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Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives, review: a high-end hideaway fit for royalty

Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives, review: a high-end hideaway fit for royalty

Times3 days ago
From a private lounge at Velana airport, Cheval Blanc's branded leather-lined seaplane spirits guests 40 minutes north to one of the most expensive resorts in Asia. Owned by the French luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy and designed by the lauded Jean-Michel Gathy, the resort is unashamedly aimed at those with deep pockets. Guests arrive to gallery-like spaces between high fluted walls, lines of stone pillars and reflective pools, which combine to create an extraordinary interplay of light and space.
The atmosphere is rarified and hushed, aside from the chorus of 'bonjour', 'merci madame' and 'avec plaisir' from the poised, perfectly put-together staff — an affectation that feels charming from the European employees but a little odd from Maldivians and other international staff. That said, the service can't be faulted, with mind-reading butlers arranging everything from unpacking cases to personal-training sessions with an ex-France team athlete or yacht charters in search of manta rays — all of which leaves you free to channel your joie de vivre.
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Score 9/10There really is no short straw here. Cheval Blanc Randheli's 45 villas are some of the most impressive in the Maldives, in terms of scale and elevated levels of craftsmanship (though if you did have to choose, the stretch of sand outside beach villa No 14 is known to be a favoured spot for nesting sea turtles). Most of the villas are stilted over water, some above the lagoon and others facing out to sea. But the beach villas, which open onto a large private pool and wide swathes of white beach and come with generous outdoor lounging and dining areas — and feel the most private — are the ones to book. All are similarly styled in luxuriant woods, travertine marble and cream veneer, with sky-high vaulted ceilings, wide-screen picture windows and the bedroom and bathroom separated by towering door leaves. Coffee table tomes on Chaumet, Hublot and Louis Vuitton are dotted around, alongside objets d'art and a telescope for ogling the Milky Way.
Grand bathrooms with dinosaur-egg tubs (often drawn upon your arrival back to the villa and kept warm by a targeted patch of underfloor heating), twin vanities and indoor and outdoor showers are stocked with full-size citrus and cardamom-scented amenities specially blended for the resort by Dior. Among the goodies are body scrubs, lip balms, bath salts and hand cream, as well as shampoos and hair masks from Leonor Greyl (all in plastic bottles, which can perhaps be forgiven as you're allowed to take them home). One more niggle, though — the iPad room-control system, which was glitchy to the point of inducing surrender.
On Cheval Blanc Randheli Private Island, which can only be reached by boat, there is a four-bedroom villa, a 25m swimming pool, a grand piano, a screening room, a dining pergola, a gym, meditation pavilions and a spa treatment room overlooking the ocean.
Score 9/10Diners are serenaded with Serge Gainsbourg songs over breakfast at the White, a breezy all-day brasserie that spills out onto a terrace overlooking the bright beach and baby-blue ocean. The breakfast menu runs to 20 pages, from freshly squeezed juices and detox elixirs, to eggs benedict and gravity-defying white omelettes, to warm pastries and artisanal jams, to sushi, dim sum, noodles and dosa. In the unlikely event that there is nothing you fancy, the chefs will whip up whatever your heart desires; you only have to ask.
Tucked behind the White is Le 1947, where complex degustation menus and hard-to-find wines are served at white marble tables under crystal chandeliers.
Deelani is perched at the end of the pier and is the place for Italian Mediterranean cuisine in a more relaxed atmosphere — look out for black-tip reef sharks in the water below.
Completing the set is Japanese fusion restaurant Diptyque, which serves moreish, super-fresh plates of Maldivian red tuna sashimi, reef fish nigiri, king crab crispy rice rolls and black onyx beef tenderloin with a creamy black truffle ponzu from an open kitchen counter. Private dining experiences — floating breakfasts, sandbank picnics, starlit dinners à deux — can also be arranged.
• Best family hotels in the Maldives• Best overwater villas in the Maldives
Score 9/10You could spend your entire holiday holed up in your palatial villa and flitting between the beach and the pool, but Cheval Blanc has some sensational facilities and experiences available. Take up the latest racquet-sport craze with a padel lesson on Tennis Island, which in 2024 added two shiny new padel courts alongside the two Paris Masters-spec tennis courts (Roger Federer comes to practice here at least once a year). Another island is completely dedicated to wellness, with an overwater yoga sala, a quiet swimming pool, a health-led café, a hair and beauty salon and the only Guerlain Spa in the Maldives. Arguably, the country's most glamorous spa, its lavish treatment villas come with sea views and entire Guerlain make-up counters to help you to look your best after your 60-minute Orchidée Impériale facial. The water-sports centre is equipped with every vessel you can think of — Seabobs, Flyboard boots, a surf simulator, wooden dhonis, a deep-sea fishing boat and an Azimut 98 Leonardo yacht. The dive centre has a marine biologist on staff and a coral conservation programme, but otherwise sustainability doesn't seem to be a priority for Cheval Blanc.
Score 10/10Cheval Blanc Randheli sits pretty in the swish Noonu Atoll, which has a private jet terminal. If you don't happen to own a Gulfstream, it's a 40-minute seaplane journey from Malé. Randheli spans three natural islands. The main island has been sensitively expanded to create a full ring of broad, gently sloping beaches and calm lagoons that are suitable for swimming year-round — you might bump into one of the resident sea turtles who like to float around the pier. The house reef is located by the spa island and is resplendent with purply corals, spotted eagle rays, baby sharks and confetti bursts of reef fish (despite the devastating 2024 global coral bleaching event). With no neighbours in the immediate vicinity, the resort feels incredibly private, and the lack of light pollution makes for wondrous night skies.
Price B&B doubles from £2,600Restaurant mains from £29Accessible NFamily-friendly Y
Lee Cobaj was a guest of Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives (chevalblanc.com)
• Best all-inclusive hotels in the Maldives• Best island resorts in the Maldives
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US now only has 10th most powerful passport in world...with top three nations now all in Asia
US now only has 10th most powerful passport in world...with top three nations now all in Asia

Daily Mail​

time20 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

US now only has 10th most powerful passport in world...with top three nations now all in Asia

The United States has dropped to its lowest position yet in the ranking of most powerful passport in the world. Americans once held the strongest passport for visa-free entry, with the US most recently topping the list in 2014. According to the latest ranking, it has now dropped down to tenth place. The list has been produced by the Henley Passport Index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It analyzes how many countries a passport holder can enter without a prior visa. In what has been a downward trend, the US is now tied with Iceland and Lithuania with 182 destinations. The three most powerful passports are all from Asian countries, with Singapore 's passport – allowing visa-free entry to 193 destinations - holding the top spot. Next, Japan and South Korea are tied with 190 destinations. In third place, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain - all countries in the European Union - tie with 189 possible destinations. The UK and US have each dropped a place in the global passport rankings since January, with the British passport - which topped the rankings in 2015, slipping from fifth to sixth place, with 186 destinations. At the opposite end of the global mobility spectrum, Afghanistan is still at the bottom, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa. This makes for a staggering mobility gap of 168 destinations between the top-and bottom-ranked passports. As for biggest risers, the UAE continues to be a standout, shooting up 34 places over the last 10 years from 42nd to eighth place. China is also quickly moving up the rankings, rising 34 places from 94 to 60 since 2015 - an especially impressive feat, considering China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area. Meanwhile, the biggest faller on these rankings is Venezuela, which plunged 15 places from 30 to 45. Christian H. Kaelin, who is credited with creating the index, said in a news release that the latest findings highlight an 'increasingly competitive landscape in global mobility,' with the most successful countries demonstrating proactive efforts to engage with others. Dr. Juerg Steffen, Chief Executive Officer at Henley & Partners, says this trend is reshaping the investment migration landscape. 'Americans are now leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five globally. 'As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we're witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document - it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. 'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.' THE HENLEY PASSPORT POWER INDEX GLOBAL RANKING 2025 Singapore 193 (visa-free destinations) Japan, South Korea 190 Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain 189 Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden 188 Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland 187 United Kingdom 186 Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland 185 Canada, Estonia, UAE 184 Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia 183 Iceland, Lithuania, United States 182 Liechtenstein, Malaysia 181 Cyprus 178 Bulgaria, Monaco, Romania 177 Chile 176 Andorra 171 Argentina, Brazil, San Marino 170 Hong Kong 169 Israel 168 Brunei 164 Barbados 163 Bahamas 159 Mexico 158 Uruguay 157 Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines 156 St. Kitts and Nevis, Vatican City 154 Antigua and Barbuda 152 Costa Rica, Mauritius 149 Panama, Trinidad and Tobago 148 Grenada, Ukraine 147 Paraguay, St. Lucia 146 Macao 144 Dominica, Peru 143 Taiwan 139 Serbia 138 El Salvador 135 Guatemala, Solomon Islands 134 Colombia, Honduras 132 North Macedonia 130 Samoa, Tonga 129 Marshall Islands, Montenegro 128 Nicaragua, Tuvula 127 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kiribati, Micronesia, Palau Islands 123 Albania 122 Moldova 121 Venezuela 119 Russian Federation, Türkiye 114 Qatar 112 South Africa 103 Belize 102 Kuwait 100 Timor-Leste 96 Ecuador 94 Maldives 93 Guyana, Saudi Arabia, Vanuatu 91 Bahrain, Fiji 90 Jamaica, Oman 88 Nauru 87 Papua New Guinea 86 Botswana 85 China 83 Kosovo 82 Belarus, Thailand 81 Kazakhstan, Namibia 79 Bolivia, Suriname 78 Lesotho 76 eSwatini, Indonesia 74 Dominican Republic, Malawi, Morocco 73 Azerbaijan 72 Kenya, The Gambia 71 Tanzania 70 Armenia, Benin, Cape Verde Islands, Ghana, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia 67 Mongolia, Philippines, Sierra Leone 65 Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe 63 Mozambique, Uzbekistan 62 Sao Tome and Principe 61 Cuba, Togo 60 Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Senegal 59 Gabon, Madagascar 58 Guinea, Mauritania, Niger 57 Equatorial Guinea, Tajikistan, 56 Algeria, Mali 55 Guinea-Bissau 54 Cambodia, Chad, Comoro Islands, Haiti 52 Bhutan, Central African Republic, Jordan, Liberia, Vietnam 51 Cameroon, Egypt, Turkmenistan 49 Angola, Burundi, Congo, Laos 48 Djibouti 47 Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria 45 Lebanon 44 Congo (Democratic Republic), South Sudan 43 Iran, Sri Lanka 42 Sudan 41 North Korea 40 Bangladesh, Eritrea, Palestinian Territory 39 Libya, Nepal 38 Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen 32 Iraq 30 Syria 27 Afghanistan 25

We swapped cocktails in Ibiza for summer holiday in Afghanistan… why it's become unlikely tourist hotspot for Brit women
We swapped cocktails in Ibiza for summer holiday in Afghanistan… why it's become unlikely tourist hotspot for Brit women

The Sun

timea day ago

  • The Sun

We swapped cocktails in Ibiza for summer holiday in Afghanistan… why it's become unlikely tourist hotspot for Brit women

STROLLING along a pristine street adorned with shrines glittering in the sunshine and cafes offering tasty local delicacies, Carrie Patsalis snaps a photo for her holiday album. But this isn't a city break in the Mediterranean - this is Kabul, the largest city in Afghanistan, ruled with an iron fist by the Taliban. 21 21 Despite its oppressive regime and appalling human rights record - and an advisory against all travel to the country from the UK government - Carrie is one of a growing number of British women who have swapped cocktails in Ibiza for a holiday in one of the world's top terror hotspots. Only 691 tourists are believed to have visited the country in 2021, but this rose to an estimated 5,200 in 2023 as the government is trying to encourage more tourism. Earlier this month the Taliban launched a warped campaign to lure more visitors, complete with a bizarre video showing spoof hostages and gunmen in the back of pick-up trucks and frolicking in lakes amid stunning mountain scenery. Ever since Afghanistan - which doesn't have a British embassy - was seized by Taliban authorities in 2021, its citizens have experienced worsening human rights. In August last year women's voices were banned from being heard outside of the house and they are not allowed to visit public parks, gyms or use transport without a male chaperone. Authorities dictate how they dress, and Afghan women do not have access to education beyond primary school level. Anyone who is critical of the Taliban regime faces being tortured. However, it is slowly becoming an unlikely destination for brave travellers looking for a true culture shock. Home-stays are not allowed and tourists can only stay in hotels verified by the Taliban. Carrie, a media producer from Wanstead, London, travelled by herself to Afghanistan for 10 days, accompanied by a male tour guide. Taliban launches warped Afghan TOURISM campaign with vid of brutes posing beside 'hostage' in ISIS-style mock execution Just six days after she left, a terrorist attack saw three Spanish tourists killed in the Bamiyan province, the largest in the Central region. A tour guide Carrie met during a trip to neighbouring Pakistan encouraged her to visit Afghanistan, insisting it would 'blow her mind'. But it took two years before she even considered it as she didn't want to support the controversial Taliban regime. She eventually decided she wanted to see for herself what local life was like for Afghan people. After extensive research she found a local guide she felt comfortable with who helped her book the trip and answered questions over FaceTime. Carrie told The Sun: "He said, 'You've got to come, it'll blow your mind, it's not what you think.' 'I was like, 'No way, absolutely not.' I felt like if I went I was supporting something I don't agree with. The first thing that struck me was how super clean the streets were. Everything was very quiet and calm. You'd imagine it would be carnage and it wasn't Carrie Patsalis 'It took me a lot of time and consideration, and then I just thought, 'Maybe if I go, I can see how local life is and we can talk about it on social media.' "It was a risk but I felt I'd done enough research." Carrie only told her husband and 16-year-old twin sons about the trip to avoid scaring the rest of her family. It cost her just over £1,100 for a return flight to Afghanistan, and she stopped off for two days in Dubai to collect her visa which cost around £220. Landing at Kabul International Airport on May 2 last year, she was surprised to be greeted by 'massive smiles'. She recalled: "I was nervous flying in as there is no British embassy. Hospitals are not well-equipped at all. I took my own medical supplies in and I went in very, very steady. "The first thing that struck me was how super clean the streets were. Everything was very quiet and calm. You'd imagine it would be carnage and it wasn't. "Afghan people are very kind, sweet and shy. You notice immediately there are no women on the streets." Unpleasant encounter 21 During her stay in Kabul, the capital, she visited stunning shrines, reflected on the impact of War at Babur Garden and tasted local delicacies. One day she visited 'White Flag Hill', home to a large white flag raised by the Taliban that features the Islamic declaration of faith in black writing. Feeling out of place as the only woman up the hill, she was shocked to witness a local man be punished simply for asking to take a photo with her. Carrie said: "I noticed that the men up there were intrigued [by me] but also backing away from me. "One young guy came up to me and was like, 'It's amazing to see you here' and we had a chat. Taliban guards were floating like sharks. 'He said to me, 'Can I take a photo with you?' "The Taliban guard came and pushed him in the back of the head and took him off. I assume he got his photo deleted and we have to hope that nothing more happened. 'It's a real shame because for me in my world, everything he did was normal. White Flag Hill was not pleasant." Days later she took a one-hour flight to Kandahar, a city seized by Taliban control in August 2021. With Taliban checkpoints and patrols, Carrie was 'nervous' about stepping foot in a place with such strict government control. 'It just felt a lot more serious there,' she said. Sniffer dogs and armed Taliban guards lined the airport and Carrie was struck by the heightened security checks for tourists, which saw her bag checked five times. She feared one of her camera sticks could be mistaken for a weapon, but it wasn't that which generated panic. Carrie said: "I remembered the very last thing I'd shoved in my bag was a purple Victoria's Secret bra. "One of the guys managed to pull the bra out by its strap so it dangled lengthways in the air for quite some time. "The remaining four men looked horrified and clearly didn't know what to do with themselves. "The main guy had seemingly frozen and suddenly he dropped the bra as if it was a grenade." The incident ended up cutting short what could have been a gruelling search process - as guards accepted Carrie's offer to help repack the offending garment and the rest of her bag. Trailed by Taliban guard s 21 21 In Kandahar, Carrie's tour guide drove her through the lively city for a day of visiting the beautiful mosques and historic landmarks such as the Friday Mosque, known for housing the cloak of the Prophet Muhammad. During the six-hour trip, the tour guide parked up the car to allow Carrie to admire the historical shrines. Carrie was trailed the whole time by a guy on a motorbike, who she figured was a Taliban member linked to the tourism office, ordered to keep an eye on her. Carrie said: "He was always at a bit of a distance but he was always there. Every time we went to a shrine he was there about 10 or 20 feet away. "If I turned my head he'd turn and pretend to be looking at the mosque. He obviously assumed I was oblivious. The guard was always at a bit of a distance but he was always there. Every time we went to a shrine he was there about 10 or 20 feet away Carrie Patsalis 'When we went for lunch he parked down the side of the restaurant and sure enough drove out when we drove off. "He followed us for the rest of the day and then went off." Carrie realised she was an 'unusual' site in Afghanistan given the lack of tourists and freedom for women. "Obviously they're wary of me,' she said. 'They've been bombed for years so they're not going to just let anyone in. "If you go in knowing and understanding why they might be frightened of you then you will understand why they are following you. "I'd rather the Taliban know where I am because they can see I'm not doing anything dodgy. "It's really easy to wrap up an entire nation with a regime but actually most of the people, even if they work for the Taliban, they work for the Taliban to put food on the table. "It doesn't necessarily mean they support the oppression of women." Foreign privilege 21 21 21 Throughout her travels Carrie couldn't forget her 'foreign privilege' as unlike local women, she could visit public places, which she admitted 'didn't sit right'. While she encourages others to experience the country's 'beautiful culture', she urges people to be 'completely aware of the risks' before travelling there. Carrie said: "My trip to Afghanistan was incredibly rewarding and I do want to go back. 'What I wouldn't do is say, 'Sure, go and book your flight now.' 'It is a regime that is not recognised politically by many governments around the world. If you go you must be completely aware of the risks and it must be a risk you are willing to take. "But when we only talk about the Taliban and women we lose the opportunity to celebrate what is a beautiful culture." 'No more dangerous than UK night out' 21 21 21 Zoe Stephens, 31, who works for Koryo Tours and lives in Crosby, Liverpool, has visited Afghanistan three times between August 2024 and June 2025. She travels with a group of up to eight women and with local female tour guides to get a glimpse into the daily lives of women and girls living there. It took a year of researching and planning, which included a research trip in August 2024, before she was able to safely take her first tour group there. Zoe said: "Everything is a risk in life. For me, the risk of going to Afghanistan is no more dangerous than walking the streets of a bustling city centre on a dark night. "People always think they know better. They always warn you against going to these places. "I'm confident in myself to go to these places because of my ability to handle any tricky situation, and if I didn't then I wouldn't go. Everything is a risk in life. For me, the risk of going to Afghanistan is no more dangerous than walking the streets of a bustling city centre on a dark night Zoe Stephens 'I had chatted to other travellers who'd been there and done my research. I wanted to see what it's really like." Zoe doesn't let any of her group walk around alone and sticks to cultural norms to avoid unwanted attention. Recounting her first-hand experiences with the 'morality police' - a law enforcement body which implements strict interpretation of Islamic morality - she said: 'They're the ones you have to watch out for. "It's not allowed for women to go into public parks. There are a couple of instances where they very politely enforce these laws. 'If you're a woman and you're there then they may come up to you and politely ask you to leave. "It's a very brief insight into the daily life of what the women there have to deal with. "The biggest rule is how you're dressed. I always go on respecting and trying to blend in rather than sticking out and challenging any cultural norms. 'That would be to wear clothing down to your wrists and ankles and having your hair covered at all times. "The main thing is modesty, not just in clothing but in behaviour as well. I wouldn't recommend going around singing and dancing." Pro-tourism 21 21 21 Zoe and her group took part in traditional embroidery and cooking classes with local women and visited a women's retreat centre. She said it allowed her to see a different side to the lives of Afghan women. "When all we see in the media is Afghan women as shapes behind cloth, that's all we see them as,' she said. 'The Afghan women that I know and have seen and danced with, gossiped with and laughed with, are women who have great ambition and are so similar to us. "But the reality for some people is they're not allowed to leave their house. It's about seeing these different dimensions." The traveller says she saw first-hand how the Taliban are trying to encourage more tourism. The Afghan women that I know and have seen and danced with, gossiped with and laughed with, are women who have great ambition and are so similar to us. But the reality for some people is they're not allowed to leave their house Zoe Stephens During her stay in Kandahar, a government minister decided to film her group as part of a 'propaganda video' by the Taliban for its X account. But she wasn't allowed to be part of it because she is a woman. Zoe said: "At the moment, for a traveller, the authorities are on your side. It's in your favour to cooperate with them. It was a surprise during my first visit. "When you speak to them you realise there are varying levels and not everyone subscribes to certain ideologies. "The minister wanted to get us on camera and make films, literal propaganda videos. They're very pro-tourism.' Zoe would recommend Afghanistan as a travel destination to Brits to better understand the culture and people - but she advises caution. 'Afghanistan has quickly become one of my favourite countries. You need to experience it to believe it,' she said. "The amount of things the Afghans have been through compared to their warmth, resilience and friendliness, they're just incredible people. "Do your research beforehand, and if you're not willing to follow the cultural norms and be respectful, then don't go.' 21 21 21

19 of the best places to visit in December
19 of the best places to visit in December

Times

time2 days ago

  • Times

19 of the best places to visit in December

You've got one of two options when it comes to holidays in December: embrace the cold or escape it. And in the right setting, both are equally enjoyable. If you're going with the former then wrap up warm and head for European cities where mulled wine-fuelled Christmas markets are in full swing and higher altitude ski resorts have already started their season. If the latter is more your wavelength then be prepared to adjust your body clock as the balmiest spots will inevitably be long haul, with options ranging from Mexico to India. Need more inspiration? Here are a few spots that are just perfect for a December holiday. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Why go in December? For Christmas morning snorkels on the house reef Swap queuing in toy shops and online panic-buying for dolphin-spotting boat tours and swimming with manta rays. December — particularly the latter part — usually marks the beginning of the dry season in the Maldives (avoid the rains of May to November). Average temperatures drift from high 20Cs to low 30Cs and are very comfortable thanks to the fact you're never far from a cool ocean dip. Many resorts will have their own 'house reef' — a strip of coral teeming with sea life — so your dip can effortlessly extend into a wildlife-spotting excursion. The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort will often fly in top chefs, artists (to run workshops) and children's entertainers in December to make the festive season even more special. Tui has a great range of Maldives getaways — prices include flights and transfers to and from your accommodation. • Best hotels in the Maldives Why go in December? For quaint German-style markets mixed with superb Italian hospitality This curious mountain region sits on the border of Italy and Austria — and the traditions of both mix deliciously in the local culture (known as Ladin). No time is this blend more delightful than in December, when jolly Germanic markets meet hauntingly beautiful Italian carol concerts and, of course, a big food focus. The biggest Christmas market in Italy is found in the regional capital of Bolzano. But if you're after something a bit quieter, the pretty villages of Corvara and San Cassiano (in the Alta Badia ski area) host carol concerts and have endless cosy taverns. Hotel La Perla in Corvara has a rustic Michelin-starred restaurant and is considered one of the best hotels in the world. If you're lucky, the snow will be thick enough to allow runs on Alta Badia's well-groomed slopes. Crystal Ski has packages to a couple of typical chalet hotels in Corvara, beside Alta Badia's blue and red routes. • The best ski resorts in Italy Why go in December? For quirky celebrations and dazzling crafts Oaxaca state (and the capital city that shares its name) are the spiritual home of arts and crafts in Mexico. December is usually the driest and coolest time to visit, so it's a good opportunity to wander around Oaxaca city's creative museums (Museo Textil de Oaxaca, dedicated to regional textiles, is one of the best) or get out into the surrounding mountains. The petrified 'waterfalls' at Hierve el Agua, one of only two examples in the world, are truly stunning. For an off-beat festive celebration, pencil in La Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) which takes place in Oaxaca each year on December 23. Locals compete to create the most elaborate sculptures carved from oversized radishes. Modern and comfortable, ArcoSodi Boutique Hotel is a short hop from the zocalo (main square) where the event takes place. Intrepid has a culture and cuisine-focused group tour travelling from Mexico City to Oaxaca (the city). • Best hotels in Mexico Why go in December? For many variations on a German-style Christmas Christmas markets in Berlin may not have been around for as long as in some other German cities, but they make up for it in variety. More than 80 take place around town, in locations from the glass façades of Potsdamer Platz (also a popular venue for ice-skating) to the quaint streets of Spandau in the western suburbs. You're never far from a glass of glühwein or lebkuchen, but you'll also find less traditional arts and crafts. Base yourself near the Kurfürstendamm to see the boulevard splendidly lit up, and to raid the vast candy counter at KaDeWe — the queen of Berlin department stores. Sir Savigny is a boutique hotel two blocks north of Kurfürstendamm, with a book-filled lounge and retro details in the rooms to create a sophisticated city bolt hole Jet2 has city break deals to Berlin with Christmas market-themed, flight-inclusive packages • Best affordable hotels in Berlin Why go in December? For a Junkanoo party to see out the year There's some nitpicking as to whether the Bahamas counts as a Caribbean country in purely geographical terms, but when it comes to culture there's no doubt. Proof comes at the end of December with street parades to match any carnival in the islands to the south. Bahamian Junkanoo celebrations take place mainly on December 26 and New Year's Day: a masquerade of dazzling costumes to the sound of goombay drums. It's a popular travel period with little rain. If you're staying on New Providence island, largely taken up by Nassau, try the SLS at Baha Mar. It's part of a complex of luxury beach hotels and is styled throughout for maximum Instagram appeal. On round trips from Port Canaveral in Florida, Princess Cruises' classy ships call at Nassau during circuits of the eastern Caribbean. • Best all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas Why go in December? For architectural treasures in the home of Good King Wenceslas Of all the European capitals, Prague might have the best claim to look like a vintage Christmas card backdrop. Snow isn't a sure thing (it's more likely in January), but even without frosted roofs, this gothic-baroque medley looks atmospheric on short December days. During Advent only, a lamplighter does the rounds on the famous Charles Bridge at about 4pm. While Christmas is a busy period, earlier in the month is a cheaper time to arrive for markets and ice rinks in historic squares. The Mala Strana quarter, in the shadow of Prague Castle, has just as much labyrinthine appeal as the old town. On a cobbled square in Mala Strana, you'll find the Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa. It's spread across a cluster of buildings — the oldest going back 500 years — and staying in one of its 46 rooms and suites feels like waking up on the set of an opera. Consider booking your flights and hotel in one fell swoop through easyJet Holidays if you want to stay in the old town. • Discover our full winter sun holiday guide Why go in December? For river trips through temple-dotted countryside Laos is southeast Asia's only landlocked country, but with the mighty Mekong flowing through its length, river cruises are understandably popular. At this time of year there is very little rainfall but the rivers are still full, and temperatures are at their lowest — though still comfortably in the 20Cs. The one-time royal capital of Luang Prabang is a gateway to many river trips through the limestone cliff scenery of the north, and is also a top destination for culture with its gilded temples and lines of saffron-robed Buddhist monks. In the sleepy centre of Unesco World Heritage listed Luang Prabang, 3 Nagas has plenty of historic appeal, with 15 rooms and suites decorated in dark wood, and bikes for guests to explore the city. Ideal for beginners, Explore!'s small-group Highlights of Laos tour includes a guided morning walk around Luang Prabang. • Where's hot in December? Why go in December? For aurora-spotting and other winter activities in Swedish Lapland Sweden's northernmost county largely overlaps with the historic region of Lapland — and with the Arctic Circle running through it, anywhere north of that line has at least one day in December when you won't see any sun. The long nights are an advantage when spotting the northern lights, but even if this natural show proves elusive, Norrbotten has other winter marvels. Near the town of Kiruna in the north is the original Icehotel at Jukkasjarvi, while on the outskirts of the southern city of Lulea is the Unesco World Heritage listed Gammelstad, its dinky red cottages now under pillowy snow. One for the unusual stays bucket list: the Tree Hotel has eight boldly designed rooms perched high in a forest an hour's drive north of Lulea. If it simply must be the Icehotel, however, arrange your trip there with the Aurora Zone — an expert in holidays to Swedish Lapland • Christmas in Lapland: everything you need to know about visiting Santa Why go in December? For emerald beauty after the monsoons With an abundance of swaying coconut palms along its coast and backwaters, Kerala is India's most lushly tropical state. The six-month rainy season that allows all this to happen lifts in December, so this month is an obvious (and in-demand) time to visit. Backwater cruises in a kettuvallam (houseboat) are a highlight in Kerala, and the city of Alappuzha is a starting point for many. Purity at Lake Vembanad overlooks the famously long lake outside Alappuzha, and offers Ayurvedic treatments and morning yoga classes in its serene grounds. Great for Kerala first-timers, G Adventures' affordable group tour combines a Backwaters cruise with beaches and the elegant city of Kochi. • Best places to visit in India Why go in December? For Auld Lang Syne, and other ways to light up the night While the biggest party in the Scottish capital comes with the Hogmanay celebrations to see in the New Year, there's much to raise the spirits during the other 30 days of the month. With the sun gone before 4pm, it's up to the Christmas lights to brighten Edinburgh's old stone facades; the most spectacular decorations are on George Street. Out of the centre, the Royal Botanic Garden and Dalkeith Country Park are also transformed into night-time wonderlands. Back in the New Town, Christmas market stalls bring mulled wine and more to Princes Street Gardens. Set in two Victorian villas just outside the city-centre bustle, the Roseate Edinburgh showcases seasonal Scottish produce and rare single malts. Newmarket Holidays operates guided group tours focused on Edinburgh at Christmas, with plenty of time for exploration. • Best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas Why go in December? For New England villages decked out in baubles and snow Russet-coloured leaves might be New England's signature seasonal look, but the region is a winter beauty, too. In the mountains of Vermont, around one in three December days are snowy, and the lead-up to the 25th sees many of the state's small towns decorated to the nines. Ski resorts such as Stowe usually start their season towards the end of November, and other winter activities away from the groomed runs include cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and dog-sledding. It's enough to justify more maple syrup on your breakfast pancakes. Running since 1833, the Green Mountain Inn is set in a complex of historic buildings in the original centre of Stowe, seven miles from the ski resort, and is filled with four-poster beds and other traditional touches. Arrange a private, self-drive itinerary tailored to your preferences through American Sky. • Discover our full guide to the US Why go in December? For tropical Christmas traditions at the start of the dry season Christmas festivities may look a little different in an equatorial country, but Colombia's temperatures are graded less by month and more by altitude: from ones that nurture coconut palms on the coast, to cooler climes in the highland capital Bogota or among the aromatic plantations of the Zona Cafetera. On the night of December 7, the festival of Dia de las Velitas sees towns and cities adorned with little candles and coloured lanterns. Centuries-old Cartagena is queen of the Caribbean coast, where the nationwide tapering off of the September-November rainy season is especially marked. Graceful, antique-filled Hotel Casa del Arzobispado is a colonial-era original in the walled city of Cartagena, with a pool in the central patio. Crystal Cruises has a seven-night, pre-Christmas Caribbean voyage that heads south from Barbados to conclude amid the majesty of Cartagena. • Is Colombia safe for travellers? Why go in December? For big-ticket spectacles and mild winter days National Day on December 2 marks the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, celebrated today with fireworks, LED shows and displays of heritage in this Gulf state where the contrast between old and new is so marked. It's also usually around this time that the most populous of the emirates, Dubai, hosts its part of the Rugby Sevens series. With the oppressive summer heat gone, and average temperatures in the 20Cs, this month is generally a more pleasant time to venture beyond air-conditioned spaces. Building traditional Arabian elements into a modern design, Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection is super-close to the action around the Dubai Mall and the world-record skyscraper Burj Khalifa. If you'd like to see more of the Arabian Gulf, the affordable, independent line Celestyal Cruises operates eight-day tours in the region, visiting several of the Emirates as well as Qatar. • Best things to do in Dubai Why go in December? For timeless delights in the Eternal City Christmas and New Year are usually chilly in Rome (around 8C), though still a tad warmer than many other European cities in December. The Christmas tree custom is slowly catching on in Italy: there are splendid examples in St Peter's Square (thanks originally to Polish Pope John Paul II) and outside the Colosseum. Rome certainly goes in for lavish nativity scenes, plus panettone and other seasonal sweets. Stay among the tight-knit streets around Campo de' Fiori and you'll be equidistant from the Vatican and Roman Forum, near the Christmas market at Piazza Navona, and also Hanukkah celebrations in Rome's old Jewish quarter. Behind an ivy-covered façade, the Boutique Hotel Campo de' Fiori is cosy and unapologetically indulgent, with velvet drapes and gilded mirrors. For a glamorous, eco-friendly holiday, how about travelling to Rome by rail with the flight-free specialist — perhaps also exploring Turin or Venice? • Best hotels in Rome Why go in December? For a wonder of nature at its fullest flow The world's largest waterfall system is a year-round wonder, but December marks the start of its mightiest performance. The trade-off is having to dodge heavy rain showers and sweat out the height of tropical heat, as well as working around busy South American Christmas holidays. Though the Argentine side accounts for the greatest share of the falls, and the best trails to their thunderous heart, the Brazilian portion has more spray-free viewpoints, helicopter rides, and a bigger choice of facilities in its gateway town. The answer, of course, is to visit both national parks. Of the two hotels right by the falls, the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas on the Brazilian side edges it for its country-estate style and chance to stroll to viewpoints ahead of the tour buses. Along with Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, the Falls are one of the headliners on Riviera Travel's three-country Grand Tour of South America. • Guide to Iguazu Falls: everything you need to know Why go in December? For summer adventure in epic scenery The start of the southern hemisphere summer brings changes all across New Zealand, but nowhere more so than in the mountains of the South Island. Although Aoraki/Mount Cook and the other highest peaks should keep their crowns of snow, at middle altitudes the way is open for hikes such as the legendary Routeburn Track. Visitor attractions get particularly busy as Christmas holidays approach, so if you can, go earlier in the month to enjoy outdoor activity hotspots such as Queenstown and Te Anau. Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel offers sophisticated rooms, some with views of the peaks of the Remarkables, a short walk from the centre of Queenstown. On Titan's country-crossing Best of New Zealand tour, you'll gasp at Mount Cook's Tasman Glacier — one of the biggest outside the Himalayas. • Best things to do in New Zealand Why go in December? For old-world atmosphere in an under-the-radar European capital The square at the historic heart of the Slovak capital is less well known than its Prague old town equivalent, but visit in December and you'll also find it cheerily decked out with Christmas market stalls against a backdrop of stately baroque and art nouveau buildings. There's no guarantee of white rooftops (snow-seekers should add on a trip to the peaks of Tatra National Park on the border with Poland), but this is definitely the time of year when typical dishes such as goulash most hit the spot. And with Vienna just 75 minutes or so by boat along the Danube, what better chance for two-in-one, compare-and-contrast Christmas market shopping? A short stroll from the old town and the Danube riverside, Marrol's Boutique Hotel has the vibe of a traditional club with a crackling fireplace and deep armchairs. Alternatively, stay in the old town on a cost-effective break with Expedia which includes flights to the city. • Discover our full guide to BratislavaWhy go in December? For street parties and beach time in the Caribbean The islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines are a trusty ticket to winter sun, but also bring a uniquely Caribbean twist to Christmas. The shimmying starts on December 16 and the Nine Mornings Festival rewards early risers with dances and steel band concerts, and the all-important tradition of a sea bath. The country is divided between St Vincent, mountainous and jungle-clad, but also where most Vincentians live and play, and the Grenadines — smaller islands such as Canouan and celebrity magnet Mustique, where you're more likely to find white sands. Bequia (pronounced 'beck-way') is one of the largest islands, and a happy compromise of glorious beaches and local culture. It was affected by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, but the Foreign Office says that 'services have returned to normal' there. Bequia Beach Hotel gives right on to the crescent-shaped beach at Friendship Bay, and is decorated inside to evoke the era of steamer trunks, rattan armchairs and slowly twirling ceiling fans. From Kingstown, the country's capital, ferry-based excursions to Bequia are available on P&O's Caribbean Islands Fly-Cruise. • Best hotels in St Vincent and the Grenadines Why go in December? For beaches and nature With summer just beginning in South Africa, temperatures are at a manageable average high of 27C in Cape Town. It's warm enough if you want to head to the coast — and there are some gorgeous beaches just outside of the main centre — but also affords some cooler days if hiking up Table Mountain is on your agenda. Don't restrict yourself to city perimeters, though. Hire a car and you're in the Cape winelands in under an hour, or go further south to the tip of the Cape Peninsula where, at the Cape of Good Hope, you'll feel like you're at the end of the world. Radisson RED Cape Town V&A Waterfront is moments from the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, and there's a great collection of bars and restaurants in the area. Tui has a welter of package holiday options in Cape Town, from apartments to luxury hotels lining Table Bay. • Best things to do in Cape Town

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