Side-by-side comparisons of the destinations and brands clients ask us to choose between most often. Each comparison is written by an Apsley specialist who has travelled both options, with a direct verdict, a costs table and recommendations on which to pick depending on your travel style.
23 comparisons published.
Kenya vs Tanzania safari Kenya is the better choice for first-time safari travellers, families and shorter safari-and-beach combinations. Tanzania is the better choice for the Great Migration, wilderness scale and longer expeditions to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Maldives vs Seychelles honeymoon The Maldives is the better honeymoon for overwater villas, glass-clear lagoons and pure resort indulgence. The Seychelles is the better honeymoon for dramatic landscape, nature and island-hopping. Choose Maldives for the iconic photograph; Seychelles for the more varied trip.
Japan vs South Korea luxury travel Japan is the better choice for first-time travellers to East Asia — depth, ryokan tradition, refined heritage and a 10–14-night journey across Tokyo, Kyoto and a ryokan region. South Korea is the better choice for travellers wanting contemporary culture, shorter itineraries (7–10 nights) and better value at the luxury tier.
Italy vs Greece luxury holiday Italy is the better choice for cultural depth, food, art and combined city-country trips. Greece is the better choice for island-hopping, swimming, and pure beach-focused weeks with sunlight reliability.
Peru vs Patagonia adventure holiday Peru is the better choice for cultural adventure — Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, Lima's food scene and the Amazon. Patagonia is the better choice for raw landscape and trekking — Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno glacier and the Tierra del Fuego fjords.
Morocco vs Jordan private tour Morocco is the better choice for sensory variety — riads, souks, Atlas Mountains, Sahara, Atlantic coast — and a 10–14-night journey. Jordan is the better choice for archaeological depth (Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash) and a tighter 7–10-night route.
Safari vs beach honeymoon A safari honeymoon delivers wildlife and once-in-a-lifetime moments; a beach honeymoon delivers rest, indulgence and iconic overwater villas. The best honeymoon for most couples combines both — three to four nights of safari, four to seven on the beach.
Botswana vs South Africa safari Botswana is the better choice for experienced safari travellers wanting wilderness, water-based safari and exclusivity. South Africa is better for first-time safari, families wanting malaria-free, and combining safari with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Kenya vs South Africa safari Kenya wins for the Great Migration, private conservancies and the classic East African safari feel. South Africa wins for leopards (Sabi Sand), malaria-free family safari (Madikwe), and the unique combination with Cape Town and the Winelands.
Bali vs Thailand luxury Bali wins for wellness retreats, cultural immersion and inland luxury (Ubud, Sayan). Thailand wins for island-and-beach variety, world-class food, and multi-region grand tours (Bangkok + Chiang Mai + island).
Mauritius vs Maldives The Maldives wins for overwater villas, the clearest seas and pure-beach romance. Mauritius wins for families, variety (mountains, golf, culture) and value — typically 25–35% less for comparable luxury.
St Barths vs Mustique St Barths wins for glamour, dining, beach clubs and the Christmas/New Year scene. Mustique wins for villa-based privacy, the laid-back colonial-island feel and total seclusion.
Iceland vs Norway Iceland wins for compact diversity (geothermal, glaciers, waterfalls in one trip), short 5–7 night trips and Northern Lights accessibility. Norway wins for fjords, scale and longer 10–14 night expeditions.
Switzerland vs Austria ski Switzerland wins for the highest tier of hotel polish (St Moritz, Gstaad, Verbier), reliable high-altitude snow and skiing scale. Austria wins for value, traditional Tyrolean charm and the strongest après-ski culture (Lech, Kitzbühel).
French Polynesia vs Maldives The Maldives wins for accessibility from Europe, hotel variety and value. French Polynesia wins for the scale of Bora Bora's lagoon, the Polynesian culture and the bucket-list factor.
Costa Rica vs Belize Costa Rica wins for biodiversity, jungle-and-cloudforest lodges and the variety of adventure. Belize wins for diving the Barrier Reef and Blue Hole, plus Mayan ruins paired with private-island reef stays.
Vietnam vs Cambodia Vietnam wins for variety (north to south), food and longer 10–14 night journeys. Cambodia wins for Angkor Wat and as a focused 4–6 night cultural addition.
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi Dubai wins for shopping, dining, beach clubs and the highest concentration of luxury hotels. Abu Dhabi wins for cultural depth (Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque), space and family-friendly resorts (Saadiyat, Yas Island).
Provence vs Tuscany Provence wins for lavender fields, Mediterranean light and easy access to the Riviera. Tuscany wins for food, wine, deeper countryside immersion and family-friendly villa stays.
Argentina vs Chile Patagonia Chilean Patagonia (Torres del Paine) wins for the most dramatic single landscape and concentrated luxury (Explora, Awasi, Tierra). Argentine Patagonia wins for the Perito Moreno glacier, El Chaltén trekking and the broader sense of scale.
Amalfi Coast vs Capri The Amalfi Coast wins for variety, town-hopping (Positano, Ravello, Praiano) and stays of 5+ nights. Capri wins for the iconic island feel, walking the Faraglioni and a focused 3-night break — usually paired with Amalfi rather than chosen between.
Courchevel vs Val d'Isère Choose Courchevel 1850 if the chalet, service and dining scene matter most, or if you want to arrive by private jet to the Altiport. Choose Val d'Isère if the ski (Espace Killy) is the primary driver and you prefer a more understated village.
Monaco vs Porto Cervo for a yacht charter Choose Monaco if the reason for the charter is the scene, the events (Grand Prix, Cannes, Monaco Yacht Show) or the connectivity to Nice for private jet arrivals. Choose Porto Cervo if the cruising itself is the point — August in the Costa Smeralda is unmatched.