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My Regent Moment: Welcome to the Faroe Islands My Regent Moment: Welcome to the Faroe Islands On a foggy Friday evening in Velbastaður, a small village on the western shore of Streymoy in the Faroe Islands, I sat at a long table with two... 11 Photos of Russia that will make you want to travel there 11 Photos of Russia that will make you want to travel there Russia is a land of astonishing size and incredible extremes, heaving with history, culture and art. A holiday here can combine winter activities with amazing... Our Top 7 European City Breaks Our Top 7 European City Breaks Here at Regent Holidays, we know that you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to find an incredible holiday (although there are plenty of...
 
Head to Head: Borneo Vs Papua New Guinea Head to Head: Borneo Vs Papua New Guinea For the next instalment of our 'head to head' series, we're casting our eyes to South East Asia and discovering the differences between a Borneo... Battle of the Poles: The Arctic Vs Antarctica Battle of the Poles: The Arctic Vs Antarctica For this head-to-head travel battle, we've teamed up with our sister company Rainbow Tours and we're pitting the two poles against each other:... Head to Head: Northern Lights Head to Head: Northern Lights Holidays that give you the chance of seeing the northern lights are always popular among Regent clients, and we’re not surprised. These incredible...
 
Kazakhstan in Photos Kazakhstan in Photos In Kazakhstan, nature is king. Step outside the boundaries of vibrant cities like the capital, Almaty, and discover a wild land of rolling steppes,... Great Russian Journeys, Part 2 Great Russian Journeys, Part 2 In Part 1 of our blog series on incredible holidays to Russia, we talked about two of the most amazing cities in the world: Moscow and St Petersburg. In this... My Arctic Cruise Experience: Spotting Polar Bears in Svalbard My Arctic Cruise Experience: Spotting Polar Bears in Svalbard In the search for wild polar bear sightings, Emma Brown sets sail aboard the Arctic Cruise expedition ship, the M/V Ortelius, on an incredible journey...
 
Great Russian Journeys, Part 1 Great Russian Journeys, Part 1 Russia is the largest country in the world. To get from the furthest point west to the furthest point east, you have to cross nine time zones. It straddles two... 15 Photos that will make you want to visit Japan 15 Photos that will make you want to visit Japan Inhabited for tens of thousands of years, “The Land of the Rising Sun” is a destination where the ancient lives alongside the hyper-modern and... 7 Places you can visit that inspired books, films, or TV shows 7 Places you can visit that inspired books, films, or TV shows As the dark nights have drawn in, we’ve been using the opportunity to curl up with a book or in front of a screen as much as possible. When it’s...
 
5 Breakaway states to travel to 5 Breakaway states to travel to If you're seeking a holiday to a truly unusual and off-the-beaten-track destination, there aren’t many better candidates than some of the breakaway... 7 Places to visit while you’re in Armenia 7 Places to visit while you’re in Armenia Here at Regent we’re proud to pioneer tours to precisely the places most people wouldn’t think to go, and we reckon Armenia is a prime example of... The 7 Strangest Christmas traditions from around the world The 7 Strangest Christmas traditions from around the world With lots of happy travellers departing to Lapland, Iceland and other wintry destinations, we’re feeling full of Christmas spirit. To us Christmas means...
 
Five amazing things to do in Mongolia Five amazing things to do in Mongolia For many years Mongolia has been thought of as little more than a stopover between Moscow and Beijing, but here at Regent we’re delighted to see that it... Experience Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture Experience Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture Here at Regent, we’ve been taking visitors to discover relatively-unknown Plovdiv for years. But, as the first ever Bulgarian city to be selected as... Lapland Holiday FAQ's: your questions answered Lapland Holiday FAQ's: your questions answered When it comes to booking an unforgettable holiday to Lapland, there's so much to decide. When do you want to travel? Where do you want to visit and would...
 
My Regent Moment: photos of a Greenland Cruise, by John Clark My Regent Moment: photos of a Greenland Cruise, by John Clark John and Brenda Clark have just returned from an Arctic Cruse aboard the MV Sea Spirit to East Greenland with Regent Holidays. Here's John's account of... Why you should visit Japan in June Why you should visit Japan in June Our man in Japan, Tyler Palma, explains why June is actually a fantastic time to plan your Japan holiday There is plenty of information about the best times... Regent Holidays & Orangutan Appeal UK: Archie's Story Regent Holidays & Orangutan Appeal UK: Archie's Story As part of our commitment to Borneo and the important work being done at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, Regent Holidays are proud to work with Orangutan Appeal...
 
Summer in Finland: Lapland is not just for Christmas Summer in Finland: Lapland is not just for Christmas Having visited Finnish Lapland in the winter where temperatures dropped to minus 15 degrees, trees in the forest stood like icy pinnacles and there were all... My Regent Moment: top ten photos of the Faroe Islands, by Sam Curry My Regent Moment: top ten photos of the Faroe Islands, by Sam Curry After spending a few days exploring the Faroe Islands with Regent Holidays, Sam Curry shares ten of his top photos and memories of his trip. Whilst we were... Arctic Cruises: A typical day on board the M/V Sea Spirit Arctic Cruises: A typical day on board the M/V Sea Spirit Back from two weeks aboard the mighty polar icebreaker, the M/V Sea Spirit, on a journey from Iceland to Svalbard, Regent's Helen shares her experiences to...
 
Our Favourite Islands in the Azores Our Favourite Islands in the Azores Our teams are often asked, 'What's your favourite Regent destination?' And with over 40 to choose from, that's almost too hard to... Visiting North Korea: FAQ's Visiting North Korea: FAQ's As one of the world’s most secretive countries, you probably have countless questions about what it’s like to travel in North Korea. If we... Top five summer experiences in svalbard Top five summer experiences in svalbard Regent's Marketing Executive, Lauren, discovers that Svalbard has plenty to offer visitors during the summer months, as the midnight sun makes adventures...
 
First impressions of Kaliningrad Russia [Part 2] First impressions of Kaliningrad Russia [Part 2] Regent Russia Travel Specialist, Christina Gibbons, shares her experiences as she returns from her first visit to Kaliningrad, Russia. If you missed it, read... First impressions of Kaliningrad, Russia, [Part 1] First impressions of Kaliningrad, Russia, [Part 1] Regent Russia Travel Specialist, Christina Gibbons, shares her experiences as she returns from her first visit to Kaliningrad, Russia. Northern lights myths from around the world Northern lights myths from around the world Many of us at Regent have been incredibly lucky and witnessed spectacular displays of the world's greatest natural light show: the northern lights. Visible...
 
My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Macedonia, by Steve Ryder My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Macedonia, by Steve Ryder Regular Regent traveller, Steve Ryder returns from Macedonia and shares his top ten photographs from his trip.   Take a hike: Regent's top walking holidays Take a hike: Regent's top walking holidays Regent's Digital Marketing Executive and resident mountain fanatic, Emma, returns from a month hiking in the Himalayas and shares her pick of the best... Luxury Borneo: a few nights at Gaya Island Resort Luxury Borneo: a few nights at Gaya Island Resort Regent's Product Executive, Michael Voss, shares his experience of staying at Borneo's famous Gaya Island Resort. Cast away on its own private island...
 
A Samogitian Dinner in Lithuania A Samogitian Dinner in Lithuania Regent Holidays' Product Manager, Andrea Godfrey, visits Lithuania and shares her experiences of one of her more bizarre dining experiences: a... Adventures in Finnish Lapland, by Jack (aged 12) Adventures in Finnish Lapland, by Jack (aged 12) Regent Holidays' Product Manager, Andrea Godfrey, took her nephew Jack (aged 12) to discover Finnish Lapland in 2018. Here is Jack's charming... My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Iceland, by Sam Curry My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Iceland, by Sam Curry After spending a few days exploring Iceland with Regent Holidays, Sam Curry shares ten of his top photos and memories of his trip.   
 
Lviv a little: a weekend in Ukraine’s capital of culture, by Mike Unwin Lviv a little: a weekend in Ukraine’s capital of culture, by Mike Unwin Travel writer Mike Unwin spends a weekend in Ukraine's "laidback" capital of culture, Lviv, with Regent Holidays to experience its unique... All about the Azores All about the Azores Regent Holidays’ Travel Specialist, Laura Dinham, discovers that Portugal’s far-flung archipelago is the perfect place for an island-hopping... Watch Video: Discover Lapland Watch Video: Discover Lapland From snowmobiling and husky dog mushing to cosying up in a glass igloo for a night under the northern lights, here's what a winter break in Lapland has in...
 
My Regent Moment: cruising in South West Greenland, by Garry Brisdion [Part 2] My Regent Moment: cruising in South West Greenland, by Garry Brisdion [Part 2] After climbing aboard the SV Rembrandt Van Rijin in south-west Greenland, keen photographer and Regent Holidays' client, Garry Brisdion, shares his stories... Five things to do in Vietnam Five things to do in Vietnam Vietnam is a diverse country with so much to do, eat and learn. At Regent Holidays we encourage all travellers to get under the skin of the country... 10 pictures that will make you want to visit Uzbekistan now 10 pictures that will make you want to visit Uzbekistan now Often heard referred to as 'one of the 'Stans', Uzbekistan might fly under the radar as far as western tourism is concerned, but that's...
 
My Regent Moment: top ten photos of the Faroe Islands, by Steve Ryder My Regent Moment: top ten photos of the Faroe Islands, by Steve Ryder After spending a few days discovering the Faroe Islands with Regent Holidays, Steve Ryder shares ten of his top photos and memories of his trip.  First Impressions of Kyrgyzstan First Impressions of Kyrgyzstan Travelling across the border from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan for the first time in 2014, the year that Kazakhstan lifted its visa restrictions for British... What to expect from Fjord Norway What to expect from Fjord Norway Vertical mountains erupting perilously from glassy waters? Hiking routes tracing the ridges and crests that overlook the fjords? Lush green hillsides dusted...
 
Five amazing things to do in the Azores Five amazing things to do in the Azores Straddling the mid-Atlantic ridge, the Azores are one of the best places in the world from which to experience the yearly migrations of the Atlantic... My Regent Moment: cruising in South West Greenland, by Garry Brisdion [Part 1] My Regent Moment: cruising in South West Greenland, by Garry Brisdion [Part 1] After climbing aboard the SV Rembrandt Van Rijin in south-west Greenland, keen photographer and Regent Holidays' client, Garry Brisdion, shares his stories... Top Five Things to Do in the Faroe Islands Top Five Things to Do in the Faroe Islands With Atlantic Airways’ new direct flight from Edinburgh to Vagar in the Faroe Islands, visiting the Faroes has never been easier. The remote islands...
 
My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Abkhazia, by Alice Kaerast My Regent Moment: top ten photos of Abkhazia, by Alice Kaerast It takes about 24 hours for the express train to travel all the way from Moscow, slowing down across the infrequently used tracks across Abkhazia. Most people... Russia World Cup 2018: the inside story of the host cities Russia World Cup 2018: the inside story of the host cities All eyes are going to be focused on Russia over the coming weeks; one of our oldest and most fascinating travel destinations will be welcoming football... 10 pictures that will make you want to visit Western Ukraine 10 pictures that will make you want to visit Western Ukraine With Wizzair launching new direct flights from London Luton to Lviv this spring, there's never been a better time to plan your city break in Western...
 
Top trips to Finnish Lapland using Finnair’s new direct flights Top trips to Finnish Lapland using Finnair’s new direct flights This winter, you can now fly direct from London to Lapland. Finnair will operate direct flights connecting London Gatwick with Ivalo (twice-weekly on a Sunday... Just Returned: North Korea by Sarah Keig Just Returned: North Korea by Sarah Keig As I stepped down from the bus on a bright and sunny autumn day, I was met by a symphony of noise. A 5 year old boy, and his little sister, giggled and... All Aboard the MS Volga Dream All Aboard the MS Volga Dream Regent Holidays' Russia Travel Specialist, Christina Gibbons explores the M/S Volga Dream, giving you an insight into life aboard one of the most luxurious...
 
Five space-themed tours for 2018 Five space-themed tours for 2018 To mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of the world’s first satellite, Sputnik, Regent Holidays recommend five trips for 2018 that are... Reykjavik bars: top five places for a drink in Iceland's capital Reykjavik bars: top five places for a drink in Iceland's capital After a long day discovering the natural wonders of Iceland's Golden Circle, taking to the open ocean aboard a whale watching boat or even just soaking in... Five things to do in East Greenland Five things to do in East Greenland Michael Voss returns from a week exploring all that the east coast of Greenland has to offer and shares his top tips for finding things to do in the...
 
Top five things to do in Svalbard in winter Top five things to do in Svalbard in winter Regent Holidays' General Manager, Andrea Godfrey, travels to Svalbard in the winter months and shares her top pick of activities to include on... The coolest places to stay in Lapland this winter The coolest places to stay in Lapland this winter Now in it's 27th year, ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland is the world's first and largest hotel to ever be built entirely from ice. Each bespoke... Just Returned: Pioneering Abkhazia, the breakaway state Just Returned: Pioneering Abkhazia, the breakaway state Introducing Abkhazia; Regent Holidays’ Travel Specialist Carl Meadows proves that to go where few have ever gone before, you really don’t have to...
 
The value of a good tour guide: why we love John from the Faroe Islands The value of a good tour guide: why we love John from the Faroe Islands Whether you are travelling on a group tour or on a private tailor-made itinerary, having a good local guide can make or break your trip, and what makes a good... Vote for Regent in the 2017 British Travel Awards Vote for Regent in the 2017 British Travel Awards The British Travel Awards gives UK residents the opportunity to vote for holiday companies they believe should be recognised for their service and product... Where & when to see the northern lights this winter Where & when to see the northern lights this winter For the best chance of seeing the northern lights, travel between late September and earl April, between the autumn and spring equinoxes, when long nights...
 
Five of the best waterfalls in Iceland Five of the best waterfalls in Iceland The classic, must-see waterfall. A short drive outside of Reykjavik and included on all the sight-seeing tours, this spectacular waterfall drops through three... Four reasons to visit Finland this summer Four reasons to visit Finland this summer When you think about holidaying in Finland, Lapland winter breaks tend to spring to mind. Holidays where nights are spent watching the northern lights from... Top five places to swim in Iceland Top five places to swim in Iceland One of the locals’ favourites and a short drive/bus ride outside of Reykjavik (about 40 minutes) this walk/swim epitomises Iceland. Drive through the...
 
The expert's guide to Lapland Winter Holidays; where to go and what to do The expert's guide to Lapland Winter Holidays; where to go and what to do Lapland holidays; they’re simply magical. The snowy winter wonderlands of northern Finland enchant visitors of any age, while Santa’s Village sends... Just Returned: Space Exploration at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome Just Returned: Space Exploration at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome Michael Voss returns from Kazakhstan after guiding our 2017 Beyond the Cosmodrome Group Tour, visiting Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's first and largest... Just Returned: Return to Bulgaria, by Adrian Whittle Just Returned: Return to Bulgaria, by Adrian Whittle I last visited Bulgaria in 1986. It was still a communist regime. The restaurants had lengthy menus but most of the items listed were not available and choice...
 
Borneo wildlife: what to see on holiday Borneo wildlife: what to see on holiday Borneo holidays often centre around exploring the lush rainforests in search of South East Asia’s iconic wildlife. Thanks, in part, to the fact that... Five amazing ways to find adventure in Jordan Five amazing ways to find adventure in Jordan With Petra world-renowned for its astounding archaeological civilisation, Wadi Rum home to Lawrence of Arabia and the Dead Sea boasting the saltiest waters in... Five of the best winter activities in Finnish Lapland Five of the best winter activities in Finnish Lapland We regularly send our Arctic Travel Specialists out to Finland to visit some of the most iconic places to stay in our Lapland Holidays collection, and...
 
The six best activities in Iceland for familes The six best activities in Iceland for familes With such opportunity for family adventure, Iceland is best suited to big kids. This Arctic nation lends itself to those who can lace their own hiking boots... Hilary Bradt in North Korea Hilary Bradt in North Korea Bradt’s ground-breaking North Korea guide by Robert Willoughby was first published in 2003. This year the guidebook founder, Hilary Bradt, discovered... Revolutionary Russia: first impressions of Moscow and St Petersburg Revolutionary Russia: first impressions of Moscow and St Petersburg Gleaming beacons of modern-day Russia, Moscow and St Petersburg have been reshaped and redefined by a century of post-revolution history. Regent...
 
Introducing Indonesia: the complete beginner's guide Introducing Indonesia: the complete beginner's guide With over 17,000 islands to choose from, you could spend a lifetime exploring Indonesia. But if, like the rest of us, you don’t have the luxury of a... Inside Abkhazia: exploring the breakaway state Inside Abkhazia: exploring the breakaway state In true Regent Holidays’ style, 2016 saw us launch tours to a place that truly characterises the title ‘alternative destination’. ... Taiwan: An (unexpected) Culinary Adventure Taiwan: An (unexpected) Culinary Adventure Surprised and delighted by the varied (and delicious) culinary scene to be found in Taiwan, Regent Holidays’ Travel Expert, Stef Studley, shares her pick...
 
Regent Recommends: top picks in Russia & Europe Regent Recommends: top picks in Russia & Europe Different cultures, perfectly preserved history and pristine national parks lie within the reach of just a short flight all across our Russia and Europe... First Impressions of Albania First Impressions of Albania Not a cloud in the sky, the September morning sun beat down on Butrint, Albania’s best-known archaeological site, and reflected off the silvery,... Jordan - the greatest day of my life Jordan - the greatest day of my life Asia Travel Specialist, Mike Voss, fell in love with Jordan as soon as he stepped off the plane, but little did he know that he was in for the most memorable...
 
Five Festivals you should add to your Kyrgyzstan Holiday Five Festivals you should add to your Kyrgyzstan Holiday The Central Asian republics love hosting festivals that proudly celebrate their national achievements and traditions.  In the last few years, Travel... Five surprising facts about Romania that you didn’t know Five surprising facts about Romania that you didn’t know Regent Holiday’s Romania Travel Specialist, Fergus, set off in search of Dracula and returned from Romania to share his experiences.  Not really... What to pack for a trip to Iceland What to pack for a trip to Iceland As the very name suggests, Iceland’s weather can be extreme to say the least. In a country that teeters on the edge of the arctic circle, the weather...
 
Ten Reasons to take the BAM Railway Ten Reasons to take the BAM Railway Everybody has heard of the Trans-Siberian Railway, the immense feat of engineering that stretches all the way from Moscow to Beijing, navigating the toughest... Chernobyl: inside Ukraine's most intriguing tourist site Chernobyl: inside Ukraine's most intriguing tourist site From my room on the top floor of the Russ Hotel, a big Russian-style hotel in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, I had an amazing view over the city. I could even look... Pioneering voyages on the high seas Pioneering voyages on the high seas For a country that has leapt back onto the tourist map in recent years, Burma’s Mergui Archipelago remains largely unexplored. Currently just a small...
 
Five places in Romania you should visit Five places in Romania you should visit Bucharest and Bran Castle; Romania is typically only known for its museum and Belle Epoque architecture-filled capital and the castle that looms over the... The best Montenegro destinations you have never heard of The best Montenegro destinations you have never heard of Few countries have captured our attention more in the last year than Montenegro. This is one of the world's newest countries covered by some of its most... Five beautiful places to visit in Slovenia Five beautiful places to visit in Slovenia As a holiday destination in Europe, Slovenia often finds itself overlooked in favour of Italy to its north or Croatia to its south. But when it comes to...
 
Desert vs ice; the adventure travel showdown Desert vs ice; the adventure travel showdown The team at Regent Holidays have put their heads together with the Travel Specialists at our sister company, Rainbow Tours, to bring you a collection of some... Top five islands in Croatia you've never heard of Top five islands in Croatia you've never heard of Crystal clear waters, rugged Dalmatian coastlines and a stunning smattering of islands, big and small: it’s no wonder that in the summer, sunseekers from... Four fairytale Finland holiday destinations Four fairytale Finland holiday destinations Whether it’s the endless sunshine in summer or the colours of the Northern Lights in winter, Finland always looks like it has stepped from the pages of a...
 
Reasons you should visit Albania now Reasons you should visit Albania now Albania is one of Europe’s last adventures. There are still unknown destinations to explore and chances to experience the unexpected in a country that is... The best places in Poland to visit The best places in Poland to visit Cobbled market squares, towering church spires and medieval old towns that have stepped from the front of a Christmas card are just some of the reasons Polish... Everything you need to know before you visit Iran Everything you need to know before you visit Iran Regent Holidays' Iran Travel Specialist, Marianne, answers all your burning questions about one of 2016's hottest alternative travel destinations:...
 
Pioneering Papua New Guinea Pioneering Papua New Guinea To get under the skin of one of South East Asia's most intoxicating countries, Asia Travel Specialist Stef Studley travels to Papua New Guinea to meet... five reasons to visit East Iceland five reasons to visit East Iceland Far from the increasingly popular and busy tourist routes, East Iceland has subtly snuck under the globetrotting radar. Slowly, however, the region is starting... North Korea facts you probably didn't know North Korea facts you probably didn't know We were one of the first organisations to bring tourists to North Korea more than thirty years ago. Since then we’ve taken tours to see grand statues,...
 
Epic Arctic cruises; the five best polar expedition holidays Epic Arctic cruises; the five best polar expedition holidays Embarking on an Arctic Cruise is, without a doubt, the best way to explore the pristine natural environments of the world’s most northerly reaches and to... Back in the USSR - A Pioneering journey through Kazakhstan Back in the USSR - A Pioneering journey through Kazakhstan What kind of person goes on holiday to visit a former USSR nuclear test site?  Well, a Regent Holidays client, of course. And that’s exactly what 16... Top Five Unusual Holidays for 2016 Top Five Unusual Holidays for 2016 At Regent, we prefer our holidays with a twist of the alternative. Our first ever tour saw a group travel to Albania in 1971 and 45 years later, our pioneering...
 
Birdwatching in the Faroe Islands Birdwatching in the Faroe Islands From the mouths of what looked like hundreds of rabbit burrows dotting the shallow hillside came a low groaning, as if whatever was inside had stomach ache.... Moscow or St Petersburg; where to visit in Russia? Moscow or St Petersburg; where to visit in Russia? Travellers to Russia are often faced with a choice between visiting lavish, wealthy Moscow or the smaller ‘cultural capital’, St Petersburg? The... Five Great Rail Journeys Five Great Rail Journeys At Regent Holidays, we scour the globe for trips that offer a travel experience unlike any other. With the Trans-Siberian Railway celebrating its 100th...
 
Faroe Islands 2016; what's new Faroe Islands 2016; what's new Flung far from the Scottish coast and hidden halfway between Iceland and Noway, 18 windswept islands make up the Faroes. Dramatic cliffs battered and... Five reasons to visit Iceland in summer Five reasons to visit Iceland in summer The winters might steal most of the headlines, but summers in Iceland offer just as many unique experiences. From snorkelling in the rift between continents to... Sao Miguel vs Terceira; which Azores Island should I visit? Sao Miguel vs Terceira; which Azores Island should I visit? These nine tiny Portuguese islands stranded halfway across the Atlantic Ocean prove that when it comes to picking a holiday destination with pristine...
 
Seven Unusual Things to do in Iceland on Holiday Seven Unusual Things to do in Iceland on Holiday With over 40 years’ experience crafting tailor-made trips and group tours that get under the skin of Iceland, our Travel Experts know the country like... Travels along the North Borneo Railway Travels along the North Borneo Railway At Regent Holidays we know that a lot of our clients are rail enthusiasts.  I like trains as much as the next man - although perhaps not as much as... Seven Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in the Lofoten Islands, Norway Seven Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in the Lofoten Islands, Norway At Regent, we love Lofoten. Really, we do – this stunning archipelago caresses the northern curve of Norway’s westerly coast and spoils its...
 
A Taste of Iceland - Texture Restaurant Review A Taste of Iceland - Texture Restaurant Review The only restaurant in the UK where you can try some Icelandic cooking. This is my second encounter with an Icelandic volcano. The first was sat in an airport... Trans-Siberian Railway aboard the Tsar's Gold Private Train Trans-Siberian Railway aboard the Tsar's Gold Private Train As the Trans-Siberian Express Railway approaches its 100th Anniversary Regent Holidays' Travel Specialist,  Peter Wybrow, Journeys through Siberia on... 5 WAYS TO ENJOY THE HERMITAGE 5 WAYS TO ENJOY THE HERMITAGE Formerly the homes of tsars, the five buildings which comprise the Hermitage now house one of the finest art collections in the world.  This year sees the...
 
Travels on the Bam Railway - Part 1 Travels on the Bam Railway - Part 1 Christina Gibbons recently escorted our BAM group tour and writes about the trip in the first of 2 blogs… Main image by Paul Whittle Eat your words... Victory day in Minsk, a very Belarusian celebration Victory day in Minsk, a very Belarusian celebration This is a guest post by Duncan and Diana Hazelden, who travelled with Regent Holidays on a city break to Minsk. Their visit coincided with Victory... Food of Albania Food of Albania Think of Albania, what thoughts and images pop into your head? I’m sure the last thing that crossed your mind was the cuisine! It’s not as though...
 
Top five Dzongs of Bhutan Top five Dzongs of Bhutan Bhutan is a tiny landlocked country tucked away in the eastern Himalayas and quite literally squeezed in-between India and China. Located at the boundary of... Village at the end of the world Village at the end of the world Looking out across the Rakitnica Canyon, and back towards the village of Lukomir, I try to think of other places where I’ve felt as cut off from the... Touring Montenegro's mountainous north Touring Montenegro's mountainous north Montenegro literally translates as ‘black mountain’ so it’s no surprise that this tiny country has its fair share of them. I was on a six day...
 
Hidden Iceland - the experiences you haven't heard about Hidden Iceland - the experiences you haven't heard about Iceland is a bucket list of experiences all on its own. Whether you’re peering down into the belly of a volcano or up at the Northern Lights dancing... Have no fear, it's only North Korea Have no fear, it's only North Korea When The Telegraph published an article before the imminent departure of our groundbreaking ‘Remote North Korea’ tour the bloggers responded with... North Korea - 1984 all over again North Korea - 1984 all over again In this age we live in of constant connectivity, a world of data roaming, wi-fi and the like, the prospect of a near complete technological de-tox, of...
 
5 Unusual museums from around the world 5 Unusual museums from around the world Museums aren’t all collections of cavernous chambers full of dusty, old relic after dusty, old relic (not that dusty, old relics can’t be... Inside Moscow's grand kremlin palace Inside Moscow's grand kremlin palace Approaching Moscow’s Kremlin was a magnificent sight. Even under a cloudy, threatening sky, the gold-covered cupolas of the cathedrals and bell towers in... North Korea by Helicopter North Korea by Helicopter On the 30th August Regents’ clients on the most recent departure of our award winning “Pioneering North Korea Tour” were privileged to be the...
 
An aeroflot adventure to St Petersburg An aeroflot adventure to St Petersburg This is a guest post by Mandy Huggins, who visited St Petersburg with Regent Holidays. Mandy’s favourite destinations in the world are Japan, India and... Top 5 restaurants in Kosovo Top 5 restaurants in Kosovo Traditional Kosovan food is very similar to Albanian cuisine with its Turkish and Balkan influences so expect delicious warm breads, huge plates of grilled... In search of the northern lights In search of the northern lights Some people chase the sun, endlessly searching for a new summer to melt away the January blues. This winter I am leaving a cold and frosty Heathrow, heading...
 
My Bhutan diary - Part one My Bhutan diary - Part one My trip to marvellously mountainous Bhutan will go down as one of my favourite trips to date. This small Himalayan gem has intrigued me ever since a friend... Favourite foods from around the world Favourite foods from around the world From the grandest tribal feast to the humblest market stall, exotic culinary adventures are to be had at every turn when travelling the globe. Here is a small... Iceland's epic landscape - trees not included Iceland's epic landscape - trees not included Icelanders love to joke about the diminutive appearance of their country’s trees. As I embarked on my third visit in four years to Iceland’s fabled...
 
The greatest show on the earth... is in the sky The greatest show on the earth... is in the sky 19 September 2012 I first fell in love with the Northern Lights when watching the animated film, The Snowman, as a small child. In the scene where the group... Searching for whales in Iceland Searching for whales in Iceland Husavik, known as the whale watching capital of Iceland,  Husavik is home to an abundance of sealife. On a beautiful crisp May morning, I took a... Regent's book review: 'Travels in blood and honey: becoming a beekeeper in Kosovo' by Elizabeth Gowing Regent's book review: 'Travels in blood and honey: becoming a beekeeper in Kosovo' by Elizabeth Gowing Regent’s Book Review ‘Travels in Blood and Honey: Becoming a beekeeper in Kosovo’ by Elizabeth Gowing Having rekindled my passion for...
 
Moscow's Novodevichy park Moscow's Novodevichy park Along the banks of the Moskva River you’ll find Novodevichy Park, a quiet and peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of Moscow city centre.... My favourite Russian salad My favourite Russian salad Salad Olivier One of my favourite Russian salads, which is also know as Russian Salad outside Russia  and wedding salad in Mongolia! The original version... Travels on the Bam - Part 2 Travels on the Bam - Part 2 Christina Gibbons escorted a group tour on our Bam railway trip. In part 2 of her blog, she writes about the experience… Main image by Paul...
 
Orangutans in Borneo - Gelison's story Orangutans in Borneo - Gelison's story Regent Holidays is proud to support Orangutan Appeal UK. For every Borneo holiday booked,  we will sponsor our chosen Sepilok orangutan, Gelison, in your... A night at the Darvaza gas crater A night at the Darvaza gas crater Our long journey towards the Darvaza Gas Crater begins in Ashgabat. We depart through the Dashoguz Gate and head into the vast Kara Kum Desert, where 160km in... Top five Reykjavik summer excursions Top five Reykjavik summer excursions When Iceland’s dark winter days come to an end, Reykjavik’s streets spring to life with a profusion of festivals and events throughout the city....
 
Pancake day - with a Russian twist! Pancake day - with a Russian twist! Try this delicious alternative to Pancakes this Shrove Tuesday – a tasty Russian version! Loosely translated as Butter Pancake Week, Maslenitsa is a... Secret soviet-style dining in Lviv Secret soviet-style dining in Lviv Lviv’s Restaurant Kryivka is never going to win any awards for fine dining, but what do you need fine dining for when you can order horilka (Ukrainian... Top 5 Russian Kremlins Top 5 Russian Kremlins Although the word Kremlin evokes images of the sturdy, red brick structure on Red Square, kremlin simply means fortress.  In most ancient Russian cities...
 
A journey through the cultural treasures of Armenia A journey through the cultural treasures of Armenia “Where exactly is that?” was the typical response from friends and family when I told them I was travelling to Armenia. As I recited a mantra of... Greenland - on the top of the world Greenland - on the top of the world The Siberian people of 10,000 years ago must have really believed that the ice was whiter on the other side. Seemingly not content with eking out a meagre... My 5 favourite watering holes in Iceland My 5 favourite watering holes in Iceland Jane Slade takes us on a pictorial tour of her 5 favourite water spots in Iceland – from a relaxing lagoon to majestic waterfalls. BLUE LAGOON For...
 
The Faroes & operation Valentine The Faroes & operation Valentine This is about the occupation of the Faroe Islands by the British during WWII. The Faroe Islands was a ‘county’ of Denmark (now an autonomous... Akhal-teke horses of Turkmenistan Akhal-teke horses of Turkmenistan One of the more unexpected but undoubted highlights of our tour to Turkmenistan was the visit to the Akhal-Teke Stud Farm, run by the jovial Mr. Gulmedov, near... Made in Taiwan: where to go and what to eat, drink & shop for! Made in Taiwan: where to go and what to eat, drink & shop for! Not so many years ago,  it seemed that every toy, ceramic or electronic item had a ‘Made in Taiwan’ stamp or label on it, and I often wondered...
 
An amazing coincidence An amazing coincidence A recent visit to the second hand book shops of Hay-on-Wye resulted in the purchase of many fine old travel books. As I settled down to read “A Hot... 5 amazing trans-siberian railway stops 5 amazing trans-siberian railway stops A journey on the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok covers nearly 10,000km and a clock-busting seven time zones. A non-stop trip from end... Vietnam - A war legacy Vietnam - A war legacy As a student studying American history and culture I’d learned a lot about the war in Vietnam.  I’d taken many classes covering the history,...
 
The Mergui archipelago The Mergui archipelago Hear the word Burma and it conjures up visions of soaring temple spires, golden stupas, colonial architecture and colourful saffron-robed monks. The removal of... Unveiling Estonia's treasures Unveiling Estonia's treasures From Bucharest to Tirana and everywhere in between all across Eastern and Western Europe, there they are: the ‘dumplings’ with their bright head... A Georgian food & wine feast A Georgian food & wine feast We arrived on the early morning flight from Munich to Tbilisi, where we met up with the other members of a large international group here for Georgia’s...
 
Snowmobiling in Iceland Snowmobiling in Iceland Watching BBC1’s Holiday Hit Squad last night, I was delighted to see the feature comparing adventure holidays in Scotland with Iceland. Sorry Scots, but... After the war: retracing childhood footsteps in Mostar After the war: retracing childhood footsteps in Mostar This blog article was written by Kate Kuchnowska from Regent Holidays’ sister company, Western & Oriental. It was late evening. My mum, young and... Croatia - my private paradise Croatia - my private paradise This blog article was written by Kate Kuchnowska from Western & Oriental. I was 7 years old when I first visited Croatia. It was my first trip abroad...
 
The great wall of... Croatia The great wall of... Croatia If you are driving the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik on a Croatia fly drive, the glistening turquoise waters of the Adriatic and the beautifully... My Bhutan diary - Part two My Bhutan diary - Part two First stop for the day was Simply Bhutan, a ‘living museum’ dedicated to traditional Bhutanese culture and a fun look at how life has changed over... Recipe for vietnamese chicken pho (Ga Pho) Recipe for vietnamese chicken pho (Ga Pho) Vietnamese food has to be my favourite world cuisine – all those delicious flavours that we have come to expect from South East Asian cookery –...
 
A day trip to Transdniestr A day trip to Transdniestr The Republic of Moldova has many attractions; such as the charming, tree-lined capital of Chisinau, the fine wineries and underground wine cellars, as well as... Top five quirky museums in Iceland Top five quirky museums in Iceland Perhaps it’s the sight of the dancing northern lights, or of midsummer’s sun at midnight. Or maybe it’s the bizarre geological formations, or... Soviet hero cities Soviet hero cities Christina Gibbons has just returned from leading a group tour to Russia’s Soviet Hero cities. Here she writes about some of the highlights. Russian...
 
A recipe for Ukranian Borscht A recipe for Ukranian Borscht One of my favourite Ukrainian dishes of all time, even in the 33 degree heat wave that Kyiv was experiencing when I visited this summer, is borscht. This... Filming in the motherland: Bondarchuks' Stalingrad Filming in the motherland: Bondarchuks' "Stalingrad" One of the more unusual things I did during my time in Russia was participating in a film – not as an actor, but as what is known in Russian as... A journey to Turkmenistan - a country of imagination A journey to Turkmenistan - a country of imagination Regent Holiday’s client Murray Scott travelled with us to Turkmenistan. Here, he writes about the highlights of his trip… The drive into the...
 
Taroko national park Taroko national park Taroko National Park and its famous gorge is often, and rightly described, as the jewel of Taiwan and is a must-do part of any visitors itinerary. The park... Getting back in the saddle Getting back in the saddle Not having ridden since I was 10 years old, (this was many years ago) I was a bit nervous about getting back on a horse. My fears we un founded, as it was... Biking in Bagan Biking in Bagan After we transfer to the hotel and check in, we’ll head out on bikes and cycle around all the temples, is that ok?” We all looked up thinking...
 
Time to play Faroe (Islands) Time to play Faroe (Islands) As the coach weaved its way through villages of perfect-looking houses, rolling hills and dramatic coastline I couldn’t think of anywhere that I had... A shark's tail A shark's tail Located along the scenic Snaefellsnes peninsula, travelling North East of Berserkjahraun, lies a museum with a difference. The Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum is... Escape to Cambodia's secret beach retreats Escape to Cambodia's secret beach retreats There’s more to Cambodia holidays than uncovering an intriguing past and seeing an abundance of spectacular temples and charming colonial landmarks. Take...
 
Discover Russia: the incredible wooden buildings of Kizhi island Discover Russia: the incredible wooden buildings of Kizhi island Travelling along Russia’s historic waterways from glitzy Moscow to imperial St Petersburg is the ideal way to discover the real Russia. I travelled... Five unmissable things to do in Budapest Five unmissable things to do in Budapest With so much to see and do on a Budapest city break it can be difficult to fit everything in. To make things easier for anyone embarking on a trip to this... Iceland - easy as ABC Iceland - easy as ABC When arriving and departing in Reykjavik, our partners Reykjavik Excursions certainly take the strain and stress out of landing in a new destination and...
 
Vilnius: a perfect weekend getaway Vilnius: a perfect weekend getaway Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital city, is located at the heart of Europe and boasts one of the largest Old Town centres in Europe. I love wondering around... How to take perfect photos in Iceland: lights & ice How to take perfect photos in Iceland: lights & ice Iceland is home to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and natural phenomena and, at nearly every moment, you will be reaching for your camera... 5 unmissable mausoleums & tombs 5 unmissable mausoleums & tombs For the discerning despot, an opulent and ludicrously expensive mausoleum is the preferred option for securing a long and lasting legacy after they’ve...
 
Return to Russia Return to Russia Upon completing my recent Russian visa application form I had to count how many Russian visas I had applied for in the past and to my astonishment discovered I... Bon om touk - Cambodia water festival Bon om touk - Cambodia water festival South East Asia offers an abundance of festivals celebrating everything from your classic New Year extravaganzas to the Thai festival of Loy Krathong (the... Reykjavik: The Gateway to the New World Reykjavik: The Gateway to the New World I love city breaks. If ever I have a few days off work, I like nothing more than spontaneously booking a flight to somewhere new. Yet so many city break...
 
Borneo Rainforest Lodge and the Wildlife of Danum Valley Borneo Rainforest Lodge and the Wildlife of Danum Valley Borneo, and in particular the Sabah region of Malaysian Borneo, is rightly famed for the richness of its wildlife and the beauty of its landscape. Whilst... Brest Fortress - Brestskaya Krepost Brest Fortress - Brestskaya Krepost Probably one of the most tragic and heroic stories of the Great Patriotic War, the remains of the Brest Fortress stands as a memorial to its defence back in... Lithuania: The Baltics' Best Kept Secret Lithuania: The Baltics' Best Kept Secret As with any country which has experienced centuries of invasion and occupation, Lithuania is fiercely proud of its culture and language. The latter as ancient...
 
All At Sea In Iceland All At Sea In Iceland The day was finally here that my 8 year old nephew had been looking forward to ever since we had told him we were going to Iceland on holiday. On the first... The World's Most Unusual Foods The World's Most Unusual Foods We at Regent Holidays pride ourselves in never approaching the new and untried with anything less than an enthusiastic open mind. However, there has been the... Trans-Siberian On The Tsar's Gold Trans-Siberian On The Tsar's Gold For many, it’s the greatest railway journey you can take. The idea of travelling thousands of miles and crossing seven time zones appeals to the romantic...
 
5 Of The World's Best Drinks You've Never Heard Of 5 Of The World's Best Drinks You've Never Heard Of "The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to drink it,” Rudyard Kipling so nearly said. Nevertheless there are few better or more... Vilnius to Warsaw: Sleepless On A Sleeper Train Vilnius to Warsaw: Sleepless On A Sleeper Train This is a guest post by Mandy Huggins, who visited Lithuania and Poland with Regent Holidays. Mandy’s favourite destinations in the world are Japan,... In Pictures: Croatia's Most Beautiful Islands In Pictures: Croatia's Most Beautiful Islands Strewn like glittering jewels across a shimmering, azure blue blanket, the islands of Croatia are one of Europe’s, if not the world’s, most...
 
3 Indispensable Sarajevo and Belgrade Travel Tips 3 Indispensable Sarajevo and Belgrade Travel Tips Regent Holidays’ resident North Korea and Mongolia expert, Carl Meadows, recently paid a visit to the emerging destinations of Bosnia-Herzegovina and... Notes From The St. Petersburg Underground Notes From The St. Petersburg Underground This is a guest post by Mandy Huggins, who visited St Petersburg with Regent Holidays. Mandy’s favourite destinations in the world are Japan, India and... North Korea Gone Back In Time North Korea Gone Back In Time It seemed the Chinese border guards were reluctant to let us out of China, checking our North Korean entry permits repeatedly before allowing access to...
 
5 Essential Things To See & Do In Moscow 5 Essential Things To See & Do In Moscow Seen the Kremlin and St Basil’s? Roamed Red Square? Popped in to say “Dobrey Dyen” to Lenin? Wondering what to do next on your city break to... Five Highlights Of A Tour To North Korea Five Highlights Of A Tour To North Korea Visiting North Korea soon? Or perhaps you are just intrigued to see what this endlessly mysterious country has to offer beyond controversial satellite launches... Five Of The Best Moscow Metro Stations Five Of The Best Moscow Metro Stations As well as being one of the most efficient and cheapest underground transit systems in the world, the Moscow Metro is also undoubtedly one of the most...