https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/andy.flynn/

Andy Flynn Travel Counsellor, Hipperholme (2026)

12/06/2026

Things you didn't know I could book: Part 3 UK Breaks

Sometimes the best holidays are right here at home. I’m a big fan of a UK break myself: proper countryside pubs, fresh sea air, log fires, decent Sunday lunches and no airport queues to battle through. From Cornish beaches and the Lake District fells to the Cotswolds, Wales, Scotland and our brilliant cities, there is loads on the doorstep that can feel like a genuine escape without needing a passport.

Just to be clear: I don’t only book trips abroad. A big part of what I do is arrange UK breaks of all shapes and sizes. That could be:

1. Cosy weekends away for two in a country inn or boutique hotel
2. Family staycations in lodges, cottages or holiday parks
3. City breaks with rail, hotel and maybe theatre or a match thrown in
4. Spa breaks and special-occasion get-togethers with friends or family
5. Longer road trips where you tick off a few different places in one go.

Tell me the sort of break you are after and how you like to travel, and I will do the legwork. I can help with where to stay, how to get there, and little extras that make it feel more special: nice restaurants, good walks nearby, attractions for the kids, or a great pub within strolling distance. You still get the same personal service, financial protection and peace of mind that you would with an overseas holiday, just closer to home and often with less stress.

If you fancy a change of scene but do not really want the faff of flying right now, or you just like the idea of exploring more of the UK, drop me a message. I will put some tailored UK break ideas together for you so all you have to do is pack a bag and enjoy it.

09/06/2026

Who is a parkrun fan amongst my followers. Who would love to do the new parkrun in Gibraltar. Who would love to stay in Southern Spain and easily visit Gibraltar for the day.

Well this is going to become a lot easier with the physical borders coming down from 15th July 2026.

Who is dreaming of some parkrun tourism accross Europe. Please give me a call and I can plot and plan anything for you to get that Z, mulitple alphabets or just another flag on your parkrun profile.

f you have one or more parkruns on your profile it's compulsory to share this post 😁 If you are just a lovely client then please share also if you think this maybe of interest to your friends.

05/06/2026

You didn’t know I could book this? Part 2: Rail Holidays

It is not just flights and cruises I look after. I can also design and book incredible rail holidays, from iconic luxury trains to scenic multi-stop journeys across Europe and worldwide. If you love the idea of slowing down, watching the landscape change outside your window and stepping off the train right into the heart of a city, a rail holiday could be perfect for you.

Imagine gliding through the Alps on a panoramic train, combining classic cities like Paris, Milan and Venice in one seamless itinerary, or tracing the coastlines and countryside of Spain and Italy without ever setting foot in an airport. Prefer something closer to home? I can put together beautiful rail journeys around the UK and Ireland too, linking charming villages, coastal towns and historic cities.

There are also some truly special rail journeys around the world that I can arrange for you, such as epic train adventures through the Canadian Rockies or unforgettable scenic routes in Japan, where sleek high-speed trains connect vibrant cities with serene countryside and coastal landscapes. These can be combined with stays in handpicked hotels and unique local experiences to create a really memorable trip.

I tailor everything to your style: relaxed first-class journeys with extra comfort and space, family-friendly routes with shorter legs and fun stops, or special-occasion trips on world-famous luxury trains. Behind the scenes, I take care of routes, connections, seat reservations, hotels, transfers and sightseeing, so your journey feels seamless from start to finish.

If exploring the world by rail appeals but you are not sure where to start, just ask and I will plan and book the full journey for you.

01422 486800
[email protected]

29/05/2026

I'm starting a new series of "I didn't know you could book this". Every few days I'm going to feature a different sector of the travel industry that we can book and curate. Today it is Cruise.

Part 1: Cruise

I can design and book incredible cruise holidays, tailored completely around you. Whether you are dreaming of a sun-soaked Mediterranean sailing, a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska adventure, a romantic river cruise through Europe, an adults-only escape or a fun-filled family voyage, I can match you with the right ship, itinerary and cabin.

There are so many options that it can feel overwhelming if you are trying to do it alone. That is where I come in. I help you compare cruise lines, ships and routes, explain the differences between cabin types, and talk you through dining options, drinks packages, kids’ clubs, entertainment and the best time of year to travel. I will highlight the standout ports of call, suggest must-do shore experiences and make sure your itinerary fits the way you like to holiday.

I can also arrange everything around the cruise itself: flights, rail, pre-and post-cruise hotel stays, private transfers, airport lounges and any special touches like birthday surprises or anniversary celebrations on board. Your holiday feels seamless from the moment you leave home until you return.

Instead of spending hours researching and worrying if you have made the right choice, you have one dedicated point of contact who knows you, keeps an eye on the details and is there to support you if you ever need help while you are away. I also have a team of dedicated Cruise ambassadors who will help to get the exact choice for you.

If a cruise has been on your mind but you are not sure where to start, message me and I will take care of the planning so you can simply look forward to sailing away.

01422 486800
[email protected]

27/05/2026

Another great review from another satisfied client. When you book with me, I take care of everything from check in, to monitoring flights, accomodation, airport parking. It's all on an app for you to view.

Just let me do the work and enjoy your trip without the stress of speaking to call centres and bots when it all goes wrong.

What's more, it doesn't cost you anymore. You don't pay me a service fee. I only get paid by the suppliers when you book. If you book online, at the same price, you are saddled with all the stress if things go awry.

Get in touch if this sounds like the sort of service you would love.

01422 486800
[email protected]

25/05/2026

Happy bank holiday everyone and welcome to the scorching weather. I bet the last thing on everyone’s minds today is a sunshine holiday over the next few months.

Remember though, it will be raining next week so have a think where would be lovely and please send me a message I’ll be back at my desk for the rest of the week.

Where is your favourite sunshine destination ? Myself and Mrs Flynn are going to Zante in September, a destination I’ve never been to so I’m looking forward to that.

This photo was taken from my Coast to Coast walk in 2023. It was weather like today for 11 out of 12 days.

Enjoy the rest of the bank holiday and get in touch with all your holiday wishes.

[email protected]
01422 486800 (phone or WhatsApp)
Messenger on here.

19/05/2026

Dreaming of a trip that feels like stepping into a film set, yet still totally real and raw in its beauty? That is exactly what touring New Zealand is like. From jade-green bays and black-sand beaches to mirror-still lakes and snow-dusted peaks, every day feels like you have turned the page in a completely new story.

A touring holiday in New Zealand gives you the freedom to see and do more. You can wind your way along scenic coastal roads, stop at tiny villages and wineries, wander through glow-worm caves, then wake up the next day beside a lake framed by mountains. Go self-drive in a car or motorhome, take one of the legendary rail journeys, or sit back and let everything be taken care of on an escorted tour.

The best time to visit for touring is usually our autumn and spring:
• October to early December: longer days, fresh greenery, lambs in the fields and fewer crowds on the roads and at key sights.
• February to April: settled weather after the main summer, warm temperatures, beautiful autumn colours and a more relaxed feel in popular spots.

The North Island tempts with geothermal wonders, vineyards and rich Māori culture: think Rotorua’s bubbling pools, the Bay of Islands’ beaches and the rolling hills of Hobbiton. The South Island offers dramatic alpine scenery, glaciers, fjords and some of the most scenic drives in the world, including the road to Milford Sound and the routes around Queenstown and Wanaka.

I travelled around New Zealand’s South Island this March, so I know how it feels to stand at those viewpoints, drive those roads and balance the driving time with memorable stops. I can share first-hand tips on where to break the journey, which experiences are truly worth it and how to pace your trip so it feels relaxed rather than rushed.

Whether you are dreaming of a three-week grand tour from North Island to South Island, a motorhome adventure, a shorter highlights trip combined with a stopover, or a special-occasion journey with boutique lodges and unforgettable experiences, I can design it all around you. Every itinerary I create is completely bespoke to your interests, pace and budget.

If New Zealand is on your wish list, send me a message and I will create a personalised touring holiday that lets you experience it exactly the way you imagine it, with all the planning taken care of for you.

01422 486800
[email protected]

15/05/2026

Good morning and happy Friday to everyone. Hope you've all got plenty of great things to do this weekend. I'm going to spend a couple of days on the East coast at Whitby then back in time for our local running race, The Calderdale Way Relay. I'll be running 10.6 miles on Sunday for my team.

Back to the wonderful world of travel. Did you know that, as well as Beach Holidays, Cruises, Safari's and Touring we can also book you in practically any walking route in the world. These can either be guided or self guided (dependant on route). They can be packaged with any kind of trip before and afterwards and it's all ATOL protected by us.

A lovely example of a walking route is Camino de Santiago: The French Way.

This is a 7 day self-guided walk.

The jounrey begins in Sarria and finishes at the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. Total walk distance is 112km. Itinerary includes 6 nights hotel, 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners with luggage transfers included. All this starting at less that £1000 per person.

To enquire about walking holiday please get in touch.

01422 486800
[email protected]

14/05/2026

Working in travel is 2026 is definitely proving interesting.

A potential client comes to you saying:

“We need an extra special holiday for myself, my husband and our 3 children.”

“Of course. When would you like to travel?”

“Anytime in the school holidays for 2 weeks.”

“Do you have a destination in mind?”

“Not really… anywhere.”

“Any must haves?”

“We want luxury, all inclusive, great entertainment, a waterpark would be nice, somewhere the kids can make friends, interconnecting rooms are essential, short transfers, minimum 25 degrees, and definitely no silly flight times.”

“Perfect. Do you have a budget in mind?”

“Not really… just best price possible please. I need to dash — when do you think you’ll have something for us?”

“Hopefully tomorrow.”

“Amazing, because we want to book ASAP.”

So next comes the part people never see.

Hours researching destinations.
Comparing hotels.
Checking flight times.
Reviewing room options.
Making sure the location, atmosphere, dining and overall experience genuinely fit the family.

Eventually, you narrow it down perfectly.

You send the quote and call immediately because of the urgency.

“YES — this is exactly what we want.”

“I’ll speak with my husband and come back to you shortly.”

Two days pass.

Nothing.

Follow-up email.
Nothing.

Phone call.
Nothing.

Eventually, after almost a week:

“Hi, sorry we’ve been away for the weekend in France.”

“Oh lovely — was it nice?”

“Yes, really good.”

“You know we actually have some fantastic France suppliers too.”

“Oh… I thought you just did family holidays.”

Anyway…

“What did your husband think of the quote?”

“He loved it. But we checked the hotel and flights online and found it slightly cheaper.”

Interesting.

Because a week earlier:
They didn’t know where to go.
When to travel.
Which hotel suited them.
Which area worked best.
Or what would actually make the holiday special for THEIR family.

But now the only thing that matters is a slightly cheaper price online.

Travel consultants are not here to compete with faceless booking engines.

We are expected to:
✔ plan
✔ advise
✔ solve problems
✔ know destinations inside out
✔ tailor experiences around individual clients

Yet somehow the value still gets reduced to a comparison website.

The irony?

People rarely question paying for expertise in other industries.

But in travel, expertise is often expected for free.

You’re not paying someone to simply click “book.”

You’re paying for:
Experience.
Knowledge.
Time.
Peace of mind.

And someone who genuinely cares whether your trip is unforgettable.

Travel advisors are not search engines.

We are specialists.

And the clients who understand that almost always travel better.

To get in touch please contact me below

01422 486800
[email protected]

09/05/2026

🏃‍♀️🏃Run Barbados Weekend 2026 🏃‍♀️🏃

You may recall I went to the Run Barbados Weekend in 2025. Now it's back bigger and better and the sun will be out ! ☀️😎

Staying at the Accra Beach Hotel and flying from London Gatwick on 29th November-6th December. Room only basis. This venue is very close to the hub of the Run Barbados weekend at Carlisle Beach. Easy to get to by taxi or even to walk.

Price for seven nights including flights is from £1396 pp. Please contact me for departures from other airports, holiday duration and different hotels.

Run Barbados entry fee to be paid seperately. However the weekend consists of a Fun Mile on Friday, 5k or 10k on Saturday and a Half/Full Marathon on Sunday. Please contact me for further detail on the races.

ℹ️ Prices based on 2 adults sharing. Flights and Transfers included. Local taxes are approx. £25.73 per person but are subject to exchange rate at the time. Prices correct at time of publication and subject to availability.

Andy Flynn Travel Counsellor

12/06/2026

09/06/2026

05/06/2026

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

25/05/2026

19/05/2026

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

09/05/2026

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