“Bryon Bay is Australia’s easternmost town, home to excellent beaches and lush rain forests. It really needs no introduction, having been a popular holiday destination seemingly forever. It was very much on the radar when my contemporaries were taking their gap year (we called it a year off!) and now my nephews and nieces back-packing around...”

“Not many people have the Caribbean on their summer radar and that really is a shame. The rates are unbelievably attractive and the weather is good. Humidity is higher, it is true, but on the whole it is sunny and hot with short spells of occasional rain, sometimes only several minutes long – and then...”

“Another triumph from Karen and her excellent colleagues at Travel Matters and the incredible logistical magic of Wendy Wu and their wonderful local guides. For over three weeks in April/May 2019 the Luboffs travelled across the vast and populated country that is China, with its 1.4bn people, and ended with a few days exploring the...”

“The island of Corfu, or Kerkira as it is known in Greek, is the northernmost of the Ionian islands. Being so close to the mainland the island is very verdant and fertile, with orange and olive groves covering large areas of the island. I also loved how rugged the shoreline was, with picturesque wild beaches...”

“Cyprus isn’t the place that people readily think of as a destination for Easter holidays, yet having just returned from this beautiful country I highly recommend April as the brilliant time to go. The temperatures are very pleasant and the weather is generally sunny. In fact, Cyprus boasts an impressive 326 days of sun per...”

“Courtesy of If Only, I, along with other travel professionals, spent a few nights checking out the sights of Dubai, Ajman and Ras al Khaimah. The Burj Khalifa was the first visitor attraction we headed to. Bringing a new meaning to the term “sky scraper”, the world’s tallest building, standing at a proud 828 metres...”

“Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK charity focussed solely on the conservation of one of the most unique and ecologically important, but vulnerable, areas in the world. With over 20 years of experience, they partner with Ecuadorian authorities, NGOs, local communities and leading researchers to support impactful science, conservation and education programmes across...”

“Santa Eularia des Riu is one of Ibiza’s five municipalities and is the second largest region in Ibiza. Located on the Eastern shore, it also includes an impressive stretch of coastline with more than 20 beaches as well as rural farmland. It’s a corner of the island far removed from the clubs of San Antonio...”

“If you are a lover of nature and adventure then there are few places in this world that could compete with Iceland. Maryna was very fortunate to visit this beautiful country courtesy of Exsus. The beauty of Iceland is such that it was a location for many films and TV shows, the most recognisable of...”

“Cochin airport, our airport of arrival in Kerala, is the first airport in the world to be run on solar energy. It has more than 46,000 solar panels which take the bright sunlight and converts it into energy. The airport is extremely clean, spacious and with this accolade to shout about – we were already...”

“India has always been considered a land of riches and abundance. No wonder it has been an apple of discord for so many nations for centuries. I had a privilege to experience India in what I can only describe as Maharajah style. In India they take luxury to a whole new level. The hotels, both...”

“I was excited as well as eager to return to India after several years. I had travelled to Goa for the beaches and Karnataka in my 20’s, enjoying the World Heritage listed buildings of Hampi, which are set among extraordinary volcanic boulders. Back then, I remember we had to hitch a lift on the back...”

“Israel is a real melting pot of traditions and cultures. And for many people visiting Jerusalem, the heart of the ancient world and a sacred city of three religions, sits firmly on their bucket list. On this Israel and Palestine discovery tour you will visit Tel Aviv – a young, modern, cosmopolitan city, with a...”

“This year I decided to celebrate the new Wizz Air route Luton to Eilat by booking my holiday to Israel and Jordan. Afterall visiting Jerusalem – the heart of the ancient world and a sacred city of three religions – has always been on my bucket list. Israel offers so much more than religious sites...”

“Emilia-Romagna, the region often overlooked by tourists, is known for its medieval cities, fantastic gastronomy and seaside resorts. On this gastronomical tour we will be concentrating on all things food – think mouthwatering back truffle tortellini, mature parma ham and parmesan cheese as well as richly aged balsamic vinegar – all washed down with loads...”

“Liguria is a region in northwest Italy and its Mediterranean coastline, known as the Italian Riviera, stretches from Tuscany to the French border. The Ligurian coastline is simply stunning. There are no beaches to speak about, but each little cove is just so pretty and inviting often with small ladders attached to a rock for...”

“Emilia-Romagna, the region often overlooked by tourists, is known for its medieval cities, fantastic gastronomy and seaside resorts. The capital, Bologna, is a beautiful city with an 11th-century university and a medieval town centre. Ravenna, a gem of the Roman empire, located close to the Adriatic coast, is known for its brightly coloured Byzantine mosaics...”

“I’m so happy I finally got to visit Tuscany and its crown jewel Florence. Florence is housing some of the world’s most precious Renaissance art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s “David” statue, Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery and the very photogenic Duomo basilica. Florence was just as beautiful as I have imagined....”

“If you are after a restful holiday in the Caribbean but also don’t want to feel like you are stranded on an island with nothing to do then Jamaica should be on the cards. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean and offers rich history as well as varied landscape. Being a larger...”

“The taxi delivered us to the Nairobi Air Safari terminal in early morning darkness. A smiling, sweaty, beanie clad face greeted us, the Manager unlocking the terminal door. Welcome to Kenya where the locals run to and from work. We boarded our flight out to the Mara, with a full view of the cockpit and...”

“This small group holiday offers the best 5 day eco-guiding course in the beautiful surrounds of the Masai Mara followed by time on the coast with a plastic recycling clean up project called the Flipflopi Project. Whilst not learning new skills on safari or supporting the Flipflopi, there is plenty of time for game viewing...”

“Madagascar is a strong contender for offering the most distinctive wildlife holidays on the planet. The island separated from the African mainland some 165 million years ago and much of its fauna and flora have evolved in a unique way – an astonishing 80% is endemic. Madagascar’s almost bizarre array of wildlife echoes the 88...”

“Madeira resembles a huge botanical garden, for a nature lover like myself it is a constant feast to the eyes, ears and the nose. Even in winter many flowers stay in bloom and the island retains its lush vegetation. With its mountainous landscape and abundant greenery Madeira somewhat reminded me of St. Lucia in the...”

“Visiting a country with the highest biodiversity was a dream of mine for a long time. There are only a few places in the world which offer to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat and Malaysia is one of them! Walking through some of the oldest rainforests while indulging yourself in subtropical diving paradise sounds...”

“I have been dying to go to the Maldives for years. Not only is this the place with the most luxurious hotels you can imagine it is a quintessential place to kick back and relax. And relaxed we did, in fact I do not think I have experienced such a feeling of pure bliss and...”

“Martinique, locally named Madinina – The Isle of Flowers, is enormously popular with the French, not surprising considering it’s history and the number of direct flights from Paris. However, with croissants and palm trees, all perched near a live volcano, Martinique is the definition of a refined French-Caribbean island and is an excellent base from which...”

“They say that travelling is a great educator and educated me it did during my recent trip to Morocco. For some reason, I always thought that Morocco was nothing but a desert, speckled with lonely palm and olive trees. And orange trees of course, because who hasn’t seen Moroccan oranges at a supermarket?  All I...”

“I’ve been to over 120 countries, trying to visit at least 4 new countries every year and have ticked off nearly every region of the globe.  However, there’s been one country that’s been on my wish list for over 30 years, from when I lived in Hong Kong back in the 80s. Back then it was...”

“The trip begins here. As I sit on a train which is travelling on the only track it can, I realise that my thoughts are freed from the tracks they are usually on a Thursday. Surely travelling away from your own direction of thought is one of the best escapes you can have?  Another realisation...”

“The Azores, or the Autonomous Region of the Azores, are a set of nine volcanic islands that rest in the mid-Atlantic. This Portuguese archipelago is the full package and has everything that a lover of nature, adventure and sustainability might want from an unforgettable holiday experience. As the archipelago is situated at a junction of...”

“For the the last 16 years I have been privileged to experience many hotels and destinations worldwide, but my true passion is still exploring hotels and destinations less known to travellers in Europe. Porto and the surrounding region is not on everyone’s bucket list, but it should be. This area offers beautiful scenery with rolling...”

“I have travelled to almost 40 countries on several continents. And the more I travel, the more I understand and appreciate the country I was born in and its people.  I was born in Romania, I’ve been living in Romania about 40 years now, I’ve lived through communism here, I witnessed its transition period to...”

“As a person who has visited numerous exotic destinations, I understand the importance of nature and authenticity preservation. And the hidden gem of a country we will talk about today has both in heaps. Located off the coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest country of the continent after Seychelles...”

“There is no denying that South Africa is one of the most spectacular countries in the world. Distances are vast covering areas that not only differ in terrain but also in climate and flora and fauna. And there is no better way to discover a country than on a road trip. My husband and I...”

“South Korea, in the heart of East Asia, is one the continent’s economic and cultural leaders. It is visited by millions of Asian tourists yearly, although it is still not as developed for international tourism compared to popular Asians destinations for Westerners such as Thailand or Japan. I visited South Korea in April 2019. It...”

“Itinerary dates 6-13 May 2022 On this trip not only will you get to enjoy this gem of an Island but also give back to the local community. We will use local guides, dine at local restaurants, contribute to the turtle conservation project SOS Tobago and will participate in numerous other local experiences. Travel Matters...”

“Charleston is home to rich history, well preserved architecture and one of the most exciting food scenes in the US. Church steeples not skyscrapers dot the skyline, the streets are cobbled and the buildings pastel coloured. The city oozes old world charm and is now much more accessible with the launch in April of a...”

“Venice needs no introduction, if you ask what is the most famous city in the world, I am sure it will come right at the top of the list.  As well-travelled as I am, I had never been to Venice before. One of the main reasons was over-tourism – Venice has been known to receive...”