If you love green fields and rolling hills, quaint villages and magnificent castles, and the warm welcome of a traditional country pub, then look no further than Great Britain and Ireland for your next dream vacation.

For those of you who are excited to travel again and keen to explore these luscious lands, Luxury Gold has three magical luxury guided tours that take in some of the prettiest villages, small towns and landscapes that Britain and Ireland have to offer. We’ve selected ten of the best, so take a read, and picture yourself there.

Unsurprisingly, many of the most beautiful spots in Britain and Ireland are also home to magnificent castles and elegant stately homes, exactly the kind of places Luxury Gold guests should frequent! On our regal Castles & Kingdoms three-week luxury guided tour, you will enjoy the most splendid settings, along with exceptional hotels, exquisite dining and VIP experiences. Here are five of the prettiest villages and small towns en route on this tour:

Alnwick, England

The cobbled market town of Alnwick is a fairytale jewel in the heart of Northumberland. Soak up true English traditional charm as you explore beautiful streets, quaint shops and great cafes. Presiding proudly over the town is the majestic 11th century Alnwick Castle, a true masterpiece of medieval architecture with magnificent interiors and spectacular gardens.

Travel on a Luxury Gold Chairman’s Collection departure and meet Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland for a private tour of her exquisite garden, lovingly restored to its former 18th century glory over the last twenty years.

Blarney, Ireland

Picture by 2sometravel

Tudor-style Blarney is a history-buff’s dream – one of its most impressive features being a superbly preserved village square, a focal point of village life. An essential for visitors is to see the famous Blarney Stone, a block of limestone built into the 15th century castle, said to give the “gift of the gab” to those who kiss it. Extensive parkland surrounding the castle features a network of trails and themed gardens – you can still tiptoe your way around Poison Garden to see trees like nightshade, rue, and poison hemlock peacefully coexisting.

Bowness-on-Windemere, England

Picture by Jonny Gios

In the heart of England’s exquisite Lake District, on the banks of heavenly Lake Windemere sits the sprawling small town of Bowness-on-Windemere. One of England’s most picturesque locations, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee, savor unrivalled views and enjoy the comings and goings of life on the water.  On our Castles & Kingdoms luxury guided tour you will stay at the sophisticated Belsfield Hotel, featuring all the charisma and stylishness of a charming country house, from which this magnificent lake district scene is visible at every turn.

Penrith, England

Picture by Michael D Beckwith

This Lake District town of Penrith is surrounded by waters and hills so gorgeous they could be straight out of a romance novel. Surrounded by four castles and two henges, Penrith is beauty and history all rolled into one. Here we visit the Dalemain Mansion and Gardens and meet Jane Hasell-McCosh whose ancestors have been living at the manor since the 17th century. She’ll take you on a personal tour of the beautiful gardens and tell you all about the prestigious international Homemade Marmalade Award founded that she founded – yum!

What better way to see the magic and charm of the prettiest villages than on board the world-famous Royal Scotsman steam train? The ultimate in exclusive travel, our 16-Day British Royale luxury guided tour includes four nights aboard this luxury train. Live like a VIP as you snake through the most enchanting parts of Scotland – here are three of the most amazing spots you will stop at along the way:

• Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

Picture by Sorin Tudorut

Kyle of Lochalsh, the land of castles, hills and lochs, is a gateway to the Isle of Skye, and the stunning north-west coast. An attractive collection of whitewashed houses sits on the banks of the lake, flanked by two of Scotland’s finest mountain ranges, providing amazing views.  The area’s most famous attraction is Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic sights, perched on the banks of Loch Duich.

• Plockton, Scotland

Picture by Lee Chalmers

Up the coast from Kyle of Lochalsh is Plockton, a pretty fishing village perched on the shores of a sheltered bay overlooking Loch Carron. The village is known as ‘the jewel of the Highlands’ for good reason – it is stunningly picturesque and has a range of outdoor activities, shops and local attractions. On our British Royale luxury guided tour, savor the views from the crystal clear west coast waters, as you take a boat ride to see a colony of wild seals.

• Carrbridge, Scotland

Picture perfect, with iconic sights including a famous 18th century packhorse bridge, and lying beneath the Monadhliath Mountains, the village of Carrbridge with its traditional cottages is an enchanting location. Part of the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, this is the perfect place to soak up the full charm of Scotland. It also serves as an ideal base for gentle walks and hikes in the nearby rolling hills, and from which to explore the nearby Balindalloch Castle.

Last but definitely not least, there are few places more beautiful than the villages and small towns of Ireland. Here are three of the prettiest, and you can visit them all on our 12-day Ultimate Ireland luxury guided tour.

Adare, Ireland

Picturesque Adare is one of Ireland’s prettiest villages and is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. Its charming main street is lined with thatched cottages and medieval buildings, and the village is rich in archaeological remains dating back to 1200 AD. The River Maigue weaves through the middle, with the captivating ruins of Desmond Castle sitting on its banks. You will have the chance to explore the stunning architecture of the Trinitarian Monastery and Augustinian Abbey and savor the boutique ambiance as you enjoy the many cafes, shops and pubs.

Cong, Ireland

Situated among the serene Lakelands of Galway and Mayo, Cong is famous for being the location for the 1952 Oscar-winning movie The Quiet Man, staring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Quaint in size but grand in character, its 12th-century abbey in the town center is one of the finest examples of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in Ireland. Home to the magnificent five-star Ashford Castle, your exclusive hotel for two nights on our Ultimate Ireland luxury guided tour, this relaxing retreat boasts sumptuous rooms and unique historic features. On arrival you’ll walk across a bridge to the castle, behind a lone piper who is playing just for you. A truly spine-tingling experience!

Kilkenny, Ireland

Picture by Taylor Floyd Mews

No journey to Ireland is complete without a visit to beautiful Kilkenny. Known as the Marble City, the streets are paved with Kilkenny marble flagstones which glisten when wet, giving a magical glint to this small medieval town. Stroll the Medieval Mile, a scenic a trail that links Kilkenny Castle to St. Canice’s Cathedral and enjoy this vibrant town, with its outdoor market, live music and colorful shops selling all manner of traditional crafts and souvenirs. Just outside the town is the Michelin-starred Lady Helen Restaurant, where you will enjoy a delicious meal prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

If you’re feeling inspired by these three luxury guided tours, take a look at our website.

The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, taking place this November in Glasgow (COP26), aims to be a ‘pivotal moment in the fight against climate change,’ poised to usher in a decade of united and urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

For nearly 30 years, the UN has been bringing together almost every country at its annual climate summit called COP (‘Conference of the Parties’). It was here that the Paris Agreement was launched in 2015 and now, with the window quickly closing to meet the Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, the plans first presented in the Paris Agreement must be taken further.

Further to declaring a climate emergency and joining Tourism Declares, a community of more than 300 organizations in travel and tourism dedicated to the urgent call to cut emissions in half by 2030, TTC and its family of brands including Luxury Gold, are pleased to announce the signing of the Glasgow Declaration.

This Declaration, formed collaboratively between the UNWTO, UNEP, VisitScotland, Tourism Declares and Travel Foundation, unites our sector in a shared commitment to accelerating climate action towards 1.5 degrees.

In order for communities to benefit from travel & tourism and vice versa, we must assure their health and protection, a critical fact that puts destination protection as the shared responsibility of our industry. While the climate emergency is very real, we know that it’s not too late to take action and change our course, though as the recent IPCC report highlighted, that window is closing. The Glasgow Declaration then, is a call for action from the tourism sector, one which seeks to unite the industry through supporting organizations to build an effective path forward – because declaring a commitment to climate action is meaningless unless followed with swift action.

As outlined in the One Planet Vision for a Responsible Recovery of Tourism from COVID-19, committing to and planning for a green recovery offers us a unique opportunity to transform the sector in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. If we can move rapidly away from carbon- and material-intensive ways of delivering visitor experiences, instead prioritising community and ecosystem wellbeing, then tourism can be a leader in transforming to a low-carbon future.

How We Tread Right

In 2020, TTC launched its new five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right (HWTR) which committed the global group of travel brands to becoming a carbon neutral business by 2030 or sooner. While all 11 sustainability goals outlined by HWTR contribute to addressing TTC’s carbon footprint and prioritize restoring the balance of nature, our specific action on greenhouse gas emissions is clear and prescriptive and outlined in TTC’s five-point Climate Action Plan.

Our plan outlines a clear approach to achieving our goal of carbon neutrality that reflects the Glasgow Declaration’s five pathways to Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate and Finance.

Measure:

To understand and manage, you must measure. So first and foremost, we’ve committed to measuring the emissions from our business and trips. We measure our business emissions from offices, owned facilities and accommodations, hotels, ships, fleet, and employee business air travel. The carbon footprint of all trips across TTC brands, including all transportation, accommodations and meals, are measured through a custom trip calculator we developed with external experts.

Reduce:

We’re committed to building on carbon reduction efforts to date and setting ambitious targets by mid-2022. To support the world’s progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, we must ensure we explore every opportunity to drawdown our emissions and set ourselves on a path to net zero. This includes securing and generating renewable energy and assessing alternative fuels.

Remove:

Through TreadRight, we’re investing in new, nature-based technologies to remove excess carbon from the atmosphere. These innovative solutions have massive potential to mitigate climate change and need our support to accelerate and scale as quickly as possible. In 2021, TreadRight invested in GreenWave, a regenerative ocean farming organization, and Project Vesta, using naturally occurring olivine rock to permanently store carbon on the ocean floor.

Offset:

As an interim solution to address TTC’s unavoidable emissions, we will purchase carbon credits, including rolling out carbon neutral trips between 2022 – 2030. In partnership with South Pole, a leading offset provider, TTC will purchase verified carbon credits to offset emissions from our offices and employee business air travel.

The last point of our Climate Action Plan is to Evolve, because we know we can’t do this alone. That’s why signing onto Tourism Declares and the Glasgow Declaration is important. These commitments unite us in the mission of taking urgent climate action, and provide us a vision for a better future.

The word city generally conjures up thoughts and images of hustle and bustle, flowing traffic, bright lights and busy night life. However, they can also serve as a peaceful retreat and the perfect place to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones, with some of the calmest and most spellbinding cities to be found in Asia.

Renowned for its exceptional hospitality, fascinating culture, delicious food and the most exclusive hotels, Asia has so much to offer the discerning traveler. So, if you are searching for some of the most relaxing places in the world, we at Luxury Gold have uncovered some true gems of tranquility to be found in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Japan.

Each peaceful haven gives you the chance to step away from the hectic rhythm of modern life, enjoy beautiful surroundings and spend a little time with yourself. Explore serene destinations steeped in Buddhist history, discover temples and monasteries, and take a walk through the well-preserved past. Maybe take the extra time to realign your chakras, practice some yoga or try meditation – a chance to focus on your mental health while enjoying a fantastic cultural experience.

These fascinating destinations are also guaranteed to take you on a mouth-watering culinary adventure. Core to Asian culture, street food is freshly prepared and exceedingly tasty and there are infinite options to try in even the quietest city. For starters we suggest that you try Pad Thai in Thailand, Pho in Vietnam and Amok Trey (fish curry) in Cambodia.

Vietnam – Hoi An

Located on Vietnam’s central coast, Hội An translates as “peaceful meeting place” and offers beautiful beaches, a laid-back attitude and an exquisitely preserved Old Town. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An was an important trading port from the 15th to the 19th Century and offers a step back in time for travelers, the perfect escape from the realities of modern life. The beautiful old town, closed to traffic and composed of small colonial style houses, is a bountiful canvas of color with architectural nods to its Japanese, Chinese, French and Vietnamese heritage. Though quiet and calm, Hoi An is a very tourist friendly city, and there is plenty to do. Admire the blanket of lanterns at the night markets and enjoy the local restaurants where you can soak up the unique ambiance of this charming city and savor tasty local cuisine.

Experience the very best of Hoi An on our Spirit of Vietnam luxury guided tour. With the help of a Local Expert, explore the former merchants’ homes, colorful communal halls, narrow lanes and traditional houses, as well as a top highlight, the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. We’ll take you deep into the heart of this beautiful and tranquil city, and even introduce you to a special martial arts Master, to discover the art of healing through martial art, and to learn some steps.

Cambodia – Angkor Thom

Stepping into the captivating ancient city and temple complex of Angkor Thom is like stepping into a magical, mythical faraway land. Lose yourself among the endlessly fascinating myriad of temples, each one different from the next, and completely forget about the modern world.  Built around 1200 by King Jayavarman VII, Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, a fortified city enclosing residences for the priest, officials of the palace and military, and the administrative buildings of the kingdom. The 360-acre site is built as a square, each side 3km long and surrounded by a 100m wide moat. Discover Angkor Thom, along with its famous neighbor Angkor Wat and other highlights of Cambodia on our Cambodia & Vietnam in Style and Inspiring Indochina luxury guided tours. You can’t fail to feel uplifted and peaceful when surrounded by such spellbinding architecture and natural beauty so, with its spiritual influence and so many perfect spots, why not take some time to practice a little meditation?

Laos – Luang Prabang

A traditional morning start in the charming city of Luang Prabang involves rising early and offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks, a living Buddhist tradition going back generations. Known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, this charming, serene city in northern Laos is one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A particular highlight is Xiengthong, known as the Temple of the Golden City, and a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art for the locals. The city is partly located on a peninsula between the rivers Mekong and Nam Khan with mountains surrounding it as far as you can see, and a short walk to the top of Mount Phousi offers spectacular views.

Experience the best of Laos and Luang Prabang on our Sensational Vietnam & Laos 14-Day luxury guided tour. Stay at an exclusive hotel, The Luang Say Residence, a 5-Star boutique paradise. Stroll in its tropical gardens and enjoy stunning views and enjoy a private sunset cruise along the beautiful Mekong River.

Kyoto. Japan-ease

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a freshening oasis of calm and peace in an often crowded and busy country. Famed for its geisha’s and well-preserved architectural delights, the city is home to numerous Buddhist temples, shrines, gardens and palaces. Travelers can soak up the calm and meander through the city enjoying the local teahouses, lantern-lit restaurants and bars, and absorb the zen energy and atmosphere.

Explore Kyoto on our 11-Day Majestic Japan luxury guided tour with the help of the boundless knowledge of your Travelling Concierge. One of the city’s most iconic sights is the tiered golden temple of Kinkaku-ji, known as the Golden Pavilion (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Surrounded by a large pond and beautifully sculptured garden, the temple pavilion is coated in mesmerizing gold leaf that glistens in the sun. We’ll invite you to a special performance by a Maiko, an apprentice geisha. Central to Kyoto culture, geishas are highly skilled entertainers, specializing in classical music, dance, conversation and games, a fine art that has evolved over many centuries.

So, are all these good vibes inspiring you to take a journey to Asia? We certainly hope so. Or maybe we have awakened past dreams of visiting this vast and beautiful continent. Whatever your motivation, we at Luxury Gold guarantee you an unforgettable experience on our luxury guided tours, with magnificent hotels, VIP Experiences and truly exclusive travel with your every need taken care of throughout. Why not take a look through our new brochure for 2022 & 2023 for travel inspiration?

For more information on the stunning tours mentioned in the blog please follow the links:

• Sensational Vietnam & Laos
• Spirit of Vietnam
• Cambodia & Vietnam in Style
• Inspiring Indochina
• Majestic Japan