Shannon Murphy t/as Not Just Travel

Shannon Murphy t/as Not Just Travel Helping you explore the world, one unforgettable trip at a time ��

Wellness Tourism You never quite know what a typical travel booking will look like these days. Inquiries rewrite themsel...
08/06/2026

Wellness Tourism

You never quite know what a typical travel booking will look like these days. Inquiries rewrite themselves daily, shifting from downhill mountain biking adventures to classic European coach trips. But a recent request truly stole my attention: a dedicated yoga retreat on the island of Gozo, Malta.

This is the epitome of a chilled-out holiday—a purposeful escape designed to help you disconnect from everyday pressures and reconnect with your inner world. As mindfulness and well-being become central to how we live, wellness tourism has naturally become one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel.

For those visiting the Maltese archipelago, the historic, UNESCO-stamped capital of Valletta is usually top of the list. However, quaint Mdina and Gozo's pretty capital, Victoria, are equally unmissable. Gozo, in particular, offers a slower pace of life, characterized by its prehistoric Ġgantija Temple ruins, rural hiking trails, and dramatic coastlines.

Imagine beginning your morning with meditation by the sea, leaving plenty of time for genuine reflection, rest, and recuperation. When you pair the physical benefits of yoga with a backdrop of crystal-clear waters and picturesque seaside villages, it begs the question: what could possibly be better?

Top of my bucket list now Japan has been ticked off 😊
03/06/2026

Top of my bucket list now Japan has been ticked off 😊

03/06/2026

There’s some great offers available for anyone that hasn’t booked their summer break yet. 😎✈️🌍

Step into Europe DifferentlyEurope isn’t just about ticking off landmarks — it’s about experiences that inspire, refresh...
01/06/2026

Step into Europe Differently
Europe isn’t just about ticking off landmarks — it’s about experiences that inspire, refresh, and stay with you long after your trip. The best part? You don’t need long flights or weeks away. From quiet mornings in the Alps to mindful coastal retreats, Europe offers experiences that touch the soul — and we make sure none of these moments are missed.
What Is Transformative Travel in Europe?
Transformative travel is more than sightseeing — it’s about experiences that connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
Europe offers this in ways that are achievable for everyone:
Nature escapes that calm your mind and awaken your senses
Cultural immersions that deepen your connection to local life
Mindful retreats that give you time to reflect and recharge

We handle the planning, so you can focus entirely on being present and enjoying the journey.
Short-Haul Destinations That Inspire
Here are some of Europe’s most immersive escapes, reachable in just a few hours, perfect for transformational travel:
The Alps (France, Switzerland, Austria)
Sunrise hikes, lakeside reflections, alpine serenity
A place where you can slow down and reconnect with nature
Portugal’s Algarve & Coastal Retreats
Yoga on cliffs, mindful walks along peaceful beaches
Wellness-focused escapes that help you feel renewed
The Italian Countryside (Tuscany, Umbria)
Artisan workshops, cooking classes, vineyard tours
Immersive experiences that bring you closer to local culture
Spain’s Andalusia & Basque Country
Hidden villages, vibrant festivals, rich sensory experiences
Short-haul cultural escapes that surprise and delight
Scandinavian Fjords & Lakes (Norway, Sweden)
Misty mornings, northern lights, quiet waters
Experiences that allow you to pause, reflect, and be present.
Why Short-Haul Europe Works for Transformative Travel
We’ve seen that you don’t need a long trip to feel renewed. Short-haul Europe escapes allow you to:
Maximise experiences without long flights
Immerse yourself fully in local culture and landscapes
Enjoy meaningful, curated journeys designed to leave you inspired

We take care of the details so you can focus on what truly matters — the experience.

Travelling with Coeliac Disease. A subject close to my heart is travel for people with coeliac disease, as this is somet...
28/05/2026

Travelling with Coeliac Disease.

A subject close to my heart is travel for people with coeliac disease, as this is something our granddaughter Lilly has. It does require extra planning when going abroad, and some countries accommodate Coeliacs better than others.

Fortunately, there are some excellent websites, such as Coeliac UK, that offer brilliant travel tips. The website also has travel guides to find advice for a variety of destinations, plus local phrases.

When you book through us, let us know and we will advise our contacts at the tour/cruise operator etc to let them know that you will require gluten free meals.

Some useful tips below.

Pack Emergency Snacks: Always bring non-perishable backups (e.g., gluten-free protein bars, nuts, or rice cakes) in your carry-on luggage in case of travel delays or a lack of safe options at transit hubs. We can also check with your airline or tour operator whether sealed packs of gluten free products can be brought into the country you are visiting.

Although Western style buffets are increasingly found all over the world, ensure that the gluten free options are safe and not contaminated (for example, check for separate serving spoons).

All packaged foods in the EU are covered by the same food labelling legislation as in the UK. Manufacturers must list all deliberate ingredients in the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used. Manufacturers must emphasise the particular grain, for example, wheat, rye, barley or oats.

Avoid High-Risk Foods: Steer clear of fried foods (which are often cooked in shared fryers), buffet setups, and unverified fast-food chains.

Speak Directly to Staff: Always make your needs explicitly clear when eating out and if you are not confident in the server's or chef's understanding of cross-contamination, politely walk away.

With a little planning, it’s possible to manage a gluten free diet while you’re away on your adventures. 😎🌍✈️

26/05/2026

If you’re holding off booking a summer holiday, now is the time to act. ✈️🌍😎

21/05/2026

If you haven’t booked your summer holiday yet, what are you waiting for? ✈️🌍😎

We all know that buzz when booking a holiday. You know, that giddy feeling when you imagine sun-drenched beaches, vibran...
19/05/2026

We all know that buzz when booking a holiday.

You know, that giddy feeling when you imagine sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities, or quiet mountain retreats? Psychologists call this “anticipatory joy” – basically, your brain giving you a happiness boost just for thinking about a trip. Fancy that!
Interestingly, research shows that looking forward to a holiday can sometimes make you just as happy as the holiday itself. That sparkling pool, the perfect sunset, or that wonderful Mountain View. We can help make a holiday even more magical with a few clever tricks.
Variety is key. Mix up your activities, explore new areas, or try a quirky restaurant. Even a spontaneous detour can add an extra thrill to the holiday. Also learn even a little bit of the language the locals speak.
Mindfulness isn’t just for yoga retreats. Notice the little things – the scent of the ocean, the chatter of a market, the warmth of the sun. Give yourself small adventures: learn to cook a local dish, tackle a walking trail, or discover a hidden gem. Achieving these tiny goals makes your holiday feel even more rewarding and exciting.
Sure, routines are comforting, but sprinkle in surprises. A random day trip or unplanned experience can make the familiar feel new again. Never be afraid to deviate from a plan.
Talk about your favourite moments, snap photos that capture the emotion (not just the view), or jot down highlights in a travel journal.
So here’s the secret: keep looking forward. The next holiday on the horizon – whether a weekend escape or a dream trip – keeps your brain in that happy anticipatory state. And when you add a little strategy to your current break, the holiday itself can feel just as thrilling as the countdown.
Because honestly, the joy of travel isn’t just in the beaches, the hotels, or the cocktails – it’s in the anticipation, the experiences, and the stories you bring home. If you're thinking of your next holiday, I would love to hear from you. Tel: 07897 790864 ✈️🌍😉

With vast distances, shifting seasons and world-class experiences across every state, Australia is a destination where e...
13/05/2026

With vast distances, shifting seasons and world-class experiences across every state, Australia is a destination where expert planning truly pays off.

Few countries spark the imagination quite as much as Australia. Perhaps it’s thanks to its sheer diversity: the promise of hundreds of coral reefs teeming with life, cities that hum with creativity and coffee culture, red deserts strewn with otherworldly rock formations and wildlife that covers from the adorable to the downright scary.

But before you pack your sunnies and start dreaming of kangaroos and koalas (and crocodiles), there’s something you need to know: Australia is huge. No… bigger than huge. Think ‘continental’ rather than ‘country’.

To put it into perspective, flying from Perth to Sydney takes more than four hours. Hop from Melbourne to Cairns and you’re looking at over three hours in the air. Road-tripping sounds romantic – and it absolutely can be – but the distances are epic. So, when you’re planning an Australian adventure, you’ve got to be smart.

So how long should you set aside? Ideally, three weeks is the sweet spot for a solid ‘Australia greatest hits’ tour. With that kind of time, you can string together a few of the big experiences. Think Sydney’s sparkling harbour, the Red Centre’s fiery sunsets over Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonders and perhaps a stint in laid-back tropical Queensland or cool, cultural Melbourne. Three weeks also seems long enough to justify the 22-hour journey flying from the UK.

But what if you’ve only got a week? Good news: one week can still be magical. You’ll just need to focus on one area and do it well.

So, whatever time you have, I can curate the ideal itinerary that works for you to have an amazing time. As your Not Just Travel consultant we can curate your perfect Australia itinerary. We'll book your internal flights, tours, car hire; we'll reserve you your hotels and lodges along the way; and ensure you make the very best of your precious time.

Call me today and let's make that trip of a lifetime down under.

Phone: 07897 790864
email: [email protected]

Take a Cruise 🚢🛳️There’s something truly magical about taking a cruise. Whether it’s the sense of occasion as you wave g...
10/05/2026

Take a Cruise 🚢🛳️

There’s something truly magical about taking a cruise. Whether it’s the sense of occasion as you wave goodbye to land, or the feeling of finally being able to relax as you float along peacefully on the open water, going on a cruise is an unforgettable experience. If you’re based in the UK and thinking about taking your first cruise, it’s a good idea to try a cruise from a UK port as you won’t have the hassle or expense of flying and you won’t have any luggage limits either. What’s more, there won’t be any long queues for security and passport checks and mobility assistance is easily provided. If you enjoy the experience, you can then set your sights on cruising further afield.

Many cruise lines offer short breaks called ‘seacations’ around the UK, while others offer longer cruises to Northern Europe, France, Spain, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and further afield to Morocco. You can also embark on longer round-the-world cruises from the UK. While the vast majority depart from Southampton, there are cruises from other UK ports such as Bristol, Liverpool, Hull, Harwich, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Dover, Tilbury, Dundee, Edinburgh-Leith, Rosyth, Oban, Greenock, Invergordon and Belfast.

Typically big names such as P&O Cruises, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Virgin Voyages all offer cruises from UK ports.

Taking your first cruise from the UK is definitely an experience not to be missed. With so much to see and do both onboard and ashore, without the hassle of a flight, it’s easy to see why ‘no-fly’ cruises have become so popular in recent years. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable holiday experience then why not set sail on a cruise from one of Britain’s many ports? Bon voyage!

From finding your ideal itinerary for the best price, to the finishing touches like on-shore excursions and the special extras that mean so much, we’re here to make your next cruise truly unforgettable.

We can’t wait to help you plan your next dream cruise.

Tel: 07897 790864
Email:[email protected]

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