The Llama Travel Blog

Back in October this year, I was lucky enough to visit the truly stunning country of Slovenia. My last flight out of the UK was way back in January 2020 so needless to say, I was eager to have the opportunity to explore a country that has always been on my bucket list.

I visited Bucharest on a short city break back in February 2020 and it left me wanting to explore more of Romania. Fast forward to September 2021 and I was lucky enough to revisit Romania on a week-long tour.

In September 2021, after over a year of being unable to leave the UK, I was lucky enough to visit the enigmatic Balkan country of Albania, a country whose recent past and closed border until 1991 has meant the nation is shrouded in mystery.

Lesser travelled than other corners of Europe are the three Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. All three countries are compact and share a similar history, but within them are three completely distinct cultures, different traditions and languages. For all their differences, they all offer the perfect mix of UNESCO-listed Old Towns, medieval castles and picturesque natural landscapes.

Here’s what Gary, Llama Travel Sales Manager, saw during his time in the Baltics - all the photos in this blog are his own. 

The next European destination to be pinned to the growing Llama Travel map is Slovenia. From the soaring peaks of the Julian Alps to the short but sweet Adriatic coast; the cobbled old town streets of Ljubljana to the sparkling turquoise lakes of Bled and Bohinj, the bite-sized country of Slovenia packs a huge punch. It is the green heart of Europe, with more than half of its total area covered in forest.

Here’s what Otto, a member of the Llama Travel sales team, saw during his time in Slovenia - all the photos in this blog are his own. 

We’ve spent the past year preparing a range of holidays in Europe and nearby to some fabulous destinations that perhaps many people are less familiar with. We've worked hard to put the Llama Travel touch on these, and we know that we can add greatly to your experience, with excellent guides and carefully prepared itineraries.

Lesser known than its Balkan neighbours, Albania is gifted with beautiful mountain scenery, pristine coastline and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will be launching our Albania holidays in the next few weeks, but we want to give you a sneak peak now.

Here’s what Graham, from the Llama Travel sales team, saw during his time in Albania - all the photos in this blog are his own. 

Over the past year, we've been busy preparing fascinating new destinations to pin on the ever-growing Llama Travel map. We are excited to announce a whole new continent: Europe. We've worked hard to put the Llama Travel touch on these, with the same combination of high quality, excellent value and small group tours that we offer in Latin America and Africa. Our Europe holidays will offer the same mix of fascinating history, rich culture, beautiful scenery and great food.

Look towards the East for one of our first European destinations: Romania. We will be launching our Romania holidays in the next few weeks, but we want to give you a sneak peek now.

Here’s what Paige, a member of the Llama Travel sales team, saw during her time in Romania - all the photos in this blog are her own. 

 Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most iconic cities, and arguably the most vibrant city in South America. From the world-famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and the colourful carnival processions to the striking Christ the Redeemer statue, the Brazilian city has it all. Rio’s natural beauty is something to behold – the tropical rainforest of Tijuca, the golden sand and turquoise water of the famous beaches and the panoramic viewpoint atop Sugarloaf Mountain. Rio also boasts many manmade landmarks, most famously Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue with its outstretched arms waiting to embrace all visitors.

Here are the top ten things to do during your holiday in Rio de Janeiro.

Over the past year, walking has taken on a new meaning for many of us. Whether it's multiple laps around the local park or a day-long hike in the countryside, it's given us a chance to connect with nature and stay grounded in the midst of restrictions. There's no better way to discover the beautiful landscapes of Latin America and Africa than on foot. From nature reserve trails in South Africa and volcanic lake hikes in Ecuador to epic Patagonia treks and the iconic trails to Machu Picchu, there are options to suit everyone. Keep scrolling to find out which walks and treks suit your budget and ability, so you can start planning something to look forward to.

Can I tell you about a very special day, my 65th birthday?  We had booked our second trip with Llama Travel having previously enjoyed a holiday in Peru & Machu Piccu.  This time was to be Ecuador & the Galapagos. I wanted it to be special so booked a two day (one night) trip to the Bellavista Reserve to enjoy some bird life, especially the hummingbirds, and flora.  This is my story of the trip.