1. COAST-TO-COAST
A spellbinding outpost that stretches from Montenegro’s coast, the island of Aman Sveti Stefan is home to a stunning 19th-century villa that is available for exclusive occupancy, along with the usual refined hospitality we love from the Aman brand. The idyllic location is teeming with history, its cobbled streets serving up secrets from both past and present. Villa Milocer, once home to Queen Marija Karadjordjevic, overlooks the Adriatic and is surrounded by dense forest.
Its six suites are filled with both character and elegance, with a library, dining room, living room, as well as two more suites in a separate building. From here, you can fly over Ulcinj Bay and Durmitor National Park and venture to the UNESCO-heritage site of Kotor Bay all in an AW 709S helicopter.
2. GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
For those seeking a short reprieve from the men in their life can take a trip to Adaaran Club Rannalhi in the Maldives, with its brand new ‘Girls’ Getaway’ offer. From spa sessions to cocktail evenings, water sports to beach fitness, to pure and simple poolside lounging, there’s as much or as little to do here as you like. Just a 45-minute speedboat ride from Malé, luxury island escapism is in easy reach, allowing you to maximise your ladies-only time. For those wanting to add a little adventure to their escape, there’s beach volleyball, windsurfing, diving and sailing or for those wanting some serious ‘me time’, there’s an in-resort reflexologist to pamper you into soporific submission. Book a water bungalow, with its own private sun deck and sea access to make the most of the Maldives’ sun rise/sun set serenity.
3. AUTUMN IN SWITZERLAND
The beauty of The Bürgenstock Selection is its multifaceted vision, with each of its hotels offering a true, yet varied, Swiss experience.
Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne is a 196-room Grande Dame that oozes fairy-tale mystique, tailor-made service and breathtaking panoramas of the its surrounding Belle Époque buildings; The Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort Lake Lucerne is set in 150 acres and suspended 160 metres above the lake and the Central Alps, a contemporary marvel that blends lavish modern amenities, with legendary Swiss hospitality and wellness par excellence at Waldhotel Spa; Lastly, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa offers relaxation and refinement in a city of medieval buildings and cosmopolitan charm, with parquet flooring, chandeliers, cigar bars and views of the Bernese Alps.
4. WHERE SERENITY KNOWS NO BOUNDS
Enjoy intimacy, privacy and comfort abound at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa in Mauritius, a true five-star island getaway with romance, relaxation and rejuvenation written all over it. Each of the 65 villas comes with its own private pool and sun deck, as well as luxurious Hermes amenities and the bucolic surrounds of lush gardens to ensure serenity every second. The Indian-inspired Maradiva Spa will restore your mind, body and soul with treatments strongly rooted in Western and Eastern well-being philosophies. This autumn, you can enjoy a 50 per cent offer to make an escape to the magical haven of Maradiva taste that much sweeter.
5. RAISE A GLASS
Opening later this month, Four Seasons Napa Valley will no doubt top must-visit lists of oenophiles the world over. This one-of-a-kind California wine-country resort is set within a world-class vineyard, meaning your experience is perfectly paired with innovative dining, decadent spa treatments, Four Seasons’ famous personalised service and, of course, wine tasting on tap. Book the rustic-yet-elegant Palisades Room for a sense of true seclusion in wine country with nothing but vineyards and the Palisades Mountains as your view. Or reserve the Estate Villa, with its three bedrooms, private garden and own swimming pool, for the ultimate family/friends retreat.
For something even more special, the hotel will be launching its Private Retreats soon, in one of its luxury farmhouse villas, where you can host private dinner parties catered for by the resident chef, as you watch the sun set over the rolling hills of the Napa Valley. Every detail of your stay will be taken care of by your personal residence host, and you’ll also have use of a complimentary house car to take you on tours of the historic town of Calistoga to the picturesque hillsides and valleys of Napa itself.
6. ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURES
For anyone still eking out summer and planning a little September sojourn, Hilton Lake Como has a new list of family activities on its roster. From adventures on Italy’s iconic Lake Como to exploring villages by bike or boat with picnic in hand (as kids spot famous film locations from Star Wars and Casino Royale!) to leisurely scooting around town on a Vespa, there’s much to see and do. Throw in windsurfing, sailing, tennis and golf and there’s an activity for almost everyone. Plus, the hotel is dog-friendly, so there’s no excuse not to bring your four-legged member of the family too!
7. HIT THE HIGHWAY
Hilton has teamed up with Sixt car rental to launch an idyllic Alpine experience for Middle Eastern travellers who are planning to visit Munich and Vienna. GCC guests can now drive between Munich and Vienna and save up to 15 per cent with Sixt, and indulge in five beautiful Hilton hotels along the way.
In Munich, you can choose between the nature-filled Hilton Munich Park or the central Hilton Munich City. In Vienna, guests can stay at the newly refurbished Hilton Vienna Park, the heritage-rich Hilton Vienna Plaza or the Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront, the only hotel located by the world-famous river. When it comes to choosing your steed of choice at Sixt, you can opt for a family-friendly minivan to take on your tour, or a luxury sports car for some alpine thrills and spills.
8. FRENCH FANCY
With autumn just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for some outdoorsy adventures, few sounding more attractive than the Yosemite Excursion Experience at Château du Sureau. The Relais & Châteaux hideaway is perfectly situated at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, blending the charm and beauty of the French countryside with California’s verdant landscape. On top of a two-night stay in one of the property’s 10 elegant guest rooms, each inspired by a different herb or flower native to the South of France and resplendent with Empire-era furnishings, the Yosemite Experience features a private trip for two into the park with gourmet picnic lunch, seasonal welcome drink upon arrival and breakfast for two each morning. There’s also award-winning cuisine in the Elderberry House Restaurant, an outdoor pool and the ultra-soothing Spa du Sureau.
9. A STAR-FILLED STAY
Detox and rebalance in the City of Light, with a well-being weekend away on Paris’ Left Bank at Hotel Lutetia. The iconic landmark, situated in the vibrant Saint-Germain-des-Prés, has launched a customisable detox package at its award-winning spa, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre. Supported by nutritional experts, a healthy meal plan and an in-depth program of unlimited yoga, meditation and mindfulness, this package – of which you can pick the sessions and programs you prefer – will send you well on the way to optimal health. Book into The Saint Germain Penthouse by Coppola to lay claim to this flower-filled roof terrace with 360-degree views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Designed by star architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and Oscar-winning movie legend Francis Ford Coppola, the suite is filled with movie memorabilia offering a one-of-a-kind tour of the auteur’s scripts, stills and photos, and comes complete with its own winding staircase, Carrara marble-filled bathroom and an opulent bedroom decked out in soft French linen. This truly is a collaboration made in the stars.
10. INDULGE WITHOUT THE GUILT
Detox. Retox. Repeat. at W Maldives, with its Fuel Your Escape offer. Located just 25 minutes by seaplane from Malé, this heart-shaped playground is a go-to destination for those seeking a balance of healthy living and true indulgence. For a minimum of four nights, the offer includes daily breakfast and one healthy lunch at Kitchen, a 60-minute massage and a 60-minute Crystal Healing Facial at Away Spa, a Fuel Guru and Chef consultation, a personal training session, a daily FIT experience, one W Insider Treats Retox drinks... The list goes on and on. Dive in at leisure!
11. FINDING PEACE IN PARADISE
Not everyone likes to travel in a group, some preferring the purity of some ‘me time’ to recharge their batteries. Few places will recharge them as quickly as Milaidhoo Island Maldives, a dream destination for solo travellers seeking some R’n’R. Your solo travel vacation will have you sleeping in paradise in a Water Pool Villa, as the Indian Ocean ripples beneath you, and includes half board, a complimentary activity (such as snorkelling or a Manta Ray or turtle excursion), a private yoga and meditation session or a 60-minute Jet Lag Massage, and a cooking class, wine-tasting or coral basket planting.