wildlife by day and luxurious accommodation waiting for you afterwards...

It’s less about ‘best destination’ & more about ‘best for you’. Have a little fun & take my quiz!

Swipe through, keep track of your answers and discover your safari match at the end →
Then add your result in the comments below, especially if you’re split between two! Where will the quiz send you?

Ready to lock in dates for your dream safari? Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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Been there before? Here’s where to go next… ✈️ Volume 2Because sometimes the best trip to a country isn’t your first one...
27/08/2026

Been there before? Here’s where to go next… ✈️ Volume 2

Because sometimes the best trip to a country isn’t your first one.

Your first visit might be about the icons: Santorini sunsets, the Canadian Rockies, Las Vegas or Halong Bay. But go back a second time and you can venture further, slow things down and discover the places that made you realise just how much you missed the first time around.

There’s something I love about returning to a country you think you already know. You’ve ticked off the places everyone talks about, so the second trip can be less about the checklist and more about digging a little deeper.
And often? That’s when a destination gets really interesting.

Save this for the next time you catch yourself saying, “Oh, I’ve already been there…” or complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]

There’s nearly always another trip waiting.


second trip travel ideas | where to travel next | alternative travel destinations | off the beaten track travel | luxury tailor made travel | bespoke holidays | repeat travel destinations | Vietnam itinerary | Canada itinerary | Indonesia itinerary | Deep South USA road trip | Nashville Memphis New Orleans | Greek island hopping | alternative Greek islands | Morocco itinerary | Argentina itinerary | Ha Giang Vietnam | Con Dao Vietnam | Yukon Canada | Haida Gwaii | Komodo Indonesia | Sumba Indonesia | Milos Greece | Folegandros Greece | Sahara Morocco | Salta Argentina | Mendoza Argentina | experiential travel | adventure travel | luxury travel inspiration

The holiday details I will always overthink for you…There’s a big difference between booking a holiday that looks good o...
22/08/2026

The holiday details I will always overthink for you…
There’s a big difference between booking a holiday that looks good on paper and designing one that actually works beautifully when you’re there.
And often, it comes down to the details you might never even realise have been considered.

Is the gorgeous hotel actually in the right location?
Is that cheaper flight worth losing half a day of your holiday for?
Does the room category really work for your family?
Are we trying to squeeze too many stops into the itinerary?
These are examples of all the things I will happily overthink.

Tell me where you’re dreaming of going and I’ll happily overthink the rest. Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
tailor made holidays, bespoke holidays, luxury travel planning, luxury travel expert, personal travel consultant, bespoke travel planning, tailor made travel, luxury holidays, personalised holidays, holiday planning, travel planning service, luxury family holidays, multi centre holidays, multi centre travel, complex itineraries, bespoke itineraries, luxury itinerary planning, personalised travel itinerary, family holiday planning, honeymoon planning, adventure travel, luxury adventure holidays, long haul holidays, bucket list holidays, flight planning, hotel recommendations, luxury hotel recommendations, travel expert, independent travel agent, personal travel agent, travel consultant UK, luxury travel agent UK, bespoke family holidays, stress free travel planning, holiday inspiration, luxury travel inspiration

19/08/2026

I snapped up a fabulous invite to visit Valiant Lady whilst she was passing through Edinburgh.

Virgin Voyages offers adults-only cruises that feature unique perks like no buffets and diverse specialty dining included in the fare.

My top take-aways from my day on board Valiant Lady:
♥️Six speciality restaurants are all included:
🍴The Wake for steak
🍴Ariya a delightful new Indian onboard
🍴Extra Virgin, an Italian restaurant with an affogato trolley
🍴Pink Agave delectable Mexican
🍴Test Kitchen for spectacular creative menus
🍴Gunbae the only Korean at sea
♥️Rockstar Suites (& top-tier loyalty members) benefit from perks like access to Richard’s Rooftop to enjoy a sophisticated & uncrowded vibe and complimentary Moët at sunset Happy Hour
♥️ Head to Squid Ink, the only place at sea where you can get a tattoo!

The best surprise?
As we waited for our tender to take us to the ship we saw onboard guests disembarking for the day and the mix of ages and nationalities was wonderfully broad.
Virgin Voyages welcomes all… above 18, that is!

Give me a call if you are interested in hearing more about & let’s plan your next journey at sea!
Cruises range from 4 days+ and from July’28 Scandinavia & the Baltics will be added to the offerings.

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]



Cruise | Cruise sailings | World cruises |

9 hotels your teenagers might actually admit they like…Because once the kids’ club and mini disco days are behind you, f...
17/08/2026

9 hotels your teenagers might actually admit they like…
Because once the kids’ club and mini disco days are behind you, finding a family holiday everyone is genuinely excited about can become a little trickier.

Teenagers want adventure, independence, cool experiences and, let’s face it, somewhere that looks pretty good on Instagram and TikTok too.
So, where actually works?

The secret to travelling with teenagers isn’t necessarily finding somewhere labelled family-friendly. It’s finding a holiday that gives them something to get excited about.
Somewhere they can learn to dive. Take control of a sailing boat. Surf in Costa Rica. Explore Tokyo without feeling like they’re being dragged around sightseeing. Make new friends on a cruise. Ride through the Montana wilderness. Or swap another week beside the pool for an actual adventure.
And increasingly, somewhere that gives them a little freedom to do their own thing while you get to enjoy your holiday too.

Because we’re absolutely not spending thousands of pounds just to relocate teenage boredom to a more attractive backdrop.

Save this for your next family holiday or send it to your teenager and see which one actually gets a reaction.

Planning a holiday with older children or teenagers? Get in touch and I’ll help you create something the whole family will be excited about. Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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Splurge or save? Because spending more doesn’t always mean travelling better. One of the biggest misconceptions about lu...
14/08/2026

Splurge or save? Because spending more doesn’t always mean travelling better.

One of the biggest misconceptions about luxury travel is that everything needs to be the most expensive option.
It doesn’t.

For me, a brilliantly planned holiday is about knowing where your budget will make the biggest difference.
✨ The room with the incredible view you’ll remember for years? Splurge.
🏨 The five-star city hotel you’ll barely see because you’re out exploring from morning until night? Maybe save.
🗺️ An exceptional private guide who completely changes the way you experience a destination? Worth it.
✈️ Business class on a very short flight when that money could upgrade your long-haul journey instead? Keep the cash.
🦁 A fantastic safari lodge where your accommodation, location, guiding and wildlife experience are all intertwined? This is where I’d prioritise the budget.

And sometimes spending a little more on a direct flight, private experience or perfectly located hotel doesn’t just buy you something nicer, it buys you time, convenience and a much better overall experience.
The trick isn’t to splurge on everything.
It’s to spend intentionally.

A great tailor-made holiday balances the special, once-in-a-lifetime moments with the places where you genuinely won’t notice the difference, putting your budget where it matters most.
So, where do YOU always splurge on holiday? And what are you perfectly happy to save on? 👇

Save this for your next holiday, or send me a message if you’d like help creating a trip that makes the most of both your time and your budget. Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]

luxury travel tips | holiday planning tips | where to splurge on holiday | where to save on holiday | holiday budget tips | luxury holiday planning | tailor made holidays | bespoke holidays | luxury travel expert | travel expert advice | luxury travel advisor | how to plan a holiday |

What if you know exactly what you want from your holiday… but have absolutely no idea where to go? ✈️ Welcome to Holiday...
10/08/2026

What if you know exactly what you want from your holiday… but have absolutely no idea where to go? ✈️
Welcome to Holiday Matchmaker…🌍

Maybe your entire trip revolves around where you’re eating next. Perhaps you want wildlife encounters you’ll never forget, beaches that barely look real, an epic road trip or a proper adventure.
Maybe you want to immerse yourself in a completely different culture, discover somewhere your friends haven’t already been, or simply switch off somewhere beautiful and do very, very little.

The thing is, choosing the right holiday isn’t really about picking a destination.
It’s about finding the destination that matches you.
How you like to travel. What gets you excited. How much you want to do. What you want to eat. Whether your idea of heaven involves hiking boots, binoculars, a hire car or a sunlounger.
That’s one of my favourite parts of what I do.

Which slide sounds most like you? And if you could choose TWO, what would your perfect combination be? 👇
Save this for the next time you’re wondering where to travel, or get in touch and let’s find your perfect holiday match. Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]

holiday inspiration | where to go on holiday | best holiday destinations | holiday destination ideas | where should I travel next | luxury holiday ideas | tailor made holidays | bespoke travel | luxury travel expert | travel expert | personalised holiday planning | couples holiday ideas | family holiday inspiration | foodie holidays | wildlife holidays | adventure holidays | beach holidays | cultural holidays | road trip holidays | bucket list travel | unusual holiday destinations | luxury adventure travel | multi centre holidays | worldwide holiday inspiration | tailor made travel

Thinking about travelling solo? 🌍If you’ve always wanted to take a trip on your own but aren’t sure where to start, you’...
05/08/2026

Thinking about travelling solo? 🌍

If you’ve always wanted to take a trip on your own but aren’t sure where to start, you’re certainly not alone.

One of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel is that it’s only for backpackers. In reality, solo holidays can look however you want them to. Whether that’s a luxury escape, an epic road trip, a foodie adventure, a guided river cruise or simply taking some well-deserved time for yourself.

The key isn’t choosing the most popular destination, it’s choosing one that matches your travel style.

In this post, I’ve shared some of my favourite recommendations for different types of solo travellers, from the incredible culture and safety of Japan to the stunning scenery of Madeira, the adventure of New Zealand, the vibrant atmosphere of Vietnam and the ease of river and small ship cruising.

Travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling alone. It means travelling on your own terms.
If you’ve been thinking about booking your first solo adventure but don’t know where to begin, I’d love to help you find the destination that’s the perfect fit for you.

Which destination would be at the top of your solo travel wishlist? 🌿✈️
Complete my quick enquiry form (link in bio or https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
solo travel, solo holidays, best places to travel alone, best solo travel destinations, solo female travel, first solo trip, luxury solo travel, tailor-made solo holidays, Japan solo travel, Madeira holidays, New Zealand road trip, Vietnam solo travel, European river cruises, expedition cruises, bucket list travel, bespoke travel planning, luxury travel advisor, independent travel, safe solo travel destinations, personalised holiday planning

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