By:
Jarred Manasse
2023-03-08
Encounters Travel was proud to host a stand at this year's Destinations Travel Show at the Kensington Olympia between 2-5 February. Shows such as this are a wonderful opportunity for us to meet travellers face to face and learn more about what people are most keen on doing and experiencing at the moment, and seeing how our trips match up.
We were delighted to be visited by so many potential, new and repeat clients who all had their stories to tell. We are also proud to know that our tours have had such a positive impact on people, as was made obvious through the chats and laughs we had throughout the time of the Show. We aim to ensure that our trips are undertaken responsibly, whilst being mindful of the communities and places that we visit.

What stood out for us was the delight of clients when they heard about how much we were happy to tailor-make their experiences to suit particular needs; be it extending a group tour, being flexible with payments, or creating a completely new trip for them.
Families with limited time available due to school commitments felt that they were able to control the trip they planned rather than have a generic tour laid before them. As one repeat client told us "I know that by coming back to you, the kids are going to discover something new and amazing, and we'll feel like we've had a holiday too!".
Our trips encompass a diverse range of destinations and continents. As with all things, our trips have evolved over the years, and we try to cater for a plethora of tastes and ages. Having so much contact with travellers at shows like this really helps us to refine what we are doing and offering. It was reassuringly apparent to us that no matter what age a client may be, there is still the urge to explore and experience new places and cultural diversity.
For more details on our trips, we urge you to explore our website and plan your next trip. Our team are waiting to hear from you and will help you to choose the best possible option for you.
We also encourage you to have a look at our 'other half' Oasis Overland. It was great to have a shared stand together, and to feel how closely we match up, with some Encounters travellers delighted with the longer, more adventurous Oasis trips, and some Oasis travellers keen to talk about family holidays and shorter trips they could do having done several big adventures already.
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-08-06
Planning a trip to Jordan? Learn from our mistakes with this essential travel guide. From navigating the vast ruins of Petra and booking the perfect Wadi Rum desert camp to floating in the Dead Sea, discover why an expertly guided adventure is the smartest way to explore.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-08-03
Lebanon is ancient, resilient, and wildly beautiful. Discover the best things to visit in Lebanon with our honest, story-driven travel guide. From exploring Beirut’s vibrant streets and the sacred Qadisha Valley to marvelling at Baalbek's colossal Roman ruins, see why an Encounters Travel adventure will change everything you thought you knew.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-29
Planning a trip to Lebanon? Discover the best things to do in Beirut with our honest travel guide. From marvelling at the Jeita Grotto and ancient Baalbek to wandering vibrant neighbourhoods like Gemmayze, find out why an Encounters Travel guided tour is the perfect way to explore.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-27
Botswana’s luxury reputation can feel intimidating to the budget-conscious traveller, but the reality is beautifully different. Read our honest breakdown of the best places to visit in Botswana. From silent mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta to vast elephant herds in Chobe National Park, discover what genuinely lives up to the hype, and what to skip, on an Encounters Travel overland tour.
By:
Martin Hosie
2026-07-21
We booked a family overland trip half-expecting Namibia's Skeleton Coast to be all eerie silence and dramatic shipwrecks. What we actually found, from roaring lions padding along the coastline to cape fur seals barking in their thousands, completely changed how we think about safari travel. Here's the story of the most unexpectedly alive place we've ever visited.