The Langham Gold Coast features 339 luxury rooms and suites, direct beachfront access and its own private Jewel Residences, offering the ultimate in luxury accommodation.

All rooms and suites at The Langham Gold Coast enjoy expansive balconies with stunning views. Choose from a variety of room types to suit your needs, from deluxe rooms and one-bedroom suites to two-bedroom suites and penthouses.

The Langham Gold Coast’s luxury experience extends to elegantly-designed facilities including the pool bar and a range of exceptional food and beverage venues within pleasing earshot of the gentle ocean waves.

The Langham Gold Coast’s luxurious gastronomic dining experience

The pride of The Langham Gold Coast is its luxurious gastronomic dining experience. Take, for instance, the T’ang Court Cantonese Restaurant, the first Australian location from this Michelin-starred restaurant group. Here, you can expect nothing short of the finest authentic Cantonese cuisine, perfectly complemented with tastefully appointed interiors.

For those who prefer a more casual dining experience, Akoya is the ideal choice with its coastal setting and Concertina doors that bridge the indoors and the outdoors, inviting a cool ocean breeze for an enlivening atmosphere. This all-day eatery offers a sumptuous buffet with the finest grilled meats and seafood and an extensive à la carte menu. The Taittinger Champagne Brunch every Sunday completes your gastronomic journey at The Langham Gold Coast.

Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea at Palm Court, inspired by the heritage of The Langham London. Sink into a plush sofa as you indulge in finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, pastries and a pot of the day’s finest tea with the magnificent backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

Fuel up at 26 & Sunny, The Langham Gold Coast’s vibrant new beachside concept café. Located right on the beach, 26 & Sunny is the perfect place to enjoy a casual dining experience or grab a quick bite before heading back to explore the Gold Coast’s beautiful beaches. The menu here is a mix of pastries, ice creams and classic Australian beach fare such as hand-cut chips,  burgers, fish & chips and salads.

As the day comes to an end, enjoy pre-dinner drinks at Coral Moon, The Langham Gold Coast’s open-air destination bar. Sip on a refreshing cocktail as you take in the stunning views of the Gold Coast skyline before heading to one of The Langham Gold Coast’s dining venues for a sumptuous dinner.

The Langham Gold Coast’s Junior Ocean Suite

“Since first opening in London in 1865, The Langham has built an unmatched, global reputation for timeless elegance and a true 5-star experience, and we are beyond thrilled to bring this legendary luxury to life in the heart of the Gold Coast.” said Mr John O’Shea, General Manager of The Langham Gold Coast.

“The Langham, Gold Coast will bring together Langham’s global expertise in luxury hospitality and gastronomic dining with a rare oceanfront location as a backdrop to an intimate and playfully refined, one-of-a-kind destination dining and events experience for a new wave of luxury not found anywhere else on the Gold Coast.”

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© This article was first published online in June 2022 – World Travel Magazine.

The post Experience A New Level Of Luxury At The Langham Gold Coast first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

Eco-Friendly Accommodation in Margaret River Region

Barn Hives in Yallingup

Imagine fitting a black square peg in a field of green. The black square peg here is a two-story open plan living, self-sustained eco-pod with a private deck and the field of green is a vineyard. The six eco pods in Yallingup are ideal for a quiet getaway and essential if one wishes to wake up with views of vineyards.

Barn Hives’ sustainable credentials are in its eco-friendly design and minimal impact on its surrounding environment. Attention has been paid to sunlight and cross-ventilation when constricting these pods. Water is collected from rainfall and heated by solar panels making it self-sustainable. Beyond the surrounding vineyard, explore Smiths Beach, the various wine estates in the Margaret River region and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Read More: 10 Best Outdoor Camping Locations In Australia

Petit Eco Cabin in Yallingup

The single timber Petit Eco Cabin in Yallingup is nestled into the trees by the lake, overlooking an organic vineyard and is designed to allow you to slow down and reconnect with nature.

In an effort to minimise the impact on the environment, the cabin was positioned to take advantage of the Northern sun and cooling sea breezes. It captures and stores its own rainwater, greywater is recycled onto the newly planted fruit trees, and a solar hot water system provides the cabin’s hot water.

 

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While at the estate, vineyard tours by the owners of Windows Estate and picnics in the open surroundings help you slow down. The organic vineyard and family-run winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, traditionally processing the wines by hand almost every step along the way. The estate takes a minimal intervention approach, where they aim to showcase the fruit’s quality without making adjustments or additions to the wine while making it.

New Cellar Doors in Margaret River Region

LS Merchants Cellar Door

Winemaker Dylan Arvidson opened the doors to a brand new LS Merchants cellar door in Cowaramup over summer (Dec 2020). Tastings consist of a selection of current release LS wines with the occasional limited release and back vintage wine on tasting and all releases available to purchase.

Production is small, and the experimental wines are usually only one or two barrels, made from almost 20 different varieties, styles and blends from fruit grown in Margaret River, Ferguson Valley and The Great Southern.

The approach to winemaking here is wild fermentation where possible and a lot of experimentation; the former to express the varietal characters, the latter to push conventional winemaking boundaries and produce interesting and enticing styles.

A: 163 Treeton Road North, Cowaramup, WA, 6284, Australia

Read More: Margaret River Wine Food And Adventures In Nature

Grace Farm, Wilyabrup

Grace Farm’s new cellar door opened on December 27, 2020. The intimate space allows the winemaker to offer a personalised wine tasting experience.

Grace Farm is a young vineyard that is experiencing great success and winning awards on regional, national and international levels. The vineyard sits in the prime wine-growing sub-region of Margaret River, Wilyabrup, where ideal conditions undoubtedly contribute to the grapes’ quality.

A: 741 Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown, WA, 6284, Australia

Marri Wood Park, Yallingup

Marri Wood Park Cellar Door is now open for wine tasting. Visitors can expect a relaxed and truly memorable experience set amongst natural bush atop their biodynamic, family-run vineyard. There is no fee to try all of their wines, including the popular Sparkling Chenin Blanc, naturally sparkling Pet-Nat, SB, SBS, Chenin and Cab Sav.

 

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Marri Wood Park is a boutique family-run and owned, Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard. Their biodynamic philosophy utilises sustainable practices: no chemicals, no pesticides, no irrigation and no fertilisers. The result is hardy vines that produce high quality, robust and delicious grapes.

Read More: 7 Amazing Things To Do In Cairns Australia 2022 Bucket List

The berries are hand-picked and sorted, lightly pressed and fermented in an array of fermenters (including clay amphoras, French and Austrian oak barrels) to produce the highest-quality wine. Book ahead to be greeted with a complimentary cheese platter, or just drop in. They look forward to welcoming you.

A: 28 Whittle Rd, Yallingup WA 6282, Australia

Featured Image credit, clockwise: Horse riding in Margaret River, Australia, www.margaretriver.com ; Winter Accom (Empire), Image by Elements Margaret River, www.margaretriver.com ; Blackwood River Houseboats in Margaret River, Australia, www.margaretriver.com ; Vasse Felix, Image by Russell Ord Photography, www.margaretriver.com

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© This article was first published online in Jan 2021 – World Travel Magazine.

The post New Eco-Friendly Accommodation & Cellar Doors In The Margaret River Region first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

Remember when Annette Benning’s family crash John Candy’s camping vacation at a beautiful lakeside mountain resort in Wisconsin? Perhaps the most popular camping movie in 80’s The Great Outdoors, is a classic family-friendly movie centred around a family who decides to take everyone on a camping vacation. Nature has always been a source of solace and inspiration for movie directors like Howard Deutch.

Keeping the present world situation in mind, the philosophy still holds true – how our brain reacts positively when we step outside – and why nature is so inspirational for us.

As many of us are looking for ways to step out and reconnect with nature, Australia, one of the most beautiful continents in the world has a plan in store.

From glamping in the middle of Sydney Harbour to feeling the white sands at Vivonne Bay in Kangaroo island, there’s a camping experience that’s perfect for you somewhere in Australia, even if you don’t know how to pitch a tent. Here’s a list of the 10 best camping spots that Australia has to offer:

Under the stars in Noosa North Shore

Camping under the sparkling stars of the sunshine coast in Noosa North Shore, image by Australia.com

Noosa is known for its charming beachside town, but trade the ocean for the everglades and you have one unforgettable camping experience. Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp offers a range of accommodation including all-weather glamping tents and powered campsites. The 26-hectare (65-acre) property rests on the Noosa River and under a canopy of leafy trees, giving campers easy access to the unique nature of the Noosa Everglades. Float down the peaceful river on a canoe or cruise tour before pitching your tent under the sparkling stars of the Sunshine Coast.

Rent a tent on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island

The most unusual camping experience on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island, image by Australia.com

Cockatoo Island – a post-industrial paradise in the middle of stunning Sydney Harbour – offers one of the world’s most unusual camping experiences. The island, formerly a colonial jail, school and naval dockyard, retains many of its historic buildings. Wander the site and spend the night. Bring your own camping gear, rent a tent or opt for a glamping package. The waterfront campground includes hot showers and a communal kitchen.

Sleep Safari-style in Byron Bay

Peaceful safari-style camping in Byron Bay, image by Australia.com

Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most beautiful beachside spots, but it can get crowded, particularly during summer and school holidays. Have a more peaceful time at Suffolk Park, seven kilometres (four miles) to the south. Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park offers safari tents that sleep up to six people, along with spots to pitch a tent that are within earshot of the breaking surf.

Go tent-free in Grampians national park

An innovative spot in Grampians national park, image by Australia.com

Roll out a sleeping mat at the Fortress, a natural rocky overhang with views across the rugged Grampians landscape in western Victoria. The unusual camping spot is the first stop in a three-day circular hike from Harrop Track car park. It is best to pack a tent for the other night on the track and remember to register your trek at the Brambuk Cultural Centre, a striking building with fluid lines that resemble a cockatoo in flight.

Spot wildlife by night in Narawntapu National Park

Camping by the night in Narawntapu National Park, image by Australia.com

The island state of Tasmania is famous for its national parks and wildlife. The critters at Spring lawn in Narawntapu National Park, east of Devonport in northern Tasmania, are comfortable with campers sharing their environment. Watch the wombats nibble at the grass from up close. You might also spot Tasmanian devils, Forester kangaroos and Bennetts wallabies coming out to forage, especially around dusk.

Unwind in the wilderness of the Kimberley

Camping in the vast landscapes of the Kimberley, image by Australia.com

El Questro Wilderness Park, 110 kilometres (68 miles) west of Kununurra in the east Kimberley, is a vast expanse of wild, untamed landscapes. It’s also home to one of Australia’s prettiest and most unexpected hot springs. Loll about in the palm-fringed Zebedee Springs in the morning, when it’s open to all, before returning to the Black Cockatoo Campground or to a Private Riverside Bush campsite.

Read  More: Ponant’s Iconic Sailing Yacht Le Ponant’s Luxurious Kimberley Expeditions

Pitch a tent in the Red Centre

Camping in the spiritual heart Uluru, image by Australia.com

Uluru is the spiritual heart of Australia. Ayers Rock Resort, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the striking red monolith, offers a wide range of accommodation, including campsites. Pitch your tent on lush grass underneath native desert oaks. The campground includes a swimming pool, barbecues, an outdoor kitchen, and laundry facilities. Campers can catch the resort’s free shuttle to the onsite supermarket, bars, shops and restaurants.

Climb the ridge at Wilpena Pound

Camping resort style at Wilpena Pound, image by Archie Sartracom

Pitch a tent at the Wilpena Pound campground, just beyond the circle of hills enclosing the natural amphitheatre. There are powered and unpowered campsites, as well as permanent tents and bus bays. Climb the ridge in the early morning and late afternoon and watch the sun rising and setting over the pound. You can also take scenic flights over this wondrous landscape from the nearby airstrip and eat and have a leisurely drink in the friendly comfort of the resort.

Rustic camping at Cable Bay Campground

Camping in solitude at Cable Bay Campground, image by Australia.com

There is something sublime about Innes National Park. Located at the southern tip of the Yorke Peninsula, it is surrounded by perfect beaches, outstanding surf and dramatic cliffs. It is so far away from everything that you can spend a day walking and exploring without seeing another person.

It is wilderness at its most seductive and beautiful. Pitch a tent at the Cable Bay Campground and watch the sun rise over the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park. Nearby is the historic Inneston ghost town, the rusty remains of the wreck of the Ethel, and some of the best surfing anywhere in Australia.

Beach camping at Coorong National Park

Enjoy the quietness of the waterway at Coorong National Park, image by Michael Ellem

Enjoy the quietness of the waterway at Coorong National Park, image by Michael Ellem

There are 12 campgrounds with 63 designated camping sites in Coorong National Park. They are all located so the camper can enjoy the quietness of the waterway or be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the dunes that protect the Coorong from the Great Southern Ocean.

Full drama at Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island

Camping along the great southern ocean at Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island, image by Ben Goode

Kangaroo Island has a large number of excellent campsites, but none compare to Vivonne Bay where the sands are impossibly white, the waters are turquoise blue and, when the winds are blowing, the full drama of the Great Southern Ocean can be observed from the safety of a bay protected by Point Ellen.

Read More: 7 Amazing Things To Do In Cairns Australia 2022 Bucket List

Get back to nature at Talia Caves, Eyre Peninsula

Camping in the lap of nature at Talia Caves, Eyre Peninsula, image by Rob Blackburn

The beauty of the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula seems intentionally designed to take your breath away. The rugged sandstone cliffs have been eroded into “caves” or “caverns” known as The Woolshed and The Tub. The lonely beaches – wild and dangerous and edged by mountainous dunes – stretch to the horizon. Among all this passionate beauty is the Talia Caves campground with 20 sites for bush camping.

The post 10 Best Outdoor Camping Locations in Australia first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

The city of Cairns hugs the coast of Tropical North Queensland, photo by Tourism & Events Queensland

The 14th-most populous city in Australia, Cairns was home to Aboriginal people for thousands of years before a British presence grew in the 1860s. The town was officially birthed in 1876 but blossomed a decade later, following the opening of a railway line to the southern town of Herberton that brought immigrants, workers that toiled on the land around Cairns.

Today, this Australian city maintains its strong connections to agriculture, drawing on the bountiful produce harvested in the surrounding countryside to stock its fine restaurants and markets. Cairns has a relaxed, seductive ambience, low-rise save for some hotels, offices, and apartment buildings, populated by Art Deco buildings and fringed by a three-kilometre waterfront walk, the Cairns Esplanade.

Drinking in the fun vibe at Flamingos Tiki Bar

The marina by the Shangri-La, Cairns

It also has hotels of a calibre that would do a much larger city proud. There are three Crystalbrook properties, all opened within the last two years, a Hilton, and the triangular-shaped, marina-front Shangri-La with an often-packed barbecue restaurant called Backyard, and accommodation that were modernised in a 2018 renovation that took out carpets and brightened the colour scheme.

The core of Cairns city is compact and walkable, with clearly labelled streets laid out in a grid system. Visit Cairns this year and explore the region’s award winning attractions, aboriginal culture and world heritage sites – the tropical north of Australia.

7 Amazing Things To Do In Cairns

1. Things To Do In Cairns – Take Walking Tours in Cairns City

An entertaining, thirst-quenching way to appreciate Cairns attractions is to take a trip with Cairns Boutique Walking Tours; the Hidden Bars excursion mixes history, short strolls, and delectable drinks at a whisky joint, a tiki bar, and a bar designed like a living room. Along the numerous waterfront restaurants, Ochre stands out for its modern Australian fare (the Ochre Salad, with mixed leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, and spiced macadamia nuts, is a meal in itself) and boardwalk seating that comes with cooling breezes and meditative views of the marina.

The Esplanade, photo by Andrew Watson Tourism and Events Queensland

One of Cairns attractions – The Esplanade is unmissable, especially around dusk, winding past shorebirds that wander tidal flats, a Ferris wheel, the 4800 square-metre saltwater Lagoon pool (free to use and open all year), and small parks where locals and tourists walk dogs, sit on the grass, picnic, laugh, play and enjoy the outdoors. The year round swimming in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is a treat especially during the humid summer months. Welcome to the wet tropics of Australia.

Year-round swimming is a treat at Cairn’s Esplanade Lagoon, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

Working some magic at Three Wolves bar; Al fresco dining in the centre of the city

2. Cairns, A Gateway To The Great Barrier Reef

Cairns, of course, is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the natural wonders of Australia. Scores of operators offer trips to various parts of it including the outer reef and islands. The constantly growing and regenerating reef is not a single structure, but a strand made up of 3000 different reef systems, home to 1500 fish species.

The only reef trip with an indigenous approach is Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel, where Aboriginal and Torres Straits Island crew members showcase indigenous dance, music, and stories, and explain the mythology of how the reef was created.

The heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Heart Reef, photo by Mia Glastonbury, Tourism and Events Queensland

In the time of the Yindinji people, a hunter speared a black stingray. The stingray flapped its wings and made the sea rise, covering the land. To stop the waves and strong winds, the Yindinji people rolled heated boulders into the sea and the Great Barrier Reef was formed. The snorkelling, on Moore and Miln reefs, is enchanting, the sea notable for its clarity and abundant aquatic life like giant cod, green turtles, and reef sharks. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, is one of the top things to do in Australia.

The aquatic jewels of Agincourt Reef, Tropical North Queensland, photo by Tourism & Events Queensland

3. Take Day Trips from Cairns

A short drive inland from Cairns is the Atherton Tablelands, a fertile plateau with rolling hills, waterfalls, options for adventure, and the charming village of Kuranda. Popularised in the 1960s by honeymooners, the village can be reached by road, but the more evocative journey is by cable car and rail (between 2000-4000 visitors choose this combination every day).

The Skyrail rainforest cableway is a peaceful, 7.5-kilometre cable ride over Barron Gorge National Park; opt for the Diamond Class gondolas that come with glass floors as they allow riders to peer down on the canopy and visualise life as a bird sitting on the treetops. The glass bottom Skyrail is easily one of the top things to do when on a trip to Cairns.

A tour on The Kuranda Scenic Railway that rumbles from Cairns and back is a beautiful slice of nostalgia, with 37 kilometres of narrow-gauge track completed in the late 1800s, and heritage coaches of Silky Oak timber built more than a century ago.

The trip, punctuated by 15 hand-carved tunnels, 55 bridges, and coastal views, also promises beautiful bends that enable those classic train-carriage photographs, and feels like a window onto a slower, simpler time.

Helicopter flights offers visitors the ultimate scenic tour of the reef, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

The Barron Falls, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

The rainforest here is teeming with fauna, with the largest number of ancient songbirds in the world, among them the common crooner, brown honeyeater, and satin bowerbird. This is also the domain of the musky rat kangaroo found only in the rainforests of northeast Australia.

In its early days, Kuranda was popular with hippies, and that free-spirited joie de vivre is still evident in the town, especially at the Kuranda Rainforest Market, a jumble of stalls spilling over a hillside that sells handmade jewellery, Japanese sweets, massage services, as well as plenty of places to eat (falafel, arepas, and nasi goreng are among the many options).

Shoppers elsewhere in the village will also find the Kuranda Arts Coop where all pieces are made by local artists, and Kuranda Fudge Bar, whose mammoth array of fudges include those made with Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper chillis. Nature lovers can take walks in the rainforest, visit a bird world, stop by the butterfly sanctuary, or board a river cruise.

4. Indulge In Adventure Sports in Cairns, Queensland

For die-hard thrill-seekers, the Tablelands offers the excitement of whitewater rafting. Foaming Fury brings adventurers down the Barron River on half- and full-day trips, where the largely tranquil navigation comes with occasional, shriek-inducing Class III rapids, and good-humoured guides enhance the riverine revelry. For water-lovers, numerous waterfalls and swimming holes dotted around the Tablelands provide clean options for a refreshing dip.

5. Explore The Eco Tourism Options In The Cairns Region

The region is also rich in gustatory diversions, with farms and producers that benefit from the varied environments and micro-climates — lowland and upland rainforest, savannah, and wetlands. More than 40 different commercial fresh produce thrive here, including coffee, tea, milk, and sugar. Skybury, Australia’s oldest coffee plantation, produces about 40 tons of coffee per year, and its well-balanced, chocolatey beans are prized in speciality coffee circles.

The cafe here is a handsome spot for a meal with a coffee or a papaya smoothie (Skybury is also the largest producer of red papayas in Australia), an elevated deck looking out onto plains with eucalypts and radiant flame trees. Elsewhere in the Tablelands, avocado, lime, lychees, longan, and more grow, and The Humpy, a grocery store in the village Tolga, highlights what’s in season.

Diamond view

Cycling in the forests, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

6. Go On Road Trips Along The Great Barrier Reef Drive in Cairns

From Cairns, heading 140 kilometres up to Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef Drive is a stirring roadway that showcases an area where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed Sites — the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest — meet. The drive takes in winding coastal roads where craggy slopes descend to clear seas, expanses of tropical rainforest, and broad plains filled with sugar cane.

En route north, stop at Palm Cove for lunch at Nu Nu, a beloved institution with welcoming staff, fantastic cuisine inspired by North Queensland, and gorgeous views of palm trees leaning toward the sea. At the northern end of the route, Cape Trib Horse Rides takes riders out on horses through the forest and then wading into the sea, a unique sensation with the seated rider knee-high in the water, the soft swell pushing back and forth.

Kuranda Station, with its comfortingly historic ambience, photo by Tourism & Events Queensland

7. Explore Port Douglas when Visiting Cairns

Easy, breezy Port Douglas is a sound base for exploration of the rainforest and it has a world-class luxury resort in the Sheraton Grande Mirage. Macrossan Street is the beating heart of the town, pulsing with hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. At its terminus, by Port Douglas Park, visitors will find the vibrant Sunday morning market, an eclectic assortment of booths selling everything from jewellery and homemade mango ice cream to whimsical faces sculpted from coconuts and clocks meticulously fashioned from vinyl records (Palm Cove also hosts a Sunday market, though with a stronger focus on cooked foods).

At the edge of the city, near Captain Cook Highway, Wildlife Habitat presents Australian wildlife in natural environments. Here, the nocturnal Wildnight tours are an enlightening introduction to the marvel of local animals, and participants will learn how blue skinks can give birth to 70 live young, that cassowaries disperse seeds for 240 species of rainforest tree, that saltwater crocodiles can reduce their heart rate to two beats per minute, 15 of the world’s 41 python species live in Australia, and quolls have incredibly astute sense of smell.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the evening is the feeding of kangaroos: As the marsupials with soft eyes quietly approach, gently sniffing for food, their inquisitive nature recalls the amiable demeanour of dogs. It’s an irresistible, heartwarming encounter, and one that epitomises the rich wonders found in this underrated part of Australia.

A view of the coast, photo by Andrew Watson, Tourism and Events Queensland

Rafting the Barron River right, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

Best Places to Stay in Cairns, Australia

As its name suggests, Shangri-La, The Marina is situated right by a boat harbour, and is beautifully positioned for the terminal where trips to the Great Barrier Reef leave from, just one minute away by foot. This makes it the ideal accommodation when in Cairns. Originally built three decades ago as a Radisson, the triangular-shaped building offers direct access to the Cairns Esplanade, the waterfront area with a walking track, the Esplanade Lagoon public pool, grassy areas where to relax, and restaurants close by.

The property itself was renovated in 2018, with carpets taken out and local accents added, and the mostly white colour scheme makes it a soothing place to return to at the end of each day. The Backyard hosts a hugely popular barbeque night on the weekends and dishes use herbs plucked from the resort’s garden that around the pool.  shangri-la.com

The Great Barrier Reef Drive, from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, takes in sumptuous scenery like this, photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

Best Places to Stay in Port Douglas, Australia

Set right on the town’s famous Four Mile Beach, the sprawling Sheraton has a series of connected pools that make this accommodation an aquatic paradise, while an 18-hole course across the road attracts golfers. Accommodations are set up among different wings around the lush tropical gardens, and light-toned rooms have large bathrooms and terraces/balconies. The impressive breakfast spread at Feast Restaurant will let you handsomely fuel up for the day. marriott.com

If you’re looking for a destination in Australia that offers the perfect balance of tropical climate and beauty, Cairns should be at top. Cairns is teeming with experiences to indulge in and attractions to tour, making it the perfect place to visit if you want to get up close and personal with Australia’s diverse landscape.

With plenty of activities to choose from, as well as luxurious accommodation and first-rate dining options, Cairns is sure to please even the most discerning traveller. So make sure you add Cairns onto your things to do & 2022 places to travel bucket list – you won’t regret it!

Quick Tips of Cairns

What is Cairns well known for?

Cairns is arguably the entrance for this amazing reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef network in the world and contains more than 2900 individual coral reefs. Almost every day more than 900 marine creatures rely on this ocean for their habitat.

When should you avoid Cairns?

To avoid crowds, you should keep away from Cairns for school holidays in June and August. Travelling more during the colder months means enjoying sunny and dry days that are perfect for beaches bumming and for discovering the neighbouring islands and the Daintree rainforests.

What is the best month to visit Cairns?

When you visit Cairns, it’s best in April or May, or September or October. In the present period, tourist traffic is low and flights and accommodation are cheaper, but you might encounter some rain.

Is Cairns Australia a good place to live?

For some it can be the best location to move. The tropical, relaxed town of Queensland is viewed by a wide range of tourists from May until September, with breathtaking amenities and incredibly scenic locations. … So it isn’t surprising many people regard Cairns as an attractive place to live.

How many days should I spend in Cairns?

Honestly, life can only be explored by attempting the amazing natural wonder of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. We would advise a minimum seven-day stay in Cairn and explore the most interesting attractions.

Is it worth going to Cairns?

Cairns is an often overlooked and under explored region of Australia. Although Cairns itself attracts travellers by its surroundings it is worth visiting.

(Article updated on 28 Feb 2022.)

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© This article was first published in Feb-Mar 2020 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post The Proposed Aussie – NZ – Pacific Islands Travel Bubble first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

Which are the leading sustainable island eco resorts in the world?

Luxury Eco Resort in French Polynesia: The Brando

The sustainably built residence of The Brando, image by Adam Bruzzone

When Marlon Brando first arrived in the Tetiaroa atoll, he was so impressed by its natural beauty and the Polynesian way of life, he decided to find his own pocket of this paradise to call home. Years later, in a bid to make this biodiverse area a centre for environmental research, he began his endeavour in setting up an environmentally conscious luxury island resort.

While this was the beginning of The Brando resort’s creation, it eventually made its debut in 2014. True to its original inspiration, the resort proved its dedication to preserving the environment with sustainably built villas blending into the forest and renewable energy.

Sustainable initiatives in French Polynesia

Along with the construction of the resort, The Brando built and gifted an eco-station to the Tetiatoa Society who run research and education projects focusing on conservation of the atoll. Initiatives here include sustainable fishing and fish replenishment programmes, the preservation, monitoring and restoration of the environment and the protection of species such as turtles.

In part thanks to projects like these, this atoll’s waters thrive with marine life. Around 167 fish species have been identified here, whales pass through on their migration route and dolphins regularly make an appearance.

Unique Experience in The Brando

Don’t miss: Explore the turquoise lagoon by Polynesian outrigger canoe when at this sustainable eco lodge. www.thebrando.com

 

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Read More: Destinations in Australasia

Sustainable Tourism in Panama: Islas Secas

One of the casitas at Islas Secas

Giant mantas, pods of dolphins and migrating humpback whales: these are just some of the marine creatures found in the ocean’s diverse ecosystem off Panama’s Pacific Coast.

The privately owned Islas Secas archipelago lies at the heart of this thriving marine environment, just a short boat ride from UNESCO World Heritage Coiba National Marine Park. The 18-guest eco-resort, which officially reached completion in December 2019, spans Islas Cavada at the heart of these Jurassic Park-like islands.

Casitas with decks and plunge pools peer out from the flourishing vegetation and a dramatic high-ceilinged, open-sided Terraza is the setting for ocean-to-fork dining. A tented spa is launching in March.

Initiatives by Panama’s Sustainable Eco resort

As well as constructing the luxurious resort from certified sustainable wood, Islas Secas planted thousands of native trees to restore the integrity of the island and it now sources all of its energy from solar power. To benefit the surrounding marine environment, the Islas Secas Foundation then set up partnerships with ocean initiatives such as Oceans 5 and Panacetacea who run research and education projects in the area.

You can experience this environment by setting out on a marine safari, exploring by kayak and paddleboard and spotting the migrating marine life.

Unique Experience in Islas Secas

Don’t miss: Dive beneath the water’s surface at Coiba National Marine Park. www.islassecas.com

 

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White sand beaches in Tanzania: Thanda Island

Thanda island from above

Marine encounters are an integral part of the Thanda experience. The resort’s location, just off the southern coast of Tanzania, places you in a prime spot for swimming with whale sharks from October to March and you can gain insight into the marine life the whole year-round.

Paying tribute to its position within Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, Thanda Island shows optimum respect for the ocean, partnering with Tanzanian Marine Parks and leading NGO, Sea Sense, on a number of conservation programmes in the local community. A ban on fishing allows marine life to flourish, regular surveys monitor the health of the coral and nursery structures stimulate reef rehabilitation — you can see what difference these projects make by joining the marine biologist on a snorkelling trip.

Eco Friendly Villas

The resort then reflects its environmental sensitivity in the sustainability of the resort. Solar panels provide power and a desalination system purifies seawater for the rim-flow swimming pool.

The sustainably built villas provide direct access to the private reef just offshore and you’re within easy reach of world-class diving sites off nearby Mafia Island. You might be lucky to see turtles nesting on the shores and a dive could bring you face to face with the endangered dugong.

Unique Experience in Thanda Island

Don’t miss: Sail the protected waters on a traditional Arab dhow when at this eco friendly luxury resort. www.thandaisland.com

 

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Best Eco Resort in Seychelles: Fregate Island

Fregate Treetop dining

The Seychelles is a shining example in how to do eco-tourism well. The rehabilitation of entire islands and innovative approach to marine conservation set it head and shoulders above most island nations.

Fregate Island, which lies at the easternmost point of the granitic Inner Islands, is among those eco friendly resorts making a difference. The past few decades have seen Fregate Island return to its most pristine state through the reintroduction of its endemic plants, birdlife and iconic species such as the Giant Aldabra Tortoise.

Unspoiled Nature in Fregate Island

Ecologists take guests out on excursions to understand this environment and encounter the ocean’s marine life. Whales, dolphins and giant mantas pass through the region’s deeper waters and colourful shoals of fish bring life to the shallows.

Two of the island’s seven sandy beaches provide a habitat for nesting turtles, which Fregate’s conservation team safeguard and monitor from October to January each year, ensuring the turtles hatch successfully and safely.

A stay in one of Fregate’s sprawling pool villas gives you your own private sanctuary within this flourishing environment. The resort’s guided explorations and water sports then introduce you to the wildlife-rich surroundings.

Unique Experience in Fregate Island

Don’t miss: Island hop on one of Fregate Island Yacht Club’s four sports boats. www.fregate.com

Read More: Guide To Africa’s Indian Ocean Islands

Luxury Eco Resort In Grenadines: Petit St. Vincent Private Island

Dive Center at Petit St Vincent Private Island, Image by Jean-Michel Cousteau Diving

When a site bears Jean-Michel Cousteau’s name, you know it’s going to be a beacon of ocean conservation. Petit St. Vincent Private Island is home to one of the world’s few dive centres overseen by the ocean explorer, filmmaker and conservationist.

The son of legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau opened his Caribbean dive centre here following research of the reefs and ocean life in the region. Inspired to help people appreciate the array of marine life here, Cousteau considered this eco-conscious resort the right place to share his message.

This dive centre fits in with the conservation ethos of the resort itself. Desalinating ocean water, recycling and growing produce in the chef’s organic garden all contribute to Petit St. Vincent’s sustainability efforts, which are then complemented by environmental projects such as reef restoration.

You can see the results of this work by snorkelling off the island’s Atlantic pier and perhaps even getting involved in the restoration process. Opt for a cottage tucked into the island’s lush vegetation or stay in a beach villa facing out to sea, then explore the surroundings, above and below the water.

Unique Experience in Petit St. Vincent Private Island

Don’t miss: Dive with eagle rays and sharks at sites such as Punaise Reef. www.petitstvincent.com

 

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Eco Resorts Coming Soon in Belize: Blackadore Caye

Blackadore Blue Hole

Much of this resort’s development has been kept under wraps. When it was announced Leonardo DiCaprio had embarked on the creation of an island resort here, with news of the project first emerging in 2015, it immediately rose to international prominence.

Partnering with the owner of neighbouring resort CayoEspanto, DiCaprio set about creating a luxury hideaway that could benefit the prosperity of the surrounding environment, both on land and in the ocean. DiCaprio hopes that by developing an eco-resort that benefits the natural environment, he’ll set a model for other eco-tourism projects like these in other parts of the world.

Sustainable Tourism in Belize

The resort will have a collection of energy efficient bungalows and sustainable luxury villas, alongside a main lodge with beach club, racquet club, jetty and education centre. Mangrove has been planted to stop the island’s natural erosion and native species are being reintroduced.

The resort’s grand opening is planned for 2020 but with new information yet to be revealed, we’ll just have to wait to hear more.

Unique Experience in Blackadore Caye

Don’t miss: Once this island resort opens, it will place you within easy reach of world famous scuba diving sites like the Great Blue Hole. www.restorativeislands.com

Eco Resorts Coming Soon in Mozambique: Kisawa Sanctuary

Looking ahead to Kisawa Sanctuary

Sustainability and conservation meet inspired architecture and design at this soon-to-open lodge in Mozambique. Planned for a summer 2020 debut, Kisawa Sanctuary will pair a remote Benguerra Island location in the protected Bazaruto Archipelago with never-seen-before sustainable architecture integrating 3D printing and traditional crafts such as carpentry and textiles with local materials from local communities.

Building materials created from the island’s sand and seawater will provide the structure for 12 bungalows set across a private sanctuary of forest, beach and sand dunes. Ocean conservation is to be a major focus here, with founder Nina Flohr simultaneously setting up Kisawa Sanctuary’s sister project, The Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies (BCSS). Situated on the other side of Benguerra Island, this centre will be home to the first long-term African Ocean Observatory for monitoring ecosystems and climate change.

The Bazaruto Archipelago as a whole is an extraordinary setting for marine life. Manta rays and dugongs are often seen in these waters, along with humpback whales, whale sharks, turtles and dolphins. More than 145 bird species then inhabit the wild islands and pink flamingos gather on the white sandbars.

 

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Unique Experience in Kisawa Sanctuary

Don’t miss: Set out on a marine safari from Kisawa Sanctuary’s dive centre. www.kisawasanctuary.com 

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© This article was first published in Feb-Mar 2020 edition of World Travel Magazine.

The post 7 Luxury Eco Resorts That Are Protecting The Ocean first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

An exhilarating ride in Indonesia, image by Jason Childs

Nihi Sumba is characterised by elegant, minimalist design with blonde wood touches, image by Read McKendree

Long afternoons at sea are a restful way to spend time with friends, image by Jason Childs

Laid back Aussie luxury with subtle Asian influences at 28 Degrees

One&Only Palmilla has resident Tropicsurf guides, available for individual or group sessions

There’s no shortage of freshly squeezed juices and exotic cocktails at Hotel Komune

The perfect weather forecast at 28 Degrees

A spacious beachfront pool suite at Hotel Komune, image by Peter Mylonas

The Baja Peninsular enjoys consistent surf

Find your zen on dry land too, at Hotel Komune’s wellness centre, image by Peter Mylonas

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St Regis Hotel Exterior

Ballroom at The St Regis Roof

Claridge’s Ballroom

Umaid Bhawan Palace Lobby

Umaid Bhawan Palace Main Dome

Elpoing in an Alpine snowfall in Le Grand Bellevue Gstaad

Le Grand Bellevue bouquet nightclub

Ashford Castle, Ireland

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Temple Dinner

Hotel des Arts Saigon

Sofitel Luang Prabang

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo wedding setting

Shamwari wedding

Lion Sands bushdinner

Cliff Lodge – Private Dining

Ulusaba wedding ceremony

Pippin Hill Farm Tec Petaja

Mission Estate, New Zealand

Belmond Grand Hotel Timoteo Aphrodite Terrace

Aerial view of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Anantara Dining by Design Sandtable

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Beach

The post Inspirations For A Destination Wedding first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

As doors swing open, wanderlusts are transported into a whole new world of luxury. All yearnings are indulged; from island hopping, gastronomical cravings, stellar sights, and newfound delights, diligently served by the affectionate locals eager to please. Inhale a bit of whimsy with the sprawling natural backdrops and revel in the magic and modernity behind the walls of these otherworldly villas.

Belmond Villa Margherita, Italy

Stunning views of Amalfi Coast from Belmond Villa Margherita

Set high atop the cheerful Amalfi Coast, Belmond Villa Margherita escapes the rocky coastline and the lapping waves of the Mediterranean Sea into a solace cradled by the citrus groves. Old-fashioned cobblestone stairs lead through the patches of green which Gaetano Amato, fourth-generation Amalfi gardener, embellished with orange trees and bright bougainvillaea, rose vines and myrtle. This image seems to topple inside the rooms, for inside the villa, the ceilings are etched with crawling vines, and the Neapolitan chairs are dressed in verdant colours that compels one to head to the gardens for an afternoon tea. A fragrant, pastoral air hangs over the two individual suites ornamented with rustic dressers, Venetian armchairs, framed maps of Italy and crystal decanters, all put together by Milan-based interior stylist Eric Egan who sourced the most remarkable antiques around the world. It is possible to acquire one suite, or reserve both, to enjoy the entire villa privately as a whole. The nearest dining venue is the Belvedere Restaurant, which takes pride in its own panoramic terrace and a piano bar. Should one choose to stay in, a private butler is ready to wait on each suite, and a chef to indulge in particular gastronomic inclinations. www.belmond.com

Les Jolies Eaux, St Vincent & The Grenadines

Les Jolies Eaux on Mustique Island’s southern tip with panoramic views of Atlantic and Caribbean

Mustique Island is discreet about its secrets, leaving little signage in its trails and hoping to ward prying eyes away. In its southern bosom lies a celebrity-beloved sanctuary, an expansive 11-acre estate once built for Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, an immaculate spectacle in white that still rings with a certain, royal air. Oliver Messel designed this decadent villa in 1971, with its glassy French windows facing the most glorious seascapes of both the Atlantic and the Caribbean. It is the utmost venue in Lagoon Bay to unwind, with isolation and graciousness delivered in the tallest order. The aristocratic nest is endowed with five spacious bedrooms, a fastidious bar, and kitchen—plus multiple dining locations—and a lush entry courtyard managed by its own gardener, who would regularly keep vines shape. As if it was to serve its former mistress, Les JoliesEaux indulges with the same royal treatment, with its very own butler, a chef, and two housekeepers. Instead of one, two pools entreat families into delightful swimming sprees, and when the spirit of thrill beckons, two Kawasaki Mules, each accommodating six persons, make for a riveting ride along the coast. A stay in the villa also befits one of private cocktail party invitations, use of its tennis and fitness facilities, and a media room complete with its own library of cinematic favourites. You never know when you might bump into a Hollywood A-lister when on Mustique Island. mustique-island.com/villa/les-jolies-eaux/

Can Azure, Mallorca

Mallorcan Can Azure villa

Mallorcan Can Azure

Mosaics of colourful cut stones make up the walls of this Mediterranean inspired villa, endearingly perched at the hilltop of Son Coll and wrapped with the olive trees of Deia. There’s a botanical beauty to it: the jovial air of this 13-hectare wonder is mixed with the citrusy fragrance from the orange, lemon and grapefruit trees that surround it. A seasonal vegetable garden is tucked by the shaded pergolas. The majestic Tramuntana Mountains is a gaze away, with Port de Soller a 12-kilometre ride, and the dive-worthy Cala de Deia in six kilometres. Inside, the Finca-inspired interiors brim with a capacious air—the double-level living room has lofty ceilings and access to both the terrace and the indoor dining. The country-style kitchen is fully equipped with modern amenities, just enough to unleash the cook’s prowess to crafting the most perfect paella. In the morning, there’s a regular delivery of fresh loaves of bread, pastries, and juices. While an alfresco dining space may beckon for a barbecue session, grilling meats are prohibited. However, one can stir a merry luncheon by activating everyone’s favourite song through the speakers lodged at the communal spaces. Four bedrooms make up the sleeping arrangement, by request, the study can be extended into a twin bedroom to accommodate additional sleepyheads. mrandmrssmith.com

Amanpuri, Phuket

Thai style six-bedroom Amanpuri Villa 40 exterior

Amanpuri Villa 40 Terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea

A palatial treasure hidden in Phuket, curtained behind the resort’s coconut plantation, the villas are privately accessed by a buggy ride from the main compound. It revels in sheer isolation, placidly occupying an exclusive headland that affords gracious peeks at the Andaman Sea. Twelve guests congregate in this deluxe, 6-bedroom multi-floor Ocean Villa 40 that stretches over 3000 sqm floor area and decadently laden with traditional Thai decor. Behind this spectacular interior is Ed Tuttle, who magnanimously gifted this villa with a harmony of lacquered wood and neutral palettes, making use of organic textures while ensuring that rooms face the most optimum angles of the hemisphere. The sunset sala, for one, is positioned to bid farewell to the deliriously golden palette before it succumbs into the night, where the colours of the sky throw a picture-perfect contrast against the hues of the distant waters of the bay. The villa’s many tranquil spots, be it by the pool, the many terraces or the two sunset salas are serene corners for quiet conversations or silent meditation. The art of attaining a peaceful state seems to be as easy as a-b-c when at one of Amanpuri’s Villas. The Amanpuri Villas are fully sustainable on its own – two housekeepers manage the villa while a personal chef presides over the kitchen for more personalized menus that include authentic lip-smacking Thai cuisine that easily sit amongst the best in Phuket. Beyond the homely comforts of the villa, the resort’s al fresco dining spaces overlook a private beach below refreshed by the stiff Andaman breeze. aman.com/resorts/amanpuri/villas

Villa Syrene, Italy

Villa Syrene seaside estate with historic gardens

Estate entrance & pool side garden

Jagged cliffs, deep blue waters, and a profusion of botany tumbling down the stone walls of this high-end seaside villa—everything is strewn by nature in a dreamlike fashion. Anchored safely on a promontory, Villa Syrene has found its place in the Mediterranean Sea, one that is almost precarious, but exquisitely rewarding. Like a museum of grand treasures, the estate holds many treasures, all in the form of period furniture and decadent sculptures manning the porticoes or curated shelves. Gardens cascade with their spectacular beauty, each styled according to a beloved era. At midday, inhale the fresh air from the stone terrace. The master bedroom has a balcony that affords sublime views of Naples, but one can enjoy it in person by following a stony path that leads down to the rugged shoreline and a boat dock. Peter’s Beach is a minute’s walk, but three more minutes of strolling and one can reach the charming heart of Sorrento. Upon request, a driver can take one around the city’s best trattorias before coming back to the villa. An Italian cook mans the kitchen; when smoke exhales from the brick oven and the scent of tomato simmers, it must be time to sit down the grand dining and indulge in a pizza. airbnb.com

Villa Le Camelia, Italy

Outdoor jacuzzi with breathtaking views, both at the Villa Le Camelia

Villa exterior & garden

Capri’s dream destination is an immediate head-turner, with a blushing, vibrant tone that outshines its emerald green garden, and a landscape so picturesque, it must have been painted by God. From one side gazes the legendary Mount Vesuvius, and the other, the rippling Bay of Naples. There are distant glimpses of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and all three, during sunsets and sunrise, make an otherworldly landscape only seen in paintings. Inside, the interiors are equally resplendent. Towering ceilings give it a sense of sophistication, paired with the white walls and immaculate drapes. Rooms, accommodating up to eighteen guests, are gifted with poster beds, massive windows, and private balconies, allowing individual pauses before congregating with the rest. Housekeeping services make one feel like the lord of the castle, and the local chef stuns with decadent Italian offerings served by cheerful waiters. Communal spaces include an elegant art room, a decorated library, and a grand piano room that reverberates the music of every skilled player. From the terrace, 150 stone steps lead to the villa’s exclusive mooring. An outdoor jacuzzi allows one to take a quiet dip while serenely watching the boats anchor to the nearby grotto. airbnb.com

Naman Retreat, Vietnam

Naman Retreat villa

Naman Retreat villa

The charm of Vietnam’s culture shine in this contemporary alcove, hewn and constructed by renowned architect Vo TrongNghia. Tucked between the seemingly endless sandy beaches of Da Nang and Hoi An, the spacious, swanky 3-bedroom villa is shaped like stacked boxes, handsomely equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that beautifully merge the natural materials into the modern aesthetic. Skylights maximize the glorious radiance of Vietnam’s beachside sun. A rooftop terrace, a shaded pool, and an outdoor barbecue corner offer a tranquil sense of privacy for large groups to enjoy their intimate luncheon. With three bedrooms, four beds and three separate baths, everyone can relish the venue’s laidback air at their own pace. The kitchen, a modern setting of high-end appliances, indulges one to cook for themselves, although breakfasts can be acquired in the main lounge. The patio near the beach is a chic landscape of tropical botany encased in their concrete pots and the soft colours of the umbrellas that line by the pale blue shore. The venue’s strategic location makes it easy to reach the two vibrant cities set beside it, along with the historical district of Hue. namanretreat.com/en/residences

Evangeline, Antigua & Barbuda

Evangeline villa exterior, Jumby Bay Island

A palm-studded spectacle in blush white, mitigating the Caribbean sun’s glare with its swanky, Miami vibe and soft mint and turquoise colours. Architect Andrew Goodenough endowed this villa with a luscious garden, romantic secret nooks, and delightful water fountains that ripple with a calm. There’s a gracious sprig Antiguan legacy; one can see on the pool’s glorious mosaic of blue-toned tiles, on the selection of artworks on the wall, and the contemporary furnishings spread on the main den. Everything is remarkably spaced out, allowing air to breathe through the rooms, and for the sun to shine on brilliant angles, making the aesthetics entirely Instagram-worthy. Six en suite bedrooms make up the entire villa, four of which were enclosed with a terrace, all equipped with a media corner and a king-sized bed. A butler, housekeeping, and a chef manage the venue, picking up requests and indulging with the sincerest of Antiguan hospitality. A tennis court and a complete fitness centre furnish this beachfront venue, making it a perfect tropical escape for large groups of active enthusiasts. However, Jumby Bay Island offers more amusement. The once-sugar plantation island, fabled to be owned by Christopher Columbus, offers sight-seeing opportunities, nights at the casino, intimate beach dinners, and day sailing. airbnb.com

LUX* North Male Atoll, Maldives

Lux_ North Male Atoll

Lux_ North Male Atoll

If space was a prime demand, this 3-bedroom Lux* Beach Retreat covers it lavishly, entreating a family or a group of friends in a sublime island oasis meant for the essential seaside holiday. The sprawling three-story villa occupies a private 1000 sqm beach that rolls in pure white sand and palm trees, gazing out into the Indian Ocean with its clear glass windows from the first two floors. The infinity pool & gazebo are whimsically placed on the private beach and the loftily decked interiors of the villa hide well-planned amenities worth revelling. Inside its white walls, the villa is packed with its own fitness area inclusive of a gym, a private steam room, and a sauna. A walk-in closet makes dressing up at ease, packed and unpacked by the hotel’s personalised service. A glass roof stretching 7.6 sqm offers the quaint view of the sky from the spacious indoors. Two terraces and one astounding rooftop deck affords liberal daytime tanning, meditative yoga, or a fun brunch—a 24-hour butler service assists with any requests. As the evening drips down the sky, the space becomes the perfect venue for gazing the stars, or a dazzling cocktail soiree. If the kids must be tucked to bed early, the resort promises a session of bedtime story to lull them to sleep.  luxresorts.com/en/maldives/hotel/luxnorthmaleatoll

21 Nettleton, South Africa

Garden at level 5, 21 Nettleton

Nettleton

The five-suite boutique hotel, perched within the cliffside slopes of the Lion’s Head, indulges larger groups with the most earnest South African extravagance by opening up its premium rooms for one take. After all, when a few rooms are not enough, why not rent the entire hotel? The five suites exude with strong continental flavours and refined rustic interiors, comfortably providing ten guests with luxurious spaces to sleep. With its seaside milieu and old-world ambience, there is everything to enjoy within the hotel’s walls. Almost everything is sustainable; 21 Nettleton makes use of solar energy and focuses on water recycling. Menus are done at one’s request, with meals brilliantly concocted with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Spa services pamper one to their utmost desires, with pools, steam rooms and sauna available for use. Butler services are prompt, and the staff speaks several languages, including French, Arabic, German and Portuguese. With this glamorous, private holiday, families can wilfully enjoy the grand view of the majestic Table Mountain, or take a glimpse of the World Heritage Nature Reserve. The main city is 10 minutes away from the villa, with many opportunities to hike, camp, or take a dive into Clifton’s beloved beaches. 21nettleton.com

Can Alegre, Spain

Can Alegre

Open-plan living space with sweeping ocean view Can Alegre

Sun-soaked Ibiza looks brighter in this crisp, all-white villa, meticulously strung with leafy palms shooting from its well-maintained garden. Several al fresco dining spaces are scattered along the patio, with glimpses of sun loungers lining the shapely blue pool. Inside, the atmosphere switches into a natural museum—ethnic prints, animal photography, and trees gazing from their glassy caves trigger a vibe of an earthy futurist. The open-plan living space is breathy, separated into three distinct areas: a fireplace, an entertainment corner, and a quiet window-side lounge that affords fantastic views of the adjacent island of Formentera. Spread across 5,000 sqm, with six bedrooms, private gardens and a sun terrace, the villa caters to a small crowd. This modern oasis is perched on the edge of a quiet neighbourhood, a remoteness that allows one to extensively binge in a Bang & Olufsen sound system snuck inside the walls, with 30 speakers and three subwoofers that perfectly echo the bass beats or the soft swings of jazz. One immediately becomes the DJ, and at a touch of the iPad, the neon lights in the poolside glimmer to new colours, and the entire villa liberally dances in a full night of revelry.  mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-villas/can-alegre

Villa Tasca, Italy

Living room Villa Tasca

Villa Tasca

The most discerning wanderlust would recognize lingering magic in this 16th-century masterpiece, lodged in the heart of a Sicilian garden. It brims with the thoughts of dolce vita—a grandiose, sand-coloured mansion tucked in eight hectares of sweeping greenery, staging a breath-taking landscape of frescoes and ferns, all encircling a man-made body of water. Noblemen of the old may have marched through the entry, as one would guess from the Renaissance paintings framed in gold that greet with a hearty Buongiorno! as the doors swing open. A stay becomes a quick trip back in time. In its trope l’oeil aesthetic, walls appear to animate the Victorian era, a spell broken by the occasional modern glib from the staff that keeps this house in merry order. Four en suite rooms make up this palatial escape, each robed in a neoclassical flair. A billiard and piano room make grand venues for a showcase of skill, a reading room for the avid bookworm, but passing time is not a problem, for strolling around the park already stirs inspiration. When the vast Acclimation Garden feels restricting, one can request for a drive to the many beaches lining up Palermo, or a glimpse of the town’s many highlights, including Bellaro Market, Massimo Theatre, and Norman Palace. airbnb.com

Chateau d’Estoublon, France

Château d’Estoublon tucked in the natural beauty of Provence

Château d’Estoublon

Lodged in the southern slopes between Arles and Avignon is an estate of imposing wonder, beautifully lined with rows of manicured trees, blushing flowers and a grand bath of an ocean blue pool. The ten-bedroom chateau indulges with the highest charm of Provencal living, being situated near an orchard. Red dressed interiors, tasteful damask prints, and swanky crystal chandeliers greet from its many themed rooms. The English Bar, in France!, located on the ground floor, is presided over by a sommelier eager to share a taste of the local vino. A grand library is fully decked with neatly compiled books, to be enjoyed in a quiet corner, if not for a game or two at the pool table. A sports hall exists on the second floor, complete with a roomy gym, and a glorious, starlit hammam that offers an Arabian means to detoxify. Talented staff, when asked, present guided lessons in yoga, meditation or water calisthenics. Perhaps an inimitable feature is the chateau’s L’Horloger, the Watchmaker’s Room, a lounge area that depicts how Breitling’s Ernest Scheider fell in love with the place and purchased it before the strike of the new millennium. The sun is always benign in this region, and the management lavishes guests with opportunities to wander Saint Tropez in a helicopter, or enjoy strolls at Camargue for a view of its vibrant flamingos. chateau-estoublon.com

Casa Koko, Mexico

Casa Koko main entrance bridge at sunset

Casa Koko

A luxury getaway dressed in modern tropical huts, this Mexican casa is glamorously endowed with beachfront views and an extensive line of suites that caters to more than 20 guests. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with the same latitude as the equally cheerful Hawaii, Punta Mita simmers with the air of eternal summer, making the weather almost perfect all-year-round. Its architectural composition is spectacular and playful, with the use of raw wood and stone, topped off with hay roofing and the luscious addition of ferns and palm trees. Fresh ocean breeze and natural daylight flood the lounge spaces, including alfresco dining for 18, firepit, sun loungers and swinging hammocks for an essential vacation induced beachside nap. For movie marathons, the villa boasts of a remarkable media room installed with a 4k curved television. An independent audio system reaches every corner of the villa, providing crystal clear music to everyone, whether they are chilling by the infinity pool, or relishing meat cuts by the barbecue area. Three housekeepers preserve the tidiness of the entire villa, while personal waiters and a chef take over the kitchen duties to produce tailor-made meals from the fully equipped kitchen. When staying in is not enough, two golf carts comfortably transport to the nearby sports facilities–a tennis court, a golf course, and three beach clubs located in the resort’s gated property. casakoko.com

Chalet Alta, France

Chalet Alta

Chalet Alta

Stylishly constructed with old stone columns, lofty wooden beams, and large glass windows, this modern-day chalet sits at an iconic landmark: Chamonix, the renowned French ski paradise that first hosted the Winter Olympics in the 1920s. Nestled in between two alpine giants, Chalet Alta possesses a nostalgic charm that lures dreamy-eyed winter wanderers into the warmth of its stone walls. One is not to be deceived; the snow villa is woven with intelligent design and Smart Home technology, making this retreat secure as it is cosy. With five bedrooms and one four-bunkbed suite, the villa easily accommodates an entire family and more, with a group of sixteen all perfectly snug in their places. The great room–a grand den complete with a wood-burning fireplace–brings back the beauty of togetherness, a spirit that ripples through the rest of the communal spaces wrapped up with wood furnishing. A bright blue indoor pool glimmers at the ground floor, bursting with hydro jets that relieve the tension from the muscles after a long day enjoying the outdoors. Trudge to the lower ground floor and there is the cinema, surprisingly parallel to the chalet’s exclusive spa—a full range of sauna, steam room, and a gym that beats with high-energy tracks pulsing from its Sonos sound system. A private chef indulges with any desired cuisine, including a delectable four-course dinner served with a prime glass of wine.

Lodge at the Hills, New Zealand

Lodge at The Hills Aerial

Lodge at The Hills Swimming Pool

It is a showcase of true Kiwi hospitality: a modern barnyard in grey and glass, equipped with modern amenities, tucked beside autumnal rolling hills that stretches across 500 acres of complete serenity. The minimalist architecture opposes the countrylike crooning of its quaint setting, yet dutifully magnifies its most superlative offerings—large windows on the open-plan living and dining area, a gracious den lodged with a bar, an underground wine cellar ready for tasting, and a fireside gallery for winter cuddling. All of its six suites are fitted with gas fire and soak tubs, with private sitting areas and views of charismatic landscapes that leave one speechless. In spring, dine al fresco beneath the cherry trees, or enjoy diving into the heated infinity pool while admiring the unscalable landscape. The barbecue area is paired with an outdoor pizza oven; one can ask their private chef to indulge them with brick-oven baked meals. A lodge host follows up on every request, with daily housekeeping. There’s a private sculpture park that showcases local and international carvings, but for the athletic, there is a grass tennis court made for the champion players, and an adjacent golf course that is home to the New Zealand Open. touchofspice.co.nz/luxury-accommodation/residence-collection/lodge-at-the-hills

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© This article was first published in Dec-Jan 2020 edition of World Travel Magazine.

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The post 2020’s Best Villas first appeared on World Travel Magazine.

SY Dallinghoo by Burma Boating

Seek out Wa Ale’s thriving dive sites

Deplar Farm

Deplar Farm gorgeous setting

Deplar Farm

Garden and mountain views at The Oberoi Marrakech

The vast landscape of Eolo Patagonia

Eolo Patagonia comon areas livingroom

Spot wildlife from the Mwiba Lodge pool, Image by Scott Ramsay

Mwiba Lodge – Fly-camping on the escarpment

Satellite island

The waterfront boathouse of Satellite Island, Photo by Luisa Brimble

Swimming Pool – The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

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City views from the rooftop pool of Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana

Vintage cars at the entrance of Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana

Exploring the waters of Los Cabos

The post Sun & Snow Escapes first appeared on World Travel Magazine.