TravelManagers - Julie Napier

04/10/2026

Today I'm flying to Athens, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be meeting with more than 70 hoteliers and local suppliers, seeing properties first-hand and getting to know the people behind them. I want to be able to tell my clients what a place is really like, not just what the brochure says.

Over the last few years I've been lucky enough to experience a lot of this myself: Africa, Croatia, Italy, Fiji, New Zealand, the UK (the Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath and London), Paris, parts of Asia, extensive travel through the USA. Plus plenty of local trips closer to home.

That experience shapes the advice I give. I know which hotel is worth the splurge, which transfer is a pain, and what works for a family compared with a group of friends. Clients get the benefit of what I've learnt, and the mistakes I've already made so they don't have to.

Greece is on a lot of travel lists, so if it's on yours, get in touch. I'm still working while I'm away and replying to emails and WhatsApp as I go. Back in the office Monday 19 October.

30/08/2026

Read about my most recent trip to LA and some of my hotel recommendations.
If you’re thinking about a trip to the USA I can help.

Where you stay in Los Angeles can completely change the trip.

That’s one of travel expert TravelManagers - Julie Napier’s biggest takeaways after recently staying in three very different parts of the city.

Her picks cover three different LA experiences: a family-friendly base near Universal, a boutique stay right on Venice Beach, and a relaxed Manhattan Beach option for the end of a USA holiday.

With more than 20 years in travel, Julie knows choosing a hotel is not just about the room. It is about matching the location to your plans, travel style and pace.

And sometimes, the best LA itinerary means staying in more than one neighbourhood.

Read Julie’s three hotel recommendations.
www.travelagentfinder.com.au/blog/three-los-angeles-hotels-i-recommend-again-and-again

10/08/2026

💛💚🧡💙
Three years ago this week, I came back to the travel industry, rejoined TravelManagers and started Travel by Julie. 🤍

After spending more than 20 years in travel, I stepped away for around 8 years and moved into teaching and school leadership. I loved that chapter of my life, but travel eventually called me back - and I’m so glad it did.

The last three years have been busy, challenging, exciting and incredibly rewarding.

I’ve planned some amazing trips, travelled to some beautiful places, experienced wonderful hotels and cruises, and met - and reconnected with so many people across the travel industry who have become genuine friends.

And somewhere amongst all of that, Travel by Julie has grown into exactly the kind of business I hoped it would be.

I love creating trips for couples, families, friends and grandparents travelling with their grandkids - especially those bigger, bucket-list itineraries where there are lots of moving parts and every little detail matters.

I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately because I’ve been flat out with clients and life, so I thought my three-year anniversary was a good excuse to say hello again and share a few favourite moments from the journey so far.

Three years in and I still love seeing a client get genuinely excited about a trip we’ve created together.

That part never gets old.

Here’s to the next three - and to showing up around here a bit more. ✈️🤍

22/05/2026

Some rainy Friday holiday inspo …. At this point, I think my clients could genuinely quit their day jobs and become travel influencers 😂

Today’s client video updates from Hamilton Island and Lake Como were next level… the views, the lighting, the timing — honestly very professional of them!

I absolutely love getting these little snippets while clients are away. Seeing people out there truly enjoying the experiences they’ve been planning for months is one of the best parts of what I do.

13/05/2026

33 Fridays until Christmas apparently… not that anyone’s counting!

But if you’ve been thinking about a Christmas escape, this is your little reminder that the best options for December and January travel are already starting to disappear — especially for Bali, cruises, Canada and Europe winter escapes.

Sunshine by the pool?
White Christmas markets?
Cruise with no cooking or hosting duties?

Personally, I’m very much in favour of swapping the Christmas stress for a cocktail somewhere nice 🍹

If you’re thinking about getting away over the festive season, now is the time to start planning.

TravelPlanning

10/05/2026

24/04/2026

I can cook, but baking? Not really my thing. So when I say I recently made scones at the iconic Fortnum & Mason as part of a Maloney & Kelly famil with Signature Travel Network — please understand how big a deal this is 😅🫖

And the best part? This is exactly the kind of unforgettable experience I can organise for my clients too. ✨🫘

LuxuryTravel Scones UKExperiences

15/04/2026

Days 2 & 3 have been full of contrast — and absolutely fascinating 🇬🇧

Day 2 began at Bletchley Park, where the codebreakers of World War II worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help change history by decoding German intelligence. Such a powerful and thought-provoking place to visit.

From there it was a complete change of pace at Silverstone — the home of the British Grand Prix. We explored the circuit, enjoyed a lovely lunch, and inspected the fantastic accommodation options here, perfect for groups, conferences or any Formula 1 fans wanting a true trackside experience 🏁

We then continued on to Stratford-upon-Avon for our overnight stay at the beautiful boutique Arden Hotel.

Day 3 was all about Shakespeare’s birthplace, with visits to his family home and his final resting place, followed by a wonderful gin tasting experience at Judith’s distillery before ending the day with a performance of Henry V just across the road from our hotel — a very special and memorable way to experience Stratford.

History, motorsport, literature and local flavours — such a wonderful mix across two days.

13/04/2026

Day 1 of my UK famil has been a lovely reminder of how easy it is to step from London into the English countryside.

This week I’m travelling with Moloney & Kelly through Signature Travel Network, experiencing standout properties and regional touring first-hand.

Our first stop was beautiful Waddesdon Manor — the Rothschild estate — for lunch, a private tour and w**e tasting. Even with classic English spring weather, the gardens and setting were stunning and it’s exactly the kind of experience that works beautifully as part of a wider UK itinerary.

We then continued on to Oxford where we’re staying at The Store Hotel right in the heart of the city.

More highlights to come 🇬🇧

09/04/2026

There’s now just one cabin left on our Portugal Women’s River Cruise in May 2027 🍷

This is a relaxed, small-group journey along the beautiful Douro River, travelling with like-minded women and enjoying a mix of w**e, scenery, culture and easy exploring — and I’ll be hosting the group throughout.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us (or know someone who might love to come along with you), now is the time to reach out before the final cabin is gone.

Happy to share the details with anyone who’s curious — it’s shaping up to be a very special trip.