Got Questions?

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Get unstuck, rediscover joy and transform your life through travel

- even if you've never put yourself first before.

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.

Everything you want to know - no fluff, just straight talk.

Travel Coaching

Thinking about travel coaching? It’s still pretty new here in the UK, so no wonder it sparks a lot of questions. Whether you’re planning a big trip or looking to transform your life through travel, I’ve gathered the most common FAQs to clear up the confusion and get you excited and ready. Don’t see your question? Just ask - I’m here to help.

What is travel coaching?

Travel coaching is me helping you to use travel as a tool to create a better, more fulfilling life. It helps you get clear on what you really want — not just from your next holiday, but from your time, energy, and experiences. We’ll figure out where to go, when to go, and how to make it meaningful.

Who is travel coaching for?

Travel coaching is for people who want more than just time off - they want a trip that means something. It’s ideal if you’re at a crossroads, craving change, or asking “is this it?” and wondering if travel could be the reset button you need. Whether you’re planning a big bucket-list adventure, navigating a life transition, or just feeling stuck in the day-to-day, this is for you.

If you want your next trip to feel purposeful, exciting, and true to you - travel coaching is the place to start.

What do I get when I book travel coaching with you?

Your coaching journey is built around three key 1:1 Zoom calls - each one designed to move you closer to the trip (and life) you want. We’ll dive into what’s driving your desire to travel, explore your options, and shape a journey that feels aligned, exciting, and totally doable.

You’ll also get a Customised Roadmaps for every step after each call. Plus, ongoing support to keep you confident, clear, and excited - whether that’s ironing out last-minute details, celebrating breakthroughs, or tackling unexpected curveballs. Think of me as your travel sidekick, ready to jump in whenever you need.

How much do your travel coaching services cost?

My 1:1 travel coaching service costs £249. This includes personalised support to help you get clarity on your dream trip - where to go, when to go, what to include, and how to make it happen in a way that improves your life.

Everything you want to know - no fluff, just straight talk.

Travel Planning

Planning a holiday can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you know exactly where you want to go or need help piecing it all together, I’ve pulled together the top FAQs to make things simple and stress-free. If you don’t see your question here, just drop me a line. I’m ready to make your next trip smooth and unforgettable.

What makes your trips different from the ones I could book on my own?

I don’t do cookie-cutter holidays. Every trip I plan is designed around you - your style, your dreams, your must-haves.

I mix insider knowledge, secret gems, and a few wow-factor surprises to turn your holiday into something that feels epic, effortless, and unforgettable.

Can you save me money compared to booking myself?

Absolutely. On average, my clients save over £2,000 because I know all the secret spots to snag the best deals, juicy upgrades, and insider perks -without you wasting hours doom-scrolling through 57 booking sites.

What is the Dream Holiday Kickstarter Call?

The Dream Holiday Call is a 30-minute, free consultation designed to help you jump-start your ideal holiday planning. Whether you're unsure where to start or want expert guidance on planning your dream trip, this call will set you on the right path.

Do I have to book my holiday with you after a Dream Holiday Kickstarter Call?

No, there’s no obligation to book your holiday with me after the call. The goal of the Dream Holiday Kickstarter Call is to provide you with expert advice and guidance. If you feel that my services are a good fit for you, I’d be happy to help you plan your dream trip. But if not, you'll still walk away with valuable insights to move forward on your own.

Do you offer ABTA and ATOL protection?

Yes, I my services are ABTA and ATOL protected, ensuring that your holiday is safe and secure. This means that you can have peace of mind throughout your trip.

How much do your travel planning services cost?

For full-service travel planning, I book your trip at no extra cost to you — I earn a commission from trusted suppliers, not from you. In 2024 on average clients saved over £2,000 and 19 hours of time by working with me.

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)

August 01, 20255 min read

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.

topophiletransformational travelmeaningful travellife-changing traveltravel for self-discoverysoul-nourishing travel

Kerry Ellis

Travel Coach & Founder of Kerry Ellis Travel. I help thoughtful travellers plan meaningful holidays that reconnect them with themselves - and the world.

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