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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]