Katie Guinan - Travel Counsellor

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

What actually makes a hotel feel luxurious? ✨

It isn’t always a fifth star, a marble lobby or the fanciest bedroom.

Sometimes it’s enough space to breathe. A hotel that feels calm even when it’s full. Restaurants people genuinely want to use. Somewhere sensible to put four suitcases. And a beach you can simply wander onto.

My stay at Grecotel LUXME Dama Dama got me thinking about the things that make a hotel feel truly premium; especially the ones you can’t see in a brochure.

My new blog is now live 👇

https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/katie.guinan/TheLuxuryofSpaceWhatReallyMakesaHotelFeelPremium

14/09/2026

Monday moods do not need to be a sad kind of blue with a trip to Istanbul, home to the famous Blue Mosque 💙

Lose yourself in the beautful sounds of call to prayer drifting over ancient rooftops. Wander between glittering domes and spice-scented bazaars, linger over rich Turkish coffee as ferries glide along the Bosphorus, then end your day on a rooftop terrace watching the city lights shimmer between Europe and Asia 🌙✨

11/09/2026

It was such a pleasure planning this family trip to New York for Bonnie and her family 🗽

I had so much fun putting this itinerary together and I am so glad they enjoyed themselves as much as I hoped they would. I absolutely loved seeing and hearing all the updates too! ✨

Thank you for your lovely review, Bonnie!

If you would like to, you can submit a review of my services here – and please do mentionmy name!

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.travelcounsellors.com

09/09/2026

Malta is so popular this year and it is easy to see why 🇲🇹

Golden cities glowing in the sunset, clear blue coves perfect for swimming, and long lazy lunches by the harbour… this is island life at its best. Explore Valletta and Mdina, sail around Comino or scuba dive into turquoise water, then finish the day with amazing food and local wine 🍷

Whether it is a quick sunshine escape, an underwater adventure, family holiday or a romantic break, I can tailor a Malta trip just for you ✨

Message me to start planning your Malta escape.

07/09/2026

Monday moods in Kumano Sanza 🌿⛩️

Dreaming of slow paths, ancient shrines and mossy forest trails instead of inboxes and to‑do lists. The sacred Kumano Kodo routes in Japan’s Kumano Sanza region are all about gentle walking, hot spring soaks and quiet temple stays: the perfect reset for a busy mind.

If a pilgrimage‑style escape with beautiful scenery and Japanese hospitality sounds like your kind of Monday mood, I would love to help you plan it.

04/09/2026

Rail is hot right now and it is one of the biggest travel trends I am seeing with my 2026 enquiries 🚆✨ Think slower, greener journeys with instant scenery and no airport stress 🌱🏔️

One of the most popular destinations to explore by rail is Japan 🇯🇵

Watch Japan unfold through your window: sleek bullet trains, quiet countryside and those unforgettable glimpses of Mount Fuji. This is one of the world’s great rail journeys, and I can plan every connection, seat reservation and stop for you so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view 🙌

02/09/2026

Lose-the-airport, keep-the-adventure. From sun‑kissed Provence and the chic Riviera, to storybook Central Europe, Norway’s most dramatic fjord railway and the timeless glamour of Belmond, these are my top 5 unmissable rail journeys for 2025 and beyond. Which route would you love to ride first?

31/08/2026

Berlin is that rare city break that feels edgy and effortless at the same time 🇩🇪✨

Think bohemian neighbourhoods and cool cafés, bold street art and big galleries, plus powerful history woven into every corner. From traces of the Soviet era and the Berlin Wall to glassy modern landmarks and buzzing nightlife, it is a city of contrasts that just works.

Perfect for a long weekend of wandering, people‑watching and soaking up that northern European sparkle ✨☕️

30/08/2026

Happy World Beach Day! 🏖️

A few favourite beaches from my travels in the last 12 months 😍

From Iceland’s dramatic black sands 🇮🇸 to the coves of Costa Brava 🇪🇸, sunny Rhodes 🇬🇷, Fort Myers Beach in Florida 🇺🇸, and Scotland’s Dakota Beach and South Queensferry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 each is beautiful in its own way.

The perfect beach depends on the holiday. Wild scenery, hidden coves, or warm sunshine and a place to relax ☀️

Which would you choose? 👇