Julie Macdonald - Not Just Travel (2025)

02/02/2025

Wow, what a January that was! I would like to say a HUGE "thank you" to all my clients who have booked with me in January. It has been my busiest and most successful month (by some way) since starting my business almost six years ago. I am blown away by your support, and so so thankful. Every enquiry, every booking, every recommendation you make to a friend or family member, is the life-blood of my business.

Here is just a selection of the holidays I have booked for clients in January:

- A bucket-list safari to Tanzania (including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater) followed by a beach stay in Zanzibar;
- A few holidays to Croatia, including a Croatia & Montenegro twin-centre;
- Disneyland Paris short breaks, including flights;
- City breaks to Marrakech, plus a Moroccan triple-centre including beach and mountains;
- An Alaskan cruise from Vancouver;
- A road trip in Eastern Canada;
- An all-inclusive beach holiday in the Dominican Republic;
- Cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean with Celebrity and Virgin Voyages;
- A villa holiday in the Algarve;
- City breaks in New York, Dubai, Seville, Alicante and Pisa
- Couples holidays and family holidays in Ibiza;
- Ski holiday in France
- Accommodation and car hire in Sicily.

As you can see, I book a wide range of holiday types. The common thread to each one is that I make it my mission to ensure that every holiday I book is as perfect as it can possibly be. It means the world to me to know that my clients have had the best possible time on holiday, and have made memories to last a lifetime.

February is shaping up to be very busy too. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for all your support.

I am available every day in February, including evenings and weekends. Drop me a message here or via WhatsApp (07985 901524) if you'd like me to work my magic on your holiday plans.

Julie xx

03/01/2025

Hi everyone. I am around all weekend if you are looking to book a holiday, or just to enquire. Why not give me a try? I pride myself on the service I offer, looking to make every holiday I book for my clients the best it can possibly be! That's not service you will get from booking online!

There are so many special offers and January sales on right now. Even if you are not quite sure what type of holiday you want, get in touch and we can chat through ideas. I can let you know which offers would be good for you. Remember that I can book price-match Jet2holidays, Tui etc. plus many others, including all cruise companies (and I can apply your existing membership numbers etc.). I also love putting together bespoke holidays for my clients, offering amazing itineraries at the best value possible.

I look forward to hearing from you... drop me a comment below, or a message here or on WhatsApp 07985 901524

Julie xx

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! Wishing you a wonderful 2025, filled with health, happiness and amazing holidays!

27/12/2024

Stop! Don’t book that Holiday yet!

If you’ve seen a trip online that you think is perfect for you, just pause a moment before taking the final plunge.

I can book holidays with most well known suppliers. This includes Jet2, Tui, Kuoni, Inghams, and all Lapland and Cruise companies. We also work with many smaller independent companies, specialists in certain destinations, and tour operators that can only be booked through travel agents. I can book beach holidays, city breaks, adventure holidays, safaris, tours, road trips etc. etc.

If you’ve seen a holiday advertised elsewhere, there’s a very high chance I can also book that same trip at the exact same price. You might be wondering why bother when you could just book it in a couple of clicks? Firstly, I can assess the choice you’ve made and make sure it’s right for you. I have a lot of industry knowledge which might stop you making a mistake. I might even be able to offer you a better alternative.

Secondly, booking a holiday is the easy bit. Dealing with issues that make arise later can be trickier. If you book with me, I can help you take care of any future problems. You can also ask me questions and advice at any point and I’m definitely easier to get hold of than most travel companies.

If you would like me to take a look at a holiday you’ve seen elsewhere please email me at [email protected].
(As always, if you don’t have a specific holiday in mind, but would like to discuss your options, drop me a message via this page, or send me a WhatsApp on 07985 901524.

Julie xx

(P.S. The photo is of me with my son, Ross, on his 21st birthday yesterday.)

24/12/2024

Wishing all of my wonderful clients, friends and followers a very Merry Christmas.

I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your support this year.

I am taking Christmas Day and Boxing Day off (it's my son's 21st birthday on Boxing Day). I know this is the time of year that many of you start thinking about booking your holidays for next year, so I shall be back, ready and raring to go, on 27th December. Feel free to leave a comment below or drop me a message on WhatsApp about your holiday thoughts.

Wishing you peace, love and light

Julie xx

01/11/2024

Here's how to have 58 days of holiday for just 28 days of annual leave... make sure you SAVE this post for later!

Hack the bank holidays in 2025 and get ready to turn on your out of office! 😎🍹

01/10/2024

Ship visit on Norwegian Star today...

13/09/2024

Thursday was a day at sea and my designated long-lie day. I was impressed with the breakfast delivery service...

08/09/2024

Here's how I spent my Saturday in Barcelona.

It's my first attempt at a video like this. What do you think?

Julie

07/09/2024

I arrived today in the vibrant city of Barcelona and have been exploring. I'll post some photos and info later. I'm excited to set sail tomorrow on a Virgin Voyages cruise on Scarlet Lady for the Not Just Travel conference. Ready for some sun, sea, and incredible (in)sights!

Virgin Voyages has a pretty unique approach to cruising and is adult-only - I look forward to the experience and will share my thoughts with you throughout the week.

If there anything you'd like to know about the Virgin Voyage ships and/or onboard experience? Let me know below, and if I don't know, I'll find out!

Julie

P.S. I'll be logging on for a little while each day so feel free to get in touch via Messenger, WhatsApp or email.

20/08/2024

Back to October holiday ideas... and here is the ultimate family favourite at a pretty brilliant price! Disneyland Paris is the closest place to experience the Disney magic, and make memories that you and your kids will never forget.

Top tip: Staying in a Disney hotel is definitely the way to go, as your package will include Disney park tickets for the entirety of your stay, including your days of arrival and departure. Every time I have looked into pricing for a client to stay off-site and purchase Disney tickets separately, it has worked out considerably more expensive.

There are still some great prices for Disneyland Paris during the Scottish October school holidays, even when flying out from Edinburgh to Paris on an early flight, and back on a late flight. These are the most popular flights for families wanting to make the most of their time at the parks, so they do typically cost more than flights at other times of the day.

I have priced up a 3-night package for a family of 4. The best-priced option that I found during the West Lothian school holidays (12th to 21st October) is to go from 18th to 21st October.

For a family of 4*, the total package price is from £2160 - what an amazing price! This includes:
- Direct flights between Edinburgh and Paris CDG
- Friday 18th October: depart EDI at 18:30, arrive CDG at 21:20 (no need for the adults to take the day off work!)
- Monday 21st October: depart CDG at 22:25, arrive EDI at 23:10
- 1 small item of cabin baggage per person
- 3 nights at Disney Hotel Santa Fe, in a Cars Standard Room, on a Room-Only basis
- Disney meal plans can be added at extra cost
- Disney Parks tickets for 4 days included!
- Transfers NOT included - it is easy to reach Disneyland Paris from CDG airport by public transport
- ATOL-protected package

*I priced this up based on 2 adults and 2 children, aged 12 and 10. Child prices are available up to age 17, and the overall package price rises by just a small amount to cover the extra airport departure tax.

Should you wish to fly out earlier on the Friday (depart EDI at 09:45, arrive CDG at 12:40), the package price is from £2664.

Checked baggage can be added, as can Disney meal plans, meals with Disney characters or princesses, photo passes etc.

Prices are correct at the time of posting. Pricing is live and can change at any time up until your booking is confirmed.

For more info, and for a bespoke quote for a different number of people, different durations, hotels, dates etc, pop a comment below or drop me a private message.

It's time to make memories - I am here waiting to help your dreams become reality!

Julie

19/08/2024

Once the clocks go back, the nights get much longer and it's feeling chilly, it's a good time to get away for a short break to cheer yourself up. Rather than head to the sunshine, how about getting into the festive spirit by heading to the Christmas markets in Europe? Just think, you can relax, wander through beautiful streets, eat and drink wonderful food and wine and get your Christmas shopping done early!

I have put together an offer for a 4-night stay in Vienna. Vienna (or Wien as it is called locally) is the capital of Austria, and is known as the City of Dreams. It has a long history and is well-known, of course, for its classical music as well as its fantastic sights and charm. The Viennese Christmas Markets are spread across the city, so you can explore while you shop.

I have picked out a small private boutique hotel - the Hotel Spiess & Spiess - which is centrally located, yet in a quiet back street in one of the best residential areas in Vienna, with many shops and restaurants just around the corner. It's rated 5/5 on TripAdvisor!

Included in your stay is the hotel's organic breakfast buffet consisting of high-quality mostly regionally produced products.

Every afternoon, guests are invited to relax after a busy day in the city. The hotel has modern sauna facilites which are operated in a sauna or sanarium mode alternating each day of the week. The comforting, relaxing and calming atmosphere is inspired by the materials, sounds, and colours of the danube river wetlands. The owner runs her own yoga classes at the hotel on Wednesday and Friday mornings, which you can join in (for a fee).

Here is the offer I have put together for you...

Christmas Markets and Yoga in Vienna
From £675 per person, based on 2 adults sharing a room
This includes:
- Direct flights between Edinburgh and Vienna
- Monday 18th November: depart EDI at 14:00, arrive VIE at 17:30
- Friday 22nd November: depart VIE at 15:05, arrive EDI at 16:55
- Pre-booked seats on the flights
- 1 x 10kg cabin bag per person plus one further small hand luggage item
- 4 nights at the Hotel Spiess & Spiess in a Superior Room
- Bed & Breakfast
- Transfers NOT included / it is easy to get to the hotel by public transport from the airport
- ATOL-protected package

Did you know that Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is only around 55km from Vienna? Ask me about adding a day trip to your package, or you can hop on the train!

Price is correct at the time of posting. Pricing is live and can change at any time up until the booking is confirmed.

For more details, or to enquire about a different holiday, please comment below or drop me a message.

Julie

15/08/2024

As promised, here is another idea for a family October holiday, this time to one of my favourite cities - Marrakech in Morocco. I always say that Morocco is the closest place to go where you can experience a culture shock. It is an amazing assault on the senses - bright, vibrant, exotic and very exciting.

When going to Marrakech, there are some all-inclusive resorts outside of the city where you can stay, but I have picked out a beautiful "riad" in the old medina area of the city, the best area to stay if you really want to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Marrakech. A riad is a traditional house centred around an internal courtyard, and provides an oasis of calm from the hustle and bustle outside.

So, what is there to do in Marrakech? So much! You can wander around the medina, do some haggling for fabulous handicrafts, see some of the sights and amazing architecture and then drink in the atmosphere of the wonderful Jemaa El Fna square, which really comes to life after dark with story tellers, snake charmers, street food stalls etc. You can take a day trip up to the High Atlas mountains to see a traditional rural way of life, fabulous vistas and perhaps go on a trek. Or, take a day trip to the coast to Essaouira, a colourful fishing village with beautiful (windy) beaches and a lovely atmospheric medina which is an artists' enclave.

Sound exciting? I have picked out just one of the many riads to give you an idea of what is available. The Riad Aventurine is located in the heart of the Marrakech Medina, and less than 15 minutes' walk from Jemaa El Fna square. For smaller or larger budgets, I'll happily suggest other options...

The total package price for a family of 4 is from £2624. This is based on 2 adults and 2 children aged 17 and 15. The price includes:

- Direct flights between Edinburgh and Marrakech
- 17th October: depart EDI at 06:00, arrive RAK at 10:05
- 21st October: depart RAK at 19:40, arrive EDI at 23:55
- Pre-booked seats on the flights
- 1 x 10kg cabin bag per person plus one further small hand luggage item
- 4 nights at the Riad Aventurine in a Deluxe 2-Bedroom Suite
- Bed & Breakfast
- Return private transfers
- ATOL-protected package

* Price is correct at the time of posting. Pricing is live and can change at any time up until the booking is confirmed.

For more details, or for a quote for a different number of people, different ages, different accommodation, dates or duration, please comment below or drop me a message.

Julie xx

13/08/2024

A few clients have asked me for ideas for a family October holiday this year, so I thought I would share some ideas over the next few days.

The first idea is a city break in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Sandwiched by Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is still building its identity and its capital Riga is an off-the-beaten path gem waiting to be discovered. Riga's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a medieval design and rich history. Riga also boasts one of the highest concentrations of Art Nouveau architecture globally, providing a visual feast of elaborate facades, vibrant colors, and intricate designs. Also offering beautiful parks, and nearby beaches and national parks, Riga is the perfect place for a city break filled with exploration.

The hotel I have picked out is the 4-star Wellton Riga Hotel & Spa. It's well positioned in the Old Town and is rated 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor.

The total package price for a family of 4 is from £1820*. This is based on 2 adults and 2 children, aged 17 and 15. This includes:

- Direct flights between Edinburgh and Riga
- 12 Oct - depart EDI at 10:15, arrive RIX at 14:50
- 16 Oct - depart RIX at 15:05, arrive EDI at 15:50
- Pre-booked seats on the flights
- 1 x 10kg cabin bag per person plus one further small hand luggage item
- 4 nights in the Wellton Riga Hotel & Spa in a Family Room (which consists of 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom)
- Bed & Breakfast
- Transfers NOT included

* Price is correct at the time of posting. Pricing is live and can change at any time up until the booking is confirmed.

For more details, or for a quote for a different number of people, different dates or duration etc, please comment below or drop me a message.

11/08/2024

I have just spotted a fantastic offer for the end of August to the beautiful Lake Iseo in northern Italy, and it brought back wonderful memories of my short stay there in 2018. It got me looking through my photos and I have included a few here!

Lake Iseo is the fourth largest of the Italian lakes in the region of Lombardy, after Garda, Maggiore and Como. It offers the same beautiful lake and mountain scenery, authentic food and oldy-worldy towns full of character, but without the tourist masses.

Anyway, back to the offer. There is £300 per person off 7-night holidays departing Edinburgh on 28th August. What's not to love about that? The hotels mentioned below are located in Iseo, the main town on the lake, which is lovely to wander around and explore, and has great eateries. You can also jump on a boat to explore other towns around the lake. So, if you fancy some summer sun by an Italian lake, surrounded by mountains, read on to see what is included!

- Departure date: 28th August 2024
- Direct flights between Edinburgh and Verona with Jet2
- Checked baggage allowance of 20kg per person included, plus generous hand luggage allowance
- Transfers between Verona Airport and your hotel in Iseo
- 7 nights at the 3-star Hotel Rosa, rated 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor
- Half Board included
- "Panoramas of Franciacorta & South Easy" guided walk included
- From £799 per person, based on 2 adults sharing a room
- Upgrade to a Lake View room for an extra £45.50pp
- If you are travelling solo, it's from £844.50 for a Single Room with Lake View.

If you'd prefer to stay in a larger hotel with a swimming pool, you can choose the 4-star Hotel Iseolago, which is rated 4/5 on TripAdvisor. With the same inclusions as above, and staying in a Double Room with Balcony or Terrace on a Half Board basis, the price is from £1079pp, based on 2 adults sharing.

Prices are correct at the time of posting. Prices are live and can change at any time.

For more info and/or to book, drop me a message or comment below. Or, if this holiday doesn't quite take your fancy, let me know and I'll suggest an alternative!

Julie xx

18/07/2024

If you haven't booked your Summer holiday yet, I have only one thing to say to you... "Better late than never!!"

This year has seen a lot more late bookings than previous years, so if you are late to the party, you are absolutely not alone. I have been spending a lot of time finding last minute holidays for my clients, so I know where to look and I can save YOU a lot of time and stress (and tired eyes from hours of staring at your screen).

I am around all weekend, so please drop me a message here or on WhatsApp and let's get you something booked to look forward to, and escape this unpredictable weather.

I am waiting for your message!

Julie xx

03/07/2024

We're "at sea" today, due back into Rosyth tomorrow morning. It's a calm sea today, so nice and relaxing.

I mentioned yesterday that the scenery we were fortunate enough to see on Monday was some of the best I have ever seen in my life. It's time to share the photos with you. Let me know what you think.

Having missed out on the bike ride on Sunday, Ross was very keen to hire bikes on Monday. There were bikes just by the dock when we went onshore in Olden. The guy who rented them to us gave us his suggestion for a route and off we set.

We cycled around 30 miles in all. We stopped lots along the way, to soak in the beauty of our surroundings. Being on the bikes meant we felt immersed in the nature and it gave us lots of freedom.

Ross and I agreed that this was one of our best days ever!

Julie Macdonald - Not Just Travel

02/02/2025

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