It’s in the movement of the streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the quiet presence of Angkor Wat at sunrise, and the slow rhythm of life along the Mekong River. Vietnam and Cambodia are places that reveal themselves gradually, in moments, in conversations, and in the spaces in between. Travelling through this region […]
Category Archives: E-news
ON TOUR: Tajikistan – The Stan That Stole Our Hearts
April 2026 While travelling through Central Asia on our Heart of the Silk Road journey, our group with Elaine has now reached Tajikistan, the smallest of the five Stans, and perhaps the one that surprised us the most. Tour leader Elaine Kelly sent this update from the road: “The kindness and generosity of the people […]
ON TOUR: Kyrgyzstan — Jacky’s group begins the journey
April 2026 While Elaine’s group has been exploring Kazakhstan, Jacky and her travellers have just begun their Heart of the Silk Road journey in Kyrgyzstan. Their first stop was Bishkek, the country’s largest city. A place of striking contrasts, Bishkek blends large Soviet-era buildings with surprisingly leafy boulevards, open parks and pedestrian-friendly streets. After time […]
ON TOUR: Kazakhstan- a country of contrasts
April 2026 Our Heart of the Silk Road journey continues, with Elaine travelling through the Five Stans alongside a wonderful group of guests. From the snowy peaks of Shymbulak Ski Resort, where the elusive snow leopard roams, to the dramatic landscapes of Charyn National Park’s “Valley of the Castles,” each day has revealed another side […]
The Colours and Sounds of Australia
Northern Australia has a way of engaging the senses almost immediately. The colours feel stronger, the light sharper, and the sounds of the landscape seem to carry across the wide open spaces. There is movement in all the sights. The journey begins in the red centre at Uluru, where the land is defined by deep […]
When Plans Change: The Value of Having the Right Team Behind the Journey
Sometimes despite the best laid plans, things change. Flights are delayed, connections are missed, and occasionally a carefully timed itinerary needs to shift. What matters most in those moments is having people with the experience and knowledge to reshape the journey quickly and thoughtfully. Recently we received a message from Elaine, who is currently leading […]
You Are in Good Hands
A great trip feels effortless. The flights connect, the luggage appears when it should, the hotel rooms are ready, and the day unfolds in a way that feels natural and unhurried. Travellers move through places, experiences and conversations with an easy rhythm. It can feel as though it has all simply fallen into place, like […]
The Britain You Imagine and the Britain You Discover
Most people arrive in Britain with a picture already in their minds. Kiwis have a connection through heritage or history. Perhaps it is the world of Downton Abbey, with its grand estates and quiet country villages. For many New Zealanders it may be memories of an OE years earlier, catching the Tube for the first […]
Cities of South America: Every City Has A Heartbeat
It might begin with a glass of wine. A deep ruby Malbec is poured – you take a sip; rich, bold, unmistakably Argentine. The Andes glow on the horizon as glasses are raised, conversations flow, and in that moment, reminding you how good life can be. South America has a way of revealing itself like […]
Jools Hall: I’ll Go Where She’s Going
Jools is one of our treasured tour leaders. She has travelled with our guests to Kenya and Tanzania, Italy, and one tour that really captured her heart was Greenland and Iceland. The places are certainly special to her, but it is the people that truly become dear. If you ask Jools what makes each trip […]