Rachel Long
Although I have always lived in beautiful Wales, I am passionate about travel. As a child I spent family holidays in Britain, touring the west coast of Scotland and the south coast of England, walking in the Lake District, and visiting Pembrokeshire where I chose to settle after graduating. Nowadays you will probably find me walking, cycling or sea kayaking in my free time. I have worked as a teacher and then school leader. I feel fortunate, with my husband, to have brought up our two children, in Pembrokeshire, where access to such a fantastic area has been on our doorstep. Looking back, competing in the Blenheim Palace Triathlons, cycling from London to Paris and studying howler monkeys in Argentina have been enriching experiences.
I think it is fair to say I have the travel bug, and if I can help you satisfy yours, I’ll be even happier.
For me, it’s not only about seeing the next fantastic view but also about embracing new cultures and communities along the way. There is always something to take away. Travel has the knack of taking us out of our normal lives and thoughts and opening our minds to new possibilities.
I’ve travelled extensively in Europe. There’s an amazing variety of landscapes, people, and history and a million and one ways to experience them. My journeys have expanded from my first tentative forays to France to working in Spain. Whether skiing in Norway or Italy, travelling through Turkey by bus or cycling the Mountains of Northern Spain, there has always been a pleasure in sharing experiences and learning something new.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"My experience hinges on showing you a true sense of place in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. I offer expert advice with knowledgeable insights to tailor a unique journey to remember. Whether you want to experience a culinary adventure along our extraordinary coastline, escape to a remote Scottish island, or learn more about a long history of legends and castles, I can arrange everything for you."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I've always loved to travel, perhaps it was coming from a small village in Wales that gave me the urge to get out and see what else was out there! Since my early journeys in Britain and Europe I've been fortunate enough to extend my adventures across the globe. There is something particularly rewarding about planning your travel experiences - this really is part of the fun of it all for me, finding the most authentic way to get under the skin of a place. I think this must be why my friends have always told me I should be doing this for a living ... and here I am!"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"To experience something unique it's universally true that you can't plan it! You've just got to get out there often enough and positive things will happen! The experience I'd like to share with you is this. It was a short conversation, not one that I expected when simply buying a ferry ticket! We had spent the day on Skye and were bound for the small island community of Raasay, on my favourite method of transport in the Uk, a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry (this always means you are somewhere pretty cool!). It was a short crossing, just 20 minutes, but in that short period I learned so much from my impromptu guide, that I was on the newest most hybrid ferry in the Calmac fleet, the Clyde shipyard where it was built - the real community of Raasay and the role tourism plays in the fragile way of life on the edge, how he had returned home to raise his family. What's so amazing about this you may ask? And in that I agree this could have been one of hundreds of conversations over the years but this was with me, with the sun setting behind the Cuillin mountain range as we crossed the sound of Raasay, I didn't want to be anywhere else."
Rachel's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
This weeklong adventure around England and Scotland is terrific for families—and travelers young at heart! Start in London with a ride on the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus, and an...
Ten days in Wales offers a reasonable amount of time to make eight stops within the country or to make three and cross into England or Scotland. First, spend time getting to...
See the best of southwestern Ireland and Dublin on this self-driving tour through some of the Emerald Isle's best-loved counties. You'll discover Ireland's history in Adare and...
Recent trip reviews for Rachel
Ireland was more fun than we expected!
Ireland
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Jun 8 - Jun 14, 2026
Sadly not the experience we were hoping for
England
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May 26 - Jun 6, 2026
I hope you are well. I am writing regarding our recent London trip arranged through your company. While we appreciated some aspects of the planning, there were several arrangements that did not meet our expectations and significantly affected our experience.
Before I get started I want to mention that our liaison Rachel went on vacation just as we were beginning our trip, so that we had to ask for help from whoever was covering for her. The person we worked with did... Read more
Stunning Wales Park and Coastline
United Kingdom
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Apr 5 - Apr 14, 2026
Had a fantastic time experiencing beautiful Snowdonia National Park and coastal Wales, which we could not have done without the expertise of our specialist Rachel. Many fond memories and great photos to share with friends and family. Thank you for a great trip!
Diane and Alfred Padden
Dear Diane and Al,
It has been such a joy planning your trip to Wales! I am so happy you had a fantastic time exploring my homeland, from the peaks of Snowdonia National Park to the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline. It’s wonderful that you could share these special moments with such great friends, and I hope these memories stay with you for a long time.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we look forward to helping you create more adventures together in the future!
Best wishes,
Rachel and the High Point Holiday Team
Excellent UK trip!
United Kingdom
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Mar 14 - Mar 24, 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your family have had an incredible 11-day journey in Scotland and England! Working with you and tailoring the trip to your family needs worked well! I am so pleased that you had a great stay and experience at Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye. Starting your days by plunging face-first into the water must have been so much fun!
Providing that peace of mind so you can simply enjoy the experience is exactly our goal. We are... Read more
Wonderful no-drive trip to Wales and England!
Wales
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Sep 19 - Oct 4, 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback! I am so pleased that the logistics of your trip worked out very well. We’re delighted that our guides were perfect and that you had wonderful days with them, so pleased that Laura and Ewan were able to show you the beauty of South Wales, my home. The ice cream at the coastal farm is a gem, I love it too! We will be reviewing the accommodation in certain locations to improve future planning. It’s wonderful to know you... Read more
Rachel was a delight to work with in planning our Ireland trip
Ireland
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Jul 11 - Jul 22, 2025
Hello Catherine and Walter,
We are delighted that you had a wonderful time in Ireland. I am so pleased that working together, carefully planning your trip, took the stress out of any details for you. Working with you was a pleasure! Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed review, I have found your feedback most interesting.
Thank you for travelling with us, we would love to welcome you back in the future!
Rachel, Celina & The Team at High Point Holidays
Incredible trip!!! Working with Rachel from h...
England
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Jun 11 - Jul 7, 2025
Hello Leslie and Tony,
Thank you so much for your super review! We are delighted that you had an incredible trip. Crafting this wonderful adventure to Scotland, Wales and England was a pleasure. I am so pleased that your accommodation met or exceeded your expectations, they were selected for location, the highest standard of service and variety.
Thank you for travelling with us, we would love to welcome you back in the future!
Rachel, Celina & The Team at High Point Holidays
Rachel planned a memorable trip for us recent...
Wales
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May 13 - May 26, 2025
Dear Judy and Steve,
I am delighted that your trip to North Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland was memorable! We appreciate your very detailed feedback. Planning your journey with you both was so enjoyable. I am so pleased that our local guide Peter provided such an outstanding experience and that Patrick, added positive experiences for you both too. Reading about your activities and hotel experiences was interesting.
Thank you for travelling with us again, we would love to welcome you back in the future!
All the best.
Rachel, Salome, Flore & The Team at High Point Holidays
Scottish Highlands May 2025
Scotland
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May 10 - May 18, 2025
Dear Katherine and Oriana,
Thank you so much for reviewing your trip to Scotland! It was a pleasure working with you both and I am delighted that you had a great trip to the Scottish Highlands. Reading that everything went smoothly and that your guides were excellent, is wonderful news. I am so pleased that your will definitely use our services again!
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you both again in the future!
All the best,
Rachel
Great trip itinerary developed and implemented flawlessly.
Wales
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May 8 - May 15, 2025
Dear Patsy and Ed,
Thank you so much for reviewing your trip to Wales, it is lovely to read that you had an exceptional trip! In the short turnaround period, we worked well together to tailor the trip to include South and North Wales with the experiences that you were both looking for. I am delighted that the itinerary was implemented flawlessly by accommodation hosts, guides and transportation services.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you both again in the future!
All the best,
Rachel