While our beautiful office in Brewood remains our base, Gilly Bachelor has barely been at her desk over the past few weeks. However, as always in travel, presence in the office has very little to do with the depth of work being done behind the scenes.
First-hand experience is at the heart of everything we do — and the past few weeks have been a perfect example of exactly that.
Two extraordinary cruise experiences, two very different worlds
If you follow Gilly’s social channels, you’ll already know that she has recently returned from two completely contrasting cruise experiences — each showcasing a very different side of modern ocean travel.
The first was a truly immersive expedition journey through the Scottish Wild Isles aboard the purpose-built expedition vessel National Geographic Endurance, operated by Lindblad Expeditions.
This was described by Gilly as one of the most extraordinary travel experiences she has ever had — raw, wild, and deeply immersive. Expedition cruising in this form is not about traditional sailing; it is about exploration, learning, and access to some of the most remote and untouched environments in Europe. From dramatic coastlines to close wildlife encounters and expert-led insight, every day delivered something entirely new.
Just one week later, Gilly transitioned from rugged expedition travel to the world of contemporary ultra-luxury cruising, joining Explora Journeys’ Explora I in Barcelona for five days of refined, elegant sailing.
This experience could not have been more different. Explora I represents a new generation of luxury at sea — sophisticated design, spacious suites, curated dining, and a strong focus on wellbeing and slow, intentional travel. It is cruising redefined for a modern luxury audience.
Two completely different styles of cruising — both exceptional in their own right — and both reinforcing the importance of matching the right client to the right travel experience.
In Mauritius – sharing experience and building the next generation of advisors
Gilly is currently on her way home from Mauritius, where she has been working with 30 Not Just Travel travel consultants who are developing and growing their own businesses.
During this time, she has been sharing insights from her own journey — from launching her travel business in early 2019 through to building an award-winning, multi-million-pound travel company.
This trip carries particular significance.
In 2022, Gilly attended the Not Just Travel Elite Experience in Mauritius as a delegate. It was here that she heard a talk from David Walker (The Travel Snob), which she credits as a key moment of inspiration in her business journey.
Four years later, she has returned to the very same destination — this time as a speaker — sharing her own experiences, challenges, and lessons learned with a new generation of travel professionals.
It is a full-circle moment that reflects not only how far the business has come, but also the importance of continuous learning and knowledge-sharing within the travel industry.
Travel is not just about destinations on a map — it is about understanding what each journey truly feels like. From expedition cruising in remote wilderness regions to ultra-luxury ocean voyages and carefully curated beach escapes, Gilly’s ongoing travels ensure that the advice offered to clients is always current, relevant, and grounded in real experience.
This approach allows us to go far beyond generic recommendations, offering insight-led, personally informed travel planning for every client.
Start planning your next journey
If you would like to explore any of the destinations, cruise lines, or travel experiences Gilly has recently visited, we would be delighted to help you plan your next extraordinary journey.
Get in touch to begin your next adventure.