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.

Beautiful Bhutan: A Himalayan Kingdom

Beautiful Bhutan: A Himalayan Kingdom

Ellie has just returned from beautiful Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern fringes. She spent a week gallivanting and exploring the very best this breath-taking county has to offer; from monasteries and fortresses, to dzongs and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. Here are her top highlights in a photoblog of her journey…

Insider View: Kolkata

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…

A mini-guide to Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

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...

Cars & Cartier: Ampersand goes to Hyderabad

Cars & Cartier: Ampersand goes to Hyderabad

We have just returned from the city of Hyderabad for the fifth Cartier Travel with Style Concours d’Elegance, one of the world’s most prestigious vintage car events. The glamorous celebration is held every two years at locations across the subcontinent and this year saw the ‘city of pearls’ hosting the occasion at the Taj Falaknuma Palace…

A Hindustan Calendar: festivals and events in India

A Hindustan Calendar: festivals and events in India

India undoubtedly has the world’s largest collection of 'happenings'. From the smallest jungle village to the sprawling cities, the joyful clamour and colour of festivals and events are a daily part of life. Millennia-old ceremonies and contemporary exhibitions jostle together in the most buzzing calendar in the world…

Ampersand's Top 10 Travel Destinations in Indonesia

Ampersand's Top 10 Travel Destinations in Indonesia

The vast archipelago of Indonesia holds endless treasures for the tropical  traveller: wildlife-rich jungles, whispering  volcanoes, pristine white beaches and  warm turquoise seas. Into that mix add

Ampersand "In the Know" - A Travellers Guide to India

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

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...

Christmas & New Year Escapes in India & Sri Lanka

Christmas & New Year Escapes in India & Sri Lanka

Christmas is nearly upon us and we are dreaming of the most exotic experiences in India and Sri Lanka; rich in wonderful destinations for the ultimate festive celebrations. With charming seasonal traditions, decorations and firecrackers at dawn, it’s hard not to enter into the spirit of Christmas…

Taking it Izu: Stanley Stewart's search for Ancient Japan

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…


Client Testimonials

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
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
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

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