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Seasons of India on a Grand Scale
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.
Taking it Izu: Stanley Stewart's search for Ancient Japan
We organised the offbeat trip for celebrated travel journalist, Stanley Stewart. David writes about how he worked with Stanley to create a truly bespoke trip to the Izu Peninsula, a land of hot springs and empty coastal headlands, where hospitality traditions haven’t changed for 400 years…
David’s Shooting Star: Jews of Mumbai
India has ebbed and flowed with a kaleidoscope of races since time began and within this, the little-known Jewish community have a long and captivating story to tell. Their charming legacy, distinctly Levantine but infused with local colours, has been woven into Mumbai’s metropolis which was once a Jewish haven under British colonial rule...
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Japan Now
Catriona has just returned from an introductory tour of Japan, taking in the iconic sights and must see highlights, travelling from Hiroshima to Tokyo. Here she lists her top ten reasons for why you should jump on a plane right now and visit Japan…
A Complete Visitors Guide to the Terracotta Warriors
The Terracotta Army is one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the modern era. Quietly lying undiscovered for over 2,000 years, until its accidental discovery in 1974, the 8,000 strong army protect their Emperor. Read our complete visitors guide to the Terracotta Warriors, with everything you need to know about this ancient archaeological site...
Aurangabad: The gateway to India’s ancient treasures
Aurangabad gives the impression of being a rather unremarkable destination; a bustling city surrounded by hot and dusty arid land. How looks can be deceptive! Aurangabad is the base from which to explore many of India’s ancient treasures – the famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves and the mighty Daulatabad Fort...
A mini-guide to Chengdu: China’s lesser known gem
Chengdu is China’s lesser known gem. It has secrets that the rest of the world does not yet know, ripe to be explored and savoured. Infused with history and culture, Chengdu is set on the 2,000 year-old Silk Road and a trip to Chengdu has a totally different feel from other Chinese cities. One of the distinguishing Chengdu attractions is the fact that it manages to effortlessly combine the feel of a cosmopolitan, up-and-coming city whilst still being a historically unique destination. From Giant Panda breeding to face-changing opera; we have put together six of the things that make Chengdu stand out from the crowd and why it should be included in your guide to China...
Valentines Day
Valentine’s Day is a time to really splash out on the one you love, and there are some truly elaborate ways you can celebrate your blossoming romance to show your beloved just how much they mean to you. This infographic is about luxury gifts for travel lovers, so you can say “I love you” in style…
Five ludicrously underrated destinations
Over the years we have organised thousands of tailor-made holidays, and in our experience, the most exceptional trips were where our clients travelled to extraordinary destinations, many of which hover under the radar, where they can escape the crowds, be individually looked after and experience rituals and landscapes that have remained unchanged for centuries...
Photoblog: A Chinese Adventure
“Ni Hao!” We have returned from their particularly thorough 3-week recce of China, and now can reflect on their adventures. Three times larger than India, there is little doubt of the plethora of experiences on offer in China, but the difficulty is knowing where to begin. Follow in the footsteps of their journey with this energetic photoblog...
