July Update from our Founders

It took me slightly by surprise when I realised  how much I liked gardens. That was supposed to be someone else’s hobby, not mine.  I was walking through the Shazdeh Garden in Mahan,  Iran. The sun was shining, there were bursts of colour through the cedar trees and a very Persian calm. I stayed for about two hours and was rather late for  an appointment. It’s the same with bird-watching. I am slowly, day by day, turning into a twitcher. Iran, by the way, is a good place to combine both interests (likewise China).

A comment from a customer here in the UK got me thinking – we don’t make enough of our amazing local travel companies. We publish all  your reviews, but the depth and breadth of knowledge and skill of people Like Wei and Silvia in China, or Rachel and Steve in Uganda  perhaps doesn’t come across strongly enough. The customer in question is planning three separate trips to Indonesia, Burma and Uzbekistan,and had very positive things to say about Evy, Yadanar and Olga respectively. To those three – our thanks and admiration. Tom and I spend a lot of our time searching for exactly the right companies and individuals to help you plan your trip. Many of them are vastly experienced, as quite a lot of you have discovered.

On that note – we have hit a milestone. Our TravelLocal Community (I will think of a collective noun for us all) is now 10,000 strong, in 29 countries worldwide. Onwards and upwards!

In order to keep building that community we need your help. Those of you who do get in touch with feedback about our website,or indeed the actual  holiday itself,will know how we enjoy hearing from you and also how much we learn. There have been countless changes made to our website as we have discovered more about what you like and don’t like about it. Please keep those opinions coming – send them to me directly (huw@travellocal.com),or  do call the office (+44 (0)117 325 7898).

We have added some countries of late – Brazil, Peru, Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal. Kyrgyzstan is one of those unpronounceable countries that nobody knows anything about, and nobody can place on a map. For the uninitiated it is squeezed between Uzbekistan and west China, on the old Silk Route,and it’s the most incredibly beautiful country you could wish to visit. It’s also amazing value, and very welcoming. The roads are an adventure, but the views…you won’t forget them in a hurry!

Thank you all for your support and, as ever, do stay in touch with us – we love to hear from you! You can give us a ring in office on 0117 325 7898 or swing by if you happen to be in the Bristol area.

Happy travels!
Huw