Philly Baines

Honest and up-to-date Borneo travel advice, taking in recommendations from The Foreign Office (FCO) Malaysia as well as general safety standards in Borneo for tourists.

With the film season and Oscars coming to an end, we thought we’d pay tribute to some of the fabulous filming locations in Asia – all places you can visit whilst on holiday!

Organising a trip to Sri Lanka can seem complicated, but with a little expert advice, it quickly becomes more straightforward.

There is a strong tipping culture in Sri Lanka; wages are low so it’s an important additional way of making money. Of course, tips should be earned for good service rather than simply expected. Here are our guidelines for good tipping practise.

In The Maldives, a 10% service charge is normally added to your purchases in a resort, so tipping on top of that is not necessary. If you really want to show your appreciation for great service of course, it will be gratefully received. Here’s our guidelines on appropriate amounts to tip in The Maldives.

An enchanting country, Vietnam is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, captivating culture and dazzling natural landscapes. Although Vietnam has become a major tourist destination since the late 1990s, there is still a prominent sense of the unknown, which is why we consider it useful to share our intimate knowledge with you and help you stay safe while travelling.

Philly and family recently travelled to Indochina for a very special Christmas holiday. Celebrating in Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An and Siem Reap, their trip included some incredible moments thanks to the expertise and connections of Experience Travel Group. Here’s her top 5 list of things to do that you could enjoy on your next family voyage.

Hidden in a landlocked region between China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, Laos is one of the last hidden gems of Asia. To help you with inspiration for your trip to this mysterious country, we’re listing our top 10 experiences in the country that you can tailor to your itinerary. I hope you will be inspired.

When it comes to family holidays we often tend to choose destinations fairly close to home. It’s what we’ve always done, it’s what we know, it’s what we’re used to. However, the fateful transition from child to ‘Kevin the teenager’ is a big moment in a parent’s life.

Liz Edwards, Associate Editor of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine and AITO travel writer of the year, went to Sri Lanka en famille with Experience Travel Group. Here she shares her top 5 family experiences, based on her holiday.

The overwhelming majority of tourists travelling to The Maldives just stay in a resort. What is less well known is the real culture behind this fascinating country. After developing a range of distinctive activities that let you discover Maldivian culture, we’ve listed our top 8 experiences.

India has the fastest growing aviation market in the world, making it ever easier to reach different regions for a particularly insightful holiday.

The build up to a holiday is incredibly exciting. However, if you don’t have your wits about you, you can be hit with some unexpected costs that really take the shine off all that anticipation. This article aims to empower you to minimise the hit to your wallet of those extra expenses that might pop up in your preparation for travelling. Here are our 9 top things to look out for:

Tipping isn’t common practise in Thailand. If you notice a group of locals, you’ll rather rarely see them tip at a restaurant for example. On the other hand, small tokens of appreciation for top notch service will be much appreciated. You’ll also notice in touristy places that tips are a given and 10% is added to your overall bill, so don’t be too surprised by this.

Tourism is a major economic factor in Thailand and has been continuously on the increase since the 1960s. Nevertheless, as with any country, there are specifics to look out for and be informed about. In order to help you prepare for your holiday we have compiled advice on travel safety to ensure you have a stress free visit.

You probably know the usual earmarks of a luxury holiday. But there’s actually a lot more to the term than meets the eye…

There’s a strange quiet after the kids are gone. Whilst it’s nice not to have…

Time is precious and an extra few years of retirement should not be wasted. This…

As one of the most threatened species on the planet, it’s exciting news that tiger…

Before you take the plunge and start a conversation with an expert at a travel…

Before travelling to Myanmar, you may wonder what your guide will be like. To give…

Thinking of heading overseas this summer? You’re not alone. Despite the weakened pound, finder.com/uk has forecast that Brits will be taking more than 15 million trips abroad this summer alone. The travel bug might not be diminished in travellers, but there are still concerns over what Brexit has done to the value of the pound. And these aren’t invalid concerns – on average, the pound has fallen by 11.95% across 44 of the 48 countries that Brits travel to, which means you’re likely to be paying a little extra when transferring your pounds over to a foreign currency.

With white sand and volcanic black shores, tropical palms, colourful Hindu culture, mouthwatering food and stunning landscapes Bali is a fantastic destination for a holiday. (Not to mention some of the amazing flight deals to be had to boot; it can be a surprisingly economical place to visit!)

Ultimately Bali’s beaches are a key magnet that attracts travellers’ attention worldwide. The question then beckons, which one is the best for you? In this blog, ETG’s very own Bali beach enthusiast, James Wilmshurst, passes on his top suggestions for prospective travellers:

We know expenditure can be really important when travelling as a family (many of us at Experience Travel Group go to Asia with young children ourselves). Whether you face the holiday budget conundrum on an annual basis or, if this is the first time you’re planning an all-out dream holiday to Asia, there are ways to make sure you stay within budget. Let us share a few tricks of the trade with you.

The renowned writer Elizabeth Pisani once said Indonesia is the ‘biggest invisible thing on earth’, and in a way, we think she’s right. Whenever a trip to the country is thought of, it’s most likely Bali springs to mind. Many people don’t even know it’s just one of 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. There’s so much on offer, so to help inspire you with some ideas, here’s a list by our award-winning travel experts on things to do whilst visiting.

Business class flights for economy prices are a holy grail in travel. Whilst we can provide a general guide as to how to achieve this, a step-by-step specific case study is always useful. Using British Airways as an example, here we provide 5 steps to getting business class flights for economy prices with the airline. It’s easy once you know how.

Holidays are often described as ‘a luxury.’ However, the reality is that they play a big role in helping us to relax, broaden our minds and to grow as people. Adventure holidays are particularly effective when it comes to overcoming challenges and pushing boundaries – and when you’re doing this together as a family the positive impact is huge.

The ‘staycation’ has become a trending term when it comes to holidays – staying put over the summer months or choosing a spot that’s a drive away, rather than overseas. There are some benefits to staying within the UK’s shores, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, there’s really nothing like a family holiday overseas when it comes to creating bonds and making memories.

Deep, plunging valleys and looming mountain ranges that are breathtaking and heart-stopping all the same, Himachal Pradesh is a heavenly abode that none can forget once visited. Treacherous trekking routes and magical rivers along with quiet monasteries and relaxing resorts, there is so much to explore in Himachal Pradesh that you just can’t get enough of it. Whether it’s exploring quaint hill stations of attempting the impossible through paragliding, here’s a handy guide to take you through the roller coaster that is Himachal Pradesh.

If you have a trip planned but there are exams coming up – or you should be studying – then there’s no need to panic. Even if you’re on holiday there are still plenty of things that you can to do make sure that you get the study and revision time that you need.

Content Editor Philly explored Thailand’s hidden coastal regions on a research trip to the country. Here she recounts her encounter with pink dolphins, yes pink, in the undiscovered district of Khanom. Beautiful, mysterious and friendly, they proved to be a highlight of the adventure.