The Travel Genius - Michelle Stammers

The Travel Genius - Michelle Stammers Brilliant Travel is a trading division of Barrhead Travel Services Ltd. Truth, tips and trends from a UK Luxury Travel Expert.

In Association with Barrhead Travel.. ABTA and ATOL bonded holidays, cruises, adventure tours, honeymoons, weddings, tailor made itineraries.

My lovely client and friend has just returned from an amazing trip in Costa Rica I organised for her! She’s been kind en...
01/09/2026

My lovely client and friend has just returned from an amazing trip in Costa Rica I organised for her! She’s been kind enough to allow me to share her photos.

Fancy an adventure like this?
Message me to add some Travel Genius magic to your trip!

WhatsApp 07757 113814
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Did You Know That the train route from San Francisco to New York is one of the longest and most scenic in the United Sta...
31/08/2026

Did You Know That the train route from San Francisco to New York is one of the longest and most scenic in the United States, crossing a wide range of landscapes and regions?

The service is operated by Amtrak, but there is no direct train, usually requiring a transfer in Chicago.

Here's a summary of the route:

Departure: San Francisco, California (Emeryville Station)
The journey typically begins at Emeryville Station, as there is no Amtrak station in San Francisco itself. However, there is a connecting bus service from downtown San Francisco.

Train: California Zephyr
From Emeryville, passengers board the California Zephyr, one of Amtrak’s most iconic routes. This train travels through the heart of the United States, passing stunning landscapes like the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada.

Key destinations: Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha.
Travel time: Approximately 51-52 hours from Emeryville to Chicago.
Transfer in Chicago
At Chicago Union Station, passengers need to switch trains. The train that typically continues to New York is the Lake Shore Limited.

Train: Lake Shore Limited
This train follows the route along Lake Michigan and the Hudson River before reaching New York.

Key destinations: Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany.
Travel time: Approximately 20 hours from Chicago to New York.
Arrival: New York (Penn Station)
The journey ends at Penn Station in New York, located in the heart of Manhattan.

Total travel time:
Approximately 70 to 75 hours (depending on layover and transfer times in Chicago).
Credits: Curiosidades

Want help to plan your next trip?

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Wow! 🥳🥳🥳I absolutely love it when I’ve organised a bucket list trip for friends and they are having the time of their li...
30/08/2026

Wow! 🥳🥳🥳
I absolutely love it when I’ve organised a bucket list trip for friends and they are having the time of their lives!

Lizzie and Nigel went to Borneo.
Take a look at their amazing photos!

What’s on your bucket list?
I’d love to help you make it happen!

WhatsApp 07757 113814
[email protected]

Yee haa!! Who fancies a ranch holiday?🐎We have a choice of ranches, they are not all the same!DUDE RANCH  -  Horseback r...
27/08/2026

Yee haa!! Who fancies a ranch holiday?🐎

We have a choice of ranches, they are not all the same!

DUDE RANCH - Horseback riding is the major focus of a Dude ranch holiday. They tend to have a weekly programme of western activities such as wild west shows, rodeo visits, square dances, barbecues and a host of sports and outdoor activities.

WORKING RANCH - This is where you really do become a cowboy! Working ranches raise livestock and crops, so guests have a major role to play in the daily working activities. Your activities will be based on the current needs of the ranch, but you could learn how to drive cattle or horses, rope steers, secure livestock by repairing fencing and even try branding and immunizing

RESORT RANCH - Resort ranches tend to be larger properties, created specifically for guests, which offer horseback riding alongside a number of other activities such as fishing, rafting, cowboy cookouts, cattle drives and guided hikes. Most will also have a swimming pool and many offer a spa. Generally, these will be of a higher standard than other ranch types, with a focus on the accommodations which tend to be in the main ranch house, log cabins and high-end tented cabins.

Ranch holidays offer:

An Escape to Nature

Outdoor Activities

Authentic Western Experience

A Family-Friendly Environment

Culinary Experiences

Fancy this?

Whatsapp 07757 113814 to get your dream trip started!
[email protected]

Here’s a lovely map of The Amalfi Coast in Italy. I’ve arranged this itinerary for one of my clients using rail travel t...
27/08/2026

Here’s a lovely map of The Amalfi Coast in Italy. I’ve arranged this itinerary for one of my clients using rail travel to explore.

Fancy this or something else?

Let me help you plan your next trip using my 37 year’s experience within the travel industry.

WhatsApp
07757 113814
[email protected]

🇺🇸 TRAVELLING TO THE USA? THIS LITTLE-KNOWN FREE APP COULD SAVE YOU TIME AT IMMIGRATION! ✈️📱If you’re travelling to the ...
12/08/2026

🇺🇸 TRAVELLING TO THE USA? THIS LITTLE-KNOWN FREE APP COULD SAVE YOU TIME AT IMMIGRATION! ✈️📱

If you’re travelling to the USA, here’s a travel tip worth knowing about!

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the official FREE app from U.S. Customs & Border Protection and can help eligible travellers get through US immigration more quickly by using a dedicated MPC line at participating airports.

🇬🇧 Can British travellers use it?
Yes! Returning UK travellers using the Visa Waiver Programme can use MPC, provided they have a valid approved ESTA and have previously travelled to the USA using ESTA.

📱 How does it work?

Before arriving, you enter your passport details into the app. When you’re ready to submit your arrival information, you’ll take a photo and answer the required customs questions.

When you arrive, simply follow the signs for Mobile Passport Control / MPC and present your passport to the CBP officer.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Travelling together?
Even better — families and groups can make one submission together, making it really useful for couples and families.

🗽 It’s available at many of the airports UK holidaymakers use, including:

✈️ New York JFK
✈️ Newark
✈️ Orlando
✈️ Miami
✈️ Los Angeles
✈️ Las Vegas
✈️ San Francisco
✈️ Chicago
✈️ Boston
✈️ Washington
✈️ Atlanta
✈️ Dallas
✈️ Seattle
…and many more!

⚠️ Important: MPC does not replace your ESTA, and it doesn’t guarantee there won’t be a queue — but it could make your arrival into the USA considerably easier.

I’ve worked in travel for many years, and it’s little tips like this that can make such a difference to your journey. ❤️

Save this post if you’re heading to America — and share it with someone who’s travelling to the USA soon! 🇺🇸✈️

🌎🐢 **THE GALÁPAGOS & ECUADOR – THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME FOR NATURE LOVERS!** 🦋🌿FLASH SALE!If you've ever dreamed of see...
04/08/2026

🌎🐢 **THE GALÁPAGOS & ECUADOR – THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME FOR NATURE LOVERS!** 🦋🌿
FLASH SALE!

If you've ever dreamed of seeing some of the world's most incredible wildlife in its natural habitat, this unforgettable escorted tour is for you.

Your adventure begins in **Quito, Ecuador**, before heading into the magical **Mindo Cloud Forest**, home to colourful butterflies, exotic orchids and dazzling hummingbirds. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the **Equator Line**, then it's time to fly to the legendary **Galápagos Islands**.

✨ **Tour Highlights**
🐢 Watch giant tortoises roaming freely on a private ranch.
🏝️ Stay on **Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristóbal Islands**.
🚤 Cruise between the islands, spotting incredible marine life and seabirds.
🦎 Snorkel in crystal-clear waters and see marine iguanas.
🐦 Look out for the famous **blue-footed b***y**.
🌿 Explore wetlands, cloud forests and volcanic landscapes.
🔬 Visit the world-famous **Charles Darwin Research Station**.
🌎 Discover the fascinating history of this extraordinary archipelago.

✔️ 13-day escorted holiday
✔️ Return flights
✔️ Quality hotels throughout
✔️ Internal flights, cruises and transfers included
✔️ 26 meals included
✔️ Expert Holiday Director and local guides

💷 **Just £5,889 per person**

📅 **Available departures**
✈️ 15 October 2026
✈️ 22 April 2027
✈️ 14 October 2027

This is so much more than a holiday—it's an unforgettable journey through one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on Earth. Whether you're a keen photographer, wildlife enthusiast or simply looking for a truly unique adventure, the Galápagos will stay with you forever.

📩 **Message me for the full itinerary, availability or to reserve your place.**

This holiday is with Travelsphere Tours and is based on 2 sharing and flying from Heathrow. Deposit to book £550 per person.

Excludes Galápagos National Park fee payable locally USD 230

WhatsApp 07757 113814
[email protected]

🌍 Looking for Your PerfectHoneymoon Destination? 🏖️💍At The Travel Genius, we believe that your honeymoonshould be as uni...
28/07/2026

🌍 Looking for Your Perfect
Honeymoon Destination? 🏖️💍

At The Travel Genius, we believe that your honeymoon
should be as unique as your love story! Whether you're
dreaming of a tropical paradise, an adventurous
escape, or a cultural getaway, we’ve got you covered
with personalized travel advice. 💡

✨ Why settle for ordinary when you can have
extraordinary? ✨

💖 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations: Explore hidden
gems for couples looking to avoid the crowds. Imagine
cozy escapes in the mountains of Bali or tranquil,
less-explored beaches in Mexico. 🌅

🌿 Sustainable Honeymoons: For the eco-conscious
couple, let us guide you through sustainable
destinations and experiences that protect the planet
while celebrating love. 🌱

💡 Tailored Advice Just for You: Need help choosing
the perfect honeymoon? We’re here to offer
personalized itineraries that match your interests—from
adventurous safaris to serene beach front getaways.
💑

🔗 Ready to start planning your dream honeymoon?
Visit us today for inspiration, tips, and all the info you
need to make your journey unforgettable.

👉 Stay ahead of the curve and let us help you turn
your honeymoon into an adventure of a lifetime!

WhatsApp us 07757 113814
[email protected]









Here’s a lovely map of The Amalfi Coast in Italy. I’ve arranged this itinerary for one of my clients using rail travel t...
28/07/2026

Here’s a lovely map of The Amalfi Coast in Italy. I’ve arranged this itinerary for one of my clients using rail travel to explore.
Fancy this or something else?
Let me help you plan your next trip using my 37 year’s experience within the travel industry.
WhatsApp
07757 113814
[email protected]

Love love getting wonderful feedback!🥰🥰🥰This family wanted a Costa Rica experience that would be suitable for the whole ...
23/07/2026

Love love getting wonderful feedback!🥰🥰🥰
This family wanted a Costa Rica experience that would be suitable for the whole family. We planned a one centre stay in a gorgeous hotel so that they could have a base to explore from.

Mrs L from Bath

"Michelle is a super agent - very knowledgeable about the destinations and excellent recommendations for activities and experiences. She is always on hand for any queries that arise during our trips with her, and it really helps us to have a stress-free holiday! I always recommend Michelle to any friends and family especially with multi-destination holidays"

https://travelgenius.blog/testimonials/

Let me help you plan your next amazing trip using my 36 years experience in the travel industry.

Whatsapp 07757 113814
[email protected]

Read real reviews from clients who have trusted The Travel Genius to plan their dream holidays - from luxury honeymoons to family adventures and safari trips. See why customers keep coming back.

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