Discerning travellers often prefer to co-ordinate the fine details of their trip themselves rather than choosing a package holiday, but finding the perfect destination, accommodation and convenient transport can be stressful and time-consuming.

This is where Inspired Travel can help, offering clients the chance to hand over the search process to experts with a vast knowledge of the best resorts and excursions on the Continent. The Bromsgrove-based company creates bespoke holidays tailored to travellers' exact specifications, drawing on a network of contacts across Europe to find the most favourable prices.

Manager Amanda Jones-Percival gained plenty of organisational experience during her career as a teacher, arranging and travelling on many school trips abroad. "Friends used to ask me to help them organise holidays as well, and the idea for the business grew from there," she explains. At present she runs Inspired Travel from her home, describing herself as a 'facilitator' who can find clients their dream holiday while saving them time and money.

"We arrange the holiday you always wanted, but perhaps didn't have the time or knowledge to plan," Amanda says. "It's all about knowing where to look, and we have the contacts and information to make it happen." This means competitive prices as well as the chance to visit destinations not always offered in mainstream brochures: "For example, the French like to keep some resorts to themselves - but through contacts we know where to find them!"

Clients can also rest assured that resorts, accommodation and even activities or excursions have been checked personally by the Inspired Travel team. "I wouldn't recommend places I've never been to," promises Amanda, who travels to hotels and tries out excursions to make sure they are up to scratch.

Both winter and summer holidays can be arranged, with ski trips a popular choice - many clients choose the French Alps, but resorts in the Swiss Alps, Italy and Austria have also been sourced by Inspired Travel. Provence is highly favoured as a summer destination for its consistently good weather, choice of activities and variety of places to visit. A new destination for next year is the island of Menorca and includes a four-day introductory sailing course. In all resorts, excursions can be booked in advance.

Inspired Travel can also organise corporate trips abroad, wine-tasting or cultural holidays, and sports or activity breaks suitable for children. Amanda points out that these ideas are merely a starting point - clients can choose absolutely anything they want, including holidays outside Europe. The company's website provides a guide to destinations and prices, but the world really is your oyster with Inspired Travel.

Inspired Travel, Rock Hill, Bromsgrove Tel: 01527 559375

www.inspiredtravel.net