6 Best Places to See in Patagonia
Our South America travel experts have created a list of the top things to see in Argentina and Chile.
The Destinations Seen on Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour of South Africa
Here’s a list of the places mentioned in Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa, with expert tips for your South Africa trip.
Best Time to Visit South Africa
Our Africa experts have narrowed down the best times to visit South Africa with ideas on the places you must see.
10 Best Honeymoon Destinations
Planning a honeymoon? Here are 10 destinations that promise to be a truly romantic escape.
Best Time to Visit Chile
There is something for everyone in Chile, but when is the best time to go?
10 Best Luxury Beach Holiday Destinations
Planning a luxury beach holiday in 2025/2026? The sun, sea and sand awaits.
Fraudulent activity using our name
It has come to our attention that The Ultimate Travel Company name is being used illegally as part of an elaborate scheme to defraud individuals.
The Andean Crescent: Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa
As trite as this may sound, I do think the Southern Continent is life changing. It’s an extraordinary place, somewhere you can’t necessarily describe until you’ve seen it for yourself.
Something for Everyone in Asia
One of the greatest things about Asia is how incredibly diverse it is.
Antarctica: The End of the Earth- Louisa Thompson
As trite as this may sound, I do think the Southern Continent is life changing. It’s an extraordinary place, somewhere you can’t necessarily describe until you’ve seen it for yourself.
Nevis: Paradise Island
This beautiful island is now Jo Abbott’s favourite Caribbean destination.
Highlights of Ecuador and the Galapagos
Laura journeys through Ecuador experiencing its wildlife and culture, before setting sail aboard the Cormorant to explore the wonders of the Galapagos Islands
Melbourne: Like a Local
David let’s us know how to best explore the bustling city of Melbourne in his new blog.
Ethiopia – east of Axum
Ethiopia expert Chloe Henderson, explores the rock hewn wonders of remote Tigrai.
A Gorilla encounter of the closest kind
Tor Saner tracks the mountain gorilla through the impenetrable forests of Uganda.
Vienna to Budapest
Jo Abbott enjoys a capital combination, taking in the scenery and culture of two of Europe’s most popular cities.
Hello from Sri Lanka
Neil is currently in Sri Lanka and keeping us updated on his morning activities across the Kandalama Reservoir.
The National Parks of Sri Lanka
Following his recent trip, Neil provides us with his insiders tips on what’s hot when visiting Sri Lanka’s National Parks.
The Princely City of Hyderabad
Ayesha finally gets the chance to tick the historic city of Hyderabad off her bucket list – staying in the cities ‘crown jewel’, the Taj Falaknuma Palace.
Cook Islands – Six Days in Paradise
Gemma Williams spends 6 days island hopping around the Cook Islands. Visiting some of the areas best kept secrets!
Epic Namibia
Augusta takes a journey across Namibia’s dramatic landscape – visiting desert eco-lodges, Sossusvlei sand dunes and encountering some of Namibia’s rare desert-adapted wildlife
Colombia – The Pacific Coast
Paul Webb travelled to Colombia visiting El Chocó on the Pacific Coast, a region known for its natural resources and the friendliness of its people.
The North of the South
Gemma Williams visits New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds and the Kaikoura Coast.
Panama & Honduras
I last visited Panama and Honduras as a backpacker more than ten years ago and so I was keen to return…
Southern Queensland and Lord Howe Island
Queensland, Australia is famously known for the Great Barrier Reef – Jeremy Webster explores what else this popular state has to offer.
Opera & Ballet in Berlin with Marie-Therese Hill
I had heard nothing but good reviews about these Escorted Tours so it was with lots of excitement that I set of for Berlin on a jam packed tour with The Ultimate Travel Company.
Mauritius – an Indian Ocean Adventure
Jo Abbott discovers an Island that offers so much more than just beach.
West Coast Canada
David Marriott travels up the west coast of Canada, from Vancouver to Port Hardy encountering some of the incredible scenery and wildlife the area has to offer.
Tiger spotting in India
Martin Thompson, a Director of The Ultimate Travel Company, visited Ranthambore and Corbett National Parks in India earlier this year and was delighted with what he saw…
Southern California
Gemma recently enjoyed the highlights of southern California.
Discovering Uruguay
Arriving in Montevideo, the most southerly capital in South America, I headed straight to one of the city’s finest restaurants to sample their famous grilled meats before visiting the Carnival Museum, Port Market and Independence Square.
Cuba and Mexico
I hadn’t been to Havana for a number of years, but little appeared to have changed with regard to the state of its historic colonial buildings.
Zambia Discovered
Tor Saner discovers the very best of Zambia whilst travelling with The Ultimate Travel Company in the Lower Zambezi and Busanga Plains.
Zambia Uncovered
Popular wisdom is that Zambia is a better destination for second or third time safari-goers. However, since returning from an extensive reconnaissance, I really do feel that the country is diverse enough for everybody.
Private View of ‘Magic of Burma and other travels’ by Sally Olyer
Sally Oyler travels extensively, taking great pleasure in drawing her inspiration from a wide variety of subjects.
Hello from Vietnam – Hanoi to Mai Chau
After two comfortable and on time flights with Thai Airways, I arrived in Hanoi, one of my favourite cities in Asia. The old quarter that I loved so much in my backpacking days is still fantastic with lots of street food, shops and little restaurants.
Hello from Vietnam – Mai Chau to Hoi An
After Mai Chau, I drove three hours to Ninh Binh. This is a stunning area of lakes, rivers and limestone peaks, also known as ‘Halong Bay on land’ and it is easy to see why.
Cochin to Chennai (or, Monsoon to Madras)
Ayesha Cronin crosses the hills from Kerala into Tamil Nadu and discovers terrific temples, fabulous food and stunning scenery.
First-time visit to Cappadocia and Istanbul
Cappadocia in Turkey is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world, a high volcanic plateau scattered with surreal rock formations described as ‘fairy chimneys’.
Into the ‘Lord of the Arctic’s Lair’
Laura enjoyed an Arctic holiday to the island of Spitsbergen aboard the Akademik Sergey Vavilov and was lucky enough to see polar bears, reindeer,walrus, humpback whales and Arctic fox cubs.
Cuba and the Caymans
Laura visited the buzzing city of Havana in Cuba, enjoyed meals at paladors followed by a few days in the beach in Grand Cayman. The perfect holiday.
A journey through Morocco
Lettie Butcher explores Morocco for the second time and isn’t disappointed…
Costa Rica – Pura Vida!
Paul visited Costa Rica with The Ultimate Travel Company and enjoyed San Jose, cloud forest, Arenal volcano and the beaches of Tamarindo.
Belmond’s Italy
Jo recently visited Italy and enjoyed Florence and Venice aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient Express.
Rajasthan Revisited
My jolly band of fellow travellers whilst in India were all direct competitors, so this trip also provided an excellent opportunity to exchange news and gossip.
South Africa – Winelands, Wildlife and Battlefields
My trip began in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.
Colours of Guatemala
Waking early in Antigua, I could see through my hotel bedroom window the impressive volcanoes of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango in the distance.
Marrakech and Beyond
Nabila returned to her home country of Morocco to discover a number of exciting new hotels opening, including The Selman, The Royal Palm and Hotel Fellah.
A journey through Peru
Latin America expert, Paul, recently visited Peru including Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and the Peruvian Amazon.
Kenya still has so much to offer
People could not have been more positive and enthusiastic, emphasising that life was significantly better with land and property prices appreciating at a staggering rate.
Tanzania’s Wild West
Victoria recently travelled to Katavi National Park in Tanzania seeing elephant, lion and leopard.
Argentina – from Salta to Puerto Valdes
Completely contrasting areas of outstanding beauty and both good when much of the Argentine remains ‘off season’.
Kenya – Africa’s number one safari destination
It really does have something to offer everybody – adventurers, anthropologists, artists, families, photographers, romantics, single travellers, those looking simply for relaxation…and animal lovers of course!
Australia: city, rainforest and the Whitsundays islands
Australia holiday Expert, Gemma, recently visited Australia including Sydney, Lamington National Park, Whitsunday islands and Great Barrier Reef.
Bali and the Komodo archipelago, Indonesia
Arriving into Bali and the predictable chaos of its international airport, I was glad to be whisked away to the tranquillity of Alila Uluwatu, a beautiful clifftop resort on the south coast of the island.
Best places to dive in Asia
Off the north-western tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province, the Raja Ampat Islands have the highest recorded diversity of fish and coral on earth.
Italian Ways
It is well worth hiring a car, as you can then continue on to Florence, Pisa or Siena, all about a two to three hour drive away…
A Journey Through Mexico
My journey began in Baja California, the long narrow finger of land extending south from Mexico’s border with the USA that has become a playground for the rich and famous with its uber-luxury resorts.
Ecuador: Aboard the Tren Crucero
It is hard to describe the palpable excitement as our international party reported to the railway station at Chimbacalle to board the Tren Crucero for the first stage of its journey through the Ecuadorian Andes to the Pacific coast.
Luxury Lodges of New Zealand
My first stop was Bay of Islands and a two night stay at the beautiful Eagles Nest, unique luxury villas, each with stunning views over the ocean.
Botswana: The Jewel in Africa’s Crown
One of our Africa specialists recently returned from Botswana where she was lucky enough to explore Africa’s ‘ultimate safari destination.
The Paradise Beach Hotels of Sri Lanka
Air Lanka fly non-stop to Colombo, so it was only a matter of hours after leaving London that I was being whisked south along the new and empty coastal motorway to the Aditya Hotel.
David Wickers Picks Five Of The Best…
Looking for some inspiration. Check out David Wickers top 5 worldwide favorites.
Discovering Anguilla
A short 25-minute hop from Antigua will bring you to the beautiful Caribbean island of Anguilla, just 16 x 3 miles in size but with some of the very best beaches in the Caribbean
South Africa – Game, Wine and Mountain Passes
I have just returned from a three week South African adventure which began in the north east, in the Sabi Sands game reserve bordering the Kruger National Park.
A Chilean Patagonia Adventure
Take a journey through Chilean Patagonia with Laura’s account of her recent trip.
Brazil: Rio and Beyond…
I kicked off my Brazilian adventure in style, spending my first night at the decadent Copacabana Palace, which I was lucky enough to see it in all its glory, after the recent renovations.
Great Bear Lodge, Canada
You can’t drive there as there’s no road. Nor can you catch a ferry. The only approach is by float plane, one barely bigger than a dragonfly.
Island Hopping in Mozambique
The chance to visit Mozambique is something I have been awaiting for many years, so to have spent two weeks there in October was a wonderful great privilege.
Canada – Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
To the shrill toot of the whistle, a couple of Scottish bagpipers and cries of ‘All Aboard’ we took our seats on what is undoubtedly one of the most scenic rail journeys on the planet.
Amalfi Coast intermezzo
Sometimes the shortest of breaks can give the biggest recharge to your batteries.
Lombok – An Indonesian Idyll
However, the opening of a new international airport in Lombok together with a handful of quality hotels is beginning to change all that.
A Journey through Burma
One of our Asia specialists recounts her visit to Burma – from the Buddhist temples of Yangon and Bagan, to the Golden Rock and Inle Lake.
Western Australia
Of its population of two million, three quarters live in Perth. If you go in our winter you need to focus on the south.
An Egyptian Adventure
I knew immediately that I was going to enjoy all that Egypt had to offer. But those first few days in Cairo were not just about the Pyramids.
Leopards…but not in Africa!
Martin recently visited Sri Lanka and was amazed at the wildlife of Yala National Park – most surprisingly the abundance of leopard.
Namibia Schoeman’s Skeleton Coast Safari
Jo Arkwright went to Namibia and experienced the thrill of a Schoeman’s Skeleton Coast flying safari
Exploring Panama and Nicaragua
Sara, one of our specialists, spent two weeks exploring the highlights of Panama and Nicaragu.
Tigers in the wildlife reserves of Central India
Ayesha, our India specialist recently spent a week tracking wild tigers in the Central India wildlife reserves.
New luxury palace hotel in Morocco – Palais Namaskar
Visitors to Morocco are certainly not short of luxury hotel options, and the final word in luxury lies with the Palais Namaskar Hotel.
In Patagonia
Like Magellan’s giants, it all sounds too good to be true, but I am beginning to realise that much of what you see and experience in this part of the worlds suspends belief!
The ‘Africa of old’
Brought up in Kenya, I was certain that no other country could ever compare. Joining a Nomad Tanzania safari soon put paid to that perception. Read on here!
Sharks and Shards
Jane Chisholm is captivated by the beauty of Belize and the sheer variety to be found in a country so small. Read about it here.
Discovering Nicaragua
Nicaragua was an incredible experience and I am pleased I could visit this beautiful diverse country.
WALKING IN AUSTRALIA
To tramp, in Kiwi speak, is to hike, and New Zealand has some of the finest walking trails you’ll find anywhere.
WALKING IN NEW ZEALAND
To tramp, in Kiwi speak, is to hike, and New Zealand has some of the finest walking trails you’ll find anywhere.
Namibia Self-Drive Safari
Namibia is a raw but magnificent mix of desert sea, rugged mountainscape and desolate coastline on a truly epic scale.
Bienvenidos a Colombia!
Nabila Cash is seduced by La Candalaria, Cartagena and the coffee region.
Just back from Ecuador and the Galapagos
Follow Latin America expert Jacob as he sets off to discover the treasures of Ecuador and its Enchanted Isles…
Discovering Estonia
Estonia is so much more than its capital city of Tallinn.
Spotlight on Louisa who knows a thing or two about global travel…
I must say my holidays are never relaxing and when I get home, I’m absolutely shattered and need a proper holiday to recuperate!
Navigating Brazil’s Route of Emotions
When we think of obscure tourist destinations, Brazil is unlikely to spring to mind.
Vote for us in the Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2023!
It’s the travel awards season and we’ve been nominated!
Peru: The Gateway to Latin America
When people think of Peru, what comes to mind most readily is probably Machu Picchu and pisco sours.
Patagonia: Land of the Giants – Argentina or Chile?
Covering an area of over one million square kilometres, Patagonia spreads itself over the deepest parts of Latin America’s Southern Cone with majestic breadth.
Guide to the Chilean Winelands
From the planting of the first vines by Spanish conquistadors in 1554 to the viticulture boom of the mid-19th century, Chile’s wine-making history has deep roots.
11 Interesting Facts About Chile You Might Not Know
Latin America expert Jacob shares 11 things about Chile that might surprise you…
India beckons…
India has long enticed the curious traveller.
The Kingdom of Nepal
Louisa Thompson tells us about leading an adventurous Escorted Tour to Nepal in October 2022.
Discovering Taiwan
Sharon discovers the fantastic food, mesmerizing scenery and melting pot of cultures of Taiwan.