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Ampersand's Bespoke Cultural Tours: The Pearls of Punjab & Mumbai
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.
Ampersand Anecdotes: The Spy Princess
Noor Inayat Khan was an Indian princess and a secret agent. She was the unsung heroine of World War Two and her story is one of astonishing courage and sacrifice. In our latest Ampersand Anecdote read about the history of this fascinating woman, and see how both her life and legacy are still influential today…
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…
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...
Cars & Cartier: Ampersand goes to Hyderabad
We have just returned from the city of Hyderabad for the fifth Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elegance, one of the world’s most prestigious vintage car events. The glamorous celebration is held every two years at locations across the subcontinent and this year saw the ‘city of pearls’ hosting the occasion at the Taj Falaknuma Palace…
Polo and Peacocks: British Polo Day in Jodhpur
A celebrated and ancient sport, Polo has been played since the time of the Mughals. But it was in the late 19th century that polo came to Jodhpur in its modern form. British Polo Day enjoys three days of events, rich in intrigue, romance and the majesty of India...
Lucknow – The City of Illusions & Princes
Dotted with British Raj–era buildings, home to two superb mausoleums and a fabulous culinary and arts scene, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh caters well to history buffs, without attracting the hordes of tourists. We speak to Muzaffar Ali, Raja of Kotwara about Lucknow’s reputation as a city of culture...
