VetSetters

Okay so after failing utterly to keep pace with doing these posts as we book things, I've decided to batch them!

So consider this your weekly roundup of where other people have been booking over the past 7 days 🌍

This past week has surprised us a little. This time of year typically sees a lot of last-minute activity - usually for things like city breaks or short-haul summer stays.

But this week has been dominated by people planning ahead! Lots of longer-haul, longer-duration big adventure trips for 12-18 months away.

🏯 3-week epic Japan tour
🦒 BIG Kenya family safari
🇨🇦 Western Canada - mainstay in these posts!
🇭🇷 Croatia & Montenegro grand tour
🇵🇹 Family escape to the magical Azores
🇯🇵 Multi-generation 2-week Japan adventure
🇲🇦 Moroccan family city+desert adventure
🇪🇸 A quick Barcelona city break!
🇿🇦 Along South Africa's Garden Route
🇫🇮 Locking in Lapland at Christmas
🇪🇬 Travelling like an Egyptian!
🇬🇷 Last minute Greek island escape

Lots of cool stuff going on this week!

If any of this piques your interest (or just makes you want to go on holiday!), you know what to do 😁📲

"If you want to get under the skin of the destination, feel the pulse, the heartbeat, the sound of the destination, then group touring is definitely the way forward."

Why is this, you ask? Find out tomorrow, when our latest podcast episode drops, all about group touring. In this episode, we cover a lot of ground, including:

🌍 Which destinations particularly suit a group tour
3️⃣ The 3Cs that make a great group traveller
👯 How being part of a group changes the way you interact with a destination
📆 When to book your group tour to get the best price
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family-focussed group tours
❓Common myths and misconceptions about group touring
🍵 Why group tours are often more culturally-authentic than private trips
🐘 Leading the way in responsible travel & animal welfare

And a great deal more besides. Whether you're a seasoned group-tourer or entirely new to it - there's something new here for everyone.

Find our podcast on Spotify here 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/3g476yCK5mx7LX8Kqgbtyx?si=af8b4411b25a4515

And, with the month of May drawing to a close, so does our month of African adventures... 🇳🇦🇰🇪

We've each learned a tonne on these trips - one of us to brand new lands and the other seeing familiar places with new eyes.

Africa - whether Namibia, Kenya or elsewhere - really has a unique way of getting under the skin. The vibrancy of cultures and the warmth of the locals combined with the continent's celebrated diversity of nature makes a trip to Africa feel like coming back to a long-lost home.

We're both so passionate about Africa: what it has to offer, how it can make you feel and the experiences it'll imprint on your memory forever. It really is somewhere that we should all visit at least once.

And the learning doesn't stop here - later this month we're attending the UK's largest African travel conference, where we'll meet with hotels, game lodges and operators from across the continent; an opportunity to strengthen both our knowledge and our connections, all in service of giving you a better Africa experience with VetSetters 🐾🌍

Where in the world are you? 🌍

Yesterday we highlighted the trips that we've *booked* in the past couple of weeks... but where are our clients going NOW??

We've had a lot of clients depart over the last few days for holidays, particularly families grabbing time away during half term.

And especially for those of you looking for ideas for your own spontaneous getaway - here's where others are now (or have just got back from 😁)

🇵🇹 A family getaway to the Algarve
🇨🇷 Wildlife galore in Costa Rica!
🇪🇸 Soaking up the Spanish sun in Majorca
🇬🇷 Family chill time in the warmth of Corfu
🇮🇹 Another trip to the Italian Lakes (so on-trend right now! 😎)
🇬🇷 History, food and sunshine in Crete
🇵🇹 City break in beautiful Lisbon
🇮🇹 Another city break full of food & history in Rome
🚄 Going on the rails through Europe!
🇬🇷 Roaming beaches & history in Rhodes
🇹🇷 5* all inclusive life for a big family group
🇪🇸 Poolside relaxation in Tenerife
🇲🇪 Lakes & mountains in Montenegro

This is a real mix of trips booked last-minute (within the last 6 weeks or so) and trips booked a year or more ago! Both then and now - Europe 🇪🇺 is in demand.

Whether you're looking for that last minute getaway or to get sorted for summer 2027, it's worth jumping on this now! Last-minute bookings are definitely the flavour of the month but we're still seeing a lot of movement (more than last year!) from people getting next year squared away early.

If you need help working out where's right for you - get in touch. We'll do the heavy lifting while you stock up on suncream! ☀️

✈️ Just booked - catchup edition ✈️

Blame it on one too many sundowners, but we've been sleeping on letting you know what people are booking - and we've had some really cool trips booked over the last few weeks!

So if you're looking for inspo - whether for a last minute summer getaway or for next year's big adventure - here's what others are doing!

🇮🇹 Late summer lakes in Italy
🇿🇦 Safari + beach in South Africa and Mauritius
🇳🇴 Escaping June heat with a grand tour through the Norwegian fjords
🇹🇷 A last minute 5* all-inclusive family getaway
🇮🇸 Multi-generation February family adventure in rugged Iceland
🇮🇹 Italian highlights including Rome and the Lakes
🇨🇦 Western Canada road trip including Vancouver, Banff and Whistler
🇪🇸 Summer 2027 sorted in Spain
🇹🇷 Late summer all-inclusive in Turkey
🇹🇿 Tanzania + Zanzibar dream combo
🇨🇦 Another Western Canada roadtrip - this one heading up to Alaska! 🇺🇸

And a bunch of other cool trips!

What strikes me going back through this list is the amount of lakes on here... You guys are loving a lake at the moment! 😁

We're also seeing a rise in people looking for last-minute escapes this summer. If this is you - drop us a message! Prices are increasing as availability is rapidly falling, so if you've been hanging on, now's the time to get going! 🏃

Is everyone loving the heat today, or struggling to function ?!😎🥵 If you’re the latter, take some time to cool down with our podcast on all things polar! You can find us on Spotify under Destination Vetting 🩺🌍😁

👂 Have you listened yet?

In case you missed it - last week we released the latest episode of the Destination Vetting podcast! 🎙️

In this episode, James is joined by expedition extraordinaire Katie Harber where they talk about:

⛴️ What an expedition cruise actually is
🛳️ How it's different from a 'regular' cruise (hint: it's a LOT!)
🌊 The unique innovations AE Expeditions are using to protect our seas and make expedition cruising sustainable & responsible
🐧 How you can get involved in cutting-edge marine conservation science during an expedition cruise
🐻‍❄️ How to know if expedition cruising is right for you
🧊When to book an expedition cruise

If you're looking for the next level of travel in some of the world's most magnificent and unspoiled places - this one's for you.

The sense of wonder you feel as you experience this country is definitive. Expansive views of orange hills from atop the Earth's tallest dune. The sight of crisp Atlantic waves hurling themselves feebly at endless towers of sand. Watching new-born elephants trudge after their parents, punctuating pristine silence and stillness with their clumsy steps.

It's honestly too easy to wax lyrical about this country. In fact, I've been doing it so much - I've decided to do it more widely...

If my Namibian adventure with Audley Travel got you dreaming of the desert - this is for you.

Here you'll find the complete itinerary exactly as I did it. Wonder and all.

From here, we can make it entirely your own. In fact, there are a few changes I'd suggest making, depending on your circumstances.

Namibia - for now - is a diamond hidden right under our noses. Given its beauty, diversity and excellent safety profile I honestly don't know why Namibia isn't the most visited country in Africa; I truly believe it's only a matter of time before it is.

The Highlights of Namibia The Highlights of Namibia Prepared for You Travel Brief Day Activities Day 1 Welcome to Windhoek Check In at The Weinberg Day 2 Check Out from The Weinberg Drive from Windhoek to Sossusvlei 10:00 AM - Transfer Depart Windhoek 05:00 PM - Transfer Arrive Sossusvlei Welcome to Sossusvlei Check In at Wi...

🦁 Curious about what accommodation on safari actually looks like? There is such a huge range of options, and that’s why it’s so important to speak to an expert to get it right!

Exploring and learning about the different lodges and camps was a huge focus on this trip to Kenya (as well as the amazing wildlife of course!) Over the last 8 days Jess has stayed at or had site inspections of 11 different hotels, lodges and camps, across 4 different game parks as well as the city and the beach.

And even prior to this trip, we’re lucky to have stayed in everything from basic campsites where you pitch your own tent, to 5* luxury tented camps in the conservancies of the Masai Mara. So we can really provide the first hand knowledge and insight, bust any myths, and find the perfect style of accommodation for your style and budget!

So if you don’t know your camps from your lodges, your conservancies from your national parks, which facilities to expect or look for, or which location works best within your itinerary - just ask us and we’ll be happy to talk you through it all and help to create an incredible trip!

We’ll do more of a deep dive into some of our favourite accommodations soon, but in the meantime here are some photos to whet your appetite, and show how diverse the options are! 🌍

Final stop our our whirlwind trip - Malindi on the Kenyan Coast 🏝️ I adore safari, but can tell you it is absolutely exhausting! So there’s nothing better than a beach break at the end to relax and recover.

There are lots of beach resorts along the coast that can be accessed by an hour’s flight from Nairobi, with beautiful sandy beaches, gorgeous weather and loads of activities! From snorkelling and paddle boarding to bracelet making and Swahili lessons, there’s plenty to keep everyone busy.

Though I think after a busy safari the pool and the sunbed might be all you need 😅😎