"'Thursday's child has far to go' - starting my life in Sri Lanka and never looking back you could all say it started on a Thursday, many moons ago!"
About me
A child of ex-pat parents, I have lived all over the world with a particular emphasis on Hong Kong, Switzerland and in more recent years France, Australia, Vietnam and South Africa. I adore Europe, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. Having sailed up the coast of Australia and across the South Pacific for two years, driven through Italy and France where I have a house, explored countries in Africa, wandered through Burma, India and Cambodia, I love the excitement of new experiences and different cultures. With a family living in Switzerland I am happiest with blue skies and fresh snow when not exploring far flung destinations – the more unusual the better! Next on the wish list – to see the Gorillas and the Northern Lights – not together!
Favourite places I've been
Australia – enormous skies, sparkling seas, spectacular cities, great wine and food
Vietnam – exotic food, vibrant scenery, rice paddies, Hill Tribes in Sapa, Junks on Halong Bay
Burma – mist over the Irawaddy, golden temples, gentle people, stunning scenery, peaceful monks
India – rich historical heritage, amazing monuments, tigers, jungles and beaches, fragrant spices, huge smiles
Africa – Majestic animals in Botswana and Tanzania, startling scenery, Namibian star studded skies, extraordinary experiences, campfires at night and winelands of South Africa, the sunny Cape
Bali – exquisite dancers, frangipani and palms, stunning beaches, friendly people and wonderful food
Cambodia – mesmerising temples, smiling people, a cacophony of sound, exotic food, lotus blossom and water lilies
Morocco – clashing colours, souks and mountains, spicy delicacies and music and light
France – vineyards of Burgundy to the lavender of Provence. Spires and rivers, yachts and windmills – fabulous food
Italy – sunsets over sonombulent vineyeards, Cypress trees and ocre coloured villages, gondolas and mountains, Rome, islands and truffles
Switzerland – Cuckoo clocks and trains, sparkling lakes and icy mountains, great food and fine wine
USA – California dreamin’, great lakes of the North, New York New York, Vermont in the fall and spectacular scenery
Travel nuggets
01. The Cow Dust Tour at the Amanbagh in Rajasthan – the perfect end to a perfect day
02. The 360 degree Bar beside the Burj Arab in Dubai – watching the sun set over the water with a perfect Martini
03. Your own bottle of champagne on the Statton Island Ferry watching the dawn light up the Statue of Liberty
04. A helicopter over the Eiger and eight hours skiing down a pristine glacier in the sunshine
05. Discovering baby leopards that had just been born at Londolozi by dawn’s first light
My hot picks
Le Rocher in Val d’Isère – the chalet that ‘rocks’! Simply unique in every way!
The Amanbagh in Rajasthan – tranquillity, beauty and fascinating surroundings. The valley is magical, the hotel is divine and sitting having dinner on their terrace with a sky full of stars overhead and the lights shining through the trees and gardens as you dine on delicate Indian cuisine surrounded by rose petals and flickering candlelight is a wonderful experience.
Bamurru Plains in the Northern Territory – the end of the world with a twist - fabulous food, sublime views and a helicopter trip over Kakadu is hard to beat as are the dawn fan tail boat trips skimming like a dragon fly over the lotus flower fields of water, gliding silently through the paperbark forest and watching sea eagles soar overhead in cloudless azure skies…
Bora Bora - full of magic, cerulean seas, white powder beaches, soaring palms and Gauginesque sunsets blending a riot of colour into endless skies. Truly a piece of paradise lost in the South Pacific.
Terre Blanche, Provence - wake up to the smell of lavender and have an early morning swim in the huge infinity pool overlooking the stunning views over to the medieval villages of Callian, Tourettes and Fayence. Finish breakfast and decide whether you wish to spend the morning exploring the local market in Fayence, playing a round of golf on their championship courses, fit in a game of tennis or relax in their magnificent spa. Ocre suites with flower filled balconies and terraces spill down the hillside surrounded by the pines and blue skies of Provence. A resort with an intimate feel, this is a perfect spot to spend a week or even a long weekend relaxing in the South of France.
What my guests have said
"Jules Maury is very knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant to work with!"
"Thanks so much for your email and kind wishes and for your help and to all the team in resort for their efforts. You have all been amazing! What started off as such a good week sadly went down hill (please excuse the pun!) but the whole saga was made so much more bearable thanks to the care and attention lavished on us by all at Scott Dunn. I don't know what we'd have done without you all."
"It has taken me a few days, but I just wanted to say thank you for the week in Val and to you for your help. I have not necessarily noticed in years past that there was a disconnect between London and the resorts, but what I have noticed since you have taken over looking after us is that everything is definitely now connected and I appreciate now how important that is to the overall experience."
"We had a really good time. Certainly plan on going back to Sri Lanka! Jules suggestion of leaving India and going to luxury for Xmas in Sri Lanka was spot on! Thanks."
"Great knowledge, support and recommendations. Thank you.‘Jules has been fantastic and worked tirelessly to organise our holiday…"
"Absolutely thrilled we got this all booked so painlessly. Thank you all so much."
"Thank you so much Jules. You are an absolute godsend to us! :-)"
"Wow!!! You definitely impress me!!!!! Thanks ever so much. Will keep you posted!"
"The weekend break was fantastic and the hotel gorgeous. Thank you again for sorting out our wonderful stay in Barcelona. It really is a pleasure dealing with you."
"Dealing with Jules Maury is an absolute pleasure. Nothing is too much trouble and you're confident in her ability to sort out your every desire."
"As usual Jules and the team came up trumps - great hotels and recommendations to eat."
"Thanks Jules, as always, we do appreciate your considerable input."
"Jules is very responsive to queries and very organised."
"Just back fromm Aus! We followed your recomendation about the seaplane on our last day in Sydney and it was amazing - great advice and truly one of the best holiday moments we have ever had. We had the plane all to ourselves and were dropped off at Jonah's for lunch (Whale beach) where we had the best table in the house! Totally made the holiday, especially as it was our last day and defintiely worth the extra expense."
"Hi Jules, My word you lot are efficient!"
"Knowing you as I do I knew it was a typo. You are organisation personified. I should never have asked."
"We had a fantastic time thanks. Safari was amazing, we saw some great stuff and Londolozi was incredible, they looked after us really well. We got upgraded to club on the London to Joburg flight! As we were just about to board, they tore our boarding cards up and told us we had been upgraded so that was a lovely surprise! I am sure that you will have had a hand in that so a huge thank you. Again, we appreciate your input and efforts on our behalf."
"Jules. A quick note to say thanks to you and Camilla for arranging another unforgettable trip to Africa. Vamizi was all that we had hoped for - 'Mnemba on steroids' as they put it. &Beyond is our favourite camp operator"
"We had a fantastic week at the Anassa. We all loved the hotel - it was all we had hoped it would be. It was a fantastic holiday - my parents loved it too - none of us were ready to come home and I would definitely recommend it/go again! Thanks for organising for us - it was a huge success!"
"Superstar. Many thanks."
"You are the best, thanks very much Jules."
"I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone at Scott Dunn for organising another great holiday."
