JOURNEYS WE LIKE

This selection of  journeys that we like is not a scientific selection or even a graded one – it’s a serendipitous list of travel ideas; some of them can be added together or mixed one with another where geography, or an aircraft allows.  If you just want to book something yourself that’s fine, but if you want us to design something into a wider itinerary just let us know.

 “Actually, the website is just the start. We took a few ideas from it and then started talking to them. They were adding touches from their own knowledge and experience, understanding would appeal to us and what would not. And suddenly our plans came to life in their hands.”

Mimi Kays

Africa

A tour by private jet, flying between wildlife locations might include, for example, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Whilst the exact itinerary will be tailored to your requirements, a private jet safari offers the ideal way to make the most of your time.

Antarctica

Fly from Punta Arenas to King George island… cruise in small expedition ship… uncrowded shore excursions…

8 days in another world.

Ice adventures. Mountaineering, wild-life spotting, snow-shoeing, kayaking, or even ski-touring – lots of adventures can be linked with an Antarctic expedition cruise. Lots of choice, from ex-soviet icebreakers to small luxury cruising vessels. But our favourite would be a 14-day voyage on a Russian icebreaker, to see Emperor Penguins and their chicks out on the ice. Once in their vicinity a helicopter takes you to within a mile of the rookery and you then walk the rest of the way.

Argentina

Ruta 40. From Comodoro Rivadavia to El Calafate Ruta 40 winds along the foothills of the Andes, across the vast emptiness that is Patagonia. This is a land of long straight empty roads, passing the occasional gateway to an estancia set miles back from the road. Wide horizons and vast skies emphasise the essential emptiness of a vast land. Beyond the shores of Lago Buenos Aires, the mountains appear; beyond Los Antiguos snow-clad peaks rear. Along the way small settlements like Bajo Caracoles, with a shop, a few houses and a petrol station, provide a welcome break from the vast emptiness. This is a trip for travellers who love the solitude of vast empty spaces. When you have traversed the solitude of Ruta 40 for several days, there are flights from El Calafate back to the bustle of Buenos Aires.

Botswana

Canoeing safari on the Selinda Spillway. Connecting the Okavango Delta with the Kwando/Linyati rivers in Northern Botswana, the Selinda Spillway is ideal for a few days slow canoe exploration, with overnight at basic fly-camps. Along the way there should be lion, buffalo, hippo and elephant as well as birdlife including bee-eaters, kingfishers and fish eagles.

Cambodia

Botum Sakar National Park. In South-western Cambodia, on the route from Thailand to Sihanoukville, amidst the Cardamom Mountains, lies the Bohum Sakar National Park. The Government has set aside some 180 square kilometers of land for tourism, vying with logging and rubber development in the same area. And in the heart of the Park lies the Cardamom Tented Camp. This is an eco-project which opened in November 2017. The journey to the camp from Phnom Penh takes some four hours, ending with a 40- minute fast boat ride to the camp, with its 9 safari-style canvas tents. Visitors to the park travel around by kayak, penetrating narrow channels amidst the forest, including a visit to the Preak Tachan Ranger Station. The wildlife here is varied, with Macaques, snakes, monitor lizards, pangolins, gibbons and sambar deer as well as a variety of birdlife. A visit here helps to support the protection of wildlife in the Cardomom Mountains and the eco credentials of the Cardamom Tented Camp.

Canada/Alaska

Coast Mountains kayaking. In the spring, in Canada, comes the chance to paddle down glaciers. In the late spring the glaciers in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia start to melt, and the thaw creates pools and channels that flow downhill. This is the time to paddle the meltwaters in inflatable kayaks. A helicopter transfer takes you to the start of the journey, then its kayaking by day and onshore camping at night. Be aware, though, that conditions for this kayaking trip must be just right, so it’s not possible every year.

Exploring by helicopter in the Rockies. Starting out at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel, in Banff National park – where there’s hiking, horse-back riding and river-rafting if you want them – head by helicopter to a remote lodge in the Purcell Mountains. From here you can spend four days heading out each day in the helicopter to remote mountain valleys on guided walks. A real ‘get away from it all’ experience, suitable for July and August only.

Inuvik to Aklavik. Between January and April each year, the ice-roads of Canada are driveable. This is when the lakes freeze over to a depth of not less than 40cm, the thickness needed for most cars to traverse the ice. There are some 4000 kilometers of ice-roads still in use in Canada’s North West Territories, one of which is the route from Inuvik to Aklavik; the ice-road to this remote trapping and fishing settlement at one point crossing the blue-ice surface of the MacKenzie Delta.

Rail and cruise in Western Canada and Alaska. Pick up a car on landing in Calgary; drive into the Rockies and see Lake Louise. Then spend two days on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train winding through the Rockies down to Vancouver. Take a sea-plane tour before heading off on an Alaska cruise. Several itineraries and cruises to consider.

Vancouver, and gold-mining in the Yukon. Explore Vancouver – include a seaplane trip from the harbour – before flying north to Whitehorse, in the Yukon territory. Then drive North for several hours into the wild forests of the territory and spend a couple of days, working at a gold-mining camp, before continuing on up to Dawson City, the once bustling capital of the goldrush days. A week, or more, in the vast empty wilderness of Canada’s northern territory.

Nunavut Islands – A journey to the upper reaches of America. In summer charter flights operate to the wild tundra of Ellesmere Island. The Quttinirpaaq National Park here is less than 800 kilometres to the North Pole. Wilderness guides lead back-country treks to spy oxen and caribou. It’s a remote and little visited place with, a total of some 21 visitors in 2017.

Far West Camp in Ivvavik National park – a charter flight is needed to reach the Ivvavvik National Park base camp in July to August. Here there’s the chance to stay with Inuvialuit hosts at Sheep Creek. This is grizzly country, there’s hiking and rafting. The trip needs a lot of planning but gives a glimpse of another world.

The Ice Road to Tuktoyaktuk. Since 2017 the ice road which runs for 137 kilometres from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk has become an all-weather highway. So now the tiny Inuvialuit community can be reached all year round. Starting from the Dempster Highway, this winter road trip offers the chance to see the largest herd of reindeer in Canada. There’s also the chance to visit deserted whaling settlements, hire a local guide and go polar-bear spotting, or trek the ‘pingos’ – ice mounds. Then there’s the local culture of Tuktoyaktuk itself.

Yukon Road Trip – Road trips are a part of travelling North America, but perhaps the far north offers the wildest road trip. Fly north, and start from Yukon’s Dawson city and it’s a road trip, a drive, of about 800 kilometres through a vast landscape until you reach Inuvik, over the border in the North-west territories. Then head along the new 140-kilometre route to Tuktoyaktuk, perhaps the remotest Inuvialuit village in Arctic Canada, passing wild trails and gold-rush settlements along the way. You’ll need to buy or rent a rugged vehicle, but the reward will be a true road trip to the lonely remote wilderness of the American north.

Cuba

Fly to Santiago and catch the local music… drive across the island to Havana to catch the clubs and visit the recording studios… a chance to meet local musicians…
16 people for 10 days, led by a music expert guide.

Finland

Fatbiking in Oulanka National Park. Fatbikes are essentially bikes with low gears and chunky 10cm wide ‘fat’ tyres. Ideal for non-skiers to get into ski country.  In Finland’s Oulanka National park you can cycle past ice-covered lakes, through ancient forests and across the wintry and wild taiga. In the evenings there are saunas and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

France or Italy

Riviera road trip. Start with an interesting classic car – perhaps a Mercedes 190 SL – and spend a week driving between, for example, Milan, Florence and Cap Ferat. Or visit Portofino or Monaco. The route can be as you wish it, but what makes this a special journey are the luxury touches along the way: picnic lunches put together by the chefs from the top hotels you use, and knowing that a second, modern, car will be there behind you to provide assistance if needed, refuelling and cleaning your classic car at each night-stop, and driving it for you if you feel like handing over the wheel for a day. 

France

A 50 hour mystery journey (it was for a 50th birthday…) Party in London… Eurostar to Paris… train to Epernay… private Dinner at Moet & Chandon … visit to their champagne cave… fly home by private jet.
40 people for 3 days.

Greenland

Siorapaluk. This small community numbers no more than about 50 inhabitants. A few cruises head in this direction but the easiest way to visit this traditional community is by helicopter, from Qaanaaq, which in turn is reachable by an internal flight. The truly adventurous, however, can eschew the helicopter transfer and, in the spring, cover the 200 kilometers from Qaanaaq to Siorapalik on a dog-sled journey under the endless light of the midnight sun.

Guyana

From Georgetown drive into the interior… a few active and basic days travelling through the jungle, on foot, by boat, camping overnight and trekking up to Kaieteur Falls, the highest single drop falls in the world… then everything changes as, in the middle of nowhere, in the heart of the jungle alongside the falls, a waiter serves champagne and lunch on linen tablecloths, before you fly in a chartered aircraft back to Georgetown and a last night in the 150 year old Cara Hotel and a final Dinner in The Bottle Restaurant, considered the best in Georgetown. Some tough days; some luxurious days.

India

Start in Delhi… fly to Khajuraho and visit the erotic temples… overnight with game drive at Panna Reserve… drive or private flight to Agra and the Taj Mahal… Ranthambore Game Reserve and tigers if you are lucky… Jaipur… on to Jaiselmer and a private camel safari… flight back to Delhi. (we have included Srinagar, Kashmir, in this trip before but current FCO advice is not to travel there at the moment…).

Italy

A Tuscany Road trip. A classic Italian road trip has to take in hilltop towns and vineyards and a long weekend driving through Tuscany offers all that and more. After a first night in Florence, next day head to classic Chianti country for a morning wine-tasting tour, before driving via the small village of Volpaia for a lunch stop, before making for an overnight in Siena. The next day make for Arezzo and a leisurely lunch before either an overnight here or a quick run back on the autostrada to Florence. This trip is about food, beautiful accommodation and excellent wines. But it should – this being Italy, also be about hiring the right car for the weekend – something Italian of course.

Ferrari Four days. Fly to Florence to meet the Ferrari model of your choice, and after spending a day in the city, drive off in style on the open road. Visit San Gimignano, then Siena, Montepulciano and Arezzo, before returning to Florence. A weekend of Italian food and wine, beautiful old cities, five-star accommodation - and time on the open road in a Ferrari with you in the driving seat.

Mongolia

Gobi Desert trekking. Hike at the Khongoryn Els sand dunes; stay in a Ger on the grasslands with a camel-herding family.

Morocco

Southern Morocco Desert. Essouira is arguably the most beautiful town in Morocco, and a good place to start a southern trip. With a private car and driver, move on to Taroudant – a walled town like Marrakesh but with less hassle – for an overnight. Continue to Foum Zguid, a small town at the edge of the Sahara for an overnight break – or if time is tight then press on for an eight-hour day straight through to a desert camp at Erg Chigaga. A two-night stay here will allow time for dune-walks, camel treks, sand-boarding, and evenings spent around a campfire, with the desert dunes fading away into the night. Next comes the Draa valley and a night in Agdz before crossing through the High Atlas via the Tizi n Tichka Pass to arrive in Marrakesh. A week of walled towns and desert dunes.

North Pole

Icebreaker from Murmansk… fly off the ship by helicopter each day for sightseeing… at North Pole drink champagne on the ice if feasible… sail back to Murmansk.
N.B. this is not a private group, there are usually others on board the icebreaker (although for a price…).

Since the Arctic is a shifting sea of ice, unlike the continental ice-sheet that makes up Antarctica, it is relatively easy to reach the North Pole at 90 degrees North, simply by sailing there. In June and July each year the ‘50 Let Pobedy’, a nuclear-powered Russian ice-breaker departs from Murmansk and crunches and carves its way to 90 degrees north.

Norway

To Svarlbad and the North Pole. The aim is to stand at 90 degrees North. Fly from Longyearbyen, on Svarlbard, Norway, on a flight of about 2 and a half hours to land at an ice-strip at Barneo Ice Camp. This is a permanent camp, run by the Russian Geographical Society and is nearly located on the North Pole – it’s at 89*North, just short of the required 90 degrees North. But a helicopter will fly you the last part of the trip to the Pole. This trip happens only in April.

Greenland

The East Coast and Ittoqqortoormit. Fly via Iceland to Kulusuk, Greenland’s main town. Then fly on to Constable Point where a switch to a helicopter flight lands at the remote village of Ittoqqortoormiit and its huge National Park for Artic hikes. A dramatic short trip to another world.

Scotland

Fly there by private helicopter… stay at a small restaurant with rooms, winner of the Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year 2018… salmon fishing… picnics on the beach on Colonsay and Scarista… helicopter home again.
4 people for 4 days.

Seychelles

Constance Lemuria, Pralin island. A grande dame of a hotel, this is a great place to stay to see turtles; It also has the only 18-hole golf course in the Seychelles. For more active sports there’s sailing, kayaking, cycling, windsurfing, and floodlit tennis.

Siberia

Reindeer Herding Festival. Like the Sami in Lapland, the Nenet people of Siberia are historically nomadic. Each year in April they move their large reindeer herds across the taiga, around the Yamal Peninsula, a region devoid of roads, and difficult to visit without hard to obtain visas. The Nenet community of Seyakha is reachable by helicopter, whist the encampment at Yar Sale is reachable from the railway station at Labytnangi by sledge. The degree to which their livestock governs their year is best seen at the April Reindeer Herding Festival.

St Helena

Diving in the South Atlantic. The isolated island outpost of St Helena, where Napoleon spent his last years in exile, is nowadays, following the opening of an airport, reachable by a flight from Johannesburg, and so is an interesting addition to a visit to South Africa. With a population of just over 4000, It’s an interesting island to explore, but off-shore there is diving on little-known wrecks, caverns and seamounts. You can also snorkel with whale sharks. All best done between December and March.

South Africa and Zimbabwe

Winelands and Waterfalls

Start in Cape-town, with a trip to Stellenbosch and the winelands. By private car, with a few wine samples aboard, or have a lie-in and helicopter there for wine-tasting and lunch. Back to Cape-town on the back of a chauffeur-driven Harley. From Cape-town catch a luxury train to an overnight in Pretoria before a three-day journey aboard one of South Africa’s luxury trains. Nights are spend on board, and days pass rolling across the Karoo and into Zimbabwe, through Hwange National park, with time for game-viewing, en route to Victoria Falls. See the ‘falls from the water then end up with a helicopter ride over the Zambesi before jetting back home.

Sweden

Wolves in the Wilderness. An exciting addition to any visit to Stockholm, this short break offers 2 nights at the Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge and one night in a tented camp, with dinner cooked on an open fire. Days are spent following wolf tracks and searching for beavers and moose. And all this is only a drive of some 2 hours from Stockholm.

UK

West Country Weekend. Escape the bustle of the city on a Friday evening, by helicopter and head west to Devon and Cornwall. Time over the next two days to fly around the Lizard and Land’s End; and put down on a few secluded beaches for a lazy private picnic. Nights can be spent at a family-run Lodge, once a 300-acre dairy farm and now a country retreat where they are used to hosting parties, champagne tasting or even a jazz evening. And somewhere in the weekend we recommend fitting in a meal at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Padstow, before helicoptering back to the city.

United States

California Road trip. California State Route 1 is better known as the Pacific Coast Highway and is perhaps the classic US road-trip. And its now better than ever as part of the route was put out of action due to a massive landslide, but the road has now been re-opened. Start from San Francisco and head along the Pacific coast for more than 600 miles, passing redwood forests, mountain peaks and stretches of sand. And don’t miss the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas. And, of course there’s the fun of deciding which American classic road car to hire for the duration of the trip.

Route 66. Immortalised by Bobby Troup, Chuck Berry and many more, it winds from Chicago to LA. The song says it all, really: “It goes from St Louis, down to Missouri, Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty. You’ll see Amarillo and Gallup New Mexico. Flagstaff, Arizona, don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino…” It takes about three weeks at a leisurely pace, with a couple of nights in Chicago, the Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and overnights everywhere else. But its how you do it that matters – a Mustang, a Cobra or a Harley; whichever way you travel it’s that classic open road trip.

Mississippi by Paddle Steamer. The American Queen is the largest paddle steamer ever built and takes 7 nights to cruise from Memphis down to New Orleans, through scenery varying from languid towns and backwoods to stops ashore such as Vicksburg, famous from Civil War days. This is as much a journey through American history as along a river; and there’s all that music at both ends of the voyage.

Music of the South. A good road trip frees the soul and the imagination as each day’s drive unfolds. But how much better if the trip also has a soundtrack. For lovers of American music, a drive from Nashville to Memphis, over some 10 nights, should touch all the bases. Nashville offers the Ryman auditorium (where you can make your own CD if you play as well as listen), the Country Music Hall of fame and of course Broadway, where the Honky Tonks are awash with music from mid-morning to early next day. Nashville also, as an extra delight, has several excellent food venues. Then head along Interstate 40 for 220 miles, to Memphis, along the way calling in at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and stopping at Jackson to visit the Rockabilly Hall of fame. Once in Memphis, head for Beale Street, officially declared Home of the Blues, where numerus clubs keep the music alive. Memphis, like Nashville, is a mixture of the history of yesterday – visit the WC Handy Museum - and the live music of today. If you have more time, head on south through Louisiana, following the Mississippi via Clarksdale and Cajun country to New Orleans which is a whole other world of music.

Venezuela

Angel Falls. Lying deep in the Canaima National Park is the world’s highest waterfall, with a 979-metre drop. But getting there is not simple. A motorised canoe trip will take several days journeying up the Churun River, passing through thick jungle, with the occasional porterage necessary, before the roar of the Falls makes it worthwhile. Canaima National Park is not accessible by road, but single-prop planes can be chartered at Cuidad Bolivar or from Caracas for an enthralling flight, including close passes of the falls.

Zimbabwe

Mana Pools Safari. Considered one of the best Game Parks in Africa, Mana Pools has a great diversity of game, but takes several hours of hard driving to reach by road; chartering a small plane from Harare solves that problem, however. Stay at Vundu Camp and explore all that the Park has to offer.