Author Archive for James Jayasundera
James Jayasundera is Founder and Managing Director of Ampersand Travel in London. Ampersand Travel is an award-winning tour operator specialising in tailor-made holidays to Asia and Africa. James was raised in Rome by a Sri Lankan diplomat father and British mother, and from an early age he was travelling throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Although he loves comfort, he is not blinded by five-star luxuries – the Ampersand motto is “luxury is in the experience” and it is that indefinable quality that makes something special which James is always on the look-out for. James founded Ampersand Travel in 2003, and since then the company has developed an excellent reputation for in-depth knowledge of its destinations, candid and impartial opinions on hotels and locations and a formidable network of contacts within the industry and its destinations.
27 things to do in Tokyo
The ultimate metropolis, Tokyo is one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant cities. High-tech modern living, urban design and cutting-edge architecture defines the world’s largest city. But dig a little deeper below the contemporary veneer and you will find age-old temples, shrines and stone lanterns tucked amongst outlandish, cartoonish creations and the neon-lit nightlife.
33 things to do in Bhutan
Before COVID-19 threw the world into chaos, Bhutan topped the Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel’ list as the country to visit in 2020, and for good reason. Bhutan promises a unique adventure to any traveller; soaring mountains are blanketed with evergreen forests and dotted with Buddhist temples, valleys sliced by glacial rivers and deliciously clean
21 things to do in Indonesia
Indonesia is one of Asia’s most sought after destinations. And rightly so – with over 17,500 islands which stretch across 5,000 km (that’s from Malaysia to the tip of northern Australia), the world’s largest archipelago offers a greater variety of sights, sounds, cultures and customs than anywhere else on the planet. From volcanic backdrops and
27 things to do in Japan
Japan is one of the world’s most unique countries; a vibrant blend of futuristic technology and modern attractions with fascinating ancient history and architecture. It is this wealth of contrasts which makes ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’ such a captivating travel destination, with enough to entertain and amaze any visitor seeking to explore its
23 things to do in Myanmar
Myanmar is a cultural gold mine: the plains Bagan which are strewn with thousands of temple ruins; Mandalay and Yangon are heaving with colonial buildings and glittering stupas; Inle Lake is a place of heart-stopping beauty; the golden sands of Ngapali provide a quirky Myanmar beach holiday; the remote islands of the Mergui Archipelago are little-known gems to escape to. Rudyard Kipling wrote that Myanmar
21 things to do in Nepal
By James Jayasundera on Jan 18, 2020 in Adventure Travel, Air Travel, Asia, Attractions, Going Out, Leisure Travel, Nepal, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel
Nepal is the ultimate mountain country; home to the magnificent 8,848-metre-high Mt. Everest, breathtaking Himalayan scenery and high-octane paths – it’s difficult to match Nepal for dramatic scenery. But with seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley alone, from ancient temples to stunning palace complexes, and epic wildlife and bird spotting opportunities, there’s 
21 things to do in South Africa
By James Jayasundera on Dec 07, 2019 in Africa, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, South Africa, Travel Miscellany
South Africa is often listed as the perfect destination for those looking for a world-class safari, but there’s so much more to this vast country than the wildlife-rich game reserves. A heady mix of ravishing coastlines, jaw-dropping scenery, outstanding cuisine and 5-star lodgings means it’s perfect not just for the safari enthusiast, but the adventurer, sun seeker, 
19 things to do in China
By James Jayasundera on Nov 21, 2019 in Asia, China, Food and Drink, Rail Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany
To think of China and not think of The Great Wall would be unlikely. But as impressive as this feat of humankind is, it is often the less obvious things that make a trip to any country just that bit more special. China, as a vast country, has many wonderful sights from the Great Wall 
37 things to do in India
India is one of the most amazing places on the planet. Rich in culture and geographically diverse, people flock to India, from all around the world, every year in search of some of the world’s greatest wonders. It holds the 2nd biggest population, not that one would doubt it by walking through the fantastically wonderful
17 things to do in Sri Lanka
By James Jayasundera on Sep 21, 2019 in Accommodation, Asia, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Sri Lanka, Travel Miscellany
Over the last decade, Sri Lanka has seen a deserving rise in tourism, becoming the place to go for holidaymakers and travel bloggers alike. The revered Tear Drop island of the Indian Ocean is a beautifully spirited nation; its flag is the only one of its kind in the world to recognise three religious’ beliefs: 
Top 3 dreamy honeymoon island escapes
By James Jayasundera on Aug 24, 2019 in Accommodation, Asia, Honeymoons, Hotels, Indonesia, Myanmar, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel
Planning a wedding is an exciting experience, but it’s no secret that it can be relatively stressful too! For some, deciding upon the perfect honeymoon destination can be just as tricky… let us eliminate the pressure for you and let you in on our favourite romantic retreats. If you are after a taste of paradise 
The best travel documentaries on Netflix
By James Jayasundera on Jul 12, 2019 in Asia, Food and Drink, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Photography, Regions, Travel Equipment, Travel Miscellany, Videos
Escape into the real world with some of our favourite travel documentaries showing on Netflix. Our globe has more adventure and magic than any fictional show. We have delved into the world of wanderlust to discover astonishing sights waiting to be explored. From the islands of Japan to treasure hunting in South India’s Golconda diamonds 
5 hidden treasure boutique hotels of India
Go beyond the puppet shows and thali feasts of India’s tourist palaces seeking out another gentler and creative India with some of our favourite family-owned boutique properties below. From one of the grandest cities in India, now a faded beauty and nearly unknown, to a celebrity favourite deep in the depths of Rajasthan, India is
5 adventurous family friendly destinations in Asia
By James Jayasundera on May 17, 2019 in Adventure Travel, Asia, China, Family Travel, India, Indonesia, Japan, Regions, Speciality Travel, Thailand
Seeking out a long-haul destination in Asia when travelling with children or families can be a daunting experience. Moving away from the well-trodden routes of Thailand villas and India’s Golden Triangle opens up a wealth of opportunities for bucket-list holidays that will be never be forgotten. We have spent many years travelling across the vast 
