Stubborn Mule in the Press

We are always delighted when travel experts in the press recommend Stubborn Mule, so please forgive us for showcasing a few of our favourite mentions. For links to the Times and Sunday Times, you’ll only be able to see these sites if you already subscribe.

The Telegraph
February 2024

Best Luxury Safaris
Francesca Syz picks out our Madagascar trips for families who are looking for the very best safari holidays, with a difference. Subscription required.

The Times
February 2024

Best out-of-season trips
Think creatively is the advice – look at Guatemala and Belize for a summer family holiday. The kids can toast marshmallows over lava, explore Mayan ruins in the jungle near San Ignacio,  kayak on Lake Atitlan, and snorkel and swim in marine reserves in Belize. Find all the out-of-season recommended trips here.

National Geographic Traveller
Jan/Feb 2024

Thrilling Family Adventures for 2024
We are delighted to be featured as one of the top seven best family adventures for this coming year, with our Guatemala holidays highlighted as the ideal introduction to Latin America. Read the full article.

CondeNast Traveller
January 2024

‘We are family’
Emma Love’s article features Stubborn Mule’s Active Bali & Komodo itinerary.

The Times
September 2023

Adventure holiday in Croatia
Ben Machell and his partner take their two under-10s to Croatia with Stubborn Mule Travel and vow never to go on an all-inclusive holiday again! Cliff-jumping, river kayaking, speed boat excursions, cave swimming, and much, much more. It’s a great read.

The Telegraph
September 2023

Winter sun in North Africa
We totally agree that North Africa is the perfect destination for warmth, exploring historic sites, and generally relaxing. And delighted of course that our trips to Marrakech have been highlighted – subscription required.

The Telegraph
September 2023

Autumn half-term holidays to book now
Our Crete Family Adventure has made it into the top 10 holidays for this coming half-term. Check out Greg Dickinson’s roundup – subscription required.

CondeNast Traveller
August 2023

Safaris for ‘first-timer’ families
Thinking of taking the kids on a safari? Check out this guide to a first safari adventure by Lydia Bell. Scroll down to Can I take my children on safari?, for more about Stubborn Mule, and see our African Safari section.

The Times
July 2023

Holidays to beat the summer heat
With extremely hot summers in southern Europe, Norway’s fjords are just the ticket. And we are delighted that our Norway family holidays have been included in the Times’ Top 15 alternative destinations for this summer.

Citizen Femme
June 2023

Family holidays are important
Citizen Femme talks with our MD Liddy Pleasants about the benefits of family travel, shared memories and special bonding time. Liddy shares her thoughts on how rewarding holidays can expose kids to different ways of life, cultures and religions – and helps them realise how fortunate they are, whilst experiencing a brilliant holiday!

Sunday Times
May 2023

Exciting new ways to visit Egypt
A Stubborn Mule favourite with such a lot to do and see, we’re delighted that The Sunday Times has put a spotlight on our 14-day Egypt adventure that takes in the lesser-visited west of the country (including Siwa, El Alamein, and Alexandria), as well as world-famous iconic highlights. Check out what the paper has to say about trips to Egypt.

The Times
May 2023

Croatia for the May half term
The Times has chosen our 6-day trip to Croatia as one of their best last-minute deals, with SUPs, bike rides through the countryside, island hopping, snorkelling, and much more.

Citizen Femme
April 2023

Best family holidays for 10 to 18’s
For exciting adventures that families will never forget, Citizen Femme recommends Stubborn Mule Travel (8) with glacier hiking, lion tracking, ziplining and so much more on offer. Holidays are created to suit your tastes and kids of all ages, including teens.

The Telegraph
April 2023

Road trips for families this summer – Costa Rica
We are delighted that the Telegraph has picked our Croatia summer itinerary as one of its top summer trips for families – subscription is required.

Mumsnet Holiday Forum
April 2023

Where to start with holiday planning
Thank you to Wavinggoodbyetoo for name-checking us in the Mumsnet holiday forum, on the subject of how to begin planning an adventurous family holiday!

Tatler Travel Guide
January 2023

Where to stay in Muscat with the family
Grab a copy of the Tatler Travel Guide 2023 to find out the best family-friendly places to stay in Muscat, Oman, as recommended by Camilla Long. Spoiler alert…  Al Bustan Palace is top of the list. And of course, Stubborn Mule Travel is the company to go with!

The Times
August 2022

Family-friendly South India
Stubborn Mule’s Kerala holidays, with their slower pace, are recommended for families as a less overwhelming introduction to the Indian subcontinent. Explore the backwaters by boat or bike, spot elephants, swim in waterfalls, and explore tea plantations.

The Times
May 2022

Best Mountain Adventures
Stubborn Mule’s  Norway self-drive family holiday has been chosen for inclusion in The Times’ top 25 Europe trips to the mountains. Our Norway in summer holiday features family-friendly mountain and fjord activities, including kayaking in the Geirangerfjord, white-water rafting, and cycling. The trip is tailor-made to suit individual families’ preferences.

The Daily Telegraph
January 2021

30 Best Active Adventures
This lovely article on finding your spirit of adventure again includes our family trip to eastern Canada, which takes in wild swimming, spotting moose and wolves as well as sleeping in a log cabin and camping under the stars at Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park. You then kayak around the 1,000 Islands and experience the Niagara Falls up close by boat. Check out this example trip at Lakes, Falls & Cities of Ontario and read the full Telegraph article – subscription required.

The Daily Telegraph
December 2020

Namibia – one of the 15 best ‘bubble safaris’
Fresh air, wide horizons, and a host of animals in their natural habitat are just some of the reasons why Sarah Marshall recommends our two-week self-drive tour of Namibia. A campervan complete with pop-up roof tents brings the freedom of the open road and the chance to explore untouched wilderness in your family bubble. See the full article – subscription required.

The Daily Telegraph
December 2020

34 Epic Adventures – Big breaks in 2021
Sarah Baxter looks ahead to the coming year and picks out the best two-week trips to satisfy pent up family wanderlust. Our 21-day Highlights of Namibia trip is highlighted, with its wilderness camping, game drives, kayaking with seals, meeting rescued cheetah and bush walks. The cooler weather in Namibia’s summer makes this the ideal time to visit. Check out the full article – subscription required.

The Daily Telegraph
December 2020

Summer in Tokyo
Looking ahead to post lockdown travel, The Telegraph predicts Japan will become a hot spot for family holiday travel and singles out our Highlights of Japan itinerary. It predicts that once travel is possible again, places will get booked up and recommends early planning.  See the full article – subscription required.

The Times
November 2020

Epic adventures in South America – 30 of the best
We are delighted that our 15-night family adventure to Ecuador has been chosen by Jeremy Lazell as one of his best bucket-list escapes for 2021. For active families, there is hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and rafting, as well as hot springs, jungle trips and a chance to fire a blowpipe! Read the full list here – subscription required or check out all the countries we can take you to in Latin America.

Sunday Telegraph
May 2020

Going wild in the world’s open spaces
We are delighted to have been mentioned in the Sunday Telegraph for our family-friendly road trips in Oman. Exploring the country along its well-kept roads, taking in the incredible dunes and lush Al-Hajar highlands is one of our favourite ways to explore. And as the article says, top and tail your family trip at a luxury beach hotel.

The Times
May 2020

Family safaris in Tanzania
We’re thrilled to have had one of our trips highlighted by the Times as one of the 30 Great African Adventures for 2021. Our action-packed Tanzania safari includes all the great northern parks (Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater), a day experiencing life with the bushman as well as time on the palm-fringed beaches of Zanzibar.

SheerLuxe
March 2020

Start planning your holiday bucket list now
Sheerluxe recommends our dream family holidays to Tanzania, which blend safari and the beach. As well as safari game drives, kids can enjoy archery, cycling through plantations and learning bushcraft. A Zanzibar beach is the perfect way to complete the trip.

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine
March 2020

Morocco – Marrakech
It’s well worth buying a copy of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine to read Kate Hockenhull’s article, about her trip to Marrakech with her young child. We are delighted that she recommends getting in touch with Stubborn Mule Travel for help planning a tailor-made family holiday in Morocco.

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine
March 2020

Family safaris – Where’s good for a budget safari
Reader Harry Fitzroy asks where is best for a family safari on a tight budget. A quality safari doesn’t come cheap, but the writer suggests contacting Stubborn Mule Travel.

The Times – Travel Doctor
Feb 2020

Dream trip to the Galapagos – where to start
The Travel Doctor answers a reader who asks how they should start planning a dream trip to the Galapagos Island – when to go and whether it’s suitable for their young daughters. We are delighted that as “the family-travel specialist Stubborn Mule” we are recommended. Read full article. Subscription required. For more information you can also check out our Ecuador and Galapagos Family holidays section.

The Daily Telegraph
Feb 2020

Adventures in the Desert
For an exciting road trip and wild camping, the Daily Telegraph’s travel experts pick out Oman, and name Stubborn Mule Travel in their lists of top three suggested tour operators.

The Sunday Times Travel Magazine
Jan 2020

Safari with kids – First Timers
Kate Crockett provides advice on the best ways to do a family safari, advising to think beyond the big-5 and plan for the youngest. She recommends going with a small specialist operator, and names Stubborn Mule Travel as one of the top three.

The Times – Travel Doctor
Jan 2020

Family trip to Vietnam with kids aged 11and 13
In answer to a reader’s question about a two-week trip to Vietnam with a mix of adventure and relaxation, the Travel Doctor recommends a two-week tailor-made trip with Stubborn Mule Travel.

The Daily Telegraph
Jan 2020

50 Best Adventres for 2020
In her round up of exciting family trips for 2020, Sarah Baxter picks Stubborn Mule for a holiday that takes in Beijing, the Great Wall, Chengdu and Yangshuo.

Metro
Jan 2020

Adventures that push the boundaries
We’re delighted that The Metro has picked out our new Borneo and Mainland Malaysia itinerary for families who love wildlife adventures. Visit Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Selingan Island, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara, Kota Bahru and the Perhentian Islands.

Family Traveller
Jan 2020

Family travel experts share tips on what to do when things go wrong
Check out our MD’s answers in Family Travel magazine on what to do about delays, avoiding illness and financial protection.

Lonely Planet
December 2019

Travelling with children
Our MD Liddy Pleasants talks about what’s she has learned from travelling with her kids. The idea for Stubborn Mule began when she cycled around South East Asia for 5 months with her young children. Read more about the company history.

The Times
October 2019

Autumn Half Term
For keen hikers, Julia Brookes, suggests Stubborn Mule’s tailor-made Jordan family holiday, with hiking along country lanes to hilltop castle of Ajloun, exploring Wadi Rum and Petra, and then a soak in the Red Sea at the end. Read full article here – Subscription required.

National Geographic Traveller
October 2019

Explore Mongolia’s vast Gobi Desert
National Geographic recommends Stubborn Mule’s 10-day Mongolia trip for teenagers – includes Ulaan Baatar, Yolyn Am, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan, Khongoryn Els, Bayanzag, Erdenedalai, Khogno Khan, Erdene Zuu, Orkhon River Valley

The Times – Travel Doctor
July 2019

Family-friendly cycling in southeast Asia
In answer to a reader’s question about family-friendly cycling tours in southeast Asia, the Times Travel Doctor recommends Stubborn Mule’s trips to Vietnam which can include cycling through the Red River district of Hanoi and the hill country of Mai Chau. A two-week trip can also include cookery classes, time on the beach and boat trips. (A subscription is required to read article – check out the online version here.)

The Jewish Chronicle
July 2019

Hottest trends in travel – The rise in intergenerational holidays
The Jewish Chronicle quotes our MD, Liddy Pleasants, who says there’s been a notable rise in families going on holiday with all the generations coming along. She says the impetus may be grandparents celebrating a big birthday or a last big family holiday before the kids move on.

The Times (Weekend)
July 2019

Travel Tips – Direct flights to Durban, South Africa
The Travel Tips editor picks out our new family trip to KwaZulu Natal, which makes use of the new direct BA flights to Durban, shaving off three hours from the usual route. The trip include Mkuze Game Reserve, Thonga Beach and a boat trip to see hippos at Makakatana.

The Times (Weekend)
March 2019

Travel Tips – A Family Adventure In Mongolia
The Travel Tips editor Jane Knight reports on family holidays with a difference and suggests a Stubborn Mule trip in Mongolia. She mentions our new  Mongolia Adventure which includes a camel safari with camping in the Gobi Desert, as well as exploring the Orkhon River Valley by yak cart and hunting for fossils at the Flaming Cliffs feature. (A subscription is required to read the full article).

The Telegraph
March 2019

Make a date with a dinosaur
The Telegraph recommends Stubborn Mule’s two-week Mongolian Family Adventure, which includes a 4WD drive road trip through the Mongolian wilderness. Along the way there are sites of historic interest with paleontological digs at the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, home to a large concentration of dinosaur fossils. Families can explore the site on foot and look for dinosaur eggs.

Lonely Planet magazine
February 2019

Arabian Nights in Oman
Guy Ritchie’s live action remake of Aladdin is due for release later this year, but Lonely Planet says you don’t need a magic carpet to enjoy a Bedouin camp experience in Oman. With the awe-inspiring backdrop of Wahiba Sands, our trip into the Omani desert is recommended, complete with private wild camping, Bedouin experience and dune bashing.

Good Housekeeping magazine
February 2019

2019 – What’s hot
With the new Aladdin film due to be released in May 2019, Good Housekeeping magazine shines a spotlight on Jordan’s Wadi Rum. This spectacular desert is where much of the filming takes place. Good Housekeeping picks out our nine-day family trip to Jordan for active families.

Family Traveller Magazine
January 2019

The Best of the Best
Stubborn Mule Travel has been Highly Commended in the magazines’s annual ‘crème de la crème’ listing for Best Adventure Specialist for Families.

The Daily Telegraph
January 2019

Where to see primates … the 10 greatest places on the planet
Family travel writer Mike Unwin picks his top places to see primates and chooses Stubborn Mule for family fun in Sri Lanka and the chance to spot langurs, macaques and the cute loris monkey.

The Times (Weekend)
January 2019

Best Half term adventures for families
The Times recommends Stubborn Mules’s hilltop walks in Morocco where you can divide your time between exploring Marrakesh’s souks and hiking in the High Atlas Mountains. Guided walks to hilltop villages are offered (younger children can ride on a mule) and the opportunity to visit the famous kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. The trip can also include an evening trip by camel into the desert… and if you are lucky you’ll catch a spectacular sunset.

The Daily Telegraph
January 2019

Tweens and teens – the best 2019 summer holidays for families
See Catherine Cooper’s top 20 holidays for tweens and teens, which features a Stubborn Mule trip to Belize and Guatemala.

The Times 
December 2018

The 20 best family holidays
Julia Brookes picks a Stubborn Mule holiday trekking and rafting in Nepal as one of her top 20. (A subscription is required to read full article). Checkout our sample Active Nepal itinerary here.

Sunday Times Travel Magazine
November 2018 issue

Thailand – A Connoisseurs Guide
Check us out in this enjoyable glossy magazine, which showcases our suggested Highlights of Thailand itinerary.

The Daily Telegraph
October 2018

Bows and arrows in Tanzania – Best destinations for October half term
Sally Peck and Natalie Paris share their thoughts on why October half-term is the perfect time to escape Britain.

The Times 
September 2018

Where to book now for October half term
The top pick is an exotic half-term family jaunt with Stubborn Mule to Oman. Read Julia Brookes’ round up here. (A subscription is required to read full article.)

The Times – Travel Doctor
June 2018

Where can we go for a child-friendly holiday in Cambodia?
A reader asks the Travel Doctor if there are any companies that offer child-friendly trips to Cambodia next summer. She has children aged 8 and 11. Find the answer here.

The Telegraph
March 2018

The best Easter family holidays
The Telegraph recommends Stubborn Mule for a family-friendly Cuba holiday and highlights our Cuba Highlights itinerary, with classic car trip in Havana, zip lining through the forest in Las Terrazas, riding a bike or horse through the streets of Vinales and exploring an underground river by boat. Read more here.

The Jewish Chronicle
September 2017

Cathy Winston’s awfully big adventure
Temples, open-air trains and floating tents – the JC finds out why you should see Cambodia with kids. Read Cathy Winston’s An awfully big adventure.

East Anglia Daily Times
January 2017

Exotic family holiday ideas for 2017
Who says you have to set your sights low when you have children and also want a holiday to remember? Liddy Pleasants talks with EADT reporter Steven Russell.

The Guardian
April 2016

Cuba – Explore both the well-trodden and lesser-known parts
The Guardian recommends Stubborn Mule for a Cuban family adventure, highlighting our knowledge of child-friendly hotels and exciting programme of activities. Read more here.

The Guardian
October 2015

Record bookings for Cuba as tourists rush to see it before it changes
Liddy Pleasants, Stubborn Mule Travel’s MD, is quoted in this article about the increase in interest in travel to Cuba. Read the full article here.

The Independent
April 2014

Peru is much more than Machu Picchu
The Independent recommends Stubborn Mule’s two-week family holiday to Peru for families, including an overnight at Skylodge Adventure Suites, transparent pods that cling to the side of a mountain. You spend the night suspended above Peru’s Sacred Valley. Find out more.

The Independent
May 2014

Get ready for summer
The Independent suggests adventurous families look at Stubborn Mule’s new family tour of Borneo. Read on…

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