A Symphony of Salt
A journey through the Atacama Desert as told by Ker & Downey’s Lisa Chapman.
Category: Travel Diary
Journey to Japan
Join Ker & Downey’s luxury travel expert Lisa Sun as she takes us on a journey to Japan spanning north to south. Lisa shares the highlights from her unique experiences in Hokkaido, Teshima, and Tokyo.
Alaska Adventure – The New Frontier
An isolated wilderness, Alaska is home to some of the world’s largest national parks and most pristine natural beauty, and it beckons as an adventure destination for those willing to forge through its wild terrain. By Austin Mann and Haley Beham This past June, travel photographer Austin Mann explored the raw nature of Alaska, armed with his Sony A9, iPhone 7 Plus and the new Apple iPad Pro 10.5. Mann stayed at the remote Winterlake Lodge, accessible via floatplane or helicopter or dog sled, and its sister property, Tutka Bay Lodge, which is accessible primarily by boat. Both properties are family owned and […]
In the Moment: A Luxury Namibia Safari in Photographs
On a Ker & Downey-curated luxury Namibia safari that included Botswana, travelers John and Renata Harbison photographed the haunting scenes and many moods of two of Southern Africa’s most alluring destinations. They share the experience in their own words. Photography by John Harbison Visiting Namibia is about entering a landscape of expansive vistas and sweeping scenery with an otherworldly feel. We arrived in Namibia in June and wound up enjoying the isolation and remoteness that comes from a country bigger than Texas with a population of only 2.1 million people. Other than Windhoek, the capital city, it is an experience largely […]
Jamie Returns to Africa
Ker & Downey Luxury Travel Expert Jamie Bell has been on many safaris throughout her years at Ker & Downey. She shares her latest trip and why she keeps going back with us below. I never get tired of traveling to Africa, no matter how many times I’ve been. Each time I am excited to learn about new places and experience new things. My most recent trip to Africa was in September, and it marked my 16th time to travel there. This time, I returned to South Africa. My journey began in Cape Town, at the exciting new Silo Hotel […]
Jill’s Top Ecuador Adventures
Luxury Travel Consultant Jill Braley recently traveled to Ecuador. Today she’s sharing her top Ecuador adventures to add to your next Ker & Downey journey. The drive to Mashpi Lodge is long, and the last hour can be bumpy and rough, but it’s worth it. Once you’re there, you can feel the ambiance and energy changing. The air is so fresh, the surroundings are green and beautiful. It’s pretty incredible. My time at Mashpi was packed with adventure – a cable bike ride over the trees, a climb up the observation deck for a 360-degree view of the cloud forest, bird […]
Exploring Waiheke Island
Ker & Downey’s Lisa Chapman travels to Waiheke Island and finds it firmly planted on her “do not miss list” when you find yourself in Auckland. An early morning arrival into Auckland recently provided me with a grand excuse to hop on a ferry from the Queens Wharf for the short sail over to Waiheke Island. Most notable today for an impressive collection of wineries, olive growers, and an annual outdoor sculpture exhibit, Waiheke’s heritage dates back to the 14th century and is best learned through the stories of locals. In true Kiwi fashion, finding a local on Waiheke who […]
A Three Day Uyuni Tour with Ker & Downey
Michelle Sole, a former safari guide for Marataba Safari Lodge, is spending a year traveling the world and sharing her experiences with us. Today we’re making our way to Uyuni through the salt flats of Bolivia. To read more of her travels, click here. Say the word ‘Bolivia’ and my mind immediately conjures up images of pristine salt flats and sparkling lagoons full of pink flamingos. A recent three day tour with Ker & Downey, starting at the Hito Cajon Bolivian border and finishing in Uyuni was far beyond any expectations I had. The varied landscape in this area completely […]
Copacabana, Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol with Ker & Downey
Michelle Sole, a former safari guide for Marataba Safari Lodge, is spending a year traveling the world and sharing her experiences with us. Today we’re headed to Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, and Isla del Sol. To read more of her travels, click here. Lake Titicaca sits at an altitude of over 12,000 feet between Bolivia and Peru. It has the largest surface area of any lake in South America and is well known for its deep blue color. Lake Titicaca has 48 sacred islands, the largest and most notable of which is Isla del Sol, as it is believed to be […]
Mountains, Lakes, and Adventure: Hiking in Bariloche
Michelle Sole, a former safari guide for Marataba Safari Lodge, is spending a year traveling the world and sharing her experiences with us. Today we’re hiking in Bariloche in Argentina. To read more of her travels, click here. Famous throughout South America for its skiing in the winter, Bariloche is a hiker’s paradise for the rest of the year. Surrounded by the dramatic Patagonian landscapes found on the cover of a National Geographic magazine, with a myriad of lakes and imposing mountains, Bariloche is everything it’s promised to be and more. Plus, the main street of the town is lined […]
