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.
The Maldives is stunning, but let’s be honest, every picture basically looks the same. So how can you decide on the right private island? Having investigated hundreds, first hand, here we share our top 5 resorts to help you find the right one for you.
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. We helped her with arrangements, incorporating the highlights with a twist and organising explorations off-the-beaten-path. From whizzing along characterful backstreets in a tuk tuk, to meeting monkeys that call grand Buddhist temples their home, to spotting elephants on safari, here she shares her top 5 experiences she’d recommend to other families.
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.
A challenging question to answer, but here we provide a brief guide. Ultimately, it all depends on exactly where you are and how much you want to spend.
Thailand is famous as a great value, exotic beach destination. To experience the country at its best though, requires some financial investment – to escape the high-rise, block resorts and mass-touristy sights. Here, we’re sharing our top tips to get the best value out of your luxury family holiday to the country
Tipping is not common practice in Malaysia and most won’t expect it. In some tourist hot spots you may notice 10% service charge added to your restaurant bill. Otherwise tipping will be discretionary. Here’s our suggested guidelines for you holiday.
Tipping is not common practice in Malaysian Borneo and most won’t expect it. In some tourist hot spots you may notice 10% service charge added to your restaurant bill. Otherwise tipping will be discretionary. Here’s our suggested guidelines for you holiday.
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.
Tipping is fairly common practice in tourist hotspots in Indonesia, particularly Bali. Base salaries are often quite low so any tokens of appreciation for service will be gratefully received. You’ll notice tipping is not common amongst local people and is very much an import from western culture. If you feel though people should be rewarded for good service, it’s a nice token of appreciation.
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.
In order to help you prepare for your holiday in Bali and Indonesia we have compiled advice on travel safety.
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.
Considering Aung San Suu Kyi assumed the position of State Counsellor of Myanmar (de facto Prime Minister, position specifically created for her), we thought it timely to mirror those changes and update our traveller safety information on the mysterious land that is Myanmar.
The Foreign Office (FCO) travel advice states that all but essential travel to the islands off the coast of eastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, should be avoided. While taking this information into account, we have also explored general safety standards in Borneo for the benefit of our customers.
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.
In order to help you prepare for your holiday in Sri Lanka our travel experts have compiled the latest advice on safety.
Renowned travel photographer and writer Damon Wilder was this year’s judge of our photo competition. It was a tough job to whittle the entrants down to just one winner, but the best has been chosen. Here, we’re incredibly excited to announce the results.
Nigel Tisdall, renowned travel writer and photographer, recently visited Kuching with Experience Travel Group. From exploring the riches of nearby Bako National Park, to discovering the English Brooke family’s legacy in Kuching itself, to climbing the lush (albeit steep!) Mt Serumbu, here he recounts his best experiences.
Co-founder of Experience Travel Group, Tom Armstrong, discovered the hidden riches of Malaysia. On an in-depth research trip, he found some fantastic experiences you could include in your holiday, the Suka Suka Homestay is but one example. Here he reviews his time with Aziz and family, the hosts – I hope you’ll feel inspired.
Business class is the sensible way to travel – if we disregard the cost. The leg space, ability to sleep in a horizontal position, delicious food and champagne on tap all make for a very civilised experience. Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees. But fear not, you can sometimes swindle a fantastic deal on business class seats. Here is how:
Tipping is very much a western import and some guides may say it’s not customary. That being said it’s an important form of secondary income for Cambodians and does incentive good service. Here, we share on our thoughts on what is an appropriate amount to tip.
Tipping in Vietnam is very much a western import. In certain places however, it’s becoming an important supplementary form of income. You might find a difference between the North and South of the country: Saigon’s exposure to US culture has made tipping more of a thing although, to be honest, exposure to the tourist industry has meant the practice is now countrywide. Although tips are not expected, they are very much appreciated but it can sometimes be challenging working out how much to tip and when it’s appropriate to do so. Here we provide an insider’s guide:
Travel expert Sara recently went on her own personal holiday to Sri Lanka with 12 members of her family. As an avid wildlife enthusiast, her father suggested an early morning whale watching experience. He made the arrangements himself during our holiday but the experience was less than dreamy. Here Sara reports back on how NOT to do whale watching.
Indian food enthusiast and travel expert James shares his top 5 recommended food experiences in India. The restaurant curries in the UK are totally different to authentic Indian cuisine and tasting the real dishes is an enlightening experience. From mouth-watering, juicy chicken and beef kebabs – seasoned with spices – to tapas style potato and chickpea dishes, and lightly fried pakora, there’ll be something for everyone.
Product Director, Melissa, recently inspected several exciting island resorts in The Maldives. As part of her visit, she flew for the first time in a seaplane. More spectacular than a speedboat, flying low enough to give fantastic views over the white sandy islands in the turquoise ocean, she provides her account of the experience.
If you look at a map of Sri Lanka (earth view) you’ll see the number of beaches it has is pretty spectacular. But, then again, just one hour away by plane is The Maldives – with picture-perfect white-sand shores. You’ve got a dilemma: which one should you experience? Here, I weigh up all your options, and discover that it really depends on what you want from your relaxation time.
On return from a travel writing trip to Vietnam with Experience Travel Group, Andy Mossack kindly shared his favourite moments from his time in the country. In our first ever travel podcast, exclusive insights are shared on experiences you could have on your own tailor-made holiday.