If you’re looking for a holiday offering luxury and adventure, then Kuoni goes beyond the ordinary in offering experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. And Stamford specialist more than travel is the local partner for this exciting and prestigious Swiss operator
‘‘I’ve always admired Kuoni,” says Helen Dooley, a partner in more than travel, the first luxury independent travel specialist in this region. “It is a very safe pair of hands for long haul travel and I can always be sure prices will be competitive, thanks to its global buying power. But most importantly, I can always be sure my clients will be staying in the best rooms and given the red carpet treatment. Kuoni also has offices in each of the destinations it sells, which gives me the added security that if my clients need help or assistance there will be someone on hand to provide it.”
Kuoni is one of the premier names in luxury travel, and is represented in the Stamford, Peterborough, Rutland and Norfolk area by more than travel. It was established nearly a century ago by Alfred Kuoni, an entrepreneurial adventurer and explorer with a passion for seeking out new places, new experiences and easing the way for fellow travellers to follow. “I still feel that sense of adventure now,” says Helen. “Yes travelling is easier and faster and most of the world is open for business, but Kuoni seeks out unusual hotels and destinations with a sense of authenticity and personality. Unusual itineraries and requests seem to be relished by its product teams, going above and beyond the brochure to create the unusual.
“Being a part of the Kuoni team also gives me access to a huge amount of travel experience and a great depth of knowledge,” continues Helen. “We are very well-travelled ourselves, but there will always be somewhere we don’t know. With the back up of the Kuoni team we can almost always find someone who’s been to a destination, seen all the hotels and knows the best place for sundowners.”
All this makes Kuoni an ideal partner for more than travel, the family-run local business that shares the same desire to provide exceptional service and products. There’s no such thing as off-the-shelf or simply ‘from the brochure’ with this ambitious, customer-focused independent specialist. And the relationship with Kuoni is bound to put it even more on the radars of long haul travellers from around this area.
“We feel very honoured to be offered this great opportunity to represent Kuoni in this region (the next closest Kuoni stores are Milton Keynes and Cambridge). It’s a fantastic accolade for a new business such as ours,” says Richard Dooley, Helen’s husband and partner in more than travel. “We knew from the moment we started talking that we had a lot in common and that our ethos was compatible. And we have worked hard to prove to Kuoni that we are worthy of a partnership status.”
Destination: it’s all about Asia
The traditional image of the Far East is that of golden temples, Buddhist monks and picture perfect islands. And while this is true, Asia is such a diverse place that it truly has something to offer all long haul adventurers at every stage of their journey.
If chilled out beaches and designer hotels are your thing, then Thailand boasts some of the best in the world, from five star Banyan Trees and Centara hotels to tiny little Zen-inspired boutique beach locations. Combine that with mad, crazy Bangkok, with its neon lights, late night markets and all-night parties and you’ve got a wonderfully diverse holiday experience.
Malaysia is a fascinating country, its many attractions ranging from the awe inspiring skylines of Kuala Lumpar to the charming orang-utans of Borneo that populate the dense rain forests fringed with pristine white beaches. Wild and natural this may sound, but sophistication can be found in luxury hotels such as the Shangri La Rasa Ria.
The magical island of Bali is romantic, mystic and the stuff of musicals and dreams. But you’ll also be amazed what great value for money it is. The beaches are rich with resorts from three star to five star standards. And although they’re heavily populated in the summer months by Australians (for whom it’s a relatively short hop), that means lots of rooms and space become available during our winter.
In Cambodia and Vietnam visitors can be captivated by proud cultures and exotic landscapes of iconic temples and breath-taking beaches. For the truly untouched visit Laos, a country that effuses spirituality and charm. Venture further east and you can blend high-tech with ancient, as you speed on a bullet train through the ancient landscapes of Japan, a country steeped in deep rooted rituals played out in the most contemporary of surroundings. And then there’s the vastness of China to explore with a Grand Tour; a fantastic way to see everything you need on this ‘bucket list’ destination, with trips to the Terracotta Army, Great Wall and Yangtze River as part of an itinerary.
Hong Kong and Singapore are shopping paradises, with anything and everything available to purchase, often at fraction of Western costs. Tailored suits and dresses can be whipped up overnight, and while you’re waiting for them to be finished, you can go browsing for every gadget known to mankind. Practically anything can be easily found.
Elsewhere, Burma is emerging into the vacation limelight, offering undiscovered landscapes, majestic temples and deep spirituality coupled with challenging political debate; it’s all just waiting to be discovered and explored. It borders with India, Bangladesh, Tibet, China, Thailand and Laos mean this is a country that has, for millennia, bridged varied Asian cultures. It’s a mysterious and enigmatic place that is sure to capture the hearts of adventurous travellers as it opens up to those from the west as an enchanting destination.
more than travel can be found at 23 St George’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2BJ.
It’s open six days a week and Sundays by appointment. Telephone 01780 433333 or see www.morethantravel.co.uk
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‘I’ve always admired Kuoni,” says Helen Dooley, a partner in more than travel, the first luxury independent travel specialist in this region. “It is a very safe pair of hands for long haul travel and I can always be sure prices will be competitive, thanks to its global buying power. But most importantly, I can always be sure my clients will be staying in the best rooms and given the red carpet treatment. Kuoni also has offices in each of the destinations it sells, which gives me the added security that if my clients need help or assistance there will be someone on hand to provide it.”
If chilled out beaches and designer hotels are your thing, then Thailand boasts some of the best in the world, from five star Banyan Trees and Centara hotels to tiny little Zen-inspired boutique beach locations. Combine that with mad, crazy Bangkok, with its neon lights, late night markets and all-night parties and you’ve got a wonderfully diverse holiday experience.
The magical island of Bali is romantic, mystic and the stuff of musicals and dreams. But you’ll also be amazed what great value for money it is. The beaches are rich with resorts from three star to five star standards. And although they’re heavily populated in the summer months by Australians (for whom it’s a relatively short hop), that means lots of rooms and space become available during our winter.
