When it comes to luxury holidays of a lifetime, the Seychelles offers a tropical paradise where unspoilt nature is cherished and revered. The Seychelles is an archipelago made up of 115 islands, though 3 islands are the main focus for tourism. The largest is Mahé which houses the capital Victoria, with its smaller satellites of Praslin and La Digue completing the trio.

At one time the Seychelles were called ‘The Original Garden of Eden’ and it is not hard to understand why. Lush tropical forests filled with rare species of plant and animal life give way to the islands’ famous white sandy beaches and the ever-present deep blue ocean.

Visitors taking luxury holidays in the Seychelles will find luxuriously appointed accommodation overlooking the tropical sea where sipping cocktails while watching the orange and yellow hues of the sunset on the horizon is sometimes all that seems necessary to do. Inviting restaurants with food prepared and presented to gourmet standards are the norm and the bounty of the surrounding waters is always on the menu.

The natural world can be explored in botanical gardens and bird sanctuaries with some of the world’s rarest species on display. The enormous and strangely-shaped fruit of the Coco-de-Mer palm tree may be seen perhaps with a sighting of the Seychelles Black Parrot, the islands national symbol.

The Seychelles are a magnet for water sports enthusiasts with sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving all part of varied mix of activities. Underwater life can also be observed through the prism of a glass-bottomed boat, a fascinating experience and a real holiday treat.

The Okanagan region of British Columbia is known for its desert-like climate, orchards, vineyards, lakes and rivers.

The major cities in the region are Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton. Summers are dry and hot, with average temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s. Take advantage of the heat by relaxing on the sandy beaches of Skaha Lake or floating down the Penticton river channel on a tube. There are dozens of golf courses in the region, catering for beginners and experts alike.

Take a tour of the numerous vineyards and wineries and enjoy a wine tasting while overlooking Okanagan Lake. Stroll through an apple or peach orchard or take a cycle tour on the Kettle Valley Railway bed. There are also a number of guest ranches in the surrounding area, where you can ride horses and participate in cattle ranching.

In the winter months, the area offers a number of outdoor activities, with alpine skiing at Big White, Silverstar and Apex Mountains. The area also offers Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling and ice-skating. You could try Canada’s national pastime by taking in a hockey game played by the Kelowna Rockets. 

There are a variety of holiday rental properties in the Okanagan area, ranging from charming bed and breakfasts to upscale waterfront hotels with all mod cons. Kelowna is accessible by flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and Seattle. The town is located 4½hours from Vancouver, 7hours from Seattle and 8hours from Calgary.

Cruise holidays are no longer just for the romantic couple on a honeymoon trip or for aging pensioners pushing a weighted shuffleboard puck down the deck. Nowadays, it is a spectacular way for fitness buffs to get the exercise they need while still enjoying the benefits of a luxury lifestyle.

Cruise lines offer exceptional facilities for fitness enthusiasts; from swimming pools and exercise gyms to volleyball courts and rock climbing walls, there is something for everyone who wants to stay in shape. Neither does anyone have to do it alone. Personal trainers and group classes are available to anyone in everything from yoga to kickboxing.

The Sapphire Princess of the Princess Cruises sports five pools, including an endless pool where one swims against the current, a fitness centre with 35 cardiovascular machines, 12 spinning cycles, 17 weight stations and an outdoor jogging track. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines offers marvellous fitness opportunities on the Voyager of the Seas with their full-sized basketball court, ice skating rink and rock-climbing wall.

Fitness enthusiasts can work-out 24 hours a day, and they should not miss the chance for a little indulgence while on a cruise. They should bask in the spa treatments, massage therapies, entertainment, impeccable service and fine food and wine; feeding the soul and the spirit as well as the body. 

There is no reason anymore to assume that if one embarks on cruise holidays they will have to work doubly hard on their return home to get back into shape. Despite the lavish buffets and gourmet meals, it is possible to disembark in better shape than when the cruise first departed.

St Lucia, a jewel of the Caribbean, has a well-deserved reputation as the most scenic island in the West Indies. It is a popular luxury holidays destination and St Lucia holidays offer wide-ranging opportunities for rest, relaxation and plenty of excitement for those adventure-seekers.
 
Palm-fringed beaches and miles of unspoiled rainforest provide an outstanding natural landscape and the twin volcanoes of the majestic Piton Mountains plunging down to the sea on the west coast are one of the most photographed natural sights in the Caribbean. A host of natural waterfalls and breath-taking views will enthral all lovers of nature.

 The beaches in the north of the island are pristine white and all types of water sports are available, including diving into the many underwater caves. Experienced guides are always available to help add to the thrill of a new undersea adventure.

A luxury holiday in St Lucia would not be complete without the right accommodation and there are many top quality resorts available to cater to the guest’s every requirement. Cosy inns can also be found perhaps for a romantic ‘away from the crowds’ break with a champagne supper outside as the sun gently sets.

Children are well catered for with on-site water parks, kid’s menu and evening entertainment for everyone while parents can enjoy relaxing spa treatments in many locations followed by a cocktail on the veranda and choice of cuisine from around the world to replenish energy expended during a busy day.

Charleston in South Carolina, United States of America, is famous, deservedly, for its southern hospitality. A charming, historic port that offers great outdoor activities, it also has amazing cultural events and stunning landscapes. Generally, South Carolina has a lovely climate, beautiful scenery and plentiful waterways.

Outdoors in spring and summer, the scent of honeysuckle, jasmine and gardenia provides a sweet, perfumed background and the sight of horse-drawn carriages making their way down cobblestoned streets recalls the Civil War era.

Charleston was named for Charles II, and is packed with examples of traditional, attractive architecture. Nearby, the Lowcountry boasts a coastline more than 90 miles long and a string of barrier islands, so it is not surprising that many of the activities available locally are centred on the water – including fishing in tidal creeks, offshore boat races and kayaking, plus lots of outdoor sporting events.

Basketball, tennis and golf are popular, and international tournaments take place on a regular basis. On the cultural side, the Spoleto Arts Festival is well-known for presenting classical music, traditional and contemporary opera, ballet, theatre, jazz, contemporary dance, and visual arts exhibitions. The programme also includes readings and other celebrations of literary works.

Charleston attracts and beguiles visitors, offering a taste of Old World charm that is guaranteed to delight and surprise. Here you will find America’s first museum showcasing lots of fascinating artefacts relating to the culture and history of the Lowcountry.

There are direct flights to Charleston International Airport from various cities in the United Kingdom, including Manchester and London.

The Republic of the Seychelles is an island country in the Indian Ocean, 1,500Km off the Coast of Africa. 115 Islands make up this country, which, with a population of around 86,000, has the smallest population of any African State. The Seychelles is a very popular destination for luxurious holidays, with many resorts focusing on providing the ultimate indulgent experience for holidaymakers visiting the country.

The Seychelles offers plenty of places to explore while visiting the islands. Beach lovers will enjoy Praslin, which boasts two of the world’s best beaches in Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. The third largest island in the Seychelles, Silhouette Island, is home to some stunning scenery, most of which has been untouched by man. Many native plant and animal species live on this island and Silhouette Island is committed to environmental conservation. The largest island, Mahe is home to 90% of the population of the Seychelles and there are several beautiful national parks worth visiting as well as the capital city of Victoria.

Seychelles holidays are perfect for either tourists simply wishing to lie on the beach soaking up the sun, or those who prefer more active holidays. Water sports are very popular in the Seychelles and the crystal clear waters, filled with a vast array of tropical fish and other marine life, make the islands a paradise for snorkelling and diving. Other active pursuits include windsurfing, water-skiing and parasailing, while those wishing to stick to dry land can hike or cycle to explore the amazing scenery.

More and more gay and lesbian travellers are choosing to go on cruises, rather than the typical beach holiday. There is now a wide range of gay and lesbian cruises that cover the entire world and many of the major tour operators are known for being gay friendly. However, you will find that all cruise companies will be welcoming and hospitable for everyone.

Princess is one such example, which offers gay and lesbian cruises through the Caribbean and Central America. Princess cruises are renowned for their intense nightclub parties and this trip will definitely provide excitement for every day of your holiday.

Holland America is another option to consider, but this company is geared towards the higher end of the budget. This cruise line is famous for offering an extra touch of luxury and diverse cuisine on board its ships and is an extremely sought after choice for gay and lesbian cruisers. Of course, having the largest fleet of ships, Royal Caribbean is also well worth looking into and is the ideal choice for active adventure holidays to worldwide destinations.

One thing in particular that gay and lesbian cruisers should look out for is the “Friends of Dorothy” group, commonly referred to as “FOD”, which holds meetings and organises social events for gay and lesbian travellers on cruise ships. Their presence on each ship will vary and the attendance will naturally range from a handful to an all-out party. Remember, just because a cruise does not have FOD meetings on board, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t be gay friendly.

Many locations in the Pacific offer diverse exciting underwater sights.  Indonesia, a nation considered to be located in both Southeast Asia and Oceania, excels in this regard, providing snorkelers and scuba divers a marine habitat that features over three thousand different varieties of tropical fish. 

This diversity is largely due to the fact that Indonesia is a large archipelago – in fact, the largest island chain in the world.  Indonesia is comprised of more than 17,000 islands, many of them tiny dots of land providing isolated getaways as well as the opportunity to go on private dives in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.  There are over two million square miles of water surrounding the islands that make up Indonesia, along with coral species which number in the hundreds.  This all adds up to a veritable paradise for divers.

Nature enthusiasts will also find a great deal to admire on land.  Approximately 60% of the land of Indonesia is covered by tropical forests, and the nation has long been home to Asian species such as the orang-utan, elephant, leopard and tiger.  Over 600 different species of birds inhabit Indonesia.  Because of the area’s size, tropical climate and geographic factors related to its status as an archipelago, it has the second highest level of biodiversity in the world, topped only by the South American nation of Brazil.  The nation is also unique in terms of endemic species; over one-third of all bird and mammal species on the islands are native to them.

The Maldives are located roughly 250 kilometres off the southwest coast of India.  On Maldives holidays, guests will marvel at this island formation consisting of 26 atolls stretching in a north-south plane.  The islands making up the Maldives are actually the protruding summits of a vast underwater mountain range, and are comprised of over 1,192 islets, 200 of which are inhabited.  Located just north of the equator, it is no wonder that luxury holidays in the Maldives provide some of the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.

Unforgettable Experiences

Snorkelling, scuba diving and island hopping are just some of the exciting adventures waiting for you in the Maldives.  The ultimate experience is a cruise around the amazing atolls.  The islands are fast becoming one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world.  Visitors to the Maldives are guaranteed unforgettable experiences, visually stunning scenery and amazing underwater escapades.  Another once in a lifetime experience available in this island paradise is swimming with whale sharks and manta rays.

There are interesting historical sites in the capital city of Malé, and a number of cultural attractions on the island of Kudahuvadhoo.  The best diving options are at Fish Head and Banana Reef.  From Malé, the country’s major destinations can easily be reached either by boat or plane.

Travelling to the Maldives

Chartered planes and luxury holidays operated by companies such as Thomson are the only direct flight options between the UK and the Maldives.

Sandy Lane in Barbados is a magnificent hotel where luxury holidays can be enjoyed amidst in an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.  This award-winning, world-class luxury hotel has been attracting discerning travellers since it first opened in 1961 and is considered one of the world’s finest resorts.  The Palladian-style architecture is wonderfully complemented by the beautiful scenery on the island’s ‘Platinum Coast’.

Luxury holidays at Sandy Lane are highlighted by the hotel’s exceptional facilities, immaculate grounds, superb spa and breathtaking golf courses.  Sandy Lane Barbados holidays are ideal for couples as well as families.

Superb Features and Amenities

The superb resort features the Country Club restaurant which overlooks the golf course.  There are two sea-view restaurants: L’Acajou for a la carte dining and the Bajan Blue for beachfront buffets.  Other amenities include complimentary non-motorised water sports facilities, nine flood-lit tennis courts, two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio, and the hotel’s original 9-hole course.

Other features including treatment rooms with their own hydrotherapy pool, private gardens, and a spectacular waterfall that cascades into the swimming pool.  There are equally superb amenities for children and teenagers.  Nanny and babysitting services are also available.

Weddings at Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane Barbados also offers exquisite wedding packages that are guaranteed to make wedding ceremonies on the gleaming white sands intimate and romantic, or lavishly memorable.

The minimum stay in Sandy Lane is 14 nights from 21st December to 4th January.  Other minimum stay requirements apply during certain holidays.