Jo Shayler Holidays

25/05/2025

Some people just find their place in the world – and for Melissa and Colin, that place is VARU by Atmosphere in the Maldives.

They’ve recently returned from their fifth stay on the island, and as their trusted travel agent (and cousin!), it’s been a joy to watch their relationship with this very special resort grow. 🥰

VARU by Atmosphere doesn’t just welcome repeat guests – it celebrates them.

Here’s a taste of what VARU by Atmosphere repeat guests can look forward to, with tiered benefits building the more you return. Melissa and Colin’s fifth stay unlocked some truly special extras, including, but not limited to:

🍉 Exotic fruit platter
🎈 Bed decoration with a “Welcome Back” greeting on arrival
🥂 Bottle of Champagne
🍱 Canapés on arrival
🥐 In-villa or floating breakfast once during your stay
🍫 Welcome chocolate platter
🍽️ Additional speciality dining experience
👑 VIP arrival experience
🦞 Private BBQ dinner on the beach

You can read about their experiences in full here https://bit.ly/4jJNhO4

I'm not sure how they're going to top this for their 6th visit ... but we'll find out this Christmas 😘 🎉

JST x

20/05/2025

WHERE: Nobu Restaurant Marrakech, a unique fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine... with a touch of Moroccan spice.

WHY: Their legendary 8-course Omakase menu, obvs. 🦞🍤🐠🥢🍜

OMAKASE?: it means "I'll leave the details up to you" The chef chooses ingredients and dishes, no written menu 👌

DO SAY: "Encore du Sake s'il vous plaît!" 🥂

DON'T SAY: "I'd like my sashimi well-done please?"😱🤭

JST x

18/05/2025

This weekend A.T.A.S aka The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers is hosting its annual Experiences trip for a selection of hand-picked agents in The High Atlas of beautiful Morocco. 🇲🇦

Not me though. I'm N.F.I. 😜

The only touring, adventure and expedition you'll find this travel agent doing in Morocco this weekend involves swimming, shopping and eating... oh, and lying down at The Lemonary. A lot.

Even travel agents need a holiday 😘

JST X

12/05/2025

Dear Sweden and Finland

I don’t know how to tell you this… but I’ve met somewhere else. 🫣

Their name is Estonia and I’m really sorry but it just happened. It started out as a fling but things escalated pretty quickly. 🇪🇪

It’s not you, it’s me.

Would you consider an open relationship? Or maybe we could all get together sometime and form a Nordic Union? You’re only across the Baltic. 😉

I know that it’s a little insensitive but I’ve included some photos of our first dates.

In any case I hope that we can remain friends 🥰

Love JST x

09/05/2025

This week 👇

I talk you through the steps required to successfully board a flight from Gate 45 at London's Stansted. 🧐

1. DON'T go to Gate 11 ❌
2. DO go to Gate 45 ✅

Another insightful TOP TIP from Essex's finest Independent Travel Expert. 💥

And they say Travel Agency isn't Rocket Science!?? 🙄 😘

P.S. apologies to the other 190 passengers whose flight was delayed as a result 😳

02/05/2025

It's been weeks (days?!) since I mentioned Morocco (😘) and with my annual pilgrimage to Marrakech fast-approaching I can't help but reminisce about one of the finest experiences of my life; watching the sun rise over the Sahara Desert 🌅

If you're restricted by school term dates you needn't fret! The temperatures remain comfortably warm for most of the year which makes this a perfect family adventure for Easter and October holidays. 🙌🥳

https://youtube.com/shorts/S7HKNjMy3rk?si=kSUeiUYQ0J-WR1Cf

The day kicked off with a sunrise that made me wonder if I was still dreaming. The Sahara put on quite the show, with the sky lighting up in soft pinks, oran...

27/04/2025

The old dear's sleeping off a late one so I thought I'd amble on and 'ave a word. Arf!

I'm Billericay Bert 🦊 and like Ma I'm partial to bit of beach action which is why we live on Essix's "Sunshine Coast" (her description, not mine 🙄).

But 'er indoors is a high-falutin', award-winnin' travel agent (she says) and frankly I'd prefer me overwater accommodation a tad closer to the equator, ta very much.

Bizniss class with treats preferred. Woooof!

Big up the Frinton-Fox-Red Massive 💪🦊

Bert x

20/04/2025

It’s very nearly a wrap for Easter Hols 2025 and what a year for family adventure it has been so far.🦁🐯🐻

The key to achieving the best price for any get-away is to book as far ahead as possible. 🧐

Just like Mr Blobby, last minute-bargains haven’t been a thing since the 90s! 😉

Whether it’s Sri Lanka’s wildlife, California’s coastal highways, or a safari with a side of Cape Town beaches, Shayler’s Selections are packed with a healthy dose of inspiration.

https://www.joshaylerholidays.com/family-holidays

Happy Easter Sunday to you 🐣

JST x

Pick a country or resort and I’ll tell you which hotels you should stay at; I've stayed at many of the hotels myself. I like to recommend based on personal experience but if I can’t, I will find someone who can, whatever the type of Beach scenario you seek.

13/04/2025

"Liels paldies" to His Excellency Ambassador Atis Lots for my invitation to the Latvian Embassy in London last week. 🇱🇻 🇪🇺

I enjoyed a proper taste of the Latvian wild thanks to Nordictourismcollective and guest chef Ēriks Dreibants, the man behind the Michelin Green-starred Pavāru Māja. ✨️

With bog-shoeing, sauna culture, hiking trails, wellness retreats and 33 km of idyllic white sand beaches, the Baltic nations are going to revolutionise the UK summer travel market. Mark my words, you heard it here first. 👂 👀

Just one question: where were the Ferreros?! 😘

JST x

16/02/2025

Life doesn't have to be a beach 😘

From the misguided fool who (kindly) brought you "Telly Tubbies on Ice" in The Baltic ❄️ ...

https://youtu.be/IpSRsPgsab4?si=wOrk_ynyxIVuVSUw

Jo Shayler Holidays will hereby present...

"Return of The Travel Jedi: Snorkeling Between Continents" in Iceland 🇮🇸

Coming soon (4th March) to a social media platform near you 👀

JST x

30/01/2025

Introducing The Little Shore Hotel in Khao Lak, Thailand 🇹🇭

A short hop and a skip from the fabulous Elephant Hills and therefore a great place to regroup following the adventures with Nelly and her jungle friends 🐘🏞️

Annie was keen to show off her room-tour skills and hereby presents her private pool suite which was thoughtfully upgraded on arrival to include a "spare room for somebody who might annoy somebody else" 🤣 I usually call it the 'snore room'.

Our winter months are a great time to head east and you'll get a very decent level of lux in return for your buck too. Book at least 6 months in advance for the best hotel choices.

JST x

26/01/2025

“I’m not eating that foreign muck…” are not words that you’ll ever hear uttered by this inquisitive travel agent. 🧐

Khunjul is an explosive combination of cinnamon bark, galangal, cardamom, cloves, madder root, white pepper, mace, dry ginger and red chillis. It’s often referred to (euphemistically) as Moroccan spicy tea and there is no ill that it can not cure 👨‍⚕️

As you will see in the below clip it nearly took my head off! 🤯🤣

https://youtube.com/shorts/tKJJZcIGEl8?si=n7KjJWxz-GebCRQ_

I’ll try anything once… I just might not try it again 😉

JST x