Greek Islands, Madeira and Canaries all tipped to be this year’s best-sellers.
Inspired Luxury Escapes, the experts in handpicked luxury holidays, has revealed the top-five stunning destinations that Brits will be travelling to in 2014.
The upmarket specialist has over 64 years’ travel experience, so there’s nothing its knowledgeable team doesn’t know about travel trends. It predicts this year’s top-five will be:
1. Rhodes, Greek Islands
All-inclusive options are still growing in popularity – even those whose budget can stretch further still want to know they’re getting value for money. Plus, it’s so much more convenient – no more traipsing around trying to find a decent place to eat lunch, as, with an all-inclusive option, there’s a great place right on your doorstep. And it means you don’t have to bother carrying cash around. Rhodes has the most all-inclusive accommodation options of all the Greek Islands, and it’s for this reason Inspired Luxury Escapes expects the island will be really popular this year.
The five-star Kresten Royal Villas and Spa is a majestic property, perched on a hilltop above Kalithea, overlooking the Aegean Sea. Classy, elegant and with impeccable service, its amenities rate among the finest on the island, including a state-of-the-art gym, three outdoor pools, a dedicated children’s pool, a heated indoor pool, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a supermarket, a fabulously pampering spa and well-equipped, spacious rooms.
2. Santorini, Greek Islands
While many islands come and go in the popularity stakes, picture postcard Santorini never loses its appeal. People are drawn by its white-washed hillside houses; blue-domed churches, cobbled streets and timeless elegance. But it’s the jaw-dropping caldera views and stunning sunsets that really set this island apart.
The five-star La Mer Deluxe Hotel is a relatively new property in Kamari Village on the legendary island of Santorini, only 50m away from the most cosmopolitan beach on the island. The hotel was built in 2009, with a great deal of thought given to its luxurious chic aesthetic, traditional and unique Cycladic architecture, versatile services and respect for traditional elements. It’s exquisitely furnished and elegantly equipped to cater for every guest’s whim. It’s got a gourmet restaurant, lounge bar, two swimming pools, one children’s pool, shops, hairdressers, play room, gym, mini-golf and spa. What’s more, book with Inspired Luxury Escapes and get an upgrade to an Executive Plus Room as well as one free excursion.
3. Madeira
Keen gardeners flock to Madeira – nicknamed the Floating Garden of the Atlantic – to marvel at the vibrant fuchsia, scarlet and lilacs that cover the island and, with the trend for gardening showing no sign of abating, Inspired Luxury Escapes expects pretty Madeira to remain popular in 2014.
The five-star Vidamar Resorts Madeira is on the southern coast of Madeira, a leisurely few minutes’ walk from the centre of Funchal. It has a beautiful infinity pool with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as a snooker lounge, piano bar, fitness centre and facilities for squash, tennis, diving, mini-golf and snorkeling, children’s play area and outdoor and indoor pools. The nearest golf course is less than 3km away.
4. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Who wouldn’t put a white sandy beach on their ideal holiday wish list? Gran Canaria has some fabulous powder-white sand beaches, which is why it’s in the top-five luxury holiday getaway list. Try the gorgeous half-moon shaped Amadores Beach or Anfi del Mar for starters. And, if you fancy a change of scenery and colour during your holiday, visit the stunning vast sand dunes of Maspalomas or the black-sand beach at little-known Arguineguin.
Overlooking two golf courses and surrounded by picturesque mountains the five-star Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa has all the class and amenities you would expect from a hotel with the Sheraton name. It’s ideally suited to couples and families, thanks to its fabulous facilities and entertainment on offer, including a children’s club with activities each day; seven swimming pools; private beach house; 24-hour fitness centre and Aloe Spa. Just a few minutes away is the Salobre Golf course.
5. Kos, Greek Islands
While adventurous Britons are starting to explore some of the lesser-known Greek islands, Inspired Luxury Escapes predicts family favourite Kos will remain one of the big sellers this year, thanks to its excellent shopping. The second largest island in the Dodecanese, after Rhodes, Kos has a lot going for it – including having by far the best shopping of any of the islands. And, as we all know, we Brits like a bit of retail therapy. You could say the whole of Kos town is one big shopping centre, selling everything from olive oil to hand-crafted ceramics to designer handbags, shoes and jewellery. And, with shops open late, until about 10pm, shopaholics don’t have to forgo a day in the sun to feed their habit. Added to that, it’s got 112km of pristine coastline, lush greenery, a bustling port and town centre, and centuries of history, art and culture, a vibrant nightlife, thermal baths, natural springs and plenty of beaches.
One of Kos’ newest boutique hotels, the Diamond Deluxe Hotel offers guests five-star amenities with keen attention to detail and sophistication, with expansive views of the Aegean Sea and nearby Lambi Beach. It has 110 elegant rooms and suites decorated in pure whites and soothing earth tones. Each glamorous room has a spa-like en suite bathroom and pool or sea views. Many rooms have a shared or private swimming pool. The Diamond Deluxe Hotel’s Mazarin Luxury Health Club offers a host of pampering and beauty treatments, while the resort has two restaurants and three bars.
Paul Constable, General Manager of Inspired Luxury Escapes says: “Our top-five list covers something to suit everybody and this year includes three fabulous – but very different – Greek Islands. Our figures show Rhodes will be popular among people wanting an upmarket all-inclusive experience, Santorini for its stunning caldera views and Kos for its unbeatable shopping.
“Gran Canaria has some gorgeous, white sandy beaches to rival the Caribbean – yet it’s just a few hours’ flight away. Madeira, meanwhile, deserves its reputation as the ‘Floating Garden of the Atlantic’ and our search data shows it’s going to be top of many people’s must-visit list this year.”
Constable adds: “With handpicked, luxury holidays in Egypt, Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Dubai, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta, we’ve got plenty of other options too. And, with our January sale now in full swing, we’re offering discounts of up to 55%, as well as other value-added offers – such as room or board upgrades – for early bookers who want luxury for less.”
Photo caption: The five-star La Mer Deluxe Hotel in Kamari Village, Santorini.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
