Amanda Holidays

We were celebrating two very special occasions on this trip - my daughter's 27th birthday and my husband's 60th - so finding the perfect hotel really mattered. Amanda listened carefully to exactly what we were looking for: stunning views, a pool, a gym and a high standard throughout. She suggested the beautiful Hotel Croatia in Cavtat, and it was absolutely spot on. What made it even more special was the care Amanda took behind the scenes. She sent a VIP message to the hotel

For the last four years, we have booked our package holidays directly with tour operators, assuming that booking direct would give us the best prices and customer service. We couldn't have been more wrong! Amanda has been looking after my parents' holidays for well over 15 years - so when we were planning our young family's first holiday together, it felt natural to finally take their long-standing recommendation to speak to her. Travelling with two young children means we ha

When Julie got in touch in June 2025, she had a very special trip in mind - two weeks in Greece to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary, split across two different islands. After looking at the options together, Skiathos and Skopelos felt exactly right. It turned out they were the perfect choices... Having just returned from our holiday, I just wanted to say a big thank you from both of us. We had the best time - we absolutely loved both Skiathos and Skopelos and couldn't bel

We had always dreamed of visiting Thailand, and Amanda put together the perfect itinerary - four nights in Bangkok at the beautiful Oriental Residence followed by Koh Samui at the charming Rocky's Boutique Resort. Bangkok was extraordinary. Amanda arranged a private full-day sightseeing tour and a trip to the famous floating markets, and our local guide Nina was utterly amazing - she took such brilliant care of us and felt like part of the family. Amanda's organisation of tra

The June edition of Behind The Scenes from Designer Travel is out - and this one is all about families – something I am very familiar with! From multi-generational adventures to family cruising, Florida and a spotlight on Turkey - there's lots to get stuck into. I particularly loved the Turkey feature. Having recommended it to so many clients over the years, it's brilliant to see the team put the record straight - Turkey is very much open for business and as wonderful as ever

Designer Travel has just dropped something really special - The Culinary Escape Collection - and if you're someone who thinks about where you're going to eat before you've even booked the hotel, this one's for you! Inside you'll find a gorgeous, handpicked selection of food-focused holidays - Michelin-starred dining at luxury beach resorts, authentic local flavours, underwater restaurants, private chef experiences and incredible cuisine at sea. It really is a treat to browse.

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I have been lucky enough to travel to South America twice with Latin Routes - and both trips reminded me why this part of the world gets under your skin in a way few destinations do. My first adventure took me to Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro; my second to Peru - Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. If Latin America is on your radar, please read on. I hope this post helps inspire you... If you were captivated by BBC's Race Across the World - watching t

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 f

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 respon

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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 fro