The person behind the journeys
About Alka
I first stepped onto a plane at the age of 15, and in many ways I do not think I ever really came back down.
Something about discovering a place I had never seen before captured me. The unfamiliarity, the anticipation, the feeling of arriving somewhere where everything, the language, the landscape, the food, the architecture, the people, was waiting to be discovered.
By 28, I was travelling regularly for business, and by 35 I was heading up Marketing for a global consulting firm, looking after EMEAI, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.
Travel became part of the rhythm of my life. Getting on a plane was easy; my bags were almost always packed.
But somewhere between the business trips, airport lounges and meetings in different cities, I realised that what fascinated me was not simply going somewhere new. It was understanding a place.
I wanted to know what lay beyond the hotel and the obvious sights. I wanted to walk the streets, understand the history, discover the architecture, eat where local people ate and take the road that revealed something unexpected along the way.
That curiosity that started as a teenager, has never left me. If anything, it has grown stronger.
How Blank Canvas Destinations began
For many years, travel planning was something I did simply because I loved it - researching routes, finding the right people on the ground and constantly looking for the detail that could turn a good trip into an exceptional one. What began with journeys for family and friends gradually grew into creating and leading small group trips, bringing together things I have loved about travel - history, art, architecture, landscapes combined with subtle luxury.
Over that time, I have travelled widely, planned countless journeys and learnt that the best trips are rarely about simply ticking places off a list. They are about timing, pace, people, atmosphere and those unexpected moments that stay with you long after you return home.
That philosophy eventually became the foundation for Blank Canvas Destinations. A small, personal travel consultancy born from a lifetime of travelling, discovering and planning journeys, and from my belief that the most memorable trips should never simply come off a shelf.
They should begin with a blank canvas.
Why travel with Alka?
I believe in choosing a destination for the right reason, travelling at the right time, and planning with knowledge and care so that you make the very best of your time there, because sometimes you may never have the chance to return.
Whether I am creating a private itinerary or personally leading one of my small group journeys, my aim is simple: to create travel that feels thoughtful, immersive, seamless and genuinely memorable.
Curated journeys, shaped by experience, enriched by discovery, and always with a little room left on the canvas.
PERSONALLY TRAVELLED, PERSONALLY CURATED.
I do not recommend a journey simply because it looks beautiful in a brochure. My itineraries are shaped by decades of travelling, discovering and learning first-hand what makes a place truly extraordinary — what is worth your time, what can be missed, and what you might never find on your own.
Small groups, thoughtfully chosen
Intimate journeys for people who share a curiosity for the world — its culture, history, landscapes, food and people. Small groups allow us to travel more personally, move more easily and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers along the way.
The right place at the right time
Where you travel matters. When you travel can matter even more. Season, light, landscape, festivals, climate and nature can completely transform an experience. I choose not only where to go, but the right time to experience it at its best.
Beyond the obvious
The celebrated sights deserve their place, but a memorable journey is often found in between — in the lesser known places and corners of the world that are still wonderfully off the radar. My speciality is finding what lies beyond the commercial - undiscovered regions, a hidden village, an artisan’s workshop or an unexpected stop along the road.
A SENSE OF PLACE, ALWAYS IN COMFORT
Where you stay is part of the journey. A home away from home — but with a history of its own. I am drawn to beautiful hotels with a story — historic palaces, restored mansions, former monasteries, heritage houses and characterful retreats that connect you to the place you have come to discover. Luxury, to me, is not simply about stars or grandeur. It is about atmosphere, character, thoughtful service and comfort: somewhere you look forward to returning to at the end of the day.
PERSONALLY ACCOMPANIED
On selected small-group journeys, I travel alongside the group. I am there to keep an eye on the details, work with our local partners and help the journey flow as it should — while leaving you with the freedom to relax, explore and enjoy the experience in your own way.
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Your money is protected
Blank Canvas Destinations is a member of Protected Trust Services (PTS), giving you added confidence and financial protection when you book with us. Customer payments are held within the PTS independent trust account system, helping to ensure that your money is protected and used for the travel arrangements you have booked.
PTS Membership No. 6575