Swiss long-haul travel specialist for over 50 yearsTrue travel means losing yourself and leaving your familiar landmarks behind.
Yann Martinal
About me
My passion for travel took hold of me when I least expected it. Even as a little boy, I dreamt of seeing Australia. So I went there for an extended stay – and that’s where it all began. Ever since, I simply haven’t been able to stop travelling. When I returned to Switzerland after my time in Montreal, I decided to share my passion. For 11 years now, I have been putting together tailor-made trips so that others, too, can discover the joy of travel.
South Africa / Namibia / Botswana / Zimbabwe / Zambia / Mozambique / Malawi / Alaska / Canada / Australia / New Zealand / South Pacific
Photos and videos by Yann Martinal
Specialist tips from Yann Martinal
Rafting the tidal bore
If you’d like to experience the incredible tides of the Bay of Fundy up close, join a rafting trip on the Shubenacadie River. Nobody stays dry in the foaming rapids. A unique adventure that only Nova Scotia can offer.
Treasures and tides
Witness the highest tides in the world in New Brunswick – the difference in water level between low and high tide is around 16 metres – and enjoy a kayak tour at low tide. In the evening, sample the local cuisine. All that’s left to decide is whether to enjoy your meal under the stars in the National Park or on a beautifully situated terrace in the heart of town.
Experience the perfect sunrise
Turn your back on the rest of the world, let your gaze wander across the endless ocean and feel the sky begin to change. A reddish glow appears on the horizon. And as the golden sun slowly rises, you know: this is it – the perfect sunrise. It’s enough to turn even the grumpiest late riser into an early bird.
Confederation Trail
Discover the Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island. Following former railway lines, it crosses the entire province. Jog, hike or cycle through small villages, along rivers and past fields. Explore the 470 km trail in autumn – when an unrivalled display of colour awaits you.
Catch your own lobster
Did you know that you can catch your own lobster on Prince Edward Island? Enjoy a unique adventure, learn how lobsters are caught and then savour your catch on the beach. This experience is simply a must on any voyage of discovery around the island.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada
Follow the Cabot Trail along the coast. Steep cliffs, small colourful houses and fishing boats create a picture-perfect scene. The National Park is home to a rich variety of wildlife: you can watch moose, black bears and bald eagles in their natural habitat.
All tips
Motorhome holidays in Western Canada
Touring Western Canada by motorhome is a wonderful experience. From the Capilano campground, you can even explore Vancouver by bike. I can also recommend a detour by motorhome to the Ten-ee-ah Lodge, so you can enjoy the lodge and all its activities.
Holidays in Canada with Intrepid
Travelling across Canada with Intrepid is an adventure for the young and the young at heart. The experience comes first, and you’re guaranteed to meet like-minded travellers.
Motorhome holidays are always ideal
Touring Canada, America and Southern Africa by motorhome … it’s simply brilliant!
Close to nature: camping in Southern Africa
On a guided tour of Southern Africa, you experience wildlife and nature up close. When lions or elephants wander through the camp in the middle of the night, it’s a truly special experience that will stay with you for a long time.
Language holiday in California
I’ll never forget my three-month language holiday in Santa Monica. Besides my experiences at school, I learnt a great deal about the country, the city, the culture and the people from my host mother – a time full of impressions and emotions.
King penguins on an expedition cruise to Antarctica
If you’d like to see one of the largest penguin species – the king penguin – book an expedition cruise to Antarctica that takes you to South Georgia. There you can watch the huge colonies. Yet that’s just one of many highlights of these unforgettable expedition cruises.
By boat through Botswana
An unforgettable experience: an exciting yet relaxing boat trip in a traditional ‘mokoro’ through the Okavango Delta. Plants, birds and amphibians make a welcome change from the big game.
Hiking the Skyline Trail
In the far north of Cape Breton Highlands National Park lies this loop trail, offering magnificent views of the National Park and the sea. With a little luck, you might spot moose and bald eagles.
Wonders and whales
Join the ‘Wonder & Whales’ excursion and discover some of the largest whales as well as the region’s most colourful cultures. Visit Canada’s oldest town and take the ferry to the charming Fundy Isles. And whatever you do, don’t miss the famous lobster sandwiches.
Confederation Bridge
Enjoy a great moment on Prince Edward Island as you drive across the Confederation Bridge, which stretches for 8 miles. Take in the incredible views of the famous red, rugged cliffs and the breathtaking coastline.
A trip to Prince Edward Island is unlike any other journey!
Motorhome holidays in the heart of nature
Live in harmony with nature and wildlife in your motorhome and unwind by the campfire in the evening – the most wonderful way to spend a holiday.
A voyage of discovery in your own home on wheels
For me, travelling through Eastern Canada by motorhome was spectacular. With a home on wheels, you always have everything with you and feel a little at home wherever you go. Driving wherever I want, stopping wherever I like, hiking, watching wildlife, enjoying nature and discovering lots of places in a short time – for me, that’s the perfect trip. Besides idyllic landscapes, the region also offers varied cities, making for a perfect mix. Driving a motorhome through breathtaking scenery gives you a wonderful sense of freedom.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta
A walk among the hoodoos gives you a feel for the valley of the dinosaurs. Nature has a great deal to offer here, and the wildlife is fascinating too. Erosion has shaped the beauty of this region.
Canada’s Atlantic Provinces
Ever fancied spending a night like a lighthouse keeper? Then West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island is just the place for you! With a unique view of the sea, you sleep in the former lighthouse keeper’s room, right on the red sandy beach of Canada’s smallest province!
Honeymoon in South Africa
The country captivates with beautiful hotels and lodges, excellent food, the finest wines, varied landscapes, warm-hearted people and safaris. South Africa is an experience for young and old alike and a highly recommended honeymoon destination.
Exploring South Africa’s wine estates by Wine Tram.
A visit to South Africa’s winelands is a must for all wine connoisseurs and wine lovers. Numerous wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl offer tastings. A ride on the Wine Tram, which links several wine estates, is a particularly special experience.
Wine Tram in Franschhoek
In Franschhoek, the Wine Tram takes you to the various wine estates, where you can taste their wines. An ideal opportunity to get to know the great variety of South African wines. And you needn’t worry about getting home either – after all, you’re travelling by tram.
Simply brilliant: motorhome holidays
Whether in Canada or Sweden – a motorhome holiday is all about enjoying yourself. Travelling with the family? In Canada, Fraserway RV offers the Motorhome Adventure 4, which has 4 forward-facing seats with windows. That way, the children can look outside during the journey too.
Cruising with Mein Schiff – gourmet cuisine on the high seas
The premium all-inclusive package at no extra charge was the reason we chose Mein Schiff. We weren’t disappointed … competent, friendly staff and, above all, dining of the very highest standard. In the main restaurant, Atlantik, you enjoy personal table service! Around 100 branded drinks are also included in the package. Now all that’s left is to enjoy the sunset with a delicious cocktail!
Canada’s Atlantic coast: Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
The Glooscap Trail takes you to Advocate Harbour at Cape Chignecto. The two-hour hike leads you through forests of giant ferns. Beyond the cliffs, you reach the coast. A wooden staircase leads down to the beach, where the sea shimmers an almost reddish hue!
Ship ahoy – cruising under sail
A cruise aboard the Starclipper is a truly delightful experience. It doesn’t always have to be the Caribbean. How about the Greek islands?
Guided tours
On a tour of the various Cape Verde islands, I recommend an excursion to Fogo – and be sure to explore the volcano on foot.
Self-drive tours – more freedom
You decide on the route, how long to stay in each place and which activities to choose. That’s exactly what a self-drive tour is all about.
Hiking in Yoho National Park, Canada
From Takakkaw Falls, we follow the Yoho River towards Twin Falls, a little off the beaten track. And for your stopover in Banff? How about a bike tour around Banff?
Motorhome holidays in the Yukon, Canada
The Dempster Highway offers 740 kilometres of well-maintained gravel road each way and the chance to discover the rich nature and wildlife of the Yukon. The beauty of a motorhome: even if you break down, you can still enjoy a home-cooked meal.
Auckland: City of Sails
New Zealand’s largest city is surrounded by countless beaches of white or jet-black sand. Endless hikes in complete solitude, giant fern forests and hot springs – the perfect place for hobbits and The Lord of the Rings. A real highlight: the unique coffee culture.
Swimming with humpback whales
Tonga is not only a beautiful island nation, it is also renowned for its many dive sites. An unforgettable highlight is swimming with humpback whales between July and October – there are only a few places in the world where you can get this close to these giants of the sea.
Honeymoons in Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the ideal honeymoon destination. What could be more romantic than a candlelit dinner to the sounds of the wild African bush? A relaxing beach holiday on the secluded coasts of Mozambique is the perfect finale.
South Africa’s wine estates
A detour to Stellenbosch and its fashionable wine estates is well worth it. I was particularly impressed by the army of around 800 ducks that protects the vineyard from pests the organic way. This duck parade delights young and old alike.
Through Southern Africa with a rooftop tent
Travelling through Southern Africa with a rooftop tent – a unique experience.
The eco-lodge in Namibia
At Doro Nawas Camp in Damaraland, the bed can be rolled out onto the veranda so you can spend the night under the stars. You’ll be spellbound by the many shooting stars – an unforgettable experience!
4x4 tour of Namibia
An exciting, adventure-packed 4x4 tour took my family and me to Namibia’s most beautiful regions. Magnificent landscapes, wildlife encounters in Etosha National Park and wonderful walks across the sand dunes of Sossusvlei – but my personal highlights were Damaraland and the Namib-Naukluft Park.
Sailing the Great Barrier Reef
I’ll never forget the Whitsunday sailing trip from Airlie Beach. Sailing on the Great Barrier Reef, fascinating views (especially the sunsets!) and wonderful snorkelling trips. And of course, no trip is complete without a visit to Whitehaven Beach – rightly counted among the most beautiful beaches in the world!
