Santorini

Dreamy Santorini is in the Cyclades. It has become, in recent years, one of the most popular of all the Greek Islands, photogenic for its iconic caldera and its clinging-to-the-clifftop whitewashed villages which overlook the still-smoking volcano across the expanse of quite phenomenal blue.

The prettiest and most dramatic places to stay are those hillside hotels with caldera views in Firostefani, Fira, Imerovigli and, best for sunset, pretty Oia; they are created from ancient cave dwellings, now all smartened up and with pools and spas installed, and characterised by simple, all-white interiors. Fira is the capital, all winding streets and steps running up and down the hillside, dotted with shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Where to go

The one ‘must’ in Firá is the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, with its Minoan murals rescued from pre-cataclysm Akrotíri. Santoríni’s dark, volcanic-sand or pebble beaches are as much curiosities as bathing venues; the most practical and enjoyable are Perivólas and Vlyháda in the far south of the island. Two classic hiking routes among many go from Períssa to Kamári, past post-eruption ancient Thera, and along the caldera edge from Imerovígli to Oía. For a sense of the ancient volcano’s lingering power, take a day-trip to the caldera islets with their shoreline hot springs and clinker surfaces.

Where to stay 

The Santorini Grace sits on the very edge of a cliff; viewed from above, it looks like a sunbather languidly dangling a limb over the lip of the island's famous caldera. Carved out of two village houses partially destroyed in the 1956 earthquake, the hotel had 17 rooms and seven suites, plus two pools. All the rooms have terraces and are simply decorated in white. The hotel is not suitable for the elderly or infirm (there are 149 steps to negotiate), or children (under 14s are not allowed). Book room number 46, a honeymoon suite, for complete privacy.

Katiki

Located right on the cliff edge in Oia, this is one of the island's best hotels. Two split-level suites are in the 18th-century former home of a noble family: the façade is painted its original pale ochre and the interiors are decorated with antiques and Orthodox icons displayed on pale-blue walls. The other 25 rooms and suites, with similar interiors, sea views and patios, have bright white exteriors and look like a jumble of sugar cubes tumbling down the cliff. More than 200 steps connect the rooms, swimming pools - including a beautiful infinity pool - and public areas, and the small rooftop terrace restaurant serves delicious, fresh seafood. The nearest beach is five minutes' free transfer away, although it's probably quicker to walk in summer, when the narrow roads are clogged with coaches.

Contact All World Journeys for more information

discover@allworldjourneys.com 

+447824 099686

Picturesque Vis Island

Of all the inhabited Croatian islands, Vis is the furthest from the coast and the most enigmatic. It spent much of its recent history serving as a Yugoslav military base, cut off from foreign visitors from the 1950s right up until 1989. This isolation preserved the island from development and drove much of the population to move elsewhere in search of work, leaving it underpopulated for many years.

No nightlife, no package tourists, no big hotels, no fuss, no hubbub; Vis Island so epitomized Mediterranean life that it was chosen as the filming location for Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! For several months in early autumn 2017 Hollywood descended upon the island, hiring locals as extras and using the old stone towns of Vis and Komiza as a backdrop for their musical.

The most stunning beach on the island and perhaps in all of Croatia is Stiniva beach.

For more information, contact us at discover@allworldjourneys.com  

Thinking of Gran Canaria for your next break?

Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canaries’ archipelago, but accounts for almost half the population. It lives up to its cliché as a continent in miniature, with a dramatic variation of terrain, ranging from the green and leafy north to the mountainous interior and desert south. To glean a sense of this impenetrable quality, head to the centre, where the sheer drama of the mountains more resembles the Tibetan highlands than a relatively small island.

All World Journeys recommends the following hotels

Bohemia Suites & Spa

Playa del Ingles    

Centrally located and a 10 minute stroll from the beach, the adult only, boutique hotel Bohemia Suites & Spa.

H10 Playa Meloneras Palace

Costa Meloneras    

Situated in an enviable location by the ocean and close to the Maspalomas Golf Club.

Hotel Santa Catalina

Las Palmas    

Hotel Santa Catalina is ideally situated within a sub-tropical garden area of Las Palmas which is known as Cuidad Jardin (The Garden City).

Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Thalasso

Costa Meloneras    

Situated between the sandy beach of Meloneras and golden dunes of Maspalomas.

To assist with all your needs, contact us at All World Journeys. 

E-mail discover@allworldjourney.com

Telephone +447 824 099 676

Hidden Greece

Whether you choose deserted beaches, fabulous local food, walking or ferry-hopping itineraries, we have the Greek Islands well and truly sorted.

Hiking in Amorgos, Cyclades

As well as the azure bays and its role in Luc Besson’s The Big Blue, Amorgos is also renowned for it's hiking trails, which not only connect the island’s villages but also provide access to ecclesiastical and natural landmarks. Start at Hora, the capital of the island, and walk towards the landmark of Amorgos, the Greek-Orthodox monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa. Built by Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus I in the 11th century, this whitewashed monastery is wedged into a cliff face 300 metres above the sea. Climb the nearly 300 steps, walk through the low marble doorway and take the staircase that leads to the chapel where treasures and icons are kept. You will be rewarded with a vertiginous yet panoramic view of the Mediterranean, complimentary rose-flavoured loukoumi (Greek Turkish delight) and psimeni raki (raki with honey and spices) offered by the monks. From there, descend towards the pebble beach of Agia Anna. Here the waves splash against a rock which a chapel of the same name is built on. It’s then time to dive into the deep blue Aegean.

Karpathos, Dodecanese

The largest Dodecanese island is largely unknown to Brits. You can fly there but not directly from the UK. Better to take the ferry from Rhodes or Crete as we did and head for Diafani, where getting around is mostly by boat or on foot. We were enchanted by the lack of tourist trappings as local life carried on around us. As visitors we found ourselves welcomed with gifts of pomegranates, just-caught whitebait and freshly baked bread. While we were drinking coffee at a cafe on the water’s edge, a local fisherman invited us onto his caïque and took us on a spectacular journey to a beach where we found ourselves alone and surrounded by undisturbed centuries-old ruins. As we swam, our boatman fished for octopus, then barbecued it for us, having first shooed the goat from the stone table. Inland we visited Olympos, courtesy of the free loan of our hotel owner’s car. The remotest village on the island, and only recently accessible by road, it’s a place where traditional costumes and customs still persist, and time seemed, like its iconic windmills, to stand still.

Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo, a mile off the Turkish coast, is a colourful and picturesque island with a tumultuous past. Originally colonised by the Dorian Greeks, the island was later occupied by Egypt, Italy and the Ottoman empire, all of which is evident in the capital’s rich architectural legacy. Pastel-coloured Anatolian-style houses are arranged around a small fishing harbour lined with tavernas. Dotted on the hillside are a church and a cathedral, an Ottoman mosque, monasteries and castles. The ruins of an ancient acropolis lies on the western outskirts of town. A promenade on the steep streets and lanes provides abundant delight and surprise as well as breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. A small family-friendly beach west of the harbour is excellent for swimming. The island’s remote location on the fringes of the Dodecanese has left it relatively undisturbed by tourists, making it an ideal getaway centred on food, recuperation and culture. The island is easily reached by boat from Rhodes or Kas.

Abandoned sulphur mines of Milos, Cyclades

There can be no more breathtaking backdrop to a dip in the Aegean than the abandoned sulphur mine of Milos. The stunning bay of Paliorema can be accessed via a dirt road, although the scramble down the cliff to the golden shingle is not for the faint-hearted. Hire a 4x4 to get as close as possible. Once at the beach, you can wander freely around the abandoned buildings, where it appears the miners may be back at any moment to start work. Follow up your visit at the Mining Museum in Adamas, which includes a video about workers in the sulphur mine before it was permanently closed in 1978. Milos’s charms are only enhanced by the fact that it has not relied on tourism for survival like some of its better-known neighbours.

Donoussa, Cyclades

Donoussa is the quietest of the smaller Cyclades islands, hidden behind much larger Naxos. Traditionally described as off the beaten track, it has reinvigorated itself in recent years as younger people move back from Athens to work in family businesses. There are some great new restaurants, such as To Auli in the main (small) village and an organic beach bar at nearby Kedros bay. An excellent new walking guide (in Greek and English) opens up the hills, while a minibus service will carry you back from the other side of the island on the only road. There are regular ferries from Athens but arrive on the local Express Skopelitis from Naxos for the best experience – this ferry also offers lots of short-journey, island-hopping options.

Let us help you discover the world, contact us discover@allworldjourneys.com 

An insider's guide to the top things to do in London

An insider's guide to the top things to do in London, including the best London museums, art galleries, sightseeing spots and free places to visit, as well as insider tips for top London attractions from the Tate Modern to the London Eye.

Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard

Buckingham Palace opens up its Sèvres-china-stuffed, gold-leaf-adorned State Rooms to the public from July to October each year. Expect priceless Rubens paintings, a piano Queen Victoria played, 350 clocks and even the odd secret door. Get a ticket that includes access to the Royal Mews, where the coach that has been used for every coronation since George IV in 1820 is on display. That said, many visitors are happy to settle for watching the Changing of the Guard outside the palace, a free event which typically happens four days a week at 11am.

Contact: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA 0303 123 7300; royalcollection.org.uk

Nearest underground station: Victoria, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner

Wesminster Abbey

One of the most famous churches in the world, with 1,000 years of history. This is where William the Conqueror and Queen Elizabeth II were crowned and William and Kate exchanged vows. The Gothic edifice, all echoey cloisters, mosaic-encrusted chambers and martyrs carved into the stonework, hosted the funeral of Princess Diana and is the burial ground of everyone from Geoffrey Chaucer to Oliver Cromwell.

Contact: 20 Deans Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA 0303 123 7300 westminster-abbey.org

Nearest underground station: Westminster and St James's Park

St Paul’s Cathedral

Prince Charles once remarked that the skyscrapers that surround the second-largest dome in the world are "like a basketball team standing shoulder-to-shoulder between you and the Mona Lisa". The gentle, swollen shadow of Sir Christopher Wren’s 17th-century Renaissance masterpiece does seem all the more exceptional set against the City’s spiky, vertigiousness skyline. Don’t miss the Whispering Gallery where you can hear someone 112 feet away, the Golden Gallery with views over the Thames to Shakespeare’s Globe and the tombs of Ethelred the Unready, Alexander Fleming and James Barry.

Contact: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD 020 7246 8350 stpauls.co.uk

Nearest underground station: St Paul's

Tate Modern

Controversial and unmissable in equal measure. Entry to the collections is also free (exhibitions are charged). Visitors will find the country’s most important modern art collection in the vast former power station (think everything from Picasso to Lichtenstein), as well as the London’s latest must-see exhibition, often headlined by art colossuses like Anish Kapoor and Ai Weiwei.

Contact: Bankside, London SE1 9TG 020 7887 8888 tate.org.uk

Nearest underground station: Southwark and Blackfriars

The Shard

A noble glass spire that embodies the energy and ambition of London’s financial district, or Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund petrodollars mutated into thousand-foot dalek with a head that's been subjected to a dodgy pencil sharpener? Wherever you stand on the architecture, London’s highest viewing platform has become one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Contact: 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG 0844 499 7111 the-shard.com

Nearest underground station: London Bridge

Big Ben

The world’s most famous clock, which features in the film Mary Poppins, on the label of HP sauce and on every London postcard ever made. It is worthy of its nickname (technically it's called Elizabeth Tower; the main bell inside is Big Ben) – the edifice scales 96 metres, with minute hands over four metres long. The only way to visit the tower is to apply as a British resident in writing to one’s MP. However, the clock is undergoing renovation which will last several months in 2017 and tours are currently not taking place. That shouldn't stop people from expressing interest in a visit after the works are complete. In the mean time it remains one of London's most popular monuments for a selfie; #bigben has almost two-and-a-half million Instagram posts.

Contact: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA 020 7219 4272 parliament.uk

Nearest underground station: Westminster

Tower Bridge

London Bridge may have a nursery rhyme named after it but Tower Bridge pips it as a tourist attraction; the formidable Victorian Gothic edifice raised from steel, Cornish granite and Devonshire stone is not just a river Thames icon but also a fun day out in its own right. Visitors can hang out in the glass-floored high-level walkway 140ft above the water, and explore the Victorian engine rooms with its original furnaces and steam engines.

Contact: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP 020 7403 3761 towerbridge.org.uk

Nearest tube station: Tower Hill and London Bridge

Natural History Museum

A favourite with children and no wonder with the first T-rex fossil ever found and the skull of a triceratops. Be sure to whizz into the Minerals gallery to see the 1,400-pound iron meteorite that fell in Argentina in 1783 and the species that inspired the mermaid legends in the Mammals room.

Contact: Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 5BD 020 7942 5511 nhm.ac.uk

Nearest tube station: Gloucester Road and South Kensington

London Eye

This 443ft 'ferris wheel' with air-conditioned passenger capsules (32 to represent the 32 boroughs of London) offers some of the best panoramas of the city. Rotations last about 30 minutes, and the wheel rotates 26 cm per second, which is actually not as slow as it might seem – three times that of the average tortoise.

Contact: Lambeth, London SE1 7PB 0871 781 3000 londoneye.com

Nearest tube station: Waterloo

Victoria and Albert Museum

Alexander McQueen gowns rub alongside sandals from Ancient Egypt in Fashion Room 410. You’ll also find everything from 500-year-old Persian carpets to Japanese Tokugawa suits of armour and furniture made for Marie Antoinette in Britain’s leading art and design museum.

Contact: Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk

Nearest tube: South Kensington and Gloucester Road

Through our extensive network, we are able to offer many additional benefits, such as room upgrades, late check out, unique venues and personalised itineraries.

Our services are free with no hidden costs or membership fees.

Contact us at discover@allworldjourneys.com 

Why go to Sicily

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is just off the "toe" of Italy's "boot." Its rich history is reflected in sites like the Valley of the Temples, the well-preserved ruins of 7 monumental, Doric-style Greek temples, and in the Byzantine mosaics at the Cappella Palatina, a former royal chapel in capital city Palermo. On Sicily’s eastern edge is Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes.

Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It sits near Mount Etna, an active volcano with trails leading to the summit. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-­Roman theatre still used today. Near the theatre, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches. A narrow stretch of sand connects to Isola Bella, a tiny island and nature reserve.

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

To book or for any advise do contact us at discover@allworldjourneys.com

Thinking of the Amalfi Coast for your up and coming holiday?

The allure of the Amalfi Coast has been drawing people to the region long before it had a name. Its dramatic charm and idyllic weather enticed ancient Roman nobles to build their villas there, a real estate trend that, overtime, never faded. Today the mountains and sea cliffs are dotted with pastel confections of holiday homes and sumptuous villas, which have elevated the coastline to one of the most fabulous and unique destinations in the world. Its fragile cultural landscape, churches, gardens, vineyards and towns are divided into thirteen different municipalities, and were listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1997. Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello are the area’s top destinations, attracting thousands of jetsetters each year.

Five days is all you need to take in the highlights of the region. Consider a night or two on the volcanic garden island of Ischia, and then spend the rest of your time at one of the coastal gems, Sorrento, Positano or  Amalfi, with day trips to explore the splendours of Pompeii, Ravello's gardens and some mountain scenery.

Campania has been looking after visitors for centuries and competition is fierce and standards of service are high. Whether you’re honeymooning or taking the family, you’re likely to find a warm welcome, enhanced by a room decked out with local tiles and a lush garden.

United Arab Emirates - Dubai - Abu Dhabi - Gulf of Oman

For most people, the United Arab Emirates means just one place: Dubai, the sci-fi-esque city of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls, indoor ski slopes and palatial beach resorts. But beyond the glitter awaits a diverse mosaic of six more emirates, each with its own character and allure.

An hour's drive south, oil-rich Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, is positioning itself as a hub of culture, sport and leisure. Beyond looms the vast Al Gharbia region, which is dominated by the northern reaches of the Rub' Al Khali desert. Its magical silence is interrupted only by the whisper of shifting dunes rolling towards Saudi Arabia.

North of Dubai, Sharjah does art and heritage best, while tiny Ajman and Umm Al Quwain provide glimpses of life in the pre-oil days, and Ras Al Khaimah snuggles against the mighty Hajar Mountains. For the best swimming and diving, though, head across the range to Fujairah to frolic in the clear waters of the Gulf of Oman.

All World Journeys can assist with all your travel needs

Contact us at discover@allworldjourneys.com 

TripAdvisor Top 10 Airlines in the World 2018 - Travellers Choice Awards

1

"Simply the Best!"

Whiska

"Best crew, best in flight meals, best entertainment, best customer service, always courteous and helpful, nothing is too much trouble, and reasonable fares. I only fly Singapore Airlines, I tried the rest, I stay with the best! Other airlines please take notice!"

2

"Excellent Service Still Exists in Flying"

Colleen T

"Other carriers could take a lesson in customer service excellence as was experienced with Air New Zealand. "

3

"Excellent trip"

aahendia

"It's one of the best trips I've ever had. The plane is clean, beautiful and comfortable. Thank you Emirates."

4

"Awesome service!"

Daniel T

"As expected, service was outstanding!!! Very courteous, professional flight attendants; always catering to every need of its passengers! Comfortable seats, good in-flight meal, very clean cabin!!!"

5

"Impeccable Airline!"

luckydogillinois

"Eva Air provides impeccable service from start to finish. The flight attendants are always available to serve, very pleasant and there when you need them. The airplane itself is clean and very comfortable."

6

"Great flights - love free bags"

wifun

"I use Southwest whenever possible, typically if you book in advance you get a great price and bags are no charge."

7

"Brilliant as always"

Gill S

"Have flown with Jet2 many times over the last 10 years and have never been disappointed... Frankly I don’t know how they do it for the price."

8

"The greatest in air experience!"

Tamimi86

"Truly the best service you will experience in the air! Top class planes with even better service! Travel with ease and rest in the sky knowing your every need will be met beyond expectations...."

9

"Great Airline "

NIKUL P

"First time travelling with this airline and was left so impressed "

10

"What a wonderful experience"

Eylana418

"Everything on this plane was great. The staff, the food, the seats (wide, reclining and clean) made you really enjoy the trip. The staff is very professional"

All World Journeys can assist with flights on all the top 10 airlines voted by Tripadvisor customers.

Contact us on discover@allworldjourneys.com 

Read more reviews here

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Airlines-a_Mode.expanded

Thinking of Mykonos for a holiday

Out of the Cyclades, the islands that encircle the sacred island of Delos, Mykonos is perhaps the most famous, renowned for its rolling hills, white beaches and the high-rolling international crowd that vacations there. While visitors who travel to Mykonos are sure to admire the island’s cubist Cycladic architecture – white country chapels dot its hills, creating a scenic vista – Mykonos also provides a good jumping off point for archaeological day trips to nearby islands, most notably Delos.

Things to see
 • Lounging on Agios Sostis Beach
 • Wandering through “Little Venice,” Mykonos Town’s historic 18th-century district
 • Taking pictures of the island’s famous windmills
 • Partaking in some of the island’s famous nightlife

We recommend The Grace Mykonos Hotel

www.gracehotels.com

Contact us at discover@allworldjourneys.com 

Italy's best kept secret, Ischia Island

The beautiful island of Ischia is just a boat ride from Naples. Shrouded in the shadow of neighbouring Capri is the picture of Italian paradise.

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, Italy. It's known for its mineral-rich thermal waters. Beautiful hot springs bubble up at Maronti Beach, in the south. East, Roman remains lie beneath the sea floor at Cartaromana Beach. The beach has views of the stunning medieval Aragonese Castle, linked to Ischia by a stone bridge. Nearby, 18th-century Palazzo dell’Orologio houses the Sea Museum, devoted to Ischia’s fishing tradition.

Where to stay? 

We highly recommend the 5 star L'Albergo della Regina Isabella Resort and Health Spa located  seaside village of Lacco Ameno, overlooking the Bay of Naples and picturesque Piazza Santa Restituta. 

With amazing service, easy access to the beach and one of Italy’s largest and most renowned spas keep repeat guests coming back again and again. 

www.reginaisabella.com

Let us help you discover the world 

Tom Kerridge to open at The Corinthia Hotel London

It has been announced that Tom Kerridge will be opening his first London restaurant at what is currently Massimo at Corinthia, London. The restaurant will close in June 2018 for a rebrand with interior design by David Collins Studio and is expected to launch in September 2018. It will be a relaxed British brasserie-style dining room.  

The five-star Corinthia continues to be a big success and draws a lively crowd to its grand bars, restaurants and event spaces. It has an ESPA spa and two fine-dining restaurants, as well as a great location near Trafalgar Square and the River Thames. 

www.corinthia.com 

Kudadoo Private Island in the Maldives opening soon

Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawalhi  and opening soon is set to be the most exciting opening in the Maldives this year, designed by the world-renowned Yuji Yamasaki. This adults-only private island will bring house just 15 super luxurious and expansive over water villas with one or two bedrooms, complete with world class amenities and only 40 minutes by seaplane from Male.

The blissful spa and endless activities on offer mean everyone will be kept entertained and guests have access to all the amenities at the nearby Hurawalhi Island Resort, a five minutes’ boat transfer away, including Hurawalhi’s undersea restaurant, ‘5.8’ – the World’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant. 

www.kudadoo.com

Love Maldives

The Maldives are the most beautiful small islands in the World. The Maldives are made up of 26 coral atolls in a chain reaching down to cross the equator. Within those 26 atolls are roughly 1,200 islands and of these around 200 are inhabited and 100 are resorts. We highly recommend this location for anyone wanting a romantic getaway, snorkelling, relaxing, spa and very safe for families. 

We recommend the following wonderful hotels

Amilla Fushi, location Baa Atoll Maldives 

The St. Regis Maldives, location Vommuli Resort

Soneva Fushi, location Eydhafushi Maldives

New Hotel opening shortly in Dubai

Stella di Mare, Dubai Marina

The first international Stella Di Mare is set to open in the first quarter of 2018. The Egyptian hotel chain will open a 369-key, five-star property on the edge of Dubai Marina, spanning 31 floors and coming complete with three restaurants, three bars, a luxury spa, swimming pool, gym and salon. Our eye is on the signature rooftop bar, Skyland, located on level 31.

Baglioni Maldives

Opening in March 2018, the Italian luxury hotel group's first tropical island venture

Located on the remote island of Maagau in the Dhaalu Atoll, the eco-friendly resort will boast 96 elegant, whitewashed villas that blend classic Italian elegance with a breezy island vibe.

New Hotels opening in 2018

 

Amanyangyun, Shanghai

Villas at this astonishing new Aman boutique are set in Qing and Ming-dynasty dwellings, saved from demolition and painstakingly reassembled ancient brick by brick. The big draw of this ambitious heritage property, located deep in a relocated forest of sacred camphor trees just outside Shanghai, is the spa. It will host bathhouses and a banya, and offer a cutting-edge range of treatments, from a body healing therapy inspired by Russian cosmonaut technology, to energy boosts by way of quantum medicine-inspired laser beams. Six dining venues include a Chinese restaurant overlooking a bamboo grove and a Japanese eatery.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Andaman Islands

The first luxury hotel comes to one of the world’s final great unmolested beach destinations – an archipelago of 300 islands in the Bay of Bengal, all bristling jungle, twisting mangroves and champagne-coloured sands. The hotel has been built on stilts inspired by indigenous Jawara huts. Its villas, billowing with white linen, boast private plunge pools. The spa floats on a lake. Jungle trekking, underwater photography and rare turtle-spotting expeditions are among the standard activities. A fine dining restaurant fusing Bengali with south-east Asian flavours, and an eatery specialising in coastal curries cooked using catch from the Andaman Sea, should keep foodies equally satisfied. 

The Langley, Buckinghamshire

The Duke of Marlborough’s vast, stucco-stencilled, Georgian country estate has been transformed into an all-dancing, gold-foil-spattered, Baroque-fireplaced country house pile. The former hunting lodge – just 40 minutes from London – is targeting weekend spa-seekers, with its cutting-edge cryotherapy treatments, women’s-only thermal areas, VIP suites with dip pools and Matt Roberts gym. Rooms have rolltop baths; some are set in a converted brewhouse, where the owners used to make their own ale. Guests can also look forward to an Art Deco cognac and cigar bar, and afternoon teas served in a courtyard overlooking the lake.

Six Senses Bhutan

This pearl string of five luxury lodges will offer a unique lodge-hopping journey across the Bhutan’s scabrous landscape, taking in ancient fortresses, icy rivers and oxe-and-scythe fields.The experience starts at ‘Palace in the Sky’ Thimpu lodge, overlooking forested mountains scattered with ancient monasteries. Punhaka lodge, with its traditional farmhouse vibe, stares down on a patchwork of rice fields and pine trees. From Paro, guests can drink in vistas of 12th-century ruins and sprawling barley crops. Gangtey clutches at the Black Mountains in an area that is home to endangered black-neck cranes. The final destination is Bumthang, set in a pine grove, and made completely from recycled wood. 

 

One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda

Set in the curling mists of the Virunga volcano range is this exciting new base for face-to-face encounters with the world’s last mountain gorillas. A three-day stay at this grass-thatched traditional Rwandan lodge will guarantee an hour-long encounter with one of the eight local families of gorillas in their natural habitat. Simple en-suite bedrooms have hot showers and rustic furnishings. The restaurant will use produce grown in the lodge’s garden, and the spa promises to draw on African traditions for its treatment menu. A nine-hole golf course offers an unlikely way to relax after a morning stalking endangered primates in the African foothills.

COMO Uma Canggu, Bali

Surfing is at the heart of this hip new resort on the onyx-black volcanic sands of Bali’s southern coast. Calmer waves and expert coaching from luxury provider Tropicsurf should appeal particularly to novices. Penthouses boast private pools on creeper-clad rooftops. Think minimalist interiors with Japanese screens and perspex chairs; architecture is all swooping oceanic curves. Fish caught just across the archipelago will crackle on wood-fired grills at the beach shack, and living enzyme smoothies will be up for grabs in the 'Glow' bar. Daily yoga sessions should help unwind mind and muscles after a hard day’s surf.

Rosewood Baha Mar, Bahamas

Aspiring to be an instant classic, with imposing colonial architecture, and languorous afternoon teas served in the chandeliered splendour of the library. Villas right on the beach have their own private pools, and couples can enjoy romantic dinners in a private rum bar. Restaurants include a seafood outfit and nautical-inspired bar serving up craft cocktails and sharing plates. Buildings may look like something out of a Robert Louis Stevenson novel, but bedrooms are firmly set in the era of Pinterest: minimalist black four-poster beds, corner couches, retro chairs and pepperings of baby blue furnishings.

Baglioni Resort Maldives

2018’s biggest luxury hotel opening in the Maldives, set on the bone-white sands of Maagau island in Dhaalu atoll, a 40-minute seaplane from capital, Malé. All the suites are ocean-facing; some are over-water villas, snaking out towards the mottled blue sea. An al-fresco Japanese joint serves up fresh sushi under the stars. Guests can burn off cocktail calories in the yoga pavilion or the beach gym, and the dizzying daily array of activities range from kayaking to topcat sailing and pedalo rides. A dive centre with resident marine biologist offers child-friendly scuba experiences too.

Raffles Singapore

This historic haunt of Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and Joseph Conrad aims to recapture the age of razzmatazz following a multi-million-pound refurbishment. A new range of Residence suites are themed around local cinemas. The interiors of the legendary Long Bar have been freshly exfoliated – though the tradition of throwing peanuts on the floor while sipping a Singapore Sling will be diligently preserved. A new lounge in the lobby will host afternoon tea and the Writers Bar has been refashioned into a trendy cocktail joint. A spanking new spa and history gallery are also set to feature in the hotel’s revamped shopping arcade. 

London

Great Scotland Yard, the formal Whitehall HQ of the Metropolitan Police is having a £50 million makeover to create 3 restaurants and 153 five-star rooms. Opening summer 2018

Paris

The Experimental Cocktail Club's Hotel des Grands Boulevard is accessed via a secret passageway. Its 50 rooms will channel Marie Antoinette extravagance, with canopied beds and televisions hidden in mirrors. Opening January 2018

New York

Freehand New York will have 358 rooms with a trendy rooftop bar overlooking Gramercy Park. Opening February 2018

St Kitts

Park Hyatt has ousted opened in the wonderful Christophe Harbour with 126 rooms, 3 restaurants, private rooftop plunge pools and Miraval treatments available in the incredible spa