Lewis Jones - Not Just Travel

25/11/2024

This week’s focus country is Tanzania 🇹🇿

Tanzania has a very special place in my heart - back in 2012 it was the trip that truly ignited my passion for travel!

So, this week I’m going to share my knowledge and experience of this vibrant country - from its breathtaking landscapes to diverse wildlife and idyllic beaches 🏝️🏔️

Keep an eye out for posts on and

Questions? Ask me!

22/11/2024

Top 3 things to do in Norway! 🇳🇴

🐋 Whale Watching

Humpbacks, s***m whales, fin whales, orca and more all roam the seas along the Norwegian coast.

Make sure you choose the right time of year, and only go with a respected local operator 👌🏼

🚂 The Flåm Railway

One of the most beautiful train journeys in the world!

Spectacular scenery throughout - choose between autumnal colours or a wintery wonderland!

🛷 Husky Sledding

Sled dogs (including huskies) used to be a vital mode of transport in the Arctic, connecting isolated communities.

Today, you can experience this part of Arctic culture by trying your hand at mushing your own pack of huskies!

17/11/2024

Scandinavia's innovative accommodations include heated glass igloos, glass-walled treehouses, and sea cabins, offering immersive experiences of the Arctic wilderness and Northern Lights.

Highlights include Finland’s Levin Iglut, Iso-Syöte, and Arctic Snowhotel, blending luxury with adventure activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling. Unique options include Norway's Manshausen Seacabins and Sweden's Treehotel, featuring eco-friendly designs and scenic views.

These destinations emphasize sustainability and local culture, with fine dining and relaxing spa facilities.

Curated by our specialists, Scandinavia's best glass igloos are perfectly designed to showcase the wonders of its wilderness.

16/11/2024

🇳🇴 Norway’s Coastal Kitchen 🦀

Here’s why this was the BEST food experience I’ve had on ANY cruise…

Hurtigruten support 50 Norwegian farms, bakeries and producers, bringing locally sourced ingredients such as King Crab, Brunost (brown cheese) and Cloudberries to their ships.

The result?

✔️ Fresh food that tastes great, AND is great for the planet and people 😃

✔️ Fish, meat and vegetarian options at all meals

✔️ Local twists such as reindeer burgers or cloudberry salad

Honestly…having done a Norwegian coastal sailing with Hurtigruten earlier this year, I can say that the food was outstanding!

I would describe it as refined, innovative, and above all delicious! 😋

🪟 Another bonus of the restaurants onboard Hurtigruten’s Norway cruises is the floor to ceiling windows - on most cruise ships, dining venues tend to have porthole windows with partially obstructed views of endless ocean (still quite fantastic)! Yet the larger windows on Hurtigruten allow guests to fully appreciate and marvel at the stunning scenery as they sail on “The World’s Most Beautiful Voyage” 🇳🇴

📸 In the pictures: Me talking to executive chef Eirik Larsen about Hurtigruten’s food concept



🤓 FYI Hurtigruten have been sailing the Norwegian coast for more than 130 years - and on a daily basis since 1936 - so are perfectly placed to build on their concept of sustainability sourced and seasonal food. You can experience it for yourself by sailing on their Norwegian Coastal Express (some of which have a “Northern Lights Promise”) - ask me for more details! 🛳️

24/10/2024

Fancy a Christmas Market break but not sure where or when to go? 🎄

I’ve done all the research for you! Simply pick a city, comment below and I’ll tell you when the markets are on 🙌🏼

🇦🇹 Vienna
🇧🇪 Brussels
🇭🇷 Dubrovnik
🇨🇿 Prague (Old Town Square pictured)
🇩🇰 Copenhagen
🇩🇪 Berlin
🇬🇷 Athens
🇭🇺 Budapest
🇩🇪 Munich
🇨🇭 Geneva
🇮🇹 Rome
🇵🇹 Lisbon
🇮🇪 Dublin
🇲🇪 Kotor
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
🇸🇪 Stockholm
🇪🇸 Barcelona
🇵🇱 Krakow

Message me 07404 716823 📲

18/09/2024

12 years ago this week, I successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro 🏔️ (and still got the T-shirt to prove it 😂)

It was both the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life!

Cold stints of climbing in low oxygen conditions gave way to the most incredible views and an enormous sense of achievement 🤩

I wouldn’t change it in a heartbeat and would definitely recommended Kili to anyone longing for a physical challenge 💪🏼

Be it , or Base Camp, or maybe a cycling adventure through , I can organise your next travelling adventure 🗺️

05/09/2024

Now that’s a REAL Zebra Crossing! Intrepid Travel

31/08/2024

I’d love to tell you about an amazing POSITIVE IMPACT trip 🤩

🦍 On Intrepid’s Remarkable Rwanda & Gorillas of Uganda, guests have the opportunity to learn about some of Earth’s most intelligent creatures.

📚 The thing I love most is that this is a highly educational experience for travellers, which is in contrast to some of the exploitative wildlife tourism practices that still occur.

⛺️ On this trip you stay in Safari lodges and Eco camps and see an abundance of wildlife in addition to visiting the Gorilla Doctors HQ where they look after their gorilla patients.

💰 For each trip made, Intrepid donate to the charity Gorilla Doctors thus helping to sustain gorilla populations. The trip starts in Kigali where you learn about the horrific genocide in Rwanda in 1994 and how tourism is now helping build people’s lives back. In return tourists can enjoy the scenery of the lakes and the beautiful Virunga Mountains, learn about their culture and see some amazing wildlife.

😷 Local guides and trackers are used and visits are strictly controlled to reduce possible negative impacts on gorilla health and behaviour. A surgical face mask should be worn while within proximity of the gorillas to minimise the risk of disease transmission.

🅱️ Intrepid offsets its carbon footprint but also has a carbon reduction target. They became carbon neutral in 2010 and certified their commitment by becoming a B Corp in 2018. They have committed to halve emissions by 2030 and support the Blue Carbon lab in Australia.

Travel through Rwanda and Uganda in search of natural beauty and the gentle mountain gorillas, while learning about the region's confronting past.

17/08/2024

This is really interesting and informative read about Elephant Tourism in Thailand 🐘 🇹🇭

Which camp would you choose?

Thailand is a world-famous destination for elephant experiences. Explore our recommendations for ethically seeing and experiencing Elephants in Thailand.

11/07/2024

Some great sessions today at the Travel Trade Gazette Sustainability Forum 📝

The key takeaway for me was the idea of “Progress not Perfection”

For someone who has been a perfectionist for large parts of my life (school homework taking hours & hours), it’s been an interesting concept for me to consider.

I think it’s so important within the “Sustainability Space” (of any industry) that the goal is “Progress not Perfection”. Here’s why:

Small positive changes adopted by the many (Progress) will have a far greater impact than lofty goals with little action (Perfection).

Would you agree?

P.S. The Barbican Centre is also a very interesting and cool venue!

25/06/2024

🌍 How to travel sustainably in 2024 🌱

Here is a sample of my top tips, broken down into 4 stages:

1️⃣ Research

Combine destinations into fewer trips to reduce airmiles (and maximise annual leave!) 📆

Avoid tourist traps by intentionally travelling off the beaten track 😎

2️⃣ Booking

Work with a sustainable travel certified agent when booking your trip ✅

If wanting to offset your emissions, choose intentional offsetting projects (rather than generic tree-planting which may do more harm than good) 🌳

3️⃣ Preparation

Say NO to fast fashion - save the planet 1 T-shirt at a time by building a wardrobe of clothes that you’ll wear time and time again 👕

Choose reef-safe suncream and other environmentally friendly products 🐠

4️⃣ Holiday

Say NO to single-use plastics - take a reusable coffee mug, reusable water bottle and travel cutlery set on your next holiday🍴

Experience the joy of witnessing animals in their natural habitat (rather than in a zoo or tourist “marine park”) 🐘

—

What do you think of these tips? Would you like to share some of your own?

18/06/2024

Planned powercut at home today so I’m working from my local Sri Lankan fusion cafe - Charter Alley Village Store 🇱🇰

My brunch was a delicious Sri Lankan omelette in the sun ☀️

Now I’m inside with a flat white and refreshing my knowledge of my favourite cruise line EVER - Virgin Voyages (I was on board last year for my 30th and am going again in September 😃)

FYI - for those that didn’t know, I run my own travel business so am happy to share my knowledge and experiences when organising your next holiday!

Lewis Jones - Not Just Travel 🗺️

16/06/2024

*wind speeds not accurate

Fed up of this cold, wet & windy weather?

Desperately waiting for summer to appear?

Me too 😂

I’ve booked myself a holiday to the remote island of La Gomera in August for some heat, sun & hiking 🥾

Where are you going in July, August or September?

Send me a message and let me organise your last minute holiday 😎

Message me on 07404 716823 📲

24/05/2024

Here are my 2 top reasons to consider Silversea for your next cruise 😃

23/05/2024

Updating my cruise knowledge and networking with key cruise partners 😃

18/05/2024

Zip-lining in Mauritius was really fun! (Just one of many activities to do here) 🇲🇺