Clare Payne Travel

22/10/2026

Day 2: Epic Universe 🌎

After breakfast we headed for a site visit at Universal’s Terra Luna, a fresh, modern hotel that feels really relaxed but still so close to the action. Then it was on to Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest park, with our VIP guides leading us through the portals into Mario World, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Highlights for me were Mario World with the interactive Power Up Bands, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in Isle of Berk and the incredible main attraction in the Harry Potter World, Ministry of Magic - a must do for any Harry Potter fan. We refuelled with delicious pizza at Pizza Moon, then finished the day at Helios, the stunning five star hotel in Epic Universe, complete with a gorgeous pool, rooftop bar and the golden urn famous for its espresso martinis. What a day! Just enough time to reset before heading out to watch the basketball! More to follow on that! 🏀

19/10/2026

50s vibes, family fun and so close to the parks: I stayed at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort in Florida and it was such a brilliant base for our Universal trip.

Our room worked perfectly for families:
• Separate bedroom with 2 queen beds
• Living room area with a comfy double sofa bed that can be sectioned off with a sliding screen for extra privacy
• Good sized lounge space and a handy kitchenette (fridge, microwave, sink)
• Plenty of storage so all the park outfits and souvenirs had a home

The outside communal areas are fab too:
• Two pool areas, including a lazy river, slide and splash zones
• Pool bars and the Bayliner Diner food court for easy family meals
• On site gift shop for all the Universal bits and bobs
• Movie nights by the pool so you can float or lounge with a film at the end of the day.

Getting around is so easy: shuttle buses to the parks from right outside, plus a private walkway and entrance straight over to Volcano Bay water park. You can also wander across to Universal’s Aventura Hotel for a drink at the rooftop bar, or cut through to Sapphire Falls and hop on the water taxi into the parks and CityWalk for a change from the bus.

If you are thinking about a Universal holiday with kids and want a fun, nostalgic feel plus really practical family space, Cabana Bay is a fantastic option.

18/10/2026

Day 1: Universal Orlando
Today was an early start as we headed over to the Hard Rock Hotel for breakfast and a site inspection. I’ll share more photos of the hotel soon, but it’s a gorgeous property and only around a 5 minute walk from the Universal parks, so really convenient if you want to be close to the action.

After breakfast we made our way to Universal Studios to meet our VIP tour guides, who looked after us for the day. We spent the day hopping between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, squeezing in as many rides as we could.

I absolutely loved Diagon Alley and the Escape from Gringotts ride, the level of detail is incredible, you really do feel as though you’ve stepped into the Wizarding World. It was great fun taking the Hogwarts Express over to Islands of Adventure too. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure quickly became a favourite, and we ended the day getting completely soaked on the water rides, perfect in the Florida heat, slightly less fun squelching back in wet shoes!

After a quick change back at our hotel, we headed across the road to Aventura Hotel for a couple of drinks at the rooftop Bar 17 Bistro. It’s such a lovely spot to watch the sunset over the parks and wind down after a full on day. We then finished the evening at Loews Royal Pacific, with a delicious Asian inspired dinner at Islands Dining Room.

By the end of the day we’d clocked up over 25,000 steps and managed to tick off all of the big rides. Having VIP guides made it really easy to maximise our time, and Express Passes are another great option if you want to fit lots into your day.

Can’t wait to share more from the rest of the trip!

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels at Universal Orlando

11/10/2026

I’ve been a bit quiet on social media since we returned from our travels. Life just got busy again!
Kids with school and their activities and I’ve been super busy with work.
Thank you for all of your enquiries and bookings. I’ve been busy working on some epic trips! 🌎

I’ll have lots of content to share with you this week though as I’m off to Orlando! I’ve been invited by Universal Studios and one of our amazing attractions suppliers to experience all that Universal has to offer over 5 days!

We have a jam packed itinerary so I’ll try and share bits along the way!

My lovely TC colleague Heather is looking after my business whilst I’m away this week so please continue to get in touch as usual ✈️

(Photo from Universal Singapore back in Jan!)

Universal Orlando Resort

09/10/2026

Exciting news from Exeter Airport today ✈️🎉

Ryanair are launching new direct flights to Porto!

From 30 March there will be twice weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, ideal for a foodie city break, a stroll along the Douro or a wander through Porto’s colourful old town.

Who’s tempted by a few days in Porto from Exeter? 🇵🇹🙋‍♀️

Exeter Airport

25/09/2026

Walt Disney World magic + Bahamian bliss with Disney Cruise Line 🌴✨

How about swapping “same old summer” for something truly extraordinary?

Start with 10 enchanting nights at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter: pretty cobbled walkways, jazzy Mardi Gras touches and lazy afternoons by Doubloon Lagoon after action packed days in the parks.

Then step on board the Disney Dream for a 4 night sailing to the Bahamas, calling at Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Think turquoise waters, soft white sand and time to kayak, paddleboard, swim or snorkel in the lagoon while Disney looks after every detail.

✨ Example summer 2027 itinerary:
📅 16 July 2027 departure
✈️ Return economy flights from London to Orlando
🏨 10 nights at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
🍽 FREE Quick Service Dining Plan
🎟 14 Day Magic Tickets
🚢 4 night Disney Dream cruise from Port Canaveral
🏝 Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
🚗 Transfers between Orlando Airport, your Disney hotel and the cruise terminal

💷 Guide price: £14,320 total
Based on 2 adults & 2 children (13 & 15 years). Cruise gratuities extra. Availability and pricing can change.

This is just a starting point: I can tailor the dates, duration, resort, cabin type and even the number of park days to fit your family perfectly.
Want a shorter stay, extra nights in the parks, or a different resort? I can shape it all around you.

Ready to start planning your Disney adventure? Send me a message and I will create the magic for you.

📲 Call or WhatsApp 01392 770024
📧 [email protected]
💻 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.payne
🔒 100% financial protection
🌟 Five star Trust Pilot review’s
🏆 Award winning service

23/09/2026

Throwback to the Travel Industry Awards 2024 where I was shortlisted for New Travel Agent of the Year! 🎉
Good luck to all of the finalists at this years awards ceremony this evening! 🥂

22/09/2026

🐣🐨 Picture your Easter 2027 like this:

🇦🇺 Starting in Sydney, exploring the harbour, beaches and iconic sights
☀️ Heading to the Gold Coast for sunshine, theme parks and the kind of easy, carefree days that kids remember for years
🐠 Rounding it all off in tropical North Queensland with time on the Great Barrier Reef and in the rainforest, following a route I know works brilliantly with children

This 12 day family adventure for 2 adults and 2 children includes theme park entry, a scenic Kuranda day trip and a Great Barrier Reef cruise.

Your flights are with Singapore Airlines at £3,681 per person, departing 27 March 2027.

I have travelled around Australia with my own family so can use that first hand experience to help you with the practical bits: sensible flight timings, family friendly pacing, where to allow downtime and the little extras that make the whole journey feel special rather than stressful.

I can shape this trip completely around your family: add extra nights, build in more stops to make it a longer once in a lifetime adventure, or include a Singapore city break on the way out or back.
Tell me how your family likes to travel and I will do the rest!

If Australia is on your family wish list, send me a message and let’s start planning!

📲 Call or WhatsApp 01392 770024
📧 [email protected]
💻 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.payne
🔒 100% financial protection
🌟 Five star Trust Pilot review’s
🏆 Award winning service

21/09/2026

15/09/2026

I’ve had lots of messages about our Komodo Islands trip from my reel a couple of days ago.

If I had two weeks next summer, this is one of the ways I’d think about spending it: Bali, Komodo and a little city stop on the way home.

This works beautifully for UK school summer holidays, and for couples or anyone with more flexibility it is a gorgeous option from May to October. Think two weeks, slow but adventurous, with a mix of beach, culture and island life.

3–4 nights: Sanur, Bali
Start with a gentle landing in Sanur: a calm beach, traffic free promenade and plenty of pools to shake off the jet lag. Keep it simple with lazy beach days or head out and explore. Take the 30 minute boat over to Nusa Lembongan for beautiful beaches, head down to Uluwatu for the Kecak fire show, or across to Seminyak for beginner friendly surf lessons.

3–4 nights: Ubud, Bali
Then up to Ubud for rice terraces, temples and jungle views. Split your time between the pool and exploring: a cooking class, rice terrace walks, market visit, temples, a coffee and chocolate farm (with chocolate making) and those famous Bali swings for brilliant photos.

3 nights: Flores & Komodo
Next fly to Labuan Bajo in Flores for the Komodo part of the trip:
• 1 night in Labuan Bajo to settle in and enjoy the harbour views
• 2 nights on a small boat in Komodo National Park: snorkelling, island walks, manta ray spotting, sunrise views and seeing Komodo dragons with a ranger. It was the highlight of our year away.

City stop on the way home
Break the journey with a stop in an iconic city such as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur: rooftop views, Gardens by the Bay, hawker centre food and family friendly attractions like Universal, aquariums and zoos.

This is just one way to do it. You could add Northern Bali for a completely different feel, or swap in Lombok and the Gili Islands for something quieter and more laid back. With three weeks you can even combine both: Bali and Lombok/Gilis plus Komodo for the ultimate island adventure.

Every trip is completely bespoke: pace, islands and style of hotels are all tailored around you. If a Bali & Komodo adventure is calling your name for 2027, just drop me a message and I’d love to help you shape it.

📲 Call or WhatsApp 01392 770024
📧 [email protected]
💻 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.payne
🔒 100% financial protection
🌟 Five star Trust Pilot review’s
🏆 Award winning service