The short version: I book holidays for a living because I'd be doing it anyway.
I'm Jake, a travel expert by name and a travel addict by nature!
My career in travel started at 16, when I began working part time at Thomas Cook while studying travel and tourism at college. I loved it so much that I went full time as soon as I left, and after five years I got the chance to become a store manager at TUI. Then I stepped away from the industry for a while to try something different, but nothing else came close. That's what pushed me to go self employed as an independent travel agent, so I could get back to what I love: helping people make amazing memories with their families while seeing the world.
Travel wasn't a big part of my childhood, but that changed with my first holiday to Turkey at 14. I was hooked straight away. I've now been to over 34 countries, and Mauritius is still my favourite, with its beautiful beaches, incredible food and culture, and so much to discover off the beaten track.
I'm also an avid skier, and Italy is where I love to do it most. The food is incredible, and an Italian hot chocolate just hits differently when you're looking out over snowy mountains.
I work with over 400 suppliers, so whatever kind of holiday you have in mind, I can make it happen. From classic beach breaks and around the world cruises to perfectly tailored multi-centres and even private jet charters, if you can imagine it, I can build the holiday to match.
I'm really looking forward to sharing that passion with you. Drop me a WhatsApp message and let's start planning your perfect getaway.
Worth paying up for, every time. It's the first thing you see when you open the curtains, and years later it's still the thing you'll remember about the whole trip, not the flight or the transfer.
Long days, soft snow, terraces in the sun by lunchtime. It's my favourite week of the entire year and I'll talk anyone's ear off about where to go.
Every brilliant meal I've had abroad came from a place with no English menu, plastic chairs, and an owner who couldn't have cared less about TripAdvisor.
Any trip that can involve a boat, should. I don't fully understand why, but it instantly makes the whole week feel longer and better.
Everyone else hates it. I genuinely love it. Nothing else feels quite like the actual start of a holiday, before anything can go wrong.
The message I get on day two, the one that says "we didn't expect this to be this good", is the actual reason I still do this job.
Yes. Travel Agent Jake is an ABTA member (ABTA No. P8503), and package holidays booked through Jake are financially protected, so your money is covered if something goes wrong.
All sorts, from family holidays and all-inclusive breaks to ski trips, city stays and long-haul adventures. There's no single niche; if it's a holiday, Jake can price it up.
No. There are no booking fees, and prices sit alongside what you'd find yourself, and often better thanks to the Price Match Challenge.
There are three easy ways to get started: the holiday enquiry form, WhatsApp, or the Price Match Challenge. See the "How to Book" page for details.
However you'd like to start, there's a way that suits you.
How to Book with Jake