This month-by-month guide highlights the best holiday destinations for each season, from winter sun and summer villas to wildlife journeys, cultural trips and long-haul escapes, all chosen by our travel specialists for the time of year they work best. Whether you are looking for ideas for January, August or Christmas, explore our 2026 travel guide for expert inspiration on where to go each month.

Average temperature: 25 – 33 °C�� | Travel time from the UK: 14 -16 hours via US or Panama

Famous for its lush landscapes, abundant wildlife and warm, welcoming people, Costa Rica is an ideal destination for first-time visitors to Central or Latin America, especially in January when the dry season ensures sunny skies and perfect conditions for exploring.��

Over two weeks,��you’ll��stay on a charming coffee farm near the capital, explore the winding waterways of Tortuguero National Park, and wander through the misty cloud forests of Monteverde Reserve. Discover the spectacular Arenal National Park, home to the famous Arenal Volcano and a wide range of activities from zip-lining and river rafting to horseback riding and hiking, staying at the only hotel��located��inside the park itself.��

The journey concludes on the Pacific Coast at an eco-lodge overlooking the serene Golfo Dulce. Surrounded by��jungle��and the calm, warm waters of the bay,��it’s��the perfect place to unwind.����

How: 14 days from £5,850 per person. Discover the Classic Costa Rica itinerary.

Average temperature: 25 – 33 °C�� | Travel time from the UK: 14 -16 hours via Bangkok����

February is a good month to visit��Laos��and��Cambodia, with warm, dry weather, clear��skies��and comfortable temperatures perfect for river cruises, temple��explorations��and jungle adventures. Fly into Thailand and begin your adventure with two nights in Chiang Rai, a serene introduction to Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle. From here, embark on a leisurely cruise down the Mekong River into Laos, arriving in the atmospheric former royal capital of Luang Prabang. With its golden temples, saffron-robed monks and elegant French colonial charm, this UNESCO World Heritage city��remains��wonderfully preserved and surrounded by lush jungle and cascading waterfalls.��

Continue south to Pakse to explore the ancient Khmer temple complex of Wat Phou, a spiritual precursor to Angkor, before drifting among the tranquil islands of Si Phan Don – the “Four Thousand Islands” – where life moves to the rhythm of the river. Your journey concludes in Siem Reap, gateway to Cambodia’s legendary Angkor Wat. Here,��watch��the sun rise over the intricately carved spires of this vast temple city and uncover the mysteries of a��civilisation��lost to time, completing a journey rich in culture,��nature��and timeless beauty.��

How:��13 days from £7,000 per person. Discover the Classic Laos and Cambodia itinerary.

Average temperature: 10 -17°C�� | Travel time from the UK: Under 2.5 hours direct

A chic and sun-kissed escape��to��France, the Côte d’Azur in March offers blue skies, alfresco��lunches��and timeless elegance. Split your stay between Hôtel du��Couvent��in Nice and Hôtel����é�ٰ��DZ�DZ�����Monte-Carlo in Monaco for the perfect balance of��coastal charm and Riviera luxury. Start in Nice, wandering the Promenade des Anglais, exploring��colourful��markets and sipping rosé on sunny terraces. Then travel along the coast to Monaco, where the glittering��harbour, designer boutiques and refined dining await. The recently refurbished junior suites at the����é�ٰ��DZ�DZ�����add a fresh touch to this iconic address – ideal for indulgent R&R less than three hours from home.

How: 7 nights from £6,300 per couple. Including flights, private transfers, daily breakfast, accommodation in a Classic King Room at Hotel Du Couvent, A Luxury Collection Hotel and a Deluxe Room at Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo.

Average temperature:��5 – 15 °C�� | Travel time from the UK: 18 – 22 hours via Santiago��de��Chile����

April is a wonderful time to visit Chilean Patagonia – the crowds have thinned, the air is crisp and��clear��and the landscapes are transformed by autumn’s golden and fiery hues. With quieter trails and a sense of��tranquillity��across the national parks,��it’s��the perfect moment to explore some of the lesser-known paths on the fringes of Torres del Paine and beyond.��

Just��400��metres��from��Tierra Patagonia��lies the edge of Lago Sarmiento, one of the largest and most pristine lakes in Torres del Paine National Park – this is a boutique luxury refuge in one of the wildest places on Earth. A stroll along its sandy shores marks the beginning of your Patagonian adventure, where each day reveals a new natural wonder. Accompanied by expert guides, discover fascinating geological formations, encounter native wildlife and set out on unforgettable horse rides, scenic treks, and cycling expeditions through the park’s dramatic landscapes.��

After a day of exploration, return to your sustainably designed yet luxuriously comfortable hotel. Relax by the fireplace in a living space adorned with handcrafted local décor,��savour��exquisite regional cuisine, or unwind in the spa – complete with an indoor pool – as you watch the evening light fade over Patagonia’s rugged peaks.��

How: 4 nights from £5,770 per person with a night layover at Santiago. Including international and domestic flights, and accommodation at Tierra Patagonia.

Average temperature: 12 – 22 °C | Travel time from the UK: Approximately 12.5 hours����

May is a beautiful time to visit��South Korea, when mild temperatures, clear skies and vibrant spring blooms create the perfect setting to explore the country’s cultural and natural treasures. Over two weeks, journey through South Korea’s most captivating destinations and immerse yourself in its rich history, dynamic��cities��and celebrated cuisine.��

Begin��in��Seoul��bedding down at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, where ancient palaces and temples stand alongside contemporary architecture, bustling food��markets��and the historic Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Continue to��Andong, the spiritual heart of the country, to see South Korea’s largest temple, its longest wooden��bridge��and the UNESCO-listed��Hahoe��Folk Village, where traditional life continues much as it has for centuries.��

From there, travel to��Gyeongju��– once the capital of the Silla Kingdom – to explore its royal tombs,��pagodas��and archaeological treasures, before heading south to the coastal city of Busan, famed for its beaches and seafood markets. Conclude your journey on the��volcanic island of Jeju,��where dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and serene trails��showcase��the wild beauty of South Korea in full spring��colour��– staying at The Shilla Jeju.����

How:��14 days from £10,975 per person. Discover the Ultimate South Korea itinerary.��

Average temperature: 18 – 26 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 2 to 3 hours

is a very good June choice if you want the Balearics before high summer takes hold. The island is softer and quieter than its neighbours, with clear water, dry-stone countryside and a pace that feels immediately more relaxed. June is warm enough for long beach days and lunches outside, but still early enough to enjoy the island at its gentler best. Menorca is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which helps explain why it still feels so intact.

The Ultimate Villas collection here leans into that sense of place. is set on a 300-acre estate and brings together former farm buildings, stone walls and vaulted ceilings in a way that feels deeply connected to the island. sits within a private 210-hectare estate in southwest Menorca and has a large pool, landscaped gardens and a private path down to Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta. For larger groups, offers eight bedrooms, a saltwater pool and tennis court on a 160-acre estate near the south coast.

How: Speak to us about our Menorca villa collection, including characterful fincas and private estates close to some of the island’s most beautiful calas.

Average temperature: 20 – 28 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 13 hours to Tanzania, plus light aircraft and boat transfers

July is a wonderful month for this new Tanzania combination, pairing the raw drama of Ruaha with the softer rhythm of Pemba. It is a time of dry-season safari, when days are clear, wildlife viewing is strong and southern Tanzania feels at its most compelling. Rather than following a more familiar route, this itinerary combines one of the country’s more remote safari settings with a beach stay that feels properly away from it all.

Begin at Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha, where just seven spacious tented suites and a family unit look out towards the Mwagusi River. The camp has a particularly intimate feel, with panoramic views, a dramatic main lodge and experiences including game drives, walking safaris, the Rock House sleepout and hot air ballooning during the June to October season. It is a thoughtful choice for clients looking for a safari that feels both refined and genuinely wild.

From here, continue to Fundu Lagoon on Pemba, arriving by boat for a complete change of pace. The combination works especially well in July: a few days of early mornings and safari dust, followed by time to slow down by the ocean and make the most of the beach, the water and the sense of seclusion. It is an elegant bush-and-beach pairing, and one of the more distinctive Tanzania journeys to feature in the second half of the year.

How: Speak to us about the new Ikuka Safari Camp and Fundu Lagoon combination, valid from June 2026 to March 2027, with added-value benefits included.

Average temperature: 24 – 31 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 10 hours 30 minutes to Colombo

August is one of the most rewarding times to visit Sri Lanka, especially if you want to combine the island’s cultural heart with a few days by the sea at the end. The great sites of the Cultural Triangle still make a compelling place to begin, with Sigiriya, Dambulla and the ancient cities giving the journey real depth from the outset. From there, the route moves naturally into the cooler Central Highlands, where tea country, mountain roads and rail journeys shift the mood completely.

Our Ultimate Sri Lanka itinerary captures that range particularly well, taking in ancient monuments, Kandy, wildlife and the hill country in one well-paced journey. It is a strong choice for clients who want more than a single-centre beach holiday, and who are drawn to the island for its layered mix of history, landscape and wildlife.

For August, the strongest final note is the coast. At this time of year, Sri Lanka’s east coast comes into its own, with sunnier weather, warm seas and a more restful close to the trip. That seasonal contrast makes Sri Lanka such a good late-summer choice: a journey that begins among ancient sites and tea-covered hills, then ends with a few quieter days on the beach.

How: 15 days from £8,065 per person. Discover the Ultimate Sri Lanka itinerary.

Average temperature: 10 – 18 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 9 to 10 hours to Vancouver

September is a particularly good time to visit western Canada, when British Columbia begins to edge into autumn and bear viewing becomes especially dramatic. The forests start to shift in colour, the air feels clearer, and this is the period when bear viewing is at its most dramatic, with grizzlies drawn towards the salmon run before winter. It is a month that gives Canada a very particular sense of season, somewhere between wilderness adventure and the first quiet signs of autumn.

Our Ultimate Canada Bears itinerary is built around exactly that experience: seeing wild bears roaming freely in their natural habitat in one of the most beautiful landscapes in North America. Rather than treating Canada simply as a broad touring destination, this journey narrows the focus to one of its most memorable wildlife encounters, making it especially appealing for clients who want a trip shaped by place and season.

Gina Murray’s journal on bear viewing in Canada adds another layer to the story, explaining why British Columbia is such a compelling place to see black bears, grizzlies and even the rare white spirit bear, and why this period from late summer into early autumn is so rewarding. It helps position the trip not just as a holiday, but as a specialist-led wildlife journey grounded in real expertise.

How: 14 days from £13,500 per person. Discover the Ultimate Canada Bears itinerary, and read Gina Murray’s guide to bear viewing in Canada.

Average temperature: 20 – 30 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 15 hours to Baja California

By October, Baja California feels stripped back to its essentials: ochre desert, empty coastlines and the wildlife-rich waters of the Pacific. This is a very different vision of Mexico, shaped less by colonial towns and tropical beaches than by raw landscapes, marine life and a powerful sense of space. We love it for that contrast, and for the way the peninsula brings together desert, ocean and a sense of real distance.

Our whale-watching itinerary brings that wilder side of the region into focus, using Baja California’s extraordinary marine environment as the thread that ties the journey together. It offers a more elemental kind of Mexico, one defined by remote landscapes, shifting light and the feeling of being a long way from the familiar.

Jonny Livingstone’s journal adds another dimension, tracing Baja California through its vineyards, whale lagoons and wild coastlines. It helps show why this corner of Mexico feels so distinctive, not simply as a wildlife destination, but as a place where desert, ocean and a strong sense of remoteness all come together.

How: 14 days from £13,950 per person. Discover the Baja California Whale Watching itinerary, and read Jonny Livingstone’s guide to Baja California.

Average temperature: 8 – 17 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 14 hours to Tokyo

November suits Japan particularly well. The pace of the country seems to soften, the air turns cooler and clearer, and the season lends itself naturally to a journey shaped by ryokan stays, hot springs and time spent in gardens, markets and old neighbourhoods. Late November is also when autumn colour reaches places such as Kyoto, adding another layer to a trip already defined by atmosphere and detail.

Our new Ryokan Wanderings itinerary takes that mood as its starting point, moving from Tokyo into Japan’s traditional heartlands and using ryokan stays and onsen time to set the pace. After time in Tokyo, the journey continues to Kaga Onsen, with a guided day in Kanazawa visiting Kenroku-en, the castle grounds, Omichō Market and the Higashi Chaya district. From there it moves on to Kyoto, before finishing in Hakone with time to enjoy the onsen and, if the weather is clear, views towards Mount Fuji.

What makes Japan such a strong choice for November is the way the season works with this style of travel. It is a month for slowing down rather than racing through the headlines: tea, gardens, temple districts after dark and the restorative rhythm of a ryokan stay. This itinerary captures that especially well, giving Japan a more intimate and considered feel.

How: 11 days from £12,845 per person. Discover the Ryokan Wanderings itinerary.

Average temperature: -2 – 5 °C | Travel time from the UK: Around 19 to 22 hours to Ushuaia, plus your onward expedition voyage

December changes the scale of things. Antarctica at Christmas is not about festive gloss, but about ice, distance and the rare privilege of travelling to one of the most remote places on earth at the height of the austral summer. It is a journey that feels unlike anything else in the year: longer days, extraordinary light and a landscape defined by silence, wildlife and the sheer drama of the polar world.

Our Christmas in Antarctica itinerary begins with a night in Ushuaia before boarding an expedition ship and sailing south across the Drake Passage. From there, the focus is the Antarctic Sound, the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula, with daily plans shaped by sea, ice and weather conditions. Zodiac cruising, shore landings and opportunities to see penguins, whales, seals and seabirds all form part of the experience, giving the journey a sense of immersion rather than observation from a distance.

To support that, we also have two very good editorial reads that bring the experience to life from a more personal angle. “The Christmas They Cancelled for Antarctica” follows Madeline Lu and her family as they decide to trade their usual Christmas at home for an Antarctic voyage, while the family review adds Eva Lu’s perspective on what it actually felt like to experience Antarctica as a teenager, from the Drake Passage to Christmas on board.

What makes this such a striking December choice is the timing itself. The Christmas period is spent in Antarctica, continuing to explore with landings and Zodiac excursions planned around conditions, alongside the changing light and wildlife of the season. It is a bold way to end the year, and one that feels far removed from the familiar rhythms of December at home.

How: 14 days from £11,100 per person. Discover the Christmas in Antarctica itinerary.

Speak to one of our travel experts, each with first-hand knowledge of the destinations they specialise in, and let us create a tailor-made holiday shaped entirely around you. Whether you are drawn to winter sun, cultural discovery or more remote adventures, we will design something personal, considered and entirely your own.

Call +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.

The best sightings begin before you see anything. A good guide reads wind and light, tracks overnight movement, listens to radio traffic, then chooses a line that gives animals an open path. They position early, hold back when nervous herds stack at the bank, and leave once numbers build. It feels unhurried. It keeps the river calm.��

What you can control��

Timing. Use the shoulders around river season, or the Southern Serengeti calving months from January to March. Short grass, fewer vehicles, extraordinary behaviour.��

Operator. Choose teams that work in private conservancies or low density areas, that brief clearly, and that move on when a sighting gets crowded.��

Behaviour. Stay in the vehicle, keep voices low, do not block approaches, give the animals time, and let the guide call the moment to leave.��

Briefing. We talk you through river etiquette before you travel.��

Choice of place. We favour private conservancies and quiet corners wherever we can.��

Partners. We choose teams who take the rules seriously, and we change the plan or the partner if something is not right.��

Timing. We will plan for shoulder weeks or calving months if you would rather have space than crowds.��

On the day. We keep time short at busy sightings and never block an approach to the river.��

Accountability. We report poor behaviour to the right people on the ground.��

Rule one. Stay in the vehicle and keep voices low.��

Rule two. Do not crowd or channel animals at the river.��

Rule three. Keep distance and limit time when a sighting is busy.��

Rule four. Let your guide call the moment to move on.��

If a sighting gets crowded��

We reposition to give the animals an open path, reduce time on station, and move on. Your guide can return later or switch to a quieter area.��

If your heart is set on a crossing, we will plan for it with clear eyes. That means travelling with guides who position early, holding back when herds stack at the bank, and accepting that peak weeks are shared spaces. You trade a little control for the chance of a natural movement. If you prefer space and time, we will steer you to calving season or the shoulders, where behaviour is extraordinary and vehicles are fewer.��

“����’s also the responsibility of tour operators to help mitigate these issues. We have a duty to protect these fragile environments from the outset by guiding travellers toward responsible choices, recommending ethical operators on the ground, and helping them understand the impact of their decisions at the point of booking. At The Ultimate Travel Company we encourage travellers to consider alternative timings and locations. The Southern Serengeti during calving season offers an extraordinary migration experience with far fewer people, and lesser known migrations, such as the zebra movement in Botswana, are equally remarkable. With careful planning and responsible partners, it is still very possible to witness Africa’s wildlife in a way that is respectful, engaging and sustainable.” – Hamish Van Gruisen, Director at ����Vlog

Calving season, Southern Serengeti and Ndutu (January to March). A different kind of drama, wide horizons, lovely light and fewer vehicles. Calving also brings predators in numbers.��

Early and late shoulders to river season. Quieter banks, softer light, less radio chatter.��

Kenyan conservancies. Fewer beds and vehicle limits change the feel of a day, with the option to pop into the reserve when you need to.��

Southern and Western Tanzania. Pair Ruaha for predators with Nyerere for walking and boating. Add Katavi and Mahale for late dry season intensity followed by chimp trekking.��

Northern Kenya, Zambia and Botswana private concessions. Fewer vehicles, firmer guiding standards, room for patient viewing.��

Southern Tanzania and Zanzibar. A classic circuit that avoids the northern pinch points. Start in Ruaha, move to Nyerere for boating and walking, finish on the coast.��

Explore it: Southern Tanzania & Zanzibar��

Western Tanzania: Katavi and Greystoke Mahale. Late dry season drama on the floodplains, then boat across Lake Tanganyika for chimp trekking. Wild and quiet.��

Explore it: Western Tanzania��

An alternative to the Mara: Sosian, Northern Kenya. A private Laikipia ranch with a single lodge on a vast conservancy. Flexible activities and room to breathe.��

Discover it: Sosian Laikipia

Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan, Botswana. Zebra follow the rains from about December to March.��

Liuwa Plain, Zambia. Wildebeest sweep across wide grasslands in the late dry season into the first rains.��

Kasanka, Zambia. Millions of straw coloured fruit bats gather from late October to December.��

Every itinerary starts with three levers. Timing. Place. Format. Our Africa specialists live and work in the region and compare notes on each brief so you benefit from the whole team.��

Tania. Loves low density areas and guiding that gives wildlife room to move. She often nudges travellers to quieter regions in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and into remote parts of Tanzania when time allows. Pace, space and patient sightings are her priorities.��

Sophie Levey. Based in Nairobi and previously in Dar es Salaam. She helps you pick between calving months, early or late shoulders, or a conservancy base that balances access with space, then matches camps to your style.��

Cassie. Works across Southern and East Africa, including Kenya and Tanzania. She blends walking or boating with game drives so busy areas never feel rushed, choosing characterful camps that keep the focus on the bush rather than the car.��

Decide what you want to feel at the sighting.��

Be clear about your tolerance for crowds.��

Let us shape a plan that balances timing, place and camp style.��

We live and breathe these places. With the right timing, the right guides and a clear code of conduct, the Migration becomes what it should be: calm, generous and unforgettable.

Call +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.

The idea���徱���’t��arrive in a strategy meeting or over a long family debate. It appeared in a browser tab.

“I saw the title��Christmas in Antarctica��on your website,” Madeline remembers. “I just thought, how cool is that? Christmas in Antarctica.”��

Antarctica has sat at the top of their family bucket list for years. As a child, Madeline dreamed of one day standing on all seven continents. In her mind, Antarctica meant icebergs and a deep blue sea, penguins waddling along a shore at the far edge of the map, a place that felt almost unreal. If anywhere could coax them away from home at Christmas, it was always going to be here.��

She tested the idea at home, half expecting the usual resistance. In the past, even suggesting a few days away over Christmas had been met with firm refusals. Everyone wanted to stay.��

This time, it landed differently.��

“First��they said, ‘For real?’”��she��laughs. “Then it was a big, ‘Yeah, cool.’��We’re��quite an adventurous family. We like��travelling��to unique places. Once I heard that, I knew.”��

By March 2025, the voyage was booked. The family will fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, spend a night at��Arakur��Ushuaia Resort & Spa, then board��MS��Seaventure��for a��ten night��journey across the Drake Passage and into the Antarctic Sound, Weddell��Sea��and the peninsula. For four people who usually spend December around the same tree, they are suddenly planning to spend Christmas at what looks, on most maps, like the end of the world.��

When asked what she will not miss about a traditional Christmas, Madeline does not hesitate: the��logistics��and the mess. The constant shopping and cooking. The moving parts. She speaks about the season with affection, but there is clear relief at setting some of that aside, just for one year.��

She is equally relaxed about how it might look from the outside.��

“We don’t really care about what others think,” she shrugs. “We want to live the way we want.”��

They are not abandoning Christmas; they are shrinking it down to what matters most and taking that with them. A few small presents will be opened on Christmas Eve, as she did��growing��up in Germany. The real non-negotiable is the four of them being in the same place.��

“The most important thing is that we will be together.��That’s��the most precious thing.”��

Ten years from now, she hopes Eva and Samuel will remember this not as the year they “missed Christmas”, but as the year they “spent a very special Christmas together in one of the coolest destinations in the world” – and, if she is honest, as one of the best trips of their lives.��

For Madeline, Antarctica is exactly the kind of journey we mean when we talk about the��edge of ordinary: a place that takes effort to reach, where nature is in charge and the experience is less about ticking off sights than feeling what it is like to be there at all. Ice and wildlife set the rhythm; the weather has the final say. To stand in the middle of that with Alexander,��Eva��and Samuel at this point in their lives is what matters.��

The timing feels precise. Eva and Samuel are now teenagers, close enough to adulthood to understand how rare it is to set foot on the seventh continent, but still happy to travel alongside their parents. A��three week��school holiday suddenly gives enough space to do a voyage like this properly, rather than trying to cram it into a shorter window.��

Covid sits quietly underneath the decision.��

“It taught us that life is short and how precious time is,” Madeline says. “We want to travel to the places we really want to see most with the time we have.”��

Out of that has come a family rule of thumb.��

“From now on, we want to be more intentional with our travels. Our time and money are precious. We should only go to places that are really on our bucket list.”��

An Antarctic voyage at Christmas folds all of that together: a family rule about using their time well, a long-held dream and a decision to step just off their usual map.��It is their own edge of��ordinary.��

Day to day, the Lus are as plugged in as any modern family. Madeline and Alexander both work from home, moving between laptops and phones. Her photography and social media work live partly on digital platforms, so filming, posting and replying is woven into the week. Eva and Samuel do their homework online and stay connected to friends on their own devices. Even downtime tends to involve a screen, with a shared series or film in the evenings.��

AI has slipped into that picture,��largely as��a research tool. They rely on it enough to see how quickly it is reshaping the way people learn, but they keep a healthy��scepticism.��

“We are very aware of how AI has changed the way we learn, and very cautious with the answers it provides,” Madeline explains. “We prefer the real world and nature, so AI created digital content does not interest us.”��

That contrast – between a life mediated by screens and a place that feels resolutely physical – is part of Antarctica’s pull.��

“In a way, yes, the pace of digital life did influence us,” she admits. “We want to be more present and really be together. Ten days without the internet sounds like a dream.”��

She can already feel the difference: not feeling obliged to check news alerts or social feeds; fewer work calls for Alexander; no homework for Eva and Samuel. They are not setting strict rules about phones. The hope is less rigid, more human – that they will look up more often, pay attention, let Antarctica wash over them instead of trying to capture every��moment for��later.��

For a family whose work, school and downtime usually run through devices, vanishing off the grid for Christmas feels quietly radical.��

When Madeline lets her mind drift south, the images are vivid. White icebergs. A deep blue sea. Hundreds,��maybe thousands, of penguins waddling along the shore,��calling to��each other and, she jokes, creating “maybe even some unpleasant smells”.��She imagines the quiet too – that strange, layered silence you get when there are no crowds, just a ship easing through broken ice and the occasional crack as it shifts.��

She talks as much about texture and feeling as she does about views: the slight tilt of the ship under her feet; the way the wind will sting her cheeks; the weight of the parka on her shoulders. She is looking forward to the smaller, unscripted moments as much as the headline ones – kayaking together as a family towards a low island, standing on deck with cold fingers wrapped around a mug, watching the light change.��

She is realistic about Antarctica’s unpredictability. Wildlife is never guaranteed, even at the height of the season. That uncertainty feels like part of the point.��

Inevitably, thoughts come back to the Drake Passage. “The Drake Crossing,” she calls it. “Roughly four days there and back, all in.” There is a hint of nerves there. She has medication packed and has read her way through long threads of practical advice on how to cope with the swell. “Fingers crossed,” she adds, half joking, half serious.��

She thinks the reality of what they have chosen will��probably land��on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Those are the moments when the comparison with home will be clearest: no tree in the corner, no��last minute��rush to prep food, just steel-grey��water��and ice outside the window. Somewhere in there, she knows there will be a quieter kind of joy at not having to shop for a week’s worth of groceries or spend the day cooking and clearing away.��

Her note to her future self is simple: be present; be grateful; remember how it felt to stand in a place she had pictured for years, with Alexander,��Eva��and Samuel beside her.��

Journeys like this do not begin at the gangway. They begin months earlier in a trail of emails and calls about ships and dates, questions about safety, worries about seasickness, practical talk about school holidays and flights. Underneath it all sits a quieter conversation about what this time is supposed to feel like.��

When we first approached Madeline about a collaboration in Antarctica, her first thought was, “Is this for real?” This was not a destination she had ever filed under “maybe, one day”.��It sat firmly in the “dream” column. “Antarctica is on the top of our bucket list,” she wrote back.��

She also knew she did not want to build the trip alone from behind a screen. “Antarctica is��very special. We have zero experience,” she says. For that, she wanted someone who had been.��

Those conversations settled naturally around��Claire, one of our polar specialists. Claire has sailed to Antarctica twice, so her advice comes from memory as much as from maps. She��talked��the family through how the journey would unfold – domestic flights, embarkation, days at sea, landings by zodiac – and what to pack, not just in terms of clothing but in terms of expectations. Knowing that she had crossed the Drake herself, twice, was a quiet but important reassurance.��

The details that followed are the kind that rarely make it into glossy overviews but matter enormously to a family: a cabin layout that works for four, a departure date that fits the school calendar, how many nights to add before and after the cruise so they are not rushing in and out, a pace that leaves room to breathe. Claire laid out how they would reach the ship, what would happen once they were on board and how the days might roll once they crossed the Antarctic Convergence. As Madeline puts it, “She answered all the questions very well and addressed all the concerns that I have��whiles making it all rather enjoyable.”��

From her side, the planning has felt disconcertingly smooth. “Very easy and calm. Too easy, actually,”��she laughs. “Normally, I��have to��plan a lot myself before a trip to make sure I��don’t��miss anything. This time, Claire did all the��tremendous��work.”��

The app that gathers their itinerary in one place has only reinforced that feeling. It shows them what each day is meant to look like without the usual trail of PDFs and forwarded emails.��

If a friend said that Antarctica sounds incredible but also like a lot of work, Madeline’s answer would be honest but light. Yes, there is a lot going on behind the scenes – just not on her desk. “Claire and ����Vlog did all the planning,” she says. “All we��have to��do is show up and enjoy ourselves. If you have the time and the means to do it,��I’d��highly recommend doing it as soon as possible. Life is short. Why wait?!”��

From our side, this is what an��Edge of Ordinary��journey looks like in practice: a remarkable destination at the right moment, with the detail held quietly in the background so a family can focus on being there together.��

In the end, this is��not quite a��story about cancelling Christmas. It is a story about moving it. The��advent��candles, the markets and the familiar ornaments will still be there another year.��This December, the stockings are swapped for life jackets, the rustle of wrapping paper for the sound of penguins and ice.��

What does not change is the��centre��of it all. For Madeline, Alexander,��Eva��and Samuel, Christmas has never really been about the address on the front door or the exact food on the table. It has always been about being together and sharing time that feels precious. Antarctica, for all its distance from home, may turn out to be the clearest expression of that yet.��

We’ve created something that sits between a brochure and a keepsake: Ultimate Horizons, our new coffee table book. Through long-form editorial, it lingers on each destination and the way travel can change how you see the world.

This Antarctica journey is part of that same spirit – an invitation to explore where the edge of ordinary might be for you.

Ultimate Horizons is complimentary. If you’d like to receive your copy, simply fill in our submission form and we’ll take care of the rest. And if this story has sparked ideas for your own travels, you can also speak to our experts to start a conversation about what comes next.

Our tailor-made travel experts have put together a list of destinations that capture a similar sense of culture, heritage, history, atmosphere and overall bespoke experiences. Whether it is desert scenery, beach escapes, resort destinations or cultural journeys, our proposed travel alternatives are inspired by the Middle East, in different parts of the world.

For those captivated by vast deserts and secluded lodges, there are other destinations that offer a similar feeling in terms of adventure and space.

Morocco remains one of the closest options from the UK. From Marrakech, explorations into the Atlas Mountains and Sahara reveal desert camps, kasbahs and dune landscapes. Our itinerary ‘Trekking in the High Atlas’ captures this perfectly.

Namibia has one of the most striking deserts in the world. The dunes of Sossusvlei and the vast plains of the Namib Desert provide an experience comparable to Oman or Wadi Rum. It is also complemented by wildlife and ancient rock art in Damaraland. Our ‘Ultimate Namibia’ itinerary allows you to enjoy those impactful places.

Those who are drawn to luxury resorts in Abu Dhabi or Dubai may find resembling experiences in some places in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives, can be easily reached via major Asian hubs such as Singapore, remain one of the world’s most desirable island escapes due to its extraordinary natural beauty, exclusive resorts and exceptional experiences.

Thailand’s southern coast, particularly Phuket and nearby islands, offers excellent resorts paired with limestone landscapes and its vibrant culture with colourful festivals and distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture.

If you are captivated with historic cities and ancient trade routes, Uzbekistan is the ideal alternative. The Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva combine Islamic architecture, bazaars filled with colour, aromas and centuries-old cultural and trading traditions. Explore the magnificent, turquoise-domed architecture and rich cultural heritage in our ‘Uzbekistan: Treasures of the Silk Road’ Escorted Tour or as a bespoke journey.

For travellers inspired by the Maldives’ warm waters but reconsidering other destination, whilst searching for remarkable places with high-end resorts.

Mauritius blends Indian Ocean beaches with lush interiors and luxury resorts, offering refined coastal relaxation, turquoise lagoons and soft sands framed by mountain scenery from the Le Morne Brabant or Black River Gorges National Park.

Zanzibar pairs historic Stone Town with quiet beaches and dhow sailing along the coast, where shores with palms and elegant beachfront retreats create a tranquil island escape.

The combination of golden beaches with wildlife and tea country in the highlands only exists in Sri Lanka. The blend of laid-back beach towns like Tangalle and luxury seaside resorts represent an idyllic setting for total relaxation.

In Vietnam’s central coast you will find elegant beachfront luxury retreats and long stretches of sand, where calm waters and stylish coastal resorts create a polished beach escape close to Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary and Hue Imperial City.

For those looking to stay closer to home, several options within a few hours of London offer warm climates, rich history and diverse scenery.

Turkey combines remarkable historical sites like Hagia Sophia, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean coast and the unique rock formations of Cappadocia.

From the Moorish heritage and historic cities of Andalusia to the sun-drenched island escapes of the Canary and Balearic Islands, Spain is the perfect place that blends rich culture heritage and coastal beauty. And why not plan a villa holiday in Menorca, Mallorca or Ibiza with

Greece is an ideal destination for archaeology enthusiasts looking for relaxed coastal towns. Explore impressive ruins and historic sites before unwinding in charming seaside villages, enjoying traditional tavernas and a slower pace of life.

French Polynesia delivers remote island beauty that rivals the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated destinations like Maldives or Seychelles. Some travellers find it even more appealing because of its volcanic islands, waterfalls, Polynesian culture and more remote, exotic feel in the South Pacific.

For travellers seeking modern resort destinations akin to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the Caribbean provides idyllic beaches and exceptional hotels, with St. Barths, Antigua and the Turks and Caicos offering sophisticated retreats set along pristine shores.

Furthermore, Mexico offers a similarly compelling mix of culture and luxury beach escapes, from the Riviera Maya’s white-sand Caribbean coastline to the Baja California Peninsula around Los Cabos, where desert landscapes meet golden beaches and world-class resorts along the Sea of Cortez. Read our blog ‘Baja California: Vineyards, Whales and Wild Horizons’ for inspiration to plan a bespoke journey with us.

From the terraces of Machu Picchu to the sweeping landscapes of the Colca Canyon, Peru offers the same sense of awe that travellers often associate with Petra and the deserts of the Middle East.

Airlines are constantly reviewing their flight paths and adjusting routes when necessary. For travellers heading to the east from London, there are several options that allow journeys to Asia through major international hubs and avoiding the current affected region.

Our team has researched the most common routes currently used, as shown below.

Northern Routes via Europe

For destinations in Japan, South Korea and northern parts of China, northern European connections offer a straightforward option to places as Tokyo or Seoul. These routes pass through established transit hubs and often add little additional travel time.

Airlines operating these routes include:

• Finnair via Helsinki
• LOT Polish Airlines via Warsaw and
• Turkish Airlines via Istanbul

Example itineraries:

• London → Helsinki → Tokyo
• London → Warsaw → Seoul

For this route, our Japan travel experts recommend our itinerary ‘Ryokan Wanderings‘ with ryokan stays, ��onsen experiences and a Kanazawa & Kyoto guided tour.

Speak with one of our tailor-made travel experts to recommend alternative destinations and create a holiday shaped around your interests.

Call +44 (0) 203 8132 555 or make an online enquiry.

Jonny often recommends starting in Valle de Guadalupe, an hour and a half south of the U.S.–Mexico border. Known as “the Napa of Mexico,” this rugged valley produces over 70 percent of the country’s wine. The Mediterranean-style climate, shaped by Pacific breezes and arid heat, favours varietals like Nebbiolo and Tempranillo.

A visit might begin at L.A. Cetto, one of Mexico’s oldest wineries, recognised for its award-winning Nebbiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon. By contrast, Bruma offers a contemporary approach, combining striking architecture, sustainable practices, and creative blends. Gravel crunches underfoot between the rows of vines, leading to long lunches at Fauna and evenings at vineyard-view retreats such as Banyan Tree Valle de Guadalupe, where Asian-inspired wellness blends with the stillness of the desert.

“You can still feel like a pioneer here,” Jonny says. “Every winery visit feels personal, not polished for the crowds.” Despite its quality, the valley remains largely unknown outside wine circles, a place where discovery still feels authentic. From here, the journey turns south, the neat vineyard lines giving way to open desert.

For Jonny, this is the most moving part of the itinerary, a meeting point between people and one of the ocean’s great migrations. San Ignacio Lagoon is one of the few places on Earth where gray whales initiate interaction with humans. Between January and April, thousands of Eastern Pacific gray whales complete a 10,000-mile migration from Arctic feeding grounds to calve in these calm, UNESCO-protected waters.

Encounters happen on the whales’ terms: a spyhop beside the boat, the salt tang of a calf’s exhale, the coarse texture of barnacled skin. Conservation rules limit the number of boats in the lagoon at any time, and tours are run by local guides whose knowledge is rooted in generations of living with the whales. Nights at solar-powered eco-camps such as San Ignacio Whale Camp mean sleeping in canvas tents warmed by the day’s sun, sharing meals of local seafood, and watching the night sky unspoiled by artificial light.

“����’s not just about seeing whales,” Jonny says. “����’s about feeling part of a place where nature still sets the rules.”

The road continues along the coast to La Paz, a city with a relaxed rhythm and a waterfront promenade. From here, boats head to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with turquoise coves and white-sand beaches. Days are spent snorkeling among sea lions, kayaking through sea caves, and floating in clear shallows where schools of fish move like quicksilver beneath the surface.

The Sea of Cortez, described by Jacques Cousteau as “the world’s aquarium,” holds more than 900 species of fish and 32 species of marine mammals. Between October and April, whale sharks can be seen feeding just offshore. This marine wealth remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.

The final stretch leads to Todos Santos, a Pueblo Mágico where life moves at a measured pace and artistic energy is visible on every street. The smell of roasting coffee drifts from corner cafes, galleries display the work of local painters, and surfers gather at Playa Cerritos.

In Los Cabos, the desert ends abruptly at the sea, cliffs and rock formations catching the low evening light. “����’s such a fitting finale,” Jonny says, “because Baja is all about these moments where land, sea, and people meet in unexpected ways.”

For Jonny Livingstone, Baja California is more than a destination. “This is the essence of Baja – it stays with you long after you’ve left,” he says. It is a place where wine, wildlife, and wide-open landscapes combine in ways that are hard to find elsewhere. Discover how to experience it for yourself with our Baja California itinerary.

Speak to Jonny Livingstone, our Polar & Latin America Specialist, to begin planning your journey through Baja California or beyond. Call +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.

Wahyu Kelsall:��When you first heard “Antarctica” mentioned at home, what did you picture?

Eva Lu:��A white wasteland. An exclusive part of the world where all there was��was��the whistling wind and endless��kilometres��of snow and ice, with the white and black huddles of penguins.

It is a clean, cinematic image of Antarctica, a destination as a concept rather than a place.

Wahyu Kelsall:��Before you went, did you feel like you had a say��in��the trip, or did it feel like a��parent��decision you were brought into?

Eva Lu:��I was excited��for��it.��We’re��quite an adventurous family, and Antarctica has been on our bucket list for a long time.

There it��is,��quietly. Not a teenager being dragged along, but a teenager already invested.

Wahyu Kelsall:��What did you know about the continent before going, and what surprised you most once you were there?

Eva Lu:��I knew the small tidbits: it was the coldest, windiest, and highest desert. I was��immediately��surprised by the vibrancy. The electric blue of the ice, the pungent smell of the penguins (along with their noise), and the cliffs scattered with greens and oranges.

Eva does not soften the edges. Antarctica, in her��telling, is not only beautiful. It is loud in the wrong moments, it smells like wildlife, and it has��colour��you do not expect until you see it.

Wahyu Kelsall:��What does travel mean to you right now?

Eva Lu:��An escape from the usual routine of school.��Essentially��it’s��the ultimate perspective shift, from taking the same trains and buses every day, seeing the same lake, to unique environments and cultures.

Eva measures a trip less by how impressive it sounds and more by how far it pulls you from your usual life, and how differently you see things afterwards.

Wahyu Kelsall:��How did you imagine spending Christmas before this trip, and how did that expectation change once you were on the ship?��

Eva Lu:��Christmas usually includes the smell of cookies and the large tree in the corner. On the ship, the “tree” was parked on the side of the stage with plastic��needles��and the cookies were the ones you took from the glass jar.��

There is a teenager’s honesty in that comparison. It is not sentimental. It is an inventory of what is missing.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��So��did it feel like Christmas?��

Eva Lu:��While Christmas��wasn’t��exactly “Christmas”,��it allowed the shift from the anticipation of getting things to instead��witnessing��things.��

A neat reversal, and one that only really works in a place where the usual cues do not apply.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��How did it feel to celebrate Christmas somewhere so far from home? Which moments stand out most clearly now?��

Eva Lu:��It was definitely memorable.��You��couldn’t��even call it Christmas Eve and day since the sun���徱���’t��set. It felt strange, to say the least. It���徱���’t��really feel like Christmas, especially when my brother and I got a call from the cabin telephone (ancient technology) to come to my parents’ cabin for presents.��

That detail lands with the precision of a memory you cannot manufacture: a Christmas��summons��delivered via a cabin phone, while daylight refuses to move on.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What part of the journey did you look forward to most?��

Eva Lu:��I was looking forward to the Drake Passage the most. There is something poetic about having to cross a great stretch of aggressive water to get to “the end of the earth”.��

That is the pre-trip version. Poetic, dramatic, a rite of passage.��

Here is the post-trip version.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What was the Drake Passage actually like?��

Eva Lu:��I��wasn’t��sea sick, but I was sick of the sea. The constant motion���徱���’t��make me nauseous, but it annoyed me constantly.��It was definitely calmer than expected, but the waves will get old after a day or two.��

It is hard to think of a more teenage review, and it is exactly why this perspective matters.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What is one thing you would tell another teenager who is about to do a trip like this?��

Eva Lu:��Be prepared��for having��no internet. For ten days, it gets��pretty boring��when you have the stark change from being able to��access the internet at all times��to being cut off from your friends and the rest of the world. My advice? Downloading movies is your new best friend.��

Adults often frame “disconnecting” as virtuous. Eva frames it as real. Sometimes��it’s calming. Sometimes��it’s��boring. Both can be true.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What kept you entertained on sea days?��

Eva Lu:��With not being able to access the internet, it became��a good time��to spend some time alone. And of course I mean watching downloaded movies until my eyes��got��sore, but I am totally joking. I brought along a couple of books to read, along with my music. Going to one of the lounges on the cruise and reading for a couple��hours��was very relaxing and helped the constant motion get out of my head.��

This is where kidfluence stops being a headline and becomes practical. Teenagers know what makes a trip workable from the inside. Not just where to go, but how to live it.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��If you could describe Antarctica in three sensory details, what would they be? A sound,��a smell, and��a feeling.��

Eva Lu:��When we were on the water in the kayaks, the constant sound of my dad’s paddle hitting the water and the lack of mine. With the occasional cracking of the��ice��that made me think the world was going to end.��

Eva Lu:��I wish I could say the most memorable smell was the freshness in the morning, instead of the pungent smell of the penguins. It was really an experience��on��the senses.��

Eva Lu:��The obvious feeling is the cold. The harsh wind when��you’re��on the��zodiacs��attacks you everywhere.��

Antarctica is not only a view.��It is sound and smell and weather.��It is the kind of place that refuses to stay abstract.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What is one thing you packed that turned out to be essential, and one thing you did not need at all?��

Eva Lu:��My sweatpants. Staying on a ship for ten days definitely��required��comfort, warmth, and looking semi-alive. Walking around in��pyjamas��would be a cry for help. Bringing fancy clothes was a waste of space. My “nice” shoes never left my suitcase, and my legs would surely freeze if I even thought about wearing a skirt.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��What would you recommend packing for a Christmas trip to Antarctica?��

Eva Lu:��Layers. Pack enough until you��believe��yourself to be a human onion. And��don’t��forget the essentials: sunglasses, a warm hat, and thick socks. The first couple of days I underestimated the weather, which meant very cold toes throughout the day.��

Advice from cold toes is always better than advice from the internet.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��Do you think Antarctica is a good place to spend Christmas away from home?��

Eva Lu:��Yes, but only once. I��don’t��think I will ever regret that Christmas away from home because it was such a unique experience. On the other hand, I��don’t��think I will ever return to Antarctica during Christmas. There are more places to see, and if I return to Antarctica, I would like to experience the other seasons.��

It is a clean, forward-looking answer. One adventure does not need to become a tradition to be worth doing.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��Can people still bring gifts and celebrate in a traditional way onboard?��

Eva Lu:��Yes, take��notes��parents. Give gifts to your children.��Don’t��let the fact that you are on an adventure of a lifetime stray from the fact that it is still Christmas. Christmas is where you are.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��Did the ship feel festive?��

Eva Lu:��The halls were decorated. They could never match the Christmas spirit of home, but it was amazing how much effort they put in.��

Wahyu Kelsall:��From your perspective, did it feel safe and suitable for teenagers?��

Eva Lu:��The cruise felt safe, but it���徱���’t��baby us. We were treated just like any adult.��

Madeline’s version of this story starts with a parent making a brave call: moving Christmas somewhere that barely feels real until you see it. Eva’s version lands differently.������’s��not about the spectacle.������’s��about what��actually changes��when you take the familiar away and��what’s��left when you do.��

And in a place like��Antarctica, where Christmas��can’t��be staged, that shift from getting to��witnessing��becomes the whole point.��

Maybe that’s��the simplest way to explain��kidfluence. Teenagers��don’t��just influence where a family goes next. They influence whether the trip works once��you’re��there.��

We’ve created something that sits between a brochure and a keepsake: Ultimate Horizons, our new coffee table book. Through long-form editorial, it lingers on each destination and the way travel can change how you see the world.

This Antarctica journey is part of that same spirit – an invitation to explore where the edge of ordinary might be for you.

Ultimate Horizons is complimentary. If you’d like to receive your copy, simply fill in our submission form and we’ll take care of the rest.

Bear viewing in��British Columbia��runs from��June��to��October. The experience changes subtly but decisively as the season unfolds, and��Gina��plans trips around that rhythm.��

Earlier in the season, particularly in��June��and��July, you can head out onto the estuary by boat, scanning the shoreline for��black bears��and��grizzlies��that wander down to feed on sedges and shellfish outside the spawning period. It feels quietly exploratory,��almost like��tracking: following tide lines, watching the edges of the forest, reading the wind.��

As the salmon spawning season begins, the famous salmon run (typically from��September��to��mid-October) everything tightens into focus. This is��peak season. Most lodges open viewing platforms above the best stretches of river, where bears gather to fish. From these wooden walkways, you can watch��grizzlies��step into the current, swipe for salmon and feast, all while keeping a respectful distance and prioritising safety.��

“For me, the sweet spot is��September��to��mid-October,”��Gina��explains. “You have the salmon, the bears on the rivers and the forest turning to spectacular autumn colours. It is when everything comes together.”��

Great Bear Lodge��is open from��May��to��October, so it suits different points in the season.��Indigenous-owned and -led Spirit Bear Lodge, however,��operates��for a shorter window in��2026, from��August��to��mid-October, which is why our pricing is based on travel in��August. This is when��good weather, active wildlife and time on the water balance best.��

Tiny changes tell��Gina��the moment has come: the first blush of fall colour on the hillside above the inlet, the flicker of salmon in shallower water, the sudden appearance of��eagles��and��gulls��over a particular bend in the river. Quiet signals, all of them, that bears will not be far behind.��

Great Bear Lodge��sits deep in the rainforest, a floating lodge moored where an ocean fjord meets a productive salmon river. With just��eight guest rooms, it feels more like a private base camp than a hotel, designed to leave the focus firmly on the wildlife rather than the walls.

You reach it by��floatplane��from��Port Hardy, a��30-minute flight��that peels away from the last town and follows inlets and islands into the wilderness. The journey is a spectacular��adventure in itself, travelling��above the��central coast’s breathtaking scenery and the rich waters of��Queen Charlotte Strait, home to��orca,��grey��and��humpback whales. The pilot sets you down on the water right beside the lodge and taxis up to the dock.

Days here fall into an easy pattern. Early starts see you out on the river or in the estuary in search of��grizzlies, with naturalist guides positioning you at discreet distances where you can watch without intrusion. As the salmon run builds later in the season, sessions on raised viewing platforms come into play, letting you settle in, listen to the��river��and wait.

Evenings are unhurried: a shared dinner, a short talk on bear behaviour or local ecology,��perhaps a��check outside before bed, just in case a bear wanders past the shoreline as the light drains away.

If��Great Bear Lodge��is your intimate grizzly outpost,��Spirit Bear Lodge��is the cultural heart of the journey. It sits in the small community of��Klemtu, on the traditional territory of the��Kitasoo��Xai’xais��and neighbouring��Gitga’at��peoples, and��is owned and led by the��Kitasoo��Xai’xais��Nation. It has become a model for��Indigenous-led, conservation-based ecotourism in the region.

The lodge itself is fronted with wide windows facing the water, drawing the landscape into the great room where guests gather to eat and compare notes at the end of each day. But it is what happens just after you arrive that stays with most people.

“Upon arrival at��Spirit Bear Lodge, guests receive a welcome orientation and are greeted by local guides,”��Gina��explains. “Then they attend a unique cultural welcome at the traditional��Big House, which symbolises community, strength, family and resilience.”

Carved poles, cedar,��drumming��and song set the tone. This is not a place where wildlife is detached from human stories. The days that follow weave boat journeys through the inlets with visits to cultural sites and evenings of storytelling, building an understanding of the land as well as its bears.

If there is one creature that people whisper about long before they arrive, it is the Spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear. It is a black bear carrying a rare recessive gene that gives it white or cream-coloured fur. Unlike an albino animal, it usually has a brown nose and eyes, and in the soft light of the forest it can appear almost golden.��

For a long time, the Spirit bear lived more in story than in science for visitors. Among the��Gitga’at��and��Kitasoo/Xai’xais��peoples, one story tells of the time when the glaciers receded and Raven, creator of the rainforest, made one in ten black bears white as a living reminder of the age when the land lay under ice and snow. Many��Kitasoo/Xai’xais��people believe Spirit bears hold powers beyond the ordinary, which adds a layer of respect and restraint to every encounter.��

On the ground, that mythology translates into very practical ethics. Guides are careful about how they position groups, how long they stay and how they move. Sightings are never guaranteed, and you are reminded of that from the start. Recent research suggests there may be only around a hundred Spirit bears left in the world, many of them in this corner of British Columbia, which only adds to the sense that to even look for one is a privilege.��

For some guests, the most powerful moments come without a white bear at all: hours spent on a river in soft rain, watching black bears fish, listening to guides share stories about the land and their efforts to protect it. Others are lucky enough to see a pale shape step out of the trees, pause at the water’s edge and wade into the current. Either way, the pursuit itself – patient, respectful, guided by local knowledge – is what stays with you.��

When��Gina��talks about her most heart-stopping bear sightings, she does not reach for statistics or superlatives. She starts with a family.��

“There is something about watching a mother and her cubs play together that never really leaves you,” she says. “The way she keeps half an eye on them while she fishes. The cubs testing their boundaries, getting bolder, then bolting back to her when they realise how strong the current is.”��

These are the scenes that sit between the brochure images: a cub climbing a fallen log and sliding off the other side; a young bear standing to sniff the air, undecided; a sudden shake of thick fur that sends water in every direction. They are not scheduled moments. They happen because you have stayed still long enough, in the right place, with the right people.��

Behind every sighting is a mesh of��expertise. At both lodges, guides combine training in ecology and photography with the traditional and local knowledge of��First Nations��communities. Their role is part naturalist, part storyteller and part quiet guardian.

“The guides make a huge effort to bring the place to life for visitors,”��Gina��says. “They interpret the natural history, choose the best places for wildlife viewing and share their experiences and traditional stories.”

They read tide charts and salmon movements, know where the bears prefer to feed at different points in the season and understand how light and distance affect both the animals and your photographs. Many are skilled photographers themselves, so they can advise guests on how to work with the conditions rather than fight them.

One of��Gina’s favourite guiding tips is disarmingly simple: do not chase the shot. Find a good, stable position, keep your camera at eye level, set it to continuous��shooting��and watch with both eyes open. “The best images come when you are really looking,” she says. “If you are glued to the screen, you miss the behaviour that makes the picture.”

For all the focus on bears, the supporting cast in the��Great Bear Rainforest��would be reason enough to travel. On the journeys between viewing��areas��you have a good chance of seeing��whales��and��dolphins, sometimes��porpoises��riding the bow wave,��seals��hauled out on rocks and��bald eagles��perched above the water. At certain times,��wolves��move along the shoreline, their shapes briefly visible between the trees. An abundance of smaller birdlife threads through every day.

Then there is the moment that, for��Gina, has nothing to do with wildlife at all. It happens on the��floatplane��flight over the rainforest, when the settlements fall away and an expanse of islands, fjords and forest takes over the map.

“The sheer vastness of that remote wilderness is breathtaking,” she says. “You see just how much space these animals have, and how small you are in the middle of it. It is a very grounding way to start or end a trip.”

After years of sending clients – and travelling herself – through this part of��Canada,��Gina��has refined her own packing list and planning rules.��

One item you will not find on a standard packing list��
“Tea bags. I need them to be��Yorkshire Gold,” she laughs. “After a full day out in the rain and wind, there is nothing more comforting than a proper English cup of tea back at the lodge.”��

One mistake first-timers often make��
“Trying to do too much, too fast.��Canada��is huge and so are some of the driving distances. If you rush from city to mountains to rainforest without any down time, you will come home needing another holiday. Build in time to slow down, especially around the lodges. This is not a ‘tick five things in five days’ kind of trip.”��

One photography trick she wishes every guest knew��
“Learn how to steady yourself,” she says. “Brace your elbows against the railing, keep your feet planted and use a slightly faster shutter speed than you think you need. It makes more difference than the lens you are using. And then remember to put the camera down now and again. You are here to be present, not just to collect pictures.”��

Route:��Great Bear Lodge and Spirit Bear Lodge in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest��alongside Vancouver city.

Season:��Bear viewing June to October, with salmon spawning season and viewing platforms typically��September to��mid October

Spirit Bear Lodge 2026 opening:��August to��mid October

Trip price:��From��£13,500 per person, excluding international flights, based on travel in��August 2026

Wildlife:��Grizzly bears, black bears, a chance of Spirit bears, plus whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals,��wolves��and rich birdlife

To plan your own bear season in Canada, speak to our��Canada specialists. Gina can help you read the season, choose the right weeks for the salmon��run��and design a journey that leaves room for the unscripted moments that make these lodges so special.��

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “When is the best time to travel to Asia?”, the answer might just be: right now. With borders wide open, luxury offerings on the rise, and our up-and-coming Ultimate South Korea itinerary and The Silk Road in Uzbekistan itinerary is shaping up to be a golden era for travel across the continent. Whether you’re drawn to ancient temples or cutting-edge cities, there’s never been a better moment to embark on your own tailor-made journey through Asia.

If you’re chasing the mystique of centuries-old temples, sacred mountains and storied cities, Asia delivers like nowhere else. This year, many cultural sites are more crowd-free than pre-pandemic levels, offering the kind of peace and intimacy that’s hard to come by in peak years.

Discover the enduring spirit of ancient Asia as you journey through Japan, from buzzing Tokyo and historic Kanazawa to the traditional streets of Takayama, Kyoto’s timeless temples, and the sacred landscapes of Hiroshima and Miyajima, all seamlessly woven together in our Classic Japan itinerary.

Explore Angkor Wat at sunrise in rare tranquillity, as soft morning light illuminates its ancient towers, before taking in the refined elegance of Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s most revered temple, all seamlessly combined in our Classic Laos & Cambodia journey.

Delve into the spiritual heart of timeless Asia as you explore Bhutan’s sacred temples and fortress-like dzongs set against the dramatic Himalayan landscape, with time in Kathmandu and a culminating hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest on our Ultimate Bhutan voyage.

With our tailor-made holidays, you’ll be guided by experts deeply immersed in the traditions of classical Asia, offering profound cultural insight and flawlessly curated journeys.

On the flip side, modern Asia is setting global standards in architecture, gastronomy and technology wrapped up in impeccable service.

Experience modern Asia in style with our Peninsula Malaysia itinerary combining futuristic Singapore, vibrant Kuala Lumpur, historic Malacca, the tea-rich Cameron Highlands and the luxury beaches of Langkawi.

From Bangkok’s bold modern energy to Chiang Mai’s misty hills and temple-filled charm, our Ultimate Thailand journey ends in style with barefoot luxury on Yao Noi’s serene beaches.

With Middle Eastern airlines expanding their networks and launching new routes to more remote and intriguing destinations such as Penang in Malaysia, Chennai and Kochi in southern India, accessing Asia’s less-travelled corners has never been easier.

These new connections open the door to more authentic and off-the-beaten-path experiences, far from the usual tourist trails, while still enjoying the comfort and efficiency of world-class carriers. Whether you’re looking to explore coastal spice towns, lush highland retreats or hidden cultural enclaves, the journey is now smoother, more seamless, and more exciting than ever.

Plus, with favourable exchange rates and off-peak pricing in select months, you’ll get more value from every detail especially on longer, multi-country itineraries.

Across the region, there’s a clear push for travel that’s lighter on the planet and richer in experience. Stay at eco-luxury lodges in Sri Lanka or opt for rail travel between heritage cities in India. These experiences aren’t just good for the planet, they’re some of the most rewarding journeys you can take. Fuel your wanderlust and explore our Ultimate Sri Lanka and Ultimate Southern India itineraries.

Asian hospitality is renowned for its warmth, grace and attention to detail and nowhere is this more evident than in the region’s remarkable range of places to stay. Whether you’re checking into an opulent Four Seasons suite overlooking Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, immersing yourself in the world-renowned wellness sanctuary of Ananda in the Himalayas, or unwinding at the beautifully restored Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh Reservoir in Sri Lanka, the service is intuitive and personal throughout. From globally acclaimed luxury to charming one-of-a-kind stays, Asia offers something for every traveller, always delivered with a sense of care that makes you feel truly welcome.

Asia is in a moment of beautiful balance where the past and future coexist, where exclusivity meets accessibility. Waiting could mean missing out on that sweet spot. Whether you’re craving adventure, culture, cuisine or complete relaxation, the door is open now. And our experts are here to help you step through it.

It all starts with a conversation.

British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Malé; no stopovers or complicated connections.������’s��as straightforward as any long-haul journey gets with a young child. Overnight out and day back also gives you a chance to��hone in on��both your getting-to-bed and daytime entertainment skills.��

The Maldives is just five hours (six hours if on “island time”) ahead of the UK, and although the difference sounds significant, little ones tend to adapt quickly. We ended up shifting Theo’s sleep (16 months during our visit) by three hours, so we could all eat together (9am breakfast, 2pm lunch, 7.30pm dinner).��It worked really well for us, but of course every child is different.��

Once you touch down, you are quickly whisked away to your island. Transfers are wonderfully smooth, either by seaplane, which feels like a thrilling��mini-adventure��for kids as they fly over coral atolls, or by speedboat or yacht, which is perfect for families and kids who have spent long enough confined to a plane seat. Everything is handled for you, and the journey itself is part of the holiday.��

For multi-generational trips, this ease really matters. Parents and grandparents��aren’t��negotiating multiple airport changes, and everyone arrives on the island with enough energy left to enjoy that first barefoot walk on the sand.��

What makes the Maldives such a great family destination is how easy and natural it all feels. The climate is warm��year-round, but��never overwhelming. Beaches are soft and safe for toddlers to play on, and the shallow lagoons are ideal for paddling,��floating��and spotting��colourful��fish just��metres��from shore.��

The Maldivian people are also famously kind and��family-oriented. Children are welcomed��everywhere��and nothing ever feels like a chore. Staff genuinely love engaging with kids, and it makes all the difference.��

Even the simplest experiences in the Maldives become unforgettable. You do not need to��organise��complicated outings: just step into the lagoon and you will find yourself surrounded by fish,��rays��and coral gardens. Many resorts, including��Vakkaru��and the Waldorf Astoria (which I will mention further later), have house reefs accessible straight from the beach, so even small children can experience the underwater magic safely.��

Watching your child see a reef for the first��time, or��feeding fish from the jetty with grandparents by their side, becomes the kind of shared memory that anchors a whole family holiday.��

Simple journeys: Direct flights and seamless transfers mean��toddlers,��parents and grandparents arrive with minimal stress.��

Everything��close��by: No long walks or busy roads, just paths,��buggies��and beaches, so older relatives can join in as much or as little as they like.��

Safe, shallow water: Calm lagoons and soft sand are ideal for little ones and reassuring for older family members keeping watch.��

Space to be together (and apart): Villas and residences give everyone room to spread out, with shared terraces and pools for time together.��

For us, a typical day with 16-month-old Theo looked something like this:��

Breakfast together at 9am, with Theo happily eating fruit and pancakes as we planned the day. A slow walk to the beach, where he spent the morning digging in the sand and paddling in water so shallow even the most cautious grandparent would relax. After lunch around 2pm, it was nap time in the cool of the villa while we escaped outside, relaxed back at the villa, or made use of one of the island babysitters to head out for a mid-afternoon snorkel. Late afternoon meant another swim or a gentle splash in the pool before a��sundowner��drink and snack, then an early family dinner at 7.30pm under a beautiful starry night. It all felt wonderfully unhurried. No big excursions to rush for, just easy moments stitched together by sunshine and sea.��

If you are looking for a luxury family-friendly resort,��Vakkaru��Maldives is hard to beat. It strikes the perfect balance between barefoot luxury and genuine warmth, with not another island in sight. Built within an old coconut plantation,��it’s��a magical haven with natural shade and lush greenery that makes the island feel beautifully peaceful and protected from the sun.��

What really sets��Vakkaru��apart is the staff. They have a wonderful way of connecting with children, not just in the kids’ club but everywhere. Whether it is chatting with them at breakfast, helping them build sandcastles on the beach, or keeping an eye out as they splash in the pool, the team makes families feel completely at ease.��It means parents can actually relax, enjoy that long lunch, read a book by the pool or sneak in a spa treatment without worry.��

For multi-generational groups, the service is naturally attentive to everyone, from small personal touches to remembering everyone’s coffee order at breakfast. Add in spacious villas, excellent dining options and one of the most beautiful house reefs in the Baa Atoll, and you have a resort that makes family travel feel effortless.��

Where budget is not a concern, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives��Ithaafushi��is a true showstopper. The villas are enormous, with plenty of space for families, and the island has a wonderfully private, exclusive feel.���۴dz�’r����collected from Malé by luxury yacht for the 40-minute transfer, and with champagne served��en��route, it does not get much more indulgent than this. The food is outstanding, with a choice of world-class restaurants that make every meal feel like an occasion.��

What really stands out is how the team goes the extra mile to tailor everything to each family. For us, with an energetic toddler, they baby-proofed the entire water villa, meaning we could enjoy the idyllic Maldivian overwater experience without worrying about Theo.������’s��a small detail that completely transformed the experience for us.��

They also host family movie nights on the beach under the stars, and gentle��snorkelling��trips that even the youngest guests can enjoy (although��probably not��quite Theo-young), making it a place that genuinely offers something special for everyone. Older children can roam a little��further��and parents have the rare luxury of space and time.��

Soft sand underfoot: Perfect for wobbly walkers and bare feet, with no sharp shells or pebbles to worry about.��

Shallow, clear lagoons: Ideal for paddling, bobbing��about on��floats and spotting fish right at the shoreline.��

Helpful, family-minded staff: From heating bottles to finding forgotten toys, nothing is too much trouble.��

Baby-proofing��and equipment: Resorts can often provide cots, highchairs and, as we found at Waldorf, extra��baby-proofing��in villas. Just ask in advance.��

The Maldives is one of those rare places where parents can unwind and kids are endlessly entertained, all without queues,��crowds��or chaos. With direct flights, smooth transfers, warm seas, caring��staff��and world-class family resorts like��Vakkaru��and the Waldorf Astoria, it is an easy and enriching escape for families with toddlers and young children.��

For multi-generational trips, it ticks even more boxes: simple journeys, safe beaches, villas with space for everyone, and activities that work from toddlers to grandparents. It feels like a proper break for the whole family, not just a change of scenery with the same daily juggle.��

If it’s inspired you to travel with little ones or bring the whole family together, speak to our specialists. They know the Maldives inside out and can match you with the right resort and villa set-up, sharing first-hand, tried-and-tested advice on everything from transfers and meal plans to kids’ clubs and family-friendly excursions.

Costa Rica is emerging as one of the most exciting travel destinations for 2026, thanks to groundbreaking conservation efforts and immersive eco-luxury experiences. At the heart of this movement is Boena Wilderness Lodges, whose properties Tortuga Lodge, Lapa Rios, and Pacuare Lodge are not only redefining sustainable tourism but also leading a pioneering jaguar collaring project in partnership with the National University of Costa Rica.

In Tortuguero, plans are underway to live-track a jaguar for the first time, a bold initiative with space for a journalist to join the expedition. If successful, the program will expand to Pacuare and the Osa Peninsula, mirroring the success of similar efforts by Onçafari in Brazil and Rewilding Argentina – yet entirely new to Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Lapa Rios celebrates 50 years of Corcovado National Park with camera-trap monitoring and direct conservation funding through guest stays. Pacuare Lodge, set deep in the rainforest and accessible only by white-water rafting, combines off-grid luxury with indigenous partnerships and wildlife protection. Together, these lodges position Costa Rica not just as a paradise for nature lovers, but as a frontier for conservation science in Central America.

Chile is set to shine on the global travel radar in 2026, thanks to the spectacular reopening of Tierra Atacama, which reopened in April 2025 following a transformative $20 million renovation. Nestled just outside the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama, this iconic property has been reimagined with a bold new vision that seamlessly blends elevated design, clever use of sustainable tech and a deep love of the natural world.

With just 28 carefully curated rooms and suites, some featuring private plunge pools, fireplaces, and personal guides, the lodge offers an exclusive gateway to one of the world’s most otherworldly landscapes. Design cues drawn from local materials and cosmic themes echo the desert’s stark beauty, while a refreshed adventure and wellness philosophy invites guests to explore the salt flats, volcanoes, and star-filled skies by day, then return to the warmth of Uma Spa by night. Add to this a culinary program blending local flavours with international skills and a passionate commitment to native flora restoration and community partnerships, and Tierra Atacama stands as a compelling reason to make northern Chile an extraordinary escape.

����Vlog offers £1,447 per night for two people in low season (May – September) – includes transfers, accommodation, all meals, open bar, daily excursions, use of Uma Spa facilities.

����Vlog introduces South Korea as a destination to visit in 2026 – a country that is clean, efficient, safe, friendly, relaxed and endlessly fascinating. From the devastation of the Korean War in 1953, South Korea has risen in just 70 years to become the 4th largest economy in Asia and the 14th in the world – a story of resilience and innovation you’ll encounter at every turn. Here, tradition and cutting-edge technology blend seamlessly: robots can serve you coffee, pizza and noodles at self-service stations, while KTX trains whisk you between cities at 350 kmph.

The journey begins in Seoul, with its grand palaces, temples and markets, before travelling south through ���Ի�DzԲ�’s Confucian traditions and hanok villages, Gyeongju’s ancient tombs and temples, and on to ���ܲ�����’s vibrant coastal charm. The adventure culminates on Jeju Island, where dramatic volcanic peaks, lava tubes and waterfalls showcase Korea’s natural beauty. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a tour of the DMZ, hands-on cooking and kimchi-making, and even a K-pop dance class – experiences that bring this captivating country’s history, culture and modern dynamism vividly to life.

A new destination for 2026, Uzbekistan, the captivating Silk Road nation is a must visit destination for next year according to ����Vlog team. This inaugural itinerary has been designed to showcase the country’s dazzling cultural and historic treasures, combining comfort with authentic encounters. Beginning in Tashkent, travellers will explore its vibrant bazaars and rich museums before travelling by high-speed rail to the legendary city of Samarkand, where Registan Square, Tamerlane’s mausoleum, and the ancient Silk Paper Centre bring history vividly to life. The journey continues with an excursion into the Fan Mountains to discover Tajikistan’s breathtaking Seven Lakes, before heading west to Bukhara, renowned for its medieval madrassahs, caravanserais, and lively trading domes.

The trip concludes in the walled city of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where minarets, palaces, and ancient fortresses evoke centuries of Central Asian history. With handpicked accommodation, expert local guides, and ����Vlog’s hallmark service throughout, this landmark journey offers an unforgettable introduction to one of the world’s most fascinating cultural crossroads

����Vlog has created a new itinerary to combine two unexpected destinations, made possible by a new flight route from Tokyo to Palau. This October, a new direct flight from Tokyo Narita to Koror, Palau by United Airlines offers travellers a compelling new route to combine two extraordinary worlds; the cultural richness of Japan and the marine majesty of Palau. With Tokyo now serving as a key gateway to Palau for travellers from the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, the journey reaches its pinnacle aboard Four Seasons Explorer, a floating resort experience that merges expedition-style adventure with Four Seasons legendary service.

The new itinerary from ����Vlog includes Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka over a 17-day journey that blends cultural immersion with luxury, showcasing the country’s rich traditions, natural beauty, and modern elegance. This is followed by a journey through Palau’s UNESCO-listed Rock Islands aboard the Four Seasons Explorer – a luxurious liveaboard that brings travellers closer to the ocean’s edge and the natural wonders below.

RwandAir has launch the first-ever direct flight route from London Heathrow to Zanzibar. Offering Skytrax award-winning hospitality and seamless travel, the new service marks a milestone in connectivity between the UK and the Indian Ocean. For the first time, travellers will be able to reach Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and rich cultural heritage without a stopover, opening up new opportunities to enjoy the island as a standalone destination or in combination with an East African safari.

In 2025, Brad Pitt’s feature film F1 brought the sport’s speed, noise and precision to mainstream cinema; in 2026, Monaco will deliver the live version as new regulations reshape every lap, pit stop and overtaking move. The next-generation race cars will be lighter and more agile, powered by a 50–50 hybrid split and fully sustainable fuels, with active aerodynamics set to transform racecraft on Formula 1’s tightest street circuit.

From 3–8 June 2026, EXPLORA I will be moored inside Port Hercule’s perimeter road, just 150 metres from the track, placing guests at the heart of the action with no transfers or queues and within walking distance of every landmark. Between sessions, the ship is a serene retreat with pools, terraces and dining overlooking the harbour, while guests can add three-day Grandstand seating or exclusive F1 Paddock Club™ hospitality. The programme unfolds from Wednesday embarkation and paddock preparations through practice, qualifying and support races to Sunday’s Grand Prix itself, before Monday disembarkation.

����Vlog offers five nights/six days from £10,750 per guest. Dates are 3- 8 June 2026

Pousada Trijunção, a remote eco-lodge nestled in Brazil’s vast Cerrado region, is set to make headlines with the launch of Latin America’s first sky bed safari experience. This innovative offering invites guests to sleep under a blanket of stars in complete comfort, immersed in one of the world’s most biodiverse yet underexplored ecosystems. Known for its serious conservation credentials (especially its work protecting the elusive maned wolf) Trijunção is now adding a layer of unforgettable adventure and intimacy with nature. The sky bed experience is not just a first for Brazil, but a bold step in redefining luxury wilderness travel across the continent.

����Vlog offers five nights at Pousada Trijunção from £3,350 per person (based on two people sharing) including all meals, private transfers to/from Brasilia and shared activities at the lodge. The Sky Bed is an additional $500 per night and available to existing guests.

The Malkai, launching in Spring 2026, marks a pioneering cultural and nature immersion experience across three breathtaking locations in Oman: Barka, nestled among lush date plantations; Hajar, perched in the rugged Al Hajar mountains; and Sharqiya, a secluded oasis amid the golden desert dunes. Each site features just 14 tented pavilion suites—elegantly blending modern comfort with traditional Bedouin aesthetics—offering an intimate escape woven into the landscape. Guests enjoy an exclusive journey with a chauffeured Land Rover Defender and a dedicated guide, travelling between coast, mountains, and desert for a unique “pilgrimage” of discovery.

Culinary adventures follow a farm-to-table ethos, spotlighting Omani specialties in seasonal menus served in open-air dining pavilions. Wellness is also a focus with signature spa therapies, organic treatments, pools, and spaces for yoga, meditation, and pilates. “Malkai Experiences” include stargazing in the desert, visits to private islands and coral reefs, immersive culinary journeys, and private fort tours. This launch promises an unprecedented way to delve into Oman’s cultural heritage, natural splendor, and local communities—all thoughtfully curated for discerning travellers.

19th February – 14th March 2026

A 16-day escorted journey through Guatemala and Belize, beginning in the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Antigua. Explore colonial architecture and vibrant markets before gliding across Lake Atitlán, framed by towering volcanoes and dotted with traditional Maya villages. Journey on to Tikal’s ancient pyramids nestled within jungle, then cross into Belize’s Cayo District to savour wildlife-rich rainforests home to jaguars, tapirs, and over 300 bird species. The adventure concludes on the idyllic shores of Ambergris Caye, with four nights at a luxury beachside resort perfect for snorkelling, spa indulgence, or simply unwinding in the Caribbean sunshine.

����Vlog offers 14 nights from £7,875 per person including private transfers, domestic flights, expert guides, bespoke activities, and exquisite accommodation all seamlessly arranged, this tailored tour captures the cultural, natural, and historical essence of both countries.

15th to 19th June 2026

Join renowned tour leader Tania Illingworth for an exclusive five-day journey through Shropshire’s hidden gems on the Great Houses & Gardens tour, that offers privileged access to privately owned estates, world-class art collections, and some of England’s most beautiful historic gardens. Highlights include a private viewing at Weston Park, a guided tour of Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site, and intimate garden visits with estate owners.

����Vlog offers four nights from £2,195 per person staying at The Clive Arms Hotel, four lunches, two dinners, and all entrance fees included

20th April – 5th May 2026

Journey through the heart of southern Brazil on a 15-night escorted tour that showcases the country’s extraordinary diversity. Begin in vibrant Rio de Janeiro, where iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Copacabana Beach set the stage. Continue to Iguassu Falls, straddling Brazil and Argentina, before heading into the Amazon. Explore wildlife-rich ecosystems by canoe and forest trails while staying at an atmospheric jungle lodge.

����Vlog offers sixteen days from £8,640 person (based on two sharing) includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, guided excursions, most meals

10th to 18th June 2026

Journey across Iceland on this 9-night escorted tour that captures the country’s stunning natural diversity. Experience cascading waterfalls, otherworldly glaciers, geothermal hot springs, and dramatic fjords. Explore the iconic Golden Circle, marvel at glacial lagoons, wander across volcanic landscapes, and relax in soothing thermal pools. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, private transfers, excursions, and most meals included, this itinerary delivers a perfectly curated mix of adventure and relaxation, showcasing Iceland’s raw beauty and lively culture in unforgettable style.

����Vlog offers nine days from £7735 per person (based on two sharing) includes accommodation, domestic transport, guided excursions, most meals

8th to 22nd April 2026

Journey through Madagascar’s diverse landscapes on this 14-night tour that combines wildlife-rich rainforests, dramatic sandstone formations, and secluded island escapes. Begin in the lush Andasibe–Mantadia National Park, home to iconic Indri lemurs and chameleons. Fly to the arid canyons and natural pools of Isalo National Park, then cross spiny forests and river landscapes en route to the Mandrare region for up-close encounters with sifakas and community life. The journey culminates with five nights on a private island near Nosy Be, where pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs await.

����Vlog offers 15 days from £11780 per person (based on two sharing) including full-board accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, guided excursions, most meals

Disney’s live-action Moana, set for a major global release in July 2026, is poised to put Hawaiian and wider Polynesian culture in the spotlight like never before. As audiences revisit Moana’s voyage across the Pacific with renewed realism, interest in the region’s islands, traditions, and indigenous communities will skyrocket. Hawaii, likely to be a primary filming and promotional hub, will benefit from a surge in travelers seeking both the cinematic beauty and the cultural depth portrayed on screen. Beyond Hawaii, destinations such as Samoa, Tahiti, and Fiji are expected to see a rise in demand from those looking to explore authentic Polynesian heritage, mythology, and landscapes.

For press enquiries, interview opportunities and high-resolution images please contact Amelia Bird at amelia@passaropublicity.com and Charlotte Bird at charlotte@passaropublicity.com