City Breaks view
When you don’t have a lot of time for a holiday, but you need a change of scenery, consider taking a city break. Explore new places; discover its attractions, markets, restaurants and nightlife. You’ll come back home energised. Sure, you can spend hours on the Internet looking for cheap airfare, then take more time to find a deal on accommodation, but do you really want to spend your precious time doing that? With one call to your Travel Counsellor, you set the wheels in motion for an expert to do the work for you. Many special rates are available only to travel professionals, so let them do the work and get the best deal possible for you.
Cruises view
Cruises have become more popular over the last decade as more travellers have discovered that they are an easy way to travel. Unpack once and let the world come to you. With so many itineraries available, there is so much choose from. Journey across the ocean or travel a river route, on ships big or small. Your Travel Counsellor can help you find the perfect cruise at a perfect price.
Ski view
Head for the hills and enjoy the world’s best ski resorts. Today’s resorts go beyond just offering fabulous slopes. They have activities for families, spas, stellar restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. From St. Moritz to Whistler, ski destinations come in all shapes and sizes, from expert to rookie runs. Your Travel Counsellor can help make your ski trip flawlessly smooth, with not a bump or a mogul in sight.
Luxury view
More travellers these days are opting for luxury. Why? They’ve discovered that holiday time is valuable and essential, so they want to make it as memorable as it can be by choosing packages that include all the trimmings. You’ve worked hard to earn your money so why not spend it on first-class luxury holidays or breaks? You deserve it. Of course, you still want value for your money so consult your Travel Counsellor on how to get the most out of your luxurious holiday.
Weddings Abroad view
Your personal love story is unlike that of anyone else, so don’t follow the crowd. Do something different and follow your dreams to a wedding abroad. Imagine getting married barefoot on the beach as the sun sets, or have a traditional Hawaiian wedding where bride and groom are taken to the chapel by boat. Dare to do it your way with a wedding abroad. Your Travel Counsellor is the expert who can make it happen.
Honeymoons view
It’s not just a honeymoon. It’s your first trip together as Mr & Mrs you’re building memories together so make them truly special. Whether you choose an exotic, extended getaway to Asia or Africa, or visit a new hot spot in Europe, your honeymoon should be a celebration of your love. Let Travel Counsellors take care of all the details so that you focus on other important things – like each other.
Golf view
It doesn’t matter if you’re just learning to play or an experienced golfer. Golf destinations can be found around the world, from the desert in Dubai, to Walt Disney World. The question is which one suits your needs best. Maybe it’s a golf resort that offers expertise lessons from a golf pro, or one that has plenty of post-golfing activities for the family. Your Travel Counsellor has the perfect swing to plan golf holidays.
Spa view
You’ve worked hard so now it’s time to relax with equal intensity. A spa holiday fits the bill. Let yourself be pampered with treatments that nurture the body and the soul. Spend the day in your bathrobe as you relax, nap, and have massages, pedicures, facials, and body reviving services. You owe it to yourself to recharge your batteries so you can keep up your fast-paced life. Slow down for a spa break, created for you by Travel Counsellors.
Family view
These days, families rarely have time to spend together. The kids are off playing football, going to piano lessons, and hanging out with their friends. Family breaks give you a chance to be together and re-connect. There’s nothing more important than families, so get help picking the perfect place to make everyone happy with the assistance of your Travel Counsellor.
Special Occasions view
Make an anniversary, birthday, family reunion an extra special event by planning a holiday to celebrate it in style. When it’s a life event that’s meaningful and important, you’ll want to honour it with a holiday that brings everyone together. It’s not just about the day; it’s about creating unforgettable moments that bring joy time and time again. When you need to make it special, call your Travel Counsellor.
Tailor Made view
Package holidays are really wonderful, but only if they are exactly what you want. Don’t settle for a holiday that doesn’t suit your needs. Creating tailor-made packages, built step by step with your input, is a speciality of Travel Counsellors. We don’t believe that one holiday always fits all, so we’re happy to put together the perfect one just for you.
MADRID
Thursday 22nd February 2007

Travel Counsellor: Mary Foyle
Every year, myself and 3 buddies meet up for a short city break. Three of us live in Cork but Marie lives in Edinburgh and so the main reason for the weekend is to catch up on each others news. Our criteria is simple – good restaurants, a couple of decent pubs (not the loud disco variety) and some easy sightseeing.
In February 2007, we headed to Madrid for 3 nights. We all arrived at more or less the same time and checked into our hotel – the Eurostars el Coloso just off the Gran Via in Madrid. Whilst the hotel was quite basic for a 4 star, the location was fantastic – just off the Gran Via which is the main street running through Madrid. Once unpacked, we headed out for some ‘Tapas and Rioja’!
Within a 5 minute walk of the hotel, we arrived at the ‘Puerta del Sol’. This is considered to be the actual ‘centre’ of Madrid - it is from here that all distances are measured. The square itself was buzzing with humanity and just off the square were lots of cobblestone streets with... view full story
click a circle on the map to view a Travel Counsellor's journal