Life is in the detail

Take the boat out to the Scilly Cay, a tiny islet of Anguilla, to experience food heaven. Fresh caught lobster, barbecued there and then, served with a delicious curry sauce and washed down with rum punch.

Isabel - Original Traveller

Isabel de Galleani

Original Travel Expert

I have extensive travel experience throughout Africa and Middle East.

My travels

Travel Things I Want To Do Before I Die

Japan
Mexico
The Himalayas

Best Moments

Getting engaged in the Selous in Tanzania has to be the most memorable! Sun rising with hippos wallowing and impala grazing around our tent deck - it was pretty special!

Toughest Travel Moment

OK, there may have been tougher ones, but one that comes to mind was arriving at (the completely wonderful) Kasbah du Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco on the back of a mule. It's the way everyone arrives, but it's not that comfortable and you have to smile politely!

Weirdest Travel Moment

Back to the engagement in Tanzania! We had no reception at all for the next 48 hours (well planned!) so we celebrated with our guide and a wonderful couple in their 60's!

Explore my blog posts

Adventure in South Africa: Our Favourite Activities

After a whistle stop tour of the Waterberg, Cape Town and the Winelands I am just catching my breath and reflecting on the experiences I packed into eight glorious days in South Africa. For anyone looking to inject some adventure into a holiday, South Africa is the destination for you.

Beautiful Anguilla: An Unknown Paradise

Having recently returned from a trip island hopping in the Caribbean, Original Travel expert Issy revisited the delightful island of Anguilla. She was no less impressed by the exclusive holiday island the second time round...

Caribbean Island Hopping: Nine Islands in One Trip!

Dreaming of a luxury getaway to the Caribbean? Consultant Issy is just back from a research trip: a mere nine islands visited, 18 flights taken, 19 luxury hotels seen and stayed in, and an unquantifiable list of reasons why you should make it your next holiday destination...

80 Senses: #54 - Paragliding into Six Senses Zighy Bay

What a way to arrive. Competition in the hotel business is cut-throat, and properties are coming up with ever more outlandish ways to earn a few lines of coverage in the press or to generate conversation. The Maldives has gone with the whole underwater theme - first there was the underwater…

80 Senses: #43 - The Sounds of Senegal Music

The birthplace - in a round about sort of way - of pop.Modern pop music has its roots in the countries of West Africa, with their rhythms and musical traditions transported across the Atlantic during the slave trade to the USA, from where jazz and the blues evolved into rock'n'roll and pop…

80 Senses: #21 - Lunch at Vergelegen, Cape Winelands

The cape of good grape.

80 Senses #1... Lunch at Scilly Cay, Anguilla

We can't think of a more perfect place to have lunch. The island of Anguilla in the Caribbean is little more than a glorified sandbank, albeit a sandbank with some of the best beaches and finest hotels in the Windward Islands, but what really makes this island stand out is the food. The…

Holidays in South Africa: Uthando Township Projects

If you're heading off on holiday to South Africa, be sure to get under the skin of local culture with non-profit organisation Uthando. As our expert Issy discovered, it'll give you a unique and insightful look at Cape Town.