How to holiday like you’re Insta-famous
OK, tell me how I can make it look
ultra luxe? Dubai radiates grandeur, so it’s not hard to get impressive shots: sunny stretches of flawless man-made white sand beaches, futuristic architecture dotting the skyline, and more luxury hotels and rooftop bars than you can shake a cocktail at. Let’s be honest – you’re going to want to bring your own influencer drone. Check in to the bargainous Rove Downtown Hotel, which has a rooftop pool, mini cinema and is steps away from Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s biggest malls with more than 1,200 stores and its own annual festival.
So what three shots do I NEED to get?
If you only do one thing while you’re there, make sure you join an Arabian Adventures tour, where they’ll drive you into the desert a few miles out of the city to go “dune-bashing” in giant 4x4s armoured with roll cages. You’ll eat dinner perched on colourful rugs, with camels and belly dancers as dinner guests. You’ll stop on top of the dunes at sunset for the best ’Gram opportunity of your life: just you surrounded by blue sky and endless red sand. No one has to know there are 100 other people just out of shot, getting the exact same #content. Dubai’s wildly modern skyline makes an excellent selfie backdrop, so for your second shot, head to Eve Penthouse & Lounge on the roof of the Hyatt Regency for tapas and bevs (get the ceviche and a Kiss Of The Dragon cocktail) just before the sun goes down. For dinner, go for Lebanese at Abd El Wahab in Pier 7 and look over the glimmering lights on the river.
And of course you’ll need a sparkling turquoise pool shot. Spend an afternoon at Atlantis The Palm’s Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark, where you’re spoiled for choice – get a snap of yourself floating on the lazy river, chilling in the pool under the palm trees, or zooming down a waterslide.
And when I’m not… influencing? Spend a lazy day at La Mer, the eclectic cove and shopping district bordering Jumeirah Beach, or take in some modern art performances at Alserkal Avenue. Hop on an abra (a wooden water taxi) across the Dubai Creek and head into Old Town to barter at the spice markets and gaze in awe at the gold souks, where you can get a sneaky shot for the ’Gram of you dripping in unbelievable solidgold jewellery (think medallions the size of your head). Also, get a day pass to Motiongate Dubai to scream your head off on the roller coasters (cleverly, most of them are indoors, away from the heat!).
MADDY ALFORD INCREASED HER FOLLOWING WITH SHOTS OF ROOFTOP BARS AND DESERT DUNES IN DUBAI
OK, what’s the news-feed update? Amàre Beach Hotel is your one-stop shop for getting a taste of the Ibiza lifestyle; you know, the one made famous by bronzedup, Loubi-clad influencers flaunting their pool-side bikini pics the world over. Start your day by getting ready in style in what we can only describe as your in-room aromatherapy shower. Yep. You are provided with Nespresso-like pods for your shower, which release the most luxurious scents while you wash. Warning: your bathroom back home may never quite be enough for you again.
Next, dress in your most ’Gram-worthy outfit and head up to Bellevue’s boujie rooftop (above) in time to watch the last rays of sunshine disappear. Cosy up on the wicker chairs, enjoy the live saxophone player (who’s got more moves than Bruno Mars) and order yourself The Tangerine, AKA the most photogenic cocktail on the menu. It’s a delicious fruity gin mix served in a decadent puffer-fish-shaped glass topped with edible petals – the perfect accessory for those candid shots. If Mr Saxobeat has put you in the mood for dancing, then catch a five-minute boat taxi (€3) from Amàre’s personal dock in the stunningly beautiful Bou Cove across to nightclubs like Es Paradis in San Antonio Bay.
So what three shots do I NEED to get? Good news: you don’t even need to leave your room for the perfect morning photo opp. Throw on the lush white dressing gown provided, make yourself a coffee and snap away in your personal hanging egg chair (above, right) – strategically placed by the window. (Be sure to book a sea-view room for optimum egg-chair-pic potential.)
Second, grab a delicious breakfast from the buffet at Mare Nostrum before heading out on an extraordinary tour with Take Off Ibiza (Takeoffibiza.com), which leaves from the dock. Try paddleboarding in the shallow blue waters, where you can dare yourself to stand up and pose/do your best not to fall off. Trust us, it takes more core strength than you’d imagine. Plus you’ll discover all the best, hidden places to come back to for a more private dip (and photoshoot) later on. Finally, you haven’t really visited Amàre unless you’ve captured the money shot: lounging in a pool. There are three to choose from, but really, the rooftop infinity pool is The One. Remember: back to the camera, gazing out to sea. Yep, nailed it.
And when I’m not… influencing? Take a 10-minute stroll down the road to Can Pujol, a quaint little seafood restaurant with tables right on the beach. Kick off your flip-flops, and with the sand between your toes, order the seafood paella. You might want to rustle up some mates because the portions are so big you could feed the entire Kardashian family and their children. Make sure you try the “aipebre” too – it’s a hearty mixed fish stew with super-tender octopus and spicy potatoes, the perfect way to line your stomach before your upcoming night out. The morning after said night out, book a Serenity Concept Ritual treatment back at the hotel – an ultra-relaxing, sleepinducing massage that’s #dreamyAF.
JESSICA LOCKETT #LIVINGHERBESTLIFE AT AMÀRE HOTEL, SANT JOSEP DE SA TALAIA, IBIZA
JENNIFER SAVIN PARTIED HARD ON A SEVEN-DAY SAILING EXTRAVAGANZA AROUND ATHENS, GREECE, FOR THE YACHT WEEK
How can I get the yacht-girl life for real? Gather together a group of pals for a week-long trip on board an actual, genuine yacht, circling Athens, with plenty of organised parties and day trips thrown in for good measure. Sounds incredible? That’s because it is. The best way to describe The Yacht Week set-up is that it’s akin to glamping, but on water. Worth noting: there’s a chance you could end up sharing a fairly small cabin, depending on group size, so pick your friends wisely. You can either book a two-person cabin on board a 12-person yacht and let The Yacht Week fill up the rest with an equal mix of guys and girls, or book an entire boat. If you need help filling it, or a member drops out, you can advertise open spots via a nifty “crew finder” function. Travelling solo? You can use the website to check for free spots. This trip’s definitely one for social butterflies, as you’ll also travel around with other yachts throughout the duration of your sun-dappled holiday.
So what three shots do I NEED to get? We all know the money shot here involves lounging faux-casually across the deck in a neon bikini with a glass of bubbly in hand. This is easily achieved. Not least because you could end up sharing a boat with up to 12 others (plus staff), meaning there are plenty of people on hand to capture you at your most regal.
The near-daily island stop-offs themselves offer picture-perfect fodder too: think quaint white-walled and blue-shuttered houses in the port town of Ermioni, or a mountaintop quad-bike moment in Poros. You’ll spend an afternoon in celebrity-favourite Nikki Beach Club too, which again provides plenty of fierce photo opportunities.
Lastly, but definitely not least, one of the trip’s highlights is when all the yachts form a flotilla (a big circle with giant inflatables in the middle), crank up the speakers and generally set the stage for an iconic jumping-in snap. Not only will this provide Hadidlevel social-media kudos, but it’s also a cracking way to clear your hangover from the night before (trust us, you will be feeling rough… cocktail-induced nausea takes on a whole new form at sea).
And when I’m not… influencing? Clamber up on deck, slather on your SPF and work your way through a good book while you cruise the Aegean Sea. If you can afford it, we recommend booking a yacht host too (it costs around £650, but this can be split between all 12 of you on board). They’ll whip up delicious (and again – here’s the clincher – insanely Insta-worthy) meals for your whole gang. Request Cara, who made us everything from French toast to tapas spreads at a gourmet level, all in the impressively compact yacht kitchen. Not only will you be sailing like a king, but you can easily eat like one too. ◆