Amanda Holidays

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

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

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 at the top of my travel wishlist. My lovely client, Abbie, celebrated her 30th birthday there and came back absolutely raving about it. Click here to read all about her adventure. What strikes me most is how many of my clients choose multi-centre trips when visiting Croatia, and it makes complete sense. With flights into both the north and s

I’ve always loved being near the water - whether it’s riverside walks or getting out on the water itself – but I’ve never actually been on a river cruise. So, this next chapter is something completely new for me… and I’m excited to take you along for the journey. I’ve recently signed up to become a Designer Travel River Cruise Expert, which means I’ll be doing training with lots of different river cruise lines over the coming months. Even better – I’ll be heading off on my ve

Three years ago, we hired a villa in Cyprus for a week to celebrate Ashleigh’s 30th, so it was only right that we did something similar...

When Elegant Resorts invited me to join a small group of Designer Travel colleagues for a 7-night luxury trip to Bali, I couldn’t have...

Ibiza isn’t just for the clubbers, as I found out last week. Being just two and half hour’s flight away, it’s a great option for a...

Malcolm and I have long dreamed of taking a US road trip in an RV, with Yellowstone topping his list and Yosemite topping mine - just a mere 900 miles apart! Needless to say, it took some serious planning! This trip was a year in the making and the first where Malcolm had as much input as I did, which was only fair since he would be the one doing all the driving! Since we planned to stay in or near national parks, I pre-booked campsites, making sure they all had ‘full hook up

Having recently joined Designer Travel, their annual conference was an invaluable chance to connect with new colleagues, reunite with old...

I am excited to be embarking upon a new chapter for my business with the decision to join the multi-award-winning Designer Travel. It’s...

My love for Orlando is well documented, and my seventh and latest visit had been planned for over three years. This eagerly anticipated family return to Florida however was markedly different with my adult children compared to their younger selves. For the first time, I was able to take a step back from the main planner and organiser role and let Ashleigh, my daughter, take control, making things just a tad more relaxing for me. With all things Disney now managed on an app, s

I am a huge fan of Sardinia and love a multi-island holiday, so when recently looking into client requests for something different for...

After four fantastic nights at the Shandrani, a small group of us decided to add on a two-night road trip from the south to the north of...

Back in 2020, Holidaysplease, in conjunction with specialists Beachcomber Tours, had planned a reward adventure for us to magical...

The official hometown of Santa Claus is unquestionably synonymous with the ultimate festive adventures for the kids, but a recent...

Tempted to go further off the beaten track and embark on your greatest adventure yet? I may have the perfect opportunity... Partnering...

Malcolm and I like to see as much as we can in one trip and having last visited the Caribbean some time ago, thought it was about time we...

The Caribbean: a decadent destination worthy of every traveller’s bucket list and where I recently had the pleasure to return to....