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Sue Aitken - Travel Guru

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30/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆.
Sometimes the most memorable part of a holiday isn't the destination itself, but one extraordinary experience along the way.
It might be spending a night under the stars in a desert camp in Oman, staying on a tiny island on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, or experiencing a traditional ryokan in Japan, complete with hot spring baths and a beautifully prepared Japanese dinner.
None of these needs to be the whole holiday. In fact, sometimes just one or two nights doing something completely different can become the highlight of the entire trip.
So rather than simply deciding where you want to go, it can be worth asking yourself what you'd really love to experience while you're there.
Because years later, you might not remember every hotel you stayed in, but you'll almost certainly remember that night in the desert.

29/10/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀.
If you've visited Capri or Ischia, you may not have heard of their smaller neighbour, Procida.
Just four square kilometres in size, this lovely little island is a world away from the glamour of Capri. Think pastel-coloured houses tumbling down to fishing harbours, narrow lanes, little waterfront restaurants and a slower pace of life.
The prettiest spot is Marina Corricella, where colourful houses overlook a harbour still used by local fishermen.
And while Procida makes a lovely day trip from Naples, there are also a few charming boutique hotels if you fancy staying a little longer and enjoying the island once the day-trippers have gone home.
You could even combine a few nights here with a stay in Sorrento or on the Amalfi Coast for a lovely two-centre holiday.
Sometimes the smaller, less famous places turn out to be the most memorable.

29/10/2026

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮: 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶

Most people planning a safari in Tanzania immediately think of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. And with good reason.

But there's another side to Tanzania that gets far less attention.

In the south, Nyerere and Ruaha offer vast wilderness areas, fewer safari vehicles and a rather different experience. Think boat safaris, walking safaris and wildlife encounters without quite so many other people around.

It's not necessarily the right choice for everyone, but for those who like the idea of getting away from the busier safari circuits, it's well worth considering.

I've just written a blog about what makes southern Tanzania special, and how it compares with the more familiar northern circuit.

You'll find the link in the first comment.

28/10/2026

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮: 𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁?
South America is my favourite part of the world. I've travelled there many times over the years, often on my own, and I've never personally encountered any safety or security problems.
And yet, when I talk to people about visiting South America, one of the first questions I'm often asked is whether it's safe.
I can understand why. Some of the headlines are hardly reassuring. But South America is an enormous continent, made up of twelve countries with very different cultures, landscapes and security situations. It's a mistake to judge the whole continent by the reputation of a few places.
Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been in South America. I love the energy and character of Buenos Aires, the extraordinary landscapes of Argentine Patagonia, the wildlife of the Amazon and the colourful streets of Cartagena. And there's still so much more I'd like to explore.
Of course, I'm not suggesting that everywhere is safe or that you can throw caution to the wind. Petty theft and street crime are genuine concerns in some places, and there are areas best avoided. I take sensible precautions, just as I would when travelling elsewhere.
But my own experiences, including travelling solo, have been overwhelmingly positive.
So if you've always fancied exploring South America but have been put off by concerns about safety, I'd encourage you not to dismiss it out of hand.
You could be missing out on a truly wonderful part of the world. I certainly wouldn't have missed my travels there for anything.

28/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.
We've all seen photographs of some of the world’s iconic sights. We know exactly what they look like and we think we know what to expect.
But sometimes, seeing somewhere with your own eyes is an entirely different experience.
I just received this photo from clients who are currently touring India and Nepal and visited the Taj Mahal yesterday. She told me she was so moved by seeing it in person that she burst into tears.
It's a rather lovely reminder that no photograph can quite prepare you for how a place might make you feel.
And why we travel.

27/10/2026

𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗮.
If you've ever fancied living like Indian royalty, Samode Palace in Rajasthan might be just the place. Although sadly, the title and ancestral fortune aren't included.
About 45km from Jaipur, this former royal residence is a glorious mix of painted frescoes, intricate arches, hidden courtyards and the extraordinary Sheesh Mahal, or Hall of Mirrors, where almost every surface sparkles.
There are just 43 rooms and suites, furnished in traditional Rajasthani style, along with swimming pools, terraces and a spa. The palace is still run by the family whose ancestors once lived here.
And if you can tear yourself away from your regal surroundings, the nearby village of Samode offers a glimpse of everyday Rajasthani life.
I'd be very tempted to include a couple of nights here in a Rajasthan itinerary. After all, if you're going to visit the land of maharajas, you might as well enjoy a little royal treatment yourself.

26/10/2026

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
I've recently booked a wonderful Borneo holiday for clients who are particularly keen on wildlife, including a stay at Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, one of the most extraordinary rainforest environments in Southeast Asia.
When I was putting their itinerary together, I remembered feedback from clients who'd stayed there. They'd absolutely loved it, but said afterwards that they wished they'd had an extra night.
So this time, I've included three nights rather than two.
And there's a good reason for that.
Wildlife doesn't appear on cue. Orangutans, gibbons, hornbills and other rainforest residents have their own schedules, and an extra day gives you more opportunities to explore with expert guides and simply enjoy being somewhere so special.
Of course, three nights in a remote rainforest lodge isn't inexpensive. But sometimes it's worth spending a little more time in one extraordinary place rather than rushing on to the next.
Their holiday also includes Singapore and a lovely beach stay on Gaya Island, but I have a feeling those three nights in Danum Valley could turn out to be the highlight.
And if they come back with a particularly good wildlife story, you can be sure I'll be passing it on.

25/10/2026

𝗜'𝗱 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲...
There aren't many hotels where you might find a giraffe joining you for breakfast, but Giraffe Manor in Nairobi is one of them.
The resident Rothschild's giraffes are known for poking their heads through the dining room windows in search of a treat, which certainly beats the usual breakfast buffet.
It's not quite the same as seeing giraffes roaming wild on safari, but as memorable hotel experiences go, this one would be hard to beat. And it would be a great start to a safari trip to Kenya.

24/10/2026

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹.
There are some hotels where you take one look at a photograph and immediately want to know where they are.
Hanging Gardens of Bali is definitely one of them.
Tucked into the rainforest near Ubud, this rather extraordinary resort is famous for its two-tiered infinity pool, which appears to float above the jungle, with wonderful views across the valley.
And the pool isn't the only attraction. The villas are set into the hillside, each with its own private pool, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
It's a very different side of Bali from the beach resorts further south. A place to slow down, enjoy the scenery, explore the temples and villages around Ubud, and perhaps indulge in a spa treatment or two.
I'd be inclined to combine a few nights here with a stay on the coast, giving you two quite different experiences of Bali in one holiday.
But I have to say, I'd find it rather difficult to drag myself away from that pool.

23/10/2026

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿. If your idea of paradise involves white sand, turquoise water and a lovely hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is probably somewhere on your wish list.
But there's another destination worth considering.
Just off the coast of Mozambique lies the Bazaruto Archipelago, home to Benguerra Island.
Think sweeping beaches, enormous sand dunes, warm turquoise waters and small, beautiful lodges where you can enjoy a rather wonderful sense of being away from it all.
Days can be spent snorkelling, exploring the island, sailing on a traditional dhow or simply doing very little indeed. I can think of worse ways to spend a week.
And there's another possibility that makes Benguerra particularly appealing.
You could combine a few days on safari in South Africa with a relaxing stay on the island afterwards. Wildlife encounters followed by barefoot luxury on the beach. A pretty good combination in my book.
So if you love the idea of an Indian Ocean escape but fancy somewhere a little different from the usual suspects, Mozambique is well worth a look.

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Saturday	11am - 6pm
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