In the fast paced and competitive global community that we find ourselves living in today it can be extremely difficult to truly relax and unwind. The stresses of work, of relationships and family as well as the general vicissitudes of life can all contribute towards and manifest feelings of anxiety, tension and frustration.

Sometimes stress management techniques and a few simple pleasures are enough to ease the burden but there are always those occasions when you just want to get away from it all. With this in mind I have taken a closer look at some of the best and most exclusive spa retreats in the world, institutions that offer much needed and genuinely thoughtful, attentive and rejuvenating experiences to relieve and revitalise mind, body and soul. If you feel like you are in of a luxury holiday, a stay at one of these renowned properties might be just what you need.

Four seasons resort, Bora Bora- The distant and secluded island of Bora Bora is place long associated with intimacy and privacy, so much so it has almost become a cliché. Nestled in the Indian Ocean amongst the French Polynesian Islands, Bora Bora is a haven of relaxation and respite. The award winning spa at the Four Seasons Resort harnesses the power of this incredible ecosystem, utilising local ingredients, organic products and the healing powers of the crystal clear Indian Ocean. The spa boasts a range of exclusive treatments including kahaia body scrubs with black pearl and vanilla, deep sea skin treatments and a soothing ‘sun salutation’ ritual engineered to restore moisture and vitality to the skin. The centre also provides a range of holistic body works, facial treatments and yoga. Complimentary facilities include steam room, vitality pool and a sensory and drench shower.

Pezula Resort and Spa, South Africa- Hidden away just outside the fashionable township of Knysna along South Africa’s stunning garden route, the Pezula is considered as one of Africa’s first truly luxury resorts. The award winning Pezula Spa enjoys an incredible array of facilities including a state of the art gymnasium, 12 metre heated indoor pool, outside Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, juice bar, rainforest shower, sunbeds, hair studio, nail bar and nine specified treatment rooms not to mention a post treatment room with heated massage water beds. Specialised treatments range from scrubs, wraps and massages to steam baths, milk baths and hydrotherapy.

One and Only Reethi Rah, The Maldives- Situated within 109 acres of private estate on the North Malé Atoll, this isolated island represents one of the last remaining remote paradises in the world. The spa itself was conceived by the renowned ESPA company, experts in spa design and management. Offering a fantastic array of therapies and treatments complimentary services also include fruits, delicious sorbet, ice tea, a steam room, vitality pool. The resort also maintains an itinerary of exclusive programs which include Hatha and Asthanga yoga, thai chi and cyclic meditation, thai boxing and a post workout regime.

The Sebel Reef House and Spa, Australia- Sebel Reef House is renowned across Australia as an award winning and pioneering boutique property and day spa. Nestled along the palm fringed beaches of the Northern Queensland peninsula the resort is setting new standards for holistic and innovative treatment and is already regarded as one of the leading establishments in Australasia and the South Pacific. The two story spa building is beautifully crafted to reflect the rugged rainforest environment of its locale. The intimate space offers 3 state of the art treatment rooms and a further two dual suites upstairs all equipped with the latest technologies for advanced therapies. The treatments themselves combine the ancient spirituality of the local aboriginal tribes with contemporary aromatherapy and herbalist practices.

Often when deciding upon a luxury holiday the main difficulty arrives when we are forced to specifically define the type of vacation that we want. Whether travelling as a couple or a family, each individual will inevitably possess their own idea of what an ideal luxury escape should involve; from the exhilarations of a safari holiday to a relaxing beach break, remote island resorts to metropolitan penthouses, everyone is different and so often some sort of compromise must be reached.

The beauty of a twin centre luxury holiday is that the best of both worlds are available to either party. Instead of dissecting your ideal itinerary, a twin centre holiday facilitates its elaboration; this format takes a way the unnecessarily problematic task of picking and choosing the contents of your luxury holiday and affords couples and families alike the chance to produce an all encompassing, comprehensive schedule. If the children are desperate to scour the African Bush for lions, leopards and elephants, but all the parents want to do is relax by the pool and soak up a little culture then a twin centre holiday permits the kind of flexibility that allows such a task to be accommodated.

One the regions that best demonstrates the benefits of a twin centre holiday is Sothern Africa. From the vast whirling deserts of Namibia to the lush mountain forests of Uganda, the busy cityscape of Cape Town to the remote fishing villages of the Mozambique coast this area is perhaps unmatched for its sheer eclecticism.

Continually regarded as one of the best holiday collaborations available, a South Africa safari followed by a Mauritius beach break fulfils every facet of the ideal luxury vacation. Fly into Cape Town of Johannesburg and explore the stunning South African landscape, whether you decide upon the Winelands of the Western Cape or the rugged wilderness of the KwaZulu-Natal region there is something here to suit all tastes. From South Africa fly out to the remote island of Mauritius, a place that has become completely synonymous with secluded paradise. In both locations you have the luxury of choosing for a vast array of exclusive properties and resorts that will undoubtedly make you trip an unforgettable one.

For those searching for an Eastern flavour, you could consider a break in the stunning Maldives archipelago followed by a tour of India, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of New Delhi before moving on to Agra to bask in the grandeur and glory of one of the world’s truly great wonders, the Taj Mahal.

No matter where you choose to visit on your twin centre break one thing is for sure, that you will have experienced the most memorable and thoroughly joyous journey in your life. What makes a twin centre holiday so unique is that it works around you as opposed to so many other holiday formats that seem to dictate what you do and when. A twin centre holiday works for you, you can decide when and where you go and how long for, if you would rather, for example, hit the beach for you go on safari then it is easy to turn the itinerary on its head.

Today more and more people are becoming preoccupied with environmentally friendly travel or at least how to lessen the impact of their travel upon the environment. It is an irrefutable fact that (until an alternate means is resolved) international tourism will produce some carbon resonance.

Not wanting to sacrifice the exotic escapism of a luxury holiday, but conscious of its effects upon our planet the trend, or more like necessity, of new eco-resorts is taking off in a big way. Hotels, resorts and private island retreats are looking for new an innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure that the natural beauty upon which they and their industry thrives, is protected and preserved for generations to come.

So here is my selection of some of the most luxurious eco-resorts in the world; properties that endeavour through technology and teaching to slow down the effects of global warming.

Soneva Fushi, Maldives- The Maldives, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world has a need and a desire to go green because it is these low lying islands that could be amongst the first land masses to entirely succumb to the power of rising sea levels. With the highest part of the islands reaching only 2.4m above the Indian Ocean an increase in the height of the tides could have devastating effects. With this in mind, the Soneva Fushi Resort has been established to be an almost carbon neutral property, relying largely upon renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Located on the private Kunfunadhoo Island north of the capital of Malé, Soneva fushi is the epitome of barefoot elegance, quite literally; on arrival you will be given a bag for your shoes and during the rest of your stay will walk barefoot around the hotel along with the other staff and managers. With only 65 villas attention to detail and staff service is paramount here, the beautifully appointed lodges are nestled away amongst thick vegetation lending unrivalled privacy.

Cousine Island, Seychelles- Voted the ‘World’s Leading Green Destination’ at the 2010 World Travel Awards how could I ignore the sympathetic opulence of Cousine Island. A private nature reserve and conservation triumph. Only four couples at a time are accommodated on the island ensuring matchless levels of intimacy and seclusion. Your home will be one of the four neo-French colonial villas that have been carefully crafted into the landscape for minimal environmental impact; after all the island is home to one of the rarest birds in the world, the Seychelles Magpie Robin and two species of sea turtle. The guestbook reads ‘Nature conservation and rehabilitation are at the forefront of the activities’ and this is certainly true; become one with your environment, swimming, walking, diving and fishing

Bamurru Plains, Australia- Encounter a side of Australia that very few actually get to. The so called ‘Top- End’ of the country, the upper reaches of the Northern Territory have an awful lot to offer the open minded traveller, the friendly community of Darwin, Kakadoo, the nation’s oldest and first UNESCO approved National Park and miles of glorious unspoiled natural scenery. Situated on the coastal floodplains of the Mary River Delta, Bamuura takes a new approach and rugged wilderness luxury. Nine rustic and beautifully understated outback bungalows provide guests with a rustically chic experience.

Gayana Eco- Resort, Malaysia- Situated in Eastern Malaysia, off the shore of Borneo on Gaya Island, Gayana Resort exists to preserve and rejuvenate the area’s spectacular marine ecology and is the only such site in the world that boasts its own on site marine ecology research centre. 52 artfully constructed overwater bungalows allow guests to become truly attuned to the natural environment. Guests who want to experience the incredible beauty of the naturally restored corals can be guided through these ethereal fields by one of the resorts experienced diving team. With three dining experiences to enjoy, a spa and a host of complimentary activities, Gayana perfectly matches luxury and environmental sustainability.

A luxury Maldives holiday should be a holiday without restriction, without trouble, it should be a decadent paradise where relaxation is positively thrust upon you offering barefoot chic and white beaches everywhere you turn.

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.

Hi guys, after a busy christmas we thought that you should treat yourself to a well earned trip away. If you needed a place to relax then a luxury Maldives holiday is the perfect remedy to remove all the stresses and strains.

Soneva Gili in the Maldives is exactly what I’d prescribe for the perfect week away, the Six Senses resort offers relaxation on a whole new level including world class spa treatments along with exceptional views and tranquil settings. Set on the island of Lankanfushi the resort is the epitome of paradise, offering seclusion and privacy whilst still being a 15 minute boat ride to the capital Male.  A collection of 44 sea villas, Soneva GIli offer exclusivity as standard as soon as you arrive. The lagoon which surrounds the villas are some of the finest in the world with crystal clear water surrounding the resort like a incandescent halo removing the need for swimming pools as there is one on your doorstep.

A luxury Maldives holiday is not complete without meeting the locals, Soneva Gili has first class SCUBA diving areas with one of the most populated reefs in the grounds of the resort, here you can get back to nature seeing teems of wildlife cover the reef from schools of tropical fish to vibrant corals and reef dwellers.

After a morning of fish spotting the dining table is ready and waiting at your villa when you return, the catering and services team are some of the friendliest people you’re ever likely to meet, providing the finest in contemporary cuisine along with first class service and an infamous wine list. The resort grows a wide range of herbs and salad leaves giving an incredible aroma and freshness to every dish, whilst maintaining simple cooking with the finest ingredients.

Together the “hosts” (they are not called staff) provide a world class service creating a decedent ambience to match the surroundings unlike any other, each villa has a personal butler giving you the opportunity to request anything your heart desires and as far as they are aware, no one has been disappointed or left unfulfilled.

Overall a luxury holiday in the Maldives provides you with everything you need to have a perfect break, lifting a finger is practically prohibited giving you the opportunity to relax, put down the mobiles, laptops and PDA’s as these things can wait, the Maldives cannot.