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Author Archive for Amanda O'Brien

The Boutique Adventurer was started by Amanda O'Brien in November 2016. Amanda spent over 15 years working for big global companies in marketing. During that time she took every possible day of holidays and managed to visit over 80 countries with her beloved Nikon DSLR in hand. Her blog focuses on luxury adventures in emerging destinations that end with a high thread count on the sheets in the evening. The blog is designed for travellers over 35.

Top 5 things to do in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

By Amanda O'Brien on Nov 28, 2018 in Attractions, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Europe, Going Out, Regions

Karlovy Vary is the main city of the spa region of Czech Republic. I must admit I had not heard of it before visiting the area! Now that I have been there I cannot believe that such a stunning and interesting town has quite a low profile. So there is a great opportunity to experience

The best safari experience in Africa?

By Amanda O'Brien on Oct 17, 2018 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Africa, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, Speciality Travel

There are over 10,000 safari lodges and camps in Africa – a daunting number when it comes to making a decision as to the one or two which would be best to visit! To help manage this large number the Safari Guild was set up in 2008 which now consists of over 5,000 safari specialist

5 great things to do on safari other than a game drive

By Amanda O'Brien on Sep 10, 2018 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Regions, South Africa, Speciality Travel

Think safari and the first thing that normally comes to mind is a group of people on a vehicle wearing neutral tones and watching for animals. This is the core of any safari adventure but with the growth in luxury safari holidays new and exciting activities are being introduced to add even more to the

5 unexpected reasons to visit Gran Canaria

By Amanda O'Brien on Aug 15, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Spain, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Gran Canaria was the most delightful surprise! This lovely island has Spring temperatures all year round and is full of colour and vibrancy. The fantastic quality of the food and wine was perhaps the biggest surprise for me – locally grown ingredients, unbelievably fresh fish and far too drinkable wines that are only available on

6 great gastronomic experiences to have in Nova Scotia

By Amanda O'Brien on Jul 13, 2018 in Attractions, Canada, Food and Drink, Going Out, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany

Nova Scotia is a stunning area of Canada located on its East Coast. This beautiful province is mostly surrounded by water. This makes for a temperate climate that suits wine production, great local produce and amazing seafood. If you love your food and wine this is a brilliant destination. Here are six gastronomic highlights of

5 luxurious places to stay in southern Scotland

By Amanda O'Brien on Jun 15, 2018 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Scotland does luxury very very well. This is not necessarily something you would expect from the home of the deep fried mars bar but Scotland is a truly wonderful destination for the luxury traveller. Here are five wonderfully luxurious places to stay in Southern Scotland: 21212 Restaurant With Rooms 21212 is a Michelin star winning restaurant

5 reasons to move Baltimore to the top of your travel plans

By Amanda O'Brien on May 16, 2018 in Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Maryland, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA

For most of us, Baltimore is not necessarily top of mind when it comes to places to go on a US holiday. But it absolutely should be! Move over Portland, Oregon – there is a new hip, foodie city on the horizon! 1. Fantastic restaurants Baltimore is bustling with interesting and innovative restaurants. Its location means

5 of the most luxurious foodie places to stay in Australia

By Amanda O'Brien on Apr 14, 2018 in Accommodation, Australia, Food and Drink, Hotels, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Travel Miscellany

The level of luxury in hotels in Australia has risen markedly in recent years. The model for luxury in Australia often combines some of the country’s stunning natural attractions with a high thread count on the sheets and amazing food and wine. All five of the hotels on this list are located in an area

Top 5 luxury hotel experiences in Las Vegas

By Amanda O'Brien on Mar 16, 2018 in Accommodation, Hotels, Nevada, North America, Regions, USA

Hotels in Las Vegas are far more than places to sleep. They are actual tourism destinations! Las Vegas is synonymous with luxurious over the top experiences and activities and the hotels on offer are no exception. Here are my top 5 Luxury Hotel Experiences to have in Las Vegas: The Bellagio The Bellagio is one

Top 10 things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland

By Amanda O'Brien on Feb 17, 2018 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Reykjavik has come a long way since I first visited in 2004. It was a charming city then, but it did feel small. It has now become an exciting and innovative capital filled with art, great food, cutting-edge architecture and loads to do. Most visitors to Iceland are justifiably focused on seeing Iceland’s natural attractions

10 eating experiences you must have in Colombia

By Amanda O'Brien on Jan 15, 2018 in Colombia, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, South America, Travel Miscellany

My expectations for food in Colombia were not high. I envisaged quite a bit of meat and a lot of black beans! I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food in Colombia – and it is generally amazing value! I visited Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin and La Macarena in my time in Colombia

5 reasons why you must visit Southern Iceland

By Amanda O'Brien on Dec 16, 2017 in Attractions, Europe, Going Out, Iceland, Regions, Western Europe

Iceland has become a much more popular destination in recent years – and deservedly so! Its landscapes are absolutely jaw-dropping, it offers out of this world scenery and, of course, the Northern Lights. Many people visit Iceland as a long weekend and base themselves in Reykjavik, doing the Golden Circle Tour and visiting the Blue

London's 5 most interesting eating experiences

By Amanda O'Brien on Nov 14, 2017 in Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

London has come a long way when it comes to food over the last 15 years. Not only has it escaped its previously terrible reputation for dreadful food, it is now home to some of the top restaurants in the world. One of the latest trends in London food has been to turn eating into

Top 5 highlights of Cartagena, Colombia

By Amanda O'Brien on Oct 06, 2017 in Attractions, Colombia, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, South America, Travel Miscellany

Lovely Cartagena is located on the Carribean coast of Colombia. A couple of years ago articles about Cartagena suddenly began appearing in travel magazines and I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous coloured houses. I was delighted to discover that this practice is highly recommended by the local government and the owners are expected

5 of the best boutique hotels in Colombia and Panama

By Amanda O'Brien on Sep 17, 2017 in Accommodation, Central America, Colombia, Hotels, Panama, Regions, South America

After many years of being known as one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to their Narcos and extremist groups, Colombia is now coming out the other side and becoming one of the hottest up and coming travel destinations. I recently spent a month in Colombia and Panama and found these countries

5 eating experiences in the Napa Valley you must try

By Amanda O'Brien on Aug 21, 2017 in California, Food and Drink, Going Out, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA

The Napa Valley is an absolutely stunning area – and it is food and wine heaven! I have been obsessed with California Chardonnays since leaving there – and before I went, I thought that I didn’t like Californian wine! These days Napa Valley food receives as much attention as their amazing wineries. A few tips