Barbara Sutton - Gold Travel Counsellor

10/10/2026

🇮🇳🐅🕌I still keep pinching myself that I had such a wonderful opportunity to visit India’s Golden Triangle last month 🇮🇳🐅🕌

When I travel on work trips it’s not just about the sightseeing photos and ticking off my own personal bucket list, it’s about seeing and experiencing the wide variety of hotels and experiences that are available in each destination. Every client has different requirements, tastes and of course budget. My first-hand experience enables me to match the right hotel for my clients to ensure the perfect holiday and support hotels that value our customers.

It was a privilege to stay at and also visit a variety of hotels along the way.

In New Delhi we stayed at The Grand Meridien and on our return The Imperial - a member of Leading Hotels of the World and my personal favourite here. We also visited The Oberoi, The Claridges and at the beginning of our trip 2 gorgeous Havelis in Old Dehli.

In Ranthambore we stayed at the historic Maharaja’s Lodge, visited the lovely Taj Sawai and dined at the uniquely luxurious tented Sujan Sher Bagh.

In Jaipur I was blown away by the truly beautiful Samode Haveli where we had our memorable saree dinner. Another historic member of Small Luxury Hotels was the Raj Palace with opulent rooms plated in gold. For those preferring to be outside of the city we visited the Castle Kanota Heritage Hotel set inside the original fort built in 1872 complete with polo horse stables.

Onto Agra where we were hosted by the Ekaa Boutique Hotel that specialises in curated local vegetarian cuisine. A visit to the top hotel in Agra, the Oberoi gave us unique sunset views to the Taj Mahal and dinner was enjoyed downtown at the Grand Mercure popular with groups.

So if India is on your bucket list and you want to start with the Golden Triangle and Tiger country, whether you prefer a group tour or a tailor-made personalised itinerary then give me a call.

☎️0161 820 9540
[email protected]

09/10/2026

Have you been watching Angela Rippon's River Cruises on Channel 5?

🚢 Tonight's episode is the second half of The Mekong, where Angela visits iconic rice paddy fields and Ho Chi Minh City 🌆. You can watch it tonight at 7pm ⏰ or catch-up on streaming! 📱

Are you ready for when your clients ask about The Mekong? 🚢 Learn more about our Vietnam, Cambodia and Mekong river cruise aboard our stunning new ship, the Riviera Alba ✨.

Vietnam, Cambodia and Mekong River Cruise
🌄16 -17 days from £4,409pp
🧳Holiday Departure: 29 September 2027 - SAVE £490pp if you book by 28 October
✈️ From Heathrow - £4,409pp

✈️ From Manchester, Newcastle, Dublin, Birmingham and Glasgow - £4,534pp

📅 Departure months: Sep - Dec 2027 & Jan – Dec 2028

Your holiday includes 👇

• Scheduled international flights to Saigon and back from Hanoi
• Internal flight between Siem Reap and Hanoi
• All transfers
• 7 nights on board the Riviera Alba ship
• 6 nights in five-star hand-picked hotels
• 14 included experiences
• Full board dining on the cruise, breakfast at the hotels and selected meals

• Selected drinks on board*
• Expert Riviera Cruise Director & Tour Manager
• Checked luggage
• Free Wi-Fi
• All port charges
• All additional taxes

Highlights ✨

• Discover the charm and vibrancy of Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City on guided tours

• Explore Cambodia’s capital - Phnom Penh - and enjoy a guided visit to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, then gain deeper insight into Cambodia’s past with visits to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

• Experience daily life in traditional fishing villages in Vietnam and Cambodia

• Prepare to be amazed by the Cambodian Phare Circus

• Uncover the awe-inspiring Angkor temple complex, including Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and the faces of Bayon

Call me for more details or other dates

☎️ 0161 820 9540
[email protected]

03/10/2026

10 years ago today I started one of the most important and amazing career and life journeys. I took a big risk, ditched the salary and bet on myself by joining Travel Counsellors as a self-employed franchisee and business owner.

Little did I know that the girls I started this chapter with would become such life-long friends and confidants. We have all grown successful businesses and grown as individuals too. We survived the major challenges of covid years but have bounced back and more with amazing resilience.

Thanks to the numerous TCs and suppliers I have built great relationships with and count as friends.

Most importantly I want to thank all my fantastic customers, many who I now count as friends who have been with me from the early years and I’ve watched your families grow. Thanks to those who have joined me along the way and to those that continue to refer me to friends, family and colleagues. It is very much appreciated and has helped me build a successful full-time business. I love creating and booking amazing holidays for you all! 🥰

I also feel extremely fortunate to have travelled to some amazing destinations, seen some stunning hotels and enjoyed the most amazing experiences. Some as personal holidays, many as business trips that enable me to give first-hand knowledge and advice about worldwide destinations.

After over 35 years in the industry I’ve seen a lot but still so much more to explore! Here’s to the next 10 years!🥂✈️

30/09/2026

On arrival back to New Delhi we visited more stunning hotels (separate posts to come) and toured the major sights including India Gate, which acts as their tomb of the unknown soldier. We became the celebrities with a school group and ladies group wanting unit photos with us! 🤣 This is quite common in India and we were always being stopped and asked for selfies.

Then onto Gandhi’s house and museum where he spent his final years and where he was also assassinated.

We also visited the largest Sikh temple in Delhi, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. A stunning white and gold structure visited by Sikhs from all over India. As part of their religion they always have an open kitchen to provide free food to anyone without question, usually up to 20k per day but over 100k on major festivals. We were honoured to be able to visit behind the scenes to witness how this is made possible. A truly humbling experience.

We managed to squeeze in some last minute shopping close to our hotel from the colourful local markets where haggling is a must! Extra bags were needed by all of us😆

30/09/2026

30/09/2026

After our bucket list morning at the Taj Mahal we visited the imposing, sandstone Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was the main residence of the Mughal emperors before the capital shifted to Delhi and forms a dramatic contrast to the delicate white marble of the nearby Taj Mahal. It also became the prison for Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal after his son deposed him and confined him to a cell with views of his beloved Taj Mahal as punishment.

We then departed Agra for our final journey back to Delhi. We boarded an excellent direct service that offered extra legroom seats and at seat service and took just 2hrs. This is definitely better than fighting the manic traffic!

24/09/2026

WOW!!!🤩
Yesterday we reached the highlight of our tour, the stunning Taj Mahal at sunrise. A monument to love with a tragic tale.

Words just can’t describe the impact and beauty of this place so I’ll let the photos do the talking….

23/09/2026

Yesterday we said goodbye to Jaipur and as we exited the city drove past the beautiful historic Water Palace on Man Sagar Lake.

Then the 3hr drive towards Agra getting ready for the highlight of our trip. On arrival in Agra city we headed out on a tuk tuk tour of some local farms and villages, only to be greeted with our first distant glimpse of the iconic Taj Mahal.

After our village tour we headed to the 5* Oberoi Hotel, the top hotel in Agra where all rooms have a view of the Taj Mahal. Here we enjoyed a sunset dance show with the most amazing backdrop.

A brief visit to the 5* Grand Meridien for dinner and an inspection visit and to enjoy their rooftop pool and bar overlooking the city.

An early night ready for our sunrise highlight…..So excited 😃

23/09/2026

Our 2 night stay in Jaipur was at the truly stunning Samode Haveli. A beautifully restored heritage property nestled in the backstreets of Jaipur and a luxurious oasis of calm and glamour with an exceptional welcome and level of service.
Rooms are spacious and styled in keeping with the elegant surroundings. This one is definitely on my must stat at list!😍