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My Travel Plans for Summer 2016

17/04/16 ᛫ 18 Comments

In the past week or so my summer travel plans have all fallen into place and I have to say, I’m pretty excited. So I thought I’d put together a little round up of where I’ll be going, what I’ll be doing and the basis of each trip. Of course, I’ll be blogging all about them and creating lots more video content for my newly launched YouTube channel, so you can look forward to plenty of sizzling summertime travel inspiration right here on The Travelista. Here’s a roundup of my travel plans for summer 2016;

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Guatemala and Belize – April
Group Press Trip

First up is a week long adventure to Guatemala and Belize with the Central America Tourist Board. This is a group press trip, so I will be heading off with 4 other bloggers to complete an incredible itinerary starting in Guatemala City and travelling through Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands, Panajachel, Antigua and Peten to visit Tikal (a UNESCO world heritage site).

We’ll then cross the border over into Belize to enjoy an action-packed few days in the jungle where we’ll be exploring waterfall caves, zip lining and snorkelling. The whole trip sounds unbelievable and it will be my first ever trip to Central America. I’m looking forward to see how Guatemala and Belize pair up for a dual-destination trip that I can hopefully recommend to others.

Photo credit: mustseeplaces.eu

Kefalonia, Greece – May
Group Press Trip

A few weeks later I’ll be jetting off to the Greek Island of Kefalonia to check out the new F Zeen Retreat. F Zeen is a beachfront boutique property with just 28 rooms in Lourdas, Southern Kefalonia. The retreat has a strong emphasis on wellness and if the photos are anything to go by, it looks like the perfect place to escape reality and totally unwind. From wine tasting to yoga and boat trips, I’ll be discovering the best of Kefalonia and finding out what makes the island so enchanting.

F Zeen Hotel Kefalonia

Photo credit: uniquekefalonia.com

f-zeen-retreat-kefalonia-rooms

Photo credit: uniquekefalonia.com

Ischia and Amalfi, Italy – June
Individual Press Trip

Next up is a 4-night trip to the South coast of Italy. This is an individual press trip to stay at Garden & Villas Resort in Ischia and Monasterro Santa Rosa in Amalfi, so I’m bringing my friend Naomi along to help me with photography and video content (she didn’t take too much persuading). Ischia is a small island off the coast of Naples located close to Capri, Positano and the Amalfi coast. It’s the iconic Mediterranean dream and I can’t wait to head off for a few days of living La Dolce Vita. Floppy hat and sunglasses at the ready!

garden-villa-resort-ischia

Photo credit: gardenvillasresort.it

monasterro-santa-rosa-pool

Photo credit: monasterosantarosa.com

Dubrovnik, Croatia – June
Content Campaign 

I’ve teamed up with British luxury tour operator Classic Collection for a content campaign to Croatia, where I’ll be documenting my experience of a Classic Collection holiday. A content campaign is different to a press trip in that I work much more closely with the brand to create specific types of content that is part of a larger brief. The content will include video, photography, blog posts and social media. Whilst my content creation for campaigns is more specific, I always have full control and ‘creative licence’ over how it’s all put together. The hotel for this trip is TBC but you can check out the shortlist of my potential Croatia hotels here. 

hotel-excelsior-dubrovnik

Photo credit: adriaticluxuryhotels.com

Almunecar, Spain – July
Holiday

I know it sounds kind of crazy, but Almunecar is my actual summer holiday, where I fully intend to put down my camera, switch off from social media and just relax for a week. I’ve already blogged about Almunecar here, so I won’t feel the need to document everything I am up to for once, which will actually feel quite liberating and will really help me to disconnect from the digital world. I’ll be spending a week at Villa Los Geranios, our family-owned private villa that is available for rental this summer (get in touch if you want to stay here too!) I’ll be going with 3 of my best friends for a girly week in the Spanish sun, and it will be the perfect way to wrap up an epic few months of travel.

the-travelista-jess-gibson-almunecar

What do you think of my summer travel plans? Do you have any recommendations or travel tips for any of the places I’m going? If you enjoyed this post please leave me a comment in the box below! Thanks x

18 Comments

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Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    17th May 2016 at 6:36 pm

    Awesome travel plans! I’d looooove to join Spain…or any of the trips! Have fun!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      20th May 2016 at 6:22 pm

      Thanks for your comment Vanessa! There’s space in the case 😉 X

      Reply
  2. Magvey says

    27th April 2016 at 9:24 pm

    And Crete
    https://youtu.be/GwEfbwa68j8

    Reply
    • denimfish says

      1st May 2016 at 6:32 pm

      eeek awful video my dear, you need to practice more before posting……

      Reply
      • Magvey says

        2nd May 2016 at 9:56 am

        This is my private video, not commercial. Idea of it is not to promote any brand, just giving suggestion to people to visit some new place.

        Reply
  3. Magvey says

    27th April 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Dear Jessica,

    This is my suggest – Santorini. Here is my private video about it
    https://youtu.be/Qg4i1FbUD2E

    Reply
  4. Catherine Lux* (@luxlifeblog) says

    27th April 2016 at 4:34 pm

    So sad I can’t make the Kefalonia trip – I went a few years ago though and it’s so beautiful, you’re gonna have such an amazing time!

    Can’t wait to hear about all your other travels, the Central America trip sounds SO exciting!

    C x

    Reply
  5. Rebecca says

    18th April 2016 at 11:33 pm

    Ah-mazing! Enjoy Guatemala and Belize – you’ll have a fantastic time. They’re both really beautiful, and quite different to each other. And I’ll be enviously following along on your European adventures 🙂

    Reply
  6. Angie Silver says

    18th April 2016 at 9:34 am

    Sounds really fantastic! Central America in particular sounds really wonderful! I’m sad I won’t be joining you in Greece 🙁

    Reply
  7. Ella Tran (@ellatran_) says

    18th April 2016 at 5:26 am

    Hi Jessica. Very inspiring. Would it be possible for you to write about the behind the scenes of the blog, how you were able to set up these press trips?
    Thanks in advance and keep up the fantastic work !

    Reply
  8. Sarah-Louise says

    17th April 2016 at 9:33 pm

    Ah Jess this sounds SO epic – I can’t wait to hear all about Amalfi. You have such an exciting summer ahead and that doesn’t even include what could come your way for Autumn.

    I love seeing your blog and passion grow, you deserve it 🙂

    At the moment I’m going over to London quite a few times (3-4 trips), Cinque Terre and NYC 🙂 I am so excited but also really hoping to maybe go to Paris or Spain as well. There are just too many countries to visit in this world, and that doesn’t even include planning for Autumn and Winter….dang!!

    Lots of hugs 🙂 xx

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      17th April 2016 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks Sarah! Very exciting indeed. I didn’t plan to have so many trips so close together but couldn’t say no to any they all sounded amazing. I have exciting plans for Autumn too but thought I’d save those plans for later. I’m dying to go to Cinque Terre it looks sooo pretty. Sounds like you have a great summer planned too 🙂 do you come over to London for work? Xx

      Reply
  9. Paper Planes and Caramel Waffles says

    17th April 2016 at 8:32 pm

    This sounds like an amazing summer Jess! My colleague has just come back from Guatemala and Belize and absolutely loved it out there so I can’t wait to hear what you think too 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      17th April 2016 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks Emma! Oooh that’s great to hear. I can’t imagine what it will be like – I think the scenery will be beautiful though. Will be sure to let you know what I think 🙂 xxx

      Reply
  10. Naomi says

    17th April 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I better start faketanning the rate your going…

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      17th April 2016 at 10:10 pm

      Don’t think there’ll be much time for sunbathing ! 🙂 x

      Reply
  11. Jo says

    17th April 2016 at 7:53 pm

    This list sounds amazing- most especially amalfi! Can’t wait to read more about it! Excited for you!

    Jo x
    http://www.theglobalgriot.com

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      17th April 2016 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks for your comment Jo! I’m very excited for Amalfi – looks so beautiful. Happy travels xx

      Reply

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Jess is an an award-winning travel blogger based in Yorkshire, navigating the world as a new Mum to baby Theo. Blogging about adventures both local and global.

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