In the Northern Hemisphere we are enjoying the sunshine and heat of summer. With the better weather we are out in our gardens or balconies and enjoying time with family and friends sharing in good food. For our Southern Hemisphere friends, we hope this blog tides you through to warmer months ahead.   

At Luxury Gold you’ll know we are passionate about delicious authentic and local food. But did you also know that we are committed to bringing vegetarian options to the fore on our tours? As part of The Travel Corporation’s 5-year sustainability strategy we have committed to reducing not only our carbon impact but also food waste. As such this blog shares only vegetarian and vegan recipes. It also features recipes with vegetables that are seasonal and that you just might have growing in your outside space. We hope that you will try them and have a meat free barbeque! 

Watermelon and Feta Skewers Recipe Here  

Photo by watermelon.org

These skewers are not just beautiful with the contrasting colors of the watermelon and feta but will also cool you down during a warm summer’s day. We love them with a touch of mint added but you can also quickly grill them on the BBQ if you want. The variations are endless! 

Beetroot Hummus Recipe Here 

Photo by pretty simple sweet

Can you see a color theme appearing? Once you’ve tried this bright hummus you will never go back to the plain original! The flavors are balanced beautifully in this recipe and what is even better is that you can make it ahead for easy prep. Cut up some vegetables to dip into it or use it as a spread in your burger bun. 

Vegan Burgers Recipe Here  

Photo by Jamie Oliver

Speaking of burgers we love Jamie Oliver’s recipe. This easy recipe is vegan, healthy and satisfying. Meat lovers will have nothing to complain about. If you aren’t too keen on some of the spices the base can easily be modified to suit all tastes.  

Tomato and Zucchini Tart Recipe Here 

Photo by A beautiful Kitchen

Do you have tomatoes and zucchini growing in your vegetable patch? Have so much produce you’re not sure what to do with it? Well this is the recipe for you! Not only is this tart delicious it looks beautiful and will impress guests. It reminds us of the flavors of France. Feeling inspired to go on vacation? We’re ready for you.  

Strawberry shortcake Recipe Here 

Photo by Ricciardo Cuisine

The Luxury Gold team have lots of strawberries ripening and look forward to making this strawberry shortcake. Sometimes less is in fact more and this recipe is just that, a perfectly fresh combination of strawberries, cream and sweet shortcake. This dessert will round off a perfect BBQ! 

Pimm’s Cup Recipe Here  

Photo by Pimm’s

We know that any BBQ isn’t complete without a drink and we are sharing our favorite from the UK. Pimm’s was originally blended by James Pimm as an aid to digesting oysters in 1840. It is a gin-based spirit with a fruity flavor. Now it is a signpost of British summertime. Start perfecting your cocktail now in time for Wimbledon!  

Watermelon Lemonade Recipe Here  

Photo by BBC Good Food

Remember the introduction of this blog where we spoke about Luxury Gold’s commitment to reducing food waste? This is a recipe that does just that. It reuses the watermelon you’ve used in the skewers to make this fun non-alcoholic cocktail that is simple to make but is a showstopper.  

Travel is a wonderful gift that people have enjoyed for hundreds of years, but with all the adventure and education it brings, there is also a responsibility to the people and places we visit. The events over the past 18 months have given us a chance to take a breath and reassess. Sustainability has been moving to the forefront over the past few years, but now taking care of the planet matters more than ever.

The Travel Corporation, parent company to Luxury Gold, have sought to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® since the company began. While other luxury travel companies may only be discovering sustainability, it has always been part of our ethos. Luxury Gold actively seeks to give back, which is why we helped found the TreadRight Foundation .

The TreadRight Foundation was created 12 years ago as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. It supports sustainable travel organizations and initiatives across the world so that we can MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® for our planet, people and wildlife. TreadRight also partners with projects in the places that TTC brands visit so our guests can engage on a deeper level with the destination, while knowing their travel money is being invested wisely.

Among the TTC brands, we have developed a five-step Climate Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, or sooner.

We include MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences on our journeys, which are conscious travel experiences that have a positive environmental or social impact on the communities we visit. Through our five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right, we are committed to integrating at least one Make Travel Matter® Experience on 50% of our trips by 2025. This helps guests seeking a more sustainable luxury guided tour to discover carefully chosen conscious experiences that enrich their vacation.

Cities Going Carbon Neutral

Fortunately, governments around the world have woken up to the idea of carbon neutral and some are pursuing inspiring climate action plans.

If you’re considering more sustainable travel, Luxury Gold can help. These top 5 sustainable cities feature on our itineraries, so choose your favorite or perhaps add them all to your travel bucket list?

Stockholm Sweden

Guests traveling on the luxury tour Timeless Scandinavia spend two nights in one of Europe’s most environmentally friendly cities, Stockholm. Not only does it have the harbour front, idyllic islands and a well-preserved old town, but it is a role model for other cities around the world in terms of its sustainable vision.

Stockholm’s history of sustainability stretches further back than many other global conurbations. In the 1960s it launched legislation around protecting the environment. Building on that, in the late 1990s, plans for new urban sustainable districts came to the fore. The most famous of is Hammarby Sjöstad; a delightful regeneration of a former industrial area, now blooming with life.

Eco-conscious guests can appreciate Stockholm as a green travel destination when they see the many attractive outdoor spaces in the city. Parks such as Djurgarden, where you can picnic and watch the boats go by, or Tantolunden, with its array of plants and trees, are perfect to take some time out.  Plenty of the lakes in Stockholm are clean enough to swim in, so guests can refresh with a dip.

The public transport in Stockholm is second to none, with boats connecting the islands and the t-bana metro system connecting the whole city. The city has a pro-cycling approach with a huge number of cycle lanes and measures to protect cyclists. It’s very easy to rent a bike to explore.

For those interested in sustainable dining, Stockholm has a surprising number of eco-eateries. Visitors can discover the freshest local produce and enjoy fine dining with the lowest carbon footprint.

Montreal, Canada

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glorious open spaces, it’s no wonder Montreal wants to protect the environment. Travelers on Luxury Gold’s Vibrant Quebec and New England tour can experience the extraordinary beauty of this first hand.

The city was one of the first in North America to ban the use of plastic bags, so if you plan on bringing home some of the incredible produce from the area, be sure to pack a tote bag. Green energy is also high on the agenda, with 97% of electricity supplied from renewable sources.

Greenery is evident here – even the convention center, Palais des congres de Montréal has a verdant rooftop garden. The New Montreal Park is the largest urban park in Canada and is part of the city’s climate action plan. At eight times the size of New York’s Central Park, it has plenty to keep visitors occupied for a whole day out and the protected wetlands are home to many animals and birds.

Restaurants across Montreal offer sustainably sourced options with most dishes created with food grown or caught in the surrounding region. Visitors can also try the highly palatable organic and biodynamic wines at fine dining restaurants.

Montreal is also a great place to tour by bike. It has an inexpensive bike rental program, plenty of cycling lanes and many convenient pick up and drop off points. Just be sure to bring a helmet.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town was acknowledged for its sustainable development program as far back as 2004. It began purchasing from a wind farm in 2008, planning ahead to ensure that at least 10% of the city’s energy comes from renewable sources.  This stunning destination is seventh on the list of the world’s most sustainable cities, which is a remarkable feat for a city that is home to 6.5 million residents.

The city is a global leader in green building with a variety of projects that redefine the relationship between industry and resources. The vibrant V&A Waterfront district is a great example of this – a mixed use sustainable development that makes use of innovative design to minimize demand on water and energy. Many of the buildings have installed solar panels, to take advantage of the frequent hours of sunshine the city receives each year.

Cycling has become more widespread with the introduction of safe-cycle routes and the bus service allows passengers to bring a bike on for free. Much focus has been placed on embracing the outdoor lifestyle, and with the magnificent sights around the city, there’s few places in the world more beautiful to spend time outside.

Join the Spectacular South Africa tour with Luxury Gold and you’ll spend five days basking in the wonders of this modern city. Your accommodation in Cape Town is the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, which is also committed to sustainability, having reduced water waste by 42% and on track to remove all single use plastics by 2022.

Sydney, Australia

Long before other countries adopted climate action plans, Australia was making sustainable choices, opting to go plastic free first. In a country surrounded by water, with a vast desert at its center, it makes sense that many Australians wish to protect the abundant resources they’ve been given.

Sydney has made history by becoming the first city on the planet to be wholly powered by renewable energy. This vision was laid out in 2008, and achieved last year with the aid of the wind and solar farms that surround the city. Sydney aims to further bolster its sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions by 70% in 2030. It went carbon neutral in 2007.

It’s easy to go eco in Sydney. It’s a very walkable city with great temperatures practically all year round and a reasonably mild winter. The beaches are one of the main reasons people visit and with well over 100 to choose from, you can easily find your own little slice of paradise for the day.

If you’re feeling adventurous, south Sydney is great for mountain biking and bushwalking with Heathcote National Park being very accessible from the city. Berowra Valley National Park, just north of Sydney, is lovely for boating and has great vantage points for capturing wonderful holiday photos.

Eco-conscious guests can truly experience green luxury travel on the Inspiring Australia tour, which arrives in Sydney on Day Eight, with further time to explore on Days 11 and 12. There is also a day trip to the protected Blue Mountains, known for their dramatic beauty.

Copenhagen, Denmark

If you’re looking for one of the most eco-friendly cities in Europe, then Copenhagen is top of the list. The city has been described as a “transport pioneer” by the European Commission, which is partly thanks to its double cycle lanes and green transport initiatives. Its green credentials have made it one of the most cutting-edge places to visit.

Copenhagen is on a quest to go carbon neutral by 2025 and it has created some innovative initiatives to do so. One of these is Copenhill, a facility that turns waste into energy to power homes and businesses and is also one of the longest outdoor ski slopes in the world.

Although cycling is widespread, should you wish to hop on a bus, it’s easy to find an electric one, as they are all in the process of changing from diesel. If you’d prefer, you can get a solar-powered boat to explore the canals. Even recycling is essential here – you’ll find vending machines to return your can or cup dotted around the city.

Copenhagen is a haven for foodies. It is home to Geranium, the only totally organic restaurant in the world that has garnered three Michelin stars, but even on street corners, visitors will be shocked at the quality and variety of home-grown and sustainable produce. Wander around the Reffen street food market and you’ll see that all the packaging is compostable and food sourced from farms nearby.

If you’d like to spend some time in eco-friendly Copenhagen, join Luxury Gold on the Timeless Scandinavia tour. Your journey begins in the city where you will spend two nights, with leisure time to let you discover its picturesque waterways and eco-conscious vibe.

Take the Pledge to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

At Luxury Gold, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why every member of our team does their best to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. We invite our guests to join us in more sustainable travel and sign the Make Travel Matter pledge to protect the planet, people and wildlife.

Can you name the best hotel that you’ve ever stayed at? Choosing the best luxury hotels isn’t simply about seeking the place with the highest thread count, where you can choose your own pillow or even what scent you breath in. Supreme comfort is a given, but on a Luxury Gold tour you’ll stay in elegant accommodation that offers more than every other 5-star hotel. Luxury means different things to different people, but it all comes down to the most superb service you’ve ever experienced. These places are exemplary; carefully chosen as not just a comforting place to rest your head, but a truly immersive experience on its own.

In every place that you stay on the exclusive tours offered by Luxury Gold, you’ll experience the destination in another way. From appreciating the Best of British when you stay at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel on the Queen’s doorstep in London, to having a front row seat at the Pyramids in Egypt from your exceptional hotel in Cairo.

UNUSUAL AND DISTINCTIVE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

With Luxury Gold, our guest experience is at the heart of everything that we do. That’s at the forefront of our mind when organizing each place you stay. We want to ensure you feel truly welcome while providing you with extra special encounters and a VIP experience wherever you are.

Our accommodation doesn’t just include the most luxurious 5-star hotels either. One night you will find yourself spending the night on the Venice Simplon Orient Express, while another you may rest up on a historic Irish estate that stretches along the edge of a medieval city.

Luxury Gold has a special connection with Red Carnation Hotels, as it is owned by our co-founder, Beatrice Tollman. These exceptional hotels are found in some of the most incredible destinations on earth and are set apart by their wonderful character and outstanding levels of service. If there is a Red Carnation Hotel in a location we travel to, then we arrange for our guests to stay there and enjoy the attention to detail rarely found at other properties.

Read on to discover more about some of the incredible Hotel and Spa properties that have been carefully selected for Luxury Gold guests.

ASHFORD CASTLE, COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND

Set amid 350 acres of pristine County Mayo countryside, Ashford Castle is a 12th century property that has recently undergone an extensive renovation. Luxury Gold guests spend two nights in this sumptuous castle on the Ultimate Ireland tour.

Enter through the imposing gates where a lone piper awaits to escort you across the drawbridge. His haunting tune provides echoes of the historic battles that were fought across this land.

Every room at Ashford Castle is individually designed, offering you a stand-alone experience even from your fellow guests. Sumptuous fabrics adorn the room with historic furniture fitted seamlessly with the more modern features that enhance your stay.

There’s no need to leave the estate, with a range of activities from horse-riding to archery to partake in. Adventurous guests can try our zipline through our woods, or take in a film at our private cinema to wind down after a busy day.

Ashford Castle is former home of the Guinness family and is Ireland’s first (and only) Forbes Five Star Hotel. Guests have the opportunity to dine like royalty over their Celebration Dinner in the King V dining room, that was built especially for the King’s visit to the estate in 1905. The food is also superlative, with seasonal ingredients foraged from the estate and sourced locally.

12 APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Credit: Booking.com

Imagine waking up in a UNESCO Cape Floral Region with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean. This is just one of the reasons that 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa has been carefully selected for a Luxury Gold tour. Whether you prefer looking out on the dramatic Table Mountain, rising in the distance, or the soothing sea vistas, all 70 rooms and suites let you admire the scene.

Before you take off into safari territory on the Spectacular South Africa tour, you will explore Cape Town from this heavenly base for five days. The property is framed by Table Mountain National Park rising behind it, yet only a short drive to Cape Town to enjoy its many wonders.

Here, individual décor is the norm, inspired by the local African environment and a complement to the scenery. Warm, thoughtful service is provided by all the team. They create ‘tiny noticeable touches’ that really elevate their guest care, making your stay perfect in every possible way.

Dining at 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa is an indulgent treat, with some of Cape Town’s best restaurants on site. From sushi with your sundowners at the Leopard Bar to the signature Cape cuisine dishes served at Azure restaurant, guests will leave fully satisfied after memorable meals with staggering views.

LEELA PALACE, UDAIPUR, INDIA

Leela Palace Udaipur is a stunning hotel that sits on banks of Lake Pichola. Designed by famed architect Bill Bensley, the palace boasts Rajasthani crafts throughout and provides a royal experience for guests.

Luxury Gold guests arrive at this exceptional venue on day 11 of their Imperial Rajasthan tour, where you are welcomed with live music and a shower of rose petals.  The rooms evoke the grandeur of the Mewars, the oldest serving dynasty in the world. Admire the panoramas of Lake Pichola from graceful rooms, adorned with traditional artwork and motifs from the region.

Your stay at Leela Palace will be immersed in opulence from beginning to end. Discover cultural performances in the courtyard and enjoy romantic boat rides on the lake. Delve into the local culinary fare presented with great flair during your Celebration Dinner on the last night of your tour.

Luxury spa journeys are another highlight of Leela Palace. When you finish exploring the fascinating City Palace and bazaars of Udaipur, perhaps relax with an Indian head massage or some reflexology in the ESPA here.

VERMEJO PARK RANCH, NEW MEXICO, USA

When you truly want to lose yourself in nature, there’s nowhere on earth like Vermejo Park Ranch. Owned by founder of CNN turned environmentalist, Ted Turner, this private national park extends across 590,000 acres of extraordinary terrain.

Staying on Vermejo Park Ranch is wonderfully unique in the sense that every need is catered for, but you’re made to feel totally at home. Very few luxury tours are invited here, but when you choose the Resorts and Ranches of Colorado and New Mexico with Luxury Gold, you spend three nights soaking up the splendour of this precious reserve.

Step into refined accommodation that is a rich blend of Southwestern influences with the grandeur of the early 20th century. Every detail has been considered here with sumptuous furnishings and the finest fabrics to envelope you as you sleep.

Aside from the many activities offered at the ranch, from horse riding to fishing in one of the 19 lakes onsite, guests can simply explore and see the many elk, deer and bison that roam the reserve. Cocktail hour is a specialty at Casa Grande, where you can mingle with the guests and staff, hearing stories of the stars who have stayed here through the years.

REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO, TIVAT, MONTENEGRO

Credit: Booking.com

Guests on the Luxury Gold tour Captivating Croatia and Montenegro will check into the most exclusive hotel in the country, Regent Porto Montenegro, on Day Three of their journey. Situated on the largest natural harbor on the eastern Mediterranean, Boka Bay, this award-winning hotel is designed to reflect Italian Palazzo style and is perfect for glamorous guests.

Nautical sophistication enhances each room and suite here. Guests can stretch their legs in spacious rooms that offer fabulous vistas of the lush mountains that rise behind the hotel or the elegant marina in front.

The staff give everyone a personal welcome, to make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. It is this personal service that has garnered awards from Conde Nast Traveler, the World Luxury Hotel Awards and Trip Advisor.

Dining is also a gourmand’s pleasure at Regent Porto Montenegro. From tasty bites in the sleek Riviera-style Pool Bar to the fine Adriatic cuisine served in the stylish Murano restaurant, each meal is packed with fresh local ingredients from the bountiful landscape around.

The Regent Spa has also collected honors, so it’s worth spending some time in the Finnish sauna or Turkish hammam during your stay. Experience the finest treatments that draw on spa wisdom from around the globe to give you a soothing morning or afternoon escape.

XIGERA SAFARI LODGE, OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Deep in the Okavango Delta, you’ll find a hotel and spa quite unlike anything else in the region. This lodge blends into the papyrus wetlands that surround it, overhung by a verdant canopy and spread across two islands.

The Xigera Safari Lodge is not just remarkable for its location in nature, or views across the floodplains. It is a triumph of sustainability, running on 95% solar power, while celebrating the art, culture and creativity of Africa.

Step into one of the twelve beautifully appointed suites to discover your holiday retreat. Each one has a distinctive aesthetic, influenced by the flora and fauna of the environment. Indigenous elements can be found throughout, from hand carved furniture to custom made bedspreads and magnificent works of African art.

Wildlife encounters are part of the appeal of this safari lodge. Each suite has its own compendium of birds and mammals that inhabit the area, and guests can record their own sightings. Spot the local pride of lions, the resident leopards, giraffes and elephants who call Xigera home.

The team at Xigera Lodge are knowledgeable, hospitable and full of joy. They enrich each moment and are always on hand if a guest needs advice or help during their stay. Xigera Safari Lodge is a top venue in the Red Carnation hotel collection and as such, the service is simply outstanding.

LION SANDS GAME RESERVE, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA

Stay in the heart of the African bush when you embark on safari with Luxury Gold. Day Six of the Spectacular South Africa tour sees you arrive at the Lion Sands Game Reserve, on the bank of the Sabie River.

Marvel at the animals feeding by the river from your private retreat, set above the water with interconnecting wooden walkways. Understated elegance is infused with natural features to reflect the splendor of the surroundings.

King-sized beds carefully draped with giant mosquito nets, al fresco showers to wake up with nature and expansive decks allow you total privacy while enjoying all that the reserve has to offer.

Sip on a fine South African wine while hearing stories around the fire. Savour a Celebration Dinner beneath the stars after seeking out the Big Five on your guided game drives. Impeccable service, enchanting suites and breath taking encounters with wildlife will all make your stay at Lion Sands one of the most memorable you’ve ever had.