St Helena and South African winelands

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
Committed to promoting Responsible Tourism, we strive to ensure that every vacation we curate leaves a positive impact. Our pioneering carbon scoring system, a global first, plays a pivotal role in this endeavour. This innovative system enables us to assess and assign a carbon score to each tailor-made trip we craft. We actively engage with our suppliers, urging them to complete our comprehensive carbon-scoring survey and through this process, both we and our suppliers gain insights into their unique carbon scores, identifying areas of sustainability excellence and avenues for improvement.

Extending this transparency to our customers, we individually evaluate each trip, providing you with a personalised carbon score for your tailor-made vacation. Our commitment to the environment extends beyond scoring systems. We meticulously design trips that prioritise low environmental impact, incorporating activities like walking tours in lieu of vehicular excursions and selecting small, locally owned hotels. Additionally, our dedication to sustainable dining options is evident in our provision of vegetarian and vegan food choices for our customers. By embracing these practices, we aim to redefine travel experiences as responsible, conscious, and positive for both the traveler and the planet.

To further reduce the carbon impact of this trip transport is shared during the stay on St. Helena. On St. Helena and in South Africa the food on offer is almost entirely locally grown and sourced. In South Africa much of the power used in the hotels we recommend is from renewables such as solar, for example the solar heated pool at our choice of hotel in Cape Town, Abbey Manor Guesthouse, which is also walking distance from local restaurants.

In Franschhoek our chosen hotel, Avonrood, is within walking distance of many of the local attractions and restaurants and we encourage clients to use the shared 'Wine Tram' to visit local vineyards or explore by bike. The hotel in Hermanus, One Marine Drive, has been selected as it's walking distance from all the local highlights and restaurants, all offering locally produced food and wine.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE:
This trip is ultimately about educating the traveler about the incredible diverse landscapes in St. Helena and South Africa's Cape, and letting you get involved in local activities.

Ahead of their journey, we provide all our customers with a comprehensive online "travel pack." This digital resource, and online app called Vamoos, serves as essential details about your upcoming trip. Among the wealth of information included are insights into the destinations you'll be exploring, offering practical guidelines on various aspects, including but not limited to, what to pack. Our aim is to assist you in optimising your luggage.

By encouraging thoughtful packing, we strive to reduce the overall weight of luggage, contributing to lower fuel consumption on planes and other vehicles throughout your journey. This initiative aligns with our commitment to sustainable travel practices, ensuring a positive impact on both your travel experience and the environment.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
Our unwavering commitment to responsible travel underscores our dedication to placing local communities at the forefront of our supply chain across all aspects of our itineraries. Our partners in St. Helena are based in Jamestown and employ local guides to bring a wealth of knowledge about the land, wildlife, and environment. There is no experience more authentic and enriching than learning about a country from a local.

In turn, it also serves as a catalyst for local job opportunities. Furthermore, the accommodations selected for our trips actively contribute to community well-being by prioritising the hiring of local staff. This deliberate choice not only supports the local workforce but also bolsters the regional economy through the procurement of local food products.

In both St. Helena and South Africa meals are created with ingredients from local farmers and sustainable local fisheries. This approach minimises environmental impact by reducing the distance travelled by products, while simultaneously generating meaningful revenue for the local population.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
The tour on St. Helena includes a visits to local homes and businesses entirely staffed and owned by 'Saints'.

In South Africa we encourage travelers to visit local businesses and intiatives that promote local employment, and prioritise inclusivity and diversity.

Throughout your journey, you'll have the privilege of interacting with locals, alongside our knowledgeable local guides, passionate ambassadors of their heritage.