Jo Shayler Holidays

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Jo Shayler Holidays My name is Jo Shayler and I'm an independent travel expert at Travel Counsellors. I'm Jo, and I want you to go away.
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Sorry, I'll rephrase: I know and love travel, and I want to share. Great places, lovely people, new cultures - these are the rewards for a lifelong love of exploring, during which time I have forged connections with brilliant people at the best places.

​I have lived in Geneva, Durban, Stockholm and Milan, and speak four languages. My career in travel began in the 90s and I've been an independent

travel expert with Holidaysplease since 2011. In 2021, I was proud to receive the ultimate accolade as the UK & Ireland’s Top Travel Agent along with being voted the UK’s Top Home-Based Agent at the TTG Travel Industry Awards. The North Essex coast is my current happy place.

08/11/2024

My Moroccan Odyssey, part one: Sofitel Palais Imperial, Marrakech 🥰

Before embarking on a three day escapade to the Mergouza Desert with Not In The Guidebooks I wanted to drop in on my dear friend Romayssa at Sofitel Palais Imperial for a pre-trek injection of glamour 💋

Given the central location, a short walk from Jemaa Fna and the super hip Hivernage district, this oasis of Moroccan charm and calm is a balm for the soul. 🧘

It's rare to find a big brand hotel which reflects and embraces a country's culture and personality with such commitment. 🙌

Sofitel Palais Imperial has all the style and elegance of La Mamounia but without the eyewatering price tag and is a perfect base for a 3 night city break in the Red City. 🇲🇦

You heard it here first 😘💪

24/10/2024

Previously scuppered by the pesky pandemic and subsequent life events, Ann and Chip's holiday to the Maldives with Tony and Jackie had been years in the planning.

A few weeks before departure life threw yet another of its curveballs at them, once again forcing a tricky decision to cancel.

Tony and Jackie decided to bravely (😘) soldier on and head to Atmosphere Kanifushi without them...
.. so on receiving the fabulous, if rather last-minute, news that they would after all be able to join them in paradise, we decided to keep it a secret 🙊 🤐

A heartwarming tale of lifelong friendship, holiday besties and joyful surprises at LGW's North Terminal 💖 🥳

Happy holidays folks. Always a pleasure.

JST
X

Hannah, her family and I share two loves: 🥰- The island of Mauritius - what's not to love? 🇲🇺- The legendary hotel Canon...
20/10/2024

Hannah, her family and I share two loves: 🥰

- The island of Mauritius - what's not to love? 🇲🇺

- The legendary hotel Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa which never fails to deliver on expectations thanks to their dedicated team of artisans. 🙌

Mum was invited along for their third visit - the bar was set high this time!

Thanks so much for the lovely words H. It's always a pleasure working with you and I'm incredibly grateful for the referrals that you send my way.

https://bit.ly/3XAtQiL

Jo, What a wonderful two weeks we’ve had back at the Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa. This hotel somehow gets better every year, in all aspects.It was wonderful to have Mum with us this year, along with Alex and Lisanne.The staff are amazing - Amrita and Reaz in particular always going abo...

Apparently, I did visit Ibiza in the 90s, but in all honesty I remember my recent adventures with Palladium Hotels with ...
13/10/2024

Apparently, I did visit Ibiza in the 90s, but in all honesty I remember my recent adventures with Palladium Hotels with far more clarity!

It was great to refresh my memories with a little more money in my pocket and a lot more appreciation for the stunning vistas offered by the Balearics' vibrant, and often misunderstood, White Island. ✨

From understated luxury to overt hedonism and a little rock ‘n’ roll for balance, I soaked up everything that this island has to offer.

Big love to Palladium Hotels for hosting me at Ushuaia Beach Club, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort Spa, Playa d'en Bossa, TRS Ibiza Hotel and Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa, 🥰

Read all about it: https://bit.ly/4eCkfh4

🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒

What?: Highlights of Australia and New Zealand client eventWhere?: Online,  you need not leave your sofa!When?: 14th Nov...
06/10/2024

What?: Highlights of Australia and New Zealand client event
Where?: Online, you need not leave your sofa!
When?: 14th November, 7pm to 830pm
How?: By invitation only
Why?: Expert guest speakers and top notch goody bags for all!

Whether you’re planning your first big trip or itching to return, join me for an exclusive evening packed with hidden gems, expert tips, and maybe even a few travel tales! Places are very limited…

https://bit.ly/3AP2zjJ

Around six months ago, my business development partners, Minty Highway Consulting and I came up with the ludicrous idea ...
30/09/2024

Around six months ago, my business development partners, Minty Highway Consulting and I came up with the ludicrous idea of launching a travel-based podcast. I wasn’t interested in your usual ‘oooh, it’s lovely here at this time of year’ type emission though. I wanted something a little more irreverent, something which might divide the crowd and spark a conversation.

I didn’t have a huge (or any!) production budget. I've had to learn as I go along, take myself out of my comfort zone and at times wing it – I am after all a travel agent, not Louis Theroux! 🎬

The first episode of ‘I Want You To Go Away’, in which we focus on our the first-world problem of hotel gripes, is now ready to share and by complete coincidence it happens to be International Podcast Day today 😉

You can view it on the link below and find links to the usual podcast directories. Please do hit the subscribe buttons and leave me some (constructive!) feedback.

Thanks for your time to listen and for your support.

https://youtu.be/l_gg1sPSJgQ?si=p_AuiTukvjjRmYWC

JST x

In this first episode, we focus on hotel gripes, specifically the Top 5 gripes that my clients, friends and family have with hotels. They may be first-world ...

Let us rejoice! For Sunday is a day of rest ... unless you have kids ... or run your own business... or both! 😱In any ca...
29/09/2024

Let us rejoice! For Sunday is a day of rest ... unless you have kids ... or run your own business... or both! 😱

In any case you won't be needing those Sunday paper travel supplements today! 🤓

My newsletter may be a little late to the party but it's my finest yet and includes an 'Inside Ibiza Exposée' worthy of the Daily Mail's own side-column of shame and much more besides 😘

https://bit.ly/4ejZFCm

Get stuck in and have a super day. 👌

Much love
JST

22/09/2024

It's finally happening, and the pre-launch nerves are kicking in! 🎧

Here’s a sneak peek of I Want You To Go Away – my brand-new podcast where I sit down with Fay Swinton-Berry, my trusty travel companion and long-suffering friend, to chat all things travel. ✈️

We’re sharing quirky moments, hidden gems, and, of course, some of the ridiculous mishaps we’ve encountered along the way.

Our first episode tackles a subject close to many hearts: hotel gripes. Granted, they’re First World problems, but that doesn’t mean they don’t grind our gears!

This is just the beginning! The full episode drops on International Podcast Day, 30th September. Stay tuned for links and subscription details!

We had a blast recording this, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Go easy on us folks: I won’t be quitting my day job anytime soon, I promise 😘

17/09/2024

Time to squeeze in some long-overdue supplier-schmoozing hosted by House of Kooser at the legendary St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London.

One of my favourite buildings in London, this Grade I listed structure still boasts the original ticket booking office (now a sumptuous bar), suites with a direct view of the departure platforms, and, rather less prestigiously, the famous staircase featured in the Spice Girls Wannabe music vid. A-zig-a-zig aahh.

🚆🧳 Seat to Suite ↔️ Suite to Seat 🧳🚆

If you book a suite at the hotel before/ after travel by Eurostar you'll be collected from your train seat, checked in and escorted to your suite, and vice versa.

Sadly I had to make my way home on the 2018h Greater Anglia out of Liverpool Street and kip in my own bed... but maybe next time 😘

13/09/2024

Never let it be said that I don't like the sound of my own voice 😘

👀
08/09/2024

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Rejoice! For today is National Travel Agent Day🥳Does anyone really care? I think not.😘What I do care about are my client...
06/09/2024

Rejoice! For today is National Travel Agent Day🥳

Does anyone really care? I think not.😘

What I do care about are my clients' fabulous escapades, especially following a long self-imposed travel-drought which leaves me yearning for the sour faces of Stansted's rudest security personnel.

Bela and Steve are living my best life and long may it continue!

Join them for their latest adventures in Costa Rica which has to be home to the most fascinating variety of wildlife on this beautiful planet. 🦥 🦜

https://bit.ly/4dopLmI

03/09/2024

Q: How did I miss International Beach Day at the weekend? 🌏

A: I was at the beach, obvs! 🐋

12 years ago I ditched the Big Smoke for the north east coast of Essex and its huge sandy beaches remain one of my happiest places to be.

The Caribbean and Indian Ocean can be so tediously predictable by comparison 😉

I am fortunate to have lounged upon many an exotic sandy shore in my brief time on this planet, but as the great British summer comes to an underwhelming anti-climax, I’m choosing to celebrate all things beach with a montage of this season’s best bits. 👌 🏊‍♂️🧘

Happy belated Beach Day. ⛱️

28/08/2024

Jo Shayler Holidays top tip 😎

When staying at the finest adults-only all-inclusive hotel in Ibiza, don't leave the best bit 'til last 🌟

Epic Travel Agent fail! 🤭

TRS Ibiza Hotel you were FAB-U-LOUS 😍💋

🌴 Fellow Mauritius lovers, listen up! 🇲🇺If you're after more than just a beach holiday, let me introduce you to Attitude...
25/08/2024

🌴 Fellow Mauritius lovers, listen up! 🇲🇺

If you're after more than just a beach holiday, let me introduce you to Attitude Hotels - a brand that's all about real, local experiences and not just talking the sustainability talk.

Whether it’s cooking with locals or exploring the island’s best street food, these hotels have it wrapped up in true Mauritian charm.

I’ve shared all the details and my personal experience in my latest blog ... https://bit.ly/3YPRPeG

MauritiusHotels AttitudeThe Ravenala Attitude HotelSunrise Attitude HotelSunrise Attitude Hotel MauritiusLagoon Attitude HotelZilwa Attitude Hôtel

16/08/2024

Holidays in Mexico don't need to be about high-rise all inclusives, sombreros and Coco Bongos! 🥳

Holbox Island is a tranquil, car-free island off Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, known for its pristine beaches, bioluminescent waters, and abundant wildlife, including flamingos and seasonal whale sharks. 🐋🦩

Part of the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve, Holbox offers a laid-back vibe with colorful street art, sandy streets, and a charming village. ✌️🌺🌈🌞

A short passenger ferry ride from Chiquilá, it’s a popular eco-tourism spot for those seeking natural beauty and a peaceful escape.

Check out my client's encounter with a 9 metre Whale Shark. She admits to holding the guide's hand as this beautiful creature passed 😍

🥳 ⚠️ New London Stansted Route ⚠️ 🥳Jet2 Holidays are trialling a new destination and will be dipping their toes (briefly...
14/08/2024

🥳 ⚠️ New London Stansted Route ⚠️ 🥳

Jet2 Holidays are trialling a new destination and will be dipping their toes (briefly) into the cooler waters of Bergen, the heart of Norway's magnificent fjords, on JUST TWO DEPARTURE DATES in 2025.

🇧🇻 Departing London Stansted
🇧🇻 24th or 28th April 2025
🇧🇻 4 nights
🇧🇻 3 or 4 star hotels with breakfast
🇧🇻 Airport transfers
🇧🇻 Full day Fjords Tour including Flåm Railway and cruise
🇧🇻 Prices start at £830 per person

Given the selection of East Anglia's very own Stansted Airport for the job (and the comp Fjords tour sweetener), it seemed only fair to volunteer as an eager guinea pig, for the sole purpose of providing constructive feedback you understand 🧐

If you'd like the rare honour of sharing my holiday air, do get in touch.

JST x

🇧🇻 🏞 🇧🇻 🛥 🇧🇻 🚂 🏔 🇧🇻

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