Looking for ideas for your next travel adventure?
Here are our top picks for 2022…
GREECE
A consistent feature on our “safe and easy to travel to” list has cemented Greece as a firm favourite for 2021 and 2022.
Beautiful blue sea and sky, pretty villages, fabulous food and hosts that welcome you with open arms. Greece works as a beach holiday between May and October. April and November can still be warm but the smaller islands, hotels and tavernas tend to close up for the winter!
We have a superb range of recommendations for Greece, many of which we have visited personally.
The Ikos resorts in Halkidiki, Corfu and Kos offer a superb all inclusive program, truly 5 star. Perfect for families of all ages and whilst tag in high season is punchy - when balanced with the standard of the inclusions it makes good sense.
Super slick and ever stylish Sani is ever popular with lovers of luxury
The Domes family of properties have two excellent adult only properties in Corfu and Chania, for those looking for summer holiday without little ones! In Chania Domes Noruz has a very cool vibe, with a sushi and Champagne bar, yoga on the deck and some stunning architecture - where Dome Miramare in Corfu has a more mature personality, effortlessly stylish in the former home of Aristotle Onassis.
The Olivar Suites in Corfu is a brand new opening in 2021 which has wowed us with its subtle boutique take on luxury whilst staying true to its Corfiot roots.
Good quality villa rentals are plentiful across the whole of Greece, they tend to be contemporary in style and are often in small local villages so you can truly live like a local!
Some of our personal favourites are the small independently owned, 5-10 bedroom hotels. We just love the informality and the open house welcome they provide. Cute, cool, classy or sassy we have lots of these little gems up our sleeve!
Jamaica
2021 sees the long awaited release of the new James Bond film ‘No Time to Die,’ much of which was filmed in Jamaica. The Bond books and films have close links the island, with Ian Fleming having written the first James Bond story while living there. Today you can even stay in the author’s villa, Golden Eye – something Richard did last year and raved about the experience.
Jamaica’s scenery is stunning and there is much to experience beyond the beach. This is one of the more culturally interesting islands of the Caribbean – you can’t fail to fall in love with sights, sounds and reggae beats. Add to that direct flights and accommodation that ranges from small, authentic and quirky to ultra-luxury… you have a recipe for the perfect holiday.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
After a couple of years of feeling cooped up we’ve been dreaming of the great outdoors.
The Australian Outback, The Great Rift Valley, The Grand Canyon - all provided by mother nature herself!
Travelling to iconic wilderness is by definition sometimes a challenge - but that’s exactly why we’re going right - to be far from the madding crowds, to sit in silence disconnected from technology, looking at the theatre of stars overhead without the pollution of urban glow.
Cruises for the next generation
Cruise ships are working hard to attract a new generation of passengers. The image of cruising as the realm of older travellers is changing fast, especially with Virgin entering the market. Catering strictly for adults, the emphasis on Virgin Voyages is clubbing, gigs and spa treatments. Not for everyone - but very definitely breaking the mould!
Meanwhile Celebrity Cruises are rising to the challenge with award-winning new ships that bring private plunge pools to luxurious cabins.
Huge investments have been made to meet the “Safety at Sea” maritime regulations for Co-Vid protection - the rules are international and will mean that cruise lines operate consistently at a level of safety and prevention well above what will be required for land based hotel who are of course governed by their local requirements only.
Big new ships, all trying to re engage with new and exiting customers alike mean pricing will be at the keenest it has been for sometime!
Could 2022 be the year of the cruise?