Secret Paths, Bo'ness (2026)

07/10/2026

Vast landscapes. Endless space. A quiet so deep you can finally hear yourself think.

You'll find all three in some of the least populated places on earth.

In Mongolia, there are more horses than people.

In Namibia, you can often spend a whole day on safari without seeing another vehicle.

In the Canadian Arctic, beluga whales gather by the thousand under a sun that never sets.

In Chilean Patagonia, you're more likely to spot a puma than a crowd.

In the Kimberley, much of the coastline can be reached solely by sea or air.

In Antarctica, the only permanent residents are penguins and seals.

Each of these places rewards careful planning, because the right season, route and base make all the difference to how it feels when you arrive.

Somewhere out there is a place with your name on it and nobody else in sight. Let's find it together.

Life's too short for ordinary holidays.

01/10/2026

And breathe....

That moment you arrive at your hotel. The bustle of the airport is behind you. Your luggage is no longer your burden. A welcome drink appears, the view opens up in front of you and when you get to your room, peace.

Then the excitement kicks in. Whole days ahead in a place you've never been.

Mountains to explore. Skies so full of stars you lose count. Beaches that stretch for miles, vast open spaces, an animal encounter you'll never forget. New sights around every corner.

But the tonic starts long before you land.

It starts with the build up. The countdown. The chats about where you'll eat and what you'll see. Something to look forward to on a grey Tuesday in November.

And it lasts long after you're home.

Travel does something for your mind, your body and your soul. It slows you down and lifts your spirits. Above all, it brings you closer to the people you travel with. Proper conversations. Shared laughter. Time together without a diary getting in the way.

That's the real luxury. Not the thread count. The reconnection.

And here's the part nobody puts in the brochure.
When you're running a business, the instinct is to fix things by adding more. Another coach. Another course. Another task on an already endless to do list.

But clarity rarely comes from adding more. It comes from space. New places and unhurried days give your mind room to wander, and that's when fresh ideas surface. The answer you've been chasing for months might find you in the spa, at the top of a mountain or over a slow morning coffee.

You come home calmer, sharper and better at everything you do. Including building your business.

So when did you last take that breath?

If it's been a while, tell me where you'd love to exhale first.

Get in touch to book your complimentary consultation call, or let's meet at Gleneagles Townhouse.

Life's too short for ordinary holidays.

📽️ video taken from my room at Maxx Royal Bodrum

20/09/2026

Something to look forward to in the diary ✈️

I love September, it's one of my busiest months.

The summer holidays are over and minds are turning to the next adventure.

It's also a great time to book for next year. The airline sales are on, selected hotels have early booking offers of up to 40%, and availability is at its best. If you're hoping for a larger family room or a top end suite, these are the first to book up.

Most of my clients this month have opted for Business Class, so here are a few offers for inspiration. There are lots of other destinations available too.

These hotels are some of my favourites, but they won't be right for everyone and that's ok, at Secret Paths, every holiday is designed around you.

Thinking about next year? Send me a message or comment below and let's talk about your plans.

Leanne

18/09/2026

Maldives Travel Planning

With over 100 islands to choose from, the right one for you depends entirely on what you actually want from the holiday, not just the photos.

Room type, dining plan, getting around the island, marine life and time of year all shape whether it feels effortless or slightly off, and most of that detail never makes it into a brochure.

If the Maldives is somewhere you are already planning for, this is worth knowing. The early booking discounts make it the best moment to lock things in, and they give you real room to upgrade what you get, whether that means a better island, more inclusions or a higher room category for the same budget.

Savings of up to 45%, board upgrades and extras like free transfers and dining credits are live across a handful of hotels I love, and BA's flight sale is on right now too.

Swipe through for a few of my favourites, and there are other hotels with early booking offers too.

If this is somewhere you are dreaming of for next year, message me and let me help you find your perfect match.

09/09/2026

What actually happens when you disconnect for days at a time?

This is the final part of my Rovos Rail series with Gareth Van Wyk, International Sales & Marketing Manager at Rovos Rail.

We covered a lot. What's new with Rovos, how far in advance you should be booking, the misconceptions around what "all inclusive" actually means on board, and what to prepare for before you travel.

There's no wifi pressure, no phone constantly buzzing, just the landscape rolling past your window, conversation with the people you're travelling with, and the kind of quiet you don't realise you've been missing. It's a proper digital detox, whether you plan for it to be or not. You reconnect with nature, with the person sitting across from you, and honestly, with yourself, all against some of the most beautiful scenery Africa has to offer.

That's the bit I don't think people expect. They book it for the novelty of a luxury train. They remember it for how it made them feel.

If this series has had you dreaming about experiencing it yourself, keep an eye out this week. I'll be sharing one of my favourite Rovos Rail itineraries.

In the meantime, if you'd like to chat it through, I'm here.

Leanne

06/09/2026

Every so often something crosses my desk that I want to book for myself, not just my clients.
This is one of them.

It's called NATÜRA, and it's happening at Soleil Alpine Lifestyle in the Dolomites from the 24th to 27th September.

It's not a spa break. It's not a yoga retreat in the way most people picture one. It's four days built around slowing down and letting the mountains and the rhythm of Alta Badia do what they do best.

And what a setting to do it in. The Dolomites, jagged limestone peaks turning pink at sunset, crisp air, total stillness, with a Fitness & Wellness centre on site offering a Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, outdoor whirlpool, panoramic pool and an open-air terrace with 360° views.

Thursday is arrival, a welcome ritual and opening ceremony. Friday brings Kundalini Yoga, Hot Water Rebirthing, a guided alpine experience and a restorative ritual. Saturday is the fullest day, Somatic Yoga, forest meditation, a cold plunge, an alpine picnic, a hi-fi listening experience and Sound Healing. Sunday closes with a forest farewell ritual before departure.

You won't find this on a general search. It comes from being connected, knowing what's genuinely special rather than just well marketed.

3 nights, breakfast, lunch and dinner all included, from €550pp based on double occupancy (€900 for single).

Flights aren't included in that rate, but that's exactly the sort of thing I take care of. Tell me where you'd be flying from and I'll build the whole trip around it, flights, transfers and all, so all you need to think about is packing.

If these dates don't work for you, don't worry, I can arrange a stay at Soleil Alpine Lifestyle any time that suits, this is just one of the retreat programmes they run.

If this is speaking to you, or if you've been meaning to do something for yourself rather than a holiday for everyone else, send me a message. I'd love to talk you through whether this is the right fit, or find you something that suits you even better.

Life's too short for ordinary holidays.

Secret Paths

03/09/2026

Picture this. You're standing in a hot spring as snow falls around you, and the sky turns green overhead.

That's not a once-in-a-lifetime fluke in Iceland. That's Tuesday.

I've just put together a 9 day, 8 night itinerary for a client that takes in the Golden Circle, a SuperJeep expedition through Þórsmörk, a glacier ice cave, and three nights at a remote highland lodge you can only reach by private helicopter.

Somewhere in there is a ch*****ne toast mid-air over the Troll Peninsula, and I'm not even going to pretend that's not one of my favourite bits.

It finishes at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, a private hotel with its own secluded lagoon and an underground spa carved into the lava rock, alongside full access to the Blue Lagoon itself. Rather perfect way to end a trip like this.

Iceland does big landscapes properly, but it's the small details that make a trip like this special, the right lodge, the right timing for the lights, an authentic geothermal experience, a private chef instead of a hotel dining room. That's the bit I love working out.

If Iceland has been on your list, let's have a coffee at Gleneagles Townhouse and talk through what your version could look like.

Life's too short for ordinary holidays.

30/08/2026

Every Japan itinerary starts to look the same after a while, doesn't it?

Same cities. Same shrines. Same "must-see" list copied from a blog.

But Japan in cherry blossom season is a completely different trip to Japan in autumn, Japan for skiing, Japan for food, or Japan for someone who wants castles and quiet mountain towns rather than Tokyo crowds.

There isn't one perfect Japan itinerary. There's the one that's right for you, your pace, your interests and the experience you actually want to come home with.

That's the part of the job I love most. Working out what "right for you" looks like, then building the trip around it.

I'm Leanne, founder of Secret Paths, and I've spent 26 years learning destinations like Japan inside out, and building relationships with the specialists on the ground who make the difference between a good trip and an extraordinary one.

If you're starting to think about Japan and want the planning to feel exciting rather than exhausting, let's chat.

Coffee at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh or a call, whichever suits you.

I can't wait to hear about your holiday plans.

18/08/2026

Welcome to Secret Paths....

If you're new here, hello and thank you for following.

I believe life's too short for ordinary holidays. And I believe the planning should feel just as good as the holiday itself. That's honestly the whole idea behind this page and behind Secret Paths as a business.

Here's what you'll find here. Real itineraries I've designed for real clients. The little details that turn a good holiday into an unforgettable one. What goes on behind the scenes to make your holiday perfect. Honest thoughts on destinations, hotels and operators, the good and the not so good. Updates on new products and hotels, and the occasional offer too.

I'm Leanne, founder of Secret Paths. I've spent 26 years in travel and I still get genuinely excited about finding the right hotel with lake access for a wild swimmer, or working out which days the cruise ships won't be crowding out a destination so you have the very best experience. That's the level of thought that goes into every trip I plan.

So while you're here, tell me one thing. Where's the top of your travel bucket list?

And if you're thinking about your next holiday, let's speak. Even if you think it's too early, I can give you insight on things like when it's best to book.

Consultation calls by phone, Teams or in person at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, whatever suits you best.

I can't wait to hear about your holiday plans.

Secret Paths

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