http://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/craig.brett

Craig Brett - Travel Counsellors, Newcastle upon Tyne (2026)

23/03/2025

Freshly home from from Paris and my fabulous couple of days onboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre.

The food and wines onboard were as exceptional as the service and all included in the fare, along with your flights and transfers and a host of interesting activities and experiences and your travel luxuriously along the river.

Here is a little snippet of the offers that Uniworld currently have on their 2025 sailings!

These offers are only on until the end of the month and the Staterooms are selling quickly so if you are interested in any of the departures get in touch quickly.

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

10/03/2025

🇬🇧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

Not content with Christmas on the British Pullman, I thought it was time to check out their competitor, The Northern Belle.

Formerly sister trains, the two share lots of similarities, with a strong emphasis on luxurious dining and exceptional standards of service.

Unlike the British Pullman, which almost always runs from Victoria, the Northern Belle has departures across the whole of the UK (and not just in the North!)

Peter, Lisa, Paul & I will be taking to the rails in May on of the handful of departures this year that will be hauled be a steam locomotive!

Harking back to Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers, we'll enjoy a sumptuous three-course brunch en-route to Carlisle.

Stopping there for a few hours to look around the City, we'll rejoin the Northern Belle with a Champagne reception as the chefs and Stewards prepare to serve a delicious six-course dinner as we steam majestically through 14 tunnels and across 22 bridges, including the spectacular 24-arch Ribblehead Viaduct, to Settle. - Arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of railway line in the UK.

We'll be traveling from Newcastle, but the there are steam hauled departures from a variety of towns and cities across the country this year... 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑛!

If you want to see just how special this journey is, Channel 5, have even dedicated an entire hour long episode to it!

https://www.channel5.com/show/world-s-most-scenic-railway-journeys/season-3/lakes-dales-most-scenic-railway-journey-08f285b6-f3ed-4358-b7ef-50b1dbb9a5aa

Prices for the Steam Specials start at £595pp, with upgrades to Laurent-Perrier (£95pp) and Krug Class (£195pp) available.

Seats on these trains are highly sought after and often sell out quickly so if you are interested get in touch and I will secure your place.

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

25/10/2023

🇨🇦 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫?

Toronto is a fantastic city with a brilliant food scene, famously polite and friendly people and that all important cool factor that makes a Pre-Christmas break so festive! (Christmas at 25°?! - I don’t think so!)

Don’t like shopping? - No problem! - With this fantastic offer from one of our amazing partners there’s plenty of other exciting things to do!

Stand on the Glass Floor of the CN Tower and marvel at the magnificence of Niagara Falls all included as part of the package!

If you can’t do these dates or would prefer to fly from a regional airport just get in touch!

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

28/02/2022

🇲🇻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 - 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗿𝘂

If the excitement of flying over hundreds of beautiful Islands in a Seaplane isn't enough to make you feel as if you're somewhere very special then the welcome when you actually arrive most certainly is.

As you approach the jetty you're greeted by a bevy of smiley, waving, people. No sooner have the aircraft doors opened than the drums start beating and the singing starts. It is kind of magical.

The chilled towel after you have disembarked is most certainly appreciated, after which you are regally processed along the pier to the check-in Sala for Fizz and paperwork. A process so smooth that you barely know that you have done it!

Every Villa is assigned an Island host to look after you whilst you are here. One quick WhatsApp message or call and everything you could wish for is sorted. - A reservation made for your preferred restaurant in this evening, no problem! Nor that Stand-Up Paddleboard session this afternoon or the treatment that you wanted at the Spa for tomorrow. They are super friendly, nothing is too much trouble, and every request is all seen to swiftly and efficiently leaving you to get on with the pressing business of simply relaxing!

If you'd like to know more about this amazing place then just get in touch!

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

14/02/2022

🇨🇦 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐟

At the heart of the Banff National Park, Banff is one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations.

A uniquely North American combination of an Alpine village and a Frontier town, Banff, Alberta, is an amazingly friendly little town in the most stunning of settings.

Known for its mountainous surroundings and famous hot springs, it is a summer destination for outdoor sports with extensive hiking, biking, scrambling trails. In winter it is a popular base for skiing with several world class ski resorts within easy reach.

Take a leaf from my book and stay at the legendary Banff Springs Hotel. The building of this vast, Hogwartsesque “Castle in the Rockies” is what kick-started the development of the town as the centre for the newly proclaimed National Park.

With thirteen different places to eat and drink, you will certainly not go hungry, nor will you be bored. - The hotel boasts a fantastic health club with an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a luxurious spa, complete with thalassotherapy suite and hot tub overlooking the mountains. Add to this, a bowling alley, golf course, tennis courts, riding stables, cycle hire and an arcade of shops and art galleries, you really don’t need to even go into town if you didn’t want to! (though it would be a shame to miss out!)

If you fancy a spot of mountain hiking, sitting by a roaring log fire eating Schnitzel, or shaking your own ‘Wildflower’ – The Banff Springs Signature Cocktail – in a private cocktail lesson with the Head Barman, as part of your Canadian adventure then get in touch and I can help make it happen!

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

11/02/2022

Thank you for supporting me in my new business so far.

If you're not already registered and you’d like to receive my weekly email full of exciting travel inspirations and our exclusive offers then please drop me a quick email or Facebook Message.

Please feel free to share this with of your family & family if you think they’d benefit from my help and advice.

10/02/2022

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐨

Fancy a short break with a difference this summer? Why not nip up (or down if you live in Aberdeen or Wick!) - to Edinburgh and check out this year’s amazing Tattoo.

Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh's imposing castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the most iconic events in Edinburgh's calendar.

Having been cancelled for the last two years in a row the Royal Tattoo is back with a vengeance, with this years’ Chief of the Tattoo vowing to shed its ‘Tartan & Shortbread’ image by deploying state-of-the-art digital mapping technology to transform the Castle and revolutionise the look of this world famous event.

Running from the 5-27th of August, The Edinburgh Tattoo is a unique and memorable celebration of music, dance and military pageantry.

We currently have a fantastic 2 night break at the beautiful 4 Star Crowne Plaza hotel, with excellently placed seats to enjoy the tattoo itself, available on offer from £390pp.

If you really want to push the boat out and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience; I can even book you one of the amazing hospitality packages, including a sumptuous five-course meal at the historic Cannonball House or perhaps you’d prefer to stay at the legendary Balmoral Hotel with it’s fantastic location on Princes Street and its amazing views of the Old Town.

With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Fringe happening at the same time, why not stay an extra night or two and catch a performance or three whilst you’re there!

Tickets and hotel availability are likely to book up quickly so get in touch on the number below to find out more and secure your place at this legendary event!

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

10/10/2021

🇨🇦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫

Canada’s answer to the Orient Express. This wonderful train has three different routes you can choose from in Canada and a new one this year that can take you along the American Rockies.

One of the classic railway journeys in the world, we opted for the ‘First Passage to the West’ which is the only passenger service still running along the route of the famous first railway line linking East to West and uniting Canada.

You start your journey at a dedicated station before settling into your comfortable seats.

Those travelling in GoldLeaf are then separated into two groups with the first heading downstairs for their delicious breakfast and the second being served coffees, teas and pastries. Once the first service is over, the groups swap and the second group goes down for their breakfast.

No sooner have the second sitting returned from than it seems that those who took their breakfast first are all being called down to luncheon.

The food is exceptionally good! Particularly considering it is all being freshly prepared in each carriage’s own tiny kitchen.

You won’t go thirsty either. A comprehensive - complimentary - bar is available throughout your journey with a fantastic choice of excellent wines - all sourced from British Columbia.

At the end of your first day you pull into the Rocky Mountaineer train yard in Kamloops where a fleet of motorcoaches are waiting to take you to your hotel for the evening where you will find your luggage ready and waiting for you in your room.

On your second and final day of the journey the routine switches with the first sitting on previous day going down to breakfast second.

As you travel through ever impressive scenery the crew with regale you with interesting snippets of local history, funny stories and information about all the amazing wildlife that you can spot as you travel by.

You can opt to end your trip in either Lake Louise or Banff.

The views from the window are definitely the star of the journey but the experience is definitely made by the wonderful service.

05/10/2021

🇨🇦 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐯𝐞𝐫

Regularly voted one of the most lively cities in the world, Vancouver is Canada’s jewel on the Pacific.

A Cosmopolitan downtown, bustling excellent with shops and restaurants, a vibrant harbour crammed with yachts and the coming and goings of seaplanes and a quirky old quarter with lots of trendy cafés and independent boutiques - Vancouver has something to please everyone!

Add to that some of the most stunning vistas and the huge Stanley Park if you want to get back to nature you don’t have to travel far.

Excellently connected to the UK with direct flight with Air Canada, British Airways and WestJet.

Vancouver is easy to reach and provides a great springboard to other parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

03/10/2021

🇨🇦 𝐄𝐧-𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚

BA’s Club Service is almost back to normal from its Covid related simplifications. Welcome drinks are back which was, well.. very welcomed!

It is still a single tray service for the first meal but the Do & Co food is of excellent quality and we certainly didn’t feel hungry after it.

Check-in at Newcastle was as quick and easy as normal. The only difference being that they wanted to see proof of our vaccination status.

Entry in Canada was equally simple and surprisingly quick. - The whole travelling experience was as quick and easy as usual in my opinion.

There was quite a lot of paperwork to be done before we travelled but that’s one of the key benefits of having your own personal travel expert - like me - to guide you through the process.

There will be more posts about my trip to Canada to come so if you’ve always been wanted to tick the land of Maple Leaves, Mooses and Mounties off your list then keep an eye for a bit of inspiration.

26/08/2021

🇫🇷 Short Ski Break in Val D’Isere

One of my lovely Newcastle colleagues is organising this amazing ski trip to France this December.

Spaces selling really well, however, she still has some places left on her exclusive hosted ALL INCLUSIVE SKI TRIP with

1st-5th December 2021
4 nights at Club Med Val d’Isere in France
All inclusive (food AND drink inc!)
Ski group lessons for 2 full days
Ski passes and transfers included
(Ski hire is an additional cost)

Manchester - £1128 per person
Gatwick - £1140 per person
Based on two people sharing
Single person options available

£155 per person deposit

Message me for more information or to secure your place.

WHO IS COMING WITH ME?! 😁⛷

22/04/2021

🇦🇬 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐚 & 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐚

I was involved in a really interesting webinar with the Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Authority today.

They’re ready to welcome back tourists with open arms with some really easy, visitor friendly COVID-19 protocols in place:

You’ll need to take a Clinic based PCR test within 7 days of your flight to this beautiful Twin Island nation and stay in one of the hotels or villas that have been certified by the government.

Masks are required in public spaces but not on the beaches - providing you’re practising social distancing.

Most restaurants are currently open and most organised excursions are permitted.

For help in navigating these regulations and planning your perfect stay in this Caribbean idyll just drop me a line or give me a call.

📞 0191 381 0044
✉️ [email protected]

Craig Brett - Travel Counsellors

23/03/2025

10/03/2025

25/10/2023

28/02/2022

14/02/2022

11/02/2022

10/02/2022

10/10/2021

05/10/2021

03/10/2021

26/08/2021

22/04/2021

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