Introducing our Enriching Escapes

We’ve partnered with sustainable tourism NGO, The Travel Foundation, developing a new approach to holiday itinerary development to create our Enriching Escapes. These carefully curated trips are designed to bring out the best of the regions you’ll navigate, creating connections and memories that will last a lifetime.

Who are The Travel Foundation?

The Travel Foundation is an international sustainable tourism NGO dedicated to ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on destinations. They work in countries around the world supporting tourism organisations to accelerate change towards a resilient tourism model that puts resident communities at its centre.

Travel Counsellors has been a proud supporter of The Travel Foundation for a number of years and have worked together on several projects to help us and our customers better understand the challenges facing the tourism industry and where improvements can be made.

“We’ve collaborated with Travel Counsellors and destination partners to create a framework for itinerary building that includes more opportunities to support local communities and the environment, whilst reducing negative impacts. The end result is as much about improving the experience for customers as it is about raising the bar on sustainability.”

Rebecca Armstrong, Head of Impact at the Travel Foundation

Who do these itineraries impact?

First of all, there’s you, the traveller. These exciting new itineraries to destinations such as Costa Rica, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Iceland have been designed with the help of destination experts to ensure they include the most engaging and authentic experiences.

Then, there’s the people on the ground, those that you’ll meet along the way (like Marielo) who are using travel to better their lives through inviting visitors in for a taste of their homeland.

And there’s the landscapes and wildlife you’ve travelled to enjoy. Working with The Travel Foundation and our destination partners, we’ve included many activities that help to support preservation of natural landscapes and the creatures that call them home.

For more information and to book one of our Enriching Escapes, contact your Travel Counsellor today.

Why Shizuoka, Japan, deserves to be on your bucket list

10 February 2026

Shizuoka is one of those places that quietly delivers on everything people love about Japan, without the intensity that often comes with it. Perfectly placed on the Golden Route between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s easy to reach yet rarely feels overrun. This is a region where everyday life and travel experiences blend naturally, giving you space to explore at your own pace, whether that’s over a long weekend or as part of a wider journey across the country.

A modern take on Kyoto tradition at Capella Kyoto

09 February 2026

Kyoto’s Gion district is well-known for its heritage and character. Capella Kyoto places guests right in the heart of this cultural scene, surrounded by genuine traditions and the real rhythm of Kyoto life. With celebrated landmarks on all sides - Miyagawa-cho Kaburenjo, where geiko and maiko keep age-old performing arts alive, Kenninji Temple, a peaceful retreat and the city’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple, and Ebisu Shrine for good fortune - every walk from the hotel gives you an immediate sense of the history of this part of Japan.

A family-friendly way to experience Mount Fuji

09 February 2026

Japan has a way of rewarding travellers who slow down, and Hanz Outdoor Resort is especially well suited to families looking for space and ease. Set in the Lake Kawaguchiko area, it offers clear views of Mount Fuji while remaining straightforward to reach from Tokyo. Rather than packing days with long journeys, families can settle into one place and let the mountain become part of daily life, from relaxed mornings to evenings spent outdoors together. It’s a base that works just as well for first visits to Japan as it does for families returning to explore further.