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.

Little Black Book: Discover the Pink City – Jaipur

Little Black Book: Discover the Pink City – Jaipur

The fabled city of Jaipur, rose-pink capital of Rajasthan, has been busy captivating travellers to the subcontinent for centuries, not least for its unrivalled collection of shopping and dining destinations. Join us on a magic carpet ride through some of our insider places to discover Jaipur’s thriving design scene...

Dining with the Nawabs: A Culinary Tale of two Countries

Dining with the Nawabs: A Culinary Tale of two Countries

‘Dining with the Nawabs’ reveals a glimpse into the present-day lives of the rulers of India. An exquisitely produced book which profiles several Muslim royal families across India and Pakistan through their culinary traditions of Indian cuisine. Author Meera Ali, is herself married to the Raja of Kotwara, and uses her insider access to give us a rare seat at the tables of princely families of the subcontinent…

Bangalore on a Plate

Our favourite Bangalore-based foodie, Nirja Raju, reveals what she thinks would make the ideal 2-day tour of this burgeoning city's epicurean hotspots. ©Paul FernandezWhen planning a trip to India, it

Insider Q&A: Indian food historian Jonty Rajagopolan shares her top Hyderabad travel tips

Welcome back to Ampersand’s Insider Q&A series where we pick the brains of our special suppliers and ask them to share their tips and local perspective on some of our favourite destinations.Sharing

Just back from… Hoi An, Vietnam

Just back from… Hoi An, Vietnam

“Xin chào” and hello from Ampersand’s marketing manager, Sacha Smith-Laing, who recently returned from Vietnam where she caught some rays, ate many a phở and strolled the fairytale lanes of Hoi

Do things differently with Ampersand Travel

At Ampersand we don’t do cookie cutter tours. Each and every trip is tailor-made to provide our clients with a mixture of the best-of-the-best luxury accommodation (mixed in with a few charming

Ampersand's foodie favourites: Culinary experiences worth travelling for!

Ampersand is currently more food obsessed than ever... we have all recently returned from research trips throughout Asia and our taste buds are suffering withdrawal symptoms after our mouth-watering

Thank you Diana!

A big thank you to our friend, renowned chef and hotelier Diana von Cranach, who gave a great talk at our drinks party on Friday night. She was here at the Ampersand office to personally promote the


Client Testimonials

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
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
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

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