Over my 35-plus years in the Travel Industry, I have seen some amazing places, had fantastic experiences and am constantly surprised and delighted to discover destinations for the first time. It never gets old and as long as this is the case and we still enjoy travelling, (even though air travel is arguably not the experience it used to be and seems more tiring), then we should continue to travel as far as we feel comfortable, because there will come a time, inevitably, when those long haul trips will just be physically impossible for us.
I always get asked the same question when I announce that I work in Travel, ie. where is your favourite destination? Now, this could mean where is the best place I have been to, or it could mean where would be the place I would most like to travel to?!
This got me thinking about the most remarkable places I have sent my luxury clients to, places I have not been to myself but would really like to! These are all exceptional journeys. So, in no particular order, these are the outstanding journeys my clients have taken.
Clayoquot Sound, Canada
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge skirts the banks of the Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island and is reached only by seaplane or boat. A small collection of just 25 ultra-luxurious canvas tents allows you to be at one with nature and explore the beauty of this remote wilderness region. This is high-end accommodation and there are many activities on offer to keep you busy if you want to be. Think horseback riding, hiking, boat tours, biking and viewing the incredible wildlife. A very unique place which combines well with Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Mmenba Island, Zanzibar
This is perhaps the ultimate hideaway. A tiny island of Zanzibar, triangular in shape and with just 12 luxurious bandas, or beachfront lodges with thatched roofs and uninterrupted views of nothing……. except the ocean and the horizon. With pristine white beaches, and a beautiful coral reef, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all – and very exclusive. . The island is currently closed for renovation and will open around 01 October ’24 with a spa and an Oceans Without Borders (OWB) interpretative centre allowing you to engage with conservation and community-focused projects in and around the Mnemba Atoll.
A safari in India
Ranthambore National Park is an exclusive wildlife park in Rajhastan and is famous for its tiger conservation project. There are currently around 80 tigers in the park and over the past few years, most guests have been lucky to spot one. I have sent many clients here and almost always put them in the Oberoi Vanjavilas. I love the Oberoi brand and have stayed in many of their properties in India, but not this one. These tented villas are ultra-luxurious, furnished with beautiful fabrics in rich colours you can only really find in India. Expect outstanding accommodation, a great spa, pool and private 4×4 game drives.
The Inside Passage, Alaska
The Inside Passage is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Northwest coast of the North American Fjordland. I recommend a cruise on the ironically named UnCruise line. Their small expedition ships can navigate inlets that the bigger vessels cannot. This is an adventure “cruise” so you should be prepared to get involved and be reasonably fit and hardy. The rewards are numerous. See bears, baby animals, migrating grey whales and birds, budding forests, snow-covered peaks, gushing waterfalls, and the Aurora Borealis if you’re lucky. In summer, temperatures are warmer, so there’s better access to high-elevation hikes. And humpback whales are abundant. From the ship, you can paddle or boat out to get really close to the glaciers.
An Irrawaddy river cruise in Myanmar
This was an incredible trip along the Irrawaddy River from Padang to Mandalay in Myanmar. The Pandaw river cruises are exceptional, on small, beautifully crafted ships reminiscent of a bygone era. Elegant and slow, with plenty of time to stop off and explore the temples and monuments along the way. Sadly, this voyage is not currently running, due to the political situation in Myanmar. There are other routes in Southeast Asia though. I hope I get to experience this one day.
Rocky Mountaineer or trans-Canada train
I don’t know why I’ve not got around to exploring the Rockies on this iconic train. My clients rave about the scenery. The actual journey from Vancouver to Banff is not that long, but you can then explore the mountains in your own time. Some other clients took the train from Vancouver to Toronto over 5 days. This is a working train that drops post and packages to the towns along the way and you have to be prepared for schedule changes, but that’s all part of the adventure and the scenery is incredible. This is a great extension to a stay in Vancouver and if you do the coast-to-coast train, you get to stay in Toronto at the end, too. Both are vibrant cities with so much in offer.
A cruise in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
I’m sure you have seen one of the many documentaries on the Galapagos Islands. If you are into wildlife, this has surely got to be one of, if not the most, amazing experiences. Viewing species that only exist in the Galapagos and have no fear of predators. How incredible! Some of the most dramatic scenery you will find anywhere and strange, otherworldly creatures. If you want ultra-luxury I would opt for Silversea’s Silver Origin, which takes just 100 passengers and has everything the luxury traveller could wish for. But I would probably take one of the Avalon Waterways’ tiny ships, the Treasure of the Galapagos and the Delfin III. The Delfin 111 is its newest and most luxurious Galapagos cruise ship. The ship has just 22 suites, and the Treasure of the Galapagos is even smaller, carrying a maximum of 16 guests.
Island hopping in the Seychelles
Now, I have been to the Seychelles, many moons ago, but I cannot hand on heart say I have experienced the Seychelles. To my shame, this was a fly-and-flop visit, flying in and staying in one hotel. I have sent many clients on an island-hopping holiday, and it is worth seeing at least a few of the 115 islands that make up the Seychelles, as they are all very different. Maybe start with the main island of Mahé with its mountainous landscape and bustling capital, Victoria, then chill out on tranquil Praslin Island, which has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Finally step back in time on La Digue, where oxcarts are the main form of transport, with its gorgeous beaches where they sell fresh coconuts and local rum. The Seychelles has always been a luxury destination and it has some of the best hotels in the world, but it is absolutely worth splashing out on for that holiday of a lifetime experience.
All the above are still on my wish list, but your bucket list will no doubt look very different to mine. Maybe there is somewhere special you dream of that I have already seen and can tell you about first-hand. Wherever you feel is your “must see once in my life” destination, I can help you plan it in style!
Feeling inspired? Book your next escape now. Get in touch with Lizzi by emailing [email protected] to book your dream trip!
by net effect