Emirates Woman steps into the future to unveil the luxury travel hotspots for 2015. If these exotic, emerging, off-the-beaten-track destinations aren’t already on your bucket list, then best you add them quickly.
MOORING IN TIVAT, MONTENEGRO (PICTURED ABOVE)
Tivat, the smallest municipality in Montenegro, is more like the Norwegian fjords than the southern Mediterranean with ancient villages on the water’s edge shadowed by melodramatic mountains behind. With only 14,000 inhabitants, it offers the chance to explore true Montenegro as it starts to open its doors to a tourism trade. Moor in Marina Bonići, ideally located between two of Montenegro’s spectacular national parks, Župa and Kukuljina. The yacht of choice – if you can get your hands on it – is Paramour, providing the acme of cruising. A magnificent 44-metre yacht that went through a complete refit in 2012, it can accommodate 10 guests in five cabins and comes complete with a formal dining area, a home cinema on the upper salon, a wet bar, an outdoor flat screen TV and a crew of nine. Charters are available through Edmiston from Dhs620,000 per week. Oh, if you insist! edmiston.com
STEP BACK IN TIME IN NANTUCKET
New England’s best-kept secret, Nantucket is just a short journey from Boston or New York. With no traffic lights, pristine white beaches, cobbled streets and fresh sea air, the island is for those who want to relax, unwind and soak up island life. Quaint wooden houses line the town streets while large wooden Great Gatsby-styled mansions are scattered across the island – transporting you back to a whole different era in time. This is, of course, Moby-Dick territory: Herman Melville drew inspiration from Nantucket’s whaling culture to write his world famous literary classic. The island’s fascinating history as a global whaling hub makes it a focal point for whale and seal spotting, fishing and marine discovery tours. Aside from 80 miles of clean, sandy beaches for surfing and kayaking, you’ll also find 30 miles of biking and hiking trails. The White Elephant hotel – an island landmark and a favourite with Gwyneth Paltrow – sits serenely on the water’s edge. Alternatively there are cosy cottages (former fishing lodges) and lofts at the Boat Basin in the midst of the bustling marina. whiteelephanthotel.com
THE ALTERNATIVE OMAN
For an unexpected Middle Eastern experience, Alila Jabal Akhdar, launched in May 2014, opens up one of Oman’s most magnificent yet untapped regions. The first luxury resort in the Al Hajar Mountains, its location on the edge of a 2,000ft gorge means it’s only accessible by 4×4. Perfectly positioned to explore Al Jabal Al Akhdar’s rugged landscapes, it’s a haven for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking an escape from the desert heat, with absolute tranquillity guaranteed. The interiors of the 78 suites and villas – each with its own balcony or terrace – have been inspired by the fragrant pink roses, which blanket the mountainside in springtime. Bespoke Alila experiences include canyon walks and tours of the local villages, rose plantations, forts of Nizwa and Bahla, as well as private palmshadowed picnics and star-lit suppers. To unwind, the first Middle East outpost of the acclaimed Spa Alila brand offers signature treatments incorporating local ingredients like rosewater and fresh pomegranates. alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar
DELVE INTO THE MYSTERIOUS RIVERS OF MYANMAR
Already creating waves among cruise enthusiasts is the new Sanctuary Ananda in Myanmar. The luxury ship, custom-built for the Myanmar rivers by local craftsmen, incorporates traditional materials while offering sleek contemporary luxury across 20 spacious suites on three decks, as well as the Aloungpayah suite, a sun deck with an outdoor pool and the Kansi panorama lounge. Guests on board will visit the majestic Ayeyarwady between Bhamo and Yangon, visiting temples, pagodas, palaces and monasteries en route, while journeys on its great tributary, the Chindwn, will guide you to rarely seen places through the jungles of the north, forgotten villages, and ancient towns. ampersandtravel.com
DO YOU KNOW SUMBA?
Twice the size of Bali yet virtually undiscovered by tourism, Sumba is a hauntingly beautiful Indonesian island 250 miles southeast of Bali. A magically pristine land of gorgeous beaches, tropical scenery and a fascinating tribal culture, Sumba is home to the intimate retreat of Nihiwatu – a hotel of innovative design, multiple activities and strong ties to the community through the Sumba Foundation. After a major refurbishment programme, Nihiwatu will introduce nine new villas to complement the existing 12 villas in the Estates – all hand-built by local craftsmen with material indigenous to Indonesia, including alang alang, teak and rattan. Tucked away among the trees, Nihiwatu’s new villas offer the epitome of responsible, understated luxury. Sandy-floored bathrooms, private pools and open-air, open-plan living reflect the simplicity and beauty of Sumbanese architecture, allowing the wild natural surrounds to take centre stage. The resort, set within 580 acres of land (only 10 per cent of which is developed) and one-and-a-half miles of pristine beach, also comprises a bar, restaurant pavilions, a boathouse and jungle spa as well as the new Mark Healey Watersports Operation. nihiwatu.com
URBAN ENERGY IN COLOMBIA
Marking the debut of W Hotels in Colombia, the new W Bogotá will inject even more life into the cultural hub of the country’s capital when it launches this November. Located in the heart of the fashionable Usaquen district in the north of the city, W Bogotá will showcase the brand’s signature contemporary design with 168 rooms, including 33 suites and one Extreme Wow Suite. Further highlights will include a signature W Living Room, Market Kitchen restaurant, destination bar, AWAY Spa, state-of-the-art gym and 818 square metres of dynamic function venues. From November, Scott Dunn will be including the W Bogotá in its tailor-made itineraries of the country, which are brilliant for delving into Colombia’s legendary history and striking Spanish colonial architecture. Scott Dunn now has a direct line for those living in Dubai, so for packages call (800) 035703722. scottdunn.com
BOUTIQUE CHIC ARRIVES IN THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS
In February 2015, the Andaman Islands will welcome its first ever boutique hotel, Jalakara, meaning ‘the source’. Set in a heady hillside location that backs onto virgin rainforest in the heart of the Havelock Island, Jalakara will offer just seven individually designed luxury rooms and suites. The masterstroke, though, will be a panoramic 16m ozone infinity pool – the only pool on the Havelock Island. Six guest rooms will form a main hacienda-style cluster of properties centred on a courtyard with a communal ‘help–yourself ‘ kitchen/pantry, while the Honeymoon Villa (spanning 120sqm) remains (for obvious reasons) independent. The restaurant promises to serve seasonal dishes using only the freshest ingredients, while activities include diving, snorkelling and saltwater fly-fishing. The Andaman Islands can be accessed via India and Thailand, but also Bhutan for a unique twin-trip experience. ampersandtravel.com
Edited by Lyndsey Steven, with thanks to PCC – Perowne Charles Communications
