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"THE WORLD IS A BOOK AND THOSE WHO DO NOT TRAVEL READ ONLY ONE PAGE"
Welcome to The Travel Journal. Welcome to our world.
Your award-winning independent travel agent and highest Google ranked 5* high street travel agency in Harrogate.
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. We want to share our wealth of personal travel experience with you and inspire you to travel to places beyond the imagination of any ordinary travel agent.
OUR JOURNAL
“Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
We often get asked by clients where is our favourite place or type of holiday? This is a fairly impossible question to answer, as every time we travel we discover somewhere new and just like a fledgling romance we often get that giddy feeling of excitement inside of us.
Our travels over the years have taken us to far flung places in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australasia, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and closer to home the Med, and Europe.
Our personal bucket list achievements to name drop a few include a hot air balloon flight over the Arizona desert, whale watching by light aircraft, fly-fishing amongst the hungry hippos of Tanzania, a helicopter Champagne picnic on a New Zealand glacier, and a luxury Halong bay cruise in Vietnam!
Our journal is always being extended with adventures to new and exciting destinations and we're very excited to have you all along for the journey!
INSPIRATION
“To Travel is to Live” – Hans Christian Andersen
BEACH BUMS
CITIES
SAIL AWAY
THE WHITE STUFF
Powdery white, nude, or muscle...who doesn't love a good beach? From Anguilla to Zanzibar, I'm quite the beach connoisseur...afterall life is better in flip flops!
Cities. An ever changing skyline of architectural splendor. The buzz, the culture, the people watching... a city stay will excite and awaken your senses.
Follow in the wake of Yorkshire treasure Jane Macdonald and cruise the seven seas. Sea sickness put you off? Then how about a cruise on an exquisitely appointed river cruise ship.
You are either born a skier or born for the après...for me personally it's all about the après! My little black book of luxury ski hotels and chalets is a crowd pleaser. Northern lights? I know just the place.
SAFARI
CRIBS
LOVED UP
FAMILY IN TOW
A safari isn't a holiday; it's an experience unlike any other. Africa will warm your soul and leave you feeling inspired. Want to share breakfast with a giraffe or trek in search of gorillas? Africa is the greatest show on Earth.
Live like an A-lister. My villa portfolio includes some of the most exclusive addresses in real estate. Privacy vetted and amenity wish-lists granted. Fancy Christmas dinner dished up beachside in the Caribbean? I have a chef that can cook that up for you!
Minimoon or honeymoon, short haul or long haul? Booking your romantic escape shouldn't become just another 'to-do' wedding chore. Let me take the stress out of the process with my wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Family holidays have evolved so much over the years. Yes, a fly and flop premium all inclusive holiday can be just the tonic for ease but experiential travel is opening the doors to families craving new experiences and cultures. Afterall families that play together, stay together!
WHO IS BEN POOLE
& WHAT CAN THE TRAVEL JOURNAL OFFER YOU?
Your Personal Travel Agent
2024 will mark Ben's 24th year working in the travel industry and will also be our 4 year anniversary of The Travel Journal!
Ben's career in travel has seen lots of big changes and challenges over the years and he personally believe's that there has never been a better time to introduce you to the magic of our personal 1 to 1 expert travel service.
Whatever time of day he is personally on call, not a lot of other agencies can merit that.
Our bespoke travel service includes a complimentary concierge experience which can assist with the likes of restaurant recommendations/reservations, secret city tours, VIP ground handling, and the sourcing of VIP event/ attraction tickets to name but a few.
All travel booked through The Travel Journal is financially protected and packages include full ATOL protection as standard.
Finally, Ben is very proud of his ever expanding little black book of travel contacts that he has built up over the years and it's these amazing people that he has on speed dial to enhance your travel experience. Gone of the days of the cut throat discounts, Ben is a great a great believer in added value and personal touch.
4 Fun facts about Ben...
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'Bajan Ben' is a nickname Ben has become very fond of over the years. I hear you ask why? 27+ Barbados stamps in his passport and he still keep's going back for more! He's a sucker for the beach, rum, and fish fry!
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Ben was born with a beard. Not entirely true, but he cannot ever imagine life without one now.
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Ben has slept in the same villa that the Obama's stayed in during their New Zealand tour - not exactly ménage à trois, these were completely separate occasions!
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Once upon a time Ben sang on stage with Westlife at Sheffield arena - scraping the barrel with that one, maybe?!
HELLO,
IS IT ME YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
63 Leeds Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8BE
T 01423 523388
M 07340746649
OPENING HOURS
Come Visit
Monday: By appointment
Tuesday - Friday: 09:30 - 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00
Sunday: Closed
In
In case of an emergency outside of agency hours, please call our 'out of hours' mobile on 07340746649 or email hello@thetraveljournal.co.uk