Turquoise Holidays' Top 10 New and Classic Holiday Experiences Promise More Stars than Spas

Long haul holiday specialist The Turquoise Holiday Company brings its old-fashioned values to Twenty First Century luxury travel with its handpicked range of experiential and cultural holidays across the world. Some are new, some are time honoured classics, and some are old favourites with a new twist, but all of them offer something that is very different from the notion of the traditional five star fly and flop. 

The team of innovative Turquoise Product Managers have been searching the globe for luxury holidays that are as far flung from the classic notion of pampering and indulgence as they are from home.

While still enjoying the quintessential elements of a luxury resort, a Turquoise guest is more likely to relish an authentic street food safari or gourmet beach picnic than a 'degustation menu' with matching wines; where old-school Caribbean luxury may conjure up the image of a stylish villa with thatched roof and private pool, Turquoise's hottest new property will have you glamping under the stars.

James Bell, managing director for The Turquoise Holiday Company says: “More and more of our guests need a complete 'switch off' from everyday life and the world outside their resort – even down to no Wi-Fi, phones, or TV. For some higher value is placed on a unique experience than the thread-count of the bed linen or quality of massage. Why not ditch the spa and let Mother Nature alone work her beauty magic on a sleep out under the stars on safari? Even the most Apple-addicted guest enjoys the chance to disconnect for a few hours before returning them to the real world, albeit one in which they don't have to lift a finger. At Turquoise we call it the 'more stars than spas' style of holiday.ˮ

Scouring the world for new experiences or old favourites that have reinvented themselves, Turquoise lists its top ten 'more stars than spas' holidays:

1. New - Glamping in the Caribbean at Anegada Beach Club, BVIs

On the north coast of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, Anegada Beach Club is natural beach living at its finest. The 'glamping' is in one of seven luxury beachfront tents on the only coral atoll in the BVIs.  Anegada has one of the largest coral barrier reefs on earth, fringed with unspoiled white sand beaches.  The ensuite tents all have uninterrupted ocean views, a king size canopy bed, and furnished deck with hammock for two. Honeymooners even get an extra deck with two bathtubs overlooking the beach.  Entertainment comes by way of paddle-boarding, snorkelling, kitesurfing or exploring this little gem of an island by bike.  Three nights from £468 per person (room only).

https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/british%20virgin%20islands/anegada-beach-club

2. Traditional Dhow Safari in Mozambique

Imagine sailing around Northern Mozambique on a traditional Dhow with a local crew then chilling at an historic island lodge. Sea kayaking, sleeping in eco camps on tropical islands, camping in the bush, visiting a ghost town in the Quirimbas Archipelago, bird watching, snorkelling and visiting local fishing villages are all part of this holiday.  Sleep on board under the stars in comfortable sheets on thick mattresses, and in dome tented camps with stretcher beds, bucket showers and long drop loos on private Mogundula Island and Matemo Islands. The holiday is perfect for families and couples seeking an adventurous, in-depth and cultural holiday experience with jaw-dropping scenery and friendly locals for company. Seven nights from £2,840 per adult and £2,160 per child with three nights at Ibo Island Lodge full board, four nights island hopping dhow safari with most meals, flights and transfers.

https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/mozambique/mozambique-island-hopping-dhow-safari

 3. . New - Vietnamese Street Food Safari in Hoi Ann

No degustation menu can replace the intimate insider knowledge of a local guide and the world's best street food. Blink and you will miss one of the world's best street safaris in Hoi Ann, but with Turquoise's local chaperone you will get a glimpse into the nightly life of the ancient town. The unceremonious approach to dining out belies the quality and diversity of an almost unending array of dishes, each made by just one family.  You will zigzag through alleys searching out gourmet treats, such as white rose - a shrimp and pork dumpling cake the shape of a rose made from translucent white dough. Stroll to a hidden family restaurant which has for generations dished up the barbecued pork combined with fresh greens and herbs creating a  fresh spring roll; perhaps dine in a local family home. The night continues with a desert sweet soup Che before floating lanterns are released to bring the curtain down on the experience. From just £55 per person.  For more information on holidays to Vietnam see http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/vietnam/essential-vietnam-and-beach

4. Mountain Retreat in Java, MesaStila

Located several hundred metres above the plains of Central Java encircled by eight volcanoes and set within fifty-five acres of tropical jungle, MesaStila near Yogyakarta is a newly opened Indonesian retreat with a difference. as far from the tourist haunts of Bali as one can get. Only an hour's drive from Borobudur temple, guests visit local villages by bicycle, foot or raft. The resort has a swimming pool with heavenly views, tennis  and horse-riding. Learn to cook Javanese food before dining on locally-grown organic produce; this is the ultimate chill-out before heading to a beach resort on neighbouring Bali or Lombok.  A two night stay starts from £430 per person in a one bedroom plantation villa with breakfast, private airport transfers and private excursion to Borobudur. https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/indonesia/mesastila

5. The Maldives - Swim with manta rays at Milaidhoo

The highly anticipated opening of this new boutique island resort on the Baa Atoll has lived up to expectation. Describing itself as 'reinvented luxury' and committed to offering a unique and authentic Maldivian experience, Milaidhoo has woven a refreshing contemporary twist on classic Maldivian style. A small intimate island, Milaidhoo shuns the glitz for barefoot informality and embraces its naturally beautiful setting with an effortless mix of understated luxury and striking design. Located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and with the highest concentration of Manta rays in the world, Milaidhoo takes the concept of underwater magic to a new level.  Seven nights from nights half board from £4,790 per person including flights and transfers.

https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/maldives/milaidhoo

6. New tented villas at Koyao Island Resort, Thailand's island hideaway

This boutique retreat is located on the remote island of Yao Noi tucked between Krabi and Phuket in the magnificent Phang Nga Bay. Barely touched by tourism, Yao Noi is a rare find in today's popular tourist resort areas of Thailand - beautiful and unspoilt - and towards the end of 2017 Koyao Island Resort will open its luxury safari style tented villas set in remote locations of the island with butler service.   Prices start from £2,195 per person including flights, longtail boat transfers and accommodation in a panorama tented pool villa with daily breakfast. Valid for travel 1 November to 31 December 2017. http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/thailand/koyao-island-resort

7. Raw and Wild Tanzania on the Ngorongoro Crater – Entamanu

Tanzanian safari specialist Nomad's 100% sustainable safari camp was built in late2016 with a government concession on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater as the first new development in years.  Up to 12 guests are accommodated in six canvas tents on wooden platforms, including a family tent, all with views into the crater.  Wild, raw and open to the elements, it is the only safari lodge giving sunrise views over the Ngorongoro crater and sunset views over the Serengeti, and promises guests the incomparable privilege of being the very first visitors into the crater to see the wildlife on a daily basis.  From £769 per person per night including all meals, local brand drinks, morning game drives into the Crater, short highland walks along ancient Maasai cattle trails carved deep into the landscape, bush picnics, sundowners, exclusive access to a Maasai boma where they can meet the camp's neighbours and learn about their way of life, laundry service and road transfers from the Manyara airstrip at set times. Access is via a domestic flight from Arusha to the Manyara airstrip followed by an exhilarating road transfer to the camp's location on the remote north-western corner of the crater rim

8. Original Bush Magic – Lewa Wilderness, Kenya

Authentic Africa doesn't get more local or genuine than Lewa Wilderness, situated at the base of Mt Kenya. Guests – couples and families alike - share Emma and Will Craig's 1922 original Bush home which is a World Heritage listed conservation site. The lodge is not only a pioneering rhino conservancy but the family has also created an elephant corridor that allows their natural migration from Lewa to Mt Kenya.  The Craigs own the only yellow bi-plane in Africa – the very same plane flown by Robert Redford in Out of Africa – an experience that guests will replicate for themselves, two at a time, piloted by the Craig' son - along with picnics in the Ngare Ndare forest, swimming in waterfalls, and getting actively involved with anti-poaching rangers and community health care projects.  Children – all ages are welcomed - will learn how to make and throw spears with the Masaai, track animals and even milk the cows in the garden.  Stay in one of three cottages. An eight night all-inclusive holiday combining 3 nights in a family cottage at Lewa Wilderness with five nights on the Kenya Coast costs from £4195 per adult and £2289 per child including flights and transfers. https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/kenya/lewa-wilderness

9. Garonga Safari Lodge, South Africa – under the stars sleep out and open-air bush bath

An classic that has transformed itself after 20 years of operation, Garonga Safari Lodge on the edge of the Kruger National Park captures the ethos of 'safari for the soul' as one of the most eco-friendly safari camps in South Africa. This is a safari for anyone who wants to slow their pace of life down. Six luxury tents sleep 12 guests on the banks of the Makhutswi River in the private Makalali Conservancy. Little Garonga is more secluded still with just three suites sleeping six adults and two children at any one time. Unlike other lodges, the need to 'tick off' species and adhere to safari schedules simply doesn't exist here.  Guests are encouraged to relax and unwind, allowing intimate wildlife viewing and encounters with the Big Five to come to them through the luxury of bush baths, sleepouts under the stars and open air aromatherapy and reflexology treatments. Early morning game drives are still enjoyed, but never at the cost of a  good night's sleep, and often the very best wildlife encounters are enjoyed through the long leisurely walks led by knowledgeable, highly trained guides from the local community.  From £289 per person per night in a luxury ensuite tent on an all-inclusive basis including two game drives a day, bush walks, all meals and drinks from Garonga's 'help-yourself bar', optional sleep-out under the stars and private open-air bush baths.

 https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/south%20africa/garonga-safari-camp-and-little-garonga

10. New - Kokomo Private Island, Fiji

Newly opened Kokomo Private Island - just 25 minutes seaplane from Nadi in Fiji on the edge of the Kadavu Island Group - is the place for those who want the best of both worlds. Ultra luxurious with a rainforest spa yet designed with the constraints of environmental and cultural sustainability, this is set to be Fiji's most luxurious private escape with every possible amenity and service. Encircled by the famous Great Astrolabe Reef, with white sandy beaches and pockets of lush rainforest, Kokomo has 21 beach villas, each with a private infinity pool, and five residences.  The exclusive all-inclusive nature of the resort means that guests can be as private as they wish, or venture from their pool villa to make use of the superb watersports, land activities and the spa.  Despite every mod-con and indulgence on tap, with such superb diving and miles of forests to be explored it doesn't take long to realise that staying on Kokomo is as good as being on another world. Combine five nights at Kokomo Private Island Resort with Tokoriki Island Resort(room only) to make a ten night Fijian holiday from 8595 per person including five nights in pool villa(all meals) at Kokomo Island Resort, seaplane transfers throughout and international flights with Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand via Los Angeles from Heathrow.  https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/fiji/kokomo-island-resort

For more information on any of the resorts and destinations featured by Turquoise Holidays, please visit www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk, call T: 01494678400, or visit the Turquoise Holidays shop at 147 Northcote Road, London SW11 or The Stables, 4 Bakery Court, Beaconsfield.

Ends

Susie de Carteret

Juicy Communications Ltd

T: + 44 (0) 1534 735449

M: + 44 (0) 7797742541

Skype: Susie.de.carteret

Twitter: @susiedec

22 May 2017