April 2026
Behind
the
Scenes
Behind
the
Scenes
by designer travel
by designer travel
We are an independent travel business with over 180
professional travel experts nationwide.
Can you believe we have over 4,000 years of travel
experience between us?
Being part of the Hays Independence Group gives us
access to over 500 suppliers offering a mind-blowing array
of holiday options including cruises, attractions, villas, ski,
motor-racing, sports and safaris – In fact, you name any
sort of holiday and most likely we can find it for you! For
your financial peace of mind we only sell ABTA (L318X) and
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protection.
Experience & Knowledge
designertravel.co.uk
The clocks have moved forward an hour, and it feels safe to say that Spring has
arrived on the UK shores!
The last few weeks have provided a challenge for world leaders and for travel
businesses around the globe. War and political uncertainty are never welcome
but thankfully, as a travel business here in the UK, we are well-versed with dealing
with global issues and conflict. Although it's hard to predict an outcome and
timescales, we will always have access to the latest information available from
tour operators and suppliers so please do talk to us if you have any questions or
queries and we will be happy to help.
The holiday season begins in earnest from Easter, and we are already seeing a
surge in demand for holidays to a variety of destinations including the Western
Mediterranean destinations of Spain, France, Italy and Malta with holidays to
Greece and Portugal also seeking a hike in demand.
For those of you planning to travel further afield, we have some amazing direct
flight opportunities to destinations including the Maldives, Thailand, the
Caribbean and many destinations in Africa. The Mediterranean resorts of Turkey
have some fantastic luxury properties that we as a team will be visiting in early
May.
Welcome to our April edition of
Behind the Scenes by Designer Travel
Welcome
Welcome
Enjoy the warmer, lighter spring days!
Karen & Amanda, on behalf of the whole Designer Travel team
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Premium adventure travel in
comfort and style
European Weekend Breaks
With Europe on our doorstep, we are fortunate to
have countless opportunities to visit fascinating
countries all within a few hours travel time. Each
country in Europe offers a unique and rich culture,
history that can span thousands of years and don’t
forget the variety of incredible cuisines. Some
European
hotspots
include
Krakow
(Poland),
Valencia (Spain), Siena (Italy and Tallin (Estonia).
Inspiration
Inspiration
Whether travelling as a couple, a solo traveller or as a small group, what
do you look for if travelling without children? You may be seeking the
freedom to relax, explore, or enjoy activities without crowds or school
holiday interruptions. You may want a romantic retreat or complete peace
in a stunning setting. Here are some ideas that we’ve put together.
couples holidays &
adult adventures
We love G Adventures’ new Geluxe collection of
itineraries for adventure-seeking adults. The Geluxe
programme combines premium active travel with
adventure with comfort through unique stays, small
groups, cultural experiences, and locally focused
tourism, delivering immersive, high-quality journeys
worldwide. Some of our favourite include Peru & the
Amazon: Cusco to Lima and
Japan: Kyoto, Tokyo & the Michinoku Coastal Trail.
Visit our website for more inspiration
Virgin Voyages offers adult-only cruising to destinations
including Caribbean, Europe, North America and Alaska.
Award-winning Virgin Voyages is an adults‑only cruise line
with stylish “Lady Ships,” Michelin‑inspired dining, lively
entertainment, wellness offerings and curated itineraries,
that deliver a relaxed, sophisticated experience - from
short getaways to epic sea voyages! They also host strong
Pride month celebrations.
Itineraries that are perfect for people with a
sense of adventure who want to experience
the world, but with a pre-planned itinerary.
Travelling in a small group, most itineraries will
also include the services of a Tour Director, to
ensure the tour runs smoothly and to ensure
you get the best out of the destinations that
you’re visiting.
From Chilean Patagonia, to the US National
Parks, and from the Great Wall of China to the
Silk Road - the world is your oyster!
Adult-only cruising
Escorted touring
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
Contact your Professional Travel Expert for itineraries & prices for any of these holidays ideas
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Travelling to Europe? Entry/Exit System (EES) –
What You Need to Know
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been on a phased rollout since last October
and will be fully implemented from 10th April across 29 Schengen countries.
For the first time, the EES will create a digital record of each entry and exit for non-
EU travellers. At border control, passport details and biometric data (fingerprints
or facial images) will be collected. This information is stored securely for up to five
years to help manage borders, enhance security, and speed up future checks.
Importantly, this replaces the traditional passport stamp. Your passport will still be
used to identify you, but no physical stamp will be added.
While checks are expected to take only a few minutes per person, travellers should
allow extra time at the airport to avoid potential delays.
Our Top Tips for a Smooth Journey:
Allow extra time at the airport, particularly during peak travel periods
Follow guidance from your airline or travel provider
Be mindful of onward connections, allowing sufficient time between flights or
transfers
If you have questions ahead of your trip, your travel expert will be happy to help.
News
News
What’s new in travel?
What’s new in travel?
Middle East travel updates
The situation is ever-evolving & news is constantly being updated. For the most up to date
information & advice and for urgent questions do speak to your Professional Travel Expert.
In the Media
In the Media
Important stories, news & advice
Important stories, news & advice
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Marriage proposals
with a difference
Marriage proposals
with a difference
Laura Price got engaged to her
husband when doing the W Trek
in Torres del Paine National
Park in Chilean Patagonia.
It probably comes as no surprise
that a number of the Designer
Travel team has got engaged when
on their travels. Here we share with
you some of the special proposals
spots.
Rebecca Lavelle got engaged
in the stunning Maldives
Roberta Comley got engaged in St Lucia
and married in Mauritius
Debbie Kenney Sheate got engaged in Venice,
Italy and got married in Cape Town, South Africa.
Julia Sweeney got engaged
in the Dominican Republic
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Destination weddings
Destination weddings
Dreaming of a destination wedding?
Our travel experts share their personal
experiences of getting married abroad,
along with their top tips and insights
for couples planning their special day
overseas.
setting. The real bonus is the extra time you get with friends
and family. We turned our wedding into a full weekend of
celebrations, giving everyone the chance to relax and enjoy
the island together. We loved it so much
that we returned in 2023 with many of
the same guests to celebrate our
10-year anniversary.
I got married on the beautiful Greek island of Hydra, just
a short hydrofoil journey from the port of Piraeus near Athens. One of the
things that makes Hydra so special is that there are no cars on the island, only
winding cobbled streets, stunning sea views, and the occasional mule for
transporting luggage. My husband proposed at the top of Mount Eros, which made
it feel natural to return to the island for our wedding.
One of the biggest misconceptions about destination weddings is that they are
always more expensive than getting married in the UK. We were pleasantly
surprised by how comparable it was, especially considering the incredible
SAYING “I DO”
SAYING “I DO”
Jodie
is to always travel with
your wedding dress as hand luggage.
Lots of things can go missing when
travelling, but that way your most
important outfit is safely with you.
My top tip
Visit our website for more inspiration
Getting married overseas had always been a dream
of mine, so saying “I do” to my best friend on the
breathtaking island of Santorini was a dream come
true. My husband Richard and I first visited Santorini in
2010 and instantly fell in love with the island, knowing one day we
would return to get married there.
Planning a destination wedding takes time, and ours was two years in the making.
Santorini is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, so popular venues
and photographers often book 12–18 months in advance. We wanted an August
sunset ceremony and secured our venue early. Couples should note there is only
one registrar on the island. After visiting several venues, we fell in love with Le Ciel.
Several documents must be prepared before travelling to Greece, including birth
certificates, passports, and certificates of no impediment, often translated and
stamped with an apostille. After the ceremony, you usually collect your official
certificate from the local Town Hall. Having a local wedding planner was invaluable.
They guided us through the paperwork, coordinated every detail, and ensured
everything ran smoothly.
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
Emma
With over 50 friends and family joining us, the
day was truly unforgettable. Careful preparation
and planner support made our destination
wedding seamless and stress-free, creating
memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning a destination wedding?
Contact your Professional Travel Expert
for advice & to help with planning
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Early this year, TTG published a report about the LGBTQ+ travel market after
conducting a joint consumer survey in partnership with Gaydio radio
station. This research presents a set of interesting insights into how the
LGBTQ community are choosing their destinations and how often they
choose to holiday.
Sustainability
Sustainability
Insight into LGBTQ+ travel behaviours
Insight into LGBTQ+ travel behaviours
How do LGBTQ+ people choose where to travel?
Much of the responses related to attitudes to LGBTQ+ travellers and whether or
not they feel safe in a destination. A country’s attitude to LGBTQ+ visitors is of
key importance before the booking with 90% saying it affects their ultimate
choice of destination. Feeling comfortable and safe is a vital consideration, as
this allows people to “be themselves” while on holiday. Popular “bucket list”
destinations among survey respondents include Japan, New Zealand, Australia,
Thailand and the Maldives.
Several respondents said they did not want to
contribute to the economies of countries with
anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
61% of respondents always check a destination’s
LGBTQ+ legislation before booking
Destinations in parts of the Middle East, the
Caribbean and Africa are on many travellers’ wish-
lists but consumers are wary of visiting due to
anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Visit our website for more inspiration
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
58% of respondents said they would be
interested in small group tours to
destinations that have “more challenging”
LGBTQ+ law as a safer alternative to
independent travel.
City breaks and beach holidays are the top two
holiday types for survey respondents, followed by self-guided
touring, adventure-based trips, all-inclusives and cruise.
For cruise customers, the biggest selling points are
seeing lots of different places in one trip, having all
the facilities in one place onboard the ship, and also
the importance of feeling welcome and safe as an
LGBTQ+ person during their voyages.
We work with a number of cruise companies who
celebrate ‘Pride Month at Sea’.
We are delighted to announce that Toni
Sharp was awarded the Responsible Luxury
Travel Designer of the Year at the recent TTG
Luxury Awards. Toni is a member of our
sustainabiity working party here at Designer
Travel. We are passionate about doing all we
can to make travel a force for good, and
Toni's achievement makes us all very proud
of the journey we are on.
Awards news - Responsible Luxury Travel Designer of the Year
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
Travellers Tales
Travellers Tales
Unexepected proposals in magical locations
Finding the perfect location spot can take a lot of planning. Doing it abroad
can add an extra layer of logistics. Getting the ring through security, making
sure the weather is right, and keeping it a surprise. Here,
two of Travel Expert Paula Mottram’s customers share their
romantic stories of overseas marriage proposals.
Just after the New Year, Ryan and I experienced one of the
most magical moments of our lives getting engaged in our
favorite place in the world, Dubai. This city has always held a
special place in our hearts. We’ve visited numerous times
over the years, and every trip has been filled with
unforgettable memories, which is exactly why Ryan chose it
as the setting for such an important moment.
Dubai - Nat & Ryan
On a beautiful evening by the beach, just as the sun was beginning to set, the
hotel had arranged the most gorgeous setup. Soft lights, elegant
What made the moment even more special was
celebrating it with some of our closest friends who were
there with us. After the proposal, we spent the following
days enjoying Dubai the way we always love to, through
incredible food, beautiful views, and lots of laughter.
decorations, and the sound of the waves created the
perfect atmosphere. As the sky turned shades of gold and
pink, Ryan got down on one knee and asked me to marry
him. It was surreal, romantic and completely perfect.
Visit our website for more inspiration
The company had arranged a private breakfast just for
us: pancakes, a full English, champagne, juice…you name
it. While we were eating, a herd of elephants walked past.
As Darcy took photos, I quietly grabbed the ring.
Willy offered to take a photo, and as I asked for one more,
I got down on one knee and asked the easiest question of
my life.
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
On the morning of the proposal, I spoke to our driver, Willy, who said he had the
perfect spot. As we drove up to Observation Point, I understood exactly what he
meant. There was nobody else around; the views stretched for miles, and
Mount Kilimanjaro stood in the background, dominating the entire scene. Willy
had mentioned earlier in the trip that clouds usually hide the
summit at that time of year, so seeing it clearly was rare, but
on that day it was there in all its glory.
bryan & darcy, kenya
We chose Kenya for a holiday almost on a
whim. We wanted something different and
thought, why not go on a safari?
We booked it as Paula had mentioned that
Amboseli National Park sits next to Mount
Kilimanjaro. For some reason, I’d always been
fascinated by that mountain as a kid, so the
thought of seeing it in person felt special.
Get in touch with your Professional Travel Expert
A leisurely way to explore the world
river cruise industry for a 3-day celebration of the sector, shining a
spotlight on the opportunities presented by global river cruising. Nine river
cruise operators had ships moored in Amsterdam, so it was a brilliant way
for us to experience so many different river cruise products.
River Cruising
River Cruising
In early March, 11 of our Professional Travel Experts
attended the CLIA River Cruise Conference in
Amsterdam. The conference brings together the
River cruising has become one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world,
offering a perfect blend of relaxation, culture and ever-changing scenery. With
smaller ships, central docking locations and beautiful landscapes drifting past
your window, it’s an effortless style of travel - and it’s easy to see why river
cruises often sell out well in advance.
A relaxing way to travel getting into the heart of towns and cities
One of the biggest advantages is how much you can see without the stress
of traditional travel. River cruise itineraries glide straight through the heart
of historic cities and charming towns, meaning you simply step off the ship
and start exploring.
Budapest, Cologne and Strasbourg. The elegant
Seine River offers sailings between Paris and
Normandy, while Portugal’s Douro River winds
through dramatic terraced vineyards in the country’s
famous wine region. In France, the Rhône River and
Saône River showcase the culinary highlights and
picturesque villages of Burgundy and Provence.
European river cruises
Europe remains the most popular region, with iconic waterways such as the
Danube River and the Rhine River visiting beautiful cities including Vienna,
Visit our website for more inspiration
inspired to embark on your first river cruise?
If you’re considering your first river cruise, a festive sailing
during the European Christmas Markets season is often the
perfect introduction. Twinkling lights, wooden market stalls,
handcrafted gifts and warming mulled wine create an
unforgettable festive atmosphere.
Contact your Professional Travel Expert for details.
In Southeast Asia, journeys along the mighty Mekong River reveal a completely
different world, travelling through Vietnam and Cambodia past floating markets,
traditional villages and ancient temples. In South America, exploring the
waterways of Colombia is becoming increasingly popular, with the remarkable
Magdalena River widely considered one of the best ways to experience the
country’s colourful culture, music and wildlife.
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
River cruises on some of the world’s most
iconic rivers
River cruising isn’t just about Europe, however. At
Designer Travel we can book cruises on some of
the world’s most oconic rivers including the
Ganges, Amazon, Nile, Mississippi and Chobe.
River cruise ships are very different from large ocean liners. Most carry between
100 and 200 guests, creating a relaxed, boutique atmosphere with a strong focus
on personal service. Ships are designed to maximise the scenery, with
panoramic lounges, sun decks and cabins often featuring French balconies or
full verandas. Many itineraries also include guided excursions in each
destination, allowing you to discover local culture,
history and cuisine with knowledgeable guides.
Visit our website for more inspiration
How to win?
Answer this question
Which adults-only cruise company do we talk about in this edition?
for a hint, see the Inspiration section on page 5 of the magazine.
You’ll never have disturbed sleep on a
plane journey ever again with this
amazing travel pillow!
The SARISUN Travel Pillow has been
designed for ultimate comfort on the go.
This supportive neck pillow and built-in
3D eye mask recreates the comfort of
bed-like sleep for when you’re travelling.
Win!
Win!
A Sarisun Travel Pillow
A Sarisun Travel Pillow
T&Cs: Only one entry per email address, no cash alternative to the prize, the winner will be
chosen by our Behind the Scenes magazine editorial team. Winner will be notified by email
after 15 May 2026. Click here for full terms.
BEHIND THE SCENES
by Designer Travel
How to enter
Entries should be emailed to: behindthescenes@designertravel.co.uk
please include your full name, your answer and your preferred email
address.
Closing date for entries is 15 May 2026.
Do you have too many clothes and nothing to wear? Imagine if you could take
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Loom is a luxury clothing redesign service that transforms unworn pieces in your
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Click here to download the app, and use the code ‘DesignerT’ for £20 off your first redesign
Loom – luxury redesign for the clothes you love
Our expert artisans specialise in everything from bridal alterations & restyling to dyeing, embroidery, tailoring & full
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Redesign is such a special experience, but it is also fighting a global crisis.
Simply upload a photo onto our app, and we’ll give you ideas of what we could create! Chat with our expert
designers, choose your favourite idea and then send your item to them to be reimagined.
By the time you finish reading this, 120 garbage trucks full of clothing will have been
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We are winners of the H&M Global Change Award and have been featured in Vogue,
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And this is just the beginning – our vision is a world where redesign is as instinctive as
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Thank you for reading Behind the Scenes
Please use behindthescenes@designertravel.co.uk for
feedback on any of the content in this month’s
magazine or for suggestions for our next edition.
We value your feedback!