Behind The Scenes: A Day In The Life Of Your Personal Travel Counsellor

From the outside, it can look as though holidays simply appear: the perfect hotel, the ideal flight times, seamless transfers and just‑right experiences. In reality, there is a lot of quiet work happening in the background to make everything feel that effortless.

If you have ever wondered what a typical day looks like for me as your personal Travel Counsellor, here is a little peek behind the scenes.

6:30am: Wake Up & Dog Walk

My alarm goes off at 6:30am and the first “meeting” of the day is with Lola, my miniature daschund and the other half of JK Travel.

We head out for a walk, whatever the weather. It is my chance to wake up properly, get some fresh air and mentally run through the day ahead: who is travelling, what needs finalising, where I need to focus.

By the time we are back home, both of us have stretched our legs and I am ready to start my day.

8:00am: Pilates, Spin & Setting The Tone

At 8:00am it is usually pilates or a spin class. That hour of movement sets the tone for the day: clear head, good energy, and the feeling that I am ready to tackle the details that sit behind every trip.

9:30am: Coffee & Catch Up

Once I am back at my desk, BIG coffee in hand, I check overnight messages and emails.

Travel is global, so things often land while the UK is sleeping: confirmations, updates from partners in other time zones, or a quick WhatsApp from a client who has just arrived at their hotel.

My first job is to:

Check for anything time sensitive for clients currently away.
Pick up new enquiries and questions.
Map out a simple priority list so everything gets the attention it needs.

It is not glamorous, but it is what keeps everything running smoothly.

10:30am: New Enquiries & Holiday Ideas

Then I dive into new and ongoing holiday plans, which is always a highlight.

A morning might include:

An anniversary trip for a couple who want a mix of relaxation and a little adventure.
A family trying to balance kids’ clubs with nice dinners and some adult space.
A solo traveller who wants to feel safe, welcome and inspired.

This is where I go back over our conversations, notes and wish lists. What kind of places do you naturally gravitate towards? What have you loved (or hated) before? What does a “perfect day” on holiday actually look like for you?

From there, I research, compare and refine. It is never about plucking a random hotel off a list, it is about finding the options that feel like you.

12:00pm: The Detail You Never See

Before any proposal lands in your inbox, there is a layer of detail that gets checked and double checked.

Typically I will:

Look closely at hotel locations so you are genuinely well placed for what you want to do.
Check room types, board basis and facilities so there are no nasty surprises.
Think about transfer times and connections so travel days are as kind as possible.
Factor in the practical bits: mobility, dietary needs, travelling with children, or simply how much you like to be on the go.

The aim is that when you open your quote, it all feels simple and exciting. The complexity sits with me, not with you.

2:00pm: Coffee Shop Working

By early afternoon I am usually ready for a change of scene, so around 2:00pm I will head to a favourite coffee shop with my laptop and my intern (Lola!).

This is my “deep work” time:

Writing up day‑by‑day itineraries.
Polishing proposals so they are clear and easy to follow.
Crafting emails that explain your options without overwhelm.

There is something about a good oat flat white and a puppacino and gentle café background noise that really helps ideas flow.

3:00pm: Dog Walk Round Two

Around 3:00pm it is time for dog walk number two. A leg stretch for both of us, and a useful reset for me in the middle of the afternoon.

Away from the screen, I often find myself thinking through the trickier parts of a trip: how to tweak timings, which hotel will genuinely suit you better, whether there is a special extra I can add that will make your holiday feel even more “you”.

Then it is back to the laptop with a fresh perspective.

3:30pm: Looking After Clients Who Are Away

While some clients are at the planning stage, others are already off enjoying their holidays. Part of my day is always reserved for them.

That might mean:

Checking in with someone who has arrived in resort to make sure everything is as expected.
Keeping an eye on any updates that could affect current travel plans.
Being on hand if someone needs to adjust plans while they are away.

If something unexpected crops up, you are not facing it alone or spending hours on hold to a call centre. You have me in your corner, who knows both you and your booking, ready to help.

4:30pm: Learning, Research & Future Inspiration

Back at my desk, I try to carve out some time for the “behind the behind the scenes” work.

That can include:

Catching up on destination news and seasonal trends.
Joining online training sessions.
Digging into information about particular hotels or regions I know will interest my clients.

This is the quiet groundwork that means I can answer questions like “Where would be good for us next Easter?” with confidence, not guesswork.

7:00pm: Supplier Events In Town

Quite often, the job continues into the evening in a different way. Around 7:00pm I might be heading into town for a supplier event or training night.

These are the occasions where I:

Meet hotel and destination representatives in person.
Hear about new openings, refurbishments and hidden gems.
Ask the nitty gritty questions about which rooms, views and seasons work best.

It is sociable, but it also directly feeds into the advice I give you. When I recommend a hotel, it is often based on far more than just a brochure photo.

9:30pm: Final Check & Switch Off

Back home, there is usually a final quick scan of emails and messages:

Has everyone who was waiting for an update heard from me?
Do I need to jot down any ideas or information from the event before I forget?
What needs my attention first thing tomorrow?

I like my clients to feel that they are not left hanging, so a short “I am on it” message is sometimes all that is needed.

Then it is time to properly switch off, recharge and get ready to do it all again the next day.

What You See Vs What Happens Behind The Scenes

From your side, you see:

Holiday ideas that feel very “you”.
Clear options and straightforward pricing.
Travel documents that arrive in good time.
A familiar, friendly point of contact whenever you have a question.

Behind that, there is:

A lot of checking and re‑checking of the small print.
Someone quietly keeping an eye on your trip before, during and after you travel.
Itineraries that are shaped around how you like to spend your time, not a one‑size‑fits‑all package.

That is what “personal” really means.

Ready To Let Someone Else Handle The Hard Work?

If you are finding the world of online booking a bit overwhelming, or you would simply rather someone else did the heavy lifting, that is where I come in.

You bring the ideas, the wish list and how you want your holiday to feel. I take care of the research, logistics and tiny details, so you can stay focused on the fun part.

If you are thinking about your next trip, big or small, I would love to help you plan it.
Get in touch and let’s start turning those ideas into your next adventure.