Sarah

Sarah
Finance Director

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Although she’s too modest to say so, our Sarah is something of a polymath. Her diverse interests have led to dual degrees in psychology and textile design, a portfolio of beautiful artwork, and a love of travel that has grown deeper since joining Selective Asia. Adding another string to her bow with an aptitude for numbers, Sarah first began working in finance as a part-time bookkeeper. Having developed her travel finance career over the years, she now brings all her expertise and experience to her role as Selective Asia’s Finance Director.

In her words…

It wasn’t until I started working at Selective Asia that I had the opportunity to travel to Asia myself, and I’ve never looked back. I love the romance of the whole region; the warm, humid evenings, the lights, the food, the hustle of the city, the serenity of dawn in the countryside… Every visit brings a mixture of exciting and interesting and fun and inspiring.

‘I’ve always been a problem solver and really enjoy the challenges of my role within Selective Asia, especially as my day job provides such a contrast to my time in the art studio! I’m excited to be learning about the latest thinking on sustainable and ethical finances within travel and how to incorporate this into Selective Asia and the wider industry.’

When I’m not in the office, I’m often drawing, sketching and taking photos as preparation for my practice as a printmaker. I’m passionate about art in all its forms, especially when it’s influenced by the natural world. Being able to explore Asia through this lens, experiencing the rich arts and crafts in all the places I have visited, is a source of great joy.

Sarah’s blogs & articles

Sarah visits Naoshima ‘art island’, Japan

Countries visited

India, Japan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand

Q&A

Favourite destination in Asia?

It’s hard to choose – I’m pretty confident that I want to live in each place I have visited by the time I leave! If pushed, I would say Japan would be my absolute favourite, due to the diversity of the experience. You can be immersed in frenetic cities, the serenity of the countryside, arts and crafts, culture, the food – it’s a great all rounder.

Favourite experience in Asia?

It’s impossible to pick just one, but I’ll always remember the awe of turning a corner into the Tadao Ando-designed art gallery to view three enormous Monet paintings on display amongst many other delights on Naoshima, which I visited whilst cycling the Shimanami Kaido trail. Another highlight was meeting talented textile designer Aum Kharma at her farm in Bhutan – that was really special. But there’s also the Orchid House at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Khandi, and having supper at sunset on the Mekong River – the list goes on…

Favourite Asian food?

You can’t beat a good bowl of ramen and a chilled cup of sake.

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Izakaya cheers!
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Bhutan hikes
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Bhutan blossom
a woman looking at a body of water
Tranquil moments
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Tiger's nest
a man and woman sitting in a vehicle
Sri Lanka
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Whisky making in Japan

Top journey ideas and places to explore

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A Hint of Spice

Indonesia
Explore the Spice Islands and West Papua and its wild and timeless beauty.
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Price fr. £3,090
Ideal duration | 14 days
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Kingdoms & Coffee Fields

India
Historically elaborate, restlessly cutting edge and starkly unspoilt in equal measure, India’s southern state of Karnataka can feel like a dozen different countries in one. This singularly beautiful region offers a balance of history, culture, modern tech, landscapes and wildlife, and leads seamlessly to the peaceful Malabar backwaters and wilder beaches of northern Kerala.
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Price fr. £4,090
Ideal duration | 16 days

Beyond the Golden Route

Japan
Japan has so much more nuance and variation to offer beyond its cinematic headliners. Taking inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi - repairing objects with gold - we’ve shattered Japan’s classic ‘Golden Route’ and bonded it back together with a little more samurai history, scenic views, lesser-visited cities, spirituality, and a touch of coastal connection.
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Price fr. £6,090
Ideal duration | 17 days
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Cambodia

Ancient temples, jungle adventures, idyllic island retreats.

Foothills of Bhutan

Bhutan
Find peaceful moments in monasteries and temples, and experience Paro’s distinctive, small-town feel. Wander through Bumthang’s green fields and Phobjikha valleys where the Black Necked Cranes land.
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Price fr. £3,590
Ideal duration | 11 days
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India

Mystic grandeur, backwater serenity, a feast of flavours & colours… and how about those tigers?

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Japan

Sublime cuisine, sparky culture, those trains... welcome to the land of the rising fun!

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Kimchi & Culture

South Korea
Discover the details in between on a South Korea journey that takes you north to south, through the country's past, present and future.
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Price fr. £4,890
Ideal duration | 13 days

Laos Less Travelled

Laos
With the remote Hin Nam No National Park at its centre, this journey incorporates both better-known and lesser-visited parts of Laos, stretching overland from Luang Prabang to the 4000 Islands on a route threaded with local connections and cultural insights.
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Price fr. £2,990
Ideal duration | 15 days

Mountains & Monasteries: Nepal & Bhutan

Bhutan, Nepal, Multi-Country
Nestling against the magnificence of the Himalayas, surrounded by their stark beauty, the sister-countries of Nepal and Bhutan are among the world’s most enthralling places to visit, and a natural pairing for a multi-country trip.
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Price fr. £3,990
Ideal duration | 15 days
a sunset over a swamp

Sri Lanka Reimagined

Sri Lanka
Discover a different angle on Sri Lanka's varied landscapes, from scrubby lowland plains and dramatic rock formations to river-edged grasslands, sweeping coastlines and distant peaks, meeting rural communities and wildlife, large and small.
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Price fr. £3,290
Ideal duration | 14 days

Sri Lanka

Teeming national parks, heritage hot-spots, that cuisine, a beach for everyone... sheer serendipity.

Fantastic holiday

Using Selective Asia took all the stress out of booking and organising the trip ourselves as we were travelling around the country. Selective Asia were really responsive to our needs and created our perfect honeymoon holiday. They were available whenever we had questions or needed some help. I would highly recommend using their service!

Alice, Sri Lanka

Another fantastic trip with Selective Asia

We’ve been on 5 trips to the Far East with Selective Asia over 17 years with the same consultant (Lionel). They take the time to tailor the holiday individually with invaluable local knowledge and once again got it spot on. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

Rob Clarkson, Vietnam

Highly Recommend Selective Asia

Have been to Asia with Selective Asia twice now, and we can't fault them. We had the most amazing holiday staying in 6 different locations throughout Thailand. Selective Asia did us proud by giving us a well thought out itinerary. The accommodations were first class. Our private guide called James was very knowledgable and made our holiday very memorable.

Susan Bartlett, Thailand

Personalised and spot on journey

Personalised service all the way up to departure and then throughout via on the ground help and advice in country as well. Ideal.

Ann B, India

Our trip to Japan was outstanding

We had had several discussions with Andrew, our agent, before booking the trip and he incorporated all the activities we were interested in plus recommending other activities that he knew we would be interested in. Much of our trip was self guided and SA provide an excellent app to help with this. It was intuitive, easy to use and had the option to be able to contact someone locally if necessary. The whole trip was seamless and managed at a thoroughly professional yet friendly level. I would travel with this company again (we have travelled with them before.)

Heather, Japan

It was amazing from start to finish. Really informative when we were planning the trip, flexible about our itinerary, offering a range of options but all backed with knowledge of the lodges and reserves. The support when we were away was excellent with alternative arrangements made quickly when a flight was cancelled and great advice when our return flight seats were changed. We would absolutely recommend the company, particularly if you are looking for something a little different but special.

Linda Johnson, Borneo

Inspiring experiences and places to stay

Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…

Start planning your journey here...

Give us a call 9am-5pm UK time Monday to Friday, or make an enquiry online at any time.

Call us on
01273 670 001
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Cardamom Mountains Cambodia
Cambodia

Adventure in the Cardamom Mountains

Place to stay
Luxury lodge

&Beyond Punakha River Lodge

Punakha
Place to stay
Deluxe tented resort

9 Hornbills

Koh Yao Noi
Japan

7 Star Train Cruise

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Sri Lanka

Adam’s Peak

Talk to our expert team...

Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.

Call us on
01273 670 001
Get in touch

The Selective Asia difference

  • Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
  • Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
  • Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
  • Responsible travel
  • 24 hour local support
  • Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity

No ordinary Travel Company

Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
Unfollow the herd.

Fully protected and flexible bookings

Selective Asia is a fully ATOL licensed and bonded tour operator, and our flexi-booking promise offers increased protection & peace of mind.,

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