Travel

Travel

Thrilling experiences in the Maldives

Bringing the spirit of adventure to St Valentine’s

The Maldives is mostly renowned for romance. The picture-perfect Indian Ocean islands have always been a very popular luxury destination for couples. But what is not so well known is that the Maldives is also a terrific destination for those looking for an adrenaline-fuelled experience. It’s a thrill-seeker’s paradise.

Those visiting the islands for Valentine’s need not be restricted to romance. They can also enjoy a huge variety of white-knuckle sports. There is much more to the Maldives than indulging in a sensual couple’s massages, or having a romantic, candlelit dîner à deux on the beach, looking dreamily into each other’s eyes.

As Skyscanner forecasts that 2025 will be the most significant year ever for sport-related trips, our expert travel team have scoured the archipelago and come up with the four luxury Maldives resorts which offer the best adrenaline-driven activities.

IFURU ISLAND

A terrific and very unusual way to mark Valentine’s Day is by communing with the breathtaking underwater world to be found off the coast of Ifuru Island in the Maldives’ Raa Atoll.

The luxury resort is a magnet for divers from all over the…

Travel

Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Luxury for all the family in tropical Mauritius

The motto of Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in Mauritius is “The Art of Beautiful.” It’s spot-on. This exquisite hotel has elevated beauty to an art form. That is clear from the moment you step onto the property. Located on the idyllic, sheltered north-west coast of Mauritius, this luxury hotel borders an […]

Travel

Let It Snow

Celebrating Christmas on the slopes

Only The Grinch moans about Christmas in the snow. For the rest of us, the combination of gorgeous mountain scenery, marvellous skiing in fresh powder, twinkling lights reflected in frosted windows, dazzling baubles sparkling on the Christmas tree, fur-trimmed festive outfits, the enticing aroma of roasting chestnuts, sleigh bells ringing in the night air, and […]

Travel

Have Yourself a Merry Sunny Christmas

Our top winter sun destinations this holiday season

For those of us in the UK living through the greyest days of the year, there could be no greater Christmas gift than a spell in the sun. Everybody needs that vitamin D boost to help them through the darkness of December. Curated by our expert travel team, here we bring you our top five […]

Travel

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Sampling the world in utter luxury

If you’d told me one year ago I’d be raving about a cruise, I wouldn’t have believed you for a second, but a trip onboard the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur changed my mind forever. In the world of luxury cruises, this one is at the very top. For starters, the service is impeccable. With a […]

Travel

Alphonse Island, The Seychelles

A remote paradise in the Indian Ocean

Alphonse Island, a five-star idyl on one of the Seychelles’ most entrancing Outer Islands is possibly the most remote and paradisiac place I’ve ever been to. Situated just south of the equator, Alphonse Island is not just far, but many light-years from the madding crowd. The island has no cars, no TVs and only designated […]

Travel

Goldfinger Anniversary at Bürgenstock Resort

A James Bond style weekend

Apart from the environs of London, the Alps have the highest density of James Bond locations in the world. Many Bond movies were filmed here, among them, Goldfinger, which on 17th September will celebrate its 60th anniversary. Bürgenstock Resort by Lake Lucerne provided the backdrop for the iconic film and in its honour, is organising […]

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Naturhotel Forsthofgut – Salzburg

A fairy-tale castle turned into a wellbeing centre of excellence

If you think that the only reason to visit Salzburg is Mozart, think again. For the wellness devotee, SalzburgerLand is a bonanza of luxury alpine spas, and arguably the jewel in the crown is the multi-award winning Naturhotel Forsthofgut. The Naturhotel Forsthofgut is the lovechild of the ultimate spa hotel and a modern fairy-tale castle. […]

Travel

Italy in September

No crowds, no screaming kids and still plenty of sun

Going anywhere in Italy in the height of summer feels like wrestling your way into a lifeboat when a cruise ship is sinking. Hordes of tourists everywhere, fistfights for the last table in a restaurant and hour-long queues to visit museums and churches. September however is peaceful, with plenty of availability and an explosion of […]

Travel

Porto Zante Villas & Spa

In the footsteps of Olympians

With the Paris Olympics round the corner, the luxury resort of Porto Zante Villas & Spa on Zakynthos Island is inviting guests to a unique experience exploring the western coast of the Peloponnese and visiting Ancient Olympia on their own private yacht. With much better beaches – and access to them – than Mykonos and, if you […]

Culture, Travel

Summer festivals in the Alps

Highlights of an inspiring summer

The Alps have become as popular in summer as they are in winter. And it is not only nature and sports lovers flocking to the jaw-dropping European mountain range but also those passionate about the arts. All kinds of cultural festivals take place in the region; classical music, jazz, cinema and much more. Here we […]

Travel

Svølvaer – Lofoten Islands

Brutal Arctic beauty

Svølvaer is located in the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago in Norway, 700km north of the Arctic Circle. It is famous for its arresting fjord landscapes, Northern Lights and postcard-pretty villages-turned resorts, known as Rorbuer. I am staying at Svølvar, on the island of Austvågøya. I am staying at the resort, Svinøya Rorbuer. My host, Ragnar […]