Luxury Escorted Travel and Tour Experiences

 

Escorted tours provide unique travel experiences, and we’re on hand to inspire your holiday planning for 2023. For couples who want to share personal holiday memories, families and groups who appreciate quality time together and honeymooners seeking seclusion, we’ve collated a wonderful selection of private, and small group escorted tours to some of the world’s most culturally diverse – and utterly thrilling – destinations.

 

Al Andalus train, Spain

  Tren Al Andalus is one of the most comfortable, and luxurious tourist trains. Boasting Belle Epoque elegance, its four lounge cars are exquisite railway classics; built between 1928 and 1930. On board there’s fantastic detail with regards to décor, technology, and excellent service. We are delighted to be able to offer a fabulous itinerary aboard the Tren Al Andalus discovering the south of Spain from Seville to Malaga.   Highlight of the trip   Dining on board in the beautiful splendour of the dining car is an exquisite experience, and the railway compartments are superb. World Heritage Site visits include the Mosque of Cordoba and the cities of Úbeda and Baeza. And, of course, there’s a wonderful visit to Granada’s Alhambra.   READ MORE >  

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

  Elegant and gracious, the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, offers an overnight travel experience like no other. A steward in blue and gold livery welcomes you and attends to your every comfort aboard this icon of the rails. Settle into your cabin, adorned with French polished cherry wood, black lacquered panels, gleaming brass and Lalique glass inlays.   Highlight of the trip   Dining is divine. Crisp linen and sparkling silverware and crystal complement the superb cuisine alongside the fine wines and cocktails of Bar Car 3674. As your truly unforgettable voyage unfurls, enjoy panoramic views of everchanging landscapes through Swiss, Austrian, and Italian, Alps.   READ MORE >  

M/S Ambassador cruise

  Deluxe motor cruiser M/S Ambassador sails in air-conditioned comfort along the coast, and between the islands, of Croatia. All modern comforts await on board. Cabins, whether double or twin, have en-suite facilities, porthole or window. The upper deck is home to the ship’s restaurant and the partly shaded sun deck boasts jacuzzi and loungers. A platform on the lower level grants access to the sea for keen swimmers.   Highlight of the trip   Enjoy a guided city tour of the Pearl of the Adriatic,  Dubrovnik, and visit UNESCO-listed, historic Trogir.  Take a trip to Bisevo’s stunning Blue Cave and see island life with delightful stops on Sipan, Mljet and Hvar.   READ MORE >  

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

  Enjoy a 7-night private escorted tour to one of the most famous coastlines in the world, the Amalfi Coast. Enjoy guided visits to Capri, Pompei and Naples, and a delightful lunch and wine tasting at a Sorrentino vineyard.   Highlight of the trip   On day three, five or seven join a small group tour of a Sorrentino lemon grove to learn all about the region’s foremost liqueur, Limoncello. This tour operates with private transfers and excursions by private car with driver.   READ MORE >  

Highlights of Costa Rica

  This privately guided 9 day tour is ideal for first time visitors. Explore the Central Valley of Costa Rica with its extraordinary cloud forest, active volcanoes, waterfalls and rainforest landscapes. Discover the country’s diverse flora and fauna and visit a coffee plantation.   Highlight of the trip   Hiking through the unique and truly magical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.  Spotting white-headed capuchin and howler monkeys, the racoon-like coati and numerous beautiful birds such as the three-wattled bellbird and the dazzling resplendent quetzal.   READ MORE >  

Luxury flying tour of Kenya

  An eight day luxury safari taking in three of Kenya’s most renowned wildlife reserves. Stay in luxury safari lodges and camps in stunning settings along the way, and travel by scheduled, light aircraft between the reserves, allowing for more time in the parks. Seek out the big cats in Maasai Mara, enjoy safari drives in the remote and beautiful Meru National Park, the inspiration for the best-selling Born Free, and in Amboseli marvel at the sight of elephants crossing the vast open plain against a backdrop of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro.   Highlight of the trip   Rising early and heading off into the wilderness in the remote, wild and beautiful Meru National Park seeking out elephants, Grevy’s zebras, Bohor reedbucks, buffalos and Dik Dik, one of Africa’s smallest antelope.   READ MORE >   

Cape Town & Garden Route

  Fly into Cape Town and spend a few days here before picking up your hire car and starting your journey to Mossel Bay and onwards along the celebrated Garden Route, stopping at the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn and the oyster box of South Africa, Knysna, before reaching the Storms River and the end of your trip   Highlight of the trip   The abundance of activities and excursions on offer in Storms River and Tsitsikamma National Park region; from exploring the forest on a leisurely Woodcutters’ Journey tour to kayaking up the glorious Storms River Gorge, enjoying a zipline adventure and hiking an array of trails.   READ MORE >  

Explore Malaysia and Borneo

  Discover the sights and cultural history of Malaysia. Visit the capital, vibrant Kuala Lumpur, and the cooling hill stations of the Cameron Highlands. Enjoy Penang’s historic George Town. Fly to Malaysian Borneo to learn about the wildlife of the jungle. In Sandakan and Abai see orangutans and sun bears.   Highlight of the trip   An unforgettable and uplifting encounter at Sepilok with the loveable orangutans. A rare chance to see these endangered animals interact while feeding, building twig nests and at play.   READ MORE >  

Explore Sri Lanka

  Explore Sri Lanka’s culture and beauty on this comprehensive 13 day/12 night privately escorted tour taking you from Negombo on the west coast to Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala, and Galle or Unawatuna. Visit ancient temples and monasteries, rural villages, colonial cities, former capitals and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and enjoy spotting a variety of wildlife in the country’s national parks. Deep in the stunningly lush Hill Country, learn all about tea and marvel at the striking scenery, from Nanu Oya to Ella, on what is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.   Highlight of the trip   Safari in Yala National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of leopards. The dramatic, near vertical granite walls soaring above the rainforest in Sigiriya and the train journey between Nanu Oya and Ella; awe-inspiring hill country scenery of cloud shrouded mountains, steep valleys, countless tea plantations and lush, intensely green vegetation, plus numerous mountain tunnels.   READ MORE >  

Explore Vietnam

  This fourteen day tour takes in the main highlights of Vietnam. Learn about culture, history and local life and admire the natural beauty along the way. Visit the capital Hanoi and Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), see the wonders of the World Heritage site of Hoi An and the extraordinary terraced rice fields of Sapa. Learn about the Nguyen dynasty in the Imperial City of Hue, meet the locals on village visits and take in the natural splendour of stunning Halong Bay on an overnight cruise, and the lush Mekong Delta on a day cruise.   Highlight of the trip   Cruising along the mighty Mekong River aboard a traditional wooden boat and visiting a floating market, before swapping mode of transport to a bicycle for a gentle ride through villages before lunch at a local home.   READ MORE >   

  Our knowledgeable travel consultants, together with our partners in destination, can create the most personalised tour itineraries. Talk to us on 0800 047 1066 to begin your holiday plans today.

Paguera

  A cluster of inviting white sand beaches and sparkling bays, offering plenty of opportunities for a cooling dip in the Mediterranean, converge on the seaside town of Paguera. Place a clockface on this particular corner of south west Mallorca, and you’ll find Costa de la Calma at three o’clock, Santa Ponsa at five o’clock and Cala Fornells at eleven o’clock. Paguera sits proudly at noon. Private houses, their signature ochre-coloured barrel roof tiles, faded by decades of Balearic sun, co-exist happily alongside unobtrusive resort hotels which have been welcoming predominantly European holidaymakers since the late 1950’s. Over the years shops, restaurants, cafes and bars have sprung up and settled.

Explore

  If you’re looking to explore a little further afield, Port d’Andratx, is 10km from the hotel. Formerly a fishing village, it is now a bustling town where bars and restaurants line the water’s edge. The capital city of Palma is 25km distant, providing plenty of historical and cultural sites, superb shopping and Michelin-starred dining opportunities, galleries and bars.

Barbados   Few would dispute that Barbados is the Caribbean’s culinary capital, and it’s wise, particularly in peak season, to make reservations to smart restaurants a long time ahead of arrival.   Contrasting environments for fresh seafood include Champers and Cuz’s fish shack. The former is one of the leading restaurants on the south coast which features excellent service and the freshest seafood, complemented by striking flavours. The latter is a modest shack-in-a-car-park, next to Pebbles Beach, but its Bajan fish cutter sandwich has earned a global reputation. Lone Star, on the west coast, is something of a celebrity hangout and is the only restaurant where you can dine directly on the beach. Excellent crab fish cakes and coconut crusted jumbo shrimps are highlights.

St Kitts & Nevis   On Nevis, there is a wide choice of smart and sophisticated bars on Pinney’s Beach which are popular with a yachting crowd. For authentic cuisine, Bananas, a charming plantation-style, hillside venue, majors on easy lunches and romantic dinners. Local lobster and lamb dishes are amongst the fine dining favourites. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, guests can enjoy five course tasting menus for party sizes from two to 24, in a 300-year-old sugar mill, Mill Prive, at Montpelier Plantation & Beach. For sublime al fresco dining, the hotel’s Four-Diamond eatery, Restaurant 750, offers light and modern cuisine, perfected through the use of local ingredients, herbs and spices. The experience is complete with fabulous views overlooking the lights of Charlestown and St Kitts.   On neighbouring St Kitts, great beach bars with local dishes are to be discovered at South Frigate Bay. Adult only Stone Barn, part of Park Hyatt St Kitts Christophe Harbour, is a fine dining experience of sharing platters and premium wines. Reservations are essential. Vegetarians and vegans should seek out Ital Creations’ organic produce near Basseterre. Fish-lovers should not miss out on the rich Caribbean bouillabaisse at Serendipity.  

Dominican Republic   The Dominican Republic is discovering a new identity with some superb five star resorts in Punta Cana and La Romana. Many of these resorts are all-inclusive with the incentive to dine beyond them correspondingly diminished. The Relais & Chateaux brand is renowned for its cuisine and Eden Roc Cap Cana has always enjoyed a reputation for fine gastronomy. Its main restaurant, Mediterraneo, has been excellent since its inception in 2013. La Palapa is a go to address for seafood and Blue features the culinary highlight that is Nikkei cuisine, and fusion of South American and Japanese influences.  

St Vincent & The Grenadines   Bequia offers a small selection of excellent restaurants, cafés and bars popular with the sailing and yachting set. The French windows open onto the view of crashing waves at Sugar Reef Café. Perfect for a romantic dinner and equally excellent for a savoury seafood lunch, this is a must-visit address. Jack’s Beach Bar on pristine Princess Margaret Beach serves exquisite cocktails, and the freshest seafood caught within metres of the beachfront terrace.  

St Lucia   For an unforgettable view of the Pitons, restaurant Dasheene, part of Ladera Resort, is a must. Lunch is the best time to enjoy this unrivalled view and the mix of Creole and international food. The Cliff at Cap is one of the top dining destinations in St Lucia, part of Cap Maison Luxury Resort & Spa, it features contemporary French Caribbean cuisine. Rock Maison, also part of the hotel, is often described as one of the most romantic tables for two anywhere in the world. This secluded and torchlit private deck, set just above the sea, has a champagne zip line to send drinks down to its diners.   Exclusive cacao cuisine and a spectacular setting have made Rabot Restaurant, at Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot Estate, one of St Lucia’s most popular foodie destinations. The menu marries the sweet and savoury nature of cacao with the superb local produce and fantastic views of the Pitons. The restaurant at East Winds has a farm-to-table concept where ingredients are grown on the property. Each Friday sees a huge barbecue pit on the beach serving steak, fresh fish, seasonal lobster and vegetarian options. The hotel’s Banana Museum and garden tours are very popular with guests.  

  Grenada   The fine dining scene on Grenada tends to be within the hotels. Two stand-out addresses are the thatched roof restaurant at Laluna Boutique Hotel & Villas, featuring superb Italian and Caribbean dishes, while Rhodes Restaurant at Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel is widely regarded as providing the finest food on the whole island. Beyond the hotels are more modest and affordable local restaurants. Grenada grows everything from nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger to turmeric and thyme, resulting in local plates that really pack a punch. For Grenadian specialities try the informal, waters’ edge BB’s Crabback in St George’s. The Aquarium on Magazine Beach is a Caribbean-meets-international institution with a popular Sunday lunch barbecue.  

Antigua   In St John’s, Papa Zouk has quite the reputation for seafood as well as more than 250 rum labels for your delectation. At a hugely contrasting price point, and on car-free Long Island, The Estate House is a restored plantation house serving sublime cuisine and can only be reached by boat. Sunset English Harbour views and the surrounding 19 acres of national park are a major draw at Terrace Restaurant, where delicate Italian mains meet Caribbean desserts. At Blue Waters Resort & Spa the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Cove, features great sea views from its cliff top location and serves Caribbean and French cuisine with flair, including a particularly fine Lobster Thermidor. Flaming torches and candlelight add to the ambience.