Destinations

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is a lush enclave on the southeastern point of the country, filled with Mayan ruins, cenotes, and fascinating towns to explore. My recent trip to the Mayan region took in two towns that make a compelling combination. Tulum Tulum exudes intrigue—bohemian chic meets Mayan history in a stunningly beautiful area. Tulum has

There is something rather satisfying about how a perfectly tailored blazer feels when you’re out in the British countryside. And that feeling of comfort and freedom to move is exactly what the new Holland Cooper “Legends in Motion” campaign is all about. As we look ahead to the Badminton Horse Trials this May, their latest

Travelling on safari with your family in tow can seem daunting, but it certainly doesn’t mean you have to compromise of where you go, or on your comfort, space or style. Across Africa, a growing number of lodges and camps are designing accommodation that works beautifully for parents travelling with children, as well as for

Southeast Asia has been home for more than twelve years and during that time we have experienced many of the finest luxury hotels and resorts in the region. We do not have our favourites, but there are individual properties and brands that for varying reasons ensure that we return. Anantara Hotels & Resorts is most

A shape emerges from the dark: rotund, slow moving, somewhat prehistoric. A hippo lifts its head under the amber wash of a streetlight and stares at our family in a safari vehicle parked a careful distance away. In South Africa’s St Lucia, this is not an extraordinary sight. It is Tuesday night. And for families

A journey through the American Southwest, beginning in the red-rock elegance of Sedona and continuing through the canyon country of Utah. This is a region that reveals itself gradually through winding desert highways, ancient geology, and colorful skies that seem wider than anywhere else. This amazing route is designed for travelers who want more than

When most people think about Avios, they think about reward seat redemption rates, business class flights, and the satisfaction of “getting a deal”. They certainly don’t think about flight cancellation compensation. But, in my opinion, one of the most powerful — and least discussed — features of the entire ecosystem is not how you book

Quite different from sustainable travel, there’s what’s been dubbed greenwashing. Sounds clean. It Isn’t. Greenwashing is done when travel operations create the illusion of climate-action progress where little or none exists. These operators minimize or cover up environmentally harmful practices, labeling themselves as “green” or “eco-friendly,” while making vague or inflated claims about their practices

Early one morning, five of us climbed aboard a safari vehicle and headed into the Bushman’s Kloof wilderness of the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape. This was not, however, a safari in the usual sense. We had no expectations of seeing lions, elephants, giraffes, or any of the other fabled African game animals.

Planning your vacation to the Balearic Islands? This Spanish archipelago of four islands is very diverse. It’s where beach towns meet mountain villages, modern villas overlook historical landmarks, and a world-renowned party reputation that’s only eclipsed by the scenic sunsets. With so much to offer, choosing where you stay on Mallorca and Ibiza can influence

Caledonian Springtime on the Lord of the Highlands, with Hebridean Island Cruises, is a unique cruise. It sails the high seas from Oban to the Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona before heading inland through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness.  Dark wood, plush carpets and flashes of tartan give a country house feel to the 19-cabin

The poplar trees that line the fence rows and creek beds of the Wānaka basin were planted for practical reasons: erosion control, shelter, farm boundaries. Yet every April, they turn a shade of gold that stops visitors in their tracks, provides a sense of familiar knowing for locals and draws photographers and selfie takers alike.

When planning our trip to Seoul, we decided on flying with Vietnam Airlines, allowing us to enjoy a city stopover in Ho Chi Minh City on the way home. Having never flown in the premium cabins with Vietnam Airlines, we were excited for a new experience, but of course also interested to see how they

There is something genuinely pleasurable about planning a trip well in advance. The anticipation builds slowly and satisfyingly — the research, the narrowing down, the moment when a destination stops being a possibility and starts feeling inevitable. For those already thinking about 2026, that process is well underway, and the destinations rising to the top

What gives a place its identity? A few years ago, while hosting a couple from the US for Aroha Luxury New Zealand Tours, I took them to see a glassblower in Whanganui; it wasn’t on their itinerary, but it happened to be on the main route we were following. I had a sense that they

With the boom in popularity for the short-term rental market, the debate stands: should you choose a villa rental or a hotel? Private villas around the world are more accessible than ever for luxury travelers seeking that once-in-a-lifetime stay for hosting big groups. Opting for a short-term private villa rental rather than a luxury hotel

This Spring, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House – soon to be reviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog – has announced the return of its much-loved Spring Spa Trail Escape, reintroduced with a special introductory price for April 2026, from £673 per room, saving £100. Designed as a deeply restorative countryside retreat, the experience invites guests

Finally, Latin America’s wildlife credentials seem to be getting their due. Rich with striking landscapes and astonishingly diverse biomes (sometimes within a single country!) Latin America can offer exceptional wildlife encounters on par with anything travellers might expect on an African safari. But beyond the obvious destinations of the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, and

It is ten in the morning at Seljalandsfoss, and the car park is full. Coaches are arriving in sequence. A queue has formed along the path that leads behind the waterfall — the shot everyone came for — and the mist rising off the cascade has turned the ground into a mud slick that claims

If you collect Avios in the UK, chances are you mainly redeem them through British Airways. But there’s a lesser-known way to use your points, that comes with its own set of perks: booking Iberia reward flights. For many experienced points collectors, Iberia isn’t just an alternative. It’s a part of their core strategy. This

Windstar Cruises are for travellers who love the romance of the sea, who seek leisurely small ship exploration that is intimate and personal.  With small ships, distinctive itineraries and a relaxed yacht-style atmosphere, sailing with Windstar feels closer to a private voyage than a typical cruise. The fleet is expanding too; Star Seeker launched at the

Tucked away, in the greater Serengeti ecosystem, lies a slice of pure safari magic. Right at the banks of the Grumeti river you’ll find the stunning andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, a 10-suite luxury safari retreat that is widely regarded as one of the finest in Tanzania. Reason enough to check it out and see

With the Easter bank holiday just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about that first big getaway of the year. If your idea of a long weekend involves more passport stamps and scenic road trips than just hunting for chocolate in the garden, you’re in the right place. We’ve handpicked a

Treat yourself to the Mykonos waterfront view experience: illuminated sunrises, seductive sunsets, and captivating views of nearby Greek isles. While the typical tourist relies on beachfront restaurants and sea view beach clubs for these views, the most exclusive waterfront views are reserved for the lucky guests who get a chance to stay in one of

It’s incredibly exciting to see the number of new safaris lodges opening across Africa over the next few months. Zambia in particular is seeing some very exciting new developments. Here area few I caught up with at the recent OurAfrica.Travel digital trade show… Nzovu Rundu Luxury Camp in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park Proudly Zambian

The story of Catgill is one of profound diversification and family legacy. Since 2014, husband-and-wife team Oliver and Cat Barker, guided by the wisdom of Oliver’s grandfather Ken, have breathed new life into a 60-year-old North Yorkshire dairy farm whilst also raising a family. The humble beginnings of a simple camping field within the Bolton

Wānaka has a habit of making you feel as if the world has been turned up a notch. What we call locally the ‘big skies’, and the varying blues of the glacial rivers and lakes settle a light on the landscape that photographers love and that’s best seen from a helicopter.  The mountains look close

At dawn, in the Galapagos Islands, the air feels cool and unusually pure. It’s tinged with saltwater and volcanic earth; with every breath, giving you a sense of the natural, pristine state of the archipelago; a place where life moves at a gentler pace. Giant tortoises lumber through open spaces as if they own the

At the bottom of the mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro lies the beautiful Amboseli National Park, known for being the home of the super tuskers. For those not in the known, super tuskers are the elephants with the largest tusks which are often also among the oldest. One can imagine the amount of visitors flocking in to

When different generations in the same family travel together, there are multiple considerations to take into account, and it significantly changes the feel of the trip. When parents, children, and grandparents explore a foreign destination together, the experience becomes extraordinary and magical. It becomes less about seeing everything and more about sharing the time. New