Travel That Leaves a Legacy – Laura Sigsworth on Sustainable, Soulful Journeys

At the July Hot Stories networking event in Cambridge, Laura Sigsworth transported the room far beyond our venue walls—into rainforests, sword-making workshops, mountain railways, and coastal villages—without needing to leave our seats.

Laura is a Personal Travel Consultant and Tour Operator working independently under the award-winning Travel Counsellors brand. Her expertise lies in tailor-made travel with a strong emphasis on sustainable, ethical, and luxury experiences that truly connect you with the soul of your destination.

What Sustainable Travel Really Means (It’s Not Camping in the Rain!)

"Now, I know some people hear ‘sustainable travel’ and think I’m about to suggest camping in the rain... but I promise you, I’m not!" Laura said with a laugh, immediately disarming the audience.

Sustainable travel, as Laura explained, can enhance your holiday rather than limit it. She approaches it from a holistic perspective, focusing on three key areas:

1. Travel & Transport: Seeing More, Emitting Less

Laura encouraged us to consider train travel as a transformative option. Whether it’s getting to your destination or exploring it, traveling by train allows you to immerse in the landscape and local life.

🚆 "You experience so much more by travelling through a place than over it," she said.

Better still? It can reduce your carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to flying.

2. Accommodation: Go Greenleaf, Not Grey Concrete

When choosing where to stay, most people look at TripAdvisor ratings or stars—but Laura encourages her clients to look deeper.

She recommends Greenleaf-certified hotels, which:

Are sensitive to the local environment and culture
Use locally sourced food and employ local staff
Engage with local performers, artists, and craftspeople
Actively manage waste and energy usage

🏨 The result? A stay that feels more authentic, more enriching, and more responsible.

3. Activities & Experiences: Deeper Connection, Lifelong Memories

Whether it’s learning survival skills in Costa Rica, visiting a sword-making workshop in Toledo, or doing a local cooking class, Laura curates unforgettable experiences through her trusted network of ethical, in-destination tour operators.

These aren’t staged tourist traps—they’re real, immersive moments that make you feel part of a place.

🌎 "These are the memories that truly stay with you," she said. "And they directly support the local communities you’re visiting."

Travel with Purpose and Style

Laura Sigsworth doesn’t just book holidays—she crafts journeys that honour culture, nature, and people. Her clients are individuals, couples, families and professionals who want:

A concierge-style booking experience
Unique, off-the-beaten-path options
Travel that aligns with ethical values and luxury standards

Learn more or contact Laura:
🌐 www.travelcounsellors.com/laura.sigsworth

Grateful Acknowledgements

We are incredibly thankful for our Cambridge location partner: The Red Lion, Cherry Hinton, for hosting this session of Hot Stories.

Huge thanks to our talented visual storyteller, Chris Hornby Photography, for capturing the energy and heart of the event through photo and video.

This blog and the Hot Stories platform are proudly organised by Gemini Web Media, and we extend our gratitude to our main sponsor, Blue Line Operations Ltd, for their continued support.