HOLIDAYS are particularly topical at this time of year — either planning for one or embarking on that longed-for trip at home or abroad.

Fortunately, the largest independent travel company in the UK, Hays Travel, has three shops in the Bolton area and a total of 16 staff helping individuals, couples and families to get exactly the right holiday for them.

The Sunderland-based travel firm is all about quality, value for money and reassurance when it comes to holidays and short breaks of all types. It has around 20 shops in the North-west and more than 150 across the country. Hays is growing all the time, and offers the kind of experience that is an accepted byword in the travel industry.

Hays Travel has centres in Winter Hey Lane in Horwich, in Market Place in Westhoughton and in St Andrew’s Court in Bolton town centre. In fact, Hays took over the well-respected St Andrews Travel business, capitalising on its established reputation and continuing its history in pleasing travellers, especially in the cruising field.

“Cruising is a booming market these days,” explained Don Bircham, managing director of Hays Travel North-west. “I think people like being in one spot — it’s felt to be a safe option these days and there are some really amazing bargains around.”

Safety is definitely a factor in choosing both a destination and a travel company today, and it’s also one of the reasons why independent travel companies are particularly popular.

“That personal service is really appreciated by people,” added Mr Bircham. “They need that reassurance and we have the wealth of knowledge, experience and up-to-date understanding of countries around the world to give that.”

That independence also means that Hays Travel can offer the best possible deals from a wide variety of tour operators; they’re not tied to just one or two companies. Staff go to great lengths to ensure that customers get exactly the right holiday to suit their needs and preferences, and can offer helpful suggestions and answer questions about any destination or venue.

Staff are well-travelled themselves and know about many resorts first-hand. Hays Travel also has a first-class foreign exchange service to ensure that, wherever you want to go in the world, you’ve got exactly the right currency.

And if you do experience any problems on your travels, the really important element is that there are named people back home where you booked your holiday who can work to solve them. “That’s a major difference between using a company like Hays Travel and just booking your holiday online”, stated Mr Bircham. “You are dealing with a person, and someone who is happy to help”

The staff are also experts in finding suitable short breaks and excursions in this country, and Hays’ coaches go everywhere — from Bath to Brighton and Weymouth to Wrexham. Staff can also organise river cruises and city breaks alongside seaside holidays or long-haul treks.

Stated Mr Bircham: “We just want our customers to have wonderful holidays.”