Travel blog

Happy World Ocean Day!  In celebration of the breathtaking beauty and immense importance of our planet’s oceans, join us as we embark on a little underwater adventure (whilst staying fully dry, for now!) Here at HA, we’re passionate about the value of travel. Holidays are all about connecting with people, places, and nature. They’re about getting away from the day-to-day life and being reminded of just how special our world really is. The world is what inspires us to travel, and these travels remind us how important it is to protect what we have. So grab your flippers and join us as we dive into the wonders of the deep blue. Below are 7 of our favourite underwater adventures you can have worldwide. Which would make the top of your list?   1. The Maldives: A tropical paradise underwater When it comes to underwater beauty set to take your breath away, the Maldives is a tough one to beat. Picture crystal-clear, turquoise water, vibrant coral reefs and so much colourful marine life, you won’t know where to look. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced scuba diver or someone who just fancies dipping a flipper in for a snorkel – the Indian Ocean has hidden wonders for you. Swim alongside majestic manta rays, spot sea turtles gracefully gliding through the water, and marvel at the tropical kaleidoscope of fish and coral that call this paradise home. Top tip: Our Maldives expert, Rebecca, really recommends staying at the Sun Siyam Olhuveli to experience the very best of snorkelling in the Maldives. When she visited last year, she snorkelled straight off the beach outside her room and was in the company of reef sharks! Not a memory she’ll be forgetting an a hurry.     2. The Galapagos Islands: Nature’s Eden on Earth If there was ever a place on earth that was a true haven for wildlife enthusiasts and underwater explorers alike, it’s the Galapagos Islands . These volcanic islands have a unique and diverse ecosystem that offers you an unbeatable opportunity to watch and enjoy nature in its purest form. Playful sea lions, gliding sea turtles and the iconic enigmatic Galapagos penguins all await. Explore it for yourself on this 14-day Galapagos Island Hopping adventure     3. South Africa: Watch the whales along the coastline There’s a pinch-yourself wildlife encounter waiting for you everywhere you go in South Africa , your holiday will be packed full of them. Between June and November, the south coast has ocean-based wonders in store. The southern right and humpback whales have made the journey from Antarctica to the warmer waters of South Africa’s shores, and they pass right by the coastline as they go. Head to the quaint town of Hermanus to watch their arrival without ever leaving dry land, or venture to Plettenberg Bay for a boat trip to get even closer to these magnificent creatures. We’ll cross our fingers and toes that you get to witness some playful breaches! Visit Hermanus and so much more on this South African Fortnight     4. Vietnam: Discover the underwater secrets off Vietnam’s beaches When you think of Vietnam , chances are your thoughts head straight to emerald rice terraces or the bikes and bustle of the cities. But, the coastline of Vietnam is fringed with beautiful stretches of beach and some real hidden gems for underwater explorers. Some of Vietnam’s most renowned snorkelling and diving destinations include Nha Trang (don’t miss a stay at the beautiful L’Alya eco resort !), with its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine ecosystem, and the idyllic Phu Quoc Island , where you can explore colourful underwater gardens packed full of multicoloured inhabitants! You’ll swim alongside reef fish, moray eels, and perhaps even the elusive seahorse. Keep an eye out for larger visitors such as stingrays, barracudas, and even gentle whale sharks, too! Soak it all in on this 17 day Ultimate Vietnam holiday     5. Mauritius: Uncover the marine marvels in paradise Tag on a visit to Mauritius after an African safari to soak up the sunshine, admire the postcard-perfect landscapes, walk along the white sand beaches and explore the underwater world beneath the waves. Grab a snorkel and head to the Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected area that’s absolutely teeming with marine life. You might even be lucky enough to swim with a friendly dolphin or two. We love the Constance Belle Mare Plage beach hotel, perfect for a lovely slice of R&R! City, safari and beach? We’ve got you covered.     6. Malaysia: Get your PADI certificate in the Perhentian Islands Found just off the northeastern coast of Terengganu, you’ll find the Perhentian Islands. With turquoise seas lapping against the white sand beaches, it’s the perfect place to unwind under the swaying palms. There are endless local cafes and food stalls dotted along the coastline, all selling fresh-from-the-boat Malaysian specialities – just what you need after a morning exploring the underwater world off the coast. Considered one of the top dive destinations in the world, this is a brilliant place to visit if you’re looking to dive beneath the waves and explore rich marine diversity and stunning coral formations. The Perhentian Islands are one of the best (and often cheapest!) places on Earth to get your PADI certificate. So, if you’ve always liked the idea of learning to dive, chat to Erin, our Malaysia and Borneo expert, about adding a stay here to your holiday. Orangutans and beaches await on this Classic Malaysia and Borneo adventure     7. Sri Lanka: The marine treasures of Pigeon Island Nestled off the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka , you’ll find the captivating Pigeon Island Marine National Park . This protected marine reserve is the perfect spot for a morning on the water. Base yourself in Nilaveli, just north of Trincomalee, set your alarm early and head off on a boat trip to the island. Sadly, the majority of Sri Lanka’s coral reefs were destroyed by the tsunami, but Pigeon Island still boasts an impressive living reef. You’ll swim over the thriving coral and amongst the tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a glimpse of a beautiful Blacktip Reef Shark, too. Add a touch of ultimate luxury to your visit at Uganda Jungle Beach     Inspired? Get in touch on 01242 253 073 to chat about your next adventure (watery or not!) We understand how important your holidays are to you and will always take genuine care in ensuring it’s the very best it can be.      

From Kruger to KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is home to some of the most stunning scenery and best wildlife in the world. It’s no wonder that South Africa remains one of our top holiday destinations! But when it comes to exceptional wildlife, it’s not all about national parks and big game safaris. In fact, we happen to believe that some of South Africa’s finest wildlife is to be found in some of its smaller, lesser-known nature reserves. Join us as we explore the rich biodiversity of the Cape of Good Hope and the wild Cederberg Mountains, as well as the vast De Hoop Marine Reserve, ancient Robberg and the treasure trove of Tsitsikamma on a  South Africa wildlife holiday featuring some of the best nature reserves South Africa has to offer… Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town) Perched right on Cape Town’s doorstep, there’s no denying that the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most stunningly scenic parts of South Africa. But whilst Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful cities, the Cape Peninsula is still pretty underrated. Yes, most visitors on a South Africa wildlife holiday will venture down to Cape Point during their trip to see where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, but there’s so much to see and explore in this region – in fact, you could easily spend a good few days here! The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, part of the Table Mountain National Park, is as remote as it is beautiful: think towering cliffs, beautiful bays, tidal pools and waves crashing onto secluded coves. The area is world-renowned for its natural vegetation and rich biodiversity, and there are plenty of activities on offer too, from kayaking and mountain biking to bird watching. There are also numerous picnic spots to stop at as you venture down winding paths and hike through the native fynbos vegetation in search of stunning secluded bays. There’s even a shipwreck trail! When it comes to wildlife, expect to see over 250 species of birds, buck, baboons, Cape mountain zebra, antelope and ostrich on your travels, to name but a few. In the right season, you might even be able to spot whales making their annual migration journey past the Point. On your way back to Cape Town, make sure you pay a visit to the penguin colony of endangered African penguins at Boulder’s Beach, too. Cederberg Mountains (Western Cape) Just two hours north of Cape Town, you’ll find the Cederberg region, a dramatic wilderness area that’s dominated by craggy mountains. It’s wild, it’s raw, and it feels more remote than almost any other region in South Africa. Declared a wilderness area in 1973, the area enjoys the highest possible conservation status and is best-known for its jagged rock formations, beautiful valleys and spectacular flowers (it’s part of the Cape Floral Region and one of the most special places in the world for plants). The area is rich in history, too. Nestled under cliff edges, you’ll find traces of the original indigenous inhabitants of South Africa in the form of rock art. In fact, Cederberg is one of the best areas for ancient rock art in the world with over 2,500 sites that date back almost 10,000 years. You can also enjoy some of the world’s best hiking here, as you make your way along ancient mountain trails past fynbos and quirky rock formations without any other people in sight. The wildlife here is pretty impressive as well: keep an eye out for herds of game such as Cape mountain zebra, bontebok and red hartebeest. They typically get overlooked for famous game reserves in the hopes to get a glimpse of the Big Five but trust us – the sight of these magnificent animals in such a stunningly beautiful setting will take your breath away. Also look out for baboons, dassies, grey rhebok, klipspringers, duiker and grysbok. The leopard, Cederberg’s largest predator, is fairly common here – although painfully shy – and other smaller predators include African wild cat, lynx, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and Cape fox. The region is also home to beautiful birdlife too, with over 100 bird species including black eagle, rock kestrel and jackal buzzard. De Hoop Nature Reserve and Marine Reserve (Overberg, Western Cape) Approximately 34,000 hectares in size, the entire length of the De Hoop coast is a marine protected area. Believe it or not, most South Africans have never heard of the De Hoop Nature Reserve – which is shocking considering how incredibly vast and beautiful it is. There is a positive to this, though: it’s never overwhelmed by tourists so you can have this stunning region pretty much to yourself! In the nature reserve, drive yourself around the network of roads, hop on a mountain bike or simply hike along the paths; the choice is yours – although we will say the De Hoop is home to one of the best hiking trails in South Africa, the Whale Trail. With vegetated dunes covered in fynbos and a huge variety of flora and fauna, including the proteas (South Africa’s national flower) to long coastlines of white sand beaches, the reserve is as vast as it is beautiful. When it comes to wildlife, you’re in for a treat. De Hoop’s many habitats house a huge range of wildlife, so look out for 86 mammal species, including the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebock, baboon, yellow mongoose and even the occasional leopard. Marine animals such as dolphins and seals can be spotted off the coast, and because the reserve encompasses the breeding grounds of the southern right whale, during whale season, it’s one of the best places to see whales breaching from the shore. It’s estimated that around 120 individual whales return to the waters of De Hoop every year to calve, and the sight of one of these magnificent mammals leaping out of the water is an incredible experience. The adjacent De Hoop Marine Reserve extends 5km out to sea, and due to its main protected status, you’ll also see some of the finest examples of inter-tidal ecosystems and other fascinating marine life, too, including over 250 species of fish. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, the birdlife is pretty impressive here as well – in fact, there are more than 260 species, including a large number of water birds, as well as the African black oystercatcher: watch as they expertly dodge waves and turn away from the tide as they feed on mussels, limpets and whelks. Robberg Nature Reserve (The Garden Route) Located 8km south of Plettenberg Bay on the glorious Garden Route, Robberg Nature Reserve is a reserve, national monument and World Heritage Site with rocks from this region dating back an unbelievable 120 million years. Understandably, there’s no development allowed here, which means it’s an incredibly remote, beautiful and unspoilt spot – and the perfect addition to any South Africa wildlife holiday . Here, steep rocky ridges drop down to sandy beaches (often covered at high tide) and the harsh winds have resulted in low, scrub-like vegetation and sand dunes. In fact, it’s only accessible via one of three circular hiking routes and can only be reached at low tide. Basically, if you want to get close to nature, Robberg is the reserve for you. The incredible Robberg Hiking trail is a must for wildlife lovers: keep an eye out for Cape fur seals (you’ll probably hear them barking long before you spot them), and look for dassies scurrying under rocks as well as other wildlife such as grey buck and the rare blue duiker (the Western Cape’s smallest antelope). You might even be lucky enough to spot Cape clawless otters and mongooses. And that’s not all: Robberg is also the perfect vantage point for whales and dolphins, so you can expect plenty of whale and dolphin sightings in season which is June to November – even orca whales have been known to be spotted in the bay. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, there’s also a large variety of bird species such as Cape robins, Cape white-eyes, orange-breasted sunbirds and red-winged starlings, as well as swift terns and kelp gulls. Tsitsikamma National Park (The Garden Route) Tsitsikamma National Park begins just east of Plettenberg Bay and covers a vast stretch of coastline (over 80km, in fact!) as well as thickly forested hills and dramatic steep canyons. Named after the San word meaning “place of abundant water”, the region is like a treasure trove of flora, fauna and wildlife and is a huge protected conservation area that supports an incredibly diverse ecosystem. There’s plenty of activities on offer here, from excellent hiking routes, kayaking, diving, tubing along the rivers, and other adrenaline sports such as climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and even bungee jumping – in fact, standing 216 metres above the Bloukrans River, Tsitsikamma is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. Not quite so high but equally impressive, the Storms River Mouth is pretty spectacular, too. A steep canyon that cuts through the cliffs out into the ocean, there’s a rope suspension bridge crossing the river where it meets the ocean where you can stand and watch the dark river water meeting with the ocean swell below. It’s not all about the activities, though. Tsitsikamma is also home to a huge array of wildlife, including dolphins and porpoises, African black oystercatchers, the shy Knysna lourie, Cape clawless otters and the rare blue duiker. In addition, to the west of the forest, you’ll also find four fantastic eco-ventures: an elephant sanctuary where you can walk hand in trunk with elephants, Monkeyland, the Birds of Eden and Tenikwa Wildlife Centre which is home to African wild cats such as leopards, cheetahs and caracals. In conclusion, with so many nature reserves and national parks, it’s no wonder South Africa remains a firm favourite on any wildlife lover’s travel wishlist. If you’d like to start planning your South African adventure, get in touch with the team at Holiday Architects today. With years of on-the-ground knowledge and some of the best advice in the business, you can trust us to design the perfect itinerary for you. Contact us today for a quote .              

Exploring the four cities of Eastern Canada feels like visiting four different countries in one holiday. From the sprawling metropolis of Toronto and charming Ottawa (you’ll be hard pushed to find such a friendly capital anywhere else in the world) to the French, walled city of Québec and multicultural Montréal, each city has its own unique and distinctive character. It is also extremely easy to get between them by train, making a trip to the cities of Eastern Canada an ideal holiday for those who don’t want to drive. With so much to see and do, we’ve put together our highlights and top tips for each city below – so fasten your seatbelts and join us on our whistle-stop tour to the cities of Eastern Canada. You’re in for a treat!  Toronto Canada’s largest city has a population of around 2.8 million – but, despite its size, the people are friendly, the vibe is laid back, and it’s one of North America’s safest cities to visit. There are many different sides to this buzzing city: with a world-class theatre, a thriving food scene featuring some of Canada’s best chefs, an incredible range of galleries and museums, beautiful parks, bustling markets, historical buildings and a cutting edge art community, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So, where to start? We recommend venturing up the CN Tower for unbeatable views – at 533.33 metres, it was the world’s tallest tower until 2010. Best done first thing to avoid the queues, the LookOut deck offers incredible vistas over the city and Lake Ontario – thrill seekers can even sign up for the Edge Walk where, harness firmly on, you can move around the ledge, lean out, look down and wave to the camera! If you venture another 33 storeys up to the Sky Pod, you might even be able to see the spray of Niagara Falls in the distance. CN Tower done, walk 20 minutes downtown to St Lawrence Market for fantastic food and a variety of local merchants who are all incredibly passionate about what they sell. A number of Toronto’s main attractions are found downtown and this area is brimming with multi-cultural influences, which means you can amble around the galleries, sample delicious food or just sit and people watch on the busy harbour-front. Alternatively, you could take a ferry over to the Toronto Islands, an oasis of car-free parkland with beautiful beaches. And, of course, no stay in Toronto would be complete without a trip to Niagara Falls , which is just an hour and a half away. Here, you can venture out on a boat trip right up to the base of the thundering Horseshoe Falls before exploring the pretty town of Niagara-on-the-Lake or visiting a vineyard for a chance to try the Canadian speciality, Ice Wine. Made from grapes that have been naturally frozen whilst still on the vine, this honeyed, richly-textured, golden liquid is absolutely delicious! Ottawa Despite its importance in the country’s political landscape, Canada’s capital, Ottawa , remains humble and unassuming. Small and incredibly friendly, it’s an absolutely charming city that’s best explored on foot or by bike. We’d recommend starting with an amble along the pretty UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal: adorned with tulips in the spring, red and gold leaves in the autumn and transformed into the world’s largest ice skating rink in the winter, it’s popular for recreational activities and flanked by parks and walkways, as well as eight successive locks that allow boats to gently descend into the Ottawa River. After you’re done strolling along the river, make sure you pay a visit to the parliamentary complex on Parliament Hill with its striking neo-Gothic towers (the Central Peace Tower is often referred to as Canada’s version of Big Ben). Here you can take a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament and learn all about Canada’s political history. Next up, head to the downtown markets. We love ByWard Market, one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets that’s like a mini Covent Garden where you’ll find everything from outdoor restaurants, buzzing bars, fruit and flower stalls, boutique shops and art galleries. Whilst on the subject of art galleries, we’ve got to mention Ottawa’s numerous state-of-the-art museums and galleries. Be sure to look around the National Gallery of Canada – prefaced by a giant spider – which houses the largest collection of Canadian and Inuit Art in the world. The Canadian Museum of History is also well worth a visit and gives a fascinating insight into the cultural history of the country. Montréal With its irresistible combination of traditional French flair and cosmopolitan creativity, the island of Montréal sits at the confluence of the Ottawa and St Lawrence Rivers. The second largest city in Canada, multicultural Montréal is often considered Canada’s most flamboyant destination. It’s got a long history and is France’s home away from home – in fact, the city’s official language is French, and the result is an incredible melting pot of culture with an eccentric atmosphere, plenty of culinary experiences and more than 100 festivals a year. Stroll the charming cobbled streets of Old Montréal, the historic heart of the city near the waterfront. It has a feel of 16th-century France and is one of the best places to soak up the city’s atmosphere thanks to its plethora of historic buildings as well as quaint little cafes and charming galleries. There’s also plenty of quirky shops where you can pick up a souvenir or two as well. Make sure you visit the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica with its grand wooden panelling, intricate stained glass windows and hand-carved sculptures; we’d recommend climbing the 69 steps to the top for stunning views across the city and St Lawrence River below. You can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Old Port to the Place Royale, before heading north towards the Christ Church Cathedral where you’ll find the Promenades Cathédrale, part of Montréal’s 20-mile long Underground City, underneath. We’d also suggest a trip on the Montréal Observation Wheel, the tallest in Canada that offers unbeatable views over the city. Back on the ground, head to the Jean-Talon Market for local produce, sweet treats and multicultural flavours and delights abounding. A landmark of Little Italy, this buzzing market where friendly merchants showcase their exquisite products is one of the oldest open-air markets in North America. If you fancy a bit more retail therapy, both Sherbrooke Street and Rue Saint-Denis have plenty of speciality shops and trendy boutiques – and once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s an impressive variety of restaurants to try. Québec The grand, historic city of Québec is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. The picturesque Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s easy to see why: think cobbled streets, craft shops, soaring church spires and fascinating murals, all partially surrounded by an ancient fortress. The locals here are incredibly passionate about their city – and, despite all the European influences, somehow Old Québec has its own unique charm that draws you in from the moment you arrive. The city is definitely best explored on foot, so we’d recommend going on a walking tour to learn about the history and visit key historical sites such as the Citadel, Musée Royal, Château Frontenac, Québec fortifications and Place Royale. Also, make sure you visit the historic Quartier du Petit Champlain, the oldest shopping district in North America – it’s the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere with an early morning coffee. It’s also a foodie heaven and full of artisan food producers who draw upon English, French and American influences. The Old Town is split between the Old Upper Town (Haute-Ville), perched above the St Lawrence River on the Cap Diamant cliffs, and the Old Lower Town (Basse-Ville), where Samuel de Champlain established the first French foothold in 1608. In the walled Old Upper Town, you’ll find elegant homes, quirky shops, and prominent historical buildings, whilst the Lower Town sits 398 steps below with its narrow winding streets lined with boutique shops, street performers and artisan restaurants. Outside the walls of the old city there are more neighbourhoods to explore such as St-Jean-Baptiste with its hipster vibe, and St. Roch where fantastic new restaurants and eateries are popping up all the time. And if you want to venture even further outside of town, why not head to the gorgeous Montmorency Falls? Standing 30 metres higher than Niagara, it’s well worth a visit – hitch a ride to the top on a cable car and walk the full width of the falls on a suspension bridge for an unforgettable experience! In conclusion, from charming UNESCO-listed towns to multicultural metropolises, the cities of Eastern Canada have something for everyone. Our Canada team have a wealth of on-the-ground experience and can offer unbeatable insider knowledge and share their expert advice, helping to plan a holiday that is completely bespoke to you. Ready to start making memories in Canada? Contact the team today for a quote !          

This Costa Rica holiday offer is perfect for couples wanting to get away, reconnect and spend quality time together in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Highlights: One of the most scenic waterfalls in Costa Rica, local experiences, the tropical magic of the Osa Peninsula, whale watching, kayaking and beaches galore in Manuel Antonio National Park. Travel dates: 01 October 2021 – 12 December 2021 (excluding 24-30 November as it’s Thanksgiving) Duration: 12 days Costa Rica Holiday Offer price: £3,395 per perso n (includes saving of £735 per person) Offer includes: International f lights, accommodation, transfer, tours on a mostly private basis   Dive in to the beauty that awaits you below….   Day One – Fly to Costa Rica After popping your feet up on your flight to Costa Rica – and trying to keep the excitement at bay! (easier said than done, trust us) – you’ll be greeted by your own private local guide and driver. You’ll be whisked straight off into the stunning Costa Rica wilderness for a three night stay at Chayote Lodge. It’s just a 45-minute drive from the city, but you wouldn’t know it. Just check out the view for starters! Day Two – El Toro Waterfall Tour After a luscious breakfast, you’ll head to Los Bajos del Toro, a small village surrounded by rainforest in the slopes of the Poas Volcano. The natural forest surrounding the village is home to the Toro Amarillo Waterfall, one of the most scenic falls in Costa Rica. Your guided tour will lead you to Catarata del Toro, through local plantations of potatoes, cabbage and pasture fields. You’ll be walking for around 30 minutes, descending a jungle path, along which birds, butterflies, hummingbirds – and sometimes armadillos – can be seen. As you make your way through the mesmerising natural forest, you’ll be rewarded with some of Costa Rica’s most scenic views. You’ll enjoy a well-earned lunch before heading back to your lodge in the afternoon.   Day Three – Costa Rica through food tour Here at HA, we never underestimate the value of authentic, local experiences on your travels. Speaking to and learning from the local people in the places you visit, really is one of the most rewarding and eye-opening parts of a holiday. With that in mind, today you’ll enjoy a visit to a local home and learn how Costa Rican food is prepared using traditional ways. Doña Elida will share with you her culinary secrets making “gallo pinto” the national dish of Costa Rica in her wood stove! This experience is as authentic as it is delicious – an absolute must for foodies. After enjoying your local lunch, you’ll head back to your lodge for a spot of relaxation. More local experiences await this afternoon, with a visit to Don Carlos’ coffee farm to learn about his plantations and the history behind a coffee cup.   Day Four – Scenic flight to the Osa Peninsula Today you’ll travel back to the airport for a short and scenic flight to the Osa Peninsula . The weight limit for these flights will be 18kgs (the planes aren’t very big!!), so you’ll need to remember this when packing for your holiday. You’ll spend the next four nights at one of our favourite lodges in the whole of Costa Rica. Read on to find out why we love it so much!   Days Five to Eight – Enjoy real ‘Pura Vida’ in the Osa Peninsula El Remanso lodge is one of our absolute favourite lodges in Costa Rica. It’s exceptionally well run and combines comfortable accommodation, value for money, beautiful setting and exceptional guides. What more could you want?! If there is more, you’re in luck. Because you don’t have to venture far from the lodge to find pristine jungle trails filled with monkeys, sloths and myriad birds. It’s a truly magical place to be. *Disclaimer. With rooms and views like this, you may struggle to leave the lodge!   Day Nine – Travel to Manuel Antonio Today, El Remanso lodge will be transferring you to Puerto Jimenez, where you’ll be met by your private chauffeur-guide for the rest of the journey to your next destination, Manuel Antonio National Park . The journey west takes about four hours, following the scenic central Pacific coast. There will be plenty of time for stops on the way, should you wish to stretch your legs or take some memory snaps of the beautiful country around you. And just look at the magic that awaits you at the end of the drive… Manuel Antonio really is a special national park . The lush emerald green jungle is generously edged with stunning white-sand tropical beaches. They’re so beautifully quiet too, so you won’t be fighting for a spot to laze on! The turquoise water is beautifully clear and perfect to snorkel in right off the beach. Explore the wonderfully colourful coral reefs or exert some energy and test your balance with a spot of surfing!   Day Ten – Mangrove kayaking at Damas Island A change of pace awaits you today, with a half-day tour through the mangroves of Damas Island. Your adventure begins on the Paquita River, with its gentle currents nestled beneath a verdant forest canopy which attracts plentiful birds and lively capuchin monkeys. Your guide will explain the unique ecosystems in the brackish waters and mangroves here as you glide along by kayak for about two hours. You’ll have the option to indulge in a local lunch either before or after your kayaking, depending on whether you fancy a morning or afternoon adventure!   Day Eleven – Wow at whales in the wild Time for a real ‘bucket-list-ticker’ today! This half-day whale watching tour from Punta Uvita Beach will *hopefully* see you wowed and in total awe of these giants of the ocean. You’ll visit the famous Punta Uvita Whale Tail at Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and Ventana Sea Caves whilst on your search for a glimpse of these magnificent mammals. During your time on the water, your guide will be searching for both humpback and pilot whales, as well as three different species of dolphin who are often seen playing and frolicking in the waters!   If granted the opportunity – we’re crossing all of our fingers and toes for you! –  you might see and hear the humpback whales and or observe the acrobatic displays of the dolphins. As well as searching for these wild wonders, you’ll visit the coral ad rock reefs for a chance to snorkel and take in the varied marine wildlife that call the area home. While cruising along, take in the scenic beauty of the coastline of Costa Ballena; observe the diversity of pelagic birds in the Islets and the amazing caverns of Ventanas Beach. You won’t be short of magic to see on this trip! (Plus, if conditions permit, the experienced captain will navigate the boat through the nearby natural water passages to give you a spectacular view!)     Day Twelve – Enjoy the beaches of Manuel Antonio After an action packed few days of excursions, we always think it’s so important to allow some time to just enjoy your surroundings. So, spend today soaking up all there is to soak up in this absolutely glorious edge of the world. Explore more of the tropical jungles and their wildlife, try your hand at a new water sport or simply treat yourself to a day spent lazing on the dream-like beaches. The choice is always yours! If there are any extra activities you’d like to book in, let us know and we’ll always do our best to make them happen for you! Day Thirteen – Travel back to the airport Today will be a little bittersweet! You’ll be beautifully relaxed, rejuvenated, and full of new Costa Rican memories, but it’s time to make your way back to the airport. Your chauffeur-guide will collect you from Manuel Antonio for your private transfer back to San Jose. The drive can take around two and a half hours, and sometimes Costa Rican traffic can be a little on the heavy side! So, we’d always recommend leaving plenty of time before your flight. Just in case! Day Fourteen – Welcome home And that’s the end of your ‘Pura Vida’ Costa Rica holiday. But with the beautiful sights, stunning memories, and no doubt endless photographs, we hope you’ll relive this magical Costa Rican escape time and time again.   It’s so rare we do offers here at HA as we’re always working our hardest behind the scenes to ensure we’re offering the very best price possible to you. However, due to the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry in Costa Rica, we’ve been able to work closely with our ground agents to secure this fantastic Costa Rica holiday offer. The availability is very limited, so we recommend getting in touch as soon as you can to chat to Lou, our Costa Rica specialist, more about this holiday if it tickles your fancy! You can give her a call on 01242 253 073 or email her at [email protected] if you want to chat more about it!    

Whenever you return from your holidays, we’re always chomping at the bit to hear how you got on. We want to know what your best bits were, what wildlife you spotted, what adventures you had. And these chats are even more exciting when they’re bought to life by your holiday snaps.  Andy and Fran were the talk of the HA office when they sent their Namibia photos over to their speciality, Kirsty, last month. Their photographs below are guaranteed to transport you from your screen to the wild plains of Namibia . A huge thank you to them both for sharing their talents with us! On their tailormade Namibia holiday they… ✔️  Climbed the monstrous sand dunes in Sossusvlei ✔️ Walked over the otherworldly Dead Vlei , ✔️ Spotted the fascinating creatures that live their lives in the arid Namib Desert (the Peringuey’s Adder, Palmato Gecko and the Namaqua Chameleon, to name a few!) ✔️ Kayaked with the seals at Pelican Point ✔️ Tracked the famous desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland ✔️  Spent a night under the stars on the top of Crystal Mountain in Etendeka (the photo they snapped below shows this was every bit as magical as it sounds!) ✔️ Watched the wildlife congregate around water holes in Etosha National Park ✔️ And even took on a very unique park-run…     Great holiday self drive in Namibia “We have just returned from 2 weeks in Namibia organised by Kirsty at Holiday Architects. Kirsty was very knowledgable and put together the perfect itinerary for us. We were self-driving which was quite an adventure (some roads in Namibia are interesting), however we felt really well supported throughout with excellent local contacts. We gave Kirsty quite a difficult brief as we had to arrange this holiday at short notice on specific dates but Kirsty was able to include all we wanted to do including the Swakopmund parkrun. The organisation was seamless and the communication excellent. Altogether superb. Definitely recommend.”           We love nothing more than chatting to happy clients after their holidays and browsing through their brilliant holiday photos. Our Trustpilot page is a place that makes us very proud, if you fancy a read! Do you have your next big holiday planned yet? Feeling inspired? Give our travel-loving team a call on 01242 253 073 today or get a quick quote now , to get the ball rolling on your next adventure. We’re ready to design the perfect holiday for you.  

By a long way, our favourite part of our job is hearing all about your holidays and experiences when you get home. When we design your holidays, we’re truly invested in designing the very best tailormade adventure for you. We want to tick all of your boxes, have you experiencing moments you’ll never forget and sights you may never have uncovered without our help. So, receiving feedback and photos like this really is the cherry on the cake of it all. A huge thank you to Chelsea and James for sharing their Sri Lanka holiday adventure with us. We’re so pleased you had such a brilliant time. And we can’t blame you for wanting to return – it’s a country that will never be knocked off our holiday wishlist (regardless of how many times we make it there!)     Chelsea and James’ Sri Lanka holiday review   “ Ayubowan ” – is how you say “Hello” in Sri Lanka. Usually myself and my husband have a rule where we never visit the same destination twice… Sri Lanka is now an exception. At the end of November 2023, we left the UK and flew into Columbo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. We had no idea what to expect and we were looking for a place that we would never forget… and we got just that! The people, the heat, the landscapes, the culture, the food this place has it all! I didn’t eat meat for almost 2 weeks – not because I didn’t want to, just because the fruit and the vegetables, the dhal curries, the recipes they have, and the colours and flavours are so different to what we have at home. This, along with many reasons, is why we didn’t want to leave. Rebecca from Holiday Architects was incredible. She knew exactly what we were looking for out of a trip, and excelled in all areas. We were able to do a variety of activities from strolling around the beautiful old city of Galle, seeing the stilt fishermen work, moving on to the amazing safari in Yala National Park and managing to see an array of wildlife including elephants, water buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys and more!! Taking tuk-tuk rides to rice paddies and eating home made dhal curries with our fingers from a lilly pad will be a day I’ll never forget. And of course, tasting the Sri Lankan delicacy of Buffalo curd! The Turtle Hatchery was an amazing experience to witness and be a part of and learn about. We also had some creative, and perhaps unusual requests for Rebecca during the planning process – but she ticked every box…  pottery classes and mask painting were on our wish list and we were not disappointed! This country is truly unbelievable and even though we only travelled half of it we need to go back to do the other half! Rebecca clearly knows her locations, activities as well as hotels extremely well. Everything she designed matched our brief entirely and made it completely bespoke to us. None of this would have been possible without her planning and going above and beyond to make this trip so memorable. Sri Lanka truly has a place in our hearts.”   Chelsea and James, HA Sri Lanka clients, November 2023     A big thank you to Chelsea and James for sharing this lovely review of their Sri Lanka holiday and the brilliant photos to match. We’re so pleased you had such a wonderful time! (And that you fell as in love with the country as we have!) If you’d like our Rebecca to design you a Sri Lanka holiday that’s as perfect for you as this one was for Chelsea and James, you know what to do. Give us a call on 01242 253 073 or get a quick quote, to start you holiday planning now. Whether you want to spend your time mask painting or beach lounging, Rebecca (or our other brilliant Sri Lanka specialist, Lisa) can help.        

Oh, what a feeling!  Sound the klaxon… the moment we’ve been waiting so long for is finally here! And, quite frankly, we’re a little beside ourselves about it. After what feels like years, and many a grey hair later, we’ve finally sent our first clients away on holiday since borders closed in March 2020. HA pioneers, the Sussexes, have safely returned from their week-long holiday in Jordan and they’ve been kind enough to send us a selection of fantastic photos from their trip already – as well as valuable feedback on their experience. Receiving our first TrustPilot review from travelling clients in a long while was a serious moment for us!     As we specialise in an exclusive portfolio of long-haul destinations , getting our first clients on holiday again has taken a little while longer to get to than we had hoped. But we’ve made it! We have every confidence that this is the start of a gradual return to normal for HA and your holidays, and we couldn’t be happier.   Pre-departure and at the airport “Here are a couple of pictures at the airport as we wait to get our flight to Jordan. We have been a bit anxious the last few days as we got the PCR test, and completed all the paperwork needed to fly. However, the advice and guidance from HA was perfect and the testing itself was very easy once we got to the testing center. Very professional and we got the results in just 36 hours, plenty of time to print out for our trip! So we have made it through check-in and security with everything going so smoothly, all that planning seems very worthwhile. Now we can get excited about our week in a most amazing country. Here’s looking forward to a great holiday!” The Sussexes   The ancient city of Jerash “Some more from our holiday, the astonishing Jerash , an extremely well preserved Roman city. Our very well read guide, Farud, provided an interesting tour and was very pleased to see tourists coming back to Jordan.” The Sussexes Exploring Wadi Rum “Some photos from the astonishing Wadi Rum and our accomodation at the fabulous Memories Aicha Camp . Wish we could stay longer!” The Sussexes Memories Aicha Camp Experience the otherworldly landscapes of the Wadi Rum – Take me there >   A “dream fulfilled” at Petra “Centrepiece of our holiday, a day spent in Petra. Walked more than 10 km over a long day, including climbing to the monastery which was well worth the effort for the views across the mountains alone.  The locals are polite and very pleased to see tourists return, always helpful and hospitable. The Treasury was magnificent,  a dream fulfilled for me! Last night we had a great time at Petra kitchen, learning to cook Jordanian style and then eating our efforts. A lot of fun, instructive and entertaining ????” The Sussexes   With travel restrictions easing, it’s finally starting to feel like normality is within reach. But, we understand you may have some concerns about getting away on that holiday we all need so much. That’s what we’re here for! We’re at the end of the phone on 01242 253 073 to simplify things and put your mind at ease. Get in touch today >

Highlights:  This South Africa holiday takes in all of the highlights the spectacular country is known for. Wildlife encounters aplenty, the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, history, culture, wine and some of the best driving roads on earth. South Africa holiday price and dates: 1-19 December departure: £2688pp (includes saving of £310 per person ) 5 Jan-24 March: £2,944pp (includes saving of £226 per person ) – free upgrade to Pumba Water Lodge available if preferred! Duration: 13 day Offer includes: International flights, luggage, internal flights, accommodation, Table Mountain and Robben Island tickets, day trip to either Cape Peninsula or the Winelands, all safari game drives and car hire   This is just one of many tempting offers we’ve managed to secure for 2021 holidays. See them all here.       Day One – Overnight British Airways flight to Cape Town After holidays have been off the agenda for so long, just browsing the duty free and indulging in an airport meal is going to be a real moment! You have an overnight British Airways flight to sit back, relax, rest up and get excited about the adventure ahead.   Day Two – Check in to your luxury Cape Town hotel, ready to explore Fresh (hopefully) off your flight, you’ll be met by your private driver and transferred into the heart of cosmopolitan Cape Town. We have included complimentary early check-in to your luxury room at the lovingly restored Abbey Manor Guest House , nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain. So, you can unpack and settle in for the next four nights before heading out to explore this amazing city. Built in 1905, your French Boudoir-style guest house boasts sweeping panoramas of Table Mountain and the city and a beautiful solar-heated swimming pool. Whether you choose to unwind in the tranquil garden setting or head up to the roof top terrace to enjoy the sensational views, it’s the perfect, luxury base from which to start your South African adventure.   Day Three – Table Mountain and Robben Island Morning – The iconic Table Mountain What better way to start your first full day in South Africa, than a trip up to the top of the iconic Table Mountain . Head up in the morning to beat the crowds. Plus, it’s more likely to be clear in the mornings, giving you the perfect opportunity to take in the far-reaching views across the city and panoramic views down the rocky spine of the Cape Peninsula. The cable-car ride up is an experience in itself. As you ascend, the car slowly rotates 360 degrees, offering magnificent views all the way to the top. Keep your camera handy! If you’re the active type, why not take a more adventurous route to the top and head up under the steam of your own two feet? As you hike up Table Mountain , your guide will lead you up along our favourite route that offers adrenaline boosts and breath-taking vistas a plenty. Think steep rocky trails and a section of vertical rock face that you ascend with the help of chains and staples. It’s a challenge, but one that is well worth it when you make it to the top and pat yourself on the back. Whilst you amble along the walkways of Table Mountain National Park, keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot a dassie… These local furry residents look like shrew-faced rabbits, but are in fact more closely related to the elephant! (Despite being an awful lot smaller and hairier!) Afternoon – Walk in Mandela’s footsteps on Robben Island A visit to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without hopping on a boat ride to Robben Island . Best known for being the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of his 27 years behind bars, you’ll learn all about South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. Your tickets for this fascinating afternoon are included. One of our favourite things about a Robben Island tour is you’ll be guided around by a former inmate. Learning about the prison from someone who has actually experienced life on Robben Island, who can pepper your experience with first-hand insights, really does make this a memorable excursion. Your tour will take you around the prison grounds via an old prison bus. You’ll see how the prisoners lived, the infamous quarry where they worked and of course, ‘Cell Number 5’, where Mandela called home. You’ll also venture out into the small outdoor common space where the prisoners were allowed their one daily hour of exercise. Now called ‘Mandela’s Garden’, this is where Nelson Mandela secretly wrote the first draft of his famous autobiography Long Walk to Freedom before hiding the papers underground in tin containers.   Day Four – Explore the Cape Peninsula or treat yourself in the Winelands Today you have two choices of small group tours included in your South Africa holiday. Your only worry will be choosing which one tempts you more! Day-trip to the Cape Peninsula The Cape Peninsula is amazing stretch of land, just a short drive from Cape Town, with a wealth of stunning bays and beaches, nature trails, quaint villages and wildlife to explore. The drive itself is spectacular and one of the best driving roads on earth.  As you wind around the scenic Chapman’s Peak coastal road, the huge expanse of blue ocean to your right and jagged cliffs to your left, it’s no M25! Expect to get acquainted with the suited and booted penguins at Boulders Beach (you can even take a dip in the ocean with them if you’re brave enough!) and venture to the Cape Point Lighthouse where the views of the coast are sure to wow. Cheers to your holiday in the beautiful Cape Winelands If you’re partial to a tipple (or two), a day-trip to the stunning Winelands might tickle your fancy. Wine tasting is, obviously, high on the list of things to do, but the characterful towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek will be highlights of your day too. The beauty of nearly all the estates from the large, visitor-focussed places to the tiny garagistes, is that they’ll readily show you around and talk you through their wines, even if you drop in unannounced. As well as the wine and the scenery, the towns in this region offer cafes, art galleries, craft shops and museums; not to mention the amazing restaurants, as the Winelands quite rightly claims the crown of gourmet capital of South Africa. Altogether, you’ll return from your day in the Winelands wiser, more relaxed, slightly broader round the waist and carrying a couple of bottles of a magical vintage you’ve managed to unearth. For your last evening in magnificent Cape Town, have a chat with your specialist about where might be best to go for dinner. With a spectacular and multi-cultural food scene in the city, you won’t be short of delicious dining options.   Day Five – Short flight to the Eastern Cape, safari adventures await This morning you will be transferred back to Cape Town airport, where you take a short flight to the Eastern Cape region. Your private driver will be waiting for you at the other end to transfer you to drive you into the wilderness to your luxury safari lodge on Amakhala game reserve for a few days of goosebump inducing, pinch-yourself-moment-filled safari adventure. All game drives are included in this South Africa holiday! Luxury chalet, Woodbury Lodge High on a ridge overlooking the “Little Serengeti” plains of the reserve, the thatch-and-adobe suites of Woodbury Lodge have some of the best views in Amakhala. Whether on your private deck, in the pool or on one of the lounge decks, you can grab your binoculars and try to spot game on the plains, without having to leave the comfort of the lodge! The suites are decorated in a contemporary African style to compliment the traditional architecture and finished to a high standard. Put it all together and it’s easy to see why Woodbury Lodge is one of our favourite places to stay on the reserve. An afternoon on safari in the Eastern Cape This afternoon you’ll head out with your expert guide for your first taste of the unbeatable wildlife South Africa is so known for. The beautiful Amakhala Private Game Reserve is around 7,500 hectares big and offers excellent game viewing. Four of the heralded Big Five are routinely sighted in the park, so keep your eyes peeled for elephant, rhino, lion, and buffalo. Leopards live up to their elusive reputation here, but you never know!  The wildlife encounters aren’t all this park has to offer though, with the Bushman’s River cutting a swathe through the reserve, this wonderful scenery makes the perfect backdrop to your animal spotting.     Days Six to Seven – Wildlife adventures Morning game drives Safari drives are always scheduled for early morning and late afternoon, when the wildlife is most active. Both mornings you’ll be wakened by a call from your ranger, who will have a freshly brewed tea or coffee waiting for you before you climb aboard the safari truck. Your ranger will use his skills and extensive experience of the bush, plus information from other rangers out on game drives, to pinpoint the best game viewing for you. He (or she!) will also teach you about the animals you are seeing – it is truly amazing how much information they are able to pass on, they really know their stuff! Your morning game drive will last around three hours before dropping you back at your lodge for an impressively large, and well earned breakfast. Relax by the pool After your early start, you’ll be looking forward to a few hours at leisure, soaking up the sun by Woodbury Lodge’s pool. We don’t doubt you’ll have a long list of mesmerising animal encounters to relive whilst you enjoy some downtime. Safari bush walk In between your game drive experiences, you’ll have the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the reserve in a very different way. There’s something quite special about exploring a game reserve on foot. Without the noise of the safari trucks, you’ll feel that little bit closer to nature and at one with the wild environment around you. Your guide will teach you about the trees and plants, as well as their uses as bush medicine and bush craft and, if you’re lucky, you may even come across some animal tracks! There’s nothing more thrilling than walking in the footsteps of lions who may have passed by just a few hours earlier. Evening game drives After a day at leisure (or walking through the bush!) your ranger will meet you again for afternoon tea, before whisking you off for your evening safari. More wildlife encounters, a sundowner and then a final hour of night safari, using a flashlight to spot nocturnal animals and you’ll be dropped back at your lodge for a delicious dinner.   Day Eight – Roadtrip along the beautiful Garden Route Time for a final early morning game drive and leisurely breakfast to follow before you are transferred the short distance back to the airport. Here you will pick up your hire car and drive down to the coastal region of the Garden Route for your final few days to relax and enjoy your time in South Africa.   The Garden Route The Garden Route is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa, and after a couple of days of exploring it, you’ll understand why! With the gorgeous juxtaposition of a heavily wooded landscape with a shoreline peppered with lagoons, long beaches, canyons and crashing waves, it’s a truly special place. It is the lush greenness of it all that gives the Garden Route its name, and taking the back roads through the forests, across picture-perfect stone bridges that date back over a hundred years in your own car is a great way to get off-the-beaten track here. Robberg Beach Lodge Your luxury lodge, The Robberg Beach Lodge comprises four neighbouring houses just off the Robberg Beach in one of the most desirable suburbs of Plettenberg Bay. Each house has a number of large rooms and apartments, all furnished in a modern fashion designed to reflect the light and airy surrounding seaside environment. Breakfasts are taken in Beachy House, and each building has an honesty bar for guests as well (we love that!). On the roof of The Robberg is a terrace with wonderful views over the beach and ocean. It’s mere moments from the beach, so just a short skip over the road and you’ll have your toes in the sand.   Day Nine to Twelve – Roadtrip along the stunning Garden Route With the freedom of your own car, enjoy time on the Garden Route after your safari adventures. Time here can be spent exploring the local highlights including the world heritage Tsitsikamma National Park , wildlife sanctuaries on the Crags , walking the suspension bridge across Storms River or simply unwinding on the sweeping beaches. Day Thirteen – Overnight British Airways flight home from Joh annesburg A leisurely drive back to the airport today because after an incredible, adventure-filled adventure around this staggering country, it’s time to fly home (via Johannesburg). Always a sad day, but we suspect the memories of wildlife encounters and photographs will lighten your travel blues!  

It’s April the 1st, and that can only mean one thing… can we April fool you with the below wacky travel facts…  One of them isn’t true. Can you guess which? Just here for the answers? Scroll on down to the bottom…       Did you guess? .. … …. ….. ….. Actually, they’re all true!! (April fools!)   1. Antarctica is actually the biggest desert on earth It might be icy, but Antarctica is in fact the largest desert on earth. Stretching out over 5.5 million square miles, it’s pretty sizable!   2. There’s a free red wine fountain in Italy This might sound too good to be true, but it’s not! Visitors to the town of Abruzzo in central Italy can now stop and refresh with a glass of free red wine from an ever-flowing fountain. Open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this has certainly put Abruzzo on the wish list for our next Italian getaway.   3. You can buy square watermelons in Japan Of course you can, there isn’t much that doesn’t go in Japan ! The melons are grown in glass boxes to encourage their square shape – making them easier to stack and store in refrigerators! It’s said they’re not that tasty though, more for convenience than flavour. (Being the food lovers we are here at HA, we’re not so sure we can get on board with that.)   4. It’s still 2015 in Ethiopia A trip to Ethiopia is almost like stepping back in time. The Ethiopian calendar year consists of 13 months and their year is in fact seven to eight years behind the rest of the world.   5. The longest place name on earth is 85 characters long Taumatawhakatangihanga-koauauotamateaturipukakapikimaung-ahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, New Zealand , has the longest place name in the world. At 85 characters long, it’s quite the mouthful! If only place names were allowed in Scrabble aye?   6. Big Ben is ever so slightly on the wonk Over the years, Big Ben has developed a slight tilt (even visible to the naked eye!) This is due to a combination of the settling of the foundation and the weight of the machinery that powers the clock face. Don’t panic though, it’s said to be 4,000 years away from reaching the same tilted angle as Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa.   7. In Israel, it’s illegal to bring bears onto the beach You read that right! If you live in Israel and happen to have a pet bear… you’ll have to find other spots to walk it. Taking your bear onto the beach in Israel is against the law and could land you with a fairly hefty fine. You’re more than welcome for the heads up.   8. Peru has more varieties of potato than any other country in the world. There are estimated to be more than 4,000 different varieties of potato grown in Peru –  that’s a lot of spuds!  From the oca potato to the huayro potato, there are simply too many varieties to count. It’s said that the Incan people were the very first to cultivate potatoes all the way up in the Andes mountains, a huge 3,800 meters above sea level.     So, there you go, all true! Did we get you?