About Kerry Ellis
Get unstuck, rediscover joy and transform your life through travel
- even if you've never put yourself first before.
Beyond the
Bucket List
When you work with me it's about more than ticking off bucket list stops. It’s about designing trips that reconnect you with what really matters – wild adventure, real connection, pure joy and a sense of this is what life’s about.
Those memories? They stick around way past unpacking your suitcase, changing how you live, love, and own your world.
Designed for Women Who Crave More
Do you want adventures that hit deep, fresh sparks of inspiration, and stories you’ll tell for years? Whether your adventures are solo, shared, or everything in between, you're in the right place.
From planning your next big holiday to finding those everyday moments of wonder, I help women create trips – and lives – filled with joy, connection, and purpose.
Real Experience,
Real Heart
Certified travel coach? Check. Years of travel planning and well-being know-how? Double check. Plus, I’ve walked through my own big life shake-ups, so I get it - travel done right is pure magic.
I’m here to arm you with the tools, inspiration, and no-nonsense support to turn your dream trips into reality, push past the usual comfort zones, and build a life that makes you feel truly alive and thriving.
Travel Coach & Trip Planning Expert for Big-Hearted Explorers
Hey, I'm Kerry!
I’m Kerry Ellis - a travel coach and travel planner for people who want more from their holidays than just ticking off the top ten sights.
I help overwhelmed travellers design trips that feel just right. Whether you want the ease of handing it over to someone who gets it (and will save you time, money, and stress in the process) - or you’re the kind of person who loves being involved but needs some expert guidance - I’m your girl.
But my work isn’t just about logistics. It’s about helping you find the version of you that only shows up when you’re in new surroundings, trying something for the first time, or finally doing the trip you’ve dreamed about for years.
That’s what transformational travel is all about - and it’s why I became a coach as well as a planner.
Travel Coach & Trip Planning Expert for Big-Hearted Explorers
What I Actually Do
I split my time between two sides of the travel world:
🧭 Travel Coaching – for when you want your holiday to do more than just tick a box. I help clients explore who they are, what they want, and how travel can support that — especially during big life transitions like empty nesting, solo parenting, or changing careers.
🌍 Tailored Travel Planning – for when you want to go somewhere unforgettable but don't want the stress of figuring it all out. From road trips across California to two-week adventures in Japan, I build trips that are personal, seamless, and full of the kind of moments you’ll talk about for years.
Whether you're here for the itinerary or the inner shift (or both), you're in the right place.
Travel Coach & Trip Planning Expert for Big-Hearted Explorers
Why Travel?
I’ve had three gap years so far — and each one has changed me in ways I never expected.
🌍 The first took me to Asia as a twenty something with a boyfriend, a backpack and a wide-open heart.
🌍 The second was a solo adventure around Africa and was a career break that turned into a complete re-evaluation of what I wanted from life.
🌍 The third was after becoming a single parent, inter-railing around Europe when I learned how to travel in a way that made space for me and my kids.
These experiences taught me how travel can be both a mirror and a compass. It shows you who you are - and points to where you’re going next.
I’ve faced fears, redefined success, rebuilt confidence, and learned to trust my instincts - all through travel. That’s why I believe it can be one of the most powerful tools for personal growth we have.
Travel Coach & Trip Planning Expert for Big-Hearted Explorers
My Philosophy
🌍Travel is never "just" a holiday.
It’s a way to reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and the world.
🌍 You deserve more than a cookie-cutter itinerary.
Your trip should feel like you - not just like a copy of someone else’s reel.
🌍Planning should feel exciting, not exhausting.
I’m here to make the process smoother, smarter, and genuinely enjoyable.
🌍There’s no “perfect time.”
If you’re waiting for the ideal moment, this is your sign that it’s now.
Travel Coach & Trip Planning Expert for Big-Hearted Explorers
Who I Work With
Most of my clients are people like you: thoughtful, curious, and ready to make their dream trip happen - even if they're not sure where to start.
Often, there's a big change or milestone behind the trip: a child leaving home, a relationship shift, a new chapter.
I work especially well with people who have big hearts, busy lives, and a bit of travel hesitation.
Maybe you’re scared of overspending. Maybe you’re worried you’ll miss something epic. Maybe you’re thinking “who am I to do this?”
Trust me - you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why I’m here.
Proof that great trips start here
Trusted by travellers like you
Everything you want to know - no fluff, just straight talk.
You have questions? I have answers
Planning a big trip or want to change your life? It stirs up a million questions - that’s totally normal. I’ve rounded up the juiciest FAQs to cut through the noise and get you pumped and confident for your next adventure. Don’t see your question? Just ask.
What is the difference between travel coaching and travel planning?
Coaching is all about getting clear on what you really want from your trips (and life!) - like reconnecting with yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, or finally ticking off that bucket list.
Travel planning is where I take the reins and book everything for you. Together? It’s pure magic.
Which service is right for me?
If you're still figuring out where to go, when, or what kind of experience you're really craving - start with travel coaching.
If you already know what you want and just need someone to bring it to life (flights, hotels, activities, logistics) - travel planning is the way to go.
Not sure? Book a free call and I’ll help you work it out.
Do I have to use both the travel coaching and the travel planning service?
Not at all! You can pick whichever suits you - coaching for the soul shifts, done-for-you planning for the smooth trips, or both if you want the ultimate magic combo.
And honestly? If you do both, I give you a killer discount because they work like a dream together.
Can I start with coaching and add planning later?
Absolutely. Many clients begin with coaching to get clarity, then move into full-service planning once they know exactly what kind of trip they want. But there's no pressure to do so.
Can I use your travel coaching even if I want to book it all myself?
Yes! Coaching is perfect if you're a DIY traveller who wants expert advice without handing over the booking. You’ll leave with a clear plan, tailored recommendations, and insider tips - no guesswork, no overwhelm.
Do you offer a bundle if I want both?
Yes - right now, there’s a special offer! If you book travel coaching with me, you’ll get £100 off the cost of your holiday if you go on to book your trip through me.
There’s no discount on travel planning fees (because I don’t charge any!), but this is a great way to turn your coaching insights into real-life travel - and save a bit while you’re at it.
Do I have to be planning a far-away or expensive trip for your services?
Not at all! While I specialise in bucket list trips, that doesn’t mean your holiday has to be far-flung or break the bank. Sometimes the most meaningful travel experiences are closer to home or perfectly tailored to your budget.
Whether it’s a short break that feels like a true escape or a grand adventure, I’m here to help you create a trip that fits your dreams and your reality.
Do I have to travel solo if I use your travel coaching or planning services?
Absolutely not! Whether you want to travel with family, friends, a partner, or even join a small group, I tailor everything around your preferences.
Travel coaching and planning are all about making your trip work for you - with the people you want by your side, at your pace, and in the style you love.
Tips, tales, and travel hacks you’ll love.
Fresh Travel Inspiration & Tips
Ready to level up your wanderlust? Dive into my latest blog posts loaded with insider hacks, real-deal stories, and fresh sparks to fire up your next epic adventure.
You Might Be a Topophile If... (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
You Might Be a Topophile If... (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
If you asked me to describe my relationship with travel in one word, I’d say I’m a topophile - someone who loves places. Not just visiting them. Not just snapping photos. I mean really loving them. Feeling something stir when I arrive. Seeing how a place can shift my thinking, soothe something I didn’t know needed soothing, or wake me up to parts of myself I’d pushed down under day-to-day life.
I’m not just here to help you book holidays. I’m here to help you find the right ones—the ones that reconnect you with yourself. That’s what I mean when I say I love places. I love what they do to us when we let them in.
What Being a Topophile Really Means
A topophile doesn’t just love travel. They love places with personality. Places that make them feel more alive - more themselves. It’s that moment when you breathe in mountain air and feel your shoulders drop. Or when a city’s rhythm syncs up with your own. Or when you realise you’ve been walking for hours because a place just keeps giving you something.
For me, that happened the first time I stood in a Kyoto garden just after it had rained. I’d been moving through life at full speed, juggling work, motherhood, and a to-do list that never stopped growing. But in that quiet, moss-covered garden, something in me softened. I felt still for the first time in years. It wasn’t just a beautiful place - it was a mirror, showing me what I’d been missing.
That moment didn’t just make me love Kyoto. It made me change the way I lived when I got home. And that’s the real heart of being a topophile: falling in love with places that change how you live, not just how you travel.
From Checklist to Compass
Most people start planning a trip with a checklist: the must-see sites, the famous restaurants, the top-rated experiences. That’s not wrong - but it’s not where the gold is.
When I coach clients, one of the first things I ask is: What do you want this trip to do for you?
Sometimes they’re not sure yet. That’s okay. But eventually, they get to something deeper:
“I want to feel more adventurous again.”
“I want to reconnect with my partner.”
“I need to press pause and breathe.”
“I want my kids to see the world differently.”
And once we’ve got that? That becomes the compass. We start designing a trip that serves that intention, not just a list of places to tick off. The result is something way more powerful than a perfect itinerary. It’s a journey that means something.
Sarah's Story: From Overwhelmed to Inspired
One of my clients, Sarah, came to me feeling completely overwhelmed. She wanted to take her family to Japan but had no idea where to start. She’d been buried in blogs, Instagram reels, and conflicting advice for weeks. “I just don’t want to mess it up,” she told me. “It feels like such a big deal.”
What she really wanted - once we unpacked it - was to create a trip that would reconnect her family. To step out of the work–school–screens loop and give her kids something richer. Something they’d remember.
We didn’t start with hotel bookings. We started with how she wanted to feel. We created space in the trip for slow mornings, unexpected wanderings, meaningful conversations, and yes, a few theme park thrills too.
She came back glowing. Not just because the trip had been amazing - but because she’d shown herself what was possible when she let go of the pressure to get it “right” and instead made space for connection, curiosity, and presence.
The Post-Trip Glow (and What to Do With It)
One of the most underrated parts of any journey is what happens after. That feeling when you’re back home, and you keep thinking about that moment. That cafe in a back street. That view at sunset. That local you chatted to who saw life a bit differently.
That’s not nostalgia. That’s your intuition tapping you on the shoulder.
So many people come home from a transformational trip full of ideas and intentions - but then life pulls them back under. School runs. Work emails. Laundry. Urgh.
That’s why I always encourage my clients to treat the return as part of the trip. Take time to reflect. Journal. Make one change, however small, that brings a bit of that travel version of you into your everyday life.
Maybe it’s morning walks. Or slowing down mealtimes. Or rethinking how you use your time. The trip may be over, but the transformation doesn’t have to be.
Tips for Becoming a Topophile Yourself
Want to bring more meaning into your travels? Here are a few simple ways to shift your mindset:
1. Choose with your gut, not just your guidebook
Pick places that spark something in you - even if they’re not on the ‘Top 10’ lists. Trust your curiosity.
2. Build in space, not just stuff
Leave room for detours, spontaneity, and sitting still. Magic doesn’t happen on a tight schedule.
3. Travel with intention
Before you book anything, ask yourself what you really want this trip to give you. Fun is great. But meaning? That’s gold.
4. Reflect before and after
Treat your trip like a chapter in your life, not a break from it. What do you want to learn? Who do you want to be when you come back?
5. Don’t wait for the ‘right’ time
Life will always be busy. Kids will always have something on. You will always have reasons not to go. Go anyway.
Final Thoughts: Travel as a Tool for Transformation
Being a topophile isn’t about having endless holidays or fancy getaways. It’s about recognising that places have power - and choosing to travel in a way that lets that power shape you.
You don’t have to go far. You just have to go with your eyes open and your heart in it. Whether you’re planning your first big adventure or you're on the edge of a life chapter that needs a reset, travel can be the spark that lights the way forward.
And if you want support turning that spark into something real and powerful? That’s where I come in. This is what I do - help people design journeys that change their lives.
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