Conacu Voyages

14/10/2026

Recently, a few friends with children in their late teens and early twenties have asked me about far flung group tours.

Will they be safe?
Will they fit in?

It took me back to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia with G Adventures, in 2008.

We met for the first time in Bangkok, a group of strangers from around the world, aged from 17 to 70. I wondered how that mix would work. I needn't have. It worked beautifully. We all looked out for each other, and some are still friends today.

What I remember most isn't just the stunning temples. It's the people. Whole families crammed onto a single moped. A young monk who couldn't stop laughing at us. And how quickly we all bonded.

That's what a good small-group tour gives a young traveller: independence, with a safety net.

If your son or daughter is thinking about it, I'm always happy to chat, with you or with them.

10/10/2026

It’s been 2 weeks since I got back from Costa Rica.

We went in September, officially the rainy season, but I prefer what the locals call it: the green season. Mornings were often bright and humid, and in the afternoons we’d see the clouds build, followed by torrential rainfall, which was breathtaking. I loved it.

Thunder and lightning often came with it. This photo was taken in one of those storms.

We stayed around the Arenal and then down on the coast at Manuel Antonio.

Capuchin monkeys crossed the path in front of us, around us (and on our hotel balconies!) and the sloths just slept through the lot - though they don’t like rain!

Because it's a quieter time of year, there were days it felt like we had the place to ourselves.

The rain can put most people off. For me it was one of the best parts.

If Costa Rica's on your list, I’d love to have a chat about it.

27/09/2026

On my way back from a wonderful time in Costa Rica. 🇨🇷
It’s been a whirlwind trip but I’ve learnt so much about this beautiful country, complete with stunning scenery, bountiful wildlife and gorgeous accommodation!

26/09/2026

12/09/2026

Conacu Voyages has just confirmed our first Maldives wedding anniversary celebration holiday!

Partnering with Protected Trust Services enabled us to be free to choose whichever supplier we preferred and to keep 100% of our commission. Thanks PTS!

I did have a restless night though!

The client confirmed late Friday night, after offices had closed.

I went online to the hotels website to check live availability and the room category the client wanted was not available. However, the following morning I learned that Gold Medal had allocation. So managed to secure the dream for our clients! Thanks Gold Medal!

So not only was Gold Medal more competitive than booking direct, had the client gone direct, the room they wanted would have been unavailable.

Added to that, their holiday is ATOL protected.

So yet more reasons (if we need them after the last few days of NATS issues) for booking through a travel agent!

26/08/2026

This luxury Great Lakes cruise really caught my eye — it's rare to voyage through such a unique part of the world, and even rarer to do it with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, named "Best Fleet Worldwide" by Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships (formerly the Berlitz Cruise Guide).

Some voyages stay with you not for where they take you, but for what they stir up along the way — be that memories, curiosity, or a quiet flicker of wonder that reminds us how travel can feel personal.

This region has been on my mind lately: vast and intimate at once, a place most people know the name of but few have ever actually explored least of all by ship.

It's personal for me too — I spent part of my childhood around Toronto, the Great Lakes, Quebec and Prince Edward Island, and those early years still shape how I see that part of the world.

What draws me to these itineraries is how well the HANSEATIC inspiration, suits the voyage. Carrying on average 199 guests in award winning luxury, the pairing this region of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and the Great Lakes just makes sense.

If you've enjoyed luxury cruising before, the name might be unfamiliar to you — Hapag-Lloyd still floats under the radar here in the UK, but seasoned cruise specialists rate it highly: elegant ships, service that notices you, food that goes well beyond what you'd expect at sea, and a real curiosity about the places they sail to.

If you love the ease of cruising and are ready for somewhere a little less obvious, the Great Lakes might be worth a conversation. So if these routes have sparked your curiosity too, send me a message and let's talk about what a voyage like this could look like for you.

03/07/2026

Just back from a lovely talk I was invited to give this morning at Nutwood Network. Thanks to all who attended.

I brought with me (very small) small buckets, paper and pens. And asked all to jot down what their travel bucket lists look like. I was struck by the variety, and imagination behind the initial suggestions.

Having opened up with why we travel and the benefits of travelling, we embarked on a whistlestop tour of global opportunities to explore!

By the end the buckets were overflowing (not surprising as they were tiny!), and I was overwhelmed by the additions!

It was great to see the level of engagement for where we can go.

It was also quite moving listening to the memories, some going back 40+ years of being in places that stoped you in your tracks. Travel means more than an Instagram snap, or a Facebook post, Travel can create memories that last a lifetime. When we do step out of our day-to-day comfort zone, we expand the horizons of our emotional, physical, mental well-being.

Great to hear to see examples of wanting to experience among other places… Angkor Wat, Iceland, Greenland, Easter Island, Galapagos, Niagara Falls, Singapore, Norwedian Fjords, India, Maldives, Gorillas in Rwanda, Sushi and Cherry Blossom in Japan, the Pantanal, Machu Picchu, Argentina, Maldives, Rocky Mountaineer and many, many more!

We scratched the surface today, but I hope, if nothing else, we have opened our minds to what’s out there.

Whats in your bucket list (no matter the size!)?

29/06/2026

I had a wonderful day on Sunday onboard Regent Seven Seas Grandeur.

I’ve been on a lot of cuise ships. I’ve sailed with Silversea, Paul Gauguin, Celebrity, Azamara, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, NCL, P&O. Been onboard with Ponant and Princess, but this was the first time I’d set foot on a Regent ship.

I was really impressed.

My first impression, as I pulled up was how big Grandeur was. I wasn’t expecting that. However, once onboard, I was struck at how spacious it was. I’d imaging on a full cruise, you’d think it was half empty.

We were treated to a tour of every suite, from the lead in Deluxe Veranda and Veranda Suites(from 307 sq ft), through Serenity, Concierge, Penthouse and even the Regent Suite, which at over 5,000 sq ft (473metres sq), genuinely took my breath away.

Public spaces were beautiful, and the art work stunning - including a Fabergé egg!

And the theatre was great, as an ex-actor, I can genuinely say, shows here will be superb.

We were treated to a taster menu at lunch highlighting the a selection of the restaurants on offer. The w**e delicious and sprit list was excellent. If you want a G&T, the question will come back which Gin? Bombay Saphire?

Prices are surprisingly affordable, especially considering all of the inclusions (e.g. most shore excursions, gratuities, w**e, spirits etc…)

And at the moment there are some great deals to be had.

For anyone considering a cruise or for those selling, it’s important to identify the overall embiance onboard guests are looking for. From experience I’ve always found that people who have cruised, tend to stay loyal to a particular brand because, a bit like a favourite coat, it just fits.

With Regent, the feeling that washed over me was one of an elegant warmth and relaxed luxury. Formal nights weren’t needed here. Regent is classy enough.

18/06/2026

Stop Press !! 18 June 2026
The UK FCDO Foreign travel advice has been REMOVED from the UAE!!

https://lnkd.in/ebmmEFA3

The whole of the UAE, and further afield (e.g. transmitting through the UAE) is OPEN!

Etihad for example, are offering a free excursion to every booking made from June 18 to July 31. (Departures June 18 - December 31 2026).

Abu Dhabi - Free TeamLabs Phenomena ticket for every passenger

Dubai - Free Desert Safari for every passenger