Martina Hayden
I'm based in
Co. Kilkenny
It's Nice To Meet You
With over 30 years’ experience in the travel business and the last 15 years as a Travel Counsellor, I am delighted to turn your holidays dreams into reality, ensuring the whole experience will be enjoyable and stress free from start to finish.
I am passionate about travel and have had the travel bug from an early age giving me first-hand knowledge from inter-railing around Europe and back packing around Australia and South East Asia, South Africa , Sri Lanka , Maldives and most recently an anniversary trip to Thailand and family holidaying in Florida. I have been lucky enough to visit the Pyramids in Egypt, Seen the big 5 in Kenya, visited Malaysia, Thailand, honeymooned in the Canadian Rockies, met Mickey Mouse in Orlando and Santa in Lapland. Far from my back-packing days, I have cruised in the Caribbean and Europe and drank cocktails in Atlantis The Palm in Dubai.
Working from home means I can offer an exceptional confidential service to ensure your trip meets and far exceeds your expectations and I am available at a time that suits you - be it evenings or weekends. Operating with over 21 Destination management companies in different countries around the world, together we create authentic experiences that build lasting memories for our clients. Be it a Thai cookery class, trekking for Gorillas in Borneo or a simply a romantic meal on the beach watching the sunset it’s the little things that make all the difference!
I specialise in honeymoons, cruising and family holidays and I can tailor-make itineraries to suit your requirements to make that special once in a lifetime trip one to remember.
Travel Counsellors uses award winning technology. With the latest development of our mobile App “My TC”, your customer experience will be enhanced like never before; enabling you to keep in touch with me at anytime, anywhere in the world and stores all or your travel documentation.
Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland which gives you that added peace of mind.
For the best personal service, give me a call or send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Experience Business Class
Flying Business Class can completely change how you start and end a holiday. On my own journeys to South Africa, Thailand and Sri Lanka, I have seen first‑hand how lie‑flat beds, lounges and priority services help you arrive rested instead of exhausted
01 Feb 2026 5 min read
South Africa 5 Star Western Cape
Western Cape 5 Star Experience I was lucky enough to experience the very best of South Africa’s Western Cape on this incredible 5 star journey. Here is a more bite sized version that still gives a real feel for the trip.
01 Feb 2026 5 min read
Breathtaking Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise offering lush rainforests, pristine beaches, ancient temples, and vibrant culture, all wrapped in breathtaking landscapes waiting to be explored. Being offered a place on a familiarisation trip to Sri Lanka, long on my bucket list it was an incredible opportunity, we packed a lot into just seven nights, but it was the perfect taster of how lucky I was to experien
27 May 2025 5 min read
SEASIDE LOS JAMEOS PLAYA SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2019
After a busy year, this was one holiday I was really looking forward to! Our family holiday or what my husband calls is ‘A mammy’s holiday!’ did exactly what it says on the tin! We have been on mobile home holidays for the last few years and were really looking forward to returning to the Los Jameos Playa after spending many years holidaying there when our kids were young. They always want to go
07 Aug 2019 5 min read
New York New York Family Aventure
I have been to New York a few times but a family trip to New York was on my wish list for quite a while and now with my kids now 16, 15 and 12 it felt like the perfect time to go. I picked February midterm to travel as it was good value for both flights and hotels. January and February can get quite cold in New York, but we went prepared and set off on our 4 nights/5-days adventure to the city tha
16 May 2019 5 min read
Amazing Mexico
Six colleagues and I travelled to the amazing Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico visiting the hectic resort of Cancun as well as the quieter resorts of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum to sample some of what Mexico has to offer. We visited all the hotels in the AM Resorts Group and there is a hotel to suit every customer and budget, whether it is a honeymoon, romantic getaway, family hotel o
10 Jan 2013 5 min read
Malaysia Pearl of the Orient
Malaysia is one of my favourite countries in the Far East, from the fascinating capital of Kuala Lumpar, known simply as KL to the beautiful islands of Langkawi and Penang. KUALA LUMPAR. On arrival in KL airport we headed to the city centre by train which took about 45 minutes. I stayed in the 5 star deluxe Shangri La which is in the famous area called the Golden Triangle. Here you find all
05 Mar 2012 5 min read
Lanzarote
This is my 5th visit to Lanzarote one of the most popular of the Canary Islands, especially with the Irish holidaymaker. There are departures from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock in the summer months. The accommodation is of a very good standard ranging from your basic apartment to your 5 star hotels (very few of these are high rise). The main resort is Puerto del Carmen with its palm tree
12 Apr 2010 5 min read
Disney Resort Paris
I travelled to Disneyland Resort (Eurodisney) in December for a 3 night / 4 day stay with my two children aged 5 and 6 (left the baby at home) and my brother and his 2 children of the same age. We flew from Dublin to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and then took the shuttle to our hotel which took about 40 minutes. There are12 hotels in all so there is one to suit everyone, 6
08 Apr 2010 5 min read
Beautiful Cascais and Lisbon Coast
Cascais is only 40 minutes from Lisbon Airport, with daily flights from Dublin. This is my second visit to this part of Portugal and it will not be my last, I love this little resort! With its winding cobbled streets, outdoor cafes, restaurants serving the most amazing food, little beaches and a beautiful harbour filled with yachts and fishing boats. It also has a smart new marina. What bet
08 Apr 2010 5 min read
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