Travel Matters

🐆 Where the Jaguar Dances

For guest travel writer Katie Wilkinson, a chance encounter in southern Belize opened the door to an extraordinary journey into Maya culture, tradition and identity.

From the vibrant celebrations of Maya Day to the haunting beauty of the deer dance, Katie explores the traditions, stories and landscapes of Belize’s Toledo District — and the deeper connection between people, place and ancestral land.

🌿 A story of culture, community and belonging, told through one unforgettable encounter.

✨ Read Katie’s latest story, Where the Jaguar Dances, on the Travel Matters blog.

🔗 Link https://www.travelmatters.co.uk/blog/where-the-jaguar-dances

If you’d like to add a call-to-action at the end, I’d suggest:

🌊 Your Greek family escape is closer than you think. 💙

Just a one hour drive from Thessaloniki Airport, discover Sani Beach Hotel—where golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable family moments await.

With dedicated kids’ clubs, exciting activities, and beautiful pools, every generation can enjoy the perfect Greek getaway.

Sani Beach Hotel is committed to protecting the natural beauty around them through responsible hospitality, including sustainable initiatives such as solar power, helping preserve this stunning coastline for generations to come. 🌿

✨ Your family’s Greek paradise starts here.

📩 Drop us a line at [email protected]

The Sani & Ikos Savings you've been waiting for...

Dreaming of a luxury escape to Greece or Spain this summer?

Selected Sani and Ikos holidays include fantastic savings, with offers that feature rate reductions, children's discounts and early booking savings.

Known for their exceptional hospitality and commitment to caring for the destinations they call home, Sani and Ikos offer a holiday that's every bit as thoughtful as it is luxurious.

With July and August availability already becoming limited and these selected offers ending soon, now is the time to secure your preferred dates.

📩 To find out more or check availability, email [email protected] and our team will help you find the perfect Sani or Ikos escape.

 

✨ What if the journey became your favourite part of the holiday?

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about travelling by train. No airport queues. No security lines. No rushing from gate to gate. Instead, there's time to slow down, settle into your seat, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and watch mountains, vineyards and charming villages drift by your window.

Slow rail travel isn't just a way to reach your destination—it's a chance to experience the journey itself. It's more sustainable, less stressful, and, in First Class, wonderfully indulgent.

If you've been thinking about swapping the airport for the railway, now is the perfect time. 

Byway travel  is offering 50% off First Class rail journeys until the end of July, making luxury slow travel more accessible than ever.

Where would your next train take you? 🚆✨

🌍✨ Inspiring the next generation of responsible travellers! ✨🌍

Last week, I had the privilege of presenting an assembly to pupils from Years 1 to 6 at Ravenstone School in Balham, exploring the importance of responsible tourism.

We discussed some of the challenges facing destinations around the world, from the rubbish left behind by climbers on Mount Everest to the damage being caused to the Great Barrier Reef. Together, we looked at how our actions as travellers can have a positive or negative impact on the places we visit.

With the pupils' upcoming beach school trip to Littlehampton in mind, we shared simple ways to travel responsibly, including respecting wildlife, protecting natural environments, disposing of litter properly, and leaving places better than we found them.

It was fantastic to see such curiosity, enthusiasm, and engagement from the students. Small changes in behaviour can make a big difference, and it's encouraging to see these future travellers already thinking about how they can help protect our planet. 🌱💙

✨️Travel Matters attended another wonderful industry event, this time hosted by 🎉

It was a fantastic evening spent catching up with our valued partners, meeting new suppliers and discovering exciting new products and destinations to inspire our future holidays.

A big thank you to Exsus Travel for organising such a brilliant event and bringing together so many passionate people from across the travel industry 🍹🥂🥳

Thank you for a lovely evening—we're already looking forward to the next one !

🥁 DRUM ROLL, PLEASE... 🥁

The moment you've all been waiting for is here... 🎉

A huge congratulations to Ms Carolyn Clark, the lucky winner of our recent prize draw competition! 🏆✨

Carolyn has won a two-night luxury stay at Nana Princess in Crete—an unforgettable escape to one of Greece's most beautiful destinations. 🇬🇷🌊

Thank you to everyone who entered and made this competition such a success. If you weren't the lucky winner this time, don't worry— Travel Matters has plenty more exciting giveaways, travel inspiration, and incredible experiences coming your way.

Congratulations again, Carolyn! We hope you have the most amazing time, and we can't wait to see your Crete adventure. 💙

💦 Who fancies a refreshing dip? 

Chasing waterfalls in paradise! 🇱🇰

Diyaluma Falls is just a 1.5-hour drive from Ella and one of the island’s most breathtaking hidden gems on the island.

Standing at 220 metres, it is the second-highest waterfall on the island and home to some of the world’s most stunning natural infinity pools. The hike and the views are absolutely worth it, making it the perfect day trip for anyone exploring the island’s hill country.

Less crowded than many other attractions, Diyaluma Falls offers an unforgettable adventure with panoramic views, crystal-clear pools, and the chance to experience the wild beauty of the island.

✈️ Even better news for UK travellers—British Airways will be launching direct flights from London Gatwick to Colombo three times a week from 23 October 2026, making it even easier to discover the wonders of Sri Lanka.

💬 Drop us a line at [email protected] and let us help you plan an unforgettable holiday to Sri Lanka.