Meet Travel Counsellor, Helen Maltby, who traded in teaching to set up her own travel business. She’s shared some destination inspiration to help teachers think outside the box when it comes to planning their trips and making the most of the school holidays.

Watching the pennies

Okay, so we know that as soon as the school holidays start, the prices jump up. But, there are options that will make your money go further. If you’re used to taking short-haul flights to resorts in Europe, you may want to look a bit further afield to South-East Asia. It may sound counterintuitive as flights will be more expensive, but once you’re there, accommodation, food, and local travel costs are a lot cheaper. 

Another thing to consider is the school holidays of the country you’re visiting. For example, if you want a Disney holiday in Orlando, then aim for the last two weeks of August. American schools will be heading back and accommodation costs are cheaper than the rest of the UK summer holidays. As a bonus, the parks are quieter as well!

Finally, you may want to look at flying from Scotland during the last two weeks of August – even if you don’t live there. Scottish schools are back, and so flights are cheaper. It may be more cost effective than flying from England, even allowing for the travel up there.

Looking to shake up your summer holiday?

If you’re looking for something that goes beyond theme parks and pools and takes you into the heart of the destination you’re visiting, then it’s definitely worth looking at the offerings from companies like Intrepid Travel and G Adventures. These offer small group tours that take you off the beaten track and into the heart of the local communities. 

Both companies also offer family tours which allow children from the age of six upwards. These family-friendly adventures can take you to places as far as Costa Rica, and The Galapagos Islands, while ensuring that little ones are catered for. They also offer some tours which are partnered with National Geographic for families with children aged seven and up. Explore South Africa, Japan, or the American West and even receive pre-departure resources from National Geographic to help you and your family get the most out of the trip.

There are now far more options than flying and flopping by the pool. One destination that is becoming really popular for families is Thailand. You can still spend some time at the beach in one of the lovely islands or resorts such as Phuket or Krabi, but you can turn it into a multi-centre stay and combine a beach break with a city stay in Bangkok, or Chiang Mai. Or, spend a few nights at the amazing Elephant Hills resort, which takes luxury camping to a whole new level with both jungle and over-the-water options. Enjoy canoeing, seeing the elephants up close, and for the really brave members of your family, the spider cave – among other activities!

You could also head to North America and explore the West Coast taking in National Parks in California, or to Canada where the Rocky Mountaineer train will take you up along one of the most scenic train routes in the world in a glass roof carriage as you visit places like Banff and Vancouver.

Take to the seas

Cruising is no longer just for the older generations, and many cruise lines provide a great experience for guests of all ages. In many cases, the ship is just as much a part of the holiday than the ports you stop at. 

For full on family fun, definitely check out Royal Caribbean Cruise Line or Disney Cruise Line. Cruises are also a great option if you don’t like flying, as lots of ships sail out of Southampton between May and October. 

A seven-night cruise will allow you to explore the southern Norwegian Fjords, or Northern Europe. It can even get you down to Portugal and Spain. Take a 14-night cruise out of Southampton and go further down into the Mediterranean, or further north along the Norwegian Fjords. You can also visit the Baltic states as far east as Estonia, or head north up to Iceland. This is also great if you want to holiday in slightly cooler climes. 

Choosing the right cruise line for you and your family is key though, and this is where your Travel Counsellor can advise you. 

But I don’t have kids!

Of course, not all teachers have children, and sometimes you just want to get away somewhere where there are no (or very few kids). I get that – as an ex- teacher myself, I bumped into one of my students while in the queue at immigration at Orlando Airport one year! 

Adult-only resorts are a great choice if you are in this position. Or, if you like the sound of a more adventurous style of holiday, there are a lot of adult-only tours on offer. For example, G Adventures have their ‘G-Luxe Collection’ which incorporate a bit of luxury and ‘wow’ moments into the trip.

It is also worth looking at adult-only cruise lines or cruise ships. Virgin Voyages is a fantastic option as they only allow people aged 18+ on their ships. I’ve sailed with them and they are great for people who are used to cruising but want something different, or people who have never cruised before. Other cruise lines, such as P&O, have some adult only ships. You could also look at Celebrity Cruises or Fred Olsen, who, while not exclusively for adults, tend to have a limited number of children on board. 

The other ‘surprise’ option here might be Disney Cruise Line. Yes, that’s right, Disney is a fantastic cruise line for adults as they really enforce their adult only areas and under 18s are not allowed in many of the entertainment venues after 9pm.

There really are so many different options open to you these days and a Travel Counsellor is always there to help find you – and your family – the perfect escape.

Want to follow in Helen’s footsteps and turn your passion for travel into a business?

If you’re looking to get out of teaching and want the freedom and flexibility to run a business that ignites your passion for travel, Travel Counsellors could be the perfect option. 

They’re always looking for entrepreneurial people with a customer-first approach to join their caring and supportive community, so if you’re currently considering your next step; book onto one of their informal Discovery events to learn more about what Travel Counsellors is all about.