Travel Planning Service with Kerry

Holidays Worth Talking About

Tailor-Made Holidays Without the Headache


I take the stress out of planning so you can focus on what really matters - designing a holiday that actually means something, aligns with who you are, and gives you that spark you’ve been missing.

This isn’t about cramming in tourist spots or settling for the same-old sun lounger. It’s about thoughtful, tailor-made travel that lights you up and leaves you feeling more you than before.

Not sure where to start? That’s where I come in. With expert guidance and zero guesswork, we’ll plan a trip that’s exciting, meaningful - and way easier than doing it alone.

Benefits of Travel Planning

Tailored to Fit You

Your trip shouldn’t feel like it was copied and pasted from someone else’s Instagram. I get to know what you actually want — then build the holiday around that.

Avoid Costly Mistakes

Booked the wrong airport? Overpaid for a room that looked better in photos? Not on my watch. I make sure your money goes towards memories, not mess-ups.

Unique Ideas, Not Generic

Forget cookie-cutter itineraries. I bring you the hidden gems, local favourites, and once-in-a-lifetime moments you won’t find on page one of Google.

Less Stress, More Holiday

You’ve got enough on your plate. I handle the faff, the fine print, and the endless tabs — so you can just turn up and actually relax.

The right holiday changes everything.

Who is Travel Planning For?

For busy people who want travel, not hassle.

You don’t have hours to waste researching or juggling bookings. You want someone who gets it - handling the nitty-gritty so you can focus on the fun stuff.

Travel planning should be a thrill, not a chore.

For those who want expert advice without the overwhelm.

You know a great trip takes planning, but all the options can feel like a maze. That’s where I come in — cutting through the noise with clear, smart advice tailored just for you.

No confusion, just confidence.

For travellers who want complex plans, made simple.

Juggling flights, trains, and accommodation across multiple stops? I’ve got you covered.

Complex doesn’t have to mean complicated - I’ll organise every detail so your trip flows effortlessly from start to finish.

What You Get with

Travel Planning

This isn’t some generic, one-size-fits-all itinerary you can find online. This is personalised, expert planning that takes the stress off your shoulders - so you get a holiday that fits you perfectly, every step handled with care and know-how.

Here's how it works...

To keep things simple and super effective, travel planning starts with one focused Zoom call. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive three personalised options - with a clear, no-nonsense video packed with straight-talking advice. Plus, you get WhatsApp support while you’re away, so you’re never left wondering or stuck.

Dream Holiday Kickstarter Call

The Kickstarter Call is your no-fluff, get-stuck-in Zoom session to kickstart your dream holiday. We cut through the overwhelm, nail down your must-haves, and get you moving fast — no faff, just real talk and expert advice. It’s perfect if you’re ready to stop dreaming and start planning with someone who actually gets it. Plus, you walk away buzzing, inspired, and way closer to that trip you’ve been craving.

Dream Holiday Blueprint

The Holiday Blueprint isn’t just a quote- it’s your personalised game plan, served up in three smart options so you can pick what suits you best. You also get a straight-talking video that cuts the fluff and gets right to what matters for your trip. Think expert advice, no guesswork, and a plan that fits your style perfectly.

It’s how you go from “I wish” to “Booked and buzzing” — all without the headache.

Dream Holiday Support

Dream Holiday Support is your travel lifeline -WhatsApp access for tips, quick fixes, and inspiration before and during your trip. I’m just a message away, making sure your holiday stays smooth and stress-free.

Because holidays should be fun, not frantic.

Investment

There are currently no fees for my travel planning services because I earn commissions from the bookings I make on your behalf. This means you get expert help at no extra cost to you. Win-win, right?

Proof that great trips start here

Trusted by travellers like you

Travel Coach, Dream Maker, Adventure Buddy

Hi, I'm Kerry

I’m Kerry Ellis - your no-fluff travel coach and holiday planning ninja who’s done the soul-searching, the late-night Google spirals, and yes, the epic “what am I even doing?” moments.

I’ve always had a serious case of wanderlust. But for me, travel isn’t just ticking sights off a list - it’s about reconnecting with my spark, unleashing creativity, and seeing the world through fresh eyes. Some health issues in my 40s were a wake-up call: travel isn’t just fun, it’s a game-changer for well-being and living a life full of joy and realness.

As a certified travel coach, I’m here to kick you out of the same-old rut, spark your curiosity, and help you craft trips (and a life) that actually means something. It’s all about ditching the dull, embracing the unexpected, and cooking up adventures that feed your soul - whether that’s around the corner or across the globe.

Time to ditch boring and go bold. Let’s get your next adventure started.

Travel Planning Service Not Right for You?

Explore My Expert Travel Coaching Service

If coaching feels like a big step right now, no worries. I offer full-service travel planning that takes the stress off your shoulders and turns your dream holiday into a reality. Let me handle the details while you get excited about your next adventure.

Grab Your Free Travel Resources

Not ready to dive in just yet? Start with my free guides, tips, and insider secrets to spark your wanderlust and get you moving in the right direction. Perfect for those who want inspiration without the pressure.

Join The Empty Nester Explorer Club

Want fresh travel inspiration, practical tips, and real stories delivered straight to your inbox? This is your go-to for staying motivated and discovering new ways to make the most of your next chapter - all tailored for empty nesters ready to explore.

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.

Travel with a Purpose: Why Your Next Holiday Needs More Than Just a Flight and a Hotel

August 01, 20256 min read

Travel with a Purpose: Why Your Next Holiday Needs More Than Just a Flight and a Hotel

Let’s be honest - anyone can book a holiday. You find a deal, click a few buttons, and boom: you’re off. But here’s the thing I’ve learned after years of planning bucket-list trips and coaching people through travel that actually changes their lives: a holiday and a purpose-driven journey are not the same thing.

If you’ve ever come back from a trip feeling like you should be relaxed but instead feel… flat, disconnected, or already counting down to the next break, you’re not alone. And it probably means you’re ready for something deeper.

That’s where purpose comes in.


What Do I Mean by “Purposeful Travel”?

This isn’t about volunteering abroad or quitting your job to find yourself on a yoga mat in Bali (though those can be part of it). Purposeful travel is about intention. It’s about knowing what you want to get out of your trip - emotionally, mentally, even spiritually - and choosing a destination and plan that supports that.

It’s travel that aligns with who you are and where you are in life.

Maybe you want to:

  • Reconnect with your partner after years of focusing on the kids

  • Prove to yourself that you’re capable of something bold

  • Step away from your routines and see what’s waiting beneath them

  • Reignite your curiosity, creativity, or courage

  • Stop living on autopilot

Whatever your reason, purposeful travel is a chance to recalibrate - not just escape.


Client Story: The “We Just Need a Break” Couple

Let me tell you about Lucy and Mark. They booked a call with me saying they wanted a “nice break somewhere sunny.” Pretty standard. But when we got talking, it turned out they were on the brink of a big shift. Their last child had left for uni. They were staring at each other across the dinner table thinking, now what?

As we dug deeper, Lucy admitted she wanted to reconnect with the version of herself she’d put on the backburner for 20 years. Mark wanted a bit of adventure - something to shake them out of their routine.

So no, they didn’t need “just a break.” They needed a reset.

We planned a trip to California - not just beaches and wine tastings (though there was plenty of that) - but time to hike, get a little lost on scenic drives, have real conversations in the desert, and see what life could look like next. When they got back, Lucy messaged me and said:

“We didn’t just have a holiday. We remembered how to enjoy each other again.”

That’s what purpose does. It gives the trip weight. Meaning. Momentum.


The Problem With “Default” Travel

Here’s the trap I see people fall into all the time: they plan the same type of trip they’ve always done, or what everyone else is doing, and expect it to fill the gap they’re feeling in their life.

It doesn’t work.

If you’re exhausted, burnt out, or emotionally drained, lying on a beach with a cocktail won’t fix it. If you’re craving clarity or courage or a change of direction, a fast-paced sightseeing frenzy will just leave you tired.

Travel can absolutely help - but only when it matches your intention.


Purpose Doesn’t Mean Planning Every Second

Now, let me be clear: purpose doesn’t mean squeezing the joy out of your trip with a rigid “transform your life or else” schedule. Quite the opposite.

Some of the most powerful moments happen when you let go of the plan. When you give yourself the space to breathe, reflect, and feel something again.

But there’s a huge difference between space that’s thoughtfully created… and a trip that’s thrown together last minute and leaves you overwhelmed or underwhelmed.

Purposeful travel is about designing a framework for your experience - so the magic can happen. You’re not controlling every moment; you’re intentionally shaping the experience you want to have.


Client Story: The Woman Who Needed a Reminder

Another client, Hannah, came to me after a rough year - job stress, family pressures, general burnout. She said, “I feel like I’ve lost my spark.” She wanted to go to Japan, and she was torn between going full tourist mode or hiding in a ryokan and hoping clarity would come.

We built her a trip with just enough structure to give her direction, but tons of space to be - to wander, to sit in onsen baths, to walk through gardens with no destination. She journaled every day. She didn’t rush. She let Japan’s quiet beauty nudge her back to herself.

When we had our post-trip call, she said:

“I didn’t expect to cry in a temple, but it hit me - I’ve been rushing everything for years. I finally stopped. And now I know how I want to live.”

She came home with more than memories. She came home changed.


How to Build Purpose Into Your Next Trip

You don’t need a life coach and a spiritual awakening to plan a purposeful trip. But you do need to slow down and ask better questions.

Here’s where to start:

1. Ask yourself what you really need right now

Not what looks good online. Not what your friends are doing. What do you need? Space? Adventure? Inspiration? Healing?

2. Choose destinations that match that energy

If you want peace, don’t cram five cities into ten days. If you want growth, go somewhere that stretches you a bit. If you want connection, go somewhere that invites conversation—not just sightseeing.

3. Let go of pressure to do everything

Give yourself permission to say no to the “must-sees.” Leave space for slow mornings, spontaneous detours, or doing nothing at all.

4. Reflect as you go

Journaling, voice notes, or even daily chats with a travel coach like me can help you stay connected to your why throughout the trip.

5. Treat the return home as part of the journey

Don’t let it all fade the second you land. Take the insights with you. Make changes. Keep growing.


Final Thoughts: Travel Can Change Everything - If You Let It

You deserve more than just a break. You deserve a trip that fills you up, not just fills the calendar. A trip that reminds you who you are, what you care about, and how you want to live.

That’s what I help people do - create journeys that feed the soul, not just the itinerary.

So if you’re standing at a crossroads, or just feeling the itch that says “there’s more to life than this,” don’t wait. Let your next trip be the one that changes something. Travel with purpose. Travel like it matters. Because it does.

travel with a purposepurposeful travelintentional traveltransformational travelmeaningful holidaysself-discovery through 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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