News Article

The Latest Experts Inspiring Us

14 May 2026

One of the most rewarding aspects of working in the travel industry is meeting the people whose passion, knowledge and creativity shape truly unforgettable journeys. Over the past few months, the team at Love To Explore has spent time with hoteliers, conservationists and local experts across some of the world’s most inspiring destinations, hearing first-hand what makes each experience so special.

These conversations have reminded us that exceptional travel is about far more than simply visiting somewhere new. It is about the people behind the scenes who bring a destination to life; those who preserve wildlife and landscapes, share cultural traditions, craft remarkable hospitality experiences and create meaningful moments that stay with you long after you return home.

Today, we wanted to share some of the insights and inspirations we have taken away from these meetings and highlight the people who continue to shape the way we think about travel.

Maldives

With more than 175 resorts across the Maldives, we know how important it is to stay up to date with the latest developments at our long-standing favourites, while also continuing to discover properties that may be newer to us. The destination is constantly evolving, with resorts regularly introducing new villas, dining concepts, wellness experiences and family facilities, meaning there is always something new to learn.

This knowledge is invaluable when it comes to matching clients with the right island, ensuring every stay in the Maldives feels thoughtfully tailored and truly memorable.

Explore The Maldives

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives

A recent discovery for us has been Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, which was introduced to us by a trusted industry colleague.

The intimate resort offers a more laid-back atmosphere, making it perfect for couples looking to unwind in a relaxed setting. Recent upgrades have introduced a greater variety of dining options and a picturesque over-water main pool, strengthening the island’s appeal as a strong contender. Accommodation retains a classic, understated feel, with each round villa featuring its own private pool.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Speaking of updates, Luke from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island recently popped by our office to share insights from his recent visits to the island, along with current offers and the latest changes at the resort. The iconic hotel, which is soon to celebrate its 30th birthday, has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and has also introduced a new adults-only sunset champagne bar.

A variety of offers are currently available depending on when you are planning to travel, including up to 25% off accommodation, complimentary upgrades to half board meal plans, free stays for children under 12, and discounted seaplane transfers.

Beyond Our Core

Alisha has been out and about at a number of supplier showcases over the last few weeks. These events give us the opportunity to meet ground agents and hoteliers in person, offering plenty of inspiration while also helping us build stronger relationships, so that we can work even more closely with them when crafting your trips.

As we continue to expand the destinations featured within our “Beyond Our Core” portfolio, we have been spending time with trusted partners from across the world to ensure we are working with the very best people to create truly unforgettable journeys.

Beyond Our Core

Uruguay

Listening to Paola, the founder of local agents Lares Tours, had me completely hooked and immediately shot Uruguay to the top of my personal travel wishlist. Compared to many South American destinations, Uruguay remains relatively lesser known to tourists and wonderfully underrated.

This “human-scale” country may be smaller than its neighbours, but it offers equally beautiful landscapes and cities, all within easy driving distance of one another. From Colonia, with its relaxed atmosphere and world-class chefs, to Montevideo, a city art lovers are sure to enjoy, and from sweeping estancias to the chance to spot migrating southern right whales, Uruguay has so much to offer.

Turkey

Ludo visited Istanbul in 2025 and worked with local agents Item Travel during his stay, coming away with nothing but positive things to say. It was wonderful to meet the owners in person and gain a deeper understanding of the breadth of their expertise.

Whether arranging private sailing charters along the coastline, creating in-depth touring itineraries or planning a shorter city break, Item Travel has a team of experts on hand to ensure every trip feels highly personalised. They also have an extensive network of specialists across the country, each with in-depth local knowledge tailored to their particular destination.

Morocco

Our local agents in Morocco, Plan-It Morocco, follow a five-point framework when creating itineraries: immersion, elegance, balance, personalisation and substance. With these principles at the heart of everything they do, it was fascinating to hear more about their specially curated tours, which offer a more unique and thoughtful way to experience the country’s most popular sites.

We also loved learning about their carefully selected guides, who work exclusively for Plan-It Morocco, which is something of a rarity in a destination where guides often work across multiple companies. This dedicated approach allows for a far more consistent and personal experience, helping travellers connect more deeply with the culture, history and people of Morocco.

Borneo

Borneo is a must-visit destination for wildlife lovers, but with a relatively limited number of places to stay, and accommodation standards that can vary significantly, having a trusted local team of experts is incredibly important. The team at Sticky Rice Travel have an exceptional depth of knowledge when it comes to the destination, and are absolute magicians when it comes to putting together seamless itineraries, even when availability is particularly tight.

Ideally, a trip to Borneo should be planned at least a year in advance in order to secure the very best accommodation and wildlife experiences. However, with a little flexibility, the Sticky Rice team can often work successfully with slightly shorter lead times, too. Importantly, they also adhere to strict ethical guidelines, carefully vetting every lodge and experience to ensure guide practices and wildlife encounters meet the highest standards.

Ludo attends a Hummingbird Travel event

Hummingbird Travel are are local experts with teams across the Indian Ocean, and they organised a fantastic event that enabled Ludo to meet with eight suppliers in one evening and hear the latest updates from luxury hotels and resorts. The standout news included the long-awaited reopening of Fregate Island Private, an incredibly beautiful private island in the Seychelles that combines ultra-luxurious villas with untouched natural beauty. There was also a particularly attractive offer for stays at either Amanwella or Amangalla in Sri Lanka, which includes an automatic complimentary room upgrade confirmed at the time of booking.

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Why book a tailor-made holiday with a luxury travel specialist?

The best trips feel effortless, but behind every seamless journey is thoughtful planning and genuine expertise. A luxury travel specialist brings first-hand destination knowledge, trusted recommendations and personalised service to every itinerary, ensuring your holiday is shaped around you. From choosing the finest hotels and experiences to managing all the finer details, tailor-made travel allows you to make the most of your time away without the stress of organising it yourself.

What types of holidays do you specialise in?

Love To Explore specialises in thoughtfully crafted journeys designed entirely around each individual traveller. From slow, sun-drenched escapes on idyllic Indian Ocean islands to immersive, adventure-led safaris through the African wilderness, every trip is shaped by personal style and pace. While Africa and the Indian Ocean remain at the heart of what we do, our trusted network of local experts allows us to extend far beyond, opening the door to extraordinary destinations across the globe.

How far in advance should I book a holiday?

There is no single rule when it comes to booking your next escape, as every journey is completely bespoke. Whether you’re planning a special milestone trip years in advance or seeking a spontaneous last-minute escape, we can help shape it at any stage. That said, for the best choice of boutique lodges and the most sought-after properties, we recommend beginning the planning process around nine months to a year ahead, allowing the widest possible access to availability and experiences. For certain safari lodges and iconic seasonal moments, such as Japan’s cherry blossom season, we would advise planning up to two years in advance.

The Latest Experts Inspiring Us

Maldives

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Beyond Our Core

Uruguay

Turkey

Morocco

Borneo

Ludo attends a Hummingbird Travel event

Get in touch

FAQs

Start your journey today

As featured in

#lovetoexplore

Personal Service

Expertise

Transparency

The Latest Experts Inspiring Us

Maldives

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Beyond Our Core

Uruguay

Turkey

Morocco

Borneo

Ludo attends a Hummingbird Travel event

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