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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.
Kashmir - Paradise on Earth: An Insider’s Guide
The northern state of Kashmir is the ideal off-the-beaten-track destination with stunning scenery. Srinagar boasts an old-fashioned charm, buzzing souks, and a slower pace of life. Further up the Vale of Kashmir, the scenic town of Gulmarg is reminiscent of an alpine resort with a romantic history. Read our insider’s guide to Kashmir here…
Insider View: Pondicherry
Pondicherry is charming coastal city with a distinct Indo-Mediterranean flavour. Pastel-coloured houses, friendly locals and stylish boutiques are prevalent in this unhurried sun-drenched haven. Our insider guide seeks out some of the most special corners of Pondicherry to experience this unique destination like a true local…
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…
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...
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…
Ampersand "In the Know" - A Travellers Guide to India
We hold India very close to our hearts at Ampersand, and in the spirit of truly getting under the skin of this vast nation, we have asked 20 personalities from the fields of fashion, media, design, food and travel to share a glimpse into their own love affairs with the subcontinent revealing personal ‘in the know’ tips gathered from their lives and travels...
Ampersand's mini-guide to Indonesia
Our seasoned Indonesia specialist, Emily Gillman has just returned from a rigorous 5-week research trip to Indonesia. Travelling across seven of the biggest islands and visiting almost 100 hotels, Emily has the most up to date intelligence and first-hand experience of the finest hotels and experiences on offer...
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...
