If you book through a luxury holiday travel agent, you’ll be greeted on arrival by flower leis and Fijians singing, the perfect start to your experience in a completely new country.  You can spend your holiday in the northern islands, the southern islands, or split your time between them.

For the true adventurer, the northern islands are ideal.  With so few people, the island is really your paradise.  You can pretend to be a modern day Robinson Crusoe and spend your time exploring your temporary home, enjoying the ultimate seclusion.  There are a wide range of activities to choose from.  You could rent a 4WD vehicle to explore along more established paths or take out a mountain bike.  If you head out on foot, watch out for stunning waterfalls and beautiful flora.  It might be best to take a planned journey with a tour guide the first day and use that as a starting off point so you don’t get lost.

If water exploration is more your style, there is still plenty for you to do.  Fiji boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with crystal clear water and soft white sandy beaches.  The underwater atmosphere follows accordingly and as a result snorkelling and diving are hugely popular holiday activities.  Swimming around discovering beautiful reefs and fish with your new husband or wife is a great experience.  You can also go kayaking through the rivers and over white water rapids in the centre of the islands.

With Fiji’s fantastic and unique culture, you can truly feel like you’re experiencing a new and exciting world.  Many of Fiji’s villages remain small and authentic, and your travel provider can make sure you’re a part of the ceremonies that happen on a regular basis.  You’ll be greeted by smiling village chiefs and welcomed as a part of their village, no matter how brief your stay.  Some resorts offer cooking classes, so you can bring your new knowledge of traditional cuisine back home as a valuable memento of your wonderful Fijian holiday.

You’ll have plenty of options for your stay.  Fiji’s resorts are all about luxury.  Since you’re an adventurous person and you like things a little out of the ordinary, you might choose to stay in a treetop hotel.  You’ll have your own tree house – guaranteeing fantastic views and true novelty while providing all the luxury you could ever want for your honeymoon.  You could also choose an eco-retreat like Moody’s Namena, the ideal choice for an adventurer.  You’ll still have a king-size bed, gorgeous views, and full board (albeit communal) but in a haven separate from the modern world.  Moody’s has just 6 bures and has no electricity.  It’s lit by gas and all power is provided through a wind turbine.  The bures are all built from local materials, making it the perfect choice for the couple who love nature.

If you head to Fiji, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure.

The Banyan Tree at Madivaru offers just that, opulent design and décor making The Maldives a perfect luxury holiday destination. A Maldives luxury holiday offers much more than crystal clear waters and endless miles of beach. Banyan Tree Madivaru offers your own dedicated island butler and boatman who are at your disposal 24 hours a day bringing you anything you need no matter how challenging the request. Romantic sunset meals can be arranged by your island host including deserted sandbanks, luxury private yachts or secluded beaches, anything is possible on a Maldives luxury holiday.

Each villa consists of 3 detached tents split into separate living, sleeping and bathing areas each offering exquisite views giving you the most from your luxury holiday. Situated on the North Ari Atoll, the vivid blue lagoon encompasses the island like a tropical halo, with the house reef protecting the tranquil waters from the endless ocean; this allows your luxury holiday to be matched with a luxury location, with the waves gently and rhythmically endeavouring to lap at your feet.

To get more information information on the incredible Banyan Tree visit our luxury tour operator.

Sami Ayari, Area General Manager Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and General Manager of Banyan Tree Al Areen, attended the awards ceremony at the Brenner’s Park Hotel, Baden-Baden, Germany where he accepted the Best Luxury Hotel City/Resort Award from Frank Marrenbach, Managing Director of Brenner’s Park Hotel and Spa, Baden-Baden.

“I am extremely happy to receive this special honor for our resort. This award is a great compliment to our team and will motivate us to constantly improve the quality of our services to continually exceed the expectations of our guests,” said Sami Ayari. “Our aim is for every guest to enjoy our holistic approach to wellbeing and relaxation and to leave Banyan Tree Al Areen with a special and unique experience.”

One of the main points highlighted by the jury for the Banyan Tree’s success is its approach of caring for the whole being. All spa therapists at the Banyan Tree are trained at the Banyan Tree Academy in Phuket, Thailand. The Academy is recognized by the Thai Ministry for Education and Health and all therapists undergo a course that includes theory and practical sessions as well as an induction to the Banyan Tree values to ensure all team members match up to the high quality standards set by Banyan Tree.

The Gala Spa Awards is now in its 12th year. Each year the jury receives hundreds of entries from around the world in seven different categories. This year 139 product lines with a total of 321 products and 114 hotel/day spas from 17 countries entered.

The French Region of South Africa “Franschhoek” specializes in luxury high end holidays offering some of the finest cuisine and native wines of South Africa, many restaurants and hotels boast Michelin star menus and world renowned kitchens.

It doesn’t sound like the stereotypical safari by any stretch of the imagination; it does however have startling similarities, with the sense of discovery existing in the wine glasses rather than the plains.

The wine regions of Franschhoek are breathtaking and offer the perfect place to discover the hidden gems of South Africa. The region is a perfect blend between African culture and French design and taste. The hills are scattered with French houses overlooking acre after acre of rich grape growing soil.

South Africa is synonymous with safaris and wildlife, yet people also forget the exquisite green mountain ranges and endless vineyards that cover the landscape, producing exquisite wines making South Africa a class leader in up and coming new world wine producers.

I recommend that you put down your boots and pack you dinner suit, the opulent surrounding and luxurious finish of La Residence will inspire you come to sample the finer things in life.

La Residence offers a je ne sais quoi that can be rarely found anywhere else in the world, the combination of exquisite vistas, friendly and attentive staff not to mention an award winning cellar, La Residence has the balance just right, perfect you could say.

Liz, the owner has big plans for La Residence and is in the position of relocating to a 30 acre vineyard which is less than half a kilometre away, “The views are more exquisite” Liz boasted when we went to see her. Liz’s attention to detail is one of the reasons why La Residence is held in such high regard, striving to be the best Liz is willing to move her entire plot 500 metres down the road.

This eye for perfection is carried on throughout your stay with excellence being the ethos of every member of staff.

South Africa has a side that is rarely seen by the majority of the world, a side which brims with elegance, luxury and style, offering exquisite comfort, food and drink in the most decadent of surroundings.

“A South African hideaway, a tented treasure…a piece of paradise”

In the middle of South Africa there is a place which is so secluded, in touch with nature and serine, you’d be fooled in thinking that it had never been discovered before, but in the distance there is a camp, standing firm against the plain, a destination, a viewpoint.

Tanda Tula is based amidst the beauty and picturesque surroundings of the Timavati Reserve, within Kruger National Park.

Tanda Tula Safari Camp offers more than just a roof over your head and a hearty breakfast, they offer a South African Hideaway, a tented treasure, they actually offer you a piece of paradise. Set on the banks of the river bed Tanda Tula is set amongst lush green vegetation and bush land which thrives next to the river and therefore attracts wildlife from all across Kruger National Park.

The camp consists of 12 individual tents each offering private views of the river along with private deck, en suite bathrooms, traditional bath tubs and romantic outdoor showers. An infinite pool overlooks the river giving you exquisite opulence in the most rustic of places.

Tanda Tula is situated in the best area for meetings with the “big 5”. The Timbavati is home to numerous lion prides including Timbavati’s own “white lion”. Buffalo and Rhino spend a lot of their time around the riverbed often spending days wallowing in the river’s waters.

The views are incredible, giving you the sense of solitude, and that refreshing humble feeling of lowliness against the landscape.

Tanda Tula’s tented set up gives a great feeling of openness and whilst still having a hand on an array of decadent luxuries. The food for one is exceptional serving exquisite cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The outdoor dining, including outdoor kitchen gives Tanda Tula a great safari “camp fire” feel and one that sets South African safaris apart from any other holiday  location.

You make friends in South Africa, it’s that simple.