We find the year’s hottest holidays
THE return of the resort looks set to be the story of summer. Hilton says online searches for its most luxurious resorts are rising faster than for standalone e hotels. otes.
It seems we want to lose ose ourselves in wide open spaces and choose between more than one pool and place to eat when we’re away. Places such as Hilton’s Lindian Village Beach Resort on Rhodes, where searches are up
145 per cent in a year, are re great examples.
Explore its grounds to find a private beach, spa and kids’ club plus eight bars and restaurants including a gelateria and food truck on the sand. There’s also plenty going on, from stargazing, wine-tasting and cocktail-making sessions to yoga, Greek cookery and fitness classes.
RELAX
It’s the same at the Sandals resorts we feature on pages 4-5. Friends who are repeat Sandals guests say they relax the moment they arrive (not least because in Barbados they upgraded to get a private transfer in a Rolls-Royce and ‘in-suite check-in’ worthy of the stars of Succession). They also rave about the Maldives-style water bungalows and ‘butler suites’ of their first Sandals stay on St Lucia.
Also winning fans in time for summer are ‘second cities’. Hilton’s research resear says we’re keen to shake sha off the crowds by choosing ch hotels in quieter Rotterdam R over alwaysbusy Amsterdam (just as we suggested in April’s Check In) and in Cannes C over Paris. But Paris is still set to have hav an extraordinary Olympic Olym summer. On page 8 we showcase a stress-free way to share the excitement. It’s a luxurious and all-inclusive river cruise with Scenic, where guests are joined by legendary gold medal winners Sir Steve Redgrave and Daley Thompson.
HOLIDAY SECRETS
Another way to travel like a VIP is to take a private rather than a group tour. These are the holiday secrets that let couples, families or groups of friends see some of the world’s more adventurous or off-the-beatenpath destinations, with every hotel, transfer, private guide and local expert arranged in advance.
Turn to page 8 to see how these holidays work in destinations such as India and Sri Lanka, and how the private tour experts at Trailfinders can pull together magical holidays across Asia, Africa, South and Central America and beyond. Ever dreamed of a Kenyan safari, a holiday to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands or Costa Rica with just your favourite people at your side? A private tour could be the way to do it. Enjoy!