TRAVEL COUNSELLORS

Wendy Crofts

Resident in Midhurst, West Sussex for 34 years Wendy Crofts joined the Travel Industry after leaving school, and has lived in Greece, Israel and Spain in furtherance of her travel business career. With ABTA and IATA qualifications to her name Wendy has acquired specialist knowledge of Australia, Canada, USA, Singapore and Thailand and has travelled to South Africa, the Seychelles, China and many other places. She now practices as an independent travel counsellor in West Sussex helping individuals and small companies with their travel needs, and providing a customised service. Nothing is too much trouble and she's happy to visit clients on weekends and evenings. If you have any travel enquiries or would like to receive her travel updates, news and special offers please email her at wendy.crofts@travelcounsellors.com or phone 08450 588078."

Travel Counsellors Company Overview

"In 1994 David Speakman came up with the idea of a new kind of travel agency: one where people could book holidays from the comfort of their own home.  Customers would receive the widest choice of independent holiday advice available from their own personal consultant without having to venture onto the high street.

 

 

 

Travel Counsellor Wendy Crofts
Namibia May 2008

His idea proved a good one.  Over 13 years later the company has over 700 agents located in the UK and overseas together with a further 130 staff at its head office in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Recognition of the company’s phenomenal success came in 2003 when the company became the first and only travel agency to receive the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – the UK’s top business accolade.

While agents on the high street have been struggling to compete against the rise of the internet, Travel Counsellors continues to buck the trend by concentrating on personal service rather than price alone.  Most business comes through referrals and recommendations. Agents have an average 18 years of experience behind them, meaning they offer a level of knowledge that most high street agents cannot match.

In addition, unlike most high street agents, Travel Counsellors is not tied to selling one particular company’s holidays – meaning you are much more likely to get the holiday you want rather than the holiday the high street agent wants to sell you.  Launched in 2005 the Company’s Phenix dynamic packaging system, allows Travel Counsellors to quickly and easily search and compare different travel options for specific dates in a matter of minutes.

The trend for innovation continues and an increase in the booking of low cost airlines and the rise in tailor made holidays means that many customers assume they are financially protected when in fact they are not.  In September 2004 Travel Counsellors set up the ‘Travel Counsellors Trust Fund’  and offers simple and comprehensive to all Travel Counsellors’ customers.  Independently administered by Barclays Bank Trust Company, the fund is free of charge to customers and promises to return all money paid, in the event of a supplier failure 

Travel Counsellors was named Travel Agent of the year in the 2006 Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards as voted for by readers.  The Company was awarded the Accenture Innovation Award and the Outstanding Achievement  Award at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards 2007, voted by travel agents and regarded as the most highly acclaimed accolades in the industry".

Some Frequently Asked Questions

1. I'm getting married in July, but my husband-to-be and I don't like the heat or excessive humidity. What destinations would you suggest? If looking for a long haul Honeymoon I would suggest South Africa , maybe Kwa Zulu Natal. Although it is winter in South Africa , the area around Durban remains very mild. There are many five star boutique style properties in romantic settings within this area, very dramatic scenery and possibility of including a safari. Another choice would be Bermuda , although a warmer climate, being an island there is always a sea breeze which also helps keep down the humidity. This could also be said of many of the Caribbean Islands however you must keep in mind that here it is hurricane season. If looking for a short haul destination I would suggest somewhere like Cyprus , a very popular honeymoon destination with luxurious spa hotels. Once again being an Island the heat and humidity are kept at a bearable level. 2. Where would you suggest we honeymoon if we decide on a place with Michelin Star food, or its equivalent? When looking for a honeymoon based on a property with a Michelin Star or equivalent restaurant the world is your oyster. Fine food can be found throughout the world, with award winning restaurants in numerous destinations. My first suggestion within Europe would be Venice . Here you will find a very romantic city filled with many boutique hotels with excellent dining. Further afield are The Seychelles or maybe Thailand , at both these destination you will find superb cuisine. If you are intending to stay in the UK I would suggest the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London with the excellent Foliage Restaurant. 3. I suffer from Hayfever. Where would you suggest I holiday in August to be sure the pollen count is low? Choosing destinations suitable for Hay fever sufferers can be very tricky. Different climates and flora/fauna can often aggravate the symptoms. Generally speaking island holidays may prove more suitable. Always travel with recommended medication and always chose a destination where there are good medical facilities. A cruise or gulet sailing holiday could be an idea to minimise symptoms. 4. Most popular resorts are over-run with louts in the high-season. Can you suggest a seaside destination abroad where there is little or no risk of this? There are many destinations where you can completely avoid the ‘louts.’ Beach resorts in Malta, Sardinia and Madeira are all going to be good choices. The resorts are not so built up, do not have huge complex style hotels and are more traditional. 5.Can you suggest a romantic and idyllic tropical island for a summer holiday? Without doubt my personal choice for a romantic tropical island holiday would be The Seychelles. Many beautiful secluded properties, excellent dining, private beaches and wonderfully calm seas. Many properties have private villa style accommodation with infinity pools. 6. My wife and I are keen walkers. Where would you suggest we go where the weather is warm and mostly fine in June with no mosquitoes or other biting flies? We don't want to walk in a party. Walking and rambling holidays are extremely popular. The Alpine region of Europe would immediately spring to mind. Wonderful lakes and mountain resorts where you can follow marked trails or go more off the beaten track (always advise your hosts if choosing this option and how long you intend to be gone). In June the weather would be very pleasant and biting insects at a minimum. 7. We're getting married in Midhurst in March and would like to honeymoon in America with plenty of opportunity for riding? For a horse riding based honeymoon in the States I would look to Arizona. The Grand Canyon would be the ultimate horseback destination. There are several types of horse riding holidays available, ranch, trail blazing, escorted etc but as a honeymoon and still looking for romance and intimacy I would suggest the Rancho de la Osa. A small deluxe hotel with only 21 guest rooms, swimming pool, excellent restaurant and set in 135,000 acres. All stables are close by and you may ride as little or often as you require. 8.Our family is mad keen on riding and would like to go on a short break in Spain or France in October. We like our comforts and good food too. What would you suggest? Most specialist riding holidays only offer pre-booked escorted options, so if you are experienced riders wishing to explore the local areas by yourselves it would be advisable to book accommodation in your destination of choice and pre-book independent horse hire. For a short break horse riding in France I would suggest a chateau near Verneuil called Le Chateau de Montigry. This property has been converted into three bedded self catering apartments finished to an outstanding level of luxury. Horse riding is available for all abilities and if you prefer you may take your own horse, stabling provided. The area has many beautiful areas to ride in. The property is only 2 kms from Verneuil where some excellent dining can be found. You are one hour from Chartres and 110km from Paris . If Spain is your choice the firm favourite area for horse riding is Andalucia. A good central base could be somewhere like Barbate. The Hotel Adiafa is a high quality hotel, with many established restaurants close by. Using here as a base you would pre-book your riding before departure. 9. Having just moved house from London to West Sussex we'd like a long week-end break away in this country where we can chill-out and be pampered whilst the decorators and carpet people do their work. Which country house hotel would you recommend? The property I would choose is the New Park Manor in the New Forest. This is a luxurious spa property perfect for chilling out, but also close enough to Midhurst should there be any reason to return at short notice. 10 We'd like a Christmas holiday in Cornwall this year but don't want to go somewhere noisy and full of rowdy revellers. Good food and plenty of places to visit is essential. Can you come up with a short-list? To spend Christmas in Cornwall the first property I would suggest is the Nare Hotel, Carne Beach near Veryan. This is a Cornwall ’s highest rated hotel with only forty individually decorated rooms. The hotel boasts excellent dining and the most spectacular coastal views. You are in close proximity to several attractions including two castles and Truro Cathedral, although it would be advisable to check on winter opening hours. Also on the shortlist would be Budock Vean Hotel on the River. A stunning property set in 65 acres of award winning organic sub tropical gardens and an award winning restaurant. From here you could visit Falmouth Art Gallery , a seal sanctuary, Pendennis Castle and several gardens. My third suggestion is The Metropole in Padstow, a fifty roomed property set on a hillside overlooking Padstow Harbour . Padstow is a pretty village with narrow streets, an abundance of antique shops and sea food restaurants, nearby you will find Newquay, Bodmin Moor, Prideaux Palace amongst other attractions. All the properties are within walking distance of Cornwall ’s rugged coastline 11. We want a fortnight's holiday in Scotland in the summer, don't want to be plagued by midges, need plenty of walking opportunities and seaside places to trawl around including gardens-open-to-the-public. We don't want to stay at more than three places, and they have to be top-end hotels with excellent food. For a trip to Scotland incorporating seaside resorts and gardens open to the public the area I would suggest is Argyll the Isles and Loch Lomond which includes the Trossochs (home of Rob Roy) and Oban. Within this area there are 23 gardens, miles and miles of coastline, excellent hotels and numerous first class restaurants serving fresh fish. Here you will also find plentiful walking opportunities and can also visit one of the many working whisky distilleries. There are very many top-end hotels. I highly recommend visiting the De Vere Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Forest Hills Hotel in the Trossochs and the beautiful secluded Isle of Eriska Hotel. A day to day itinerary and maps will be provided to make your journeys trouble free and giving you as much free time as possible to enjoy the beautiful countryside. Travel Counsellors West Sussex, Travel Counsellors Surrey, Travel Counsellors Hampshire.