Amanda Holidays

Designer Travel has just released its brilliant new Best of Touring brochure - and it's packed with inspiration. Solo travel, family getaways, unique experiences and a special spotlight on Asia - ancient China, Tokyo and the Himalayas among the highlights. There is also a fascinating look at how guided travel has evolved and the trends shaping its future. Touring holidays have grown enormously in popularity and I have been booking some fantastic adventures for clients recentl

Those who know me will know Orlando holds a very special place in my heart. After our last family adventure there a couple of years ago, I said I'd be back again soon - and the pull proved too strong to resist! This time though, we did things a little differently... We landed in Orlando and headed straight for Cocoa Beach - around an hour's drive after picking up our hire car. Staying at Beach Place Guesthouses for three nights - with hammocks, fire pits and beachfront views

Travel around Europe often means capital cities, history and culture. But venture to the northern extremities of this extraordinary continent and a very different world awaits. I joined the Ocean Explorer, operated by Quark Expeditions, for an eight-day expedition cruise around Svalbard - departing and returning to Longyearbyen - with a remarkable route taking in some of the most remote and dramatic landscapes on earth. The ship itself looked nothing like the river cruisers o

When Alison and Andrew came to me dreaming of a month in Australia to celebrate Andrew’s 60th birthday, I knew this was going to be a very special trip to put together. A direct flight from Heathrow to Perth, the legendary Indian Pacific train journey across the continent, Kangaroo Island, the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne - all connected seamlessly. Alison kindly agreed to share their experience… Thank you, Amanda, for creating such an amazing experience for us in Australia

The April edition of Behind The Scenes from Designer Travel has arrived - and this one is all about river cruising! I'm really proud to feature in this issue, sharing my experience of the CLIA River Cruise Conference in Amsterdam - three incredible days with nine river cruise operators and some of the best in the business. River cruising is one of my absolute passions. Smaller ships, stunning scenery, docking right in the heart of beautiful cities - it really is one of the mo

I am delighted to share that I have officially refreshed my Australia Specialist accreditation! I first completed the programme a few years ago and felt it was time to update my knowledge on everything that makes Australia such an extraordinary destination - from vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes to unique wildlife experiences. To ensure I am right up to date, I recently attended the 2026 Tourism Australia's 'Australia on Tour' roadshow, topping up my knowledge with

The February edition of Behind The Scenes from Designer Travel has arrived - and this one's all about island escapes around the world! This month takes you on a journey to some stunning island destinations: from the culture and luxury of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to the dramatic volcanic beauty of the Azores, plus a fabulous Caribbean Islands cruise. We're also exploring closer to home with the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly - proving you don't need to fly long-haul

Time to settle in with the December edition of Behind The Scenes from Designer Travel - and this one's all about incredible wildlife encounters from around the world! This month's issue takes you on a journey to some of the planet's most extraordinary animal experiences: African safaris, pandas in the wild, the Galapagos Islands and bear watching across Europe. There's also a wonderful focus on sustainable wildlife tourism - how to experience these incredible creatures respo

I recently dispatched my winter newsletter to my subscribers. If you want to have a read of the full newsletter, click here ... If you would like to subscribe to receive future newsletters, please click here .

With neither of us having previously been to Thailand, we were super excited to ask Amanda to put together a three-centre trip to celebrate both of our 30th birthdays, built around visiting Elephant Hills. Part 1: Khao Lak - Hotel Bangsak Village After a long journey from the UK, we couldn't have asked for a lovelier welcome for our four-night stay - cool flannels, a refreshing local tea and the warmest smiles. The hotel is adult-only, which made it so peaceful and relaxing.

I’ve always loved the idea of cruising: unpack once, see somewhere new every day. But ocean cruises? Big ships, crowds and choppy seas? Maybe not for me. River cruising, though, is a whole different experience. Calm waters, smaller ships, beautiful scenery just beyond your window and a relaxed pace that lets you truly enjoy the journey. I was hooked from day one. From the moment my colleagues and I boarded Riviera Rose, I knew this was something special. Elegant yet welcoming

Time to cosy up with the October edition of Behind The Scenes from Designer Travel - and this one's particularly special as it features a wonderful review from my client Chris about his Arctic expedition cruise to Svalbard! If you're looking for winter inspiration, this issue has it all: chasing the Northern Lights, exploring Christmas markets on river cruises, Lapland adventures for families (and grown-ups!), skiing with little ones and Chris' incredible travellers' tale fr

We went to Japan for my partner's 30th birthday, and it was honestly the best trip ever! I planned it as a surprise for him, and everything turned out perfectly. We stayed at Nohga Hotel in Tokyo, which was super comfy and in such a great spot for exploring. Amanda was incredible from start to finish - always quick to respond, so helpful with every detail, and made everything completely stress-free. The sweetest touch was arriving to find a birthday postcard in our room from

I'm delighted to add another qualification to my collection and have successfully completed TRACKS, the specialist training programme for one of the world's greatest railway journeys, Canada's legendary Rocky Mountaineer. The Rocky Mountaineer isn't just a train journey - it's an experience. Understanding the routes, the scenery, the service levels, and which journey suits which traveller is essential to creating the perfect Canadian adventure. The Rocky Mountaineer offers fo

My recent trip to Abu Dhabi for the Designer Travel conference was the perfect blend of business and pleasure - combining essential...

I'll be honest - Croatia isn't somewhere I've been yet, but after sending many clients there and hearing their incredible feedback, it's...

The August edition of Behind The Scenes has landed, full of travel inspiration and news from across the Designer Travel team. Highlights...

Maria and Ian’s week in Rome - with some brilliant day trips along the way - was planned around a very special concert, and I’m so happy...

Thank you so much, Amanda, for arranging our incredible trip to the US - San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley and Las Vegas. This was...

I recently dispatched my summer newsletter to my subscribers. If you want to have a read of the full newsletter, click here ... If you...