Firecrest Travel

03/08/2026

When people think of Brazil, Rio's beaches and vibrant culture often come to mind first. But for wildlife lovers, Brazil is one of the most extraordinary destinations on the planet.

Home to the Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal wetlands and the mighty Iguaçu Falls, Brazil offers an astonishing diversity of landscapes and wildlife. It's one of the few countries where you can search for pink river dolphins in the Amazon, watch giant otters and caiman in the wetlands, and perhaps even spot a jaguar in the wild.

The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is widely regarded as one of the best places in South America for wildlife viewing. Its open landscapes make animal sightings far more accessible than in many dense rainforest environments, offering excellent opportunities to observe birds, mammals and reptiles in their natural habitat.

Then there's Iguaçu Falls. Stretching across the border between Brazil and Argentina, this vast network of waterfalls is one of the greatest natural spectacles on Earth, surrounded by lush Atlantic rainforest alive with colourful birds and butterflies.

For travellers who want to experience some of the world's most remarkable wildlife and landscapes in a single journey, Brazil is hard to beat.

Which would be at the top of your list: the Amazon, the Pantanal or Iguaçu Falls?

Get in touch to explore how a tailor-made wildlife journey through Brazil could be designed around your interests.

02/08/2026

🇫🇮 Tour Highlight: Adults-Only Arctic Escape in Finnish Lapland

If your idea of winter involves crisp snowy landscapes, crackling fires and a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, this adults-only retreat in Finnish Lapland could be just the thing.

Tucked away in the wilderness near Saariselkä, this experience combines Arctic adventure with peaceful surroundings and comfortable accommodation. Spend your days exploring the frozen landscape by husky sled, snowmobile and snowshoes, then settle in for cosy evenings beneath some of Europe's darkest skies.

Included:

✔️ Return Finnair flights to Ivalo, including luggage
✔️ 4 nights accommodation in a Wilderness Room
✔️ Full board throughout your stay
✔️ Airport transfers
✔️ Husky safari
✔️ Reindeer experience
✔️ Snowmobile adventure
✔️ Aurora snowmobiling experience
✔️ Guided snowshoe walk through Arctic forests
✔️ Expert guides for all activities
✔️ Snowsuit, boots and gloves provided

January 2027 departures:

9 January from Manchester – from £3,019 per person
15 January from Heathrow – from £3,019 per person
19 January from Edinburgh – from £3,199 per person

I particularly like that this trip is adults only. It offers all the classic Lapland experiences, but with a more relaxed atmosphere that's ideal for couples, friends or solo travellers looking for a genuine Arctic escape.

Interested? Send me a message or email [email protected] and let's see whether this could be your perfect winter adventure.

30/07/2026

Panama may be one of Central America's most underrated destinations

Bridging North and South America, this small country packs an extraordinary variety of landscapes into a surprisingly compact area. In a single trip, you can explore vibrant cities, cloud forests, volcanic highlands, tropical islands and some of the most biodiverse rainforests in the region.

While many visitors know Panama for its famous canal, the country's natural treasures are just as impressive. National parks protect habitats rich in wildlife, from colourful toucans and monkeys to sloths, sea turtles and the elusive resplendent quetzal. Offshore, crystal-clear waters and remote islands offer excellent snorkelling and a chance to experience a quieter side of the country.

The highland region around Boquete provides cooler temperatures, scenic walking trails and renowned coffee estates, while the Pacific coast offers a relaxed pace and access to some of the most beautiful marine environments in Central America.

For travellers seeking nature, wildlife and a destination that still feels refreshingly undiscovered, Panama offers a fascinating alternative to its more familiar neighbours.

Could Panama be the hidden gem you've been looking for?

Get in touch to discover the best regions to visit and how a tailor-made journey could help you experience the country's remarkable diversity.

26/07/2026

🇫🇮 Tour Highlight: Chasing the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

Few travel experiences compare to watching the Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky.

This winter escape to Finnish Lapland combines cosy luxury with some of the region's most memorable experiences. Stay in a glass-roof suite deep in the wilderness, relax in your private hot tub beneath the stars and head out in search of the aurora with expert guides.

Along the way you'll discover snowy forests, frozen landscapes and traditional Lapland culture.

Included:

✔️ Return flights to Kuusamo
✔️ 3 nights in a luxury glass-roof suite
✔️ Full board throughout your stay
✔️ Husky safari
✔️ Reindeer sleigh ride
✔️ Snowmobile adventure
✔️ Northern Lights excursion with professional photographs included
✔️ Private sauna experience
✔️ Airport transfers
✔️ Winter clothing provided
✔️ Complimentary use of sledges, snowshoes, cross-country skis and on-site snowmobile track

10 January 2027 departure

From £3,249 per person from Manchester
From £3,379 per person from Heathrow or Glasgow

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your travel wish list, this is a wonderful way to do it — combining adventure, comfort and some truly unforgettable Arctic scenery.

Interested? Send me a message or email [email protected] and let's see whether Lapland could be your next adventure.

26/07/2026

Madeira had been on our list for ages now and earlier this month we spent a fantastic week there. We divided our time between three very different parts of the island: Machico, Ponta do Sol and Funchal. It was an excellent way to see how varied Madeira is, from coastal towns, lush forests and mountain roads to grand gardens, levada walks and old towns.
The latest blog follows the trip:

Madeira had been on our list for ages now and earlier this month we spent a fantastic week there. We divided our time between three very different parts of the island: Machico, Ponta do Sol and Funchal. It was an excellent way to see how varied Madeira is, from coastal towns, lush forests and mounta...

25/07/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now; Madeira, gardens and new adventures.
If you’d like to sign up, just let me know!

I hope you're well and coping with the summer heatwave. It’s been a busy couple of months, with plenty of travel both for me and for many of you. I’ve explored the beautiful island of Madeira with Nick, spent a wonderful weekend in Florence with friends, and returned home to discover that a rath...

23/07/2026

British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests on Earth – a vast wilderness of towering cedars, remote fjords, rugged coastlines and extraordinary wildlife.

Stretching along Canada's Pacific coast, this remarkable region is home to grizzly bears, black bears, whales, wolves and countless bird species. For many visitors, the highlight is the opportunity to observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat, often accompanied by Indigenous guides whose communities have lived alongside these landscapes for generations.

Beyond the rainforest itself, British Columbia offers an incredible diversity of experiences. From the remote communities of the coast and the dramatic scenery of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park to the wide-open ranching country of the Chilcotin Plateau, it's a destination that rewards those willing to venture beyond the well-known routes.

This is Canada at its wildest and most authentic – where nature, culture and adventure come together in a way that's increasingly hard to find elsewhere.

Would the Great Bear Rainforest make it onto your travel wish list?

Get in touch to discuss the best time to visit and how a tailor-made journey through British Columbia could be designed around your interests.

19/07/2026

Tour Highlight: Italian Cooking on Lake Garda 🇮🇹

If your idea of a perfect holiday involves good food, local w**e and learning something new, this charming culinary escape on Lake Garda could be just the ticket.

Stay at a welcoming cookery school surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, roll up your sleeves for hands-on cooking classes and discover the secrets behind some of Italy's most loved regional dishes. Best of all, you'll get to sit down and enjoy everything you've created, paired with carefully selected local w**es.

Included:

✔️ 3 nights accommodation in a junior suite
✔️ Daily breakfast
✔️ Two private cooking classes
✔️ All ingredients and equipment
✔️ W**e, coffee and meals during lessons
✔️ Culinary diploma signed by the chef

Available between June and October 2026

From £545 per person*

This is the sort of experience that's perfect for food lovers wanting to connect with a destination through its culture, people and cuisine rather than simply ticking off the sights.

Interested? Send me a message or email [email protected] and let's see if it could work as part of your next Italian adventure.

16/07/2026

If you're looking for Canada's wild side, few places compare to the Yukon 🍁

This vast northern territory is a land of mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes, endless forests and some of the darkest skies on the planet. It's also one of the best places in North America to witness the Northern Lights, where ribbons of green and purple can dance overhead on clear autumn and winter nights.

Beyond the scenery, the Yukon offers a fascinating mix of history and culture. From the Klondike Gold Rush town of Dawson City to the traditions and stories of the region's First Nations communities, it's a destination that rewards travellers who want to understand the places they visit, not just pass through them.

For those who enjoy the freedom of the open road, a self-drive journey is one of the best ways to experience the Yukon. Quiet highways connect dramatic landscapes, wildlife-rich national parks and welcoming communities, allowing you to explore at your own pace while discovering one of Canada's most remarkable regions.

Could the Yukon be your next great adventure?

Get in touch to find out when to visit, where to go and how to experience this extraordinary corner of Canada.

14/07/2026

Some landscapes seem almost too extraordinary to be real.

Stretching from northern Chile into the high deserts of Bolivia, the Altiplano is home to some of South America's most dramatic scenery. Towering volcanoes, brightly coloured lagoons, vast salt flats and crystal-clear night skies combine to create a journey unlike anywhere else on Earth.

The Atacama Desert is often considered one of the world's finest stargazing destinations. Its high altitude, exceptionally dry climate and minimal light pollution reveal a night sky filled with countless stars, planets and distant galaxies.

Across the border in Bolivia, the landscapes become even more surreal. The Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet, stretches to the horizon in every direction, creating breathtaking photographic opportunities and a true sense of scale that is difficult to comprehend until you stand there yourself.

Add the deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca and the spectacular Andean scenery surrounding La Paz, and this region offers an unforgettable combination of nature, culture and adventure.

For travellers seeking somewhere genuinely different, few journeys can match the beauty and otherworldly landscapes of the high Andes.

Which would be your highlight: stargazing in the Atacama or standing on the vast Salar de Uyuni?

Get in touch to discover how a tailor-made journey through Chile and Bolivia could be designed around your interests.