It’s never too late to jet off on a luxury holiday to some far flung corner and with the last few flickers of summer sun behind us why not indulge in a little extra warmth this autumn with an impromptu break. October is a fantastic month in which to travel, a period of transition in many areas in marks the shift from humid summer heat to cooler drier temperatures in South East Asia for example and in the southern hemisphere it is now that the days are beginning to grow longer and warmer. Marking a fantastic shift between the off and peak seasons October can in many instances promise an enviable compromise between better weather, fewer crowds and quite often cheaper prices.

South Africa- October is a fine time to visit South Africa particularly the Western Cape, with summer just on the cusp of blooming into a succession of long, warm and cloudless days. Although the best months for game viewing are considered to be behind us ample opportunity still exists in the many game reserves and parks around the country. The beaches of Durban, the Garden Route and Cape Town are beginning to fill up again and this month also coincides with the spectacular migration of the Southern Right Whale along the Cape south coast.

Vietnam- One of Asia’s most geographically diverse and culturally fascinating destinations, Vietnam has in the last few decades emerged from the ranks of the backpacker’s right of passage to a more mainstream  tourist destination, though still retaining a definite air of mystique and wonder. October is one of the best times to visit Vietnam which experiences across its variant territories of highlands, dense forest, valleys, coastlines and flat plateaus a rather mercurial climate. October usually provides a cooler and less humid atmosphere with much less chance of rain than during the thunderous summer months. With such sites as the stunning Ha Long Bay and capital of Ha Noi and the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang and the ancient city of Ho Chi Minh geographically polarised at either end of the country prioritising what parts of Vietnam you want to see most is essential. The islands and Southern coastal retreats of Vietnam boast some of the country’s most impressive accommodation; the likes of the Six Senses Con Dao and its sister property in Ninh Van Bay as well as the Evason Ana Mandara in Nha Trang offer visitors the ideal escape.

Mauritius- The perennial romance island; Mauritius has become synonymous with glamour and luxury and island that seems to epitomise barefoot chic but with a relative infrastructure that makes getting around a breeze. Avoiding the French school holidays (as a popular destination for Gaelic families) and the more blustery winds of July and August, October is an ideal month to travel to Mauritius. Renowned for the beaches that fringe its rugged coastline Mauritius is the perfect beach break destination and is particularly favoured by water sports and diving enthusiasts. Stalwarts of the hospitality and hotel industry that have already established leading resorts on the island include The Residence, One&Only, Heritage, Four Seasons and Constance.

Australia- Although it may seem like a world away really Australia has never been so accessible. Similar to South Africa the cooler temperatures that bathe the Southern coast of the country have already begun to abate by October promising pleasant and warm days in which to explore some of Australia’s greatest sights. From fabulous shopping in Melbourne to the iconic landmarks of Sydney there is an inordinate amount to see and do in Australia and personally I would recommend a more intimate exploration of a few key aspects rather than attempting a whistle stop tour of a much broader area. From the Winelands of New South Wales and Victoria to the charm of Perth and unspoiled beauty of Western Australia or the dense forests of Northern Queensland there is something here for everyone. Temperatures in the north of the country are usually perennially stable though by October will be starting to reach the mid to high 20s (around 80F).

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.

Mark Twain once said that a game of golf was a good walk spoiled, but there is no denying that today the ol’ pitch and putt is one of the most popular leisure activities on the planet. Once seen as the pass time of the retired and aging golf has a global market and has produced recognised celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson and old masters such as Jack Nicklaus.

Today golf is an international industry worth billions of pounds a year and therefore it is no wonder that luxury holidays centred around golfing activities have become so widely available.

Combining a luxury holiday with a golfing program is an easy and enjoyable way to explore a foreign clime whilst immersing yourself in the gentleman’s game. Some of the most well established and popular tourist destinations around the world also entertain considerable reputations as havens for golfing enthusiasts, meaning that a golf holiday can also appeal to other halves or family members not interested in the sport.

New Zealand, as I seem to incessantly emphasise, is a wonderful luxury holiday destination; boasting a wide ranging topography, incredibly welcoming people and a past that is sure to fascinate and engross even the most subdued historian. New Zealand’s love affair with golf can perhaps be attributed to the country’s long standing relationship with Britain, where the sport was born but today the nation itself boasts a hatful of world class professionals including the championship winning and ever popular Michael Campbell. One of the most famed courses in New Zealand is at Kauri Cliffs, just north of the Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is a fantastic area to stay in with a variety of established resorts and hotels. Another of the countries most famed courses also nestles on the coastline of the North Island just south of Napier, close to the popular area of Hawke’s Bay. All in all New Zealand has around 35 plus championship standard golf courses and combined with the breath taking scenery, particularly some of the links (coastal) courses.

South Africa is another of the world’s great tourist hotspots. Perhaps most famous for the juxtaposition of bustling metropolitan centres like Johannesburg and Cape Town against the rugged safari wilderness of the KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape regions; South Africa has a long and fruitful history in golf and is home to some of the best courses in the world. Some of the most famous names in golf including Ernie Els, Gary Player, Retief Goosen and Trevor Immleman are all of South African nationality and their obsession with the sport continues today. The country’s most renowned course is perhaps the Gary Player designed Leopard Creek, situated just outside the Kruger National Park. Innovative landscaping separates player from beast although water hazards may include a hippo or two. Player has had a significant impact upon the golfing scene in South Africa and the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City is also considered as one of the best and most challenging courses in the world.

The first thing that you may think of when considering the Caribbean may not well be golf, but this region of the world has well worn love affair with the sport which continues today. From the Dominican Republic excellent Casa de Campo to the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda (though not technically in the Caribbean) wherever you go in the Caribbean it is a guarantee that you will not be far from a world class golf course. Figured as one of the best examples on the planet, Royal Westmoreland in Barbados is a stunning course located on the West coast of the island north of Bridgetown. Flanked on either side by some of the best accommodation on Barbados including Cobbler’s Cove and The Sandpiper there is no excuse not to tee off you luxury holiday with a visit to Westmoreland.

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.

After the hangover of the Christmas and New Year celebrations a lot of us are in the mood for a little pick-me-up and how better to chase away those winter blues than with a luxury holiday to an exotic location. From African safaris to Australasian adventures, winter breaks are no longer favoured exclusively by snowboard or ski enthusiasts, as more and more couples and families look to revitalise mind, body and soul with a luxury escape to a far flung clime. Particularly popular are vacations to the southern hemisphere where, due to opposing seasonal patterns, the days are longer, warmer and brighter.

With one of the most stable annual climates anywhere in the world the Seychelles truly are a year round destination. Boasting golden sandy beaches, turquoise waters and rich coral reefs, above or below the waves, the Seychelles offers unrivalled beauty and vibrancy. An archipelago of 115 separate islands, the Seychelles offer a fantastically diverse and eclectic collection of ecosystems, ideal conditions for scuba diving or snorkelling, beautiful people and even more beguiling geography, as luxury winter sun destinations go, the Seychelles has to be considered as one of the most idyllic

From the quiet of the Indian Ocean to the hustle and bustle of Africa’s most metropolitan and fashionable city, Cape Town is a colourful and captivating place to escape the winter depression. In the midst of the South African summer temperatures often in remain the mid to high 20s offering fantastic conditions to get out and explore the stunning landscape which encompasses the city. From the trendy Victoria and Albert Waterfront to the views aloft of Table Mountain, there is always something to do and to see in the city. Immerse yourself in local or international cultural events in one of the many theatres or playhouses, dine in a world renowned restaurant or simply relax in a hotel fit for a king, the choice is entirely yours. Cape Town’s close proximity to the Western Cape also makes it the perfect place from which to tour the region’s stunning coastal towns such as Hermanus or Plettenberg Bay.

Sydney has to be one of the most welcoming and warm cities in the world. Although in the winter temperatures can fall dramatically, in the height of the Australian Summer, Sydney is a wonderful place to be. Walk the famous broadways of Pitt or George Street, lounge amongst the parks of fashionable Darwin Harbour or dine at one of its high class eateries or even enjoy a thrilling harnessed walk quite literally over Sydney Harbour Bridge. From the golden pinnacle of the Sydney Tower, the beauty of the botanical gardens or the stunning architecture of Sydney Opera House there is so much to absorb in this city. The excellent public transport links make it easy to tour the wide ranging suburbs. From the famous sands of Bondi beach, to the grandeur of the Blue Mountains only an hour by train, the only problem when visiting Sydney is deciding what to do next

One of the world’s offshore financial capitals, the Cayman Islands is fast becoming known for a lot more than a haven for tax free investment. Made up of three distinctive islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, the region is a true Caribbean paradise, offering some of the most picturesque beaches, stunning lagoons and vibrant coral gardens anywhere in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman is the largest and most populous of the three islands, it offers a fantastic tourist experience with sights such as stingray city Marine Park and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Gardens. Both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac provide the ideal escape from the stresses of the modern world, enjoying a slower pace of life (relative to Grand Cayman anyway) Little Cayman has become established as a premier destination for snorkelling and diving. Home to some of the most renowned resorts in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands promise a relaxing, rejuvenating and resplendent escape.

As a glorious beach hideaway, Mozambique may not be the first place that comes to mind, but the East African nation is quickly burnishing a reputation as one of the continent’s most desirable coastal locations. Both the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos offer fantastic beach holidays, with the unspoiled and secluded islands a perfect retreat. From the opulence of the Bengeurra Lodge or the Medjumbe Private Island to the peerless luxury of Vamizi Island you can explore the fantasies of a real Robinson Crusoe-esque experience. Get lost in the beauty and mystery of a place which is slowly revealing itself as one of the world’s best kept tourist destinations.