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The official top ten
Winter Sun Holidays

Perfect journeys from December to March…

If you're after a cultural 2025 winter escape, nothing beats Sri Lanka's historic forts and temples, peaceful tea plantations and palm-fringed fishing beaches. Add another dimension to your trip by following the Geoffrey Bawa pilgrimage route by staying in and visiting the great man’s architectural treasures, or for families who want a bit of adventure, we recommend our 'If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka' tour. 

North and South India are perfect if you’re hankering after a dose of even headier exoticism with your winter sunshine. From her balmy backwaters beaches, exquisite forts and palaces, to her vibrant people and colourful saris, India is a tremendously inspiring winter holiday destination, particularly evocative for children.

The vast archipelago of Indonesia is white hot from December to March and holds endless treats for tropics-lovers: emerald paddy fields, whispering volcanoes, pristine white beaches and warm turquoise seas – best explored on a luxury sailing voyage. This is also a great time of year to head to Vietnam for a luxury food tour, or to Laos and Cambodia for Angkor temples, charming cafés and a pampering private island treat. Burma is an ideal destination for adventure seekers and October to March it is the only time of year that hot air ballooning is possible. 

From swimming in see-through seas to able-fingered massages, gourmet food and exceptional service, the Maldives has all the ingredients for an utterly spoiling winter break. The Conrad Rangali is a fantastic all-rounder: it is great for families (it has a kiddie spa which does ice cream facials!) and it has one of the best house reefs for snorkelling and scuba diving. 

>> Read our blog: How to say Merry Christmas in 26 different languages

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Boutique South India: From Chennai to Cochin

Boutique South India is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Starting in Chennai, begin your trip at Ampersand favourite, Palais de Mahe before journeying on to the charming town of Pondicherry, where you...

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Geoffrey Bawa; An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Bawa... An Architectural Tour of Sri Lanka is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This tailor-made tour is an homage to the legendary Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect who shaped...

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Tiger Blue, Indonesia: The Ultimate Sea Safari

Tiger Blue is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Family-friendly Itineraries and Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Feel like the luckiest castaway alive on your tailor-made Tiger Blue itinerary. You will be able to...

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A Heavenly Journey through Bali, Indonesia with Alila Villas & COMO hotels

A Heavenly Journey through Bali is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This heavenly holiday captures the very best Bali has to offer staying in three of its finest 5 star...

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Bonjour Vietnam… A Fabulous Food-lover's Tour

Bonjour Vietnam is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. Revel in the French grandeur of Vietnam's colonial past on this comprehensive tour, staying at glorious colonial hotels from start to finish....

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Laid-back Luxury... From Laos to Cambodia's Angkor Temples & Song Saa Private Island Resort

This itinerary is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Romantic Holidays and Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This tour combines Laos and Cambodia's most alluring highlights: a stay in the enchanting former royal capital of Luang Prabang,...

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The Golden Land of Burma… A Luxury Tour

The Golden Land of Burma is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips. This is our ideal trip to Burma, the 'Golden Land' using our favourite hotels in each destination and providing a...

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If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka...

This itinerary is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Trips and Top 10 Family Holidays. This tour is an Ampersand favourite! If Tarzan went to Sri Lanka we are sure that he would do something...

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Conrad Rangali, Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Winter Sun Destinations and Top 10 Romantic Retreats.  This romantic resort offers sophisticated luxury surrounded by glorious natural beauty. Split between two islands and...

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Classic Kerala... Beautiful Beaches & Balmy Backwaters in South India

  Our Classic Kerala Holiday is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Family-friendly Itineraries. A relaxed introduction to the charming and diverse state of Kerala which is famed for its welcoming people, lush,...

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Client Testimonials

Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India

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