A holiday shouldn’t just be an escape from your day-to- day routine, as in reality it is much more than that. While there’s no getting away from the fact it can be a well-earned break from the norm, a holiday should also provide you with an unforgettable experience.
A great way to help ensure this is the case is to choose a holiday which is also quite adventurous, or something which offers you a luxury experience you certainly won’t ever forget. You may be wondering whether or not such places exist, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of options around Europe you could consider.
One country in particular can provide such holiday opportunities in a variety of ways, namely Italy. This beautiful country is home to many different adventure and luxury vacations and to give you a little inspiration, we’ve listed a number of examples you might want to consider.
Rome
The capital city of Italy is of course brimming with different tourist attractions – and as such, it makes for a fantastic adventure. During your stay here, you can go on walking tours around the city and take in the rich Roman and Italian history that can be found around the center.
This is probably a better choice as a shorter break though, particularly if you have children with you as you could theoretically take in most of the major sights in a few days. If this is more to your tastes, then it might be an idea to spend a little more and choose a top star hotel as well.
While in Rome don't overlook a quick trip over to Pisa. There is, of course, the leaning tower, but Pisa is so much more than that. Loads of adventure to be found in this adorable little town.
The Italian Lakes
There’s the great outdoors and then there’s the Italian Lakes. If your idea of adventure is taking in breath-taking scenery, then do as the Romans first started doing nearly 2,000 years ago and holidaying in this stunning region of Northern Italy. There are plenty of accommodation options like lake-side villas and resorts, and even camping holidays from providers like Eurocamp. With the latter, you could also add to your fun by having the freedom to explore the local area with greater ease.
Tuscany
If it’s decadence you’re after, then a stay in Tuscany can hit the spot. There are many picturesque and artistic towns dotted about this region, with the higher-end spots offering a bounty of extravagant culinary opportunities. These towns also mean there’s something cultural to take in, especially in the region’s capital city of Florence.
Amalfi Coast
Another option for those seeking pure luxury on their Italian holiday is the Amalfi Coast. With its south-Westerly location on the Mediterranean you can expect warm weather in the summer, and of course, charming coastal towns for you to relax and soak up the rays. Limoncello is also widely-produced in this area, so remember to add to your indulgence by treating yourself to a glass or two of this Italian classic liqueur.
Sardinia
Sardinia is another winning option for those looking for a mix of luxury and adventure. The adventure comes from exploring what the island has to offer which includes Roman and Byzantine ruins, a World Heritage Site, motor racing and water sports – to name just a few things. The luxury element stems from miles of glorious shoreline, which like the Amalfi Coast is brimming with top seaside accommodation options.
The beauty part to all of this of course is you could combine a number of the above to essentially create a super-holiday- tour of Italy – however this is dependent on your budgets and timescales. Ultimately, whatever you choose, you can be rest assured that with an Italian adventure or luxury holiday you won’t be disappointed.
A great way to help ensure this is the case is to choose a holiday which is also quite adventurous, or something which offers you a luxury experience you certainly won’t ever forget. You may be wondering whether or not such places exist, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of options around Europe you could consider.
One country in particular can provide such holiday opportunities in a variety of ways, namely Italy. This beautiful country is home to many different adventure and luxury vacations and to give you a little inspiration, we’ve listed a number of examples you might want to consider.
Rome
The capital city of Italy is of course brimming with different tourist attractions – and as such, it makes for a fantastic adventure. During your stay here, you can go on walking tours around the city and take in the rich Roman and Italian history that can be found around the center.
This is probably a better choice as a shorter break though, particularly if you have children with you as you could theoretically take in most of the major sights in a few days. If this is more to your tastes, then it might be an idea to spend a little more and choose a top star hotel as well.
While in Rome don't overlook a quick trip over to Pisa. There is, of course, the leaning tower, but Pisa is so much more than that. Loads of adventure to be found in this adorable little town.
The Italian Lakes
There’s the great outdoors and then there’s the Italian Lakes. If your idea of adventure is taking in breath-taking scenery, then do as the Romans first started doing nearly 2,000 years ago and holidaying in this stunning region of Northern Italy. There are plenty of accommodation options like lake-side villas and resorts, and even camping holidays from providers like Eurocamp. With the latter, you could also add to your fun by having the freedom to explore the local area with greater ease.
Tuscany
If it’s decadence you’re after, then a stay in Tuscany can hit the spot. There are many picturesque and artistic towns dotted about this region, with the higher-end spots offering a bounty of extravagant culinary opportunities. These towns also mean there’s something cultural to take in, especially in the region’s capital city of Florence.
Amalfi Coast
Another option for those seeking pure luxury on their Italian holiday is the Amalfi Coast. With its south-Westerly location on the Mediterranean you can expect warm weather in the summer, and of course, charming coastal towns for you to relax and soak up the rays. Limoncello is also widely-produced in this area, so remember to add to your indulgence by treating yourself to a glass or two of this Italian classic liqueur.
Sardinia
Sardinia is another winning option for those looking for a mix of luxury and adventure. The adventure comes from exploring what the island has to offer which includes Roman and Byzantine ruins, a World Heritage Site, motor racing and water sports – to name just a few things. The luxury element stems from miles of glorious shoreline, which like the Amalfi Coast is brimming with top seaside accommodation options.
The beauty part to all of this of course is you could combine a number of the above to essentially create a super-holiday- tour of Italy – however this is dependent on your budgets and timescales. Ultimately, whatever you choose, you can be rest assured that with an Italian adventure or luxury holiday you won’t be disappointed.
I've already told you all about how much I love the North Shore of Kauai. Hanalei, Na Pali, and the area surrounding it have stolen my heart and soul, but really the whole of Kauai is one beautiful spot after another.
I was lucky enough to be hosted in the Poipu area as well and quickly discovered why some of the nicest resorts call that area it's home. Poipu is lovely, the beaches are stunning, there are hidden caves and great surf spots not to mention one stunning golf course after another. It also places you super close to Koloa which is my second favorite town on the island. Adorably quaint cafe and shop lined streets, completely walkable, and with more charm than most towns I have ever seen. Being close to Koloa gives Poipu even more credibility as the perfect spot for a luxury resort.
The Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu is the spot for luxury and relaxation. I won't pretend it is cheap, certainly not a budget accommodation but when headed to Hawaii that isn't really the goal for many. The rooms are beautifully decorated, come with gorgeous ocean and golf course views, the beds are probably the most comfortable and well appointed that I have ever experienced, and hey even the toilet was super fancy!
The grounds themselves are beautiful. Perfectly manicured with loads of walking paths, freshwater pools, restaurants, shops, even a lagoon complete with a safe beach for the kiddos. It is located on the ocean so if you want to surf, body board, or simply relax in the ocean you can do that as well. The pool system is vast and has a thrilling slide as well as a lazy river to enjoy. For those with more time for relaxation than we had there is also a luxurious spa, golf course, shops, restaurants, and more spots to relax and enjoy the lovely ocean breeze than any other hotel I think I've ever stayed in.
As soon as we exited the car we felt like we were stepping into the lap of luxury. The entrance way and lobby are beautiful and offer gorgeous views. The staff was attentive, friendly, and more than willing to help us in any way. The pool system was expansive with plenty of different areas so it never felt crowded. The sand bottomed lagoon was perfect for small kiddos, especially lovely with the hammocks strewn all over nearby. My sister in law and I were quite fond of the lazy river and slide though!
The rooms are spacious and well appointed. Probably the only complaint I could have about the resort is in regards to the distance the room was from the lobby. Honestly it felt like we walked a mile every time we left the room. It is done that way for 2 reasons, 1 so almost everyone can have an ocean front room, and 2 because you are not allowed to build up more than just a few stories in Kauai, so really they had no choice but to go out. It is something to consider though for some people.
The beds were super comfortable with all the bells and whistles in regards to fancy bedding and loads of pillows. The WiFi was fast, the view was amazing, TV was large, and the bathroom was wonderful. Nice shower and uber fancy toilet.
Seriously I know this is the second time I am mentioning the toilet but that thing really freaked us out. It deserves it's own paragraph! It seemed to have a motion sensor so every time you walked in the room it automatically cleaned itself for you. It also flushed on it's own but it went way beyond that. It was capable of cleaning each and every orifice as well as dry them. It really was the most spectacular toilet I've ever encountered.
OK back on track. If staying in Kauai I definitely recommend you stay in the Poipu area for at least a few days as there is no better spot for luxury, in my opinion, than the Grand Hyatt. It is not budget but sometimes a vacation calls for far more than budget accommodation. If yours does I can highly recommend this resort for luxury living and relaxation.
I was lucky enough to be hosted in the Poipu area as well and quickly discovered why some of the nicest resorts call that area it's home. Poipu is lovely, the beaches are stunning, there are hidden caves and great surf spots not to mention one stunning golf course after another. It also places you super close to Koloa which is my second favorite town on the island. Adorably quaint cafe and shop lined streets, completely walkable, and with more charm than most towns I have ever seen. Being close to Koloa gives Poipu even more credibility as the perfect spot for a luxury resort.
The Grand Hyatt Resort in Poipu is the spot for luxury and relaxation. I won't pretend it is cheap, certainly not a budget accommodation but when headed to Hawaii that isn't really the goal for many. The rooms are beautifully decorated, come with gorgeous ocean and golf course views, the beds are probably the most comfortable and well appointed that I have ever experienced, and hey even the toilet was super fancy!
The grounds themselves are beautiful. Perfectly manicured with loads of walking paths, freshwater pools, restaurants, shops, even a lagoon complete with a safe beach for the kiddos. It is located on the ocean so if you want to surf, body board, or simply relax in the ocean you can do that as well. The pool system is vast and has a thrilling slide as well as a lazy river to enjoy. For those with more time for relaxation than we had there is also a luxurious spa, golf course, shops, restaurants, and more spots to relax and enjoy the lovely ocean breeze than any other hotel I think I've ever stayed in.
As soon as we exited the car we felt like we were stepping into the lap of luxury. The entrance way and lobby are beautiful and offer gorgeous views. The staff was attentive, friendly, and more than willing to help us in any way. The pool system was expansive with plenty of different areas so it never felt crowded. The sand bottomed lagoon was perfect for small kiddos, especially lovely with the hammocks strewn all over nearby. My sister in law and I were quite fond of the lazy river and slide though!
The rooms are spacious and well appointed. Probably the only complaint I could have about the resort is in regards to the distance the room was from the lobby. Honestly it felt like we walked a mile every time we left the room. It is done that way for 2 reasons, 1 so almost everyone can have an ocean front room, and 2 because you are not allowed to build up more than just a few stories in Kauai, so really they had no choice but to go out. It is something to consider though for some people.
The beds were super comfortable with all the bells and whistles in regards to fancy bedding and loads of pillows. The WiFi was fast, the view was amazing, TV was large, and the bathroom was wonderful. Nice shower and uber fancy toilet.
Seriously I know this is the second time I am mentioning the toilet but that thing really freaked us out. It deserves it's own paragraph! It seemed to have a motion sensor so every time you walked in the room it automatically cleaned itself for you. It also flushed on it's own but it went way beyond that. It was capable of cleaning each and every orifice as well as dry them. It really was the most spectacular toilet I've ever encountered.
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| Pin, me, pin me, you know you want to! |
How about you? Have you visited the Grand Hyatt before? What did you think? Tell us about it in the comments below!
If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to count yourself in with the 2.5 million people worldwide who visited Thailand in 2012. The problem is, the vast majority of those people journey to Thailand by backpacking. Although this is a fantastic way to see a place without spending a lot of money, it’s not the most luxurious way of doing things. So for those of you who’d like to explore what Thailand has to offer without having to slum it, here’s a quick guide to how to travel around Thailand luxuriously.
Exchange Cheap Flights for a Royal Treatment
Regardless of the way you choose to travel round Thailand, you’ll probably need to fly out there. If you’re holidaying on a budget, it’s likely that you’ll go standard economy class, but this could leave you restless following your 10-12 hour flight. Not so if you travel with a first class airline.
Instead, you’ll experience the height of luxury through a high quality service which offers you champagne, wonderful food, an in-flight telephone and a full bed. This means that when you arrive at your destination, you’ll be raring to go straight away.
Visit Some of the Best Spas in the World
When you’ve spent your time in the Thai countryside on or an adventure, it’s good to know that there’s somewhere you can go to be pampered. Thankfully, Thailand has some of the best spa locations in the globe.
So what’s an example of the kind of spa day you could have in as Thai spa? Imagine beginning with a personal wellness consultation to guide you in which therapies you should try. Then follow that up with a skin smoothing salt-rub, a sports massage and then some physiotherapy. If you’re feeling sporty, as a coutry with many islands, Thailand is a fantastic place to try out some sea sports. Most spas offer kayak, beach bike training and much more, so there’s something for everybody.
When Sleeping on a 24 Hour Train isn’t for You
Many people who backpack around Thailand use the country’s extensive rail network to get around, and use the long journey times to sleep in between hostels. If this doesn’t quite sound like your cup of tea, you could book a series of luxury hotels and use your short journey’s between then as opportunities to explore.
Thankfully, there are a range of different hotel companies which offer hotels inside Thailand, and you won't believe how nice a room you can get for $20 US or less!
Adventuring in Style
Of course, one of the main attractions to Thailand is its culture and history which comes in many forms. To add a touch of luxury to your adventures, try scuba diving along one of its pristine beaches, absorb some culture at the ancient attraction of Old Sukhothai, known as the First Thai Empire, and finish off with a taste of the glorious Thai cuisine.
So as you can see, Thailand offers a lot of ways for the luxury-seeking amongst us to experience it. So if you don’t fancy backpacking, don’t be put off; visit Thailand today.
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| Ayutthaya |
Regardless of the way you choose to travel round Thailand, you’ll probably need to fly out there. If you’re holidaying on a budget, it’s likely that you’ll go standard economy class, but this could leave you restless following your 10-12 hour flight. Not so if you travel with a first class airline.
Instead, you’ll experience the height of luxury through a high quality service which offers you champagne, wonderful food, an in-flight telephone and a full bed. This means that when you arrive at your destination, you’ll be raring to go straight away.
Visit Some of the Best Spas in the World
When you’ve spent your time in the Thai countryside on or an adventure, it’s good to know that there’s somewhere you can go to be pampered. Thankfully, Thailand has some of the best spa locations in the globe.
So what’s an example of the kind of spa day you could have in as Thai spa? Imagine beginning with a personal wellness consultation to guide you in which therapies you should try. Then follow that up with a skin smoothing salt-rub, a sports massage and then some physiotherapy. If you’re feeling sporty, as a coutry with many islands, Thailand is a fantastic place to try out some sea sports. Most spas offer kayak, beach bike training and much more, so there’s something for everybody.
 |
| Koh Phi Phi island |
Many people who backpack around Thailand use the country’s extensive rail network to get around, and use the long journey times to sleep in between hostels. If this doesn’t quite sound like your cup of tea, you could book a series of luxury hotels and use your short journey’s between then as opportunities to explore.
Thankfully, there are a range of different hotel companies which offer hotels inside Thailand, and you won't believe how nice a room you can get for $20 US or less!
Adventuring in Style
Of course, one of the main attractions to Thailand is its culture and history which comes in many forms. To add a touch of luxury to your adventures, try scuba diving along one of its pristine beaches, absorb some culture at the ancient attraction of Old Sukhothai, known as the First Thai Empire, and finish off with a taste of the glorious Thai cuisine.
So as you can see, Thailand offers a lot of ways for the luxury-seeking amongst us to experience it. So if you don’t fancy backpacking, don’t be put off; visit Thailand today.