Throughout the year our travel team book beach holidays for members across the globe. Here are some of our favourite destinations - call us to make travel arrangements or for more suggestions on distant shores.
île de Ré, France
This small Atlantic isle off the West Coast of France is studded with fishing villages, connected by cycle tracks that weave alongside the shore, past towering sand dunes, wild curves of sand, forests and vineyards. Head to the Phare des Baleines at Conche des Baleines to watch the sunset, then linger over a meal of fresh oysters and mussels at one of the island's rustic restaurants.
‘The best way to experience this part of France is to rent a house,' says travel expert Rob Arrow. ‘We can arrange accommodation for groups of all sizes, and stock the place with everything you need for a weekend or a fortnight.' Call us to discuss house rental, restaurant recommendations and more tips on exploring the island.
Benirras, Ibiza
The secluded bay of Benirras Beach lies at the end of a mountain road on the north side of the White Isle. Rob says: ‘It's shielded by a backdrop of cliffs, and the area is completely protected from hotel developers, so it's a stark contrast to the party capital of San Antonio.'
Stay in San Antonio to take advantage of its clubs and restaurants, and ask us to arrange a trip to Benirras to recuperate with surf and sunsets. Call us for accommodation options, or to find out how we can get you VIP access to the island's best nightclubs.
Sagres, Portugal
Europe's most southwesterly point is where Portugal launched its ‘Age of Discovery', and this stretch of Atlantic coast remains among our favourite places to explore. ‘It's away from the big resorts, so it's secluded and spaced out,' Rob says. ‘Even at the height of summer there's a breeze blowing from the Atlantic, and though it can get busy in late July and August because of its surfing credentials, if you go beyond the Cape the beaches are relatively deserted all year round.'
Rob recommends staying in the family-friendly resort of Martinhal or the Memmo Baleeira, a recently built hotel in Sagres town that overlooks the bay. Ask us for more options and more ideas on exploring the Algarve.
Rangali Island, the Maldives
There are thousands of islands in the Maldives fringed with powdery white sand, but even among hundreds of idyllic atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Rangali Island stands out. ‘You can only reach the island by seaplane, soaring over the lagoon and the coral reef that surrounds it,' says travel expert Daniel Salmon. ‘It has an extensive beach so privacy is abundant, and the island is home to the award-winning Conrad resort, with private beach villas, a spa and the world's first underwater restaurant.'
Call us to book a stay at the Conrad, or for more tips on private island resorts in the Maldives.
Nusa Dua, Bali
Nusa Dua flanks the eastern edge of the Bukit Peninsula at the southern tip of Bali, an arc of golden sand that stretches between two islands that shelter its shores and seas. Daniel says: ‘This part of Bali has a collection of five-star resorts, many of which have their own private stretch of beach. For a romantic getaway or a honeymoon ask us to book the Kayumanis private villas, a couples-only spa retreat.'
Meanwhile, Kuta beach on the western side of the peninsula is, Daniel says, ‘a surfer's paradise'. Call us to arrange a trip to Kuta during your stay, to hire surf equipment or for more insider tips about the Indonesian isle.
Koh Samui, Thailand
The beaches of Koh Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand offer everything from bustling stretches of shoreline with bars and watersports to deserted sweeps of sand, where the only sound is the waves and the gentle creak of palm trees as your hammock rocks between them.
Daniel says: ‘Stay at the Library, where you can enjoy breakfast in bed on the beach, or the Four Seasons, which overlooks the Gulf of Siam and Laem Yai Bay from its own private beach.' We've used our contacts to secure free upgrades and other benefits for members at Four Seasons hotels around the world - call us to find out more.
Bondi Beach, Australia
Australia is one of our favourite destinations for winter sun, and on a chilly day in the northern hemisphere few locations capture the imagination as forcefully as Bondi Beach. Each year we arrange for members to spend Christmas on Sydney's 1km stretch of sand, where they can surf its famed rip currents, soak up the sun and soak in the sea, and enjoy the bustle of its iconic beach culture.
Daniel says: ‘We can arrange accommodation in Sydney to suit all budgets and tastes. Call us for recommendations and a bespoke travel guide to the city tailored to your interests, or to discuss booking a winter escape this year.'
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