Your Local Holiday Specialist

From Travel Journalist to Your Personal Travel Expert

I’ve spent over 25 years travelling the world as a journalist, writing for National Geographic Traveller UK, Times Online, ABTA Magazine, Your Horse and ABTA Golf Magazine.

Now I’m based in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, and on a mission to help others discover the world too. If you’re local, we can meet face to face, chat through options, and plan your dream trip together. Alternative, lets zoom or chat on whatsapp.

✅ ABTA-bonded travel consultant, affiliated to Hays Travel

✅ Expert in luxury, family, cruise, ski, safari & wellness travel

✅ No-fee planning & my whatsapp for help when travelling

✅ 5-star reviews TrustPilot

✅ Want to donate a portion to Dorset youth charity #Willdoes? No problem

✅ Want to partner up and get special rates/group holidays for your club – call me

What’s Trending in Travel?

Luxury long-haul escapes

Mauritius

Mauritius continues to captivate travellers with superb service, exceptional dining, beautiful beaches, and endless watersports. Many resorts now include golf fees, while others are embracing the latest sporting trend: padel tennis. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a golfing getaway, or a family adventure, this island has something special for you.

Best for Adults

Experience the elegance of Paradise Cove, an adults-only sanctuary designed for rest and romance. One week all-inclusive in May, including direct economy flights and private transfers, from £5,600 per couple.

A Golfer’s Dream

Stay at the luxurious Constance Prince Maurice and enjoy complimentary access to two championship golf courses. 9 nights from £2,899 per person (B&B) in May, with indirect flights from London on Emirates.

Ideal for Families

The welcoming Ravenala Attitude offers all-suite accommodation, kids’ clubs, and evening entertainment – perfect for creating memories together. 9 nights for 2 adults and 2 children (up to 11 years) in a family suite, all-inclusive, with flights from London via Dubai in May 2026 from £7,820.

Winter Escapes

The Magic of Lapland

Lapland offers a world of snow-dusted forests, shimmering night skies, and timeless Arctic traditions. From reindeer sleigh rides to the spellbinding Northern Lights, its allure extends far beyond childhood dreams, offering authentic wilderness experiences for discerning travellers.

For something truly special, venture north to Lake Inari, where the acclaimed Wilderness Hotel – featured on BBC’s Amazing Hotels of the World – combines striking natural beauty with refined hospitality and unforgettable activities.

Top Short Break

Feel the exhilaration of mushing your own team of huskies across pristine Arctic trails on a 3-Night Husky Farm Adventure in Ivalo. Departing 8 December, this fully immersive experience is priced from £1,949 per person, including full board.

Ski highs

As winters grow warmer, altitude is key. The high slopes of Val Thorens, St Anton, Lech, and Obergurgl remain reliable choices for snow-sure skiing. For those seeking long-haul adventures, Whistler and Japan continue to rank among the world’s most coveted destinations for powder, with Crystal Ski now adding Furano and Tomamu to its portfolio.

Best for gourmet dining
In Obergurgl, the Gourmet & Wine Hotel offers a sophisticated alpine retreat. Combining intimate luxury with an award-winning culinary concept, it is renowned for its carefully curated wine cellar, gourmet dining, and a serene atmosphere – the perfect pairing with a day on the slopes. From £1,924pp half board including flights and transfers. Prefer a swish apartment? Check out Chalet Obergurgl from £1,259pp for one week.

Best for families or groups
For those looking for value without compromise, chalet holidays are making a return but can now be hard to find. I’ve recently booked chalets for six guests in Les Deux Alpes or St Anton, including flights, transfers, meals, and wine, from £7,500.

Cruising in style

Demand for adults-only river cruises is on the rise — and it’s easy to see why. These itineraries focus on culture-rich ports of call, offering travellers the chance to explore historic cities, charming towns, and lesser-known gems along Europe’s great waterways.

Onboard, the experience is equally enriching. Expert historians and specialist guides bring each destination to life with insightful commentary, while curated excursions ensure a deeper connection to local traditions, art, and cuisine. Combined with elegant ships designed exclusively for adults, these journeys offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional cruising — perfectly tailored for those seeking both comfort and cultural immersion.

What’s New

The Danube: Uniworld has a brand new ship and itinerary debuting in 2026. The Vineyards and Palaces along the Danube is an 8-day sailing through fairytale landscapes, charming villages and grand imperial landmarks with the option to extend the trip with a stay in Prague. The S.S. Emilie™ is a floating masterpiece, adorned with jewel tones, golden flourishes and graceful Art Nouveau details promising an unparalleled way to travel along the Danube. 8 days from Vienna to Nuremberg in a lead-in Classic Cabin costs from £2,999pp.

What’s trending?
On the Nile, Uniworld’s eleven-night itinerary is a standout, pairing a luxury seven-night cruise with four nights at the Four Seasons in Cairo, from around £4888pp on January 31 or the end of March.

Summer 2026

Looking ahead to summer, the new Ikos Kissamos in Crete is already generating buzz, while Sani in Halkidiki continues to be a firm favourite with families. Meanwhile, for Disney fans Disney Cruises is now offering short 3 and 4-night itineraries from Southampton to destinations like Bilbao in the school holidays for 2026.

Safari adventures

Best for horse lovers
With my equestrian background, I often arrange riding safaris for horse lovers. Increasingly, I’m also seeing demand for mixed-group experiences, where one person rides while others cycle, walk, or explore by 4x4. South Africa offers the best value for money but for the best safari head to Botswana. Prices in South Africa start from just £5,000pp for three nights at Ants Nest and five at Horizon including flights.

Best for wildlife
Savute Safari Lodge, Camp Okavango & Camp Moremi. Enjoy a luxury safari through Botswana’s iconic wilderness. Begin with 3 nights at Savute Safari Lodge, with thrilling lion country game drives and waterhole views of elephants. Next, fly to Camp Okavango in the heart of the Okavango Delta for mokoro excursions, boat and guided bush walks from eco-luxury canvas-and-thatch suites. Conclude with 3 nights at Camp Moremi in Moremi Game Reserve, combining land and water safaris among elephants, leopards, and abundant birdlife. Each camp offers a unique perspective on Botswana’s wild landscapes and wildlife. From £8799pp based on two sharing.

Whats new for families?
Club Med is opening its first family resort in South Africa. The resort's Mpilo Safari Lodge is located within a 44,479-acre game reserve with guided safari drives designed for families with children. The property will also have a surf school, two pools and kids clubs.

Best for honeymooners

Tanzania and Zanzibar are fast becoming the ultimate honeymoon pairing — a journey that blends the thrill of safari with the tranquillity of the Indian Ocean. Many couples now opt to enhance their trip with a two-night cultural stay in Stone Town, immersing themselves in Zanzibar’s rich history and spice-scented streets before retreating to the coast.

New for this year, the Matemwe Attitude on Zanzibar’s unspoilt northeast coast offers an intimate escape overlooking the coral reefs of Mnemba Island. Think swim-up villas, crafted cocktails at sunset, and hammocks swaying gently under the palms — a setting made for romance.

Wellness & sports retreats

For travellers in search of renewal, Kamalaya in Thailand remains a benchmark in holistic wellness. Set on the lush island of Koh Samui, this award-winning sanctuary offers transformative programmes ranging from detox and stress management to yoga and fitness — all delivered with an authenticity that makes the experience as restorative as it is life-changing.

For those who prefer to balance activity with sunshine, BodyHoliday (Le Sport) in St Lucia continues to set the standard. Its unique concept combines tailored fitness, water sports, and spa treatments with plenty of time for relaxation, making it ideal for both couples and solo travellers.

Meanwhile, the latest trend in padel tennis and pickleball is shaping the way groups and friends travel together. Whether in the Canaries or the Caribbean, demand is growing for resorts that blend these fast-paced social sports with a luxury setting in the sun — and I’ll ensure the perfect destination match.

Why choose me?

I combine global travel expertise with the personal touch of someone based right here in Lytchett Matravers. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime safari, a cruise down the Nile, or a simple family getaway, I’ll make the planning easy, the choices clear, and the experience unforgettable. And I don’t charge for my services, suppliers pay me to promote their holidays.

Samantha Lewis 07968 426941
📧 sam.lewis@notjusttravel.com

www.notjustanytravelagent.co.uk
ABTA-bonded | Affiliated with Hays Travel - K9413