Brian Bloomer

My expertise

Antarctica
Africa
South East Asia
South America
North America
Australasia
Canada
Central America

I'm based in

Wicklow

Looking for help with your business travel? Find out how I can help here

It's Nice To Meet You

As your personal Travel Counsellor, I provide a highly personalised, expert-led travel service for clients who want their holiday planned properly – with care, insight and attention to detail.

With over 10 years’ experience in the travel industry, including senior management roles with a leading specialist in tailor-made long-haul travel, I now focus on designing complex and meaningful journeys across the world.

These are the trips people talk about for years, not just flights and hotels, but carefully crafted itineraries built around what really matters to you.

My specialisms include:

• Fly-drive and touring holidays in South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• Safaris in Tanzania, Botswana and Kenya
• Private and escorted touring in Sri Lanka, India, South East Asia, Japan, China and South America
• Expedition and luxury cruising, including Antarctica and the Galápagos
• Tropical island escapes such as the Maldives, Seychelles and French Polynesia
• Truly bespoke bucket-list trips combining several destinations into one seamless journey

South Africa in particular holds a special place in my travel experience – from road trips along the Garden Route to wildlife encounters in its great reserves and vibrant city stays in Cape Town. It is a destination I know well and regularly recommend for clients seeking variety, adventure and comfort in one trip.

I work with clients who want more than an off-the-shelf holiday. Many of the itineraries I design involve multiple flights, internal travel, unique accommodation and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. My role is to make all of that feel effortless.

What makes my service different is the personal touch. I take the time to understand how you like to travel, what excites you, and what you want to avoid.

I am available outside traditional office hours, because travel plans don’t always fit neatly into a 9-5 day. When things change - as they sometimes do - you have a real person managing it for you.

My own travel journey began early. Growing up around the family equestrian business meant competition weekends rather than holidays, but once I discovered independent travel after university, I made up for lost time - including three round-the-world trips, a J1 visa adventure in Rhode Island, and eventually visiting every continent, including Antarctica (a bracing swim I don’t recommend lightly).

Along the way I’ve:

• Sailed in the Maldives and the Adriatic
• Hiked the Inca Trail in Peru
• Explored Sri Lanka’s cultural heartlands
• Travelled extensively in Japan, experiencing its unique balance of ancient tradition and modern life
• Taken road trips across the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
• Experienced safaris in East Africa
• Designed hundreds of bespoke long-haul itineraries for clients seeking unforgettable journeys

That personal experience feeds directly into how I plan trips for my clients today. I also know just how important these trips are. That’s why I treat every itinerary as if it were my own.

You will also have the comfort of knowing that you are booking with a fully licensed and bonded company which means your money is protected. Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded with the Irish Aviation Authority, licence No TA621

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Vietnam First-Hand: What It’s Like to Travel with G Adventures

Vietnam First-Hand: What It’s Like to Travel with G Adventures

Vietnam had been on my list for years, but this trip completely exceeded expectations. Not just for the destinations themselves, but for how seamlessly it all came together with G Adventures – blending authentic local experiences, great people, and just the right level of comfort. This wasn’t a standard itinerary, but rather a curated mix of what G Adventures offer across their different styles o

20 Apr 2026 5   min read

A South African Road Trip

A South African Road Trip

South Africa is one of those destinations that genuinely has it all: dramatic coastlines, world class food and wine, unforgettable wildlife, and some of the most scenic driving routes anywhere in the world. In 2018, I experienced this first hand on a self drive journey that took me from Cape Town, along the Garden Route, and into the Eastern Cape for a true safari finale. This blog is a reflecti

28 Jan 2026 5   min read

How to Plan a Self-Drive Holiday in South Africa: Safety, Routes, and Hidden Gems

How to Plan a Self-Drive Holiday in South Africa: Safety, Routes, and Hidden Gems

A self-drive holiday in South Africa is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the country. It gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, enjoy quieter corners that tours often skip, and experience the landscapes in a far more personal way. For travellers over 50 who value comfort, flexibility, and a sense of adventure without unnecessary stress, a well-planned self-drive can be the perf

16 Nov 2025 5   min read

Best Fly Drive Routes in New Zealand for Independent Travellers Over 50

Best Fly Drive Routes in New Zealand for Independent Travellers Over 50

Best Fly Drive Routes in New Zealand for Independent Travellers Over 50 New Zealand is a destination made for independent travellers who enjoy freedom, comfort, and scenery that changes at every turn. For travellers over 50, a fly drive offers the ideal balance of flexibility and relaxation. You can set your own pace, enjoy well maintained roads, and build an itinerary that reflects your interest

16 Nov 2025 5   min read

5 Places Where a Private Driver-Guide Is Worth Every Penny

5 Places Where a Private Driver-Guide Is Worth Every Penny

(And Why Your Holiday Will Be All the Better for It) If you’ve ever returned from a trip thinking, “That was amazing, but I spent half the time figuring out how to get from A to B,” you’re not alone. For travellers seeking a more relaxed, seamless, and insight-rich experience, especially in far-flung or logistically tricky destinations, hiring a private driver-guide can transform the way you tr

07 Jul 2025 5   min read

What Happens When You Finally Have Time to Travel? Discover the Art of Tailor-Made Holidays

What Happens When You Finally Have Time to Travel? Discover the Art of Tailor-Made Holidays

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with finally being able to travel the way you’ve always dreamed of. After years of busy schedules, commitments, and endless to-do lists, you reach a point where you can truly give yourself the gift of time — time to explore, to unwind, and to experience the world on your own terms. But when that moment arrives, many people find themselves asking the

26 Apr 2025 5   min read

Antarctica: The Ultimate Bucket List Safari on Ice

Antarctica: The Ultimate Bucket List Safari on Ice

For many travellers, Antarctica sits at the very top of the bucket list—a remote and untouched wilderness that promises an experience unlike any other. I recently had the privilege of embarking on a cruise with G Adventures to the "White Continent," and it was everything I had imagined and more. From the surreal landscapes of blue and white icebergs to the unforgettable wildlife encounters, Antarc

16 Sept 2024 5   min read

The Ultimate Luxury Escape: Saint Lucia’s Finest at Sugar Beach and Jade Mountain

The Ultimate Luxury Escape: Saint Lucia’s Finest at Sugar Beach and Jade Mountain

If there’s one place that perfectly embodies the essence of luxury and natural beauty, it’s the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. Known for its lush landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and iconic Piton mountains, Saint Lucia is a paradise that offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. On my recent trip, I had the incredible privilege of staying at two of the island’s most prestigious reso

04 Sept 2024 5   min read

Exploring the Heat: Singapore, Bali, and Dubai in July

Exploring the Heat: Singapore, Bali, and Dubai in July

Traveling to Singapore, Bali, and Dubai in July might sound like hopping from one sizzling hotspot to another, but what an incredible journey it turned out to be! Despite the heat, each destination offered unique experiences that made this trip unforgettable. Flying High with Emirates Our adventure began with a flight to Singapore via Dubai on Emirates. It had been a while since I last flew with

01 Sept 2024 5   min read

Exploring Japan: From Osaka to Tokyo on a G Adventures Tour

Exploring Japan: From Osaka to Tokyo on a G Adventures Tour

Japan had always been a destination at the top of my travel wishlist, and when I finally decided to make the trip, I knew I wanted to do it right. So, I booked the Japan Express tour with G Adventures, an incredible journey from Osaka to Tokyo that promised to show me the best of Japan in a short but packed itinerary. Adding to the excitement, I managed to snag a fantastic business class deal with

01 Sept 2024 5   min read

A Journey of Surprises: Cruising the Caribbean with My Daughter

A Journey of Surprises: Cruising the Caribbean with My Daughter

When I first considered taking a cruise with my daughter, I was a bit sceptical. I had always pictured myself as more of an independent traveller, exploring destinations on my own terms rather than following a set itinerary. But when the opportunity came to experience a Royal Caribbean cruise starting from Fort Lauderdale, I decided to give it a try. Little did I know, this trip would turn out to

01 Sept 2024 5   min read

Brian has been very helpful in getting our itinerary all set and booked for our upcoming trip to Ireland and Scotland. He has gotten back to us very quickly in answering all our questions and getting us set up. He has been wonderful and I’d highly recommend him!!

Suzanne A

Charlotte, North Carolina

Brian’s service is excellent he is really responsive and really shaped the holiday to our needs, and was very patient and detailed with all our requests.

Stephen R

Kildare

Very helpful, nothing too much trouble. Pleasure to deal with, well done Brian.

Joan O

Edenderry

Brian was absolutely brilliant, from the first phone call in understanding the dynamic and requirements of our party. Long haul, internal flights, car and attractions were efficiently organised and then reorganised at short notice when we had to avoid Dubai. He was always available at short notice for advice even from "down under." The best summation is that Brian will be arranging all my future trips.

Lorraine M

Dublin

Brian is very easy to discuss travel plans with. His knowledge is vast and world wide. His enthusiasm to fulfil our dream holidays is fantastic and his help to get us home from New Zealand when Dubai air space closed was exceptional!

Adrienne S

Belfast

Brian was super helpful, and very efficient. He wanted to get the best deal for me and took his time finding the right fit. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough.

Justine B

Wicklow

We recently celebrated my wife’s 40th with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa, all brilliantly arranged by Brian at Travel Counsellors. From gorilla trekking in Uganda, to feeding giraffes at the phenomenal Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, to a magical Maasai Mara safari in Kenya to see the big 5 and some perfect unwinding in Zanzibar, Brian handled every detail flawlessly. We had a few non-negotiables, and he met them all. In total, we had 12 flights, yes, 12! so there were a lot of moving parts, and Brian absolutely nailed every single one of them. He was always just a phone call away, ready to put our minds at ease and ensure everything was seamless. We were so impressed that we even video-called him from Africa to share our experiences, and it felt like he was right there with us. In short, if you want an unforgettable adventure and a travel planner who goes above and beyond, Brian is your guy. We were so thrilled that we’ve already booked another trip with him. He’s truly amazing!

Mark R

Dublin

Great friendly, knowledgeable, personal service, tailoring the trip to our individual needs.

Eric L

Dublin

Very helpful and thoughtful for our up coming trip. Checking with us to make sure we have filled up necessary apps etc which we need. The best you could find.

Catherine M

Carrick on Suir

Fantastic support. Wouldn’t feel that comfortable traveling — without all the awesome , speedy help Brian Bloomer has done for me! Thank you.

Fiona M

Vancouver

From our very first call Brian was brilliant to deal with. He was attentive to what we were looking for and could speak from personal experience which was really helpful. He gave very good advice and we felt very heard in the process.

Georgina A

Dublin

Brian has been really great organising trips and offering different options. We have already recommended his services to colleagues, friends and family. We will continue to work with Brian for all our travel needs in the future.

Jenny G

Dublin

Great service and very helpful with all my enquiries. Had made the whole process very easy & stress free. Highly recommend.

Tom L

Dublin

Brian was patient , very helpful in helping us plan our trip to Greece. We are confident he will look after us throughout our trip should we need him.

Joan M

Wicklow

Brian has been incredible to deal with. We were very unsure as to where we wanted to go to but Brain talked us through numerous options. He was incredibly generous with his time and was a wealth of knowledge. I would HIGHLY recommend him. Brian has made the experience of long haul travel & planning so easy that we are already thinking of where we could plan to go next!

Rebekah R

Louth

It was so easy to book this holiday. Brian has such depth of knowledge for all aspects of travel, he made it so easy to book, I was in awe of his efficiency, knowledge, and determination to make sure we got exactly what we wanted .

Paula R

Dublin

Brian's service level was incredible. He came up with many options and the whole process was easy. He is definitely my "go to guy" for anything travel related.

Kent M

Vancouver

Brian was superb in all his advice and help. We will be using travel counsellors for our future holidays. Would highly recommend to friends, family and colleagues

Jenny G

Dublin

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