CANVAS

I grew up and lived for many years in East Lothian in Scotland and spent my early summers there facing the windswept beaches of North Berwick, looking at the rocky and uninhabited islands floating in the Firth of Forth: the Bass Rock, The Lamb, Craigleith and Fidra, to name just a few. The last of those is said to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It was these barren and treeless islands, so close to shore yet so out of reach, which sparked my love affair with islands. It feels strangely unfaithful to admit that I’ve since seen, stayed at and fallen in love with more beautiful and certainly warmer islands, many of which are featured in this edition of CANVAS by The Turquoise Holiday Company.

There is something just so magical about an island. It doesn’t matter if it’s an island off the coast of Scotland or the dreamy Caribbean, the safety and security it grants from the ocean and the isolation, solitude and, most importantly, exclusivity an island offers, exudes the glorious feeling that no-one else can reach you. I love the journey as well and whether it’s by ferry, speedboat or the more glamourous seaplane, the journey and arrival never fail to inspire me.

I hope you find your perfect island within the pages of this edition of CANVAS. You will certainly read about plenty of the palm-lined, crystal lagoon-ringed islands we all dream of visiting, as well as the stories behind them and the wealth of things you can do on each. Perhaps it’s better you visit the tropical treasure island in Stevenson’s book, rather than the freezing cold Fidra which inspired him.

James Bell, Managing Director

Like naming your first-born child, a great deal of love and thought went into naming our new blog, CANVAS by The Turquoise Holiday Company, when we launched it in 2018. To us, the word CANVAS conjures up African safari camps and even an artist’s blank canvas. To me, the name evokes that image of a beautiful schooner, her sails shaken out in the morning light to catch the breeze and discover the next South Pacific lagoon to drop her anchor in. The success of our new blog has led to our first travel journal of the same name.

This inaugural issue is dedicated to people and places. I constantly count my blessings working in the travel industry, as while the fabulous destinations lure us to visit, it’s the truly inspirational and passionate people we meet along the way that makes them so special. After all, a view is just a view without someone to explain its topography, history, stories and legends behind it.

In CANVAS, you’ll hear of fourth and fifth-generation families who have carved a living and fabulous tourism product out of the land and you’ll read about islands only featured on the most detailed of maps, kept secret by all who visit. The travel inspiration will remain high as you turn the pages! Inside, you’ll meet the characters, guides and personalities who enthuse everyone who meets them and, in turn, leave you full of wonderment and a desire to meet them for yourself.

James Bell, Managing Director