From adventures off the beaten track to the smartest luggage in the rack, where will the new year take you?
Daydreaming about next year’s holidays in between getting everything sorted for Christmas? We’re here to help with inspiration for destinations old and new, near and far. From private jets or a trip to the races, to a tropical island escape or a luxe UK hideaway, your trip’s in expert hands with our top ten specialists, right down to the smartest sustainable suitcases out there.
Taking a virtual wander round the AlUla area is a revelation. If you’ve never considered holidaying in Saudi Arabia, AlUla’s extraordinary desert landscapes will attract anyone with a spirit of adventure, a love of wilderness and a fascination with different cultures. At Hegra (Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site), the ancient Nabateans carved dramatic sandstone outcrops into massive tombs; elsewhere, nature sculpted them into weird and wonderful shapes like Jabal AlFil, aka Elephant Rock. Into this already amazing mix, a wealth of contemporary artworks and installations are scattered throughout the desert. It’s no wonder AlUla-based tourism company Arnawa is so keen to show off this region to the rest of the world, aiming to preserve and promote Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty and help you have the trip of a lifetime.
To find out more, and check out Arnawa’s upcoming trips, visit arnawa.co and follow on Instagram.
Cable Car Gibraltar
Ask people what draws them to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar and they’ll invariably mention the spectacular views and Barbary macaques. Ride the Cable Car to the summit of this dramatic limestone promontory and Europe’s only wild monkey population is there to greet you, posing obligingly against a far-reaching vista over two continents, three countries and the meeting point of two great bodies of water. That’s not all the Cable Car experience has to offer. Within the top station complex, you can relax over brunch, lunch or a co*cktail at the Mons Calpe Suite Restaurant and Bar and gain insight into the Rock’s history by taking a multimedia tour round the terraces. Next, access and explore the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, where there are scenic trails to hike and interesting attractions to visit, such as the World War II Tunnels and St Michael’s Cave. For the intrepid, there’s also the Skywalk and Windsor Suspension Bridge, where you can test your head for heights. Whatever your interests, let your adventure begin.
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Find out more, and buy tickets, at gibraltarinfo.gi.
Daisy Joy Escapes
Launched in 2021, Daisy Joy offers super-luxurious UK holiday homes in amazing locations, ideally suited for family get-togethers and celebrations. Its first property is in the beautiful city of Chester and it’s an absolute belter. Edgar House, a handsome Regency home, has a superb riverfront setting atop Chester’s Roman walls and comes with games room, cinema, seven en suite bedrooms (sleeping up to 16), wonderful river view garden and fun design touches like a phone box transformed into a bar. Self-cater if you wish (there’s an absolutely fabulous kitchen/diner/living area), but Daisy Joy Escapes will happily arrange a private chef, as well as organising anything else you fancy, from bouncy castles to spa treatments. Daisy Joy has grand plans for properties to come. Right now, it’s busy working on Eskdale House in the Lake District (bookable from summer 2023) and hot on its heels will come a magnificent grade II listed hall on the isle of Anglesey, north Wales, set in five acres of grounds overlooking the Menai Strait and mountains of Snowdonia beyond.
Find out more and book your special family break at daisyjoy.co.uk.
Falkland Islands Tourist Board
As holiday destinations go, the Falkland Islands are well off the beaten track – and that’s exactly their appeal. Adventurous travellers who venture down to this remote South Atlantic archipelago are richly rewarded with a wonderful wilderness. You can hike for miles across empty, silent landscapes and wander along pristine white-sand beaches with not another soul in sight and only bird calls to break the silence. Specialists come from all around the world to study the abundant wildlife, including five breeding species of penguins and important colonies of black-browed albatross, sooty shearwaters and South American fur seals. There are welcoming hotels, lodges and guesthouses dotted around the island and the village-sized capital of Stanley offers great scope for photographers, with its harbour, colourful buildings and heritage sites.
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To find out more, or to sign up to the newsletter, visit falklandislands.com.
Five Star Greece
Booking a villa holiday with Five Star Greece doesn’t mean trawling through countless pages of possibilities on the website. Instead, the specialist team takes time to get to know each client’s individual preferences before coming up with a shortlist of perfectly matched properties. That personalised approach and attention to detail has helped make them the leading Greek villa rental company for a VIP clientele of A-list celebrities, heads of state, CEOs and royalty, who value the team’s in-depth knowledge of Greece and 20-plus years of experience. Only the finest properties, in the finest locations, make it on to their books – so they’re guaranteed to come up with something gorgeous, whether you fancy a sprawling beachfront estate or a secluded hilltop mansion. They can take care of all the extras too, like booking private flights, luxury transfers and household staff, arranging fun activities and excursions, and sourcing all kinds of boats, from simple wooden caiques to the sleekest of superyachts.
To find out more, email enquiries@fivestargreece.com or visit fivestargreece.com.
Furaveri Maldives
Some Maldives resorts overdo the glitz and glamour. Not Furaveri. Yes, it’s a five-star deluxe property, with spacious, high-ceilinged villas, but decor is kept refreshingly simple so as not to detract from the main event – the simple beauty of the island itself. The lush interior is encircled by a white-sand beach, fringed by the ocean, in shades from pale aquamarine to deep sapphire. On land, you’ll encounter resident white herons; offshore, you can swim with turtles and manta rays. At 57 acres, the island is large enough to fit in plenty of facilities, from tennis courts to a dive club and water sports centre. It’s also home to a peaceful spa sanctuary, where holistic treatments are delivered in a rustic, village-style setting, and three island restaurants serving up both international cuisine and traditional local dishes. Furaveri also delights in introducing guests to Maldivian culture via entertainment, cookery classes and authentic experiences such as having tea with a local family.
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Find out more (and access special deals and exclusive rates) at furaveri.com.
North Point Aviation
Private jet travel has really taken off in recent years. It makes the whole flight experience so much simpler and swifter and, in this Covid-conscious world, many flyers appreciate the extra seclusion. No need to buy your own plane, though – just call private charter broker and helicopter specialist North Point Aviation. The company has access to more than 7,000 aircraft globally and a highly experienced team with an in-depth knowledge of airports worldwide. From their central London offices, they can arrange flights all over the world, whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. They’re particularly proud of the one-to-one service every client receives: from start to finish, you’ll be looked after by your own dedicated aviation expert, taking care of every detail and ensuring the whole process is ultra-easy and super-efficient.
To find out more, visit northpointaviation.co.uk, call + 44 203 7096 025 or email sales@northpointaviation.co.uk.
Paravel
The fact that Paravel luggage is stocked by the likes of Liberty and Selfridges is proof that it ticks all the right boxes for design-conscious travellers. Better yet, for those who value substance as well as style, the brand’s products are sustainably created. Indeed, this is at the very core of the Paravel philosophy: the company embraces responsible manufacturing and business practices, and its impeccably crafted cases and bags are made from innovative upcycled materials. Take the Aviator, Paravel’s flagship product and the world’s first carbon-neutral suitcase; it’s timeless and impeccably crafted from recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminium handles, recycled high-quality zippers and vegan leather detailing. Need more? The company also offsets all carbon emissions generated by both the production and shipping of its cases.
To find out more, visit tourparavel.com.
Punchestown Racing Festival Ireland
What’s more fun than a day at the races? Five days at the races! Every year, the biggest names of Irish and British jump racing gather in County Kildare for the award-winning Punchestown Racing Festival, renowned for its friendly welcome and vibrant atmosphere. A loyal crowd of fans return year after year and who can blame them? Top class championship racing, live music, delicious food and great craic enhance the unique sporting experience, and the location makes it easy to combine your racing trip with a mini city break: Dublin is just an hour’s drive away, with shuttle buses running direct from the city centre during the festival.
To find out more, and book now for next year’s event (April 25-29, 2023), visit punchestown.com; if you’re quick, you can take advantage of a 20 per cent discount on tickets, for a limited time only.
TravelEssence
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Planning a big trip Down Under? Talk to the in-the-know team at TravelEssence. It’s a genuine specialist in that part of the world with 30 years’ travel experience; every member of the team either comes from or has lived in Australia or New Zealand, so they really know their stuff. After taking time to learn what you want from your trip, they’ll draw up a tailor-made itinerary, with sustainability ingrained in every facet and the best possible price. You’ll stay in outstanding small-scale accommodation, from eco-lodges and farms to villas and vineyards, meeting friendly hosts with a passion for their area and a love of sharing their little slice of paradise. As the TravelEssence website says: “Travel like you belong, not like you’re just passing through.”
Find out how to create your unique holiday to Australia or New Zealand at travelessence.co.uk.
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