Life is short, so make the most of it by travelling to your dream destinations and long-coveted travel experiences. Here are five to consider.
Jordan
When it comes to making an entrance, nothing can top walking up the narrow stone path chiselled through pink-hued cliffs to The Siq, where Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, reveals itself in all its breathtaking grandeur. The Treasury is the best-known site at Petra, a 39-metre high façade carved into a sandstone wall thousands of years ago as a tomb for one of the Nabataean kings. Petra also boasts the Mars-like desert landscape of Wadi Rum where you can sleep in a Bedouin camp or go for a camel ride. Plus you can float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, and explore the exciting and culturally fascinating city of Ammann.
Patina Maldives
With its enchanting lagoon, parade of sea life and a swathe of palm trees, Patina Maldives is an idyllic and heavenly escape. Located in the Fari islands of North Malé Atoll, a 45-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, Patina Maldives has 90 exquisite one-, two- and three-bedroom beach and water villas, as well as 20 Fari Studios. Swim or snorkel with turtles and a painter’s palette of striking fish species before relaxing in a deck chair by the resort pool, at your villa or on the beach. Learn to free dive, go surfing, catch the breeze on a sunset cruise or a private charter, or go kayaking or stand up paddle boarding – at your own pace and in your own time.
Egypt and the Nile
Immerse in the land of the pharaohs and archaeological treasures on a 10-day luxury Small Group Journey with Abercrombie & Kent. Explore inside one of the pyramids, view the Great Sphinx and in the Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage site, go into the tomb of King Tut. Board the elegant Sanctuary Sun Boat IV for a four-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, then go to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. All with the expertise of an expert A&K Egyptologist.
Lizard Island
The water is a kaleidoscope of colour, as fish in shades of blue and orange and red and yellow and green shimmy past. Then there is the coral, with its various shapes and hues just adding to the beauty. This is the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the jewel in Australia’s crown, and the best way to experience it is by staying at Lizard Island. The northernmost resort on the 2,300km reef, Lizard Island has 40 opulent rooms, suites and villas with personalised service and exquisite dining. Laze on private beaches, swim with turtles, visit the coral reef research station, go for a hike up to Cook’s Look, and take full advantage of your access to the world’s largest coral reef system.
All aboard the Venice-Simplon Orient Express
Step aboard the elegant Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and it’s like returning to the golden days of travel when glamorous movie stars, suave diplomats and the odd spy or two, donned their tux and satins for cocktail hour and dinner on the iconic train. Today the one of a kind train still has that sophisticated aura of glamour and mystique, whether you pull up those fine linen sheets in one of six award-winning grand suites with 24-hour butler service and free flowing champagne or an historic twin cabin, on the trip of a lifetime from Venice to London. Belmond has recently added eight new suites with private marble ensuite bathrooms as well as a lounge area that can be converted to either a double or twin beds, by night.
