Kenya is truly home to the greatest wildlife show on earth, and a safari holiday or honeymoon here will take your breath away. Kenya is home to an array of national parks and game reserves, each with its own characteristics. The Masai Mara is perhaps the most famous along with Amboseli and Samburu, while lesser-visited areas such as Meru and Shaba are just as rewarding. One of our fave parks has to be the Masai Mara which is one of the world's most enthralling wildlife theatres. The reserve plays host to countless species, including the 'big five' (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and the incredible spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration. The Reserve borders Tanzania and is the prime place to view the famous wildebeest migration. The Mara River running north to south through the reserve separates the west from the east. The area has an amazing concentration of wildlife, particularly when the migratory wildebeest and zebras are grazing on the lush plai...

The islands of the Indian Ocean are surprisingly varied, ranging from cultural melting pots to dots on the horizon - it’s important to pick the right one for you! The gorgeous islands of the Maldives are probably the most beautiful beach destination we’ve ever been to - picture postcard stuff, and then some! Each resort is an island in its own right, and as you can't really get off your island it’s important to make sure that your resort is ideal for you. The Maldives is perfect for relaxation and gentle activity - if it’s sightseeing and culture you’re after, you’re in the wrong place! Water based activities are popular - if you want decent snorkelling and diving (it’s world-class here) then look for an island with a house reef, or if you prefer to potter in the shallows with a good book and a glass of sauvignon blanc (we’re definitely the latter!) then you need an island with a lagoon. Some resorts come with hefty price tags, so it’s important to get things right! ...

We're continuing our look back at our teams travels this week - Mark visited Australia on an epic three-state trip, starting in Sydney, moving to Victoria and driving most of the Queensland Coast in a campervan - here's a quick look at the highlights of his Aussie adventure. . . . Starting in Sydney ​ The first time I visited Australia was 27 years ago as an 18-year old backpacker, but I'm always excited to go back - it's one of the most diverse, incredible countries on the planet. As with many visits Down Under I started in Sydney , which is a very easy city to get to grips with - for me, if you stay anywhere between Central Station and Circular Quay you can't go too far wrong, and it's such as easy place to explore. I stayed right in the middle of Sydney at the Grace Hotel , which has pretty much everything you want to see within a 20 minute walk - I took in the Sydney Tower Eye, Darling Harbour and the amazing Sydney Opera House, all on foot. ...

As 2019 gets underway we've been having a look back at our favourite trips of 2018 - we love to travel at Escape Worldwide, and one of Darren's favourite trips last year (there were many to choose from!) was to Indonesia, taking in the islands of Bali and Java. Here's a quick look at his highlights . . . . TheBeaches of Bali ​I've been to Bali a number of times over the years, but this time I also visited a totally new place for me, the neighbouring island of Java. On Bali I based myself in the lively resort of Seminyak - probably my favourite part of the island - but explored all the main resorts. When I say 'explored' I actually mean 'bar-crawled' - there's no better way to get to know a place! Seminyak has a real buzz to it, with loads of restaurants and bars, but it's not as lively as Kuta. For me the reason I love Seminyak is for sunsets - grab a beanbag on the beach and a cold Bintang beer, and watch the sun set in specta...

TOP 5 ROMANCE Add a little romance to your life with our top 5 romantic destinations. LIGHT A SKY LANTERN ON THE BEACH IN THAILAND Traditional sky lanterns are launched across Thailand for celebrations and to bring good luck, and there’s no better way to mark a special occasion than to launch your own lantern in to the night sky. Made out of rice paper and a bamboo frame, the lanterns can drift for miles in a breeze before gently returning to the ground once the candle has gone out. The most popular time to launch a sky lantern is during the Loi Krathong festival in November, but lanterns are available in most beach resorts year-round – our suggestion would be to head for Krabi , and watch your lantern rise above a backdrop of island and outcrops of Phang Nga Bay. HOT AIR BALLOON OVER THE MASAI MARA, KENYA A safari is a special travel experience, and a balloon ride over the plains of Africa is truly something else – a real ‘once in a lifetime’ experience when the roma...

As the wedding season approaches, we take a look at some of their most popular destinations for honeymooners. If your idea of the ultimate romantic honeymoon is to be alone with just the love of your life, then look no further than the Maldives . Hundreds of tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a stunningly beautiful destination where romance comes easily. Lazy days on the beach, beautiful sunsets and understated service are the order of the day here – forget sightseeing and partying! Resorts do vary quite considerably, and as you can’t really leave your island once you’re there its important to get the right one for you. Larger islands tend to offer a range of facilities and more of a village feel, ideal for those who like a little more activity, while some islands are little more than a dot on the horizon, perfect for a real get-away-from-it-all. From the moment you land at the airport, the beauty and romance of the Maldives really does take your breath a...

Thailand is one of our fav destinations, home to fascination culture, scenery, beaches, people and food. Thailand has plenty of island paradises and one of our favourites is Koh Phangan. Christine spent a few days here and loved it!  'I was on a trip around Thailand and spent some time on Thailand east coast. Koh Phangan, just to the north of  Koh Samui , is renowned for its monthly Full Moon parties, but away from the partying there’s a beautiful island that makes a perfect hideaway destination.  Adjacent to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan is reached by boat from her neighbour, taking around 90 minutes in total to travel from the main areas of Koh Samui to the resorts of Koh Phangan. Koh Samui airport has regular flight connections from around Thailand. With over half the Island being a national park there’s plenty to explore with a hilly interior and coastline dotted with fishing villages, plus it’s a great spot for diving too.  Koh Phangan  makes a...

Mark was in Bali recently and spent a few days in Seminyak staying that the Desamuda Village. Located in the heart of Seminyak, Desamuda Village is 5 minutes' walk from shopping, restaurants and entertainment options and a 20 minutes walk from the beach. The resort is a 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. The Desamuda Village boasts a spa, gazebo and 2 outdoor free form swimming pools. There’s a restaurant and bar are also available. Guests enjoy free shuttle service to Kuta area and free Wi-Fi access. The Rice Table Restaurant serves a wide selection of Indonesian and European dishes. This beautiful resort offers traditionally styled deluxe rooms, and a select of impressive pool villas. However the highlight of this resort are the amazing Deluxe Pool Villas. Mark opted for one of these for a few nights and was very impressed. “On arrival I loved the lovely Balinese feel of the resort and also the friendly staff. I was swiftly checked and take...

If you are looking for something a little special then how about a stay in a pool villa and nowhere does them better than Thailand. Thailand is home to some of the most luxurious hotels you can find and many offer rooms that not only are stunning but also feature your own private swimming pool. One of Darren’s favourite pool villas can be found the beautiful Evason in the Thailand beach resort of Hua Hin. The resorts of Hua Hin and nearby Cha Am are relaxed alternatives to some of the more commercialised resorts, and offer a more Thai feel – I find this area of Thailand to be perfect for a relaxed stay, without being dull. As they are reached by road from Bangkok they also offer a straightforward and great value option with no domestic flights involved. Hua Hin offers long, sandy beaches, great food (try the night market in the centre of town or the restaurants along the beach – the seafood is fantastic!) and a good range of quality hotels, while Cha Am has a more r...

Honeymoons are always a difficult one, you want something special but at the same time you don’t want to totally blow your budget, you have after all you probably had to shell out a small fortune on the wedding! One of our favourite and good value honeymoon options is Thailand . Thailand has so much to offer from the shopping paradise and fun of Bangkok to some of the most amazing beaches you’re likely to see. Also Thailand has some amazing value for money hotels, including some great options with Pool Villas. I’d suggest spending 3 or 4 nights in Bangkok – it’s quite a hectic place so you need a few days just to take in the main sites. There’s loads to see and do in Bangkok, and I find it handy to stay near the Skytrain monorail network to make getting around easy. Areas such as Silom and Sukhumvit are popular for their mix of shopping, great food and easy links to the rest of the city – try MBK centre for bargain electronics, or my favourite Platinum Mall for great clothes ...

In recent years,  Vietnam  has established itself as a popular holiday destination in the Far East. Mark explores the sights and sounds. Vietnam is a destination that combines incredible scenery and a varied history with vibrant cities, great food and exceptionally friendly people. This is a country of contrasts, and none more apparent than that of its two main cities, the elegant and charming capital Hanoi and the vibrant southern powerhouse Saigon. Both are well worth a few days to explore, and Vietnam's geography makes it easy to start your journey in one and finish in the other. Hanoi 's French influence is apparent in its elegant buildings and tree-lined avenues – the Old Quarter is a fascinating place to wander through. The pretty Hoan Kiem Lake is a good place from which to get your bearings, with the photogenic Rising Sun Bridge crossing the water. Close by, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is most popular with Vietnamese visitors, who come to see Uncle Ho's final r...

Krabi is one of our favourite parts of Thailand and is an area we've visited a number of times - we'd love to share our passion for Krabi with you! WELCOME TO KRABI The relaxed beach resort of Krabi is set in some of Thailand's most   impressive scenery , overlooking beautiful Phang-Nga Bay in the south of the country. As Thai beach resorts go it's fairly small and laid-back, making it a great option for those wanting to   chill out on holiday , rather than partying all night. The main beach area is at Ao Nang, a few minutes from Krabi town itself, and here you'll find a good selection of hotels, a number of bars and restaurants - including some of the   best seafood  you'll find in Thailand - and a relaxed atmosphere. GETTING TO KRABI   Most of Krabi's beach hotels can be reached in around half an hour from the airport, which has direct flights from Bangkok for an easy   Bangkok and Krabi twin centre holiday , and also Koh Samui. Phuket airp...

Kenya is such a magical place and the wildlife is simply breathe taking. Our  Cheetah Safari  is a traditional seven-night safari visiting Samburu, home to unique wildlife, followed by the Rift Valley Lakes where thousands of pink flamingoes often tint the horizon. The final destination is the Masai Mara where vast numbers of plains game and spectacular big cats abide. Everyone in the office has been on safari in Kenya and the experience is simply amazing. On Darren's last trip he even had a Cheetah jump on the top of his safari vehicle, using it as a look out post to find it's cubs some breakfast. The Cheetah Safari is a comprehensive safari, covering amazing areas including the breathe taking Masai Mara which is home to some of the worlds best wildlife, Cheetah, Lions, Elephants, Zebra and so much more.  DAY 1 SUNDAY HEATHROW - NAIR OBI Fly from Heathrow overnight to Nairobi. DAY 2 MONDAY ABERDARES On arrival transfer to the Safari Lounge, where you can ...