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.

Japanese Art & the Courtesan

Japanese Art & the Courtesan

The Japanese culture throughout the ages, has attached ceremony to every part of life. No element was allowed to descend into mundane squalor or ugliness that pervaded western societies. This sense of

Ampersand's Little Black Book: A Design Tour of South Africa

Ampersand's Little Black Book: A Design Tour of South Africa

South Africa is a country in the midst of one of the most exciting design evolutions on earth. Having languished for many years as a cultural backwater due to the political and socio-economic

5 Unmissable Experiences in North India

5 Unmissable Experiences in North India

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer variety of enticing activities on offer in North India, but fortunately our specialists have done the hard work for you and scoured the region in search of the crème de la crème. See below for our top five…

Ampersand's Unusual Escorted Tours for 2019

Ampersand's Unusual Escorted Tours for 2019

Nothing creates a bond than experiencing an unfamiliar setting and culture in the spirit of adventure and fun. As the world gets increasingly more digitally connected people are in fact seeking

24 Hours in Luang Prabang, Laos

24 Hours in Luang Prabang, Laos

If you are seeking a relaxed pace of life and a warm welcome, there’s no better place than Laos; golden temples, saffron-robed monks, rusty old bicycles meandering down crumbling colonial boulevards, and a scattering of river islands upon the mighty Mekong River. Follow our whistle-stop guide for a magical 24 hours in Luang Prabang…

Ampersand Little Black Book: Varana, Mayfair

Ampersand Little Black Book: Varana, Mayfair

Mayfair’s Dover Street welcomed the launch of artisanal luxury brand, Varana a year ago and the brand has quickly gained an international coterie of devotees. The three-floor boutique showcases a

Newly Opened ‘Japan House’ in Kensington – A Slice of Tokyo in London

Newly Opened ‘Japan House’ in Kensington – A Slice of Tokyo in London

Much to our delight, Japan House opened its gleaming doors to the public this weekend (23rd – 24th June 2018). We’ve been avidly awaiting this welcome addition to Kensington High Street and it has far

The Most LGBT-Friendly Cities in the UK

The Most LGBT-Friendly Cities in the UK

June is LGBT Pride Month, and to mark the occasion we have created a guide to the most LGBT-friendly cities in the UK.In our newly released Rainbow Cities Index, we have analysed multiple factors

Varanasi: The holiest of holy cities

Varanasi: The holiest of holy cities

Varanasi is a place that is described as ‘intense’ by those who visited it, but what the holiest of holy cities is really like in the flesh? Ellie describes her experiences exploring the frantic city made up of ancient narrow back lanes where life, death, and everything in between, come into contact...

A mini-guide to Hampi, an ancient world of Rocks & Ruins

A mini-guide to Hampi, an ancient world of Rocks & Ruins

A near-mythical landscape of mysterious boulders, ancient temples and remnants of a 14th century lost city, Hampi is like nowhere else in India. Called the subcontinent's own Machu Picchu, this former


Client Testimonials

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
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
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India

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