Didn't think it was possible to do a luxury holiday in an affordable price bracket? Think again. These are our favourite exclusive holidays that don't come at eyewateringly exclusive prices...
1
Copenhagen
Denmark's capital is home to renaissance castles such as Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg and King Christian IV's architectural peculiarity, the Round Tower, as well as Noma, officially the world's best restaurant. This recently-received accolade is acknowledgement that Copenhagen is fast becoming a serious gastronomic hub. Meanwhile, the excellent bars stay open late into the night - the port area of Nyhavn being a particularly favourite haunt for young Danes - and nightclubs like NASA or Vega have become mainstays on the European nightclub scene.
2
Corsica
Only a couple of hours from London but once you arrive in Corsica, you'll find yourself surrounded by white sandy beaches and bright blue seas. There is a charming little hotel near Ajaccio called Les Mouettes right on the coast and with its own tiny beach, but also near to town and the main beach, where there is lots going on.
For something a little more remote, Les Bergeries de Palombaggia is also lovely and has a private path which takes you down to a stunning beach. It's in the quieter part of the island near Porto Vecchio. Corisca has great food and wine (the perfect mix of France and Italy) and it is a beautiful island to explore. You can easily rent a car for a couple of days and visit different parts of the island.
3
Mallorca
If you are looking for a stylish island get-away and have never been to Mallorca, it's a superb destination for luxury boutique accommodation, delicious Mediterranean food and wonderful scenery. You can go walking in the Tramuntana Mountains, hire speed boats for the day and for those that like to party, head into Palma to hang out at the beach club and soak up the atmosphere.
One of our favourite hotels is Can Simoneta on the eastern coast - it's adult only and makes for a great chill out weekend. Otherwise, the fortress hotel that is Cap Rocat oozes romance and style and is only a stone's throw away from lovely beaches and the buzz and nightlife in Palma.
4
Valencia
If you want to explore Spain and do "The Spanish thing" try going to Valencia. There is a gorgeous hotel there called Palau de la Mar which has an amazing restaurant and Spa. From here, you are within walking distance to the old town where there are some fantastic restaurants and tapas bars - Valencia also has a masses of history so it's a really charming city to walk or cycle around.
Added to this, you can go to the beach and spend the day eating yummy sea food and drinking sangria - Head a bit further north up the coast and the beaches are less busy. There are also some world-class night clubs in Valencia so if you fancy a night out, expect a late one. The climate is Valencia tends to be warm and balmy most of the year and it's so easy to fly to from the UK.
5
Egypt
It's warm, sunny, safe and tourist free. What better time then to venture to one of the most exciting and diverse destinations in the world? Perhaps it is a pootle down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan on a luxurious dahabiya as the Orientalists once did, admiring the great temples whilst sipping a G&T on deck that would appeal...
Or maybe exploring the vast and little visited Western Desert area dotted with ancient oases that sit on the old caravan trading routes, spending nights under star studded skies and lazy days relaxing in warm thermal springs? The oasis of Siwa is a particular highlight and hides one of the most fabulous and luxurious eco lodges in the world.
Or then again, you might prefer to explore the mesmeric underwater delights of the Red Sea, staying at some of the best hotels Egypt has to offer at the coastal resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh...
Egypt offers something for everyone with a tempting mix of adventure, history and luxury - and there is no better time to go and find it now.
6
Dolomites
If you enjoy your mountains, if food is your thing, if your body craves adrenaline, if you search the pinnacle of hospitality or the most charismatic of guides, then ladies and gentlemen, I offer you the Dolomites, Marcello and the San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge, or for a hotel, the Rosa Alpina. Life affirmation guaranteed.
7
Southern Turkey
They call parts of this coastline the St Tropez of the East, and while that is wonderfully optimistic (or pessimistic), it is, for me, much better than that. A longer summer, a lot cheaper, some sweet boutique hotels and large swathes of coast still untouched: I challenge you to take the taste test; compare both and come back to us with your favourite!
8
Senegal
How do you like your beaches? How do you like your towns? How do you like your courtesy? If the answer to all three is 'finely honed, immaculate, and polished to an exacting western standard', then don't go to Senegal.
If, however, you love rough edges to your beauty, if you want life in the raw, if you want smilers everywhere, and warmth in buckets, then go to Senegal, any time. History, culture and life aplenty.
9
Les Sources de Caudalie, France
Ever been hosed down by a jet of discarded red wine? You probably have, you sophisticat, but try doing it in the name of health. This stunning boutique hotel in the heart of the Grand Cru's, has a Michelin star, beautiful rooms and suites, a lake and a lovely outdoor and indoor pool, but best if all it has some bizarre treatments. Fancy being scrubbed in Sauvignon? Well, here you can! Or how about a bath in Merlot? Try it and you'll come out richer in skin and experience.
10
Bequia
Possibly one of the Caribbean's most picturesque and original islands, Bequia (pronounced beck-way) is charm personified! Everyone whizzes around by water taxis, and congregates in Jack's Bar for cocktails and The Frangipani to catch the resident steel band in action. The island is filled with frangipani and oleander lined gardens, and Admiral's Bay is a buzzy hub for locals and tourists, populated with colourful food markets and yacht charter companies. There are no glitzy all inclusive resorts like its neighbours but unique and properly 'boutique' hotel and guesthouse options, plus some superb villas for families and big groups. The fabulous thing is it's also very affordable shhhhhh
For more information on any of the above destinations, contact Original Travel.