Destinations of the World News
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TRAVELLING WITH KIDS IS USUALLY SOMETHING THAT STRIKES FEAR INTO THE HEARTS
of parents, who are plagued by nightmarish scenarios of screaming babies on planes, jet lag, lost teddy bears en route... It almost seems safer to stay at home, but that would be, to borrow a few of Julia Roberts’ words from Pretty Woman, “A big mistake. Big. Huge”. The standards of luxury travel are evolving at stratospheric speeds and pleasing families is now a top priority for clever hoteliers, cruise ship companies, airlines and tour operators, who are pulling out all stops to spoil your little ones. And this doesn’t mean simply unfolding a cot bed in your suite – it means setting up a mini teepee complete with a teddy bear and a hot chocolate at bedtime. It means bathrooms are stocked with child-friendly amenity kits with organic, chemical-free shampoo and bubble bath. It means that in addition to those seven fine-dining establishments and a luxurious spa, there’s also a fantastic kids’ club at
your Maldivian resort, brimming with toys, games and dedicated edutainment activities from tots right up to the teens – and personalised bicycles for the kids parked outside the villa. Travelling as a family used to mean luxury fell by the wayside, but not anymore, and as the mother of a four-year-old jet setter, it’s a trend I’m applauding. For there is no better way to broaden horizons and expand little minds than with travel, and why shouldn’t we do it in style? It’s little wonder then, I took such immense delight in editing this special 2017 Luxe Kids supplement. Inside, you will find inspiring child-friendly getaways to the world’s most beguiling destinations, from Tuscany to Thailand, incredible kids’ clubs from Courchevel to Kuwait, and for all the local residents, a feature dedicated to the best family-friendly hotels in the UAE for a summer staycation. I hope you enjoy the issue as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Wishing you and your little jet setters an exciting year of luxury travel.