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[introtext] => SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Holiday Architects had a brilliant night at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025. Held on Thursday 6 November 2025 at Cheltenham Town Hall, the event brought an impressive number of the county’s most dynamic businesses across a range of categories together in one impressive room. Our Emma, Ian and Andy were there representing Team HA on the night, with the rest of us glued to our phones for updates, with all fingers and toes firmly crossed... SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards Categories we were shortlisted for Every year, the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards is a great highlight in the calendar. And this year, we were lucky enough to be nominated in THREE categories... Best Place to Work Award Customer Excellence Award Team of the Year Award Drumroll please... We won Best Place to Work! We are so honoured to have been named Winner of the Best Place to Work award! Scooping this award is the perfect reflection of how building genuine connections, not just with trips and destinations, but among our team, is central to everything we do. It celebrates how we support, challenge, and truly enjoy working together. This is such a huge part of why the holidays we design are so loved by our clients, we genuinely love and enjoy every second of creating them. Winners of the Best Place to Work in Gloucestershire A message from our founder, Andy "Being the best place to work in Gloucestershire doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a result of the effort everyone puts into making HA’s culture as strong as possible. I think it’s all the more impressive that the team has built this team spirit in a largely remote working environment: it means making an extra effort to look out for each other and to support each other, and to commit to using our monthly Connection Days to really strengthen our relationships. It’s very easy to hide in a remote workplace but no-one does that here, and the pride the team have in what we’ve built and the desire to keep improving it, is so inspiring. So this really is a team win, and it's built on the importance each one of us places on making this the best group of colleagues and workmates you could wish for." Andy Hunt, HA founder Customer Excellence Award: Highly Commended Not only did we walk away with the Best Place to Work gong, we were Highly Commended and placed Second in the Customer Excellence Award category. It goes without saying that the relationship we build with our customers is at the heart of everything we do; it's always a priority, so this recognition means a lot. Always listening closely and really understanding what's important, before designing a truly unique adventure that fits like a glove – that will always be how we work. We're so proud of our Trustpilot reviews that reflect this, and this added recognition from SoGlos means the world. Highly Commended for Customer Excellence Why it matters This kind of recognition isn’t just a trophy to add to the old cabinet (though they absolutely will have pride of place). It reinforces that we're doing things right. From the first chat, all the way through the designing of all those unforgettable holidays, all the way to the return flight, we love every minute of it. Winning Best Place to Work tells us we’re doing well by our own team. Being recognised for Customer Excellence tells us our clients feel that, too. Emma and Ian heading up to collect our award A big thank you A great big thank you to everyone who supports us: our team, our clients, and our travel partners. And a huge thanks to SoGlos for organising such a brilliant night and spotlighting the spirit of Gloucestershire’s business community. We’re excited to take the momentum from this evening into the next season of travel, ready and raring to design more one-off journeys, build more authentic connections—both with our clients and across the world, and enjoy every minute of it together as a team. Here’s to what’s next! Read more about this year's event and see the full list of finalists and winners here. 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[fulltext] => SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Holiday Architects had a brilliant night at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 last week. Held on Thursday 6 November 2025 at Cheltenham Town Hall, the event brought a huge number of the county’s most dynamic businesses across a range of categories together in one impressive room. This year, we were lucky enough to be finalists in THREE categories: Best Place to Work, Customer Excellence and Team of the Year. Our Emma, Ian and Andy were there representing Team HA on the night, with the rest of us glued to our phones for updates, with all fingers and toes firmly crossed... drumroll please... SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards We won Best Place to Work! We are so honoured to have been named Winner of the Best Place to Work award! Scooping this award is the perfect reflection of how building genuine connections, not just with trips and destinations, but among our team, is central to everything we do. It celebrates how we support, challenge, and truly enjoy working together. This is such a huge part of why the holidays we design are so loved by our clients, we genuinely love and enjoy every second of creating them. Our Emma, Ian and Andy glammed up and accepting the 'Best Place to Work in Gloucestershire' gong! A message from our founder, Andy "Being the best place to work in Gloucestershire doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a result of the effort everyone puts into making HA’s culture as strong as possible. I think it’s all the more impressive that the team has built this team spirit in a largely remote working environment: it means making an extra effort to look out for each other and to support each other, and to commit to using our monthly Connection Days to really strengthen our relationships. It’s very easy to hide in a remote workplace but no-one does that here, and the pride the team have in what we’ve built and the desire to keep improving it, is so inspiring. So this really is a team win, and it's built on the importance each one of us places on making this the best group of colleagues and workmates you could wish for." Andy Hunt, HA founder Customer Excellence Award: Highly Commended Not only did we walk away with the Best Place to Work gong, we were Highly Commended and placed Second in the Customer Excellence Award category. It goes without saying that the relationship we build with our customers beyond hugely important; it's always a priority, so this recognition means a lot. Always listening closely and really understanding what's important, before designing a truly unique adventure that fits like a glove, that will always be how we work. We're so proud of our Trustpilot reviews that reflect this, and this added accolade from the brilliant SoGlos means the world. Highly Commended for Customer Excellence Why it matters This kind of recognition isn’t just a trophy to add to the old cabinet (though they absolutely will have pride of place). It reinforces that we're doing things right. From the first chat we have with our clients, all the way through the designing of all those unforgettable holidays and beyond, we love every minute of it. Winning Best Place to Work tells us we’re doing well by our own team. Being recognised for Customer Excellence tells us our clients feel that, too. Emma and Ian heading up to collect our award A big thank you A great big thank you to everyone who supports us: our team, our clients, and our travel partners in the countries we love. And a huge thanks to SoGlos for organising such a brilliant night and spotlighting the spirit of Gloucestershire’s business community. A massive well done to all the other finalists and winners, what a fantastic room of people to be a part of. We’re excited to take the momentum from the awards into the next season of travel, ready and raring to design more one-off journeys, build more authentic connections – both with our clients and across the world – and enjoy every minute of it together as a team. Here’s to what’s next! Read more about this year's event and see the full list of finalists and winners here. Array
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Show More
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Some more photos from a brilliant evening Ready to chat holidays? Get in touch to chat to one of our brilliant experts about your next big trip today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
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[text] => SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Holiday Architects had a brilliant night at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025. Held on Thursday 6 November 2025 at Cheltenham Town Hall, the event brought an impressive number of the county’s most dynamic businesses across a range of categories together in one impressive room. Our Emma, Ian and Andy were there representing Team HA on the night, with the rest of us glued to our phones for updates, with all fingers and toes firmly crossed... SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards Categories we were shortlisted for Every year, the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards is a great highlight in the calendar. And this year, we were lucky enough to be nominated in THREE categories... Best Place to Work Award Customer Excellence Award Team of the Year Award Drumroll please... We won Best Place to Work! We are so honoured to have been named Winner of the Best Place to Work award! Scooping this award is the perfect reflection of how building genuine connections, not just with trips and destinations, but among our team, is central to everything we do. It celebrates how we support, challenge, and truly enjoy working together. This is such a huge part of why the holidays we design are so loved by our clients, we genuinely love and enjoy every second of creating them. Winners of the Best Place to Work in Gloucestershire A message from our founder, Andy "Being the best place to work in Gloucestershire doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a result of the effort everyone puts into making HA’s culture as strong as possible. I think it’s all the more impressive that the team has built this team spirit in a largely remote working environment: it means making an extra effort to look out for each other and to support each other, and to commit to using our monthly Connection Days to really strengthen our relationships. It’s very easy to hide in a remote workplace but no-one does that here, and the pride the team have in what we’ve built and the desire to keep improving it, is so inspiring. So this really is a team win, and it's built on the importance each one of us places on making this the best group of colleagues and workmates you could wish for." Andy Hunt, HA founder Customer Excellence Award: Highly Commended Not only did we walk away with the Best Place to Work gong, we were Highly Commended and placed Second in the Customer Excellence Award category. It goes without saying that the relationship we build with our customers is at the heart of everything we do; it's always a priority, so this recognition means a lot. Always listening closely and really understanding what's important, before designing a truly unique adventure that fits like a glove – that will always be how we work. We're so proud of our Trustpilot reviews that reflect this, and this added recognition from SoGlos means the world. Highly Commended for Customer Excellence Why it matters This kind of recognition isn’t just a trophy to add to the old cabinet (though they absolutely will have pride of place). It reinforces that we're doing things right. From the first chat, all the way through the designing of all those unforgettable holidays, all the way to the return flight, we love every minute of it. Winning Best Place to Work tells us we’re doing well by our own team. Being recognised for Customer Excellence tells us our clients feel that, too. Emma and Ian heading up to collect our award A big thank you A great big thank you to everyone who supports us: our team, our clients, and our travel partners. And a huge thanks to SoGlos for organising such a brilliant night and spotlighting the spirit of Gloucestershire’s business community. We’re excited to take the momentum from this evening into the next season of travel, ready and raring to design more one-off journeys, build more authentic connections—both with our clients and across the world, and enjoy every minute of it together as a team. Here’s to what’s next! Read more about this year's event and see the full list of finalists and winners here. 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HA News
Best Place to Work at the SoGlos Business Awards 2025
7th November 2025
HA News
SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Holiday Architects had a brilliant night at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025. Held on Thursday 6 November 2025 at Cheltenham Town Hall, the event brought an impressive number of the county’s most dynamic businesses across a range of categories together in one impressive room. Our Emma, Ian and Andy were there representing Team HA on the night, with the rest of us glued to our phones for updates, with all fingers and toes firmly crossed... SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards Categories we were shortlisted for Every year, the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards is a great highlight in the calendar. And this year, we were lucky enough to be nominated in THREE categories... Best Place to Work Award Customer Excellence Award Team of the Year Award Drumroll please... We won Best Place to Work! We are so honoured to have been named Winner of the Best Place to Work award! Scooping this award is the perfect reflection of how building genuine connections, not just with trips and destinations, but among our team, is central to everything we do. It celebrates how we support, challenge, and truly enjoy working together. This is such a huge part of why the holidays we design are so loved by our clients, we genuinely love and enjoy every second of creating them. Winners of the Best Place to Work in Gloucestershire A message from our founder, Andy "Being the best place to work in Gloucestershire doesn’t happen by accident - it’s a result of the effort everyone puts into making HA’s culture as strong as possible. I think it’s all the more impressive that the team has built this team spirit in a largely remote working environment: it means making an extra effort to look out for each other and to support each other, and to commit to using our monthly Connection Days to really strengthen our relationships. It’s very easy to hide in a remote workplace but no-one does that here, and the pride the team have in what we’ve built and the desire to keep improving it, is so inspiring. So this really is a team win, and it's built on the importance each one of us places on making this the best group of colleagues and workmates you could wish for." Andy Hunt, HA founder Customer Excellence Award: Highly Commended Not only did we walk away with the Best Place to Work gong, we were Highly Commended and placed Second in the Customer Excellence Award category. It goes without saying that the relationship we build with our customers is at the heart of everything we do; it's always a priority, so this recognition means a lot. Always listening closely and really understanding what's important, before designing a truly unique adventure that fits like a glove – that will always be how we work. We're so proud of our Trustpilot reviews that reflect this, and this added recognition from SoGlos means the world. Highly Commended for Customer Excellence Why it matters This kind of recognition isn’t just a trophy to add to the old cabinet (though they absolutely will have pride of place). It reinforces that we're doing things right. From the first chat, all the way through the designing of all those unforgettable holidays, all the way to the return flight, we love every minute of it. Winning Best Place to Work tells us we’re doing well by our own team. Being recognised for Customer Excellence tells us our clients feel that, too. Emma and Ian heading up to collect our award A big thank you A great big thank you to everyone who supports us: our team, our clients, and our travel partners. And a huge thanks to SoGlos for organising such a brilliant night and spotlighting the spirit of Gloucestershire’s business community. We’re excited to take the momentum from this evening into the next season of travel, ready and raring to design more one-off journeys, build more authentic connections—both with our clients and across the world, and enjoy every minute of it together as a team. Here’s to what’s next! Read more about this year's event and see the full list of finalists and winners here. 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Some more photos from a brilliant evening Ready to chat holidays? Get in touch to chat to one of our brilliant experts about your next big trip today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
Team Travels
6th November 2025
48 hours in Singapore: Ian's top tips
Three nights in Singapore might sound like a squeeze, but as Ian discovered on his recent trip, it makes for the perfect little add-on to a longer holiday in Asia. With its unmistakably iconic architecture, culture, lush green spaces, and some of the best food on the planet, you can pack a lot into 48 hours in Singapore . Getting around is simple, the metro is clean and easy to navigate, and taxis are quick and affordable, so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time soaking up the city. Below, Ian shares his tried-and-tested tips for making the most of 48 hours in Singapore , from iconic landmarks to hawker centre feasts. Day One In my opinion, you can’t beat a late flight out of the UK, travelling overnight and then arriving in the city for late afternoon. Changi Airport is something to behold when you arrive; once through arrivals, I would always recommend venturing straight for the Rain Vortex – the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. It stands (falls?) tall at 40 meters, and you can see it from multiple levels – it really is quite impressive. What a way to start the trip. Once you arrive at the hotel for your first night, check in and take some time to relax after the journey. You may be too tired to do anything (zero judgment here!), but I would always recommend freshening up and heading straight out for dinner. Even if it is just to a local restaurant down the street, it’s the best way to stay awake and to help get a good night’s sleep because you’ll need it! The impressive welcome at Changi Airport Day Two Morning Start off your day with an amble towards the iconic Raffles Hotel , stopping for a coffee along the way. At the other end, you’ll be treated with a famous Singapore Sling (they do a non-alcoholic version too). The Long Bar at Raffles opens at 11am and is walk-in only; from experience, arriving at 11am, you get sat down pretty quickly. I would suggest arriving a bit earlier and heading round to the front of the hotel to get that snapshot of the beautiful frontage before heading to the bar. Even if you don't fancy a drink, the bar itself is well-worth a visit; you can see the heritage of the building and just take in the atmosphere; jazz music playing on the speakers, free peanuts on every table, and delicious drinks. Ian outside the iconic Raffles in Singapore Ian on his second(?) Singapore Sling One you've had a drink, or two (the Singapore Slings can be quite strong); it’s time to walk it off. If you walk along North Bridge Road, you will arrive at the Parliament House of Singapore which is a worthy quick stop because you get the view of the parliament building with the backdrop of modern Singapore, a mix of old and new – exactly how I would describe Singapore itself really. As well as this, it is on the bank of the Singapore River and only a 10 minute further walk to see the most well-known building in the city. To see it in its full glory, walk to the Marina Bay Sands viewpoint (on Google, it is the MBS Viewpoint) and admire the view because you’ll be heading there tomorrow! You will have worked up an appetite so you could have lunch at one of the restaurants or bars along the street looking out onto Marina Bay Sands, but these could be pricey. Another option would be to walk to Clarke Quay, around 15 minutes way with lots of options to eat and drink and still with a lovely view of the quay. Marina Bay Sands Viewpoint Afternoon After lunch, you could walk around Fort Canning Park, this is a free park and really nice to walk round for some shade on a hot day. There are also some payable activities in the park which you can do too. Alternatively, head back to the hotel to relax, enjoy the amenities and freshen up for dinner. Evening My recommendation for dinner would be to head to Maxwells Food Centre, along Tg Pahar Road or you may have seen a local restaurant on your travels today! 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Fort Canning Park and Maxwells Food Centre Day Three Morning Another full day in Singapore to soak in the sights. Today, head out to Chinatown, take a walk around the stalls and shops, see Pagoda Street, the Sri Mariamman Temple, and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. These are all walkable from Maxwell Station and the perfect way to spend a morning, finishing of course at Maxwell Food Centre for lunch (you can absolutely visit here more than once, there are so many stalls to choose from!) Singapore is known for its hawker centres, with Maxwell's being the most famous, and it does not disappoint. It can be a lot on the senses when you walk in (the smells in particular are incredible) but here are my top tips. Take a couple of laps, see what there is, what you fancy to eat and then find somewhere to sit. People can sometimes ‘reserve’ a seat with a random item so keep an eye out for these but once you find somewhere, take a seat (it’s a lot easier doing this with someone than solo!) Feel free to share tables with people. On my most recent visit, I sat with first-generation Singaporeans who were telling me about their parents' emigrating from China. It was amazing to listen to their stories. Once you have chosen your food, they'll give you a buzzer so you can sit down and wait for it to be cooked, and it really is worth the wait! I can still smell the chicken rice and mixed veg I had (I also went back for some more gyoza). Chinatown, Singapore Afternoon After lunch you may wish to freshen up before this evening’s visits. Depending on sunset would depend on the time you want to book the Marina Bay Sands observation deck and also Gardens by the Bay. Ideally, you want to be heading into the gardens at dusk ready for the lights to come on (and hopefully witness the lights show). You do not need loads of time at the observation deck, the best station to get off at is Bayfront and it is signed from there. If you have a ticket already, join the queue and the lift will take you straight up to the deck. Enjoy the panoramic views of the city, it’s quite something, I loved being able to see the Gardens from above! Evening Once you’ve finished, there are signs to Gardens by the Bay so it is an easy walk between the two. There are lots of options to eat just outside the Gardens, just head for Satay by the Bay! At the Gardens, there are many options you can do. Walking around the park is easy and free but I would recommend the Skywalk, this is a great way to see the gardens from about (but the queue can be quite long even with a ticket). There are other exhibitions which you can pay for so check online to see the options. Once the sun has set, there is a light show which is quite spectacular and you will see the crowds build up in anticipation so find you spot and enjoy! It really is a lovely way to end the Singapore experience. Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck Evening Once you’ve finished, there are signs to Gardens by the Bay so it is an easy walk between the two. There are lots of options to eat just outside the Gardens, just head for Satay by the Bay! At the Gardens, there are many options you can do. Walking around the park is easy and free but I would recommend the Skywalk, this is a great way to see the gardens from about (but the queue can be quite long even with a ticket). There are other exhibitions which you can pay for so check online to see the options. Once the sun has set, there is a light show which is quite spectacular and you will see the crowds build up in anticipation so find you spot and enjoy! It really is a lovely way to end the Singapore experience. Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [content] => Top Tip: If you head to the metro station names Gardens by the Bay, there is a great viewpoint which you can see Marina Bay Sands with the iconic lit-up towers in front of it. It is a bit of a walk from the main Gardens but also a great station for getting out of the site away from the crowds. [name] => Ian [location] => [text_color] => [quote_color] => [admin_label] => Item 1 ) ) “ Top Tip: If you head to the metro station names Gardens by the Bay, there is a great viewpoint which you can see Marina Bay Sands with the iconic lit-up towers in front of it. It is a bit of a walk from the main Gardens but also a great station for getting out of the site away from the crowds. Ian ” Marina Bay Sands view from Gardens by the Bay After just a couple of days in Singapore, you’ll see why it’s so often recommended as the perfect add-on to an Asian adventure. It’s compact, easy to get around, and full of culture, history and flavour... the kind of place where you can pack a lot in without feeling rushed. Get in touch Singapore holidays Ian recommends
Team Travels
24th October 2025
Team Travels: Paul’s Canadian Adventure
We're proud of the love, passion and insight we put into every holiday we design. And that magic is thanks to the endless first-hand experiences our team have clocked up in their countries over the years. When it comes to designing holidays, nothing beats being able to recommend an experience, a place, or a hotel based on our own experiences. So, those are the kinds of insights our Canada expert Paul set out to do this summer. Over four weeks, he criss-crossed the country, from the big cities to the wild backroads, in search of new experiences, characterful stays, and those all-important hidden corners to share with you. Holidays in Canada offer so much and Paul's here to help you get the most out of yours. Below, he tells us all about how he got on... Where did you go? I started my latest Canadian tour in Toronto , where I explored the city before heading out to the surrounding Niagara region. From there, I flew over to Vancouver Island and spent a week travelling around, taking in the island’s incredible nature and wildlife. I then spent time in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver before journeying through the Okanagan , sampling local wines and watching the sun set over the lakes. From there, I ventured into bear country and was lucky enough to spot a few black bears in Wells Gray Provincial Park . I rounded off the trip by driving through the staggering Rocky Mountains, exploring the roads less travelled in search of the best secret spots for our clients. Paul at the Banff gondola What did you do while you were there? I spent much of my time immersing myself in the incredible nature and wildlife Canada has to offer. I was lucky enough to see multiple black bears, humpback whales, a pod of dolphins, otters, beavers, eagles, sea lions, and more. Some of these sightings were during organised wildlife experiences, which were truly unforgettable, while others happened simply by heading out on one of the many walking trails available. You can't really get away from the wildlife in Canada! And if it wasn’t wildlife we encountered, there was usually a stunning waterfall or two to keep us entertained. Did you discover any secret spots you can tell us about? One of the great things about Canada is just how vast it is, which means there are still plenty of unexplored bits waiting to be discovered. I love getting out and exploring on foot, and we found so many incredible trails that led to waterfalls and lakes, often with no one else around except the occasional bit of wildlife! I’d really recommend downloading a walking app like AllTrails, as it makes it so easy to head off into nature and explore with confidence. Some particular highlights for me were the Helmcken Falls trail in Wells Gray and the Little Qualicum Falls trail on Vancouver Island, both absolutely stunning and well worth the walk. An unexpected highlight A real unexpected highlight for me was in the town of Campbell River, where we stumbled across what might be the best Vietnamese food I’ve had outside of Vietnam. Nhau Vietnamese Kitchen is an unassuming little spot, but the food was absolutely 10/10. A real hidden gem and a great example of Canada’s multicultural flavour. Paul at Helmcken Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park Talk to us about the food As I hinted at in my last answer, on holidays in Canada you really can eat your way around the world. You’re definitely not limited to the classic “burger and fries” that’s often associated with North America. I had incredible Korean food at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto , award-winning seafood chowder in Ucluelet , and quite possibly the best Mexican food I’ve ever eaten – inside or outside of Mexico – at Tacofino in Tofino . There was amazing Vietnamese food in Campbell River, hearty Austrian cuisine in a traditional stube setting in Radium Hot Springs, and the slowest, smokiest brisket at The Hop ‘n’ Hog in Clearwater, and let’s not forget the most creative and moreish pastries I’ve had in a long time, found in Kelowna’s thriving food scene. I could honestly go on and on, but if I had to pick a favourite meal… it was probably the next one! Because in Canada, there’s always another delicious surprise just around the corner. What was your most unforgettable moment? I always say this to clients and I followed my own advice, but in Canada, the early bird most definitely gets the worm. We left Lake Louise around 6am to head up the Icefields Parkway for a day of exploring. One of the best things about setting off that early is how quiet the roads are and on this particular morning, we were incredibly lucky. As we rounded a bend, with a mountain towering in the background and a lake glistening to one side, we spotted a black bear taking a slow, peaceful stroll along the road. Aside from one other car coming from the opposite direction, we had the moment entirely to ourselves. We slowed right down and simply watched as the bear plodded along beside the car before disappearing back into the forest. Seeing wildlife is always a privilege, but to witness such a majestic animal in that setting, in total peace and quiet, was truly unforgettable. What's the bit you'll be telling your friends about over dinner? Canada really is the most incredible destination for a family holiday . I was really fortunate that my family joined me for part of this trip, and it’s always incredibly special to share my passion for Canada with them. We were lucky enough to take part in some unforgettable wildlife experiences, thanks to some fantastic suppliers. One highlight was our whale watching trip with Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours. Our two guides were incredible, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and they took us well away from any crowds to quiet, remote waters. There, we had the privilege of watching two humpback whales feeding, and we even saw a few breaches, which was just breathtaking. But the moment that really stuck with me was when my 4-year-old daughter turned to me and said, “I could sit here forever and watch the whales.” It captured everything about that experience in one sentence. It was such a proud and emotional moment. I knew then that I had passed on my love for Canada in that moment! 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video.remove(); img.src = "https://placehold.co/600x400/EEE/31343C?text=Browser+cannot+play+video+:(+"; }); video.addEventListener("seeked", function() { if (!isProcessing) return; const canvas = document.createElement("canvas"); canvas.width = video.videoWidth; canvas.height = video.videoHeight; try { canvas.getContext("2d").drawImage(video, 0, 0); const dataUrl = canvas.toDataURL("image/jpeg", 0.8); img.setAttribute("src", dataUrl); } catch(e) { console.error("Failed to generate thumbnail:", e); } video.remove(); canvas.remove(); }); // Add media fragment to only load first second video.src = `${videoUrl}#t=0,1`; video.load(); } }); }); document.addEventListener("click", function(e) { if (e.target.matches(".zen-gallery-expand")) { const items = document.querySelectorAll(".zen-gallery-item"); items.forEach((item, index) => { if (index >= 12) { item.classList.toggle("d-xl-none"); } if (index >= 9) { item.classList.toggle("d-md-none"); item.classList.toggle("d-xl-block"); } if (index >= 6) { item.classList.toggle("d-none"); item.classList.toggle("d-md-block"); } }); const anyHidden = Array.from(items).some(item => item.classList.contains("d-none") || item.classList.contains("d-md-none") || item.classList.contains("d-xl-none") ); e.target.textContent = anyHidden ? "Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Where was your favourite place you stayed? Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites in Ucluelet was definitely a standout for me. The property sits right on the harbour, and the apartment blocks are designed to look like large harbourfront houses, but the real showstopper is the view. We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the water, complete with a jacuzzi bathtub. Sitting out there in the early morning, watching the boats and seaplanes come and go, or spotting wildlife in the harbour, was pure magic. It’s not flashy or over-the-top, just a wonderfully calm and peaceful place. The kind of spot where you can happily spend hours on the deck with a cup of tea and a good book, watching the world drift by. What did you learn on this visit? Something that really stood out on this trip, and has been building for a while, is the reality that many of Canada’s big bucket list spots, while undeniably spectacular, are now edging toward being too busy to fully enjoy (unless you plan things cleverly!). If you arrive at a popular viewpoint or waterfall during peak hours, it can be absolutely packed to the point where you're jostling shoulder to shoulder just to get a photo. It takes away from the sense of awe and connection with nature that should be at the heart of the experience. Paul on Lake Louise What I’ve really learned on this trip is how much Canada’s vastness can work in our favour. There are so many other equally incredible places that are far less travelled, spots that offer a much more peaceful, authentic, and unique experience for our clients. It’s not that we have to leave out the iconic sights altogether, but it’s reassuring to know that we can blend those with more off-the-beaten-track moments to create something truly special. It gives us the chance to design holidays that feel thoughtful and original, rather than just another “off-the-shelf” itinerary that the whole world is doing. Paul hiking the Sinclair Canyon Trail What top tip will you be passing onto your clients? I’ve alluded to this already, but it’s worth repeating. Get ahead of the crowds, wake up early, meet the sunrise in the mountains, and you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking landscapes and wildlife Canada has to offer, often with no one else around. If you can reach these places before the crowds, they truly take your breath away. You have time to pause, soak it all in, and really connect with your surroundings. The beauty of it is, after a day full of adventure, you can head back to one of Canada’s incredible accommodations, put your feet up, and watch the sunset unfold across a stunning backdrop, all from the comfort of your room. Paul at the toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead, Jasper National Park What's the one thing people can't miss? You simply must do a wildlife experience in Canada. We work with some of the best guides, who strike the perfect balance between intimacy and avoiding the crowds. It’s a genuine pleasure and privilege to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You might spot a black bear foraging with its cub along the coastline or a pod of whales gliding through the ocean. Canada is one big playground of any wildlife lover. And I promise these moments will be highlights of your Canada holiday. So, there you have it. A quick summary of Paul's latest Canada adventure. This is just the tip of the iceberg though. He's got countless tips, tricks and stories to share. So, if you think Canada could be your next dream destination, send us an enquiry to get a quick quote, or give Paul a call to chat all about it. Chat to Paul Canada holidays Paul recommends Dreaming of your own Canadian adventure? Get in touch with Paul for ideas, tips and a quick quote for your next holiday today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
Travel Inspiration
6th October 2025
Real Travels in Japan with Mark Cummings
Broadcaster, author and travel writer Mark Cummings is something of a Gloucestershire legend. With more than 40 years in broadcasting (including nearly two decades hosting the BBC Radio Gloucestershire Breakfast Show!), he's somewhat of a familiar voice. Having spent much of his life telling stories that connect people and place, these days, he's swapped the airwaves for adventures and you'll find him writing travel pieces that inspire others to follow in his footsteps. Earlier this year, after the success of his book Glorious Gloucestershire and an appearance at the Cheltenham Travel Festival, Mark came to us with one clear goal: to uncover the real, insider Japan. With the help of our Japan experts, Fenton and Emma, he set off on a tailor-made Japan holiday full of hidden temples, secret bars, friendly locals and those unforgettable waku waku (thrill-and-excitement) moments that only real travel can bring. Here’s what he discovered along the way (don't miss his brilliant videos down the bottom!)… Kyoto Exploring Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple Waku waku is the Japanese way of describing the feeling of being thrilled and excited all at the same time. My first overwhelming experience of “Waku waku” was high up in the hills above Kyoto at the mysterious Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple knowing I had found a hidden gem away from the congested hordes of tourists gathered a couple of miles below. Fenton and Emma from Holiday Architects devised a cunning plan for me to discover ancient temples, cosy tea houses and quiet Zen gardens while spending a few hours slowly descending towards the cacophony of camera clicks and selfie sticks at the famous but frenetic Arashiyama Bamboo Forest . High up amongst the temple’s spooky statues, I enjoyed a lovely feeling of empowerment mixed with a sprinkling of anticipation and a guilty splash of smugness. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more about my hilltop adventure and other top tips that transformed my Japanese adventure. The unique guidance I received took me to mesmerising markets, secret bars, temple rooftops, stunning Zen gardens, and dreamy bohemian districts. If you love travel with a twist, enjoy avoiding the crowds and love to delve deep into the soul of a country then read on. The mossy statues at Otagi The famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is worth a visit but it can be hugely crowded so here’s a great tip for making the most of this area. We took a taxi higher up the Arishiyama hillside to the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple and spent a couple of dreamy hours exploring this peaceful Buddhist Temple before slowly walking down the quiet hillside path enjoying enchanting gems that not many tourists get to see. The Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple has hundreds of slightly haunting moss-covered stone statues each with a different face. They have been created by the students of the temple’s head priest Kocho Nishimura who also happened to be a sculptor. He encouraged his students to bring out the character within the stone and the results are fascinating. It’s a magical temple to start off your day. Slowly make your way down the foothills of Mt Ogura following the Hozu Katsura river enjoying the ancient preserved streets, temples, shrines and a real highlight – an alternative bamboo experience that not many people discover. The Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple has its own idyllic bamboo grove that you might just have all to yourself. My final top tip is to visit the Okochi Sanso Garden hidden behind the busy bamboo forest at the bottom. If you love a Zen garden, you’ll be mesmerised by this. The empty bamboo forest The busier bamboo forest Mark exploring Fushimi Inari at dusk Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha at dusk If you don’t want to get up at five in the morning to avoid the crowds, try something a little more relaxing but even more magical. The Fushimi Inari shrine celebrates the Shinto god of rice, agriculture and prosperity and it is a spectacular place to spend a few hours. We climbed to the top of Mt Inari late afternoon so we could be back down to enjoy the main shrine building at dusk. It’s a fun climb through the myriad of orange Tori gates that weave around the mountain path with fox statues and small shrines along the route. There are cracking views across Kyoto , but don’t expect the same at the summit. It’s a bit of an anticlimax, however, you get a real sense of satisfaction having made it to the top. Once back down, we loved the quieter early evening crowds, the even more magical shimmering shrines and the twinkling Japanese lanterns guiding you through this sacred place. Visit Nishiki Market at 10 am I loved my time here in this ancient, mad, bustling corridor of delights with its famous yellow, red and green roof. It has over 100 shops/stalls and restaurants selling beautifully displayed seafood such as squid and sea snails, skewered meat, dried and candied fruit, exotic sweets, local herbs and spices, unusual tofu and locally made ceramics. It’s where the locals go but it does get busy with tourists by lunchtime so go early when the shops are opening up and throw yourself into the madness. I particularly enjoyed the skewered octopus, prawn tempura, spicy nuts and a cold beer in one of the tiny bars you must visit. Better than the Gold Pavilion... A short distance away from the crowded World Heritage Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is a little oasis of calm and charm. We spent a very happy day exploring the area around the Nanzenji Temple with its impressive Sanmon entrance gate which we climbed to the top of. This is one of Japan’s most important Zen temples with spacious grounds, a fascinating history and beautiful rock gardens. However, the highlight for me was the garden connected to the Tenjuan Temple next door. I fell in love with this Zen paradise with its huge rock pond, lush verdant garden and teasing stepping stones. Luckily, the bamboo rails will save you sharing a dip with the massive Koi Carp. This dreamy hidden oasis tends not to be crowded so you really can spend as long as you want there. If you want to stretch your legs, nearby is the famous Philosopher’s Path, a waterside path dotted with art galleries and cafés. A short bus ride away is the lively Gion District. Zen Gardens at Tenjuan Temple Tokyo Making friends in Yanaka Ginza Here’s why you must spend a few hours in the delightful and charming district of Yanaka Ginza. Half a day spent here will give you a peaceful break from the madness of the world’s biggest city and introduce you to the calm, relaxing spirit of old Tokyo . In my short visit I made several friends, ate delicious street food, bought authentic handmade gifts, drank excellent beer and whiled away a few hours people watching. The first person to befriend me was Kuni who runs the most incredible Tourist information office. It’s a simple unit nestled between flower shops and Craft Ale bars but boy does it pack a punch. Not only can you find out everything to do culturally in the area Kuni also organises classes on calligraphy, flower arranging, cooking and Kabuki make up. She was an infectious bundle of knowledge and waved to me every time I wandered past with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen and we now follow each on Instagram. I then met my three drinking buddies Tsugurou, Naoya, and Kenji. I was sipping a cold refreshing local beer outside a bar on the main street when these three locals engaged me in conversation for a good twenty minutes. They were delighted and intrigued to test their English on a westerner and I was equally pleased to try my pigeon Japanese in return. I learned a bit about the local area but more about their love of Liverpool FC, The Beatles, Queen and Billy Joel. My new pals then directed me to the famous Yanaka Cemetery where I spent a tranquil hour amongst the pristine paths and elaborately decorated tombs. Here can be found the grave of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Tokugawa shogun of the Edo Period. If you love rustic charm, good value, friendly people and mixing with the locals, then I highly recommend getting the train to Nippori Station. Be prepared to make some new friends… and by the way, the reason I can remember all the names and spellings of my beer-quaffing mates is because we all also now follow each other on Instagram. Mark making friends at Yanaka Ginza Tokyo's Golden Gai area This exotic area with atmospheric alleyways and tiny bars gave us many memorable moments. Golden Gai is located just behind the lively district of Shinjuku, and if you dive in wholeheartedly, I promise you'll feel like a true traveller. It hasn’t changed much since it began as a black-market zone in the 1950s and still has an authentic atmosphere, hinting that something naughty, risqué, or even bawdy might happen. The Holiday Architects team challenged us to immerse ourselves by visiting several bars, meeting locals, and trying karaoke. You’ll need to watch the videos to see if we succeeded. All I can say is my “Waku waku” level soared. A bar in Golden Gai Thank you Holiday Architects Thanks to Fenton and Emma’s knowledge of Japan we experienced the country in a way that was hugely enriching and meaningful. Please take a look at the videos, they will take you to all the places I have described and introduce you to some of the friends I made along the way. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes that sums up the ethos behind the help I received to squeeze every drop out of my visit to Japan. G.K. Chesterton “The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” Find your own perfect Japan holiday Fancy your own Japan adventure? Get in touch with one of our brilliant experts today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
Team Travels
30th September 2025
Erin’s Vietnam Diary: Secret spots and quirky experiences
Our Vietnam expert, Erin, set off back to her beloved Vietnam this summer with one goal in mind... to uncover the magic little details that can take a holiday from 'great' to unforgettable. Over two weeks, Erin journeyed from the lively streets of Hanoi all the way south to the sleepy villages of the Mekong Delta, swapping out standard city tours for quirky excursions, hands-on workshops, and authentic encounters with local communities. She kayaked through the remote countryside, herded ducks, and made the most of Vietnam's famous street food by learning the ropes for herself in a local kitchen. Erin’s trip was packed with offbeat moments and plenty of inspiration for designing truly one-of-a-kind holidays in Vietnam. Read all about her adventures below... Where did you go? My adventure through Vietnam took me from the lively capital of Hanoi all the way south to the sleepy riverside villages of the Mekong Delta . My trip was all about getting off-the beaten-track and rubbing shoulders with the locals in the rural communities outside of the cities. I maximised my time in the countryside throughout the trip and continuously found myself surrounded by dramatic landscapes, unique culture and friendly locals. Don’t get me wrong Hanoi and Saigon are some of my favourite cities in Asia (and did feature on this adventure), but this trip was all about moving away from the hustle and bustle and moving into the serenity that Vietnam has in abundance. Spending time in lesser-visited regions such as Pu Luong and Phong Nha , making use of the public transportation systems and travelling in the ‘green season’ made for a truly authentic exploration of vibrant Vietnam. Erin cycling in Ninh Binh What did you get up to? My itinerary was action-packed from start to finish! I wanted to fill the itinerary with as much variety as possible and so there was a bit of everything in there – cycle tours, cooking classes, vespa street food tours, kayaking, trekking, farm visits and as many local interactions as I could squeeze in! I swapped out a regional flight in favour of an overnight train, I deepened my understanding of Vietnam’s troubled history and ate so many spring rolls that I very nearly ended up becoming one. Did you discover any secret spots you can tell us about? Cẩm Kim is just a 10 minute cycle away from the centre of Hoi An’s Ancient Old Town – but it feels like another world. There is no getting away from the fact that Hoi An is busy with tourists – and with good reason – but exploring Cẩm Kim whisks you away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre and offers a new perspective of Hoi An . I would recommend setting aside at least half a day during your stay in Hoi An to explore Cẩm Kim and I think the best way to do it is on a guided tour by Electric Bike. The island is full of local artisans who are delighted to welcome you into their homes and workshops and show off their skills in woodworking, cooking, & textiles. During my tour, I learned how to make rice milk and subsequently ‘Smash cakes’ (which were delicious!), Rice wine with Mr Dau, explored the Kim Bong Carpentry village, and even helped to make some traditional sleeping mats using dried reeds. By moving away from the town centre for just a few hours, I was able to experience the unique Hoi An culture in a hands-on way! Erin in Hoi An Talk to us about the food... The food! I could talk about the food from this trip for days! In Vietnam, the regular greeting isn’t – ‘Hello, how are you?’ it’s, ‘Hello, have you eaten?’ I honestly don’t think there is anywhere quite like Vietnam for food - but my standout meal has to be on the Bassac Boat during my cruise of the Mekong Delta. There are a number of different ways you can experience the Mekong – you may choose to simply include a day trip from Saigon, where you’ll experience an introduction to the way of life on the river. Alternatively, you could stay at one of the riverside lodges, which allows for easy exploration of the villages by foot or by bicycle as well as the benefit of being able to laze by a pool in the midday heat. Or you could include an overnight cruise on a traditional Bassac Boat – this is what I did during this trip and I absolutely loved it! The charm of the wooden Bassac Boat is endearing, but with just 12 dinky cabins and without the bells and whistles of the more luxurious Junk Boats of Halong Bay, you could easily be misled into believing this could be underwhelming. On the contrary, this was one of my favourite parts of the trip. You are still able to disembark and experience the sleepy riverside villages of the Can Tho province by bicycle and also have the opportunity of visiting the Cai Rang floating market in the early morning. The time aboard is spent relaxing on the sun deck with a cocktail in hand as you meander through the waterways of the delta. The highlight of the cruise for me was the wonderful food served on board (and there was lots of it!). For lunch, the set menu consisted of prawns cooked in coconut juice, calamari fritters, clay-pot fish curry, sauteed diced beef with rice and vegetables, followed with a fresh fruit platter. For dinner the menu was Mekong style fried spring rolls, caramelized, clay-pot pork, chicken & lemongrass curry followed with a French crepe. It was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection – the perfect meal to end my trip in Vietnam. Where was your favourite place you stayed? I absolutely loved staying at The Pu Luong Retreat . Pu Luong Nature Reserve is located around 160km southwest of Hanoi – it’s often missed from itineraries due to the longer transfer time from the capital, but the 4-hour drive is worth it. Trust me! Northern Vietnam is characterised by its dramatic scenery, traditional villages, rural communities and spectacular rice terraces. In an ideal world where time away has no limits, you could explore the Tonkinese Alps in Sapa, the traditional Thai & Muong village communities in Mai Chau , the dramatic limestone karsts in Ninh Binh, the hairpin bends of the mountain passes on the Ha Giang loop and the photogenic rice terraces in the Hoang Lien National Park – but you would need at least a month to pack all this in and Pu Luong offers it all! The room at the Pu Luong Retreat maximises the breathtaking views of its elevated position with the town – I could have spent hours sat on my balcony looking out on the quintessentially Vietnamese vista. During my two-night stay at the retreat, I visited the picturesque waterwheels and trekked to the Kho Muong Village – the oldest Muong village of the region - and enjoyed seeing the way of life for this rural, self-sufficient community. Pu Luong offers a refreshing and peaceful escape from the hubbub of Hanoi and allows the more adventurous traveller an insight into authentic rural Vietnam. I adored it. Erin on the balcony at Pu Luong Retreat What was the quirkiest thing you did? During my rural adventure through Vietnam, I stopped for a few nights in the stunning town of Phong Nha . I travelled by overnight train south from Ninh Binh (but you could also fly from Hanoi) and stayed at The Phong Nha Lakehouse Resort , just outside of the small town centre. After a hearty breakfast, a quick freshen up, and a kayak on the lake I headed out on a guided cycling tour of the Bong Lai village. I waved at the locals as I cycled quiet village paths surrounded by rice paddy fields and small hamlets and made stops for photos and refreshments along the way. It’s a peaceful excursion showcasing the tranquillity and beauty of the Vietnamese countryside. The highlight of the tour though was, without a doubt, the stop at Duck Tang Farm – a unique and utterly joyful Farm experience in the heart of the village. This is a working farm, primarily managed by Anne & Ha, the granddaughters of the farm owner. Anne & Ha are delightful and do a seamless job of blending slow, eco-tourism with their passion for TikTok. Every visit will be different due to the nature of farming, but during my visit I was lucky enough to experience the home-grown fruit garden, fishing using traditional techniques and meeting the stars of the show – the ducks! I fed them, herded them and experienced a ‘duck massage’ – the experience was both hilarious and wholesome in equal measures. Erin at Duck Tang Farm Tell us about your favourite experience? One of my favourite excursions was ‘Making a Banh Mi Sandwich’ in a nearby village to Hoi An. Na, a Hoi An local, met with me in the early morning and we headed to the central market to collect the ingredients required to make Vietnam’s favourite sandwich. Together, we navigated the bustling stalls alongside local shoppers and I learned about the shopping & cooking culture from the perspective of Vietnamese women. We then headed to Na’s home, located on the outskirts of Hoi An, beautifully nestled on the banks of The Thu Bon River and began to craft the infamous Banh Mi. This excursion merged all my favourite things about Vietnam into one delicious morning and I came away with a recipe I will be sure to share with my friends and family for many years to come! What did you learn? Guided city tours can be a fantastic way to orientate yourself in a new a city and make sure you get to see and learn about the iconic landmarks, but they’re not the only way (or always the best way) to discover a new city. During my trip, I incorporated excursions that allowed me to experience each unique city in a really immersive way. For example, instead of a walking tour of Hoi An – I chose to include the ‘Making a Banh Mi Sandwich’ excursion where I not only learned some culinary skills to take home with me, but also go to experience a snapshot of what it means to live as a local in Hoi An - visiting the market, the town centre, the bakeries and the residential outskirts of the Ancient Old Town. Similarly, I included an Egg Coffee Workshop in Saigon where, again, I learnt something new whilst simultaneously experiencing the unique culture of Saigon. I feel that sometimes opting for the more immersive experiences over the standard city tours, will often result in forming a deeper understanding and connection with the local area – and usually is combined with having more tales to tell when you arrive back home! What's the one thing people can't miss? I honestly think that an itinerary in Vietnam isn’t complete without a food tour – and I really think this should be done on the back of a Vespa! The food in Vietnam is delicious and subtly changes as you move from the north of the country through to the south. Aromatic, flavourful and fresh is how I would describe it – and there are so many dishes that should definitely make their way to your chopsticks during your holiday! Saying this, it can be tricky to know exactly where to eat and what to order. Like anywhere, the towns and cities have an overwhelming number of options and it can be confusing to differentiate between the tourist traps and the local favourites. Having a food tour, takes away this confusion and ensures you can enjoy the street food and local delicacies under the guidance of your personal culinary expert! I recommend having a food tour towards the beginning of your trip as this will acquaint you with some local dish names and help you to make food choices later in your holiday. If you feel adventurous, I whole-heartedly recommend doing a food tour in Hue or Saigon by Vintage Vespa. This is my favourite way to explore the food scene in a Vietnamese city – as you get to enjoy a bit of sightseeing (you’ll cover more distance than on a walking tour), you’ll get to travel the way the locals do and you’ll have some incredible food along the way! On this trip, I enjoyed a vespa food tour in Hue and was able to sample some of the city’s favourite specialities such as Banh Beo, Banh Nam and Bun Bo Hue. All totally delicious, but probably things I would have been hesitant to try without the knowledge of my lovely local guide, Nhienle. What are your top tips for any Vietnam holiday? First of all… travelling in Vietnam out of peak season is just as amazing (if not more so)! Weather apps and internet scrolling might have you believe that the only time the weather is good in Vietnam is between March and April, but this just isn’t the case. I travelled the full length of the country in late June and early July – ‘Green Season’ – and not a single element of the trip was disrupted by the weather, in fact, I hardly saw any rain at all. Travelling in green season means fewer crowds, more local interactions (as this is when the Vietnamese typically take their time off to travel the country) and reduced costs. Grab a local E-Sim on arrival at the airport. Vietel & Mobifone have brilliant 4G coverage throughout Vietnam (even in the rural areas) and for around £15, you can stay connected for your full trip. If you are heading to Ninh Binh (and I think you should!), then definitely take a Sampan Cruise from Tam Coc. Sure, it’s a bit ‘touristy’ but for good reason – the landscape is breathtaking! From the Van Lam pier in Tam Coc, you’ll enjoy a spectacular hour-long cruise in a private sampan to the three caves passing by vibrant rice paddies and magnificent karsts. My tip here is to go early. I hopped in my sampan at 08.00 and I honestly felt as if I had the whole region to myself. The boat cruises get very busy at around mid-day when the day trippers from Hanoi arrive and it can start to feel very crowded on the water (especially in Peak Season). 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Array.from(items).some(item => item.classList.contains("d-none") || item.classList.contains("d-md-none") || item.classList.contains("d-xl-none") ); e.target.textContent = anyHidden ? "Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); And that’s just a taste of Erin’s journey through Vietnam. Quirky food tours, peaceful countryside escapes, and everything in between. She’s gathered a real treasure trove of ideas to make your Vietnam holiday stand out from the crowd. If Vietnam is on your radar, why not get in touch? Drop us an enquiry for a quick quote, or pick up the phone and chat with Erin about crafting your perfect trip. Chat to Erin Vietnam holidays Erin recommends ZEN_HOLIDAY_PACK_YOUR_BAGS Chat to Erin about your perfect Vietnam holiday today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
Team Travels
30th September 2025
Real travels With Andy: A journey through Botswana in flood season
Earlier this year, our founder Andy swapped his desk for the floodplains of Botswana. He travelled in May, right at the time when the Okavango Delta was beginning to fill. It's a season that transforms the landscape into something altogether different, and Andy was there at the perfect time to see the best of it. What followed was a journey of water, wildlife and a few unexpected discoveries. In this post, Andy shares his first-hand reflections from the Selinda Spillway and Xudum, bringing to life the sounds, smells and sights of Botswana in flood season. Our Botswana expert, Kirsty, knows how to design holidays to Botswana that will tick all of your boxes. So have a read of the below and do get in touch if you think Botswana could be for you. Andy shares his Botswana adventure "I arrived at the Selinda Spillway in the Okavango Delta at the same time as the annual flood. The word “flood” conjures up images of rushing waves and destruction, but the Okavango flood was nothing like this. The water slowly, gently, but implacably pushed its way across the landscape. It was imperceptible but inevitable: like a game of Grandma’s footsteps, the water level never rose when I was looking at it, but if I turned my back, when I looked round again, surprise! the water was lapping at my feet. It turned the Spillway into a verdant Hall of Mirrors, where subtle changes in elevation meant the plain of wild grass I passed through yesterday (think Gladiator. Or maybe Theresa May) still looked like a plain, but six inches of water now washed the base of the grass stalks, turning a savannah into a swamp. The Delta is vast and the camps and lodges limited in number: you might have up to a thousand square kilometres literally to yourself. So the rarest sightings were of other people and vehicles. Despite the remoteness, the Delta in flood time was a place of ceaseless noise. At night, the reed frogs were my constant backing musicians. They sounded like each child in a primary school had been given a different individual xylophone block, with no two identical notes, and told to play it in syncopated rhythm with their friends. The resulting sound was more harmonious than you might think (underpinned by the bullfrogs providing the bass section) and was the Delta’s equivalent of a white noise app, lulling me to sleep. Bird cries were ever-present, from the “tink-tink-tink” of the Blacksmith Plover, to the piercing single note of the African Fish Eagle (every description you will ever read of the African Fish Eagle’s cry will describe it as “piercing” – but wait until you’ve heard it yourself and then tell me there’s a better way to describe it!). The grunting of hippos, the deep rumblings of elephants, the rough bark of the lion, and the harsh alarm snort of any number of plains game species all imposed themselves on my senses at some point. So, it sounds like a busy place, right? Well, yes, but it’s also vast (I may have already mentioned this!), so the landscape comfortably absorbed all these animals. Some were easy to see: both lodges I stayed at have local elephants who’ll pass through at some point in the day, often pausing for a drink from the swimming pool. When you encounter that same elephant in the bush, you’ll wonder how the largest land animal can be so quiet and so hard to spot despite only being a matter of yards away. Hippos were in most pools of water, and plains game in herds of anything from a few specimens to hundreds of animals drifted across the savannah, swamps, and islands. We worked hard to get our predator sightings. My spotter found the tracks, and in tandem with my guide, used their experience and intuition to deliver that perfect leopard sighting: thankfully, I’m told this is the outcome more often than not! That longed-for leopard sighting The immutable cycle of the water flooding in and receding is like the breathing of a huge lung, with the water as the animating oxygen. And in flood season, getting out on the water is a privilege. Drifting languidly past a bathing elephant is a cliché, but at the heart of every cliché is a truth, and until you’ve drifted languidly past a bathing elephant, you can’t appreciate just how special it feels. I was cynical, now I’m converted! I wasn’t drifting in total silence (see above) but I closed my eyes and really listened: not a single human-made sound (except possibly the clinking of ice in my gin & tonic). Where have you been lately where you can completely escape human sound? To see the Delta from the water gave me a sense of the braiding of the waters, how those subtle elevation changes shape the shifting river. It was Heraclitus who said “No-one enters the same river twice”, and that’s especially true of the Okavango. Earth tremors are continuously shifting the sands and redirecting the waters from one year to the next. So, the limpid flow I was in, gently swaying the grasses and water lilies, may well not exist in a year: I made sure to enjoy it whilst I could. One smell dominates my memory of the Delta: wild sage. In the same way that the scent of wild garlic crushed underfoot in a UK woodland is a stronger, more vital version of kitchen garlic, wild sage is brighter and sharper on the nose than the cooking herb. There are huge patches of wild sage, so the fresh, herbaceous, minerally scent was a frequent companion on my travels through the Delta. Other smells passed across my palette: the unmistakably bovine pungency of buffalo, the petrichor-like musk of the damp soil at dusk, and the occasional taste of corruption in the air as a nearby (usually unseen) animal carcass performed its function as a buffet for those unfancied creatures like carrion beetles: unfancied yet without which the ecosystem would grind to a halt. Circle of life and all that! Sightings on the Delta I split my time between the Selinda Spillway and the Xudum (Kudum) Concession in the south. Xudum may be a familiar name as the Xudum Pride of lions was one of the stars of the Big Cat 24/7 series filmed here. There’s nothing better to keep you in your place than meeting a lion cub that already has more Instagram followers than you can ever hope to achieve! The landscape really changed as I moved south from the Selinda to Xudum. On the spillway, it was tight and close, a mix of woodland, small plains and frequent islands, somewhere where the horizon feels quite near. Moving south, it uncurled like a loosening fist; the woods disappeared, the plains stretched out (Theresa May would take hours to cross some of them on foot), the islands grew in size, their shores fringed with trees, including the iconic tall palms. The horizon pushed back, the sky grew. The water continued to play tricks, deep enough in places to come pouring through the Land Cruiser, but then absent for wide stretches of floodplain. The waters were still rising, so perhaps in a few weeks those wide stretches will be more flood than plain. I feel lucky to have seen these two sides of the Delta: I have more of an appreciation of just what a varied landscape this is. That landscape is primarily thanks to three animals. Hippos for forging water channels as they move around, allowing the floods to spread across the plains and opening the way for other species to follow them. Elephants for (amongst other things) not digesting their food very well: thus a seed consumed from a tree is excreted, undigested and ready to germinate, often many kilometres away, ensuring the diversity of the ecosystem. The final animal I’m not sure you’d ever guess unless you knew it. A clue: you’d need approximately two million of them to equal the weight of one elephant. The humble termite. To paraphrase a little, in the beginning there was sand. A vast plain of flat, featureless sand, shaken to a level surface by the aforementioned earth tremors. Then along came the termites, building their termite mounds: sturdy things that take up to eight years to complete and can survive, proud towers rising metres above the ground, for over a hundred years. As the floodwaters swirled around the termite mounds, they slowed and deposited sand against the edges of the mounds. Those islets became islands, watered annually by the floods and seeded by passing birds. They held back the floodwaters, allowing pools to form and nutrients to be retained by the earth. Trees and bushes grew on the islands, and so an attractive habit for animals was born. What a reflection to finish on, that this epic, fecund, wild, vivacious Eden is all thanks to an insect about the size of your thumbnail. It’s like great oaks coming from tiny acorns, but on a global, visible-from-space scale and I love that." 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Andy’s journey through Botswana was carefully planned by our very own Botswana expert, Kirsty. She knows the Delta inside out and brings her love of the region to every holiday she designs. If Andy’s reflections have got you picturing yourself drifting past elephants or listening to the chorus of reed frogs at night, why not get in touch with Kirsty? She’ll chat through what matters most to you and start shaping a Botswana adventure that’s yours and yours alone. Get in touch Ideas for your own Botswana adventure ZEN_HOLIDAY_PACK_YOUR_BAGS ZEN_HOLIDAY_SPEAK_TO_SPECIALIST ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS
HA News
30th September 2025
Behind the scenes at HA's 15th Birthday
We knew HA turning 15 was going to be a big celebration, but none of us were quite prepared for what Andy had in store... He kept it a secret for months, never letting any details slip, until finally the day was here. Introducing: 'HA Race Across the Cotswolds...' A snippet of Andy's speech But first, we couldn't resist sharing this behind-the-scenes snippet from Andy's speech at our 15th birthday evening. It perfectly sums up the magic of the culture we have here at HA. And exactly why we're all so proud to be a part of it. Here at HA, we're always talking about the importance of people and connection. It really is at the heart of everything we do, and we believe the success of HA is in no small part down to the close-knit team and amazing culture we all work to protect and build on every day. A birthday celebration to remember When it came to planning our 15th birthday party, we knew one thing for sure: it had to feel like us. And Andy pulled this off perfectly. This wasn't just a party. It wasn't just your standard 'team day'. It was a day that really captured the spirit of HA... adventurous, a bit unpredictable, full of laughter, and rooted in connection, fun and the brilliant journey we’ve all shared. And so, on a (mercifully sunny) morning in Cheltenham, the HA15 celebrations began... Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [content] => This is genuinely the best team day idea I've ever heard of. [name] => [location] => [text_color] => [quote_color] => [admin_label] => Item 1 ) ) “ This is genuinely the best team day idea I've ever heard of. ” Team HA 'Race Across the Cotswolds' On our birthday morning, we all met at our Cheltenham office bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to find out what adventure was in store. Before long, we were split into five groups and Andy's secret plan was finally revealed... Introducing Team HA's 'Race Across the Cotswolds' Each team had a “Friend of HA” along for the ride (to check there was no cheating taking place), someone who has been a big part of our story in one way or another: Damien, our original co-founder Byron, who shared his office space with us during the Covid years Sophie, one of the HA originals Nick, who’s been cheering us on from day one Chad, our ever-wise and ever-patient chairman Outside the office, five mysterious minibuses were waiting. Our phones and wallets were handed over to each team’s “Architect’s Assistant", the blindfolds went on, and with no idea where we were headed, off we drove into the Cotswolds. Roughly 30-40 minutes later, we were dropped in the middle of a random destination, with a bit of cash and a list of brilliantly bizarre challenges. Our mission was to firstly, figure out where on Earth we were, and second, to make our way back to a pub in Cheltenham by 4pm... whilst, of course, tackling a list of challenges along the way. What were the challenges? The challenges set by Andy were as brilliantly quirky as the day itself... 🐶 Walk a stranger’s dog 👕 Swap an item of clothing with a stranger 🥪 Have a picnic in a field (no buildings in sight) 🧸 Buy a gift that Andy would enjoy "immensely". 🚍 Ride at least two kinds of public transport 🍺 Have a drink in a country pub 🐑 Take a photo with a sheep 🎶 Film a stranger singing Happy Birthday to HA 📸 Get a photo outside each of HA’s 5 past office locations (and associated locals – of course.) It was a day that was part scavenger hunt, part team-building and part improvised comedy. We made friends with locals. We got lost. We found ourselves again (eventually). And we laughed, an awful lot. Then, the celebrations continued After meeting back at the pub and going through the crucial scores and winners, it was time for the, slightly more civilised, evening events to kick off. We all got our gladrags on, headed out to one of the loveliest restaurants in Cheltenham, listened to Andy's brilliant speech and had the most delicious dinner (musical-chairs-style, making sure we all got to spend some time with eachother during the night.) What a day to remember. Join the adventure through photos Array ( [0] => stdClass Object ( [title] => one mysterious minibus [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-40-32.jpg [width] => 1200 [height] => 1600 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-40-32.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => One of the mysterious minibuses ) [1] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Blindfolded [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-09-44-13.jpg [width] => 2016 [height] => 1134 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-09-44-13.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Blindfolded enroute to who knows where!? ) [2] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Photo of a sheep [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-49-43.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 1200 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-49-43.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Take a photo with a sheep ) [3] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Stranger dog walk [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-47-26.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 900 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-47-26.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Take a strangers' dog for a walk ) [4] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Lost in the Cotswolds [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-14-11.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 900 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-14-11.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Lost in the Cotswolds ) [5] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Find a wheelbarrow [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-07-22.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 900 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-07-22.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Find a wheelbarrow ) [6] => stdClass 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powerlines in sight) [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-27-54.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 900 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-27-54.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Have a picnic with no buildings or power lines in sight. ) [10] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Find a wheelbarrow [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-52-57.jpg [width] => 2048 [height] => 1536 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-52-57.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Find a wheelbarrow ) [11] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Tree climbing [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-48-47.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-48-47.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Two of your team up a tree ) [12] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Major supermarket [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-48-47-2.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-48-47-2.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Photo at a major supermarket ) [13] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Church [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-42-50.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-42-50.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Photo at a very old church ) [14] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Wheelbarrow [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-38-59.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-38-59.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [image_focus] => top [caption] => Find a wheelbarrow ) [15] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Tree climbing [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-31-09.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 1200 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-31-09.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Two of your team up a tree ) [16] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Walk a strangers' dog [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-25-38.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 1200 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-25-38.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Walk a strangers' dog ) [17] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Supermarket photo [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-10-24-56.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 1200 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-10-24-56.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Photo at a major supermarket ) [18] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Team hilarity [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => 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images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-52-21.jpg [width] => 1600 [height] => 1200 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-52-21.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Ride on two forms of public transport ) [22] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Picnic [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-11-55-02.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-11-55-02.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Have a picnic in the countryside away from buildings and powerlines ) [23] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Have a drink at a country pub [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-12-01-05.jpg [width] => 900 [height] => 1600 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-12-01-05.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Have a drink at a country pub ) [24] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Public transport - bus [thumb] => 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countryside (no buildings or powerlines in sight) [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-13-19-53.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-13-19-53.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Have a picnic in the countryside (no buildings or powerlines in sight) ) [31] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Two of your team up a tree [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-13-19-55.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-13-19-55.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image [caption] => Two of your team up a tree ) [32] => stdClass Object ( [title] => Ride on two modes of public transport [thumb] => stdClass Object ( [src] => images/2025/10/02/_spmedia_thumbs/photo-2025-09-18-13-22-18.jpg [width] => 1536 [height] => 2048 ) [full] => images/2025/10/02/photo-2025-09-18-13-22-18.jpg [alt] => [item_type] => image 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); It was a day of pure joy, hilarity and the best kind of chaos. We laughed, we went on a little trip down history lane, and we celebrated the fact that our amazing little company has turned 15. Fancy being a part of the next 15 years? Get in touch to chat holidays with one of the HA team today, we'd really love to help. Get in touch Holiday ideas we love
HA News
26th September 2025
15 years of HA
To mark our 15th birthday, Andy has shared a personal message looking back on the journey so far. There have been highs, there have been challenges, but above all, there have been plenty of adventures and incredible people shaping them. Below, you’ll also find a timeline graphic and a year-by-year snapshot of how HA has grown.
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24th July 2025
The Galle Literary Festival 2026
The Galle Literary Festival is an event that takes place around the same time every year and is must if you love nothing more than losing yourself in the pages of a good book. What’s more, it takes place in beautiful Sri Lanka! Set within the ancient colonial walls of Galle’s Dutch Fort, the festival is packed full of talks and discussions led by world-renowned authors and speakers from the literary world. The setting is as special as the talks themselves, plus, over recent years the festival has expanded to feature cookery exhibitions, live music performances, stand-up comedy and even art trails around the city. So, there’s plenty for everyone!
When is the Galle Literary Festival 2026?
Mark your calendars for January 22nd to 25th, 2026. Over these days, the colonial city of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka transforms into a real haven for bookworms. You might be a keen literary enthusiast or perhaps you just love nothing more than immersing yourself in local events when you travel – either way, this celebration of culture and creativity is one for your diary. It’s come a long way since the first-ever festival back in 2005, with 2026 marking the 13th year of the festival put on by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and every year it gets bigger and better. The lineup of authors and speakers for 2026 is looking to be a good one! If you’ve got your heart set on an early 2026 Sri Lanka holiday though, get in touch with our experts soon as the best hotels will be snapped up quickly.
A note from Rebecca, HA Sri Lanka expert
“If you can time your visit to Sri Lanka to coincide with the Galle Literary Festival, I’d hugely recommend it! Galle always has a lovely buzz about it – it’s one of my favourite spots in Sri Lanka for that reason – but it really comes to life on another level over the festival. Stroll down the cobblestone streets filled with authors, poets and great thinkers from all around the world. Listen to readings, join in discussions, and even share a cup of Sri Lankan tea with your favourite author if you’re lucky! The event gets better every single year and the talks are always brilliant.” Rebecca, HA Sri Lanka expert
If you fancy timing your Sri Lanka holiday to coincide with the Galle Literary Festival 2026, we’re here to help! Our Sri Lanka experts, Rebecca, Lisa and Dawn, are ready and waiting to design a holiday that’s perfect for you. Get in touch today.
What’s the lineup for the Galle Literary Festival 2025?
Boasting a status as the ‘author’s favourite’ literary festival, some star appearances in previous years include Sunday Times bestseller, Sathnam Sanhera, British TV presenter and endurance athlete, Louise Minchin and two winners of the International Booker Prize 2024; Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hoffman.
The lineup for 2026 will be released here.
Here’s a glimpse of more of last year’s lineup for an idea of what to expect. Ravinder Bhogal, Saraid de Silva, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Jenny Erpenbeck, Afua Hirsch, Michael Hofmann, Sunela Jayewardene, Ramya Jirasinghe, Helen Macdonald, Sharanya Manivannan, Louise Minchin, Greg Mosse, Kate Mosse CBE, Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Devdutt Pattanaik, Sashi Perera, Aube Rey Lescure, Dr Adam Rutherford, Razeen Sally, Philippe Sands, Sathnam Sanghera, Shyam Selvadurai.
How to book tickets for the Galle Literary Festival 2025?
Tickets will be available to purchase online later this year. As always with an HA holiday though, chat to your expert about it all and we can make the arrangements for you.
Exploring Galle beyond the festivities
Without doubt, these festivals are a must if you’re able to time your Sri Lanka holiday for the start of the year. But beyond the festivals, Galle is a real treat of a city to explore. Wander around the ancient streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, and don’t miss a stroll along the fort walls as the sun sets – the perfect time of day to get a snap of the iconic lighthouse. There are countless bars, restaurants, coffee shops and quirky art studios to explore in the city itself, and when you’re ready to venture further afield, a short tuk tuk drive away will see you walking on the most beautiful white sand beaches (with plenty of them to choose from!).
Why visit Galle Literary Festival 2026 on your Sri Lanka holiday?
Our Sri Lanka experts have spent so much time exploring every corner of Sri Lanka, digging out the best hotels, locations and experiences for you. We love nothing more than seeking out those special touches that give you a real insight into the culture of where you’re visiting – and the Galle Literary Festival does just that.
If you fancy experiencing the Galle Literary Festival, do get in touch early because Galle availability always gets snapped up over this period. We’d recommend a 3-night stay to really make the most of it!
Browse our selection of Sri Lanka holiday itineraries to get an idea of what might be possible, and then give our experts a call to get your adventure plans started today.
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25th April 2025
What to Know Before Your Sri Lanka Holiday
Sri Lanka is a country packed full of surprises. With so much to see, from emerald tea hills to stunning beaches and everything in between (including some seriously impressive wildlife!), it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with the tear-shaped island floating in the Indian Ocean.
Here are 10 top things to know and expect before you head off on your Sri Lanka holiday.
The local food is ridiculously good
The food in Sri Lanka is delicious, and we mean seriously delicious. It’s worth making the most of it at every opportunity while you’re there – you’ll thank yourself! From egg hoppers, to Kottu and fragrant curries, we almost guarantee you’ll be seeking out your local Sri Lankan restaurant as soon as you get home. Many of the best curries are vegetable-based too, making it very vegetarian and vegan friendly! Make time for a cooking class on your Sri Lanka holiday if you can, then you’ll be able to bring the incredible flavours of the country back home to your own kitchen.
It’s best not to drink the water
We wouldn’t advise drinking the water in Sri Lanka, so taking a reusable water bottle with an inbuilt purifier is a great idea. Bottled water is available in most places for around 60 rupees (around 22p), but a reusable bottle would always be our first choice: helping to make sure you’re doing your bit to protect our beautiful world as you’re discovering it.
Don’t miss the best train ride on earth
The iconic blue train that flies through Sri Lanka’s tea hills is world renowned – and for good reason. This really is the only way to travel from Kandy to Ella (hopping off at other stunning stops in the hill country on your way!) If you’ve got an adventurous streak, take a turn sitting in the open doorway and feel the wind in your hair as you take in the endless passing scenery, peppered with the multicoloured saris of the tea-pickers. This isn’t just a journey from A-B, this is a bucket-list worthy experience of its own.
There’s no rushing here
Sri Lanka is a country of winding roads, steep hills and a slow infrastructure. The overall vibe here is a calm, laid-back one. So getting where you need to go can often take a little longer than planned. But travel is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination, so that’s okay! Kick back, relax, take in the scenery and accept that things just move a little bit slower here!
Sri Lanka is all about the R&R, not the rave!
A Sri Lanka holiday isn’t top of the list if lively nightlife is a holiday priority for you. This beautiful country is very much about the quieter pace of life – think peaceful dinners and chilled sunset drinks on the beach.
Make use of the tuk-tuks
If you have any days without a driver guide (or choose to go it alone!), do make use of the tuk-tuks! They’re a brilliantly cheap way to get around and meet the locals. Plus, with the exception of Columbo where you need to be a little more careful, the prices offered are fair and honest so there’s no need to haggle!
There are plenty of opportunities to get active
If you’re keen to get active on your holidays there are so many fantastic options. Why not try your hands at surfing in Arugam Bay, test your stamina with a hike up to Lipton’s Seat in the hill country, or even test your nerve with white water rafting in Kitugala.
Find out more about the adventures that await on this ‘Active Sri Lanka holiday’ itinerary.
The people are wonderful
One of the most common things we hear from clients returning home from their Sri Lanka holiday is just how friendly and kind the people are. They are always open to a conversation or simply sharing a mutual smile, so do make the most of this while you’re there. It’s these types of authentic interactions that can really engrain a destination in your memory for years to come.
You can experience the wonderful Sri Lankan hospitality for yourself on our Classic Sri Lanka holiday idea
Set your alarm early for your Sigiriya climb
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of our must-visit spots in Sri Lanka. If you’re visiting it on your trip, set your alarm early to make sure you get there for its 8am opening time to avoid as many of the crowds as possible. It’s a single-file climb all the way up, so it’s worth nabbing a spot at the front!
Don’t turn your back on Buddha!
In Sri Lanka, it’s considered really offensive to have your photo taken with your back to Buddha. So make sure you save the selfies for another time and follow all photography rules in cultural and religious sites.
So, there we have it: 10 experiences not to miss on your Sri Lanka holiday – and if we’re honest, this is just the start! There are so many incredible sites and opportunities for one-off experiences packed into this small island, you’ll never be short of things to do. Rebecca, Lisa and Dawn, our Sri Lanka specialists, are at the end of the phone on 01242 253 073 ready to answer any questions and design your perfect holiday. Or, simply follow the link below to request a free quote. We’d love to show you what a Sri Lanka holiday has to offer!
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