I previously visited Morocco back in 2018, a two-centre holiday between Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains - Royal Mansour in Marrakesh then Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains. Both myself and ‘Mrs’ The Private Traveller really enjoyed both, so very different properties in such different locations and giving different experiences, but it’s always been a location we both wanted to return to. Having seen an article in the Sunday Times on Marrakesh this weekend, it prompted me to get planning, and within a day or so this new itinerary has been planned and booked for April.

Embark on a unique adventure through the dynamic streets of Helsinki, a brief escape to the historic cityscape of Tallinn, and the untamed landscapes of Finnish Lapland. This travel itinerary promises a diverse tapestry of experiences, from the modern vibes of Finland's capital to the timeless charm of Estonia's mediaeval gem, and the raw beauty of Lapland's wilderness with hopefully a glimpse at least of the Northern Lights. Get ready for an authentic exploration, where each destination unveils its distinctive character, blending urban allure, natural wonders, and historical intrigue into an enriching journey worth savouring.

Embark on an exquisite journey through the heart of Africa's most captivating destinations, where opulence meets adventure. From the pristine shores of Zanzibar to the lush landscapes of Mauritius and the vibrant cityscape of Johannesburg, prepare to indulge in a symphony of luxury and cultural immersion. Join us on a curated exploration of sumptuous accommodations, transcendent experiences, and unparalleled hospitality across these enchanting locales, weaving together a tapestry of unforgettable moments and refined indulgence.

Flying direct to Grenada was one of many trips that had to be cancelled due to Covid in 2021, and with a Virgin Atlantic voucher expiring this year from that trip, I’ve repurposed this vacation for Spring 2023 to now include the Florida Keys and Miami. 

As much as I like revisiting favourite places and hotels, and flying on favourite airlines, I also like taking the opportunity to add new countries, hotels and airlines. 

We were originally due to visit Chile as part of a round the world trip back in 2020 - coming from the South Pacific we were to stop in Easter Island before flying onto Chile’s capital Santiago, then driving to the coast to stay at Valparaiso before flying back to the UK. With this trip having to be cancelled due to Covid-19, on rebooking the Chile part for the following year it seemed to make more sense to focus on Chile as a single country trip. This gave the opportunity to look to visit other parts of Chile, like Patagonia in the south and the Atacama Desert in the north.

I’ve been lucky enough to have visited South Africa a couple of times and keep wanting to go back - we had such a phenomenal stay at La Residence in Franschhoek last time by The Royal Portfolio and also saw the utterly incredible Silo Hotel being finalised in Cape Town that we definitely had to go back.

Having been to Bali in Indonesia now 24 and 22 years ago, a few years ago in 2019 I thought it was about time to get back there. A couple of places really had caught my eye (both Leading Hotels of the World properties) - firstly Capella Ubud having opened a luxury tented camp just outside Ubud (designed by Bill Bensley - the Creative Director and Founder of BENSLEY) in 2018, and secondly Nihi Sumba when I had read a feature on their Spa Safari.

I love to travel and building a great itinerary with a mix of things to do and see is a great passion too. Having had to cancel a trip through Covid to the Palm Springs Modernism Week Fall Preview, as soon as this could be rearranged I put together this luxury itinerary also featuring a few locations in Mexico to being with, another favourite country.

Having had to defer a South Africa trip for the third time (albeit thankfully rearranged for the end of 2022 now) we were looking for somewhere closer to home for a week’s trip. Initially I was focussing on luxury spa resorts only, but this got me to realise that I’d never actually stayed in Bath Spa before and this would make a great location to write about my interest in spas with a focus on male spa treatments.