Venture off the grid and get set for a Greek islands escape that defies clichés. Tucked away in the lush mountains of western Crete, this deserted seventeenth-century settlement has transformed into an eco-friendly paradise.
Each stone cottage has been delicately restored and features a small garden or balcony, elegant handmade furniture and a fireplace or wood-burning stove to stave off the winter chills. Leave your gadgets at home and prepare to disconnect – there are no in-room TVs or power outlets, giving you precious time to recharge.
Soak up the fresh air on a tranquil hike through the hills, sample a glass of wine from the local winery and enjoy the solitude. At night, dig into a delectable candlelit spread of organic homegrown Cretan delights and bask in the glow of the star-speckled sky.
Opt out of Noumea’s fancy hotels and expensive restaurants and head north to immerse yourself in Kanak culture by staying with a local tribe for a night. Situated about a 30 minute-drive from the busy hum of the seaside village, Hienghène, the Tiendanite tribe is nestled out in the wilderness and it’s a sight to behold.
You’ll be greeted by your host, Bernard, among a tangled mess of green towering trees and blooming taro bushes, bright pink bougainvillea and clusters of fat yellow pamplemousse (grapefruit). The accommodation is a small wooden cabin, furnished with twin mattresses on the floor, and fitted with a power point and a single light. It’s quaint but comfortable, and the disconnect from your usual creature comforts frees up time to enjoy your lush surrounds.
Sit down to a feast of locally sourced food for dinner – think fish caught straight from the river and homegrown vegetables. During the day, discover the history of the Tiendanite tribe on a walk around the grounds with Bernard, learn to fish for freshwater prawns or master the art of harvesting yams.
Early mornings are all part of the experience at this understated luxury getaway on the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in remotest Western Australia. The heat makes the hours just after dawn the most comfortable for the activities: driving along beaches looking for turtle tracks, fishing for barramundi on uncharted estuaries or for GT and Spanish mackerel out to sea, taking the boat along the coastline spotting local residents from saltwater crocs to dugongs, or cruising over the dramatic landscape in a helicopter.
Twenty individual lodges are built along sand dunes. Each is decorated with restrained elegance, and has its own sensational outdoor bathroom. The views out over the ocean are stunning, and, when the sun is high in the sky, beneath the shade cloth on the private balcony reading or contemplating the wilderness is the place to be. There’s a pool at the main lodge, where meals created from the best ingredients sourced from around the world are served.
The highlight of any trip to the lodge – if you take away the seaplane transfer from Kununurra – is the river cruise that meanders between soaring red cliffs to Casuarina Falls, where guests can step out on to the rocks and under the torrent of water to cool down.
Robinson Crusoe eat your heart out. This enchanting tree house, 10 kilometres from Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, is an architectural wonder that seamlessly blends island living with the natural environment. The house is built in and around a giant banyan tree and is furnished with home comforts made exclusively from natural materials and fibre.
Take a swing in a hanging bamboo chair and climb a ladder to the loft bedroom, where you’ll wake to birdsong under a canopy of natangora leaves. Feast on a breakfast smorgasbord of fruit and freshly laid eggs, courtesy of the rainforest garden and its resident chickens.
Some say it’s one of the most beautiful places in the States, and with good reason. Yellowstone National Park consists of almost 900,000 hectares of lakes, canyons, rivers, ranges and some pretty wild geothermal action with a generous side of grizzlies, wolves, bison and other creatures. On its eastern edge, where Montana borders Wyoming and about 50 kilometres from Old Faithful Geyser, you’ll find this glorious campsite.
You can choose from a variety of tents; take the suite option and enjoy your own indoor bathroom with freestanding tub, timber deck and wood-burning stove all in a secluded location with uninterrupted views of the landscape. During the day you can choose from a range of activities, from horse-riding to hiking, fly-fishing to mountain-biking, all of which can be organised by the hosts.
Perched above the waters of Humpy Cove on a private island near Anchorage in Alaska is a string of cool yurts. Each has its own timber deck overhanging the bay and, even if you never venture further than here, you’ll still be stunned by the surroundings. Harbour seals frolic in the cove and porpoises feed here, otters and Steller sea lions are frequent guests to the area and, during spawning season, black bears can be spotted fishing for salmon.
Each of the yurts is fully kitted out with a kitchen (although you need to bring all your food for your visit), private shower and a barbecue out on the deck. During the day, jump in a kayak and watch out for Willy, as killer whales frequent the waters year-round. You can also take out skiffs and stand-up paddleboards. Take a walk through the forests, bait a line to try and catch your dinner, go tide-pooling on the shore or take in the breathtaking scenes on a cruise.
If you’re driving up the famous 101 freeway along the central Californian coast, the landmark Madonna Inn is hard to miss, and downright impossible to pass up.
A bizarre mix of Wild West bordello, Fred Flintstone’s cave and the Playboy mansion, Madonna Inn features rooms fitted out with unique themes, including kitsch details such as mounted buffalo heads, old prairie wagons, bold animal prints and showers (and urinals) carved out of rock. Try one of the trio of merry-go-round themed rooms for a whimsical slumber that’s sure to induce sweet dreams.
You know a cave hotel is the real deal when you wake to find ceiling rock crumbling over the bed. Hezen’s elegant rooms have been fashioned out of the ancient caves that pockmark Cappadocia, and you can still very much feel the rocky atmosphere.
Each alcove and shelf has been hand carved with pockets of light accentuating the rock detail. Multiple terraces provide the perfect vantage point for enjoying the dramatic scenery, with views out across Ortahisar Castle. Located out of the tourist hub, this petite hotel has a homely atmosphere and is a Cappadocian experience in itself.
Ever dreamed of downing your morning coffee with a whale frolicking in the foreground? That can be your reality when you wake up at this secluded gem. Tiny but beautiful Fofoa Island, part of the Vava’u group, plays host to The Beach House, an eco-friendly bungalow that sleeps up to five people in two bedrooms, each with its own private balcony.
In the evening, cook up the catch of the day and eat on the overwater deck as the sun goes down. The house is a 45-minute boat ride from the main town of Neiafu and overlooks the Blue Lagoon. While you’re there, jump in with or watch humpback whales (the season lasts from July to October), spot turtles, join a Tongan feast, go fishing and kayak to uninhabited sanctuaries.
Live like a Thai king in this clifftop castle overlooking the Andaman Sea. Clinging to a headland on Phuket’s exclusive Millionaire’s Mile, this six-bedroom showstopper represents tropical opulence at its finest.
Flop into the 15-metre infinity pool overhanging the rocky shoreline and enjoy the illusion of swimming in your own private ocean. Meander down the steps to a secluded cove and explore the crystal waters and tropical forest, then finish the day with a sunset soak in the outdoor terrazzo bathtub while your private chef prepares dinner. It’s expensive so share the love, and the cost, with 11 of your nearest and dearest.
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