Distinctive Americas & Distinctive Africa

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Distinctive Americas & Distinctive Africa

Distinctive Americas & Distinctive Africa Bespoke trips to Latin America, Africa & Antarctica, crafted by experts.

31/01/2025

*** FEEDBACK FRIDAY ***

Another Friday and more fantastic feedback from some very happy clients. Send us some of that Indian Ocean sunshine soon!

"Our stay at La Pirogue in Flic en Flac on Mauritius’ west coast was the most relaxing holiday we’ve ever experienced. Distinctive ensured we were well looked after and Mauritius is truly a paradise.

Beautiful landscapes and natural wonders, warm hearted people, great food and the most incredible beaches. La Pirogue has high standards and excellent staff coupled with authentic warmth and a sense of history, being the oldest resort on the west coast.

Thanks to the team at Distinctive Africa!"

Liz & Rich - Mauritius, Nov 2024

17/01/2025

*** FEEDBACK FRIDAY ***

Some fabulous feedback & photos from a family adventure booked with us through the ever intrepid & supportive Nomadic Travel in Exeter. From the Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca, from the Amazon to the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Crawford family covered a lot of ground...most of it uphill! They probably needed another holiday afterwards to recover!

“We had a wonderful time in South America - many thanks to all involved at Nomadic Travel & Distinctive Americas for putting together a fantastic itinerary and looking after us so well.

We all came home with favourite moments - the kids loved the rainforest, that was a real highlight for them. I thought the views were spectacular, still can't get over the salt flats and simply loved La Paz. The Inca trail was incredible and Huayna Picchu was tremendous - a highlight of the trip (not for anyone with vertigo)!"

The Crawford Family - Peru & Bolivia, July 2024

15/01/2025

*** LUXURY IN COSTA RICA'S SENSATIONAL SARAPIQUI ***

El Lugar, nestled in Costa Rica's lush Sarapiquí region, is a stunning new eco-luxury retreat surrounded by rainforests, rivers, and wildlife. This sustainable property boasts farm-to-table dining, and activities like hiking, bird-watching, and river adventures.

The Sarapiquí area is rich in biodiversity, stunning landscapes and opportunities for cultural immersion. Perfect for nature lovers, El Lugar is an exciting new option in this pristine tropical paradise.

07/01/2025

*** HILARY WINS AITO 2024 SHINING STAR AWARD! ***

This weekend's AITO Kickstart conference confirmed what we've known for years - Hilary is an absolute star! We were incredibly proud and delighted when she won AITO's prestigious "Individual Tour Operator Shining Star" award, as voted for by AITO's Travel Agent members.

Even though Hilary was unable to attend, the announcement got one of the biggest cheers of the night when Daniel went up to collect it. Huge thanks to all our travel agent partners who voted for Hilary - it's fantastic to see her dedication and professionalism get the recognition she deserves. Nothing is ever too much trouble for her, and she does it with a smile on her face day in, day out!

We've now been nominated for this award four times and won it twice, which is a brilliant achievement for a small operator. Hopefully this reflects how much we love working with agents...and vice versa!

Hilary's award was the icing on the cake at another cracking Kickstart full of the usual AITO family fun & games! Daniel & Rod were banging the gong for Distinctive this year (literally!) and ran some pre-Dinner games where the Agents triumphed over the Operators in convincing fashion! We also sponsored the Silent Disco once again with able assistance from superstar DJs Sam & Shan!

The late night snow capped off an entertaining evening and the sight of Rod bravely pushing his trolley through the snow like Captain Scott will live with us all for a long time!

See you at Kickstart 2026 to make some new memories!

02/01/2025

*** WINDOW WOW FACTOR! ***

Hola & Happy 2025 everyone. Our New Year's resolution is to spread the colourful sprit of Latin America to agency windows up and down the country! So if you'd like some Window Wow factor of your own please get in touch.

See the full story here.
https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tourism/travel-agencys-standout-window-display-is-talking-point-with-locals

23/12/2024

*** DISTINCTIVE DOES DEVON! ***

Last weekend we headed down to our Devon HQ for our long awaited Christmas party. The sun smiled on us during an action packed weekend filled with cold sea swims, a warm gong bath, a bracing coastal walk, a slap-up dinner, a late night lock-in and a beach sauna - all washed down with lashings of mulled cider. A week later and we've just about recovered!

Huge thanks to all our clients, partners & suppliers for your support in 2024. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to doing it all over again in 2025!

FESTIVE OPENING HOURS
Mon 23 Dec: 09:00 - 17:30
Tue 24 Dec: 09:00 - 13:00
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
Fri 27 Dec: 09:00 - 16:00

Mon 30 Dec: 09:00 - 17:30
Tue 31 Dec: 09:00 - 13:00
New Year's Day: CLOSED
Thu 02 Dec onwards: 09:00 - 17:30

12/12/2024

*** A GRAPE TIME WAS HAD BY ALL! ***

Daniel took a trip down memory lane last night as he headed to Chipstead in Surrey to host the final AITO Dinner of the season at The Grape Variety. Being a proud Croydon native (someone has to be!) it was great to be back on home turf.

Everyone was very well looked after by staff Adrian & Sophia during tutored tastings of fine wines, cheese & charcuterie - that's how they roll in Surrey on a Wednesday night!

And in between the agents heard the operators' latest updates, as well as the alarming fact that Banstead is officially the 50th most dangerous town in Surrey! Luckily everyone survived the evening unscathed and those wise enough to take a taxi back definitely tasted more wine than cheese!

Thanks to all the operators who supported the event and made it happen - Discover Ltd, Magari Tours, Ramble Worldwide, Prestige Travel & Transindus. And of course to the hard working/slurping agents that gave up their time to come along Berry Travel, Designer Travel, Greenstar Travel, Reigate Travel and our guest from Swords Travel.

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and see you back out on the AITO Dinner trail in Spring.

11/12/2024

*** NEW LOOK WOLWEDANS DESERT LODGE ***

After a makeover, Wolwedans Desert Lodge reopened in May 2024, and each of the ten spacious tented rooms now offer plunge pools and luxurious outdoor showers. The lodge reflects the ambience of a tented camp but provides the comfort and protection of a permanent building and invites guests to embrace the tranquillity of Namibia’s vast landscapes.

Located in Namibia's NamibRand Nature Reserve, Wolwedans offer a range of eco-friendly luxury lodges amid stunning desert landscapes.

28/11/2024

*** VALLEY OF THE LEOPARD ***

Looking for leopard? Located in Zambia's wildlife rich South Luangwa, the boutique, independent eco-friendly Chikunto Safari Lodge boasts five tented suites and exceptional game-viewing. The property overlooks the meandering Luangwa River on a picturesque bend and is an ideal location for an authentic wilderness safari.

Known as the 'Valley of the Leopard', South Luangwa park boasts an incredibly high density of these elusive cats. Leopards thrive in its diverse habitats, ranging from dense woodlands to open plains, and the Luangwa River provides ample prey and cover for them. Night game drives, permitted in South Luangwa, further enhance the chances of spotting leopards.

21/11/2024

*** FEEDBACK THURSDAY ***

"I can understand why they call Costa Rica the happiest place on earth! The people are so friendly, and the country is just full of beauty everywhere you look. My highlight was the Osa Peninsula, it’s a must for anyone that wants to reconnect with nature and well worth the journey!"

Tracy - Nov 2024

13/11/2024

*** MEET THE REAL PADDINGTON BEAR ***

Paddington Bear is back on the big screen and is returning to his roots in South America.

Ecuador’s Maquipucuna Reserve & Ecolodge has long been dedicated to conserving these endangered bears. Nestled within Ecuador’s Chocó Andino bio-region, Maquipucuna spans over 14,000 acres and ranks among the world’s top biodiversity hotspots.

This unique reserve is home to a diverse ecosystem and is one of the best places to spot Andean bears in the wild. The bears come to feast on wild avocados and enjoy the lush surroundings, especially when fruit trees are in season. Just two hours from Quito, Maquipucuna offers visitors 40km of pristine trails, waterfalls, and guided night walks.

04/11/2024

*** SUNDAY SERVICE ***

There was a rare sighting of Distinctive’s legendary founder Steve in Shrewsbury on Sunday, where he was flying the flag for us at the Peake’s Travel Elite Travel Showcase. Even after 18 years at the helm Steve proved that he still hasn’t lost his voracious appetite for sales…or Freddos!

And being an enthusiast of long motorway drives, the 4.5 hour return journey to our Devon HQ rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable day for Steve. So much so that he’s keen to dust off his best blazer and hit some more shows next year. So Steve-Spotters keep your eyes peeled in 2025!

01/11/2024

*** THE PINK LADY TURNS 125 ***

The Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, a grand icon in Cape Town, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, marking over a century of luxury, heritage, and hospitality.

Known for its pink exterior, famously painted in 1918 to celebrate the end of World War I, the Mount Nelson has been a beloved landmark since it first opened its doors in 1899. Originally designed to offer comfort and opulence to travelers arriving by sea, it was Cape Town's first hotel with running hot and cold water and electric lights, embodying innovation and sophistication.

Over the years, 'The Nellie', as it's affectionately known, has hosted an impressive list of guests, including Winston Churchill, John Lennon, and Nelson Mandela, each adding to its rich tapestry of stories. Beyond its historical charm, the Mount Nelson boasts an idyllic setting at the foot of Table Mountain, offering serene gardens, elegant suites, and world-class dining.

The anniversary celebration reminds visitors and locals alike that the Mount Nelson is not just a hotel - it's a piece of Cape Town's soul.

31/10/2024

*** MURRAY TRAVEL IN MINT CONDITION! ***

Daniel ticked another item off his bucket list this week when he took the Caledonian Sleeper train up to Inverness to host the bespoke AITO Dinner for Murray Travel at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

It was a convivial evening of education & conversation as the operators shared their latest updates and we all learned - amongst other things - that Pakistan is the world's second largest producer of bagpipes and that Minger is a Scottish cheese and not an insult!

Whilst in the area Daniel visited all 4 branches of Murray Travel and was mightily impressed by their cool contemporary decor and friendly knowledgeable staff. Not to mention finding kindred spirits in Scott Murray & Ross Sharratt who share his passion for autumnal jumpers!

Thanks to everyone at Murray for making us all feel so welcome, to the operators for sponsoring and to AITO HQ for making it happen. And an honourable mention to Gareth @ Lusso for the top-notch chauffeur service!

21/10/2024

*** IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A NORTH FACE ATHLETE ***

Get active in Peru's stunning Sacred Valley. The new excursion base at the wonderful Sol y Luna - Relais & Châteaux now offers 40 activities scouted and developed by North Face athlete, Thomas Schilter.

From paragliding to horse riding and hiking, guests will be taken to lesser known parts of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore ancient mountains and untrodden paths with state-of-the-art equipment.

14/10/2024

*** UNSUNG HERO ***

Working at Distinctive is its own reward, but it’s always nice to be nominated for an award by others! So we’re extremely proud of Mike for being nominated for ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ at last week’s awards in Manchester.

Unshowy heroics are Mike’s default setting week in week out, so it’s great to know that all his hard work is very much appreciated by our agent partners. A huge thanks to Aspire for a fantastic evening and congratulations to all the worthy winners.

07/10/2024

*** WELCOME ROD ***

We are delighted to welcome Rod to the Distinctive sales team.

With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Rod brings experience, enthusiasm, in-depth knowledge and exceptional customer service. He’s climbed the dunes, scaled the pyramids, met the Masai, and in a role he takes very seriously, sampled the beer.

Cheers Rod, great to have you on board!

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Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:30
Thursday	09:00 - 17:30
Friday	09:00 - 17:30

Website

http://www.distinctiveamericas.com/

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Videos

*** THE KAMBAKU HIDE *** From 01 July - 31 August guest staying 3-nights at Kambaku Lodges' Kambaku River Sands get a complimentary hide experience during their stay. The overnight hide offers you a unique opportunity to really immerse yourself in the bush. Located in Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa's Greater Kruger, this luxury safari lodge sits majestically on the banks of a dry river bed and entices the guest to sit back and relax. All suites are elegantly decorated and boast private viewing decks with spectacular views. https://youtu.be/elFXxI4ndWs

** Distinctive Goes Disco! ** Team Distinctive can normally be found strutting their stuff on the dancefloor at AITO's annual Kickstart conference. So it was an absolute pleasure to sponsor and run the first ever Silent Disco at last weekend's Kickstart 2024. Daniel & Hilary were Lord & Lady of the dance, spinning the digital wheels of steel for a lively crowd of AITO party people And as you can hear for yourself, it was actually pretty noisy for a Silent Disco! A huge thanks to all the dancing delegates who joined us on the floor throughout the evening and made it such fun. See you next year to do it all over again!

*** DISTINCTIVE RECOMMENDS - CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA *** Focusing on the mighty Chobe River, the park is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephant on Earth, estimated at around 120,000. Much of the action takes place in or near the river, where it is common to see elephants splashing in the river. The park is also home to huge herds of buffalo, zebras, lechwe and other antelope. In the park it is possible to view game from a 4WD vehicle or you can get up-close and personal by taking a river safari! And don't just take our word for it, this fantastic video was sent to us from passengers in Chobe right now...

Distinctive & Pittville Penguins charity bike ride

Last Sunday, Distinctive were delighted to sponsor and host the first annual charity sportive with local cycling club the Pittville Penguins raising over £300 for Well Child. Starting here at Distinctive HQ, the route was a scenic and hilly 52 miles across the Cotswolds. Thanks and well done to all the riders! Allez allez allez...

WE LOVE TRAVEL

WE LOVE TO TRAVEL 2017 saw us travel to many stunning destinations. We dont just put together amazing itineraries, we live them! Here you will see just a few of our favourite pics from our travels in 2017. The question is where will 2018 take us, fancy joining us?

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About Distinctive

At Distinctive we specialise in Latin America, Antarctica & Africa. Our aim is simple – to provide truly memorable holidays tailored exactly to suit YOU.