A shiny new year is here, and with it comes the opportunity for exciting adventures across the globe, from postcard-perfect beaches to magnificent mountains, and beyond.
If you’re wondering where on earth to begin, don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you, with a regular series that showcases the most incredible destinations in the world for 2023.
It may have been a while since your last big adventure, but with luxury travel experts Carrier, you know you’ll be in safe hands for curated experiences in over 70 destinations worldwide. Known for their attentive and bespoke service, you’ll have access to a portfolio of noteworthy hotels, plus a desire to take guests beyond their immediate surroundings and help them connect with communities, individuals and each other for exceptional experiences.
We’re kicking off with the best secret escapes, ideal for those seeking peace and tranquillity this year. Your journey starts here…
In partnership with Carrier
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Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
Spread across 500 acres of coastline and hills on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a haven of space, silence and seclusion. There is something for everyone here – enjoy heavenly treatments such as the Drift Away massage in the cliffside spa, sip a nightcap in the aptly-named Rum Room stocked with 107 different brands from around the world, or simply relax on the beautiful crescent beach. More energetic guests can opt for a game of tennis or a workout in the state-of-the-art fitness centre.
GoldenEye, Jamaica
Once home to James Bond author, Ian Fleming, GoldenEye has been extended into a collection of huts, cottages and villas ingenuously scattered to make you feel you have arrived in your own personal idyll. Breakfasts of caramel-sweet bananas and local pineapple can be found at Bizot, the laid-back, waterside restaurant where pillars are wallpapered with posters of Bob Marley, Millie Grace Jones and other music icons, while supper at the Gazebo restaurant presents you with the most succulent just-caught lobster and fresh salad leaves. New addition, Villa Vesper, sleeps 10 for the ultimate group trip.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Surrounded by impossibly turquoise waters, this Four Seasons’ impeccable property has 100 overwater bungalows perched on stilts that feature traditional Polynesian teak furnishings, an oversized bathtub – large enough for two – and a glass panel in the floor to watch the fish swim by. You can choose various views, but we recommend splashing out on a room facing Mount Otemanu, the magnificent remnant of an extinct volcano. The hotel can also organise candlelit dinners on a nearby deserted island, so you can live the castaway dream.
Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond Hotel, Italy
A beloved bolthole of 19th-century writers such as Truman Capote, Oscar Wilde and DH Lawrence (who is said to have written Lady Chatterley’s Lover here), Belmond’s Grand Hotel Timeo is home to the Literary Terrace – a tranquil, elegant spot from which to sip a limoncello with panoramic views of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. There’s also a complimentary shuttle service to the beautiful Bay of Mazzarò, should you wish to enjoy a sunlit stroll along the beach belonging to the hotel’s sister property, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea.
The Galapagos Islands with Silversea
Silversea’s new Silver Origin has been created especially for reaching the famed Galapagos Islands, and boasts environmentally friendly technology to ensure minimal impact on the diverse landscape. By day, you’ll set off by Zodiac for magical on-shore excursions with the chance to see incredible creatures such as giant tortoises, lava lizards, sea lions and penguins. In the evenings, return to the ship to enjoy authentic Ecuadorian cuisine at two onboard restaurants.
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia
Built amongst 10-million-year-old trees that stretch up to 150ft, you’ll need a head for heights to traverse the elevated walkways at the Datai Langkawi. Recent refurbishments have bolstered the property’s focus on sustainability further, including an organic garden that grows turmeric, lemongrass, papayas and more. For off the beaten track wildlife encounters, you can join the resident naturalist and explore the footpaths of the dense forest.
qualia, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Situated on the northernmost tip of Hamilton Island, qualia is an excellent base from which to test out a remarkable range of over 65 activities to keep the whole family entertained, from golf to parasailing. The hotel is surrounded by the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef and offers uninterrupted views across the Whitsundays. Beaches are pristine with natural silica sand and turquoise water – you can cruise around in the hotel’s luxury 55 foot motor yacht, Palm Beach, designed for the exclusive use of guests and skippered and hosted by an expert crew.
Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles
With massive granite boulders fringing the shoreline and picture-perfect beaches, the unspoiled private island of Félicité in the Seychelles is a dramatic setting for the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort. An oasis of serenity, seamlessly blending contemporary design with the atoll’s natural beauty, the property is made up of 30 villas and 17 private residences, plus six distinctive dining and bar venues. A highlight of any Six Senses resort is of course the spa, which is spread over 19,000 square feet and boasts an open-air saltwater swimming pool.
Mandarin Oriental Canouan, The Grenadines
The Caribbean’s Mandarin Oriental Canouan is making waves as a resort that offers holidaymakers the chance to kick off their shoes and attain new heights of rest and relaxation in breathtaking surrounds. Suites and villas are designed with natural materials of cool marble and dark wood, and offer panoramic views of the mesmerising turquoise lagoon. You’ll find a whole host of dining options too, including the Shell Beach Bar & Grill where you can sip a smoothie just steps from the sugar white sands.
Grecotel Corfu Imperial, Corfu
The glamorous Grecotel Corfu Imperial lives up to its regal name with stylish interiors including marble fixtures, hand-painted murals on the walls and baroque furnishings. Privacy-seekers will love the hotel’s rooms and bungalows, many of which come with their own swimming pools, shaded by cypress and palm trees. After a day soaking up the sun on one of the three private beaches, you can unwind further in the Elixir Spa or wine and dine in a wide selection of restaurants, including the fine-dining venue Aristos where the speciality is lobster ravioli.
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