Simone's Experience on the Valliant Lady Cruise Ship

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ALASKA - The Last Frontier. Spectacular views, crystal clear lakes, stunning wildlife, glaciers and soaring mountains are all part of Alaska's charm. One of the best ways to experience Alaska is a 7 night cruise through the inside passage as experienced by Abi of Deben Travel in Woodbridge. Alaska cruises are popular in the summer months of July & August for the warmer weather and wildlife viewing. However May, June & September offer fewer tourists and potential northern lights sightings heading into the winter months. Setting sail from the cruise terminal in Vancouver is seamless and you are soon on your way cruising past many of the small Islands of British Columbia across the Johnston Strait and into the Inside Passage. You will be immersed in nature at every point of the cruise as you sit on deck with a coffee you may be lucky to spot an Eagle, Sea Otter or the majestic Humpback Whale all with the stunning backdrop of the wilderness. With an average of 5 ports of call usually Icy Straight Point, Skagway, Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Ketchikan the Glacier viewing is pretty spectacular as the Ship can get within metres of the natural wonder, there is so much to see and do. Deben Travel would advise pre-booking some excursions whilst in port such as the Skagway Gold Rush City Tour and White Mountain Pass, Ketchikan Bear Watching and Totem Poles, Icy Straight Point Whale Watching, Juneau Lake to Glacier Kayaking to name just a few. Abi cruised with Celebrity on-board Solstice one of their smaller ships, whilst on the cruise you will enjoy fine dining, numerous bars, cinema, live entertainment along with quiet havens like the observatory lounge and library there really is something for everyone. The Alaska cruise can be added after a city break in Vancouver or a longer stay in Canada. For further information please contact Deben Travel at Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge via email team@debentravel.co.uk or call 01394 615620.

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Top 6 unsung wildlife Hotspots... We know that authentic animal encounters feature on many of your wish lists, so Audley Travel have put together six that take you beyond the most-visited wildlife spots. Trekking & 4x4 Safari, Thailand - For wildlife spotting, visit Thailand's oldest national park and a refuge to elephants, Khao Yai. You can go hiking by day and take a 4x4 tour by night to see the local species. Jaguar Conservation, Brazil - Working exclusively with the Caiman Ecological Refuge, you can join biologists on outings as they conduct research and study projects on jaguars in their care. Dawn & Dusk drives, Borneo - On private dawn and dusk drives, your eagle-eyed guide will point out maroon leaf monkeys, flying squirrels, civets, acaques, and, if luck’s on your side, pygmy elephants, orangutans, and the elusive clouded leopard. Rainforest Tours, Costa Rica - Bosque Eterno de los Niños, the largest private reserve, contains half of the country’s wildlife species. We recommend a guided evening walk to explore the reserve’s wild riches. As a bonus, your visit supports local reforestation efforts. Leopard Tracking, Namibia - Leopards are the most elusive member of Africa’s Big Five. We recommend you stay at the home of AfriCat Foundation, Okonjima Nature Reserve, you can accompany researchers tracking leopards. Lemur Walk, Namibia - At Akiba Lodge Anjahakely, you will be surrounded by mountains and forests, sometimes crowned lemurs and endangered Perrier’s sifakas will come to you. For further information and starting prices visit: https://www.audleytravel.com/inspiration/wildlife-holidays Deben Travel, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge team@debentravel.co.uk #debentravel

Our Karin is off to China today, experiencing an escorted tour with Travelsphere. Photos to follow but in the meantime here are a few highlights: Visit Shanghai China’s biggest city is known for both its colonial past and its rule as a powerhouse of economic growth. Visit Shanghai and you’ll see some of the most iconic contemporary buildings in Asia as well as a labyrinthine Old Town. Be sure to take a stroll along The Bund – the city’s striking riverside boulevard boasts many former colonial structures. Among the neon, glass and concrete, this fast-growing capital of enterprise has a rich culture too. Visit its traditional tea rooms, marvel at the incredible Jade Buddha Temple and watch a performance of the world-famous Shanghai Acrobats. Beijing's Highlights Visit Beijing and you are guaranteed immense natural beauty and awesome architecture. The great Yongding and Chaobai Rivers flow gently through the 3000-year-old city, and the Great Wall of China cuts across its northern districts. It’s here too that you’ll discover the Forbidden City, at the heart of the Ming Dynasty’s empire from the 15th century onwards. Your tour of Beijing will also take you to the Imperial Palace, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square. Explore Xian One of China’s four ancient capitals, Xian sits at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Its most popular attraction is the Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain, built by China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang to protect him during the afterlife. Discovered in 1974, this great feat of 3rd century artistry includes thousands of life-sized clay soldiers as well as chariots, horses, acrobats, strongmen and musicians all carved in intricate detail. This UNESCO-listed site really is an astonishing sight to behold. Great Wall and Terracotta Army Visiting the Great Wall on a China holiday is something that should be high on your list of things to do. Built more than 2,000 years ago as a barrier against foreign invaders, it stretches for more than 5,500 miles across plateaus, deserts, mountains and grasslands. Another must-see site is the incredible Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain, one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. It’s here that you’ll see thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses and chariots believed to date back to the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC). They were interred with the first Qin emperor and form a dazzling display of Chinese military power. Yangtze River Cruise Always popular with visitors to China is a cruise along the famous Yangtze River, offering a relaxing way to see many wonderful sights. You’ll visit the site of the mighty Three Gorges Dam – the largest hydroelectric dam in the world – and sail through the Three Gorges Dam locks. Spectacular scenery awaits along the Xililng, Wu and Qutang Gorges as you take in the views in complete comfort aboard a cruise ship which boasts excellent facilities. #debentravel

Earlier this year our lovely customers Rowena and Dale explored Laos, Burma & so much more on a luxurious Pandaw River Cruise. Luxury small ship river cruises in Asia. For 30 years Pandaw has been the leader in Asian River Cruising. Currently operating 17 beautiful ships in 6 amazing countries. Our spectacular Laos river cruises allow you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River. The mighty Mekong River makes its way through six countries and a Pandaw river cruise allows you to explore remote parts of these countries that the average traveller ordinarily wouldn't get to see. Our exciting cruise travels to or from Vientiane in Laos to Chiang Khong in Thailand. Passengers need to bring with them a real sense of adventure and flexibility as the itinerary of such a monumental cruise can change at any time. Travelling between these South-East Asian countries can be logistically difficult, embarking on a Laos River Cruise takes away these stresses and takes you into the heart of these beautiful and fascinating countries. The native people are warm and welcoming and waiting to meet and educate you to their way of life. As well as immersing yourself in the culture you will be awe-inspired by the varying, stunning landscapes from lush jungle scenery to mountains, forests, gorges and rapids. Visit working villages, local markets and experience the difference between the French colonial Laos capital of Vientiane, the temple city of Luang Prabang and the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar border. Step aboard a specifically designed Pandaw ship for our Laos cruise, purpose-built for sailing on the Upper Mekong with low draft and extra powerful engines. Your staterooms are spacious and come with fresh fruits and flowers on arrival. Our staff go above and beyond to make your stay as comfortable as it can be. #debentravel

New Ikos resort set to open April 2026, bookings now open! Introducing....The Brand New....IKOS Kissamos...On Sale Today! The Magic of Crete Guests will be welcomed to an island of timeless allure, where myths, mountains, and dramatic landscapes meet. Within reach of world-famous beaches and the historic charm of Chania, Ikos Kissamos invites travellers to explore Crete’s vibrant traditions and rich cuisine. A Living Landscape Like No Other The resort has been masterfully designed to deeply connect guests to the surrounding natural environment. An immersive landscape experience brings together Cretan coastal dunes, Minoan influences, and sustainable design. Expect olive tree-lined plazas, butterfly gardens, lavender mazes, and shaded picnic areas, all woven into a setting that’s alive with nature. The Signature Ikos Experience, Elevated At the heart of Ikos Kissamos is the all-inclusive Unconditional Luxury concept that our guests know and love. From seven gourmet restaurants, Michelin-starred chef-curated menus, the Ikos Spa by Anne Semonin, to fully serviced beaches, water sports, padel courts, and curated evening entertainment, every detail promises barefoot luxury and indulgence. For further information contact Deben Travel, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge. Team@debentravel.co.uk #debentravel #ikosresorts

New Route Alert... Jet2holidays are launching La Palma as a brand-new Winter 26/27 route from London Stansted! Starting 6th November 2026 2 weekly flights – Mondays & Fridays Of all the Canaries, La Palma sings the softest. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura shout about what they’ve got, which means purring La Palma often gets overshadowed. But that’s where its appeal lies. This quiet island is far from Spain's madding crowd, and you won’t find any of the tell-tale marks of mass tourism here. La Palma’s main holiday resorts are low-rise numbers. In Fuencaliente, on the island’s south coast, you’ll find a splash of whitewashed houses, surrounded by pine forests and vineyards. Los Cancajos, on the east coast, is probably the island’s most built-up resort. It’s attracted the lion’s share of development because it’s fronted by a black sand beach. But, even here, hotels don’t get much taller than three storeys. And, just like in Fuencaliente, the manmade is quarantined by wide-open countryside. La Palma’s trump card is its scenery. In 1983 the entire island was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, in the centre of La Palma, is the island at its most unspoilt. This 46.9 square-kilometre nature reserve is a tapestry of pine forests, waterfalls, freshwater spring and walking trails. Elsewhere, the island is daubed with volcano-scapes. The volcano trail in the south will take you along volcanic rims and through gaping craters. With a landscape as varied as La Palma’s, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the to-do list here is just as diverse. From glass-bottomed catamaran cruises and dolphin watching to volcano hiking tours, there are loads of activities to get stuck in to. Almost all of them make the most of the unspoiled island scenery, too. And when night falls, you don’t need to be an amateur astronomer or photographer to make the most of stargazing here. Head to Roque de los Muchachos – the highest point on the island – for the best vantage point. Deben Travel, Tide Mill Way. Woodbridge #debentravel team@debentravel.co.uk