Destinations

As all conversations suddently seemed to be leading to Uzbekistan, I felt it was time to take the road there – or rather the train. What I discovered was a country of interesting traditions and lasting legacies. My tour with Great Rail Journeys took me through four cities on the ancient Silk road. I started my journey

As the capital starts to heat up, an endless array of enticing entertainment awaits. Part of a new seasonal series, I share my favourite new finds for those looking to explore London.  Wellness at Ham Yard’s Soholistic Spa It’s a minute’s walk from Picadilly Circus yet wonderfully tucked away from all the buzz so that

For many families collecting Avios, there often comes a familiar moment of frustration. One parent has 22,000 Avios in the BA Club Account. The other has 18,000. Maybe the kids have picked up a few thousand points from flights over the years, if they’re older. Individually, those balances feel annoyingly small — not enough for

There are places where luxury seems so effortless – where there’s a quiet confidence that’s deeply rooted in the quality of the offering. Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is one such place. Situated just off the Crook Road that runs between Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, the hotel enjoys a tranquil location among rolling fells on the

Once called the chimney town by renowned local poet Julian Tuwim the Polish city of Lodz has undergone such a dramatic transformation it is now part of the UNESCO network of Creative Cities and a UNESCO City of Film. A sensitive re-generation of the city of Lodz recognised and renovated the town’s historical buildings including those

Most first-time visitors to New Zealand’s South Island put Queenstown on the itinerary without much deliberation. It’s the world’s adventure capital – a title and a reputation deservedly earned and as such one of the headline ‘must-visit’ destinations in New Zealand. Most people will have heard of Queenstown even if they can’t tell you where

I have always thought New Zealand’s wilder places work best when people are given time to meet them properly. Not in a rushed, heroic sort of way, and not with the expectation that every hour outside has to become a story. More often, it happens quite quietly. Someone steps out of the vehicle in Fiordland

Privacy has always been the defining appeal of a private villa. The ability to close a gate behind you, to have a pool entirely to yourself, to spend a week without navigating shared spaces or other guests – that quality of seclusion is something no hotel, however grand, can genuinely replicate.  But something has shifted.

Deep house beats pulsate throughout luxurious, contemporary seaside venues offering Mediterranean views. Curated gastronomy. A lively atmosphere. And plenty of sun-soaked relaxation for a picture-perfect day at the beach. While staying at one of Privadia‘s luxury villas that we recommend, you may upgrade your stay with reservations at one of Mallorca’s premier beach clubs. Beach

Everyone has heard about Zanzibar, yet almost nobody knows its hidden gem called Mnemba Island. Located on the north eastern side of Zanzibar, you’ll find this tropical archipelago just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the main island. And what a difference that distance makes! The welcome The welcome start from

Arriving at the Old Luxters Farmhouse at Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery this could be the Champagne region. Neat rows of vines growing on south-facing hills. Sun glinting on a white soil of limestone, marl and clay – with added minerality from 150-million-year-old oyster fossils. A chalky seam that swirls north-west from Chablis through the

A couple of years back, I guided five hikers along the Laugavegur. All of them were over seventy. All of them had been serious hikers their whole lives, the kind of people who knew what a multi-day trek was supposed to feel like. By the end of the trail, one of them had been pulled

It’s impossible not to be enticed by the dining scene in Kalkan, Turkey. Rich scents of mouthwatering dishes entice travellers whilst strolling narrow cobblestone roads. Patio-style seating spills out onto pedestrian walkways. And it’s not uncommon to be offered a sip of robust Turkish coffee whilst browsing family-owned boutique shops. Kalkan awakens the foodie inside

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