For lots of us, 2020 has been light on the good news. But even – or especially – in unexpected and turbulent times, it’s important to celebrate special occasions whenever we can. So, whether it’s a birthday or anniversary, to make up for a muted lockdown celebration – or simply a big holiday to shake off this year – it’s time to celebrate.
If there’s one thing we know here, it’s how to celebrate in style with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Allow us to suggest some of the ways to do just that…
The beach party to end all beach parties…
Sun, sea, sand… celebration success. You want an occasion to remember?
Exclusively book an entire Caribbean peninsula in the Caribbean for a beach party like no other. Petit St Vincent is a popular spot amongst A-list stars and those seeking the perfect mix of seclusion and luxury. The island is truly unparalleled for its combination of natural beauty, privacy and superlative luxury amenities.
For your special celebration, the whole family or group of friends can stay in four cottages. Your peninsula is completely private and it really is like having a tropical island all to yourself – though with service and facilities Robinson Crusoe couldn’t have even dreamed of.
Your private experience will include a special day trip out to the spectacular Tobago Cays Marine Reserve aboard one of the Petit St Vincent powerboats. During your stay you’ll also all enjoy a barbecue on the each prepared by your personal chef, three gourmet meals per day, room service and complimentary non-motorised watersports. Think of it as an island escape with all the benefits of a five-star hotel stay; it doesn’t get more special.
Live like royalty in the Land of Kings
India is one of those places people return to time and time again. The country’s states each offer something different, and India’s cultures, food, landscapes and experiences make for an unforgettable trip every time.
To commemorate a special occasion or to celebrate in true style, Rajasthan has to be among your top choices. This Land of Kings is a true gem in India’s crown, even beyond its regal past and royal palaces.
To celebrate like a king or queen, take a spellbinding journey through Rajasthan comprising cityscape, wildlife and everything in between. Stay in exclusive Relais & Châteaux hotels at each stop, so every moment of your holiday will be exceptional, from sunrise to glorious sunset.
Visit the famous Connaught Place for some star-studded retail therapy, explore the Pink City of Jaipur and spend a few unforgettable days at Ranthambore National Park – renowned around the world for its premier wildlife. You’ll also have the chance to experience the amazing luxury of Jawai Leopard Camp.
Wine and vine
A special celebration calls for a glass of something special. The stunning Relais & Châteaux Zornitza Family Estate is located in Bulgaria’s Struma Valley – wine country. Whether you’re celebrating à deux or bringing the whole family or friend group along, this is a really special place to mark a big occasion. Surrounded by gorgeous vineyards and dramatic mountaintops, Zornitza really is blessed with natural beauty.
These surroundings make up the Melnik wine region, home to vines that grow some of the world’s top wines. A mild Mediterranean climate makes for great grape-growing, true, but it’s also perfect for a leisurely holiday basking in the sun.
Take a guided tour of local wineries (all within a half hour of the hotel) and become an expert on the local vintages; any excuse for a tasting or two! Our top tip is to ask for a tour of Wine Cellar Villa Melnik; this family-owned estate has over 200 years of tradition, and extensive tours finish at the tasting room for samples of award-winning wines. The perfect toast.
Experience a Jungle Bubble
They say elephants never forget, and you won’t have any trouble remembering your experience here either.
Spend an awe-inspiring night in a custom-designed bubble at Thailand’s Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp, observing the jungle’s famous gentle giants. Perched amongst the treetops, the Bubbles use exclusive Precontraint Serge Ferrari technology and an innovative polyester design for the ultimate immersive experience.
Your bubble has air-conditioned living areas and even 24-hour in-room dining. You’ll have access to a fully stocked mini-bar, a plus non-transparent en suite bathroom and comfy robes and slippers for this new take on the big night in. Sleep beneath a transparent roof and a star-spangled sky, and enjoy uninterrupted jungle views for an unforgettable night (even by an elephant’s standards!).
Sleep with the fishes…
It doesn’t get more special than a stay in the world’s first underwater two-level luxury residence. THE MURAKA at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island puts you 16ft beneath the ocean surface, so you’ll be face-to-face (through glass!) with the Indian Ocean’s magnificent marine life.
Arrive in style at your water palace via speedboat or seaplane, ready for a real ‘wow’ experience of opulence. This is a great place for a unique proposal, or the ultimate luxury honeymoon destination. You’ll also have the service of a private chef, butler, speedboat and jet-skis for good measure.
The upper deck features two deluxe bedrooms and a spectacular infinity pool. This is, without a doubt, one of the most Instagrammable holiday destinations – from the curved underwater viewing tunnel to the infinity pool deck that opens out onto endless Indian Ocean views. ‘Wow’ doesn’t even do it justice.
Live the wild, wild, West
Unleash your inner cowboy or cowgirl at The Ranch at Rock Creek, perfect for families, couples or friends looking for a wild (wild) adventure. The ranch is set over more than ten square miles of amazing meadowland, backdropped by the most photogenic of snow-capped peaks. Here you get the ‘true West’ experience without sacrificing comfort, and what better way to forget about lockdown than exploring the rolling foothills and wide plains of Montana?
For inter-generational holidays and big celebrations, we recommend the Historic Barn on-site. Sleeping up to eight guests, this remodelled 19th century property is steeped in history and really offers an authentic yet luxurious ranch holiday experience.
Blow-out celebrations post lockdown in late 2020 and 2021 should be all about celebrating – quality time, the great outdoors, being together. At The Ranch at Rock Creek, there’s a seemingly unending list of ways to get involved in Western life – fly fishing, mountain biking, archery, rodeos and hiking are just some of the ways to spend precious days on holiday. Of course, no ranch holiday would be complete without horse riding, and the customisable programme here means you can spend days on end riding the trails under wide open skies – every day here is a special occasion.
Have a whale of a time in Canada
Ruggedly remote and wonderfully wild, Manitoba is perfect for a ‘wow’ holiday. A once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip out here is a great way to commemorate a milestone birthday or anniversary, and it’s a truly magnificent honeymoon choice for those not keen on a typical beach break. But even if it’s just to tick whale watching or polar bear spotting off your bucket list, a visit to this part of the world is a life-changing experience in its own right.
Stay at Seal River Heritage Lodge, named by National Geographic on the prestigious Unique Lodges of the World list. The lodge is deep in the midst of true polar bear territory about 60km north of Churchill.
In the waters here you might spot majestic beluga whales breaching the waves beneath steely skies. When in Manitoba, you simply must make time to try and spot polar bears in their natural habitat. Head out on amazing polar bear walking safaris for a chance to explore this amazing place. The lodge offers truly spectacular enhanced wildlife spotting opportunities whether you’re dining beside floor-to-ceiling windows or out on a guided hike – so you’ll experience wildlife in a way that few others ever will.
Dive Beneath at the Barrier Reef
Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is one of those universal bucket list destinations, so where better to head for a special holiday?
Stay at the uber-luxe Orpheus Island Lodge and have unparalleled access to the reef and the surrounding tropical National Park. With a 28 guest maximum, the lodge guarantees an air of intimacy, privacy and exclusivity to every stay here. Its location on the coastline is second-to-none, and you can literally step from your accommodation and be face-to-face with the pristine blue waters that guard the famous reef.
On land you’ll have three meals of gourmet goodness per day, prepared by celebrated chef Paul Wilson. But it’s in the water that this island shines; Orpheus Island’s main diving sites are home to all but 400 of the Great Barrier Reef’s 1,500 species of fish. The Lodge team will arrange private snorkelling and diving tours so you get the very best experience of this underwater wonderland. Dive into paradise here and we promise you won’t want to leave!
Ready to start planning your ‘wow’ experiences? Get in touch with our team for more information and to have a bespoke itinerary created just for you.