FROM THE EDITOR Rebecca Miles
I love the promise that a new year brings; it’s a chance to reset and refresh, as well as reflect on what’s past, and in the world of travel a lot can change in a year.
Here at Charitable Travel, over the past year we’ve gone from strength to strength and we now have over 250 charities on board as partners. In 2023, we’re looking forward to building on this support across the UK and around the world, as we continue our mission to help you with your holiday plans and at the same time support the great work that UK-based charities deliver around the world.
Travel as a force for good is the thread that runs through all we do, and in this issue we’re shining the light on low season travel as a valid way to combat over tourism with our Love Low Season feature on the Balearics, written by Isabella Noble, an expert on the islands. We’re also taking a look at UNESCO as it celebrates its 50th anniversary and suggest 10 of the latest sites that’ll take you far away from the obvious but often overcrowded destinations that UNESCO has done such valuable work protecting over the years.
So all that remains to be said is on behalf of all the team at Charitable Travel, we wish all our readers and supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
We’ve gone from strength to strength and and we now have over 250 charities on board as partners. In 2023, we’re looking forward to building on this support across the UK
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Revolutionary rail technology means a Swiss engineering marvel first imagined in 1873 is now reality. The GoldenPass Express directly connects Montreux on Lake Geneva to Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland in 3hr 15m for uninterrupted Alpine views, despite the trains running on different track gauges with varying platform heights. charitable.travel/ rail-bookers
Set yourself the ultimate running goal in 2023, and achieve it with personalised guidance from inspirational ‘Marathon Man’, Rory Coleman. Run ten kilometres a day over five unforgettable days, through the spectacular natural landscapes and beautiful cities of the Danube, totalling 50 kilometres of new discoveries, new friends and new feelings of remarkable personal achievement.
This incredible challenge is open to everyone, all you need is determination and commitment. The reward will be all yours.
The Óbidas Lagoon in central Portugal is home to 175 species of birds, including kingfishers, white-faced cormorants, sandpipers and flamingos, and it’s an important stop-over spot during migrations. The most extensive coastal lagoon system on the Portuguese coast, it’s 5km long, 1km wide yet just two metres deep, on average. But its not just water birds that the lagoon supports, bivalves, crustaceans and fish are also in abundance. Plan your visit to the lagoon from the beautiful medieval city of Óbidas and explore this unspoilt region of Portugal at your leisure.
See for yourself all that Hanoi has to offer with Bamboo Airways’ new direct route from London Gatwick to the Vietnamese capital. Hanoi combines hectic streets full of traffic, traders and animals, with peaceful temples and lush green landscapes, and is the ideal place to embark on a tour of Vietnam. The 12hour flight runs weekly, and offers easy connections to Bamboo’s domestic network.
Edinburgh Airport has been rated the most accessible airport in the UK, following the publication of a report from the Civil Aviation Authority. The airport has brought their accessibility service in-house, and the move has paid off –around 85,000 passengers were supported by the airport’s special assistance service in 2022, and the report rates its provision as ‘very good’.
London Luton is the worst performing airport, and Bristol, Leeds Bradford and Heathrow continue to need improvement.
New low-cost high-speed trains are taking to the tracks in Spain and Portugal, in what’s being hailed as ‘a decisive step in the advance towards new mobility’, by Ximo Puig, president of the Generalitat Valenciana. Iryo, the third operator on Spain’s high-speed lines, has launched trains from Madrid to Barcelona and Valencia, with Seville, Malaga, Antequera and Cordoba due from 31st March. Meanwhile, in Portugal, the government has announced an overhaul of the train network, which will halve the current journey time between Lisbon and Porto, and make travel to Madrid from Lisbon or Porto possible in about three hours.
HURRICANE IAN’S DAMAGE TO FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, IS BEING REPAIRED QUICKER THAN EXPECTED AND THE SANIBEL CAUSEWAY IS DUE TO REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC EARLY, IN JANUARY.
As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, domestic travel remains strong with demand for immersive experiences continuing. Find lots of inspiration from the yearlong itinerary of events at Year of the Coast 2023, alongside the opening of new stretches of the English Coast Path. englandscoast.com
At the other end of the scale, the thirst for adventure and seeing the world remains strong, and travellers are keen to go soon, rather than wait a year or more. And typically, it’s groups of people travelling together – either extended families or friends, appreciating the importance of spending time together. charitable.travel/ ideas-and-styles
The thirst for getting off the beaten track will continue in 2023, and the easiest way to do it is on a road trip. Travels around the UK and Europe remain popular, and is a great way to keep both costs and carbon footprint down. Northern Portugal, Scotland and Italy are top of our wish list.
To round off COP27, the Egyptian government announced 2,000km of Red Sea coral reefs will be protected in a new Marine Protected Area – the Great Fringing Reef MPA. Biodiverse hotspots, these reefs are critical for ocean health. And in further coral reef good news, coral that was planted in the Great Barrier Reef four years ago has spawned for the first time. Researchers are claiming the spectacular coral reproduction as a ‘milestone in our bid to maintain biodiversity’.
Join the president of the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds, Miranda Krestovnikoff, on a 14-day cruise from 4th May, from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to Wales and the Western Isles of Scotland. On board AE Expeditions’ purposebuilt expedition ship, you’ll have the chance to see some of the best UK wildife up close and with expert help, and explore the numerous islands of the UK’s Atlantic coastline. charitable.travel/rspb
The latest
Social Progress Index shows that global living standards have improved for the 11th year running, and Norway remains the world’s most progressive country. Set up 11 years ago, researchers at the US-based non-profit scrutinise life in 169 countries.
Netflix Naples in Italy takes the spotlight again in the latest adaptation of an Elena Ferrante novel.
Following the success of the My Brilliant Friend series, the Italian author turns her attention to Naples in the 1990s in The Lying Life of Adults The city is seen through the eyes of adolescent Giovanna as she changes from a sweet 12-yearold girl to a sulking, aggressive teenager, and the Netflix series shows the different sides of Naples, from the upper echelons of Neapolitan society to the working class streets.
By Mary Novakovich
Shortlisted for the 2023 Edward Stanford Travel
Writing Awards Travel Book of the Year, My Family and Other Enemies is part travelogue, part memoir through the hinterland of Croatia. The debut novel from successful travel journalist Mary Novakovich, the book explores her ongoing relationship with the little known region of Lika in central Croatia, where her parents were born. “It’s a region of wild beauty that has been battered by centuries of conflict,” says Mary, and the book is full of stories showing the resilience and humour found in the people from the region.
By Brian Salter
Transport yourself around the world with our selection of the latest books and TV releases –take your pick from Italy, Croatia, China and Japan
about the real Beijing that promises to reveal what others fail to tell you, it features 150 amazing tourist attractions. Written by expat journalist Brian Salter, who spent several years exploring China’s capital while working for China Daily Online, it combines what to see and do with pithy cultural observations, detailed travel instructions and plenty of colour photos. As well as featuring the big hitters – the Great Wall, the Forbidden City – Brian covers Beijing’s 150-plus museums, including the world’s only eunuch museum, a tap water museum, and eight transport-themed museums.
Based on the popular graphic novel Maiko-San Chi No Makanai-San, this Netflix series follows the story of Kiyo, who moves to the geiko district of Kyoto and becomes a Makanai, a person who cooks meals, at a house where Maiko (geiko apprentices, the Kyoto dialect word for geisha) live together. Joined by her childhood friend, the pair immerse themselves in the vibrant world of geiko and maiko courtesans and delicious food while following their passions.
In this episode of our Travel Insider Podcast we’re travelling to the Atlantic coast of Florida and the fun-filled city of Daytona Beach – famed for its fast cars, lively boardwalk and arts and foodie scene.
While the Daytona International Speedway plays a huge role in the city’s identity, history, and culture, there’s a whole heap more to explore than just the race track.
Our host Rebecca Miles talks to Patrick Sullivan, the manager of Rose Villa Restaurant – a central part of Daytona’s history and foodie scene, and Andrew Booth, director of communications at Daytona Beach, for the lowdown on local life.
In the latest episode of our podcast, we’re heading to Fort Lauderdale, a city on Florida’s south-east Atlantic coast, and the county of Broward.
It’s home to a diverse, welcoming community and more than 300 miles of canals, as well as a stunning stretch of beach. Joining our host to share their love of the area is Paul Mason and Tracey Vaughan from the Broward County tourist board.
Visitors to Fort Lauderdale love its active, outdoors lifestyle, and a hint of luxury hangs over the city. But the county is also home to the Everglades, so it provides an exhilarating mix of wildlife and glamour.
Swim through crystal clear waters, meet majestic manatees, create your own adventures, and discover all that the Crystal River area has to o er. charitable.travel/crystal-river
There’s a reason why Bordeaux is often called La Belle Endormie (sleeping beauty); for decades the city sat under a gloomy cloud, its buildings covered in soot and its city centre choked with traffic. But thanks to a tram system introduced by mayor Alain Juppé in the early 2000s and a renovated riverbank, fast-forward to today and Bordeaux is one of the most popular destinations in France – soot-free, and filled with vibrant cultural spaces, excellent restaurants, hip cafes, and beautiful boutiques.
The Saint Pierre and Saint Paul districts are the historic heart of the city and the birthplace of present-day Bordeaux. I spent a morning wandering the characterful narrow streets past famous monuments including the Grosse Cloche (the bell tower), the Porte Cailhau (the ancient gate to the city) and through various charming squares lined with restaurants and cafes doing a brisk trade.
Eventually I ended up in La Place de la Bourse, a grand, elegant square that was built in the 1720s. The best place to view the
By Katja Gaskell
square is from across the road at Miroir d’eau (Water Mirror), the world’s largest reflecting pool. On sunny days locals and visitors of all ages walk and splash across the expanse of shallow water.
One of the most exciting developments in Bordeaux in recent years is Darwin.
Located on Bordeaux’s right bank, Darwin has been designed to show what a new ‘city’ can look
like. Built from the remains of a former military barracks, the community is home to co-working spaces, workshops, an indoor skate park and the biggest organic dining hall in Europe. There’s also a bakery, an urban farm and even a school. Every September, it hosts the annual Climax Festival, an eco-focused music, arts, and culture festival.
It’s a colourful place to visit, and not just because of the vibrant street art everywhere. Wandering its walkways then sipping a locally brewed beer from Lalune at Chantiers de la Garonne, it was the perfect spot to finish my weekend in Bordeaux, and to start planning my return.
Every visit to this incredible sprawling metropolis reveals new neighbourhoods to discover, but the infamous highlights are great to start with. Begin with the Walk of Fame and the view of the Hollywood sign from the Dolby Theatre, home to the Oscar’s Ceremony, before window shopping through swanky Beverly Hills and joining a Movie Stars’ Homes Tours to see how the other half live.
Stargazing takes on a whole new meaning at the Griffith Observatory and it’s the perfect spot to be at sunset. Then of course a day or two on the beach is a must so take your pick of the fabulous beaches of Santa Monica, Long Beach and Malibu. Each has their own vibe, so worth trying them all out if you can.
I love the superb restaurant scene in West Hollywood. It’s home to four of LA’s 25 Michelinstarred restaurants but you’ll also find some laidback nosheries, ideal for refuelling in after a hike in Runyon Canyon (the best
place to do some celebrity spotting – it’s where they go to exercise).
The Downtown area has changed the most over the years and there is so much to explore. For sports lovers the Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Centre) is a must; if music is
more your thing then don’t miss the Grammy Museum. For art lovers there’s a plethora of galleries (my favourite is the Broad) while petrol heads must visit the Peterson Car Museum – it’s a lot of fun and has a whole exhibition of cars from the movies, including Back to the Future’s DeLorean.
TV and film fans are spoilt for choice and I recommend the backlot tours at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Bros in Burbank. If you can, I’d upgrade to the VIP Tours as they’re worth the extra for insider secrets from the tour guides.
I finish this visit at the fantastic Hollywood Bowl, another must for music lovers, which celebrated its centennial in 2022.
World Heritage has turned 50. Since its inception in 1972, UNESCO has protected some of the world’s greatest sites of cultural, historical and scientific significance, many of which, such as the Great Barrier Reef or the Great Wall of China, are incredibly well known. Yet new sites are inscribed regularly and make for ideal off-the-beaten track destinations. Here is our pick of the latest sites to see
The site Chankillo Archaeoastromical Complex, Peru
What is it A collection of constructions built between 250-200 BC that, together with natural features, operated as a giant calendar and used the sun to pinpoint dates through the year. The Chankillo Solar Observatory and ceremonial centre
is on the north-central coast of Peru, in the Casma Valley, and includes a triple-walled hilltop complex – the Fortified Temple –plus 13 towers stretching along a ridge. How to see it Latin Routes’ Northern Peru Holiday can be tailored to include the Casma Valley; speak to the Charitable Travel booking team to add in this extra.
An AE Expedition in the Arctic is literally Life. Changing.
AE Expeditions (*part of Aurora Expeditions) is an award-winning Australian-owned expedition company, for more than 30 years. A pioneer in polar expeditions – AE Expeditions is truly committed to environmentally respectful travel and Certified Climate Neutral.
Founded by legendary adventurer Greg Mortimer, our expert Expedition Team have always been about sharing their knowledge and understanding of some of the most remote and unspoiled destinations in the
Arctic & beyond. When you disembark, we want you to be richer in your knowledge and understanding of our planet than you were when you stepped aboard and ultimately become ambassadors for the planet. Because if you want to see something you’ve never seen; you have to go somewhere you’ve never been. Click here to view itineraries.
The site Padua’s 14th-century fresco cycles
What is it A set of eight religious and secular buildings within the historic walled city of Padua, they’re home to some gloriously ornate fresco cycles painted between 1302 and 1397 by several notable artists, including Giotto, who influenced many Renaissance painters.
Distinct because they’re found within a broad range of building types commissioned by different types of patron, collectively they show how fresco art developed creatively over the course of a century.
How to see it Join Kirker’s Palladian Villas and the Art of the Veneto six-night tour, based in Padua.
The site The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales
What is it A landscape rich in history that covers everywhere from mountain peaks to the coast, the former slate mines, once the world leader in slate production, spread through the Snowdon massif and show the huge transformation that industrial slate mining and quarrying brought to the rural hills and valleys of north-west Wales between 1780 and 1940. Now, grand houses and workers’ villages, with chapels, bandrooms and schools remain.
How to see it Call Charitable Travel to book a Snowdonia short break with Great Little Breaks.
Venice, Veneto
The site As-Salt – The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality
What is it A city built on three hills in west-central Jordan, As-Salt was an important trading link between the eastern desert and the west during the last 60 years of the Ottoman Empire. Once thriving, it blends European Art Nouveau and Neo-Colonial styles with local traditions. . How to see it Book Responsible Travel’s seven day Best of Jordan tour.
The site Sítio Roberto Burle Marx
What is it A ‘landscape laboratory’, landscape architect and artist Roberto Burle Marx used a combination of artistic Modernist ideas and native tropical plants to create ‘living works of art’ on this site in the western region of Rio. Stroll among the extensive gardens, buildings and collections, and you’ll see ideas that have gone on to influence modern gardens around the world, as well as a huge collection of Brazilian tropical and subtropical flora.
How to see it Book a place on Rainbow Tours’ 11-day Classic Brazil holiday.
What is it A cultural landscape in the urban heart of Madrid, the tree-lined Paseo del Prado avenue has evolved since the 16th century. The buildings, dedicated to the arts and sciences, as well as industry, healthcare and research, collectively demonstrate the Spanish Empire’s aspiration for a Utopian society during its height, and are set among the Jardines del Buen Retiro and the Royal Botanical Gardens. How to see it Book a room at the Hospes Puerta De Alcala hotel and hire a tour guide to get the most from the site.
cultural gardens Okinawa, Japan
WALK OF THE PRADO, FOUNTAIN OF APOLO
What is it An archipelago of islands in the south-west of Japan bordering the Philippine Seas where you’ll find subtropical rainforests and one of the world’s biodiverse hotspots. With so much of the land protected to secure these precious habitats, this is a place to visit with a light touch. How to see it Join Abercrombie & Kent’s 10-night tour of the Islands of Okinawa.
The site 600km of the whole Roman Empire’s Danube frontier, in Germany, Austria & Slovakia What is it Surely one of the longest UNESCO sites in the world, the site runs along the length of the Danube river, from Regensburg in Germany to Komárom in Slovakia. Marking the eastern edge of the Roman Empire, which was at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD, you’ll find ancient structures along the route, including legionary fortresses, roman roads and small forts. How to see it Contact Charitable Travel to join the nine-day Danube Discovery river cruise with AP Touring, starting in Nuremburg and finishing in Budapest.
The site Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands
What is it A collection of seven sites spread over 80km of the Black Sea coastline, the protected areas include ancient deciduous rainforests and bogs, ranging from sea level to more than 2,500 metres above it. They’re highly humid ecosystems and are among some of the oldest forests in the world. The name Colchic dates from Greco-Roman times; the Colchis region spanned the eastern side of the Black Sea. How to see it Intrepid organises holidays to Georgia, including some time in nearby Batumi. Speak to Charitable Travel to book your Black Sea adventure.
The
What is it Home to the most significant, extensive and technically diverse underground Roman gold mining complex, Rosia Montana is a natural amphitheatre of rolling mountains in the Metalliferous range of the Apuseni Mountains, in Transylvania, central Romania. The Roman gold mining that took place here from 106CE has left plenty of peaks and ridges on the landscape, as well as lots of Roman archeology to discover, including living quarters, ore-processing areas and sacred buildings. Below ground, the ancient shafts, tunnels and mines are slowly being revealed. How to see it Regent Holidays are specialists in exploring Romania. Speak to Charitable Travel to book your break
An award-winning charity working towards its vision of a UK where no one goes hungry, Feeding Britain supports a national network of 60 regional anti-hunger partnerships. Together, they help more than 600 local organisations – including schools, community centres, local authorities and social enterprises – by piloting innovative projects and sharing best practice for preventing food insecurity, and bringing it all together into a road map to help the entire country eliminate hunger. feedingbritain.org
FareShare hates to see food go to waste, so redistributes surplus food from the food industry to charities who turn it into meals for vulnerable communities. It tackles both the problem of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of good food going to waste each year, and millions of people struggling to afford to eat, by helping to deliver healthy, nutritious food to the food banks, community groups, activity schemes and schools who work on the front line. charitable.travel/fareshare
With a simple aim of wanting to eliminate the need for emergency food in the UK, the Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks, and campaigns for change to end the need for food banks. The charity also carries out research; its most recent publication is State of Hunger, a landmark three-year research project into hunger and destitution in the UK that calls for the government to commit to ending the need for food banks. trusselltrust.org
Tackling food poverty, loneliness and food waste head on is Food Cycle, a charity that provides community dining every week at over 60 locations around the UK. The filling meals feed the hungry and give company to anyone who needs it, as well as use food that would otherwise go to waste – in 2021, 191 tonnes of food were saved from going to waste, and 86% of FoodCycle guests said the meals made them feel part of their community. foodcycle.org.uk
A simple but effective idea, Hubbub, the charity that inspires ways of living that are good for the environment as well as for us, coordinates the Community Fridge Network, which provides fridges across the UK for local people to share food. Run by community groups in shared spaces such as schools, community centres and shops, the fridges store surplus from supermarkets and local food businesses, households and gardens. There are currently over 300 fridges; Hubbub has partnered with the Co-op to fund 500 by the end of 2023. hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge
A collection of charities are working hard to tackle food poverty, hunger and food waste, and in doing so are bringing communities together. Their collective goal? For no one to go hungry
In 2023, Vilnius is celebrating its 700th anniversary. Yet, exploring the Lithuanian capital can be a true revelation for travellers searching for new experiences.
Exciting artistic, cultural, and gastronomic adventures await around every corner of the city throughout this and next year. Book your holiday today and embrace an array of exceptional discoveries in Vilnius.
The UK’s third largest scheduled airline Jet2 continues to spread its wings from regional airports. New routes to holiday hotspots for 2023 include East Midlands to Santorini (pictured) in the Greek Islands, Glasgow to Girona in northern Spain and Manchester to Tivat, Montenegro, all launching in May. In July, flights will start from Bristol to Malaga, Spain.
Some of the country’s biggest airlines are launching new routes from regional airports across the UK to both firm favourite and newly discovered destinations, so everyone can explore more, regardless of where you live
Summer holiday plans just got a lot more convenient for anyone living close to Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Luton, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Belfast airports, thanks to easyJet’s new routes. Highlights include, in May, direct routes from Birmingham to Sicily (pictured) and from Manchester to Murcia, Spain, while in June, Rhodes will be directly accessible from Belfast. And from November, Glaswegians will be able to grab some winter sun in Morocco with direct flights to Agadir.
The Irish airline is making travel to the States from the UK’s regional airports even easier in 2023, as it will operate flights to Dublin from 17 UK airports, including Newquay, Aberdeen and Bournemouth, plus boosting direct operations to New York and Orlando from its Manchester hub. Onward travel from Dublin is then possible to 17 destinations across the USA, and includes US border pre-clearance in Dublin, making for a smoother experience all round.
While British Airways keeps its focus on the main hubs of Gatwick and Heathrow, it’s branching out with more new long-haul destinations around the world. Two direct routes are starting to the Caribbean from Gatwick in March, the first is to Aruba, one of the Lesser Antilles, the second is to the Port of Spain on Trinidad (pictured). Also starting in March from Gatwick is a direct flight to Georgetown, Guyana, in South America. In June, a direct link to Cincinnati, Ohio, from Heathrow begins.
Similar to BA, the new routes from Virgin and its code share partner Delta focus on the big UK hubs, giving more options to long-haul favourites. In April, Delta will start flying from Gatwick to New York (JFK) and in May, from Edinburgh to Atlanta while Virgin’s new routes start from Heathrow – to the Maldives (pictured) in October and the Turks & Caicos in November.
As the home of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Jack Daniels, Tennessee is known and loved for its legendary music scene and excellent whiskeys. But venture beyond the live music venues and distilleries and you’ll discover some equally epic countryside – first and foremost the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also the Blue Ridge Mountains and the flat and fertile plains of the Mississippi River. Add in the cities of Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Gatlinburg, and the state has it all.
Music doesn’t just play in the background in Tennessee, it takes to the front of the stage, grabs hold of the mic and turns everything up to 10. In Knoxville, a radio show broadcasts from the visitors’ centre with live music artists regularly dropping in; it’s free to go in and listen. In Nashville, head to the Bluebird Cafe and the Listening Room Cafe for some of the finest live music, while in Memphis it’s got to be Lafayette’s Music Room. And don’t miss the Nightfall Music Series in Chattanooga – free live music every Friday night from May to August.
Follow the paths and hear the stories of the foot soldiers who led the charge for equality among all races in the United States on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail as it makes its way through Memphis and Nashville. Both cities played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, and include such attractions as the National Civil Rights Museum, Clayborn Temple, the Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library and Fisk University.
Pick your way through the entwined history of whiskey makers and music on a trail flowing through the mountains of East Tennessee for the twang of bluegrass to the cradle of country music in Knoxville before landing in Memphis for the blues and rock ’n’ roll.
Not only the home to bluegrass, East TN is also the historical home of bootleg liquor. Among East TN’s foothills are 10 distilleries; allow a week to start in Chattanooga and head north up into the Great Smoky Mountains.
A wonderful contrast with some of the world’s most recognisable alcohol brands sitting next to some of Tennessee’s smallest craft distillers, in Middle Tennessee you’ll find cool, urban hangouts in downtown Nashville, eclectic Americana-styled honky tonks and simple sheds tucked away in the hills and forests.
If you ask the people of Tennessee what they’re most passionate about, good food comes a very close second to good music. Reigning supreme over the state is mouth-watering barbecue – in many glorious forms. Will you go dry-rubbed or sauce-slathered, or even half-and-half? Next on the menu is Nashville’s hot chicken, where Hattie B’s and Prince’s Hot Chicken vie for best fried chicken in the city. For something sweet, it has to be the buttermilk biscuits at the Loveless Cafe in Nashville.
Dollywood, the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park in Pigeon Forge is a must for all ages, with rollercoasters, festivals and shows plus a waterpark. In Chattanooga, head to Lookout Mountain and the Incline Railway, or venture into the Fairyland Caverns and mine for gems, and round off the day with a sightseeing river cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat. Over in Sevierville, Skyland Ranch has the Horizon Skyride, the Wild Stallion coaster and a miniature animal encounter, plus lots of food trucks for the grown ups.
You can sit anywhere you like,” says Joel, the pilot, as I board the smallest plane I’ve ever been on. There are only 12 passenger seats on this turboprop Cessna so my decision is easy.
We take off from Entebbe airport, which is a 90-minute drive south of Kampala, heading for the tiny airstrip at Kisoro in the southwest of the country, near the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Beneath us, Lake Victoria shimmers in the sunlight before the ground turns to rolling hills covered with lush green vegetation interrupted with tiny villages. Our destination is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, our base for the next two nights and home to around half the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.
I’ve come to Uganda for my first safari because of the country's gorilla population, as well as having four of the big five and being the setting for my favourite childhood film, George of the Jungle. As we drive through the winding dirt roads, potholed by the rainy season, I’m struck by how green and lush the landscape is here. First, tea plantations cover the hillsides, then tropical rainforest full of eucalyptus trees, banana trees and tall palms blanket the steep hillsides and deep valleys.
We arrive at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge on the edge of the park and staff greet us with a glass of mango juice, a warm hand towel with eucalyptus oil and a hand massage. Like everywhere else on this trip, we’re met by incredibly
From seeing gorillas in the rainforest to lions on the plains, a safari is top of many a bucket list. First-timer Rosie Buddell visits Uganda to find out what all the fuss is about
friendly and attentive staff. We’re told that as we’re up in the mountains, it can get very cold and the mosquitoes don’t like it, so we can leave our insect repellent in our rooms and put on extra layers. Before we go to bed that night, housekeeping comes in to light a fire and slide a hot water bottle into our beds.
This lodge supports two local communities with donations, employment, and cultural performances, so one evening we’re treated to a musical performance by the children of Nkuringo Vulnerable Youth Stars, a group of mainly orphaned children that are housed in the nearby town. Their drumming and singing pulls other guests out of their rooms and we all get to witness the pure
joy written across their faces. After the performance, handmade items are brought out for us to purchase – a gorilla's head fridge magnet now sits proudly on my fridge.
The next morning we’re up and out by 6am to start our gorilla trek in the national park. We’ve been warned that we could be trekking through the forest for anywhere between two and four hours before we see any gorillas.
"Nature doesn’t take appointments, we’ll see what she wants us to see, when she wants us to see it," Omax, our guide tells us. It’s fair enough, I think, but I’m not sure I’m capable of hiking for eight hours straight through a forest called ‘impenetrable’.
Luckily nature is very much on our side, and we find a group
Luckily nature is very much on our side, and we find a group of six gorillas around an hour into the trek, including an adorable three-month-old baby!SPOT THE HIPPOS UGANDAN COWS A ZEBRA IN LAKE MBURO NP
of six gorillas around an hour into the trek, including an adorable three-month-old baby! They’re all nestled in a grassy area, eating bamboo shoots and leaves.
Humans share 98% of our DNA with gorillas, so we’re told to maintain a 2-metre distance from them and wear face masks, as we could be passing viruses and diseases between us.
I have never been this close to a wild animal before and I'm shocked by how easy they are with us gawking at them and snapping pictures. Omax says that these gorillas have been habituated, so they view humans as just another inhabitant of the park, rather than a threat.
We had been advised ahead of time to hire a porter for the trek, which seemed excessive. But the terrain can be really tricky in the forest so not only do the porters help carry equipment, they also help with any of the more challenging parts of the journey. The porters are all Batwa, a community that lived in the forest for more than 300 years before being relocated when the forest became a national park. Omax tells us they enter the forest and walk its paths regularly, and hiring them helps to support the displaced. Within five minutes of the trek, my porter William proves his worth when I slip in some mud, and he stops me from falling down.
The next morning, we head down the mountain for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Opt for eco-friendly accommodation. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is solar-powered, the water in the showers is harvested rainwater, and it's got a drinking water fountain to refill your water bottle and a Pack for a Purpose donations bucket.
Bringing donations of clothes, school supplies, toys and period products to hand out among communities and schools is also a good way to give something back (plus you can fill the now empty case with handmade souvenirs to take home!). Shopping local and tipping guides, drivers, and hotel staff is another way to support the communities you visit.
The easiest way to support communities in Uganda is to book with Charitable Travel and donate 5% of your holiday price to any of our charities delivering projects in Uganda:
The Rafiki Thabo Foundation works to improve the quality of life for deprived members of local communities by providing them with the means to continue with their secondary and higher education. Rafiki Thabo have a link school in Kabale, near Bwindi that you can visit on your trip. charitable.travel/rafiki-thabo-foundation
CURE International's global network of eight children's hospitals are world-class facilities with highly trained surgeons and caregivers providing charitable specialised care for children with conditions such as clubfoot, bowed legs, cleft lips, untreated burns and hydrocephalus. charitable. travel/cure-international
Tackle uses the power and popularity of football to deliver HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services to young people on football pitches across the continent. charitable.travel/tackleafrica
Legs4Africa helps amputees live independently, through the provision of prosthetic legs along with physical and emotional rehabilitation in subSaharan Africa. charitable.travel/legs4africa
traditional food – Rolex, a Ugandan breakfast of Spanish omelette rolled in a chapati, quickly became a staple at our breakfast table.
a photocopy of your passport – you’ll need it for your gorilla tracking permit but it’s also a good thing to have with you.
Take binoculars. Especially if you’re a bird enthusiast. They’ll also help you to spot animals in the distance easier.
Bring a camera. Trust me –there’ll be plenty of times you’ll want to capture the scenes before you to preserve the memory, but don’t spend the whole time looking through the viewfinder.
If you go gorilla trekking, hire a porter –they’re so knowledgeable of the area and will be able to help you cross the terrain much easier
Don’t go it alone. Hire a driver or a guide as they’ll have so much information to share with you, and be able to show you the best hidden spots. And if you go gorilla trekking, hire a porter – they’re so knowledgeable of the area and will be able to help you cross the terrain much easier than you would on your own.
And remember, you can’t make appointments with nature. You’ll see what you see on the animal’s terms and not yours.
Named after the late monarch, this was the first national park established in Uganda and covers an area nearly as big as the island of Mauritius. While driving through the verdant grasslands in our open 4WD, we only had to wait a few moments before spotting some lions lazing on the limbs of an acacia tree, escaping the heat and flies on the ground.
A few minutes later we pull up next to buffalo, cooling down in the mud, waterbuck grazing near a pond, and the famous Uganda Kob – a type of antelope, and the national emblem of Uganda – feeding on the grass.
After lunch, we head for a cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Connecting Lakes George and Edward, it's a popular spot for buffalo, hippos, and elephants to cool off in the water and graze on the hillside. We see all three, and also spot kingfishers, river birds and Nile crocodiles.
The next and last day we drive
through Lake Mburo National Park and see zebras, and even spot some giraffes in the distance. Later that evening, back at our second lodge, Park View Safari Lodge, on the edge of Queen Elizabeth
National Park, I run out of fingers to count up all the different wild animals I’ve seen. All the species, together with all the delicious fresh organic food I’ve eaten, has made for a very special trip indeed.
In 2017 St Helena, a tiny British outpost in the South Atlantic, received its first ever flight into a shiny newly built airport. The flight from Johannesburg was a great leap forward for the island’s traditionally isolated population of 4,000 ‘Saints’, as they are known. Yet it has scarcely altered the charming fabric of this remote society: which is quintessentially old-fashioned British with a palimpsest of rich histories featuring Napoleon Bonaparte and set in biologically rich surrounding ocean.
Established in the 1650s, Jamestown is one of the world’s smallest capitals. Quaint and unhurried, the settlement is squeezed into a steep-sided volcanic fissure. It makes for a pleasant day of exploration. Cannons still fringe its ramparts, the castle gardens are fragrant with perfumed jacarandas, you can try local spicy fishcakes, and enjoy a pint in a British pub. But save some energy for the 399-step climb up Jacob’s Ladder for faraway views across the ocean.
As a serial European conqueror, it’s hardly surprising Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte found the island a little lacking. After his defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled here by the British in 1815 and stayed until his death six years later. The island’s slow pace of change has ensured the three places associated with his exile remain in aspic, you can almost smell his eau de cologne. History buffs will never forget his tomb site, Briars Pavilion, and his main residency, Longwood House.
LOVED BY NAPOLEON
St Helena’s green tipped bourbon coffee is said to remain unhybridised since the Portuguese brought its seeds to the island in 1733. It was one of the few things Napoleon liked about the island
The coffee’s historic association, purity, and small yields render it one of the world’s priciest coffees. A 250g single origin bag of St Helenian coffee beans fetches £150 in Harrods.
It’s cheaper savouring this light to mild roast on the island and well worth requesting a visit to one of the plantation estates to learn about its production. The best-known coffee plantation is Rosemary Gate Estate.
It wasn’t jumping into the South Atlantic that took my breath away off the coast but the proximity to the ocean’s gentlest giant – a whale shark. This wide-mouthed creature is the world’s largest fish, some 30ft long, and typically congregates off the St. Helenian coast between November and March. Accredited tour boats will take you out to snorkel alongside them and it’s truly a life-changing experience.
Volcanic valleys, cloud forest, and heartshaped waterfalls form part of a treasure trove of hikes exploring St. Helena’s striking natural beauty and fascinating history. With well-marked trails catering to all abilities, I particularly loved the surreal walk through a black lava landscape to Lot’s Wife’s Ponds and experiencing St Helena’s endemic biodiversity with a local guide in the cloud forests of Diana’s Peak.
Meeting St Helena’s oldest resident, Jonathan, is a must. He’s 190 years old. No, the Saints haven’t discovered an elixir to eternal youth because Jonathan is in fact a giant tortoise. He arrived on St. Helena in 1882 and has resided on the governor’s lawn ever since. He’s outlasted 30 British governors and you can visit him at Plantation House, an attractive Georgian mansion.
The new year is looking bright for Virgin Atlantic, as its long-term sustainable plan grows apace and more new, energy-efficient aircraft join its transatlantic fleet.
Sustainability remains at the heart of Virgin Atlantic’s plans and is most evident in its continued commitment to introduce new, cleaner aircraft across its fleet. Since 2019, Virgin Atlantic has introduced seven new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to its streamlined fleet of 38 twinengine aircraft. The B747-400s and A340-600s have been retired, so the fleet is transforming into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky.
Currently, thanks to Virgin’s multi-billion dollar investment in fleet transformation over the past
decade, 68% of its aircraft are next generation; by the beginning of 2027 this will increase to 100%. Virgin passengers can take heart that they’re flying in aircraft with the most efficient engines and state-ofthe-art technology designed to save fuel and reduce emissions.
The headline figure is, so far, a saving of 20% in fleet carbon emissions, with a further 10% reduction due over the next decade. For example, the A330-900 neos are 11% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300s they’re directly replacing. But not only that, they’re also 50% quieter at take-off and landing.
New aircraft, innovations and routes keep Virgin Atlantic on track to a sustainable future
Virgin Atlantic’s fuel efficient aircraft will be flying new routes in 2023, building on its expansion that started in 2022 with direct flights from London to Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida. Launching in 2023 are direct routes from London Heathrow to two of the world’s most idyllic holiday destinations, the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, and the Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbean Sea.
Both offer simply stunning beaches and some of the best snorkelling and diving among the finest coral reefs in the
world, along with a Utopian mix of relaxation and adventure and plenty of other watersports available too.
Both dreamy winter sun destinations, the three times a week direct service to the Maldives launches on 22 October 2023, and is available to book now; the direct Heathrow to the Turks and Caicos route starts on 15 November 2023, and goes on sale on 11 January.
Passengers will be flown on Virgin’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which have 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy Delight, Classic and Light seats.
To find out more and book your next trip, charitable.travel/visit virgin-atlantic
A visit to Cuenca, with its fascinating Hanging Houses, should be first on your list. The city also has some of the oldest examples of cave art in Spain and, as part of the over 700 examples found across the Mediterranean Iberian Basin, the rock art has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage protection.
A region of central Spain famous for its arts and crafts, it’s also home to the literary hero Don Quixote of La Mancha
The natural wealth of Castile La Mancha is undeniable. In stats, it’s two national parks, seven natural parks and six river reserves. Serrania de Cuenca Natural Park has majestic rock formations and trails through its 73,000 hectares, and one of the must-see places in this unique enclave is this, the source of the Cuervo river.
TOLEDO
Christians, Muslims and Jews lived side by side for centuries and left their mark in Toledo. Followers of the three religions have shaped Toledo into one of Spain’s most interesting cities and you’ll find a Gothic cathedral, a 10th century mosque and two synagogues in the space of a few metres.
How would you like to be able to visit the most famous giants of the Quixote? The giants in Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote story were, in reality, nothing more than beautiful white windmills. Some of the mills in Campo di Criptana date from the 16th century.
You don’t have to visit the Balearic Islands at the height of summer. Long-term fan of the islands Isabella Noble tells us why Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca are worth a visit at any time of year
On Ibiza’s south-west coast, a half-moon of stone-built fishing shacks overlook a glassy little bay tinged a seductive teal, surrounded by bottle-green pine trees that dot the gently sloping hillside. During the hot, busy summer months, ibicencos gather here for low-key picnic lunches and dips in the glittering turquoise sea, while visitors soak up the non-stop party scene on En Bossa beach just to the north. But this time, on a cool earlyspring evening, I have the place all to myself, with only the gentle Mediterranean breeze for company.
Strung just off Spain’s eastern shoreline, the four bewitching Balearic Islands have been one of Europe’s most-loved summer beach destinations for decades, and none of them more so than the sequin-clad party queen Ibiza. But there’s much more than sun, sand and clubs to discover here, with everything from relics of ancient civilisations to off-beat cliff-hugging hiking trails and a wonderfully rich regional food scene. For a taste of Ibiza’s go-slow side, skip the June-to-
September high season; January/ February temperatures can creep up to 15°C, and it’s often a pleasant 19°C in April and November.
All Ibiza adventures should start at magical Dalt Vila – the Unescolisted citadel founded by the Phoenicians in 654 BC and now encircled by 16th-century ramparts, at the core of the capital Ibiza Town.
While most of the stylish restaurants here close during winter, the quieter season is the perfect time to get a feel for the island’s long, layered history. Strolling the cobbled pedestrianised streets, you’ll spot washing dangling from
flung-open windows and discover the Catalan Gothic cathedral, the Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa (a reborn 18th-century building devoted to local art) and, just outside Dalt Vila’s walls, the major Phoenician-era Puig des Molins necropolis.
Then stop for a bite at Ca n’Alfredo (known for its classic Ibizan recipes such as ensalada pagesa – rustic salad with cod), inventive tapas spot La Barrita (boletus – or mushroom – croquettes, huevos rotos sobrasada – broken eggs with cured sausage) or creative health-food cafe Passion (with two branches open year-round).
Beyond the capital, explore timeworn whitewashed villages dripping with bougainvillea, where life ticks on no matter the season – buzzy Santa Gertrudis at the heart of the island, mellow east-coast Santa Eulària with its Roman-origin history, and secluded northern hubs like Sant Joan and Santa Agnès (with a string of deliciously remote coves on their doorstep). Head out hiking, cycling or horse-riding to drink in the dazzling Ibizan coastline at a more leisurely pace, perhaps on an expert-guided trip with Ibiza Outdoors, whose rewarding walking routes Beyond
Lively Palma de Mallorca is making a name for itself as one of Spain’s most irresistible anyseason-goes city breaks. It’s home to an astonishing waterside Gothic cathedral (in which Gaudí eventually played a part), a string of local-produce markets (start with the 1951-founded Mercat de l’Olivar) and unmissable art galleries, such as the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró (where the revamped Edificio Moneo recently reopened).
An ever-growing crop of tempting boutique stays includes Hotel Sant Francesc, a chicly converted 19th-century home neighbouring a church and square of the same name with a rooftop pool and bar. Or escape into the rugged Serra de Tramuntana hills, where the famous winter almond blossom is a rosetinged delight, and hiking and cycling routes meander between honey-walled villages like Deià, Valldemossa and Banyalbufar.
MENORCA Mellower than Ibiza and Mallorca, Menorca has been a Unesco Biosphere Reserve since 1993. Stay in the Britishinfluenced capital Maó and explore the crumbling forts, the buzzy fresh-produce market (with an array of tapas stalls) and the boundary-pushing Hauser & Wirth gallery set in the spectacular natural harbour. Or go for labyrinthine Ciutadella on the west coast; Menorca's former capital, its medieval streets encircle the old port. Other year-round Menorca highlights include mysterious prehistoric Talayotic monuments scattered across the rugged landscape, as well as hiking, cycling and horse-riding along the 185km-long Camí de Cavalls, which encircles the whole island.
the capital, explore timeworn whitewashed villages dripping with bougainvillea, where life ticks on no matter the seasonPALMA DE MALLORCA
include mysterious Atlantis on the south-west tip of the island and the protected Ses Salines salt flats. Or learn about Ibiza’s on-the-up wines (whose roots date back 2,500 years) with a visit to a local bodega such as Can Rich or Ibizkus, both respected family-owned wineries working with organic vines and ancient grape varieties.
Among a slowly growing number of Ibizan hotels now throwing their doors open year-round is the effortlessly chic The Standard Ibiza, which launched in 2022. This luxe adults-only address brings minimalist rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, dreamy rooftop pool and a packed events calendar to Ibiza Town’s lively Vara de Rey boulevard.
Just outside Sant Antoni, Hostal La Torre is an all-year boho-Balearic beauty known for its sunset DJ sessions, stylishly simple rooms and suites and waterfront restaurant.
Ibiza has grown into a tantalising gastronomic destination too, blending typical Balearic recipes and fresh island ingredients with world-roaming influences. The beach-chic chiringuitos (beach bars) might pack up outside summer, but most villages
have a year-round foodie buzz. Santa Gertrudis is a highlight, with its 18th-century yellow-trim church, a clutch of bohemian boutiques and always-open restaurants, such as plant-based haven Wild Beets and rustic-feel Bottega Il Buco (a New York offshoot).
There’s no escaping Ibiza’s beachy soul though, and Med-side dining is on the table even during off-season. Hidden away on the rust-red south coast, Sa Caleta is a traditional, family-owned seafood kitchen going strong since the 1980s and perfect for devouring local favourites such as bullit de peix (seafood and potato stew) and arròs a banda (rice with cuttlefish). It’s just a few steps from the Sa Caleta ruins, where the Phoenicians first landed on Ibiza –and the island’s story began over 2,000 years ago.
At home in the world’s most inspiring locations and hand-picked for their exceptional beauty, One&Only Resorts and Private Homes are havens of outstanding style and service that place you in the heart of every fascinating environment. With incredible tailored experiences and spectacular spaces to simply ‘be’, unforgettable moments begin here.
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Located in the heart of Boka Bay, framed by striking mountains and the Adriatic Sea, you can delve into the charms of storied streets and marvel at the fjord-like beauty surrounding our secluded coastal retreat. Within the resort lies Chenot Espace, a first-of-its-kind, worldleading wellness destination where you can embark on a more active, healthy, and balanced life. This journey to wellness is delivered based on the principles of the renowned Chenot Method®, the practical framework combining the latest scientific advances in Western medicine and diagnostics with the best in Chinese and alternative healing.
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Woven seamlessly into the diverse, dramatic vistas of one of Mexico’s last tropical beachfront rainforests at Riviera Nayarit, One&Only Mandarina blends the best of chic resort living, tropical relaxation and authentic outdoor adventure. Unwind in your spacious private sanctuary, set far from any other, where mountain and sea vistas are uninterrupted. Gaze at mesmerising sunsets from elegant cliff-top lounges as you taste authentic flavours of Mexico with a modern twist, or soak up the energy of buzzing beach clubs, sports grounds, and adventure hubs. And immerse yourself in the wilderness, exploring a myriad of nature trails and creatures of the deep.
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Gleaming in the vibrant heart of New Dubai and enveloped by a kilometre-long private beach and 65 acres of luxuriant gardens, One&Only Royal Mirage is a sanctuary of traditional splendour where indulgence and excitement gloriously combine. It offers a collection of exquisite dining options, tailored city experiences, authentic Hammam healing, and three distinct environments where couples and families can find their own slice of heaven. Overlooking Palm Island Bay, the resort is composed of three distinct environments – each flowing into the next to ignite the senses: The Palace; Arabian Court; and Residence & Spa.
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Crowning Dubai’s sandy archipelago is an elegant retreat sought by the world’s most discerning travellers –One&Only The Palm. Pristine sands lapped by azure waters inspire deep calm, while the glittering cityscape beckons beyond. Let the relaxing landscape rejuvenate and envelop you. Stroll along pathways scattered with intricate fountains and shimmering pools. Seek cool serenity in villa enclaves of modern Arabesque design. Linger on oversized daybeds, book in hand, as your gaze sweeps sand, sea and skyline or discover peace at the world-renowned Guerlain Spa. Tranquility is found, where time meets the magic of the desert and playfulness of the sea.
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Let your gaze sweep across one of the most diverse panoramas on earth. A natural amphitheatre edged by dramatic cliffs and crowned with the stark majesty of Table Mountain, Cape Town is the meeting point for the crystal clear seas of two great oceans and a uniquely vibrant, multicultural city. Set in the pulsing heart of the city at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, at One&Only Cape Town engage your palate at Ochre restaurant. It offers diners a contemporary interpretation of age-old South African recipes and the chance to explore Japanese dishes infused with Peruvian ingredients, as re-imagined by global fusion-master Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa at his only African restaurant.
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Holidays to the USA are big, bold and beautiful, and with a host of new events, openings and firm sporting favourites, 2023 looks set to continue that trend. Here is all you need to know for your next American getaway
Headline events don’t come much bigger than the NFL’s Super Bowl. The world’s most watched annual sporting showdown is now held on the second Sunday of February (12th), and in 2023 it’s the turn of the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to host the Super Bowl LVII. The half-time show always features performances by the biggest global stars – think Prince, Beyonce, McCartney, and this year, Rhianna – and full-on razzmatazz is the name of the game once the whistle blows. Another must? The tailgate parties outside the grounds before the game starts, where fans meet for food and drinks out the back of their cars.
A sneeze-and-you’ll-miss-it event, the Kentucky Derby is the ‘fastest two minutes in sport’ and is the longestrunning continuous sporting event in the USA. More than simply a horse race of three-year-old thoroughbreds, for the 155,00 regulars who attend it’s a weekend-long celebration full of parties in ballrooms, mansions
and bars. Running since 1875, it’s always held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky – it’s on 6th May in 2023.
In what could be golf’s most taxing major of 2023, the US Open Championship is taking place on one of the country’s toughest courses, Los Angeles Country Club, from 12-18th June. Staged over four days, the final day coincides with Father’s Day in the States (and the UK), and taking to the green will be the world’s best 156 golfers – the top 60 make the cut for the last day of play.
Lastly on the big ticket sporting events is baseball, America’s national pastime. Major League Baseball’s season runs from April to October so it’s worth checking for local games taking place if you’re visiting over the summer. A highlight is the Seattle Mariners’ T-Mobile Park, where you can enjoy extraordinary views of Seattle’s skyline from the stadium and it’s said there’s not a bad seat in the house. The hot ticket? The AllStar Game, taking place on 11th July.
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Musical lovers, rejoice – there’s a new place to call home in New York. The Museum of Broadway opened at the end of 2022 and is a celebration of Broadway’s finest productions and performers over the years. Taking a behind-thescenes look into the creation of the magic on stage, expect to find as much heart and soul poured into the exhibitions as there has been in the shows.
Staying in New York, the UK’s White Cube art gallery (of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin fame) is celebrating its 30th anniversary by opening a New York outpost. To be found at 1002 Madison Avenue, between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim in the Upper East Side Historic District, the new space will take up three stories in a former 1930s bank and has both public galleries and private viewing areas.
Down in Florida meanwhile, ReefLine, a seven-mile long underwater public sculpture park,
snorkel trail and artificial reef is due to open off the coast of Miami Beach (pictured, right) in early 2023. The structure will provide a critical habitat for endangered reef organisms, promoting biodiversity and enhancing coastal resilience, while art installations will mingle with the reef and marine wildlife.
In Mobile, Alabama, the Africatown Heritage House is due to open in spring 2023. It will share the experience of the journey to and from Africa on board Clotilda, bringing life to the 110 captives and showing artifacts of the burned and sunken shipwreck; Clotilda was the last slave ship to come to Alabama in 1860, more than half a century after the slave trade was officially abolished.
Lastly, in Washington D.C., women are returning to centre stage at the National Museum of Women in Arts (NMWA) when the museum reopens its doors after a $67m renovation.
The world’s first major museum solely dedicated to championing women artists, the renovation will reveal expanded exhibition spaces, improved accessibility for visitors and re-envisioned public programming areas, all helping to champion women’s great contributions to the history of art, past and present.
One of the biggest hotel openings in 2023 is the Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef in the US Virgin Islands. Set above the sparkling water of the Caribbean Sea, it’ll have 392 rooms (including 28 suites), two ballrooms, six restaurants and three ocean-view pools, plus a Heavenly Spa by Westin. But what’s most appealing is the hotel’s private catamaran, the Flying Frenchman, which guests can book to explore the islands, and take snorkelling trips and sunset sails.
Austin-based independent hospitality company the Bunkhouse Group is opening its
10th hotel in 2023 – and its first in Kentucky. Hotel Genevieve is in Louisville’s NuLu neighbourhood, and the hotel’s style is rooted in the city’s history and culture. Promising a friendly, trendy interior and 122 rooms, the focal point will be its Parisian-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar.
Boston, Massachusetts, is the location for the first mixed-use Raffles property in North America. It’ll combine 147 traditional guest bedrooms with private suites, one- to three-bedroom homes and exclusive penthouses that will have full access to the hotel services. Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences will have it all
– Raffles Butler service, Raffles Spa (with a 20-metre indoor pool), five restaurants and a luxurious rooftop garden terrace and lounge.
The first Ritz-Carlton to be built in North America in over a decade is opening in Scottsdale, Arizona, and aims to be the ultimate luxury desert retreat. The 215-room, 20-acre Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley resort is set between the breathtaking Camelback and Mummy Mountain vistas and the hotel will reflect its desert surroundings, with bedrooms featuring traditional casita stylings, the spa offering treatments inspired by Arizonian deserts, and the huge main swimming pool creating the perfect oasis escape.
The first Ritz-Carlton to be built in North America in over a decade is opening in Scottsdale, Arizona, and aims to be the ultimate luxury desert retreatRITZ CARLTON, ARIZONA
koob n o w withcharitable.traveHOTEL GENEVIEVE Rohe WESTIN BEACH RESORT & SPA AT FRENCHMAN’S REEF
A typical day means anything from extricating an annoyed 11ft-long Indian Rock python snake from a bus parked on a busy street in south Delhi to helping to manoeuvre five-ton elephants on to our elephant ambulance for the all-night journey to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. At other times I might be posing as a decoy to help gather intelligence on illegal wildlife traffickers and then working with the police to bust poaching gangs.
My fellow co-founder Geeta Seshamani and I created Wildlife SOS in 1995; at this time, we were the only experts in the National Capital Region who could aid in wildlife rescues. We started receiving calls from the public, police and the Forest Department to assist with the rescue of wild animals, birds and reptiles so we had no choice but to start operating a wildlife hotline out of Geeta’s small garage in South Delhi. Our goals were simple – to help wild animals in distress and to help spread awareness, while building compassion and kindness to nurture the co-existence of people with nature and wildlife.
We make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and biodiversity. charitable.travel/wildlife-sos
Today, the organisation actively protects India’s precious wildlife, conserves habitats, studies biodiversity, conducts wildlife research, and creates alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile communities dependent on wildlife for sustenance and converts poachers into protectors.
Wildlife SOS is the largest wildlife rescue organisation in India and runs over 12 wildlife rescue & rehabilitation centres across India.
When I’m not helping rescue leopards from school cafeterias or rat snakes from banks, I oversee conservation projects, anti-poaching operations, fire-fighting issues, and day-to-day operations of various rescue centres.
My favourite days are those when I am working at one of our rescue centres. I’ll check in on how, for example, the resident elephants are getting on, and meet with our
veterinary team to analyse individual treatment strategies. It’s extremely fulfilling to watch the animals go about their daily lives and these moments leave me smiling ear to ear.
Is having to witness senseless acts of brutality and cruelty unleashed by merciless humans on innocent and voiceless animals. No matter how many years I’ve worked in this field, I still find it very distressing to learn about a rhinoceros hacked to death by poachers for its horn or an elephant killed for its ivory. Humans easily forget that our very existence is intrinsically linked to animals and without them, our lives would be over.
Was when we carried out a very challenging elephant rescue operation to save Raju, who’d spent decades being forced to beg on the streets. He was forced to wear spiked chains that would leave deep pus-filled wounds in his legs, and it was a very emotional moment when we were finally able to remove those heavy chains.
We reached the summit of Kilimanjaro as the sun was coming up and at that moment nothing else mattered. It simply felt incredible and the emotions were totally overwhelming – there were a lot of tears from all 15 of us!
Thanks to Covid delaying our plans, this moment had been more than two years in the making. At times, I’d thought we’d never make it, and that was before we arrived in Tanzania to biblical rain on day one. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895m and it takes five and a half days to climb, but only a day and a half to get back down, and that’s one reason why it’s so challenging.
To acclimatise on the way up, we had to walk at a pace of about one kilometre an hour – that’s slower than the shuffle people do around Ikea. And it’s really hard to walk that slowly for eight to 12 hours a day. Simply putting one foot in front of the other becomes a huge challenge. But if we walked any quicker we wouldn’t have made it to the top because the altitude would have knocked us out.
The metaphor of slowing down and simply focusing on the next step wasn’t lost on me or any of the others.
I’d organised the challenge on behalf of Ben, the support service charity for people who work in the automotive industry, and in the team were motor industry leaders and senior managers in the design, retail and manufacturing sectors, aged from mid 30s to mid 60s. For all 15 of us the act of slowing down to achieve our collective goal was a lesson in itself.
I wanted to do the challenge because I didn’t just want to sign people up for the climb then watch from the sidelines. There’s a lot going on in my family at the moment – my mum has Parkinson’s and I support my in-laws who have dementia and live with us – so it was important to me that I did something for myself. And now I’ve done it I think I’m invincible!
The obvious highlight was reaching the summit, but every day had its high points as we formed a tight-knit bond sharing jokes and encouragement, appreciated the sunrise every day, and metaphorically and physically
helped each other climb the rocks in our path. We all realised we couldn’t have done this alone, and that’s something we’ll all be taking with us from Kilimanjaro. The climb gave us time to appreciate the challenges our colleagues face, and to face our own mental battles too.
We’d been able to see the peak of Kilimanjaro since day two and at times it felt like we’d never reach the top. But the one thing that spurred us on was the fact that if we reached the top, and we reached our fundraising goal of £300,000, that’s enough money to fund our industry helpline for a whole year. That helpline is the first point of call for 13-odd thousand families a year, and for us to raise enough money to ensure that every single call gets answered, and everybody who needs help when they’re struggling or in crisis, felt incredible.
Lonely Planet’s newest guidebook is right up our street. Called Offbeat, it reveals the top 100 places to visit if you’re a fan of discovering the under the radar alternatives to some of the world’s busiest places.
Not only does it give plenty of inspiration for future trips, it reminds us that by visiting these quieter places, we can make a real difference to the local communities too.
And just because they’re offbeat, doesn’t mean they’re hard to reach – many of them are easier to access than you might think.
Split into continents, Offbeat includes everything you need to avoid the crowds, from practical travel information to one-of-a-kind crowd-free experiences and unique insights from local voices.
We’ve already added many of these destinations to our travel wish-list, and our highlights to visit include adventuring through the Lost Sierra in California, urban exploration through the canal city of Delft, and lapping up Ericeira’s beaches in Portugal. And instead of booking that standard city break to Paris, Madrid, or Tallinn, we’re opting for the alternatives of Lyon, Caceres and Tartu respectively.
Lonely Planet’s Offbeat is out now in hardback for £24.99, available where all good books are sold.
“Climate change started here in Bridgetown,” says Mahmood Patel, who traces the existential threat back to the development of sugar cane plantations on the island by British settlers.
The plantations took over from the natural vegetation on the island.
At Coco Hill rainforest, its owner Mahmood is trying to reverse this trend, growing trees and grasses that are native to the island.
Essentially this is a 22-hectare food forest, and a wonderful example of the positive role regenerative tourism can play.
In the eight years since he acquired the land Mahmood has planted 80 types of fruit trees, as well as bamboo, bananas, ginger, turmeric and, naturally, coconut, including seedlings of species that used to be endemic or were brought in during the colonial period and have since disappeared.
Coco Hills has three trails, including one that leads through an ancient tract of forest, with the most incredible 100-foot high Royal Palms found in an area Mahmood has
dubbed The Cathedral.
“The tourist profile of Barbados is changing and it needs to change,” he says. Mahmood is not alone in this belief.
The following day I head for WIRRED (Walker Institute for Regenerative Research Education and Design). Until recently the area used to be a sand mine but seven years ago owners Ian and Julie McNeel decided that instead of landfilling they would create a nature reserve, giving back to nature what they had taken away.
The Sand Hole, as locals call it, is open to the public with walking and driving tours, as well as school visits. It contains 134 species of trees as well as its own nursery.
Just like Coco Hill and Walkers Reserve, PEG Farm is a relatively new experience, established by Paul Bourne a little over nine years ago.
He first shows us his medicinal garden before leading us to the area where the chickens, turkeys, cows and pigs freely roam.
Paul also leases land to local farmers, hoping they will follow him in implementing the practices of
biodynamic farming.
“This isn’t going to happen with me alone,” he says. “There is so much room for improvement. I want to see food growing in Barbados, man.”
Like Mahmood, he feels that sustainable tourism is the future for Barbados. “There is more and more awareness of these issues.”
On my final day I visit Welchman Hall Gully, a tract of secondary tropical forest that has been leased and preserved by Debra Branker for the past 16 years.
The star attraction for most is seeing the two troupes of Barbados Green Monkeys that live and feed in the gully – I was fortunate enough to time my visit for feeding time.
“The kids that come here fall in love with nature and they want to protect it as adults,” Debra says, positive about the future of sustainable tourism in Barbados.
charitable.travel/travel-beginsat-40
Latin American is no stranger to sustainable tourism and as part of our mission to highlight the positive impact tourism can bring we collaborate with some of the finest hotels in the region. When done well, tourism is one of the best-placed sectors to drive positive change by supporting local economies and funding the conservation of key landscapes and species.
So here is our edit of luxury hotels in Latin America. These are the places who are playing their part in minimising their impact and/or are actively involved in regeneration and supporting their local communities. We highly recommend visiting them
An eco outpost set in a quiet fisherman’s village on the eastern coast of Uruguay, Posada Ayana was built using mostly local materials and is furnished and decorated with pieces from local carpenters, artists and blacksmiths.
But the highlight is artist James Turrell’s Skyspace installation, Ta Khut, meaning ‘The Light’, in the hotel’s grounds. Using the rising sun it celebrates light at play, and the surrounding parkland has been filled with more than 15,000 indigenous plants. All the Skyspace profits are used to support local artists, particularly women, and the hotel partners with two Uruguayan community organisations, which guests can get involved with if they wish.
Sol Y Luna is spread over 25 acres of gardens in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains. Hummingbirds and butterflies flutter around while guests stay in cosy casita houses made of local stone and eat food based on locavore principles –the hotel works closely with local farmers to serve the exceptional flavours of the Sacred Valley. Profits from the hotel finance the Sol y Luna Association, which helps educate the children of the Sacred Valley and sustainable work opportunities for local families.
Set in the 14,800-acre Ibitipoca National Park in the south-east of Brazil, Ibiti is an environmental project rather than a hotel resort. Home to a community of 20 residents, day-to-day operations are inspired by the idea of the GNH (gross national happiness) index. Guest accommodation is spread across three locations: the private, eight-room Engenho Lodge (pictured); The Village, with restored villagers’ houses; and the isolated Remote. Organised activities around the reserve include hiking trips (don’t miss the dozens of waterfalls), horse riding, cycling and yoga, plus farm-to-table gastronomy.
Located on a private peninsula on Lake Titicaca, Titilaka provides guests with unmatched solitude. Each morning stunning sunrises greet guests, as day breaks over South America’s largest lake, and fiery sunsets are an evening tradition, with campfire nibbles, soulwarming beverages, and local folk legends. Titilaka keeps a low carbon footprint. The three-storey lodge and its 18 lake-view rooms use hydroelectric power and natural gas, and the hotel’s social commitment is to support the sustainable economic development of the villages around the lodge.
Surrounded by vineyards and endless views of the Andes Mountains, Casa de Uco sits on 320 hectares of fertile land in the heart of Argentina’s Mendoza province. The foundation of the resort is the underground wine cellar, while above are the natural, minimalist wine bar, award-winning restaurant, living room with wood-fire chimney, and outdoor terraces, all with views of the mountains and vineyards. And in an attempt to combat deforestation, for every reservation that’s made at the resort, the owners donate 10msq of native forest in the Misiones jungle.
At the gateway to Patagonia, in the picturesque Araucanía region of Chile’s Lake District, is Vira Vira. Surrounded by everything from glacial lakes and snow-tipped volcanoes to rainforests and ancient monkey trees, the Vira Vira estate and organic farm runs along the River Pucon O Minetue, with forest all around. The beautiful wooden lodge is the base for a range of activities and experiences, hosted by expert and engaging guides, and the hotel staff love to introduce their guests to local uplifting projects, including conservation lessons and reforestation sessions.
Whether you’re dreaming of a silky beach on a private island, a stylish hotel in a vibrant city or a jungle trek to spy exotic wildlife, Charitable Travel Luxury will help you plan your ideal holiday and donate 5% of the price to a UK charity of your choice at no extra cost. Wherever it is, a luxury holiday always centres on discovering unique destinations and enjoying authentic experiences. With over 25 years’ experience in luxury travel and Charitable Travel’s #TravelForGood ethos at heart, our expert Lizzi is waiting to craft a trip that is your kind of luxury.
Paying heed to the ecosensitivities of its remote location, Pikaia Lodge blends exceptional comfort and services with environmentally conscious design, giving adventurous travellers close contact with the unique wonders of the Galapagos. Much of the hotel’s food is sourced from the local El Cascajo community and the hotel promotes to guests activities owned and run by village residents, including visits to lava tunnels, craters and wildlife refuges.
Explora’s Lodge, in the Torres del Paine National Park, has been welcoming guests to the incredibly diverse Patagonia for over 20 years. Encouraged to do so with a light touch, explorers can visit the region’s rich ecosystems, including the Magellan forest, pre-Andean scrubs, steppes, and Patagonian deserts. Special for many reasons, Explora’s location means you can see both the Paine Horns and the Sierra Baguales, two of Patagonia’s most distinct landscapes.
Built on stilts among lush rainforests, the Awasi lodge has 14 villas, each with their own pool and plenty of privacy among the wildlife, but centred around the main lodge with an outstanding restaurant. Twenty minutes from Iguazu Falls, amid impressive natural scenery, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the very best of the Misiones Province and the Awasi rainforest, with its 400 species of birds, orchids, ferns and Capuchin monkeys. The hotel is carbon neutral, and helps fund local organisations that protect this rich ecosystem.
From an ongoing sea turtle preservation project to promoting sustainable agriculture, Txai Itacaré does its best to be at one with its 227 acres of land within the Itacaré-Serra Grande Environmental Protection Area. Found at the edge of the Atlantic Forest, the resort and its bungalows, built from wood and natural materials, nestle among the trees and spill on to the Itacarezinho beach – on stilts – with sweeping ocean views. Expect coconut palms, white sand and warm blue ocean year round.
Girl About Travel’s Blog Squad of local experts have compiled this collection of weekend break itineraries to inspire you to explore three of the UK’s greatest cities. This issue, the focus is girly weekends away, so we’re talking lots of shopping, spa treatments, and eating and drinking –basically anything that’s fun with a group of friends!
Free to join, this all-female club empowers to dream, plan and book incredible holidays. by travel experts, the Club is a network sharing unbiased advice, travel guides, discounts. Charitable Travel is the official of Girl About Travel, meaning members book holidays via the club and give to their favourite charity. charitable.travel/ girl-about
Liverpool is fun, friendly and fabulous – just as all the best girly weekends should be! The city’s iconic skyline makes the ideal backdrop to a weekend here and is the focal point for all the great shopping (visit Liverpool ONE), amazing places to eat and drink and welcoming places to stay. Easily accessed from across the UK, and quick to navigate once you’re here, I can’t recommend Liverpool enough for a weekend away with good friends.
Liverpool has a huge range of apartments and hotels to stay in that are ideal for large groups, and pick of the bunch is 44 Renshaw Street. A collection of gorgeously renovated apartments, they sleep up to eight and have shared access to a rooftop terrace – the perfect spot for drinks and photos with the city skyline as your backdrop. An extra bonus, 44 Renshaw is just over a five-minute walk from Pins Social Club, for cocktails, pizza and bowling to kick off your weekend.
A weekend with friends involves lots of dinner, drinks and dancing and Bold Street, two minutes from 44 Renshaw, is a hot-spot. However my pick is the beautiful Florist, on Hardman Street – it’s decorated with floral walls and blossom trees and is girly heaven. Next I’d head to Mason’s for more cocktails and live music most nights, with singers, dancers and sax players, or for a bingo night like no other at Bongos Bingo at Content. It’s a lot of fun!
If you want to treat yourself, book a slot at the beauty bazaar in Liverpool ONE – there’s a wide range of treatments available, so get your hair and make up done as well as a pedicure and manicure. For some spa time, head to 30 St James Street. This gorgeous hotel has an impeccable spa and it’s only £15 for three hours access at the weekend.
Club empowers women holidays. Run of women offers and official partner members can money
Big, bold and beautiful, Birmingham makes for a wonderful girls weekend getaway and its bright city lights are the perfect backdrop to every celebration. New restaurants and bars spring up all the time, and Birmingham has plenty of cosy corners to chat in and luxurious spas to relax in, as well as high street gems, sassy boutiques and vintage markets, so pack your bags and come and explore.
If you’re here with a group of friends, I’d book at least one of these activities: a kayak or SUP tour on Birmingham’s canals starting from the fascinating Roundhouse; captain an eco Go Boat, seating up to eight, and bring your own food and drinks as you power through the historic canals; indulge in a trufflemaking workshop and chocolate tasking with Creative Chocolates; or book a personal shopping session at Selfridges in the Bullring.
A beautiful historic city, Chester has the most complete city walls in the UK, the world’s oldest racecourse and the largest Roman amphitheatre. But among all those old stones is a vibrant city, buzzing with new hotels, enticing restaurants and lots of good shopping opportunities. Plus, thanks to its small but perfectly formed size, it’s easy to navigate on foot.
Brimming with a rich history and packed with heritage buildings, start your city break in Chester with a walk along its raised Roman Walls. A brilliant way to get your bearings, the walls offer a bird’s eye view of many of the city’s famous sites. Take in the River Dee, Chester Castle, the Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral and Chester Racecourse – it’s well worth taking a guided audio tour to learn more, available to book at the Tourist Information Centre.
Brunch is a big deal in Birmingham, and Dishoom is top of the list. Inspired by old Bombay, it’s Instagram gold and the sweet uttapam stack is a must. Other favourites include JuJu’s cafe (its Porky Hash is legendary, and there’s an equally good vegan option available too), the Medicine Bakery in the Mailbox, and York’s Cafe at the Ikon Gallery.
I’m a big fan of booking a private dining area with a group of girlfriends so we can hear ourselves chat, but still be part of the action. Tattu, Gaucho and the Ivy all have good options in the city centre, or venture out to vibrant Moseley and the Michelin-recommended Chakhana. Set in a beautiful old bank, its Vault private dining room gives a glamorous nod to its past.
To read the full 48-hour itineraries for ManchesterBrighton,and Durham, head to the Girl About Travel website.
No visit to Chester is complete without afternoon tea, and you’re spoilt for choice in the city. I love to combine afternoon tea with a spa and pampering session, which is possible at several of Chester’s beautiful hotels, including the Chester Grosvenor, Carden Park and the Grosvenor Pulford. For afternoon tea with a difference, book a table at Chester Zoo and spend the day discovering its 500 species and stylishly landscaped gardens too.
Chester is the place to shop until you drop and for a great selection of independent boutiques, head to Chester Rows, the distinctive half-timbered double-decker walkways that are unique to Chester. Among them, Suzie K’s is one of my favourites – filled with trinkets and treasures, it has a hidden courtyard cafe where I love to grab a quiet coffee and take five.
It’s a social enterprise that supports homeless people and refugees move into stable jobs and homes for the long term. We do this through our crowdfunding platform, where we remove the financial barriers standing in people’s way. We’re also giving people the skills to sustainably support themselves, and our team of caseworkers help people with digital skills, CV writing, applying for jobs and navigating the housing rental market.
Five years ago, I got to know a homeless man outside my local Tube station in North London. I’d buy him cups of coffee and pairs of socks when it was getting cold. At one point, he disappeared for weeks on end. When he reappeared, he looked years older; he told me he’d had a heart attack and had just come out of hospital. For all the well-meaning gestures from myself
and no doubt others, he was in a worse position than ever.
So I began to ask myself what it would take to make a lasting difference to this man’s life. He had been out of work for years. For me, the answer lay in empowering him with the skills, confidence and support needed to sustainably look after himself. Of course, that would cost far more than coffees or socks – but what if everyone chipped in?
That’s when the idea of ‘crowdfunding’ employment training for homeless people was born. Over the following months, I co-developed the model working with homeless people and charities, and launched Beam in October 2017.
Homeless people are referred to Beam by the more than 50 charities and local councils that we partner with. We have a team of caseworkers that helps each person create an employment or housing plan around
their unique goals and aspirations. We then prepare a fundraising page on our website to cover the cost of them moving into a stable job or home. Members of the public donate towards training, work tools, childcare costs and rental deposits, and receive feel-good updates on the people they’ve helped. We then match our beneficiaries with socially-conscious landlords and ethical employer partners.
Over the past five years, we’ve supported more than 1,200 homeless people into jobs and homes across the UK. We’ve also raised more than £3.6m in donations, 100% of which removes the exact financial barriers facing each person. This led to us winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for promoting opportunity through social mobility in 2021. But this is only the beginning – we have big ambitions to support thousands
Alex Stephany, founder of Beam, tells how they use crowdfunding to make a difference to the lives of homeless people and refugees
more people and change lives all around the world.
So few entrepreneurs are building technology to support the most disadvantaged people in our society, despite the rising cost of living and increased isolation and mental health problems. Take Silicon Valley – home to some of the most innovative tech start-ups in the world yet few build solutions to tackle the problems on their doorstep, especially homelessness. I hope that Beam can pave the way for more Tech for Good businesses.
Beam’s impact is best told through the countless stories of the people we support, like 33-yearold Henrietta. When Henrietta was referred to Beam last year, she was living in a small room in a women’s refuge with her two children after escaping an abusive relationship. She told us she wanted to get back into work to become financially stable and provide a safe environment for her children.
A passionate cook, Henrietta raised £2,354 through Beam to fund her Food Safety & Hygiene and Food Allergies certificates, childcare, travel, work clothes and a laptop. She then landed a job as a nursery
chef and was supported by her local council into stable housing. Henrietta is just one example of how Beam is changing lives.
One of our challenges is awareness; just a fraction of the people who care about homelessness have heard of Beam and still only 3,000 people each month support homeless people through Beam. If you’re reading this and want to make a tangible, long-lasting impact on the lives of homeless people and refugees, head to our website and read the incredible stories of people turning their lives around: beam.org
A social enterprise is an unusual type of business that’s focused on
social impact. We focus on ‘social metrics’ rather than financial metrics. In Beam’s case, that’s the number of people who we support into stable jobs and homes. We get paid by government to support people to achieve these outcomes at levels well below what the cost to the taxpayer would be if they remained welfare dependent. The more people we help, the more we grow as a business. That keeps us laser-focused on providing the highest quality service to the greatest number of people. We are proud to be a social enterprise and believe that the business world has huge untapped potential to solve problems at scale and do good in the world.
We’ve recently expanded Beam’s service to support Afghan and Ukrainian refugees into stable jobs and housing. As we grow, our goal is to support many more disadvantaged groups – from prison leavers to people with disabilities – who face similar barriers. We’ve also had a lot of requests to take Beam overseas, and are currently looking for someone to help grow Beam outside the UK.
Find out how you can help someone turn their life around for good by donating directly to a homeless person or refugee. beam.org
