Kathy Gillies - Travel Counsellors

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

07/06/2026

When you see the Big Five in your first 48hours you know you’ve not only been extremely lucky but you’re also on a memorable, magical & privileged trip of a lifetime!

Meru National Park is remote and offers a crowd-free safari experience due to the extremely low number of lodges within the 870km2 area.

I stayed in Elsa’s Kopje, an property built into the hills & Kopje. More to come on this property, its unique history & conservation story in a future post…

Does this sound like your ideal safari destination?
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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luxury travel trends 2026, slow travel ideas, bespoke travel specialist, luxury travel expert, tailor made holidays, luxury multi centre trips, experiential travel, safari, luxury safari, boutique hotels, boutique lodge, conservation, Kenya

Easter holidays are no longer just about a quick week in the sun. For so many travellers now, it’s become the perfect op...
31/05/2026

Easter holidays are no longer just about a quick week in the sun. For so many travellers now, it’s become the perfect opportunity for a bigger bucket-list adventure ✈️

From Kenya’s spectacular landscape & conservation safaris to cherry blossom season in Japan and South Korea, rainforest adventures in Costa Rica and wildlife experiences in Borneo, Easter has quietly become one of the biggest booking periods for long-haul travel.

It’s also one of the busiest times of year for:

* family suites
* safari lodges
* cherry blossom season
* premium guides
* overwater villas
* wildlife camps
* boutique hotels
* multi-centre itineraries

The trips people remember forever are often the ones planned earlier than expected — particularly when they involve multiple destinations, wildlife experiences or peak seasonal moments.

If Easter 2027 is already somewhere in the back of your mind, now is honestly the perfect time to start exploring ideas & making those dream holidays a reality.

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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I asked 9 travel experts to share their single most memorable travel moment… and the answers reminded me why travel stay...
21/05/2026

I asked 9 travel experts to share their single most memorable travel moment… and the answers reminded me why travel stays with us for so long.

Not because of checklists or perfect photos.

But because of moments that make you stop in your tracks.

Watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Sleeping beneath the stars in Botswana with lions roaring nearby. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Seeing your children realise they’re going to Lapland. Hiking in Bhutan where tourist numbers are still very restricted to protect this stunning Himalayan Kingdom (yes! That’s me 12 years ago!)

These are the kinds of experiences that become part of you long after the trip is over.

And one of the best parts of working in travel is helping clients create moments like these for themselves, whether that’s a once-in-a-lifetime safari, a special anniversary trip, a big family adventure or simply somewhere that helps you completely switch off from everyday life.

I’d genuinely love to know:
What’s your most memorable travel moment?
⬇️ Please let me know in the commments below ⬇️

Mine may be about to change with an extraordinary opportunity to head to Kenya (for my very first visit!) next week…

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Luxury travel is shifting. In 2026, the trips my clients are booking aren’t necessarily about the most expensive hotel o...
17/05/2026

Luxury travel is shifting.

In 2026, the trips my clients are booking aren’t necessarily about the most expensive hotel or the most famous resort anymore. They’re about how the trip feels overall.
Slower pacing. Better routing. More privacy. More meaningful experiences. More time to actually connect with a destination and it’s people instead of racing through it.

I’m seeing travellers prioritise things like:
- longer stays over constant moving
- boutique hotels and villas over big chains
- wellness and nature
- private guides and local experiences
- smoother logistics
- trips that feel personal rather than packaged

The biggest luxury now?
Coming home feeling fulfilled instead of exhausted.
And honestly… that’s my favourite way to travel.

If you’re planning a 2026 trip and want help creating something thoughtful, balanced and genuinely tailored to how you like to travel, I’d love to help. Complete my quick enquiry form (https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]

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Not all “family-friendly” holidays are created equal… especially if your children need more than a pool and a kids club....
11/05/2026

Not all “family-friendly” holidays are created equal… especially if your children need more than a pool and a kids club.

For families with busy, energetic kids, the right hotel can completely change the experience – we’re talking watersports, sports academies, adventure programmes, exceptional childcare, family suites and enough going on to avoid hearing “I’m bored” by day two.

From activity-led favourites like Club Med and Neilson Holidays, to luxury all-inclusive ease with Ikos, big-wow family favourites like MAXX Royal, and more considered options like Sani, Falkensteiner, Forte Village or Feuerstein… the best family holidays aren’t just about where you go, but choosing the right style of resort for how your family actually travels.

Because sometimes luxury family travel isn’t about finding the fanciest hotel… it’s about finding the one where everyone genuinely has a better time.

If you’re already thinking ahead for summer 2026 or 2027, this is exactly where choosing well can make all the difference.
I’d love to help you plan your family holiday.
Complete my quick enquiry form (https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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Some of the most extraordinary trips in the world aren’t always the easiest to reach and that’s often part of what makes...
08/05/2026

Some of the most extraordinary trips in the world aren’t always the easiest to reach and that’s often part of what makes them so special.

From the monasteries of Bhutan (which I loved!) and the waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, to Raja Ampat’s remote reefs, Mongolia’s vast wilderness, Madagascar’s surreal biodiversity and the polar extremes of Antarctica or Svalbard… these are the kinds of journeys that ask for a little more planning, but give back unforgettable perspective.

These aren’t typically “book it in five minutes” destinations - timing, routing, seasonality and logistics can make or break the experience. But when done well? They’re often the holiday memories people talk about for the rest of their lives, several times over!

If your bucket list is leaning further afield, this is exactly where thoughtful, expert planning matters most.
Sometimes the harder-to-reach places really are the ones worth going furthest for.
Need help with your plans? Complete my quick enquiry form (https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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06/05/2026

I’m proud to be part of Travel Counsellors, which has received a King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 in Innovation.

Our unique approach helps us collaborate, share expertise and give our customers incredible holidays – all driven by care, community, and personalised service.

Award-winning innovation. Powered by people.

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]

For fun Bank Holiday inspiration, I asked 9 travel experts what their 2027 bucket list trip would be… & the answers are ...
01/05/2026

For fun Bank Holiday inspiration, I asked 9 travel experts what their 2027 bucket list trip would be… & the answers are exactly what you’d expect from people who spend their lives planning travel!

Less “tick-list destinations”, more experience-led, under-the-radar, and properly thought through trips.

From the remote landscapes of Central Asia to wildlife encounters in the Galápagos Islands, wine in South Australia and slow, immersive travel through Italy this is where my selected industry insiders are quietly looking at next!

So… which one is going straight onto your list?
If, like many of my clients, 2027 is already on your radar, now is exactly the time to start shaping it! The best routes, properties and experiences don’t stay available for long. Complete my quick enquiry form (https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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The best trips don’t just show you a place, they change how you experience it. Whether it’s learning to surf on the Paci...
26/04/2026

The best trips don’t just show you a place, they change how you experience it.

Whether it’s learning to surf on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, completing your PADI in the islands of Thailand, or joining a traditional craft workshop in Kyoto… these are the kinds of experiences that you’ll remember.

From photography safaris to cooking your way through the Greek islands, or even resetting your habits at a wellness retreat like Kamalaya, travel can be about so much more than just where you go. It’s also about what you take away from it.

If you’re looking for something a little more meaningful, I design tailor-made trips built around the experiences you actually want to have.

Save this for later or message me to start planning. Complete my quick enquiry form (https://forms.office.com/e/vF90Q6q11Z ) and receive a call back from me or

📞 0131 224 0092
📧 [email protected]
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