Lewis Jones - Not Just 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”) 🐘

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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) 🇲🇺

17/05/2024

16/05/2024

Hiking Le Morne mountain in Mauritius - ask me for tips before you go because scrambling involved!

15/05/2024

Do you agree? Sunsets over the sea are just the best! 🌅🌊

14/05/2024

Lewis takes you on a beachfront room tour at Beachcomber Paradis in Mauritius 🇲🇺

15/04/2024

🇳🇴 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 just got back from a Norwegian coastal sailing with Hurtigruten, 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! 🛳️

23/03/2024

Whenever I travel I love to go hiking 🥾

Exploring the wild landscapes, connecting with nature, spotting some wildlife and of course getting some incredible views 🌄

There hasn’t been so much wildlife spotting on these hikes in Norway (but plenty from the cruise - more on that soon!), but I’ve loved trying something new and going hiking in the snow! ❄️

It’s amazing how different textures of snow behave when you walk on them - some form an icy crust which are easy to walk on whilst others are unsuspectingly susceptible to sinking (see the first picture where I sank in up to my knee 😂)

If you decide to give snowy hiking a go on your next trip, my top tip would be to buy a pair of crampon style snow grips (see last picture for the Yaktrax that I’ve been using) 👍🏼

14/03/2024

CLIA RiverView Conference 2024

Over the last few days I’ve been learning more about river cruising and visiting a variety of river ships here in Amsterdam 🌷

Here are some of my key takeaways:

🏞️ It’s all about the view! - river ships are designed to maximise the endless views on a river cruise itinerary with floor-to-ceiling windows in most public spaces and staterooms

🚲 Explore on 2 wheels! - most river ships carry bicycles (some have modern e-bikes) for use by passengers, which is an amazing way of exploring the cities and villages that river cruises dock at

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Take the family! - some river ships now have specially designed family cabins so families with young children can enjoy touring Europe by river. Others have interconnecting cabins which are perfect for multi-generational families

🗺️ Choose the itinerary first! - whilst ocean cruises are often focused on the ship’s facilities and entertainment, river cruises are ALL about the itinerary (not only the towns that it docks in but the scenery along the way!)

Does a river cruise interest you? Ask me about them next time we chat!

03/03/2024

🚫✈️ Exactly 1 week today I’ll be embarking on an epic no-fly journey to the Northernmost point in mainland Europe 🌍

My route:

🚌 Coach from London to Amsterdam

3-day River Cruise Conference in Amsterdam

🚆 Train from Amsterdam to Hamburg

1 night in Hamburg

🛳️ 2-week expedition cruise from Hamburg to Nordkapp (North Cape) and back - aboard a hybrid powered ship

🚆 Train from Hamburg to Utrecht

1 night in Utrecht

🚅 Eurostar from Amsterdam to London

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Not only will this emit far less harmful emissions than flying, the journey itself will be fun and full of surprises! 😃

❓Would you swap planes for trains?

11/02/2024

Currently in Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿

An amazing place with so much to offer - fantastic for a city break at any time of year!

Send me your questions below 👍🏼

24/01/2024

Where’s 2024 taking you? 🗺️

Up north to the Norwegian Fjords and a chance to see the Aurora Borealis? 🌌

East to Asia in search of culture, beaches and food delicacies? 🏝️

Down south towards Africa for an epic safari or hiking challenge (Kilimanjaro) 🦒

Or west to the Americas for a road trip through National Parks or family fun in Florida? 🏜️

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For more suggestions or to start your holiday journey, get in touch with Lewis today:

📱 07404 716823

16/01/2024

I was just on a webinar with Sir Richard Branson talking all things Virgin Voyages 🛳️

He may have let slip that he’ll be onboard one of their sailings later this year… 👀

How would you love to meet Sir Richard in person and be on the same cruise as him?

Well you can - send me a message to find out where and when!

06/01/2024

Just arrived at the Not Just Travel 2024 Conference - ready to learn about exciting travel trends and more! 🤩

22/12/2023

New experiences…

A new way to travel…

Where will rail take you in 2024? 🚊

Personally I’ve got my eye on the Golden Pass route between Montreaux and Lucerne 🏞️

Reasons I love taking a long distance train:

🛤️ More seamless than flying

🌄 Scenic views all day

🧳 More space for legs & luggage

15/12/2023

🤩 COMPETITION TIME 😎

You’ve got to be in it to win it!

1️⃣ What’s the prize?

A 7-night holiday for 2 adults to Mauritius 🇲🇺, including…

✈️ Flights
🏨 Accommodation
🚕 Transfers

2️⃣ How do I enter?

Complete a short travel survey about your holiday preferences 🗺️

Please comment below 👇🏼 that you’d like to enter, then I’ll private message you to organise a time to do the survey.

3️⃣ What else should I know?

There’s no obligation to book a holiday - as soon as you’ve completed the survey you’ll be entered into the prize draw to win a week in Mauritius! 😎

Closing date is 29/2/24 at 23:59 📆

Full T&C’s are available on my website:

https://lewisjones.notjusttravel.com/mauritius-holiday-prize-terms-conditions

13/12/2023

That feeling when you spend 44 days on holiday next year and only use 19 annual leave days 😎🤩

🇵🇹🇮🇩🇯🇴 Easter - Portugal, Bali or Jordan

🇪🇨🇮🇹🇯🇵 May - Galapagos, Amalfi or Japan

🇮🇸🇧🇼🇻🇳 December - Iceland, Botswana or Vietnam

How to do this? 📆🧐

Message me: 07404 716823

08/12/2023

India has a VERY special place in my heart 🧡

All the photos below are from my own experiences 📸

On my first trip to India I met fellow photographer Ade Pascoe in the blue city of Jodhpur - we travelled together exploring the sights, sounds, smells (and tastes!) of 🕌

More recently, my brother and I discovered the beauty and laid back culture of God’s own country (the state of ) 🌅

3 reasons why India is special to me (and you?):

🔸 Diverse range of sights, culture and experiences

🔸 Great value for money

🔸 Heaven for foodies!

For itinerary suggestions, head over to Terrific Travel Deals by Lewis Jones NJT 👈🏼

Which would you choose?

🕌 Rajasthan

🌅 Kerala

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11/11/2023

— 5 reasons to stay at Ikos Resorts —

🚗 Complimentary Local Drive Adventures

🍴 Unlimited access to a la carte restaurants

🌅 Each beautiful resort can be discovered in a top breath-taking Mediterranean destination

🍾 Every member in the team have attention to detail and always apply a personal touch to their service

🌱 Ikos Resorts are powered by 100% renewable energy

Want to know more? Call Lewis: 07404 716823

08/11/2023

Is it time to get the train to Gatwick if you’re flying for your next holiday? 🚊 🛫

Far more environmentally friendly than driving and pretty easy from Basingstoke (and the wider Hampshire area)

What do you think?

P.S. I organise no-fly holidays (100% train travel) or rail journeys as part of a holiday package 🗺️

Travel through Gatwick Airport station is set to be transformed in two weeks time with the results described as 'fabulous' | ITV News Meridian

03/11/2023

Why we love visiting Turkey late in the season: it’s quiet!

The roads are less busy, making it easier for foreign drivers like you and I to rent a car and explore the endless mountains and bays ⛰️

The restaurants are quiet, meaning you can have a decent conversation with the owners, learn about the local food and hear stories from real people 🫒

Best of all, the beaches are nearly empty - so wherever we go we feel like we’ve got the whole place to ourselves! 😃

Who else prefers to avoid the crowds when on holiday?

Here are some snapshots of my recent family holiday to the town of Turunç 🇹🇷

31/10/2023

🎃🌎 Happy Halloween! 🌍👻

Swipe to explore the spooktacular traditions from around the world! From Mexico's Day of the Dead to Ireland's Samhain, there's a world of Halloween magic to discover on your next holiday.

Which would be your celebration of choice?🕷️🕸️

(Mine is definitely Mexico’s Dia de Los Mu***os festivities! 🇲🇽💀 )