6 days ago
10 great ideas for an unforgettable holiday
Unesco sites by train or boat, luxury villas in Asia with their own chef and an Indonesian eco-dive haven – getaways worth posting about Caption here pls... Fun, friends, travel and tourism concept. Beautiful girls looking for direction in the city
Whether you're still contemplating that big trip, fancy a fabulous short break to recharge the batteries, or are starting to make plans for next year's adventures, this travel checklist has you covered.
Luxurious villa stays with private chefs and dedicated concierge services promise the ultimate relaxation – or why not see the raw beauty of Costa Rica on an expert-led expedition? This feature includes global specialists who offer exactly that, and so much more.
From city breaks with a difference to boutique cruising, touring Italy by sleeper train and diving in the Maldives, each resort and operator here provides something special – not least tailored excursions, wonderful regional cuisine and award-winning service.
So pack your bags and reach for your passports. It's time to go.
When you're looking for the ultimate stay with all the freedom of your own space and the attentive comfort of a first-class hotel, a high-end villa makes the perfect choice.
The multi-award-winning Luxury Signature was named the best luxury full-service villa rental company in Asia in the 2024 Seven Stars Awards. It offers a hand-picked collection of premium private properties across the continent's most sought-after destinations – from Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand to Bali in Indonesia and Niseko in Japan.
Every detail matters to the Luxury Signature team – fabulous locations, beautiful villas and chalets, sumptuous comfort and exceptional amenities, all enjoyed in the utmost privacy.
For each booking, the team ensures the guest experience is entirely tailored, be it for a family holiday, milestone celebration, group booking or break offering romantic seclusion.
Personalised concierge services, a private chef, in-villa wellness services and carefully curated local trips are all part of what places The Luxury Signature experience a cut above.
Find your luxury holiday villa at
Located on the island of Meedhupparu in the Maldives, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is an exclusive haven for those seeking true luxury and serenity.
This adults-only retreat, featuring just 20 elegant villas, offers an intimate and private escape surrounded by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
Each villa boasts a spacious sun deck with a private Jacuzzi, a glass floor panel revealing vibrant marine life below and its own wooden ladder leading directly down to the water.
Guests enjoy Adaaran's trademark 24-hour premium all-inclusive experience, including gourmet dining at an exclusive à la carte establishment along with the resort's other restaurants.
A personal butler service attends to guests' every need, while a secluded pool and serene spa hut offer moments of pure relaxation.
From chilled out days on the private beach to supper accompanied by soft romantic music, Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is the epitome of overwater exclusivity, perfect for honeymoons and any romantic getaway.
Visit to find out more
Set in the pristine waters of the North Malé Atoll in the Maldives, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi offers an exceptional escape to tropical bliss.
The perfect destination to take advantage of Adaaran's 24-hour premium all-inclusive offering, the resort caters to honeymooners, families and adventure seekers alike.
Beyond simply diving into the deep blue waters, guests can immerse themselves in exploring the stunning coral reefs, embark on thrilling watersports like jet-skiing and parasailing, or simply bask in the tranquillity of this natural paradise.
Food lovers will relish the array of dining options, including international buffets and themed nights. Every evening is a culinary pleasure, while the resort's bars serve signature cocktails with fabulous ocean views as the backdrop.
Whether taking in underwater wonders, indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments or enjoying nightly live entertainment, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi promises an unforgettable Maldivian getaway.
Visit to find out more
Why not discover Italy by train? It offers a chance to take in its rich culture and scenic splendour from a new angle.
The wonderful new FS Treni Turistici Italiani services not only reflect the increasing interest in holidaying by rail – they also connect many of the country's incredible regions in true style.
The experience starts the moment you board, with each service designed to be a modern take on the romantic bygone age of train adventures.
Sit back and relax in the elegant blue velvet lounges; dine in comfort, enjoying hotel-style hospitality throughout your journey; and when it's time for bed, retire to your comfy sleeping car.
Each route has been designed to offer a very special travel experience.
Glide glamorously between Rome and the French Riviera on services available in July and August. Discover the 'Heart of Italy' route, taking in Assisi, Arezzo and Siena. Or see the Unesco landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato during the 95th International White Truffle Fair of Alba (October to December).
So many possibilities await…
For details email info@ or visit
For anyone who loves a city break, the Helsinki-Tallinn double is a must.
A convenient distance from one other, in the same time zone and even using the same currency, the capitals of Finland and Estonia offer a very special Nordic combination. Experience Helsinki's modern funkiness and Tallinn's historic beauty in the same trip.
It couldn't be easier to mix Helsinki's active and outdoor pleasures with Tallinn's sightseeing and culture fix. The Eckerö Line runs ferry crossings between Finland and Estonia, including a day cruise that leaves Helsinki at 9am, arriving in Tallinn in just over two hours.
That leaves plenty of time to wander the Hanseatic city, the Tallinn Old Town Unesco heritage site, the Kadriorg baroque palace and more, before arriving back in Helsinki at 9pm.
While aboard Eckerö Line's MS Finlandia, take in the shops or live entertainment. Then relax in one of the many bars and sample a seasonal feast of foodie options, all made with Finnish produce and prepared entirely on the ship.
Find out more and book tickets at
For exceptional adventures to remarkable places, Steppes Travel carefully curates specialist, small-group luxury experiences according to the interests of its clients.
Steppes' Uncharted Costa Rica trip, planned for March 2026, presents a chance to explore Costa Rica's wilder, less-visited corners. Follow expert local guides in your own 4×4 expedition vehicle, crossing riverbeds, beaches, pineapple plantations, remote dirt tracks and asphalt coastal roads.
Created for a maximum of eight guests, this trip takes in some of the country's richest wildlife spots, including Boca Tapada near the Nicaraguan border, Arenal Volcano National Park and the Sierpe Wetlands. It also includes three nights in Corcovado National Park, home to 3 per cent of the world's biodiversity.
Purposely routed away from regular tourist trails, this trip offers an incredible opportunity to see everyday life here up close – a journey that could only be attempted with local knowledge, and planned with a passion and respect for Costa Rica's natural wonder.
Uncharted Costa Rica is a 13-day trip, March 5-17, 2026. From £7,250 per person (excluding international flights). Visit to book this exclusive group tour
A boutique eco-dive haven on the remote Indonesian island of southeast Sulawesi, this resort is a five-star escape for water lovers.
Here guests enjoy exclusive access to a private marine reserve with over 40 incredible dive and snorkel sites, including the House Reef, featured in National Geographic's 100 Dives of a Lifetime . The Pelagian Dive Yacht offers a liveaboard voyage which goes even further, to some of the region's most remote reefs.
The resort also offers exceptional hospitality, gourmet dining and beachfront elegance – including its sumptuous new Courtyard Residences – all without compromising on natural beauty.
This is travel with purpose. The Wakatobi Collaborative Reef Conservation Programme protects a vast area and benefits 17 villages, employing former fishermen as reef guardians.
Its latest initiative, Reefonomics, invites corporate partners to fund its conservation work without expanding the resort's footprint.
From arriving by private charter from Bali to each spectacular dive and hand-crafted meal, to seeing the marine ecosystem and community thrive, enjoy luxury with legacy.
Visit to find out more and follow on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube
If you're looking for a five-star escape, take your pick from these two island resorts. They both offer barefoot luxury, attentive service and unforgettable experiences inspired by the Indian Ocean.
Constance Halaveli Maldives is a secluded private island dotted with stilted villas perched above sparkling waters.
From offering refined dining at its floating restaurant to the chance to try world-class diving sites, this Leading Hotels of the World location features a five-star Padi diving centre, an elegant spa, a wine cellar and bespoke excursions.
Just 25 minutes by seaplane from Malé, it offers escape with ease.
Constance Moofushi Maldives is a relaxed, eco-luxury resort with all-inclusive indulgence, set on the South Ari Atoll.
Guests in its 56 water villas and 24 beach villas can dive with manta rays, fish with the local community and relax with the resort's bio-marine spa rituals.
Its two restaurants and tropical bars also offer unforgettable barefoot dining and lagoon-side relaxation.
Visit to explore your next Indian Ocean escape and follow on Instagram
Priding itself on first-hand local knowledge and a passion for comfort, Villatravellers offers a premium travel service for those who want to do Italy in style.
Its incredible collection of luxury villas in Sicily and Puglia is carefully curated, with each property selected for its exclusive location, first-class facilities and distinctive architectural style.
Beautifully furnished, with fabulous little extras as standard and privacy guaranteed, the villas offer a choice of features for an elevated holiday experience personal gyms, Jacuzzis, infinity pools and direct beach access, for example.
From large luxury properties for special get-togethers to smaller villas offering chic comfort, each stay comes with the chance to get to know the region through carefully planned experiences.
Cruise along the coast by boat, indulge in an in-villa cook service sampling the best Sicilian cuisine or take a private tour. Ready to plan everything from a wine-tasting to outdoor adventures, the Villatravellers team offers discreet 24/7 assistance so that guests can simply relax and focus on making special holiday memories.
Visit and be inspired
Renowned as the 'pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik is a fabulous European escape.
With its magnificent fortified Old Town, charming cobbled streets, secluded bays and fabulous seafood restaurants, it's the perfect place to relax. Culture, beach life and great value hotels are all on hand.
It is also the most enchanting place from which to set sail on an Elegance Cruise. Limited availability remains for the company's Dubrovnik Return route bookings for 2025.
This boutique, seven-day cruise takes in the best of Croatia before returning to port, allowing guests to bookend a trip of sightseeing, swimming and island hopping with time spent in a wonderful European city.
On board the custom-built small ship, guests can relax on the sundeck under big blue skies and enjoy the comfort of their air-conditioned ensuite cabins.
The chic, spacious dining salon is cool and airy from breakfast to supper, with onboard entertainment available and the chance to dine locally along the route.
It's a luxurious opportunity to cruise with class.
Discover more about Elegance Croatia Cruises at
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