Amanda Holidays

The latest Designer Travel Best of Touring brochure has just landed, and honestly, there's something in here for absolutely everyone dreaming of their next big adventure! Family touring is having a real moment, with a gorgeous spotlight on the USA - think National Parks adventures right through to the charm of the Deep South - perfect if you're after a trip that keeps everyone entertained. If you're after something a little different, digital detoxes and coolcations are havin

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

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

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.

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

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

As this was my first ever cruise, I wanted to tick something off my bucket list - and the Norwegian fjords delivered. At the time, nowhere else really appealed to me, but now I’ve experienced my first solo cruise... who knows where I’ll go next? I arrived at Southampton docks (Berth 46) around 2pm and, by 3pm, I was in my cabin and unpacked. The check-in and security process were an absolute breeze compared to Manchester Airport, where I usually travel from - simple, efficien

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...

At the start of 2024, Japan was high on our list of potential holiday destinations. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got;...

When my husband and his best friend decided to retire at the same time, we knew a 'retirement holiday' was the perfect way to celebrate....

This summer I had the unique opportunity to go travelling with my 11-year-old daughter during the summer holidays. The main challenge was...

Julie is the partner of one of my husband’s oldest friends, and Jess is her wonderful daughter. As fellow Orlando enthusiasts, I’ve had...

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

I've always been fascinated by ancient civilizations like the Mayans, Incas and Egyptians. Watching countless documentaries, Machu Picchu...

Steven and I are passionate about wildlife. After enjoying a couple of African safaris, Costa Rica was next on our bucket list. I must admit, I had some apprehension about spiders during the planning phase, but I'm so glad I didn't let it deter us. As it turned out, any spiders we encountered during our trip were quite content to stay in their own corners. Our journey began with a direct 11-hour flight from Gatwick in Premium Economy. Opting to travel to the airport the night

Having never visited the Caribbean, I went to the stunning Bahamas at the beginning of the year, to get a much-needed Vitamin D boost, after the dreary winter at home. The Warwick, Paradise Island was fabulous, with its private beach, a lookout point to spot the baby sharks and stingrays at night, and a delicious and varied buffet. I managed to swim with pigs, see Pearl Island and Rose Island, parasail on Cabbage Beach and enjoy a pirate excursion to Nassau, which also enable

As you can see from our little Instagram video (sorry there's no sound), we had a truly amazing holiday on safari in Kenya for my special 40th birthday trip. Amanda was so helpful and knowledgeable, pre-booking everything and making the whole experience so easy for us. Each of the four hotels we stayed in were really lovely. We would definitely use Amanda’s services again. Sarah & James