There’s a quiet sort of freedom in knowing a trip has been built with someone in mind. No group itineraries, no identical photo stops, no fixed dinner times. Each day unfolds at a natural, unhurried pace, with a personal feel. 

A personalised holiday bends around preferences rather than forcing them to fit a plan. It’s not about extravagance or being waited on; it’s about detail, the kind that remembers how someone takes their coffee or that they’d rather walk than ride. Travel feels different when it’s shaped around a person’s habits and pace, not a company’s timetable or a guidebook’s script.

Ulpotha sits in one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions of Sri Lanka. Its story stretches back over 5,000 years and is carried in the soil, the water and the hills that surround the village.

Travelling alone isn’t about being brave anymore — it’s about being free. The best solo trips give you space to think, explore at your own pace, and meet people along the way who make the experience richer. Whether you want to recharge, reconnect, or rediscover your independence, these destinations and hotels offer style, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Travel in 2025 is all about places with personality — smaller hotels, B&Bs, slower rhythms, and a stronger connection to local life. Forget the obvious names; this year it’s about authenticity, design with soul, and destinations that still feel a little under the radar.

Travel is undergoing a reset. The traditional holiday of cocktails by the pool and indulgent buffets is being replaced by something deeper and more restorative. Today, wellness is not a passing trend, it is a driving force in the industry. According to the Global Wellness Institute, 77% of travellers now actively seek wellness elements when booking a trip. With the global wellness travel market forecast to hit $1.3 trillion by 2027, this shift is far more than a luxury add-on. It represents a fundamental change in how we define travel itself.

Head off the beaten track in Sri Lanka, and you’ll find Ulpotha, Sri Lanka’s best yoga and Ayurvedic retreat. Nearly 30 years old, Ulpotha has stayed true to its identity. It still purposely has no Wi-Fi or electricity. The food is organic and vegetarian, and the yoga is taught by some of the best and most authentic yoga teachers.