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Tel: +44 7733 265360 Email: kirsty@island-spirit.org Skype: KirstyBarnby Or Send a Message Below
February 4, 2025

A New Ethical Travel Planner for the British Islands and beyond

Are you dreaming about the slow-setting sun and silhouettes of surfers as you sip your tipple, gazing at a jungle-lined bay in the tropics? Or maybe a rare adventure to introduce your children to the secrets of the Isle of Muck?

Of course, you could plan yourself but imagine tapping into the secret walks, beaches, restaurants, museums and adventures that are off the mainstream tourist track. That is what I’ll share with you.

Whether you are interested in yoga, surf, tea and temples in Sri Lanka as a solo traveller or want some inspiration about green travel ideas in the UK, I’ve got the perfect trip for you.

I’m excited to announce the launch of my brand new, ethical travel planning service.

For a fixed fee of £85, I will share my secret, green-travel ideas on the British Isles, Sri Lanka and Fiji. Having lived in all the locations for extensive periods, I offer a different perspective from the hundreds of travel agents out there whose advice revolves around commission.

 

How it works:

Share your budget, preferred location, timeframe, activity choices and group size either via email or on our website form…

I will then tailor-make your experience down to the tiniest details – things I’ve actually seen and done…

I will send you a copy of your first draft itinerary. See the example attached…

You receive three edited itineraries in total. By the third one, it’ll be perfect.

 

It is important to know

  1. Our partners are all hand-chosen providers who prioritise the environment and culture over profit. 
  2. I won’t book the accommodation for you which is a testament to the commission-free approach I believe in.
  3. I’m so convinced you’ll love it that I offer a full, money-back guarantee.

 

About Island Spirit

Each trip is tailored to your needs and offers cultural immersion, island adventure and conservation, and the icing on the cake is that 10% of proceeds go back to one of three local projects of the client’s choice.

We are a Community Interest Company (C.I.C).

We offer tailored, responsible travel advice and planning to combine cultural immersion, short-term volunteering and island adventure. What do people think?

We are the first member of the WFTO to specialise in tourism and are leading the way in ethical, Fairtrade travel both at a tourist and policy level.

Our top priority when making decisions is to benefit the environment and culture.

We work with a range of hand-picked, local homestays, lodges and resorts – all of whom work as hard as they can to be as responsible as possible. We have been adding to this database for 15 years. 

 

About me

I’m Kirsty, the Founder of Island Spirit, a small C.I.C. born in Fiji specialising in creating responsible, grassroots, island-based adventures in the UK, Fiji, Barbados and Sri Lanka since 2012.

I like to think I walk the walk. I don’t mess around, if I want to do something, not much gets in my way. And I’m a doer.

I know my stuff. I’ve lived in Fiji and Sri Lanka which has given me a special insight into how things work – where to go, what routes to take when and what to avoid and most importantly how to go local and have the most fulfilling experience in your life.

We have had a challenging few years and recently moved back to the UK from Switzerland. Some may know, I had an incredible baby girl in May 2020. We live together in Somerset and are self-declared island lovers and a practising intrepid adventures team! Any trip turns out to be an adventure, that’s the joy of travelling and exploring slowly with youngsters.

Since Kiana was born, together we have:

Road tripped around the Ring of Kerry, Ireland

I surfed Taghazout for ten days in Morocco while Kiana had a babysitter!)

Safari camping (I also surfed) in Croyde, North Cornwall

Walked and explored glaciers and forest in Chamonix for two weeks, France

Sledged in Morgins, Switzerland

Cycled around Lake Bodensee for four days, Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Walked in the Gruyere region of Switzerland

Camped for three weeks with Kiana in Flushing, Falmouth and Polzeath, North Cornwall

Hosted a Wildcrafted Wellness retreat in Polzeath, North Cornwall

Explored remote, Western Sicily

Cycled and walked around the Isle of Wight

Walked in Kent; cycled in Norfolk

Walked to Pentire Point and Briar Hill, Polzeath, Cornwall

Walked along the River Wye

Swam in the calm sea at Weymouth, Dorset

I think it was Richard Branson who said: “You can’t fail if you don’t give up!” When you love and believe in your business then it’s not a chore or effort, it’s a pleasure. For me, it involved all the things that make me tick – my values which include:
  • Immersing in nature (exploring this intriguing world with Kiana)
  • Organisation and planning (Helping those less fortunate especially in developing countries)
  • Service to others (sharing my knowledge)
  • Creativity
  • Fitness
  • Honesty
  • Inclusivity

In the world of tourism, my passions lie in preserving culture and tradition, promoting environmental projects and sharing best practices in the tourism industry. Or in other words, providing sustainable and eco-tourism opportunities for people who are interested in giving back while having a healthy and inspiring time away from their usual day-to-day life.

Early Life and Education
Born and raised in the UK, Kirsty displayed an early interest in the environment. She pursued formal education in business where she developed her skills in entrepreneurship. This foundational experience shaped her tourism vision and ignited her commitment to using tourism as a means of social change.
Contact me directly at kirsty@island-spirit.org to find out about all we have to offer. 

Wellness Weekend Leaflet

Yoga, surf, tea and temples pre deposit itinerary 14 days Sri Lanka
Testimonial for Sri Lanka Yoga and Surfing retreat
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