Quiet beach vacations
Tours & vacations in 2019 & 2020

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with beautiful people. We enjoyed the mix of the cultural triangle, hill country and beach which was ideal for a small group of friends with slightly varying preferences. There was something for everyone. (more)Angela Whyte

The most memorable moments were was the beautiful scenery, the exciting wildlife, the friendly people and delicious food. Absolutely fantastic! Everything was perfect from the initial booking with our tour operator, the superb accommodation and the planned activities and safaris. (more)Catherine Huzzey

Whale Watching and Wildlife Safari was the most memorable part of this trip (more)Phil Miller

Sappa was amazing as was monkey Island Beach resort. Excellent. The company couldn't do enough to help, and all the guides were fantastic. (more)David Chisholm

It was excellent. I would definitely recommend this sort of tour for a first visit. We had never had a guide or arranged tour before so it really made the difference knowing that tours had been prepaid and pick ups and cars had been pre arranged. (more)Val Bodington

Both the visit to the Cu Chi tunnels and the day on the Mekong Delta was the most memorable. (more)Emma Miller

The great hospitality, the lovely food and the good company were the most memorable parts our vacation. (more)Rachel Hoole

The beautiful walking trails through the countryside were memorable. (more)Janet Ledger

The most memorable parts of our vacation were the friendliness of almost everyone that we met and the views from the Quinta and during the walks. (more)Christina Deacon

Great....only wish I'd had more time (more)Helen Tighe

Just generally beautiful scenery, friendly people and good food. Enjoyed visiting the Yanartas. Ten out of ten! We love Cirali beach and Hotel Bellerofon! (more)Kathyrn Davy

Seeing turtles out at sea in the bay, whilst walking the Lycian Way footpath. (more)Diane Blakeley

Very good. given the time of year and consequent weather, we had a relaxing time, and will look forward to having the chance to go again later in the spring/summer (more)Mary Morris

Truly relaxing, very peaceful - we haven't slept so well in a very long time - great to slow down and soak up the beautiful countryside. Ian made us feel very welcome and the homemade cake was delicious. (more)Sue Cross-Bourton

Maggie and Ian are genuinely committed to minimal environmental impact tourism, and it shows everywhere you look .... They are welcoming, enthusiastic, and full of ideas for great days out and activities in the local area. (more)Julia Key

All the parts of the vacation were good. Excellent trip. (more)Lucy Hadfield

It was all exciting really from the beautiful beachside hotels to the wildlife parks. At Palagama beach the food was amazing especially when I was shown their own vegetable garden and we picked fresh vegetables that were cooked as individual curries for my dinner that evening. I felt as if I had been away for at least a month - I had seen and done so much in that two weeks. (more)Susie Barrett

Excellent trip (more)Melanie Michel

Really excellent...The best thigs were the warm sea. the quiet. the beautiful mountains above the beach. Great food, reading books in the shade. (more)Sarah Gray

The beach, accommodations, food and friendly people were outstanding. (more)Joanne Albright

The absolute peace & tranquillity of the destination was the most memorable part of the vacation..Superb. (more)Doris Monsell

There is a lot to do on the island but just relaxing and doing nothing was also lovely as the accommodation was very comfortable. (more)Penelope Robinson

Excellent, one of our best yet. (more)Lisa Williams

This is an amazing place to hang out and bond with those you love. Beautiful, relaxing and a place you will hope to return to. (more)JUDITH DOYLE

Five stars ! (more)Heidi Gabrielsen

The jungle walk at night and the Perhentian islands was memorable. It was great. I really enjoyed it. We had an amazing guide and we were only a group of 3. Don't know how much different it would be with a bigger group. (more)Bettina Buomberger

Most memorable? Definitely climbing Mount Kinabalu. But very closely followed by the wildlife from orangutans, wild elephants to the sea turtles... Excellent... You should definitely book on this trip! (more)Kirsty Howland

The most memorable part of the vacation was...Visiting the old cities and also the caves by boat (more)Beverley Rider

The sea water was crystal clear and lovely to swim in. (more)Cecily Hobbs

Most memorable was seeing the well preserved old towns and the kind people. (more)Alison Date

You'd be hard-pressed to find a vacation better than this (more)Emily Hunka

Very good and hugely relaxing...the most memorable part was diving off the rocks into the sea first thing each morning and the views from the bedroom windows across the sea. (more)anna bradley

A Fabulous rest in a beautiful setting, but still always something to do if you wanted. (more)jane edwards

Memorable parts? Our pathetic attempt at bird watching in the rainforest was great fun....if only we'd known what we were looking at (we had a guide but.....!) stumbling onto a quiet beach at the end was fantastic....thankfully with a water taxi waiting. Tips? Paul from the vacation provider was brilliant.....take his recommendations! Local benefits? Our main accommodation was local owned and staffed. Our lack of Portuguese was a challeng a couple of times, but overall it... (more)Brenda Carter

Fantastic!...Exploring the Byzantine capital of the Pelopponese, Mystras, en route between Tolo and Gytheio. Beautifully painted churches, crumbling ruins, a Frankish fortress with magnificent views and a convent tortoise! (more)Taissa Csaky

Our vacation was wonderful.... We have travelled extensively all over the world and driving in many different countries. This agency was the best that we have ever worked with (more)Sarah Turner

It was great - we felt like we’d been away for ages and had so many adventures. (more)Joanna Chambers

The wildlife - both on safari and in the marine park was amazing. The animals are just going about their day and you're watching the whole show unfold in front of you. Every hour was an amazing adventure for the whole family. (more)Deirdre Kloski

Outstanding and exceeded all expectations (more)Nick Pugh

The whole vacation experience was excellent: well organised, interesting locations, first-class guides, good accommodation. (more)Andy Nash

Overall very good. Seeing sloths and a Resplendent Questral were very exciting. There are such a variety of habitats, it is difficult to pick one out. (more)Gillian Slater

The abundance of nature living in harmony to humans was touching. The whole country has a culture of respect and tolerance for the environment and nature understanding the need to manage today for the benefit of tomorrow. (more)Jean-Marc Hodgkin

The cookery lesson on the beach at Candidasa was the most memorable part of our vacation. Fantastic chef and perfect setting. (more)Soraya Mohammed

The rice terraces and spectacular views was the highlight. We had absolutely fantastic vacation, everything was well organised and the tour guys were brilliant. They've told us so much about Bali. (more)Justina Frankowska

We loved our Ubud hotel. It looked as though an explorer had recently discovered it in the jungle. The salt water pool looking over the rice paddies made for some stunning sunsets and we even saw a monitor lizard! (more)Rosy Everitt

A hike across the amazing Timanfaya National Park led by Jose of Blackstone Treks was the most memorable. (more)Sarah Brocklehurst

The best part was staying in the tiny fishing village of Punta Mujeres and interact with the locals simply by having a cortado or getting a beer with the others. This is the best slow travel I have experienced. Highly recommended, if you want to walk, trek, read, write, have great food and surrounded by simple, kind people. An unforgettable vacation where the pace was slow and the locals very kind including the mini market at Punta Mujeres, the hair dresser and folks at Bar Palenka. (more)Priti Patnaik

The cottage was beautiful, the location was perfect. I will definitely be telling everyone about it, although was tempted to keep it as my secret! (more)Laura Whelan

5 stars (more)Kevin Davenport

The hiking and surfing was fantastic. I wish I still windsurfed as it looked incredible. Lots of friendly and guest service minded staff at our accommodations and throughout the whole island. (more)Nancy Carey

We expected the finca to be lovely but it far exceeded our expectations. The Garden Cottage was perfect for a couple who wanted privacy but still all the facilities of the shared areas...Excellent! (more)Helen Wilson

The place is relatively small and isolated making it ideal for a quiet getaway. That said, Pizza and Film night on a Friday brings people from all around to share some time together. Great Pizza too. (more)David King

Absolutely brilliant Rachel was a perfect host and I will return. (more)Gaynor Sharp

It was just incredible- I honestly, honestly mean that and I can be very hard to please! I will never forget it and have come home feeling more rested and content than I have ever been before. It was the best start to married life for us we could have possibly had. (more)Aoibheann Kelly

Our stay was a unique & happy experience, unlike any previous vacation. While it can be a challenge to get there, the effort is repaid abundantly. It’s an eco-chic vacation in a cottage where everything can be taken care of, according to one’s wishes. One returns refreshed in mind & body. (more)Bryan Parker

Birds, bats, bees, lizards, pine martens, countless types of flowers and olive, eucalyptus and cypress trees blend in with the traditional style houses. We loved the walks around the forest... I could have spent the entire 10 days happily without leaving the estate at all. (more)Chris Kearney

A wonderful vacation which far exceeded our expectations. (more)Susan Purnell

Memorable parts? A mix of good memories. Dubrovnik was stunning but quite touristy. But Korcula was so peaceful and tranquil. The local seafood was amazing and the clarity of the seawater was beautiful. All the different excursions were great fun for different reasons. Tips? It is quiet and quite remote so if you are looking for peace and calm away from it all; this is the place. Local benefits? I assume tourism is important for the locals so yes; I guess they benefitted. Overall... (more)Paul Crowther

Memorable parts? Snorkelling with Manta Rays. You need to be a very strong swimmer to get in the sea with the Mantas as they move very quickly. You also need to be confident with your snorkelling equipment as you will need to get it on/off very quickly. The marine biologist who co-ordinated the trip is very supportive and gives you lots of advice on how to be in the water. Tips? The Maldives is an expensive destination so you need to factor this into your vacation spending budget.... (more)Elayne Farmer