Amanda Marks, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

5 ways to get high in Africa

By Amanda Marks on Feb 28, 2014 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Air Travel, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

It’s always great to change your perspective on life. Getting high can definitely do this for us. Taking an overview is always an eye-opening experience, so the experience tends to stick with you for quite some time. If it also includes some form of exhilaration or effort, this makes the moment even more vivid in

10 challenges with style

By Amanda Marks on Jan 07, 2014 in Rail Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Worldwide

I have a birthday looming. It got me thinking about how, as travellers, we all deal with getting older so differently. Some of us give in gracefully and willingly to the draw of ever more comfortable hotels with good food and wine. Nothing wrong with that to my mind! However there are others who, as

A new year, a new you

By Amanda Marks on Dec 18, 2013 in Accommodation, Asia, India, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel

Ever thought that it would be quite nice to have a complete reboot? To sort your head, calm your mind, restore your body to its natural state of well-being? When life has been hard on you, and it might take more than a day at a spa, we’d recommend a proper retreat. n a 19th Century

Great reasons to visit Malawi

By Amanda Marks on Oct 21, 2013 in Accommodation, Africa, Malawi, Regions, Resorts

Malawi is possibly not the first African country you’d think of travelling to for a great wildlife experience. It has historically been better known for its lake-focussed activities, its links with local communities enabling visitors to get a real insight into the local culture, and walks and horse riding in the Nyika Plateau with its

Getting close to 5 iconic wildlife species

By Amanda Marks on Sep 28, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Leisure Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania

Whether you’re a photographer wanting that special shot or simply have always yearned to look a gorilla in the eye, getting close to wildlife is one of the reasons some of us travel the world. Of course there is never a guarantee of being able to get close to any wild creature in its own

Top 5 city hotels with a view

By Amanda Marks on Aug 30, 2013 in Accommodation, Africa, Asia, Brazil, Hotels, India, Kenya, Morocco, Regions, South Africa, South America

We usually think of a city hotel as just a place to rest our weary heads after we’ve been exploring the exciting streets, shops, restaurants, museums and galleries. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Some city hotels are attractions in themselves. I’ve selected five, all very different in terms of location, style and

3 top tips on planning a luxury safari

By Amanda Marks on Jul 22, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Regions, Speciality Travel

There are safaris and safaris of course, but what makes a safari a luxury safari? Is it the accommodation, the location, the food, the guiding, the vehicles… or something else? Well, it’s all of these things and more, but there are a few key things you can look out for to ensure your safari is

Barefoot luxury on a tiny private Indian Ocean island

By Amanda Marks on Jun 29, 2013 in Africa, Regions, Tanzania

You leave the tiny island of Songo Songo by boat, setting off into the incredibly blue Indian Ocean, and wondering quite where you are headed. Your destination is an even smaller tropical island called Fanjove off the coast of Tanzania, a long way south of Zanzibar. It is just 1km long by 300m wide. There is

Shhhh... community-owned luxury in Kenya

By Amanda Marks on May 31, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Kenya, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel

One of my favourite camps in Africa is up in northern Kenya in a massive wildlife conservancy called Namunyak. You can be forgiven for never having heard of it – not many people have. It’s north of Mount Kenya, and not too far from Samburu Game Reserve. The camp in question is called Sarara Camp.

African star beds

By Amanda Marks on May 02, 2013 in Accommodation, Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Zambia

Being out in the wilds of Africa is an experience which most people find grabs all their senses and puts them in a dark velvet bag, and shakes them up before handing them on a silver plate – all new and shiny! For the majority of safari-goers this sensory polishing happens even when they stay

6 of the best luxury hotels at the world's most iconic locations

By Amanda Marks on Apr 06, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Argentina, Asia, Brazil, Cruises & Boat Travel, Ecuador, Featured, Hotels, India, Peru, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

There are certain sites in the world which many of us would count as ‘must see’ travel highlights. For some of these iconic spots there are nearby places to stay which really do have the best positions imaginable. Staying in such top luxury properties very much adds to the experience of these very special places.

Walking wild or walking high - two very different luxury walking holidays

By Amanda Marks on Mar 05, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Peru, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Zambia

Sometimes you just have to get out there into the big wide world and feel the earth beneath your feet. An escape into the wild refreshes the spirit and let’s you breathe, think and feel more clearly. All too often though, the process of heading off into some remote area which will give you that

5 of the best places to see big cats

By Amanda Marks on Feb 05, 2013 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Asia, Brazil, Hotels, India, Kenya, Regions, Resorts, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Zambia

If you want to see big cats but aren’t sure where to go to get the best chance of seeing them, here is our pick of some of the best places to go for different cats. Look for lions in Botswana, try for leopards in Zambia, don’t miss cheetahs in the Masai Mara, head for

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