SJP Holidays

For some strange reason, people seem to like hearing my voice and having a nosy at the rooms I stay in on my holidays and work trips, so to satisfy demand - here's one I've previously been keeping to myself! This video is from when I was in the Maldives earlier this year and stayed at the wonderful 5* Varu by Atmosphere in one of their gorgeous Water Villas... If you're considering a trip to the Maldives, I can highly recommend this island. It's situated in the North Malé Ato

What can I say but THANK YOU! It was awesome. My daughter and I have had the most amazing time on safari in Kenya, visiting the Masai Mara, and finishing with a few days at the beach resort in Mombasa. As you know, we were pushing our personal boundaries by travelling so far from home, and I really was anxious about the trip. You made me feel at ease though, Susan, and were on hand to answer all of my queries as we prepared! I needn't have worried - everything went as smoothl

We had planned on sending you an update on our wonderful holiday to San Francisco and Las Vegas, so here it is! Arriving at the Riu Fisherman's Wharf and receiving your welcome note was such a lovely, thoughtful touch. The hotel was in the perfect location for what we wanted to see, and we ventured out using the cable trams and the Big Red Bus tour, which took us across the Golden Gate Bridge. Visiting Alcatraz was great, and seeing the sea lions on Pier 39 was amazing.

The October edition of Behind The Scenes has arrived, and it's absolutely bursting with ideas to spark your winter wanderlust! From chasing the Northern Lights and exploring Christmas markets on river cruises to Lapland adventures (for kids AND grown-ups!), skiing with the little ones and epic expedition cruise tales - this issue is perfect for cosying up with on a chilly weekend. There's also plenty of practical inspiration: the latest travel trends for 2026, expert Lapland

I'm thrilled to share that I've been awarded Diamond Status again by Designer Travel for 2025 - achieving it in the same month as last year, which I'm told is quite something! What makes this particularly special is that 2025 has been a tougher year for the travel industry overall, so to maintain this level feels incredibly rewarding. It's not just about sales figures - it's recognition of the care and service that goes into every single booking, which is what matters most t

Croatia is my short-haul holiday of choice, and after eight visits since 2006, I can honestly say I was hooked from that very first trip....

Susan has been so helpful in booking our holidays over the past couple of years - most recently to Ikos Andalusia - we had the most amazing time! Having her book all the travel and arrange check-ins takes all the stress and admin out of travelling, and our journey ran really smoothly. She even helped to arrange car seats for our young daughter. Our room was unexpectedly upgraded and actually had a side sea view which was a lovely surprise. Our daughter especially loved the s

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It’s these kinds of stories that make my work so rewarding. Julie and Neil returned to Mauritius where they got married to re-new their wedding vows, but the holiday was made even more special by taking Julie's mum with them to celebrate her 80th birthday. To then receive the following letter, card and flowers was the icing on the cake... 😊 Dear Susan, Just a little note to thank you for all your help, patience and assistance with our special trip which was just perfect. We

The summer edition of Behind The Scenes is here, and it’s a particularly lovely one for me to share as it features my recent trip to Mykonos with the Myconian Collection - see if you can spot me in the photos on pages 14 and 15! There’s so much in this issue: from New Zealand experiences and Spain’s quietest tourism regions to top travel hacks for families and an introduction to adventure travel. Plus, the exciting news of four new industry awards for Designer Travel, includi

New York had been on my bucket list for years, but when it came to planning the trip, I didn’t know where to start. Susan made the whole...

I am delighted to have had another article in the July 2025 edition of two lovely local publications, Oundle Life and Thrapston Life The editorial team were keen to run a feature about my recent educational trip to Mykonos. Click the link below to read my article and to browse the full magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/rlpov/hsdq/#p=8

The June edition of Designer Travel’s Behind The Scenes magazine has landed. I always enjoy reading what my colleagues are seeing and doing across the travel world, and this issue includes some lovely insights - from new hotels and family adventures in Costa Rica to thoughts on travelling more sustainably. It’s full of ideas, updates and a little inspiration if you’re thinking ahead to your next trip. Click here to take a look.

Have you ever had to pinch yourself to check you’re not dreaming? That was me as our seaplane touched down at the W Maldives. Looking out across that dazzling blue water, I spotted a line of smiling staff waving from the jetty. Check-in had already been taken care of in the VIP lounge at Malé, so from the moment we stepped off the plane, it was all welcome drinks and warm smiles. After an introduction to the island from the manager and a buggy tour of the resort, we were show

I was lucky enough to be invited to stay at the beautiful Ikos Aria in Kos earlier this year - and it did not disappoint. Although I already knew a lot about the Ikos brand and everything it had to offer, experiencing it first-hand was a real treat. The attention to detail, the ease, and the sheer level of thought that goes into every part of the holiday… it really did impress. Let me share what you can expect… Ikos Resorts is a collection of award-winning luxury properties i

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Designer Travel has just released the April edition of our monthly magazine, Behind The Scenes. As your trusted travel advisor, I love keeping you updated with the latest travel trends and insider tips. In this issue, my Designer Travel colleagues, and I have pulled together some top recommendations to spark your holiday inspiration, along with useful tips and a competition. Click here to take a look.

I always feel incredibly lucky when I’m asked to help organise something as meaningful as a milestone birthday trip - especially one that...

This one felt really special. Call me old-fashioned, but how wonderfully refreshing to receive a card from this lovely couple after their stay at the adult-only Keyonna Beach boutique hotel in Antigua. Who needs emails and phones when you have a note like this? 😊 Hi Susan, We just wanted to thank you for arranging such a lovely holiday for us, it was perfect. Our room, we think, was probably the best one of the 47 rooms in the resort. The staff call our small block “in the c

Last November, I was lucky enough to stay at two incredible Anantara hotels in the UAE, each offering something completely different but equally special. If you’re looking for luxury, exceptional service and a memorable stay, these are two properties well worth considering... Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel Anantara Downtown Dubai is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, just 20 minutes from the airport. Once you step inside the grand doors, the bustle of downtown Dubai