By Phillip & Jonathan | Personal Travel Studio
If you’re new to Personal Travel Studio, a very warm welcome. And if you’ve travelled with us before, thank you for being part of our story. We thought it was time to introduce ourselves properly, share a little about what makes us tick and offer some inspiration for where your next holiday might take you.
A little about us
Phillip started Personal Travel Studio in December 2020 with a simple idea, holidays should feel personal from the very first conversation. Jonathan joined in May 2023, bringing years of senior operational experience from the NHS, a sharp eye for detail and a shared enthusiasm for discovering the world.
Between us, we bring travel expertise, hands-on organisation and a genuine interest in getting to know the people we arrange holidays for. Some customers have a very clear idea of what they want; others arrive with little more than a date and a dream. We love both conversations.
Why we do things a little differently
We believe the best trips begin with listening. Perhaps you prefer a small, characterful hotel over a large resort, need a particular flight time, or want a journey that combines adventure with a few days doing absolutely nothing. Those details matter.
Tailor-made and bespoke aren’t just phrases to us. They mean taking the time to shape an itinerary around you: choosing the right hotels, getting the route and pace right, making sensible connections and thinking about the practicalities before they become problems. We draw on our own travels, trusted local partners and years of customer feedback. And we’re here to help before, during and after your holiday.
Independent, with reassuring support behind us
As Personal Travel Studio has grown, we’ve joined Advantage Travel Partnership, a well-established network supporting independent travel businesses. It gives us access to valuable industry relationships, systems and professional support while allowing us to remain proudly ourselves.
You’ll still deal with Phillip, Jonathan and our own team, not an anonymous call centre. We’re also growing carefully, welcoming Faisal, a long-standing travel colleague of Phillip’s with particular knowledge of the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Europe, and Laura, who brings years of customer-service experience and will support sales and the little concierge details that make a difference.
We also know peace of mind matters. We’ll explain the financial protection applicable to your particular booking and provide the relevant documents, including an ATOL Certificate where your holiday is ATOL protected. Our aim is to combine the reassurance of established industry arrangements with the familiar service of a small independent business.
Ten places and experiences we love talking about
We could talk about destinations all day, but here are ten ideas to get the conversation started. They’re not a ranking or a fixed set of packages; they’re simply some of the journeys that make us excited about travel.
- An African safari Few experiences compare with watching wildlife in its natural habitat. Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa all offer something different, and we love combining a safari with a city, vineyard or beach stay.
- New Zealand From Auckland and Waiheke Island to Wellington and Queenstown, New Zealand rewards a well-paced itinerary. The landscapes are extraordinary, but the journey between places is part of the pleasure.
- A really good cruise A cruise can be a wonderful way to see several places without constantly repacking. The trick is matching the ship, itinerary and atmosphere to the people travelling.
- Japan Tokyo’s energy, Kyoto’s temples, remarkable food and journeys by bullet train make Japan endlessly fascinating. Good planning helps you enjoy the contrasts without rushing.
- Vietnam Bustling cities, beautiful bays, countryside and fabulous food: Vietnam is ideal for a journey that mixes culture, discovery and relaxation.
- Thailand Bangkok, the north and the islands offer so much variety. Whether it’s a first visit or a return to a favourite beach, there are lovely combinations to explore.
- Greece A place we return to happily. Recent visits to Crete and Halkidiki reminded us how much difference the right resort makes, from the Nana collection to the beautiful Eagles Villas.
- Exploring Italy’s cities Rome, Florence, Venice and beyond: wonderful art, architecture, neighbourhoods and food. A carefully planned city-to-city journey can be as relaxed as it is rewarding.
- Slowing down in the Maldives Sometimes the best plan is to do very little. Choosing the right island, house reef, dining options and transfer can transform a Maldives escape.
- A wild card Perhaps it’s somewhere you’ve never considered: Sri Lanka, Costa Rica or an unexpected stop on a longer journey. Tell us what you love, and we might surprise you.
A few questions we often hear
Do you only arrange luxury holidays? Not at all. We care about the right holiday for you, whether that’s a special celebration, a family escape, a cruise or a carefully planned adventure.
Can you arrange a holiday with several stops? Absolutely. Multi-centre journeys are among our favourite trips to design, and we’ll help make the connections and pace work.
Will we still speak directly to you? Yes. Personal Travel Studio remains independent, and you’ll continue to have a familiar team looking after your plans.
We’d love to hear from you
Whether you’re ready to book or simply gathering ideas, we’d love a conversation. Thank you to everyone who has trusted us with their travels and recommended us to friends and family. That’s how our business has grown, and it’s something we never take for granted.
Here’s to many more wonderful journeys together.
Phillip & Jonathan
