The old walled city of Essaouira has become dotted with stylish riads, small townhouses and boutique hotels, making it an ideal romantic getaway and perfect for luxury holidays. The authentic charm still remains and as you wander round the narrow streets you will be greeted by stunning architecture and intricate minarets. As in Marrakech, there are bargains to be haggled over at the bazaars, and a wealth of fascinating local produce on display. The city is particularly famous for its woodwork and lacquerware, so look out for the beautifully intricate boxes and other souvenirs made by the local craftsmen.

It is definitely worth wandering down to the old harbour in the late afternoon to enjoy a refreshing drink as you watch the fishing boats arrive back from sea. The little shack-style eateries along the port entrance serve the freshest fish supper, cooked in traditional Moroccan dishes. At one end of Essaouira’s beach the Berber village of Diabat’s ruined fort and windswept beach offer an insight into Morocco’s fascinating history. Day trips exploring the ruins show a different side to this coastal city.

For those with a sense of adventure, the strong winds make Essaouria’s beaches ideal for water sports, especially windsurfing and kitesurfing. The nearby sand dunes are perfect for quad biking, or take a camel ride across them, a highlight for many visitors to Morocco. Alternatively, take a horse ride across the beach at sunset and watch the city’s glimmering lights from the sand.

Stay at the Madada Mogador, a former merchant’s home that has been transformed into a sleek and airy riad with plenty of Arabian charm. Each room varies offering unique design and character, but most have spectacular ocean views over the Pacific Ocean. For the ultimate in luxury stay in the Suite Mogador, a vast room complete with super king-sized bed, a private terrace, a ‘zen’ salon on the mezzanine floor, a luxurious bathroom and large windows opening out onto the stunning ocean views. The contemporary take on traditional Moroccan furniture gives the room an authentic yet light and airy feel, ideal for retiring from the midday heat.

At hotel Madada Mogador guests are invited to learn the techniques of Moroccan classics at the hotel’s cookery school. In small groups and supervised by a professional team guests are offered an exclusive opportunity to discover the secrets of Moroccan gastronomy. In a friendly and casual atmosphere, the half-day workshops will teach you how to prepare a full traditional meal that you could easily reproduce when you return home. Learn how to prepare authentic tagines, couscous, pastillas and gazelle horns. This is a fantastic way to spend a morning or afternoon and become immersed in the vibrant Moroccan culture.

The rustic Beachfront Pool Villas are beautifully decorated in an authentic Vietnamese style with a contemporary twist. Exposed bricks and thatched roofing contrasts against crisp white linens and minimalist furniture. Each comprises of a spacious living area, a private garden, an exclusive plunge pool and direct access to the beach. A secluded open-air bathroom completes the villa.

For the ultimate accommodation for luxury holidays, stay in the Presidential Villa. Located on the waters edge next to a private bay, this stunning cluster of villas benefit from extra privacy and seclusion. Accessed via a series of wooden walkways set into the mountainside, the villas are a pleasant twenty minute walk from the main restaurant and bar. Each comprises of an in-Villa spa treatment room, a private infinity plunge pool and vast living area which includes a dining sala. The beautiful en-suite bathroom has a handmade bathtub and steam shower. Guests also have a dedicated butler available 24 hours to cater to your every need.

Make the most of the Six Senses resort and indulge in the luxury spa treatments available. Incorporating some of Vietnam’s speciality treatments together with an extensive menu of signature therapies the spa encourages relaxation in a beautiful garden setting. The expert therapists are trained in holistic wellness and pampering treatments, and there is also yoga and Tai Chi on offer.

As well as being an ideal destination for relaxation, Ninh Van Bay also has a great range of land and water based activities and excursions. The resort’s position in a calm and sheltered bay provides fantastic conditions for kayaking, snorkelling, waterskiing and windsurfing. Scuba diving is also popular with excellent visibility of between 15-30 metres if you visit between March and October. Explore the colourful coral reefs around the islands of Hon Rom, Hon Mot and Hon Mun with an experienced guide. The great visibility and pleasant water temperature, averaging 26 – 30 degrees, make scuba diving a highlight of Vietnamese luxury holidays.

Land based activities include motorbike adventures, cultural trips to local villages, sunset cruises and island hopping boat excursions. For many guests seeking relaxation on their luxury holidays, the Cai River and mud bath tour offers a unique and enjoyable day adventure. Take a local boat down Cai River, the longest and widest river in Nha Trang, until you reach the Hot Spring Centre. Here you can experience a natural spa treatment by covering your body with mineralised mud. After you have the opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood at a local restaurant located along the river bank.

The resort comprises of five unique private villas, each offering a stylish and contemporary place to relax and admire the impressive views. Set in vast tropical gardens surrounded by native bush, guests are ensured a completely private and exclusive luxury holiday experience.

Ideal for romantic couples is the First Light, a stunning retreat nestled in the hillside and overlooking the magnificent land and seascapes. The stylish split level villa features floor to ceiling glass doors enticing the outside in and providing stunning sunset views. The mezzanine bedroom includes an impressive floor to ceiling glass shower in the en-suite and skylight for stargazing over the bed. On the main floor there are walls of glass bifold doors that open onto a stunning balcony on three sides. The living space is chic and contemporary and includes a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen for rustling up meals and snacks. Guests also benefit from a Jacuzzi and home theatre to complete their luxury holiday.

For three couples or a family, The Eyrie is a spacious villa comprising of three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and an extensive living area. Situated high up in native New Zealand bush, the villa offers spectacular views over the ocean and out to Waitangi, Paihia and the Islands of the north. The gourmet kitchen overlooks the private and secluded courtyard and is surrounded by tropical plants. As well as the home theatre and Jacuzzi, this villa also includes an 18 metre heated infinity edged swimming pool and access to the estates private beach.

Enjoy a delightful dining experience as part of your stay at Eagles Nest. The talented team of resident chefs will carefully prepare your meals with only the finest locally sourced ingredients. Showcasing a diverse range of New Zealand’s produce, on the menu you can expect award-winning wines from the northern Vineyards, locally made cheese, chocolate and coffee beans, and citrus fruits and olives freshly picked from the surrounding area. Seafood is a constant on any New Zealand menu, plentiful, fresh and magnificently varied you will continually be impressed by the daily offerings. Worth a visit to stock up your gourmet kitchen is the Bay of Islands Farmers Market. Take a leisurely stroll around the stalls selling fresh regional fruit and vegetables and speciality produce including roasted coffee and tropical fruit jams, jellies and preserves.

One of the many reasons people choose to visit New Zealand is to take advantage of the fantastic range of activities on offer. Eagles Nest provides the perfect base from which to explore the Bay of Islands and make the most of your luxury holiday. Why not add some extreme to your luxury experience with a tandem sky dive from 16,000 feet. Accompanied by a qualified jump master, experience the exhilaration of at least a minute free fall of up to 120 mph before deploying your dual sized parachute and enjoying the spectacular views over the Bay. Alternatively, join the Fullers Great Sight crew onboard the Excitor and experience the thrill of racing through the islands of the Bay and along the Great Bret Peninsula.

Egypt, the most successful African Cup of nations side will be absent from this year tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon as well as continental giants, Cameroon who will also be absent from the tournament, they have won the contest the second most amount of times (four times), and Nigeria who are the fourth most successful country in the African Cup of Nations with two tournament wins to their name. All three teams will be absent from this year’s bill, with an impressive thirteen tournament wins between the three nations. The most successful country which is left in the cup is Ghana, who would become the second most successful African Cup of Nations team should they win the tournament.

Egypt are the reigning champions, having won the tournament for the last three occasions. Sadly this time around they were unable to quality, finishing bottom of their group which contained South Africa, Sierra Leone and Niger. This failure has meant that long serving manager Hassan Shehata has now left.

Cameroon are the most successful African country outside of the African cup of nations, being the very first African country to reach the World Cup quarter finals, they were unable to get through a group which contained Mauritius, Senegal and the DRC. Nigeria who won the Olympic trophy in 1996, lost out to group winners Guinea.

Because the three greatest teams in the African cup of nations are absent (baring Ghana), why not head out to Africa instead and go on an African safari adventure and see the big five, rather than watching the football just to see the big two? (Ghana & Congo DR)

Now that you’ve chosen to go on safari, you just need to decide where to go on safari. January is the prime time in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya as the weather is particularly dry and the animals will congregate in dense numbers around watering holes and lakes. The world famous migration of over two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle can be found in the northern safari parks in Tanzania.

Because the African Cup of Nations runs into February, there are even more excellent safari destinations to choose from, with Tanzania and South Africa being the best, because of the newly born wildlife born around this time of year. If its baby animals that you’re seeking then perhaps a safari holiday to Kenya would be more suitable, with the incredible Masai Mara safari park being a highlight to any African safari holiday in Kenya.

No matter where you decide to go on safari, you will most certainly have the time of your life and will take with you memories which will last a lifetime.

I certainly subscribe to the notion that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and when it comes to luxury hotel design it is no different. Some who read this article may like each of the featured properties, some may loathe every one, but these are buildings that undeniably generate interest and intrigue.

The Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi- Fans of motorsport may instantly recognise this sweeping organic globule of a structure from its coverage as the home of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. The hotel forms part of the wider Yas Island complex featuring an exclusive marina, several other hotels, a private golf course, botanical gardens and multi-event arena as well as of course the race track. Striking by day a truly brilliant by night the blue LED lit canopy lends the place a cathedral like grandeur. Featuring a range of accommodation from the spacious Viceroy Rooms to the opulent Presidential Double Storey Suites guests also have a choice of no less than eleven dining and social venues to choose from as well as stunning spa, pool and fitness facilities.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore- Singapore has garnered a reputation as an architecturally progressive city state and its spectacular Marina area is home to some of the most iconic buildings in South East Asia. Nestled in right alongside the likes of the Singapore Flyer and the Esplanade Convention Centre is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. A truly striking design the first parallels that came to mind was with a set of cricket stumps- three vertical 200m towers crowned by a sickle like curved platform known as the ‘Sky Park’. The property is home to shops, a mall, a convention centre, two floating pavilions, a casino (the world’s most expensive), six restaurants and even an art and science museum. The Sky Park itself features a public observatory, running paths, gardens, shops and restaurants and all with peerless views out across the Singapore skyline

Renaissance Marriott Hotel- L’Arc de Triomphe, Paris- From the scale of the vast Marina Bay to the perhaps less assuming Renaissance Marriott, this hotel presides in an enviable address with one of the most iconic views in the world. Literally minutes away from L’Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees guests could not be more perfectly poised to explore the bright lights of France’s capital. Perhaps almost as striking as the hotels design is the sheer juxtaposition of the place amongst the classical architecture of the Avenue de Wagram. An undulating glass façade gives the impression almost of a spaceship that has landed in the middle of downtown Paris. Inside an infusion of Franco-Indonesian design lends the Marriott a truly unique ambience. Complete with spa and health club, the brilliant Makassar Restaurant and choice of beautifully appointed accommodations, the Marriott provides visitors with the perfect oasis of calm in Paris’ busy heart.

Vivanta Hotel, Bangalore- Another name to add to India’s growing portfolio of world class properties the Vivanta is a new flagship hotel in Bangalore located just 45km from the airport in the quiet Whitefield suburb of the city. Stone, glass and sleek lines combine to create and extremely modern aesthetic but still with a sense of warmth and feeling and a particularly noteworthy feature is the hotel’s striking facade which changes colour, texture and tone to compliment the mercurial and borderless potential of the property. Offering four wonderfully diverse dining experiences as well as the brilliant Jiva Spa the Vivanta is one of the shining jewels in modern Indian hospitality.