Well not everyone
is as lucky as we Malaysians and not have to deal with winter. But then
we have our monsoon season so perhaps these suggestions could also
apply.
WHETHER it’s a lazy beach holiday you’re after, a family getaway
that will keep everyone happy, or an anticipatory, post-holiday detox
vacation from the 8lbs (3.63kg) of turkey and fixings you plan to
ingest, here’s a selection of sun-soaked travel ideas that can help you
escape the cold clutches of winter.
The most romantic place for playing nookie
Island seclusion. That’s what you’re looking for. You want to head
to a remote corner of the world with your loved one for the chance to
escape the madness of the holidays, the cruelty of winter, and the
monotony of everyday life. There is perhaps no better place to reconnect
with your partner than Bora Bora, which Travel + Leisure magazine named the world’s most romantic island for 2013.
Overwater bungalows suspended above turquoise waters offer couples
an intimate milieu with nothing but the sound of gentle waves to lull
couples to sleep – or otherwise – while miles of quiet beaches also
offer a sense of privacy. Resorts to try: St. Regis Bora Bora Resort or
the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.
Detoxing the body of turkey, bonbons, and everything in between
You anticipate a gluttonous, maybe even debaucherous holiday season
of turkey, butter-soaked mashed potatoes, bottomless boxes of chocolate
bonbons and egg nog. And despite good intentions, you’ve never been able
to resist temptation: you know this year will be no different.
Why not just accept this calorific fate and book a post-holiday
detox vacation that will cleanse your body of fatty, alcoholic toxins
under the Balinese sun? The Golden Rock Retreat offers 4, 7 and 10-day
programs that involve drinking body-flushing broth teas, fresh papaya or
coconut juice, liver-cleansing shakes and massages in beachfront
bungalows or villas (http://theretreatbali.com).
Lounging on the most beautiful beach in the world
The people have spoken. In TripAdvisor’s latest 2013 Traveler’s
Choice Beach Awards, Rabbit Beach on Lampedusa island on the
southernmost tip of Italy was voted the most beautiful in the world by
millions of users. The remote outpost emerged as a favourite for its
white sandy, pristine beaches and sweeping views of the Mediterranean
coastline, described as “paradise on earth.”
Get the Latin feeling
You’re not the all-inclusive, beach lounger-type. You’d rather soak
in some culture and history while you’re soaking in the sun. Consider
planning a trip of enlightenment to Quito, Ecuador, described as the
cradle of ancient pre-Incan history and recently named South America’s
leading tourist destination at the World Travel Awards South and Central
America, an event known as the Oscars of the travel industry.
Just in time to coincide with their 35th anniversary as a Unesco
World Heritage Site, the Ecuadorian capital was highlighted as the next
great destination in the region, stealing the spotlight from contenders
like Rio de Janeiro, Lima and Buenos Aires. Founded on the ruins of an
Inca city and tucked between Andean volcanoes, Quito is described as a
freeze-frame in time, boasting the best-preserved historic centre in
Latin America.
Post-holidays silent treatment
You swear some years your jaw’s gone unhinged from all the small
talk, polite banter, catching up and gossip during the holidays. You
anticipate the need for serenity and tranquillity once the festive
season is over. Recover at The Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage
in Chaiya, Thailand, which has hosted more than 22,000 visitors looking
for peace and quiet. And we mean real quiet.
Beginning on the first day of every month, the centre organizes a
10-day silent meditation retreat that teaches participants how to
meditate using the power of silence. This is a no-frills retreat, where
visitors sleep on a simple straw mat, wooden pillow with a blanket and
mosquito net. Obviously, there is a no-phone policy (www.suanmokkh-idh.org).
Child-friendly family getaway
Whoever coined the saying ‘happy wife, happy life,’ obviously didn’t
have 11-year-olds. Or teenagers. Or kids for that matter. Because every
parent knows that family vacations are actually run by micro cartels of
kids who rule with the force of whines and tantrums.
According to TripAdvisor users, the luxury, condominium-style
accommodations at the Floridays Resort Orlando is the best hotel for
families in the United States. The property is strategically located
near Walt Disney Resort, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort, and
shuttles will transport guests to and from the parks (www.floridaysresortorlando.com). – AFP Relaxnews
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