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Ampersand Anecdotes: The Spy Princess
Ampersand's Travels...
Welcome to Ampersand's travel blog. This is where you'll find out all the latest goings on from our travels across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.
Our motto is that luxury is in the experience: watching tigers padding through the Kanha jungle in the company of an expert guide; camping out under the Ladakh stars wrapped in cashmere blankets; exploring the art galleries and fine dining restaurants in Cape Town... these are the things we adore.
All over Asia and Southern Africa – from Bhutan to Bali, Cape Town to Victoria Falls – we know the most charming privately-owned hotels, the best secret beaches, the prettiest temples, and the most exclusive safari trails in the untouched wilderness. Our Little Black Book contains the best textile buffs, the keenest foodies, the wittiest maharajas, the most expert guides and the loveliest spots to drink champagne in the moonlight.
But what we love most of all is revealing these treasures to our clients. In our blog we hope to inspire and inform you by providing the latest travel news, hotel openings and luxury holiday ideas across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.
10 Japanese Cultural Concepts
Japanese culture is complex and distinctive. Often visualised as an anthill society, buzzing with the advancements of technology and a population boom. However, many traditional values of Japan still underpin the culture, with a profound appreciation of nature and the simple life. Here are 10 concepts which are at the core of Japanese culture…
Top 10 Things to do in Ireland
After enjoying a glorious 10-day research trip across Ireland, Ampersand’s MD, James Jayasundera has distilled his findings into a hit list of 10 unmissable experiences...
Insider View: Kolkata
Kolkata, the old capital of British India is steeped in history and rich in stories. Old colonial mansions and crumbling relics of the Raj are still evident, but the city is now acknowledged as a powerhouse of the arts. In our insider’s view, we have handpicked some of our favourite insider to experience ‘Cal’ like a true local…
Everything You Need to Know about Visiting The Imperial Palace in Tokyo
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. Located in the heart of the pulsating city, this haven proves to be the highly valuable privacy the Japanese royal family crave. In this mini-guide to visiting the Imperial Palace, you will learn about the best times to visit and more…
Art Fever: Visiting India’s Art Scene
The Indian art scene is booming. With record-breaking sales and clamouring international interest, the ninth India Art Fair welcomed over 100,000 attendees and Kochi held its third Art Biennale. There has never been a better time to invest in Indian art, from emerging artists to the larger names who have seen their value skyrocket over the past few years…
A legendary legacy: eccentric tales of Indian Royalty
The dazzling style of the Maharajas remain a source of fascination to this day, with books, exhibitions and films delving into the near mythical wealth and panache. The palaces, once elusive citadels, now have opened their doors to guests allowing a tantalising glimpse into a largely vanished world. Here we explore some of the eccentricities of a singular race of princes from a bygone era…
A mini-guide to Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon
The mountain paradise of Bhutan, known as ‘the happiest kingdom on earth’ has always been a frontier land promising a unique adventure to any traveller. Land-locked between the goliaths of India and China, Bhutan is a diminutive treasure box of alpine scenery with pristine landscapes, intriguing architecture and perhaps its greatest asset – the gentle and gracious people...
International Women’s Day: 10 of the Most Inspirational Women from Around the World
March is an important month for women’s rights around the world - not only is it Women’s History Month but it also celebrates International Women’s Day. Celebrating local people who make each destination unique is at the very core of what we do, so we wanted to take the opportunity to praise some of the wonderful women from around the world who have inspired and impacted their community, and the world as a whole…
All Aboard! Your Private Yacht to Paradise...
With over 17,000 islands which stretch across 5,000 km, the world’s largest archipelago offers a greater variety of sights, sounds, cultures and customs than anywhere else on the planet. And what better way to explore the region than by luxury sailing yacht? Here is our round up of the ten most impressive luxury yachts in Indonesia…
