Rachael Waller | Services
Travel, Thoughtfully Planned
Designed Around You
A safari, a tailor-made adventure, a mountain escape or a river or small-ship cruise, perhaps with time on land. Whatever sparks your curiosity, I bring it together with the comfort you love and the details taken care of.
Start PlanningBlue Turtle Escapes
A More Personal Way
to Plan Your Travel
Holidays Designed
Around You
Time-Saving
Planning
Your Personalised
Travel Guidebook
Support Throughout
Your Trip
You want a holiday you’re excited about, without spending your evenings researching every detail. Somewhere new to discover, experiences you’ll love and the comfort to enjoy it all.
Whether you’re dreaming of a safari, a mountain escape, a tailor-made journey or a river or small-ship cruise, I help you find the right fit. You’ll have thoughtful recommendations from me, backed by trusted travel specialists and destination experts.
From choosing where to go to working out how everything connects, you’ll have someone bringing it all together. With my personal concierge service, you can look forward to your holiday knowing the arrangements are taken care of and I’m here to help while you’re away.
Start PlanningWhere to Next?
Explore by sea or river, combine two different experiences in one holiday, or head to the mountains for fresh air and spectacular scenery. Whatever sparks your curiosity, we’ll find your balance of discovery, relaxation and comfort.
Journeys by Sea and River
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Slow journeys through the heart of a destination, following waterways that have quietly shaped history, culture, and everyday life for centuries. Watch the world unfold from the water, with time to simply take it all in or step ashore for more active exploration. Each cruise can be shaped around you, with carefully chosen excursions and experiences that bring every stop to life.
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Smaller vessels that bring you closer to the places you visit, where ports feel quieter, and travel feels more personal. These journeys move at a gentler pace, allowing space to truly connect with each destination. For something with real character, sailing with Star Clippers offers the romance of traditional tall ships, paired with modern comfort.
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Journeys to some of the world's most remote and untouched places, led by experts who bring every landscape into focus. Onboard lectures add depth and context, while Zodiac landings take you closer to wildlife, ice, and raw natural beauty. These are voyages defined by discovery, where every day feels like stepping into something new and unforgettable.
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A freer, more personal way to experience life at sea. Choose a fully crewed yacht for complete ease and indulgence, or join a flotilla for a balance of independence and shared adventure. Days unfold at your rhythm, with hidden coves, peaceful bays, and coastal towns waiting to be discovered when the moment feels right.
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Effortless travel between islands and coastlines, where each stop reveals a new rhythm, landscape, and culture. Everything flows seamlessly, so you can focus on the experience rather than the logistics. Perfect for those who want variety and discovery, without ever feeling rushed.
Two Part Escapes
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The excitement of a safari, Cape Town’s food and scenery, or a few days unwinding in the Winelands. Discover why South Africa is my choice for a first safari and how it can become part of a wonderfully varied holiday.
Explore South Africa Safari Holidays -
Begin with the quiet thrill of safari. Early mornings, wide skies, and wildlife unfolding in real time. Days are shaped by nature, full of movement and moments you won't forget. Then transition to the coast, where everything slows. Soft sand, warm seas, and time that finally feels your own again.
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Step into the depth and richness of the jungle. Dense landscapes, layered sounds, and a world alive with nature. Then ease into coastal calm, where the horizon opens up and the days drift gently between sea, sky, and stillness.
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Start in the heartbeat of a city. Colour, culture, flavour, and the feeling of always having somewhere to be. Then leave it behind for the countryside, where mornings stretch out, the air feels lighter, and life moves at an unhurried pace.
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Begin high in the mountains, surrounded by drama and scale. Active days, sweeping views, and a sense of being far from everything. Then descend to the water's edge, where stillness takes over and time is best spent slowly, simply taking it all in.
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Two cities, two different moods. The first brings pace, energy, and exploration. The second softens things, offering a more relaxed rhythm that lets you settle in, wander, and experience it all with more ease.
Mountain Escapes
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Days on the slopes, from gentle runs to more challenging terrain. Fresh tracks in the morning, long lunches in mountain restaurants, and time to unwind as the day draws in.
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Quiet surroundings, mountain air, and space to properly switch off. Spa time, slower mornings, and the kind of stillness that's hard to find elsewhere.
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Routes for every level, from easy walks and scenic cycling paths to more demanding hikes and rides. Time to move, explore, and take in the landscape at your own pace.
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Fresh air, freedom, and space to play. Gentle trails, nature-led activities, and playgrounds that make time outdoors feel effortless for everyone.
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Festive atmosphere, twinkling lights, and the scent of seasonal treats. A slower pace, cosy stays, and the charm of traditional markets set against a mountain backdrop.
Travel Made for You
Discover what excites you, at a pace you enjoy and with the comfort you love. From finding the right hotel, villa or cruise to choosing experiences that make the trip special, I bring it all together and look after the details.
Start Planningwhat my clients are saying
"If you are looking for a travel designer who truly listens and then over-delivers, look no further than Rachael Waller at Blue Turtle Escapes. She has taken our ideas and transformed them into a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that is even better than we imagined. Knowing our celebration is in such capable hands takes all the stress out of the planning."
How It Works
●Dream
We start with a proper conversation about what you love, what you’re curious about and how you like to travel. Bring your ideas, or let me introduce you to somewhere new.
Plan
I find the right route, places to stay or cruise for you, then bring together the travel arrangements and experiences. We refine it together, with your comfort and enjoyment at the heart of every choice.
Travel
Before you go, I make sure you’re prepared and the details are in place. While you’re away, I’m on hand to help, so you can relax, explore and enjoy your holiday knowing you have someone to turn to.
A Few Things You Might Be Wondering
For me, a holiday is about much more than booking a flight and a hotel. It’s what you’ll discover, how you’ll spend your days and how you’ll feel while you’re there.
I take time to understand what you enjoy, then bring together the places, experiences and comfort that suit you. That might mean suggesting something you hadn’t considered, allowing longer somewhere you’ll love or choosing a hotel for its location as much as its lovely rooms.
You have someone thinking about the whole holiday, looking after the arrangements and there to help until you’re home.
I don’t charge an additional planning fee. I’m paid commission by the travel partners I book through.
Your proposal will explain the price and what’s included, so you know what you’re paying for before you decide.
Sometimes I can access preferred rates or extras through my travel partners. These vary by booking, so I won’t promise the lowest price or a guaranteed upgrade.
I look at the whole holiday: what’s included, how well it suits you and where your money will make the biggest difference. A good price matters, but so does getting the right holiday.
Of course. They can be useful for gathering ideas, and you’re welcome to share anything that’s caught your eye.
My role is to help you work out which ideas suit you and how they’ll fit together in practice. I check the arrangements with my travel partners, make the bookings and help if plans change. You have someone who understands the whole trip, from the first idea until you’re home.
Absolutely. Bring your research, saved hotels and wish list. I’d love to hear what you’ve found and why it appeals to you.
We can build on your ideas together, with me offering suggestions and looking after the bookings and practical details. You can be as involved as you like.
No. We can start with what you’d love to do and how you want your holiday to feel.
Tell me about holidays you’ve enjoyed, what you’re curious about and anything you’d rather avoid. Along with your dates and budget, that gives me a starting point for suggesting places and ways to explore.
Yes. Your cruise can be part of a wider holiday, with time to explore before you board or after you leave the ship.
I’ll help you choose the cruise, ship and cabin, then bring together the hotels, flights, transfers and experiences around it. We’ll allow enough time between each part so you can enjoy the journey.
I can arrange villas and apartments through trusted accommodation partners, as well as hotels.
For privately managed properties or somewhere you’ve found on Airbnb, send me the details and I’ll let you know whether I can arrange it. I focus on accommodation where I can check the standards and know who to contact if you need help during your stay.
You’ll have me to turn to if you need help with the arrangements I’ve made. If something changes or isn’t as expected, get in touch and I’ll work with the relevant travel partner to help put it right.
Before you leave, you’ll also have your travel documents, a personalised destination guide and the relevant emergency contacts, so you know who to reach when you need them.
I arrange bookings through The JLT Group, which uses Protected Trust Services’ trust account arrangements. Eligible flight-inclusive package holidays also have ATOL protection, and you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate showing what’s covered.
Protection depends on what you book. I’ll explain what applies to your holiday before you commit, including bookings without flights.
Contact me and I’ll talk you through the options. Changes and cancellations depend on your booking terms, and charges may apply. These will be explained before you book.
I recommend arranging suitable travel insurance as soon as you book. Cancellation cover depends on the policy and your circumstances, so check that it covers what you need.
It depends on the holiday. A straightforward stay usually takes less research than a trip with several stops or specialist experiences.
After our first conversation, I’ll let you know when to expect your proposal and keep you updated if I need more time to check the details with my travel partners.
