Travelling differently, in harmony with local environments and cultures, is the vision that gave life to Un Brin de Voyage. Founded in July 2021 by Julie, a travel planner like no other, the company crafts fully bespoke trips with a genuine commitment to eco-responsible travel.
In a world where mass tourism all too often stays disconnected from local realities, Un Brin de Voyage stands apart through its dedication to authentic, sustainable travel. Fuelled by expertise and real passion, Julie helps travellers turn their dreams of adventure into reality while keeping their ecological footprint as small as possible.
In this article, we explore the story and values behind Un Brin de Voyage, uncover the challenges Julie faces, and discover how she is helping to reshape the way we travel.
Background and origins
The story of Un Brin de Voyage begins well before its official launch in July 2021. An organiser at heart, Julie has always loved building itineraries and tracking down one-of-a-kind experiences. It was through conversations with friends and family, however, that she spotted a recurring problem: plenty of people dream of travelling, yet find it too complicated, too expensive, or simply out of reach.
“For me, any trip is achievable with the right planning.”
But Julie wanted to go beyond mere logistics. During an internship in Mexico, she studied sustainable tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula - a genuine turning point in her outlook. She witnessed first-hand the damaging effects of mass tourism: resorts sealed off from local life, disrespectful practices towards local communities, and natural resources exploited without a thought for the environment.
“Seeing tourists staying in resorts without ever discovering the country, or witnessing behaviour that showed no respect for local people, made me think. I wanted to offer more responsible alternatives.”
And so Un Brin de Voyage was born: a way to give travellers genuinely immersive experiences while leaving a positive mark on the destinations they visit. The goal was clear from the start - help people travel differently, blending authenticity with accountability.
About the project
Un Brin de Voyage is a specialist in bespoke, eco-responsible trip planning. Founded by Julie in July 2021, this travel organiser offers authentic experiences that respect both the environment and local communities. Every itinerary is tailored to the individual, shaped by each client’s wishes and values.
Unlike mainstream booking platforms that churn out one-size-fits-all packages, Un Brin de Voyage puts people and ethics first. Julie speaks directly with each client before finalising anything, ensuring the trip genuinely matches their expectations while keeping its environmental impact to a minimum.
A community that cares about responsible travel
Un Brin de Voyage speaks to travellers who want to see the world differently, choosing sustainability over convenience. Whether they are young professionals chasing adventure, families looking to travel more consciously, or individuals with a genuine environmental commitment, they all share one goal: to explore the world without compromising it.
What sets Un Brin de Voyage apart
Several things distinguish Un Brin de Voyage from others on the market:
A personalised approach: every trip is built from scratch, around what the client actually wants.
A commitment to eco-responsibility: locally owned accommodation, low-impact transport, and activities that respect both cultures and the natural world.
Expertise in sustainable tourism: drawing on her experience and research, Julie designs itineraries that create a positive impact on every destination.
A network of like-minded partners: collaborations with Green Tripper for carbon offsetting, CDC Développement Solidaire to fund local projects, and a Belgian printer for travel journals made from recycled paper.
With Un Brin de Voyage, the aim is simple: to offer travellers truly memorable experiences while helping them explore the world with a conscience.
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Challenges along the way
Sustainable tourism may be winning over more travellers than ever, but putting it into practice remains a real challenge. Since launching Un Brin de Voyage, Julie has faced several hurdles, the biggest of which is cost.
“Many people want to travel more responsibly, but the moment they see a price that is slightly higher than on a mainstream platform, they hesitate. Yet that price reflects a more ethical form of tourism: fair pay for local operators, carbon offsetting, contributions to development projects…”
A lack of awareness is another significant obstacle. Travellers do not always grasp the impact their choices have on the environment and local communities. It can be difficult to help them understand that more responsible travel requires careful thought about transport, accommodation and activities.
To tackle these barriers, Julie focuses on education and guidance. As a committed travel organiser, she regularly shares tips on how to travel more sustainably and offers accessible alternatives, such as choosing closer-to-home destinations or lower-carbon ways of getting there.
These efforts are paying off: attitudes towards sustainable tourism are gradually shifting, and more and more travellers are willing to adopt a more respectful approach.
The founder
Behind Un Brin de Voyage is Julie, a travel enthusiast who has made her commitment to responsible tourism a genuine mission. Her journey is defined by a constant desire to balance discovering the world with respecting its cultures and environments.
From an early age, Julie loved organising trips and building tailored itineraries. This passion drew her deeper into the tourism industry, but it was an experience in Mexico that completely changed her perspective. During an internship focused on sustainable tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula, she came face to face with the negative impacts of mass tourism, and it prompted her to think seriously about a more ethical, respectful alternative.
“Seeing tourists staying in resorts without ever discovering the country, or witnessing behaviour that showed no respect for local people, made me think. I wanted to offer more responsible alternatives.”
Julie decided to create Un Brin de Voyage and dedicate herself to organising responsible travel. Every trip is thoughtfully designed to minimise its environmental footprint and foster genuine connections with local communities. To bring her project to life, she mastered every aspect of running a business, from communications and digital marketing to managing partnerships.
With Un Brin de Voyage, Julie does not just plan trips; she inspires travellers to adopt a more mindful, engaged approach to the world.
Current impact and future plans
Since its launch, Un Brin de Voyage has helped shift attitudes towards responsible tourism. Julie notices a growing awareness among those around her: clients who have experienced one of her trips often come back with a whole new outlook on travel.
“The people around me are talking more and more about responsible travel, and so are my clients. Some come back to me after their first trip because they have discovered a completely new way of seeing the world.”
Word of mouth plays a vital role in the project’s growth. Thanks to glowing feedback and rising interest in ethical travel, Un Brin de Voyage continues to reach audiences who care about environmental issues.
Ambitions for the future
Julie has no intention of slowing down. Her main goal is to broaden her network and deepen her knowledge by travelling further, but without ever setting foot on a plane. This approach opens up new destinations and allows her to forge partnerships with other players committed to sustainable tourism.
She also wants to build a comprehensive directory of trusted addresses, offering accommodation and activity options that respect both local communities and the environment. Building on her expertise, she aims to provide even more tailored solutions for travellers who care about their impact.
The future of Un Brin de Voyage is one of continuous growth, with an ambition to offer ever more immersive, responsible and accessible trips for those who want to explore the world on their own terms.
A round-the-world trip without flying
Julie, founder of Un Brin de Voyage, does not just champion sustainable travel: she lives it. To stand fully behind her values, she has embarked on a round-the-world journey without taking a single flight, an ambitious challenge aimed at limiting her carbon footprint while discovering new ways to get around.
Her itinerary favours alternative modes of transport such as trains, boats, buses and car sharing, proving that it is entirely possible to explore the world differently. The journey is also an opportunity to meet people driving responsible tourism projects, connect with local communities, and discover initiatives that place ecology and human connection at the heart of travel.
Through this adventure, Julie is growing her expertise and expanding her partner network, all to offer even more authentic, environmentally conscious trips through Un Brin de Voyage. Her experience shows that slowing down the pace of travel not only reduces your ecological impact, but opens the door to deeper encounters and more meaningful experiences.
Her journey is a genuine source of inspiration for anyone who wants to travel differently, balancing a curiosity for the world with a respect for the places they visit.
Advice for aspiring travel entrepreneurs
Carving out a niche in sustainable tourism is no easy feat, but Julie has drawn invaluable lessons from her experience. For those looking to launch their own venture, particularly in the responsible travel space, here is the advice she has to share.
1. Keep learning, always
Julie had to get to grips with every aspect of her business, from digital marketing to partnership management. She strongly recommends investing in training to build confidence and independence. Among the resources she highlights:
- Tao Guides, specialists in sustainable tourism.
- Books on responsible travel, including one dedicated to Mexico.
- André Dubois’s training programmes, focused on building an online business.
2. Surround yourself with the right partners
The success of Un Brin de Voyage is also built on a strong network of collaborations. Working with like-minded partners strengthens the project’s impact and provides access to valuable resources. Julie has built relationships with:
- Green Tripper, for carbon offsetting.
- CDC Développement Solidaire, which funds local projects.
- , which helped her offer zero-waste toiletry kits to her clients.
- A Belgian printer, for eco-friendly travel journals.
3. Be patient and persistent
Building a purpose-driven project takes time and determination. Julie has overcome numerous challenges, particularly around the cost of sustainable tourism and low public awareness. She stresses the importance of believing in your project and refusing to be put off by setbacks.
“Many people want to travel more responsibly, but the moment they see a slightly higher price, they hesitate. Yet that price reflects a more ethical form of tourism.”
4. Share your vision and raise awareness
Finally, to attract clients and make your project known, communicating your values is essential. Julie uses social media, her website and even a YouTube channel to share her philosophy of sustainable travel and educate her audience.
Launching a project in responsible tourism is a long-term commitment, but with solid preparation and genuine conviction, it is entirely possible to make a real difference.
Conclusion
With Un Brin de Voyage, Julie proves that a different kind of tourism is possible: more authentic, more respectful, more engaged. Through Un Brin de Voyage, she enables travellers to discover the world while keeping their environmental impact in check and championing local communities.
Her journey illustrates the challenges of sustainable tourism, but also the opportunities it holds. By raising awareness among her clients and offering concrete alternatives, she is contributing to a broader shift in how we think about travel.
The growth of Un Brin de Voyage shows that more and more people are ready to take a more responsible approach to exploring the world. Through her partnerships and personal commitment, Julie continues to develop her project with the ambition to offer ever more sustainable, immersive itineraries.
Travelling differently is no longer a utopian dream, it is a genuine, accessible reality for those who want to see the world and leave it a little better than they found it.
Further reading
Books and guides on sustainable tourism
- Tao Guides - A collection of guides dedicated to sustainable tourism.
Business and entrepreneurship resources
- André Dubois’s training programmes - Focused on building an online business.
Partners and collaborations
- Green Tripper - Carbon offsetting service.
- CDC Développement Solidaire - Organisation funding local projects.
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- Provider of zero-waste toiletry kits.
Un Brin de Voyage online
📌 Instagram: @brindevoyage
🌍 Website: Un Brin de Voyage 📺 YouTube: Un Brin de Voyage channel 📩 Newsletter: Available on the website.
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