At this time of year there are usually a rash of hot list detailing the ‘in’ countries for the year, but backpacker hot lists are not the same as a hot list for those who are willing to spend to see the world in style. This list from Luxury Travel Magazine is exclusively for luxury lovers who are also world travellers who love to explore.
OMAN
With Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay just opening and The Chedi already a firm favourite, Oman is beginning to rival the Dubai and the UAE for designer destinations. Intersperse your spa-ing with some dune bashing and desert exploration for a true Arabian experience – night and day, www.sixsenses.com, www.omantourism.gov.om
NAMIBIA
Every since Brad and Angelina headed to Namibia, it is the safari destination of choice for those who want to beat their neighbours to the newest in-destination for game viewing. But following in the footsteps of the Hollywood elite is not the main reason for going. The amount of game you see by the waterholes in Etosha National Park is extraordinary. This West African Country also has vast sand dunes and historic German-built towns. The upmarket Kempinski hotels group is planning to open a string of luxury hotels here in the coming years, www.kempinski.com, www.namibiatourism.co.na
BHUTAN
Surrounded by the Eastern Himalayas Bhutan has remained relatively untouched destination, possibly because visitors have to agree to spend a minium of $US200 per night while they are there – which makes it perfect of course for the five star traveller. Aman now has a remote lodges know collectively as Amankora and Como Hotels and Resorts has Uma Paro. So now is the perfect time for a trek in that direction, www.amanresorts.com, www.visitbhutan.com
EASTER ISLAND-CHILE
This remote island famous for its strange and haunting Moai statues is getting its first luxury resort which means it is suddenly on the radar of those who like to travel in style AND see one of the modern wonders of the world (on my list at any rate). The new 30-room Explora en Rapa Nui promises a futuristic design made from with a building that uses native volcano rock and wood, www.explora.com
SLOVENIA
Croatia is SO last year darling, the new Eastern European destination is Slovenia. This tiny country the size of Wales has a lot within compact borders, ski slopes, beaches, a petite historic capital – Ljubijana and surprisingly good wine to be tasted in Posaveje. It does not have good hotels aplenty; the futuristic Hotel Mons in Ljubijana is the most interesting. The Euro-elite are renting apartments in Ljubijana or old farms and cottages in the hills or they’re sailing along the Adriatic coast, www.properazzi.com
BRAZIL
Brazil has waterfalls, jungle, and of course thong bikinis but now it has style too. The Rio Janeiro glitterati have been heading to the beach resort of Itacare for sometime, but now Hotelier Anouska Hempel’s plans to open a new eco-resort, Warapuru. The new resort has shone an international spotlight on the town – and celebrities always follow the spotlight. Hempel’s other ultra-stylish hotels include Blakes and The Hempel in London, www.braziltourism.org
TUNISIA
The Marrakech Express is pulling out and the in-crowd who once flocked to Morocco will start heading to Tunisia instead. Rjad-style boutique hotels are being created in court-yarded town houses and beach babies are heading to Jerba. Sightseeing-wise El Jem is still one of the most impressive ancient colosseums I’ve seen – and that includes the one in Rome. Stay at The Residence in Tunis or Villa Didon in Carthage, www.viladidon.com