JANUARY

Start the year off right with a total mind and body reboot. Santani is, hands-down, the most genuine wellness retreat that I have experienced. It is located within an easy drive or train journey from Colombo, in the hills northeast of Sri Lanka’s spiritual capital, Kandy. The beauty of its location, its unique architectural design and the food offerings are reasons alone to visit. But it’s the retreat’s professional, holistic and individual approach to wellness that really sets it apart, and makes it worth the spend if you’re in need of a reset or simply want some time to focus on yourself.

N.B. Sri Lanka has seen a huge resurgence in tourism in 2023, and we are already taking bookings for 2025! If you’re a large group, consider a villa (see images on the right)  as it offers better value than multiple hotel rooms. The in-house staff add an extra element of luxury and joy to your stay.

FEBRUARY

The 2023/2024 ski season is understandably booking up very late, given 2023’s low snowfall. The good news is that there are still some brilliant options available for skiing from December 2023 through to mid-April 2024. With snow starting to arrive in the Alps this year, many resorts have announced early openings in late November and early December. The hotels and chalets shown here are personally tried and tested, so I have first-hand experience of just how easy the slope-side access is, and where the best places are to eat on the mountain…

MARCH

Polar Park, deep in the north, lies in a beautiful, secluded valley, hidden from the outside world. You are guaranteed a spectacular, unparalleled, wildlife experience. This lodge has full, private access to the park outside of opening hours. The welfare of the animals is top priority and the natural environment helps keep the animals stimulated and active. As well as the wildlife experiences, the Arctic activities on offer include dog sledding, Northern Lights chasing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow-cave building, skiing and whale-watching.

APRIL

Booking a Caribbean holiday is rarely straightforward as the choice of islands can be overwhelming. If you prefer direct flights, and like a Caribbean island with some authentic character, the Dominican Republic tops our list. The lesser-known north coast is where you’ll be heading; the beaches on this coastline are quiet and pristine – the ultimate spot to unwind and relax. Similarly, if you like adventure, the island offers paragliding in the hills of Jarabacoa, canyoning over the Hongo Magico, ziplining through lush green jungles and kite-surfing in Carabete.

MAY

The late May break is my favourite time to be in the southern-Med for its mellow temperatures and quiet beaches. Prices are vastly more palatable than the peak Summer months. One property that always receives rave reviews from our clients is the Westin Costa Navarino and its sister property, the Romanos. New for 2024, is their kids NBA basketball camp. If you prefer something quieter, the recent opening of Son Bunyola in Mallorca offers something quite unique in the northwest of the island. For families with younger children, the four and five bedroom villas set in the 1,300 acres of olive groves and vineyards offer privacy and sound-proof, private swimming pools that most families crave. Ask us about our villa portfolio across Europe too…

JUNE

My Native is an active member of The Conscious Travel Foundation, established in 2020, with the aim of collaborating, educating and advocating for a more meaningful, sustainable tourism industry. Our members include some of the finest ground agents (our eyes, ears and experts in each destination) plus world-class lodges, resorts and hotels. The Foundation has members from 18 countries globally, ranging from a collection of wildlife conservation-focused camps in India, an Amazonian lodge in Peru offering educational tourism, a group of remote, community-based lodges in Australia, and a unique tented camp in the Lolldaiga Hills of Northern Kenya — pioneers in environmental and social regeneration.

JULY

Kenya: you think you know it: diverse landscapes, amazing wildlife sightings and the friendliest people on earth. No wonder it’s so popular, but if you're looking for someplace a little less busy, head north. Laikipia is the Maasai Mara’s older, and much cooler, big brother. With huge private conservancies filled with wildlife and stunning properties, it’s a ‘must add’ to any itinerary. Our favourite camp here offers guests the chance to join in with a number of ongoing conservation activities, such as joining River Rangers on a patrol along the Timau river, tree wrapping projects and horse riding with Lolldaiga mounted ranger patrols. All this, in addition to spotting the big 5…Finish up with a few days on the Kenyan coast in our favourite beachfront lodge (see images on the right, above).

AUGUST

Komodo is the summer location in Indonesia to enjoy a very special private charter for wild encounters and underwater experiences. Combine with Sumba, the land of the Indonesian cowboys.  Embark on a journey beyond the ordinary where dragons roam free and cowboys ride the golden shores of Southeast Asia's hidden gem.  Cruise the Komodo National Park, where you can witness the Komodo Dragon in its natural habitat. Enjoy deserted island vibes with a picnic lunch on a secluded beach. All from aboard a luxury private chartered Phinisi liveaboard providing sumptuous accommodation each night at a different location. The island of Sumba is relatively unknown. It is known as the cowboy island of the south seas,— this untouched land offers, in addition to its unique culture, some of Southeast Asia's most impressive scenery. With topography that is starkly different to that of its neighbouring islands such as Lombok, Flores and Bali, the  volcanic landscapes are replaced with vast savannahs, golden sand beaches, and crystal blue waters.

SEPTEMBER

A holiday to Costa Rica typically involves hotel changes every few days, long drives and domestic flights to tick off the ‘must-see’ places. If you prefer to delve deep when you travel, I love the combination of a week in a villa to understand what pura vida (pure life) really feels like, followed by a week in a conservation-focused ecolodge – a must in the most biodiverse country in the world. Our villa portfolio in Costa Rica caters to different tastes and needs, from design-enthusiasts, big family getaways, and silence-seekers, to show-stopping ocean views, sustainability stars, and surf addicts. 

OCTOBER

Many of you are looking for a final hit of vitamin D during the October break, and, for this, Morocco and Oman are brilliant choices. Southern Med is another option but you have to be prepared for some cooler days and the risk of temperatures not quite hitting the mark. Morocco has had a few new openings on the coast this year which we’d love to tell you about. And I always recommend a few nights in the Atlas Mountains and a desert camp to make your stay a truly well-rounded Moroccan experience. 

NOVEMBER

If you’re looking for a staycation gift for a loved one, consider London’s most exciting new hotel opening, Raffles OWO. Located in Whitehall, it couldn’t be more quintessentially British with direct views onto the changing of the guard, a short stroll to Buckingham Palace through neighbouring St James Park, and a remarkable history as the former War Office during WWII.For more modern culture enthusiasts, it has also recently provided the backdrop for many James Bond films.

I am very particular about heritage hotels striking the right balance between retaining and respecting the old while introducing the new and Raffles London does this brilliantly. The Granville Suite, pictured here, named after Christine Granville (who was rumoured to be Churchill’s favourite spy) left me speechless.

DECEMBER

I stayed here in December 2020 and having visited and stayed in many of the best Swedish and Finnish Lapland lodges and hotels, this remains one of my favourites. It unusually works for both families and couples. The split-level suites are spacious and stylish while the surrounding lake and forests are blissfully quiet. There’s a small spa and jacuzzi, and one restaurant which serves brilliant food for adults and kids alike. For your Arctic activities, your guide will collect you from the front door of your cabin and whisk you off to frozen lakes for ice-fishing, remote forests to learn the art of driving a snowmobile, husky dog sledding through pristine landscapes and authentic Sami cultural experiences.

 If you are a larger group with grandparents joining you, or you have another family travelling with you, consider a fully-staffed, private chalet (pictured on the right).

MAURITIUS | October is one of our favourite months in Mauritius on the west & east coasts. Due to reopen its borders to UK tourists from 1st March 2021, this Indian Ocean island is a fairly secure bet for guaranteed sunshine & unspoilt beaches. All of our preferred hotels are offering very flexible terms for October half-term bookings, refundable until 6 weeks prior to departure. And with early bird discounts offering 20-30% off their standard rates, Mauritius is a brilliant value option for the Autumn.

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BHUTAN | This small Kingdom bordering China to the north and India to the south closed its borders very early-on in the pandemic and has been widely applauded for its approach. Whilst there are no set dates for borders re-opening, we are optimistic that an Autumn break in this quiet Himalayan haven will be possible, and October is an ideal time of year to visit. Your mornings will be spent hiking, biking, rafting and visiting monasteries, with lazier afternoons spent by the pool, learning the skills of archery, camp craft, Bhutanese art techniques and fly fishing.

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BAWAH RESERVE | Private islands are very appealing at the moment and this Indonesian retreat is one of our favourites. Reached via a seaplane from the island of Batam, off Singapore, we’d recommend a few nights in the Garden City first assuming borders are open. Once you reach your island retreat, you’ll have five lush jungle-covered islands, three sapphire blue lagoons and thirteen brilliant white beaches to explore. Deposits are payable only 30 days prior to arrival. And did we mention that a daily spa treatment is included in your room rate?

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MEDITERRANEAN | If you prefer a short-haul flight and have a more relaxed approach to Autumn temperatures, the southern Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Crete are excellent options in October, as is Puglia in the heel of Italy. The adjacent sister properties, Annabelle & Almyra, are offering complimentary Half and Full Board upgrades for children under 12, for bookings made during the month of March. And Masseria Torre Maizza in Puglia is offering 15% off all stays and €150 in-resort credit.

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NEW YORK | A family trip to New York in the Fall makes a lot of sense to us. Central Park will be at its absolute Autumnal best and your packed sightseeing schedule will be that much easier in this temperate month. We love the stylish Ludlow Loft rooms offering a separate living/bedroom for the kids, and floor-to-ceiling views over Manhattan. If a pool is a must, the Park Hyatt just two blocks from Central Park would be another hotel to ask us about. To escape the city for a few nights, head north to the Hudson Valley - home to fabulous wineries, hip market towns and plenty of opportunities for a morning of river kayaking, forest hiking, pumpkin-picking or fishing.

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OMAN OR DUBAI | If a direct, short flight & guaranteed high temperatures are top of your tick list, you can’t go wrong with a quick & easy week on the beaches of Oman or Dubai. And if you want all of the above with an additional hit of adventure, a few nights in the Hajar Mountains & an Arabian night under the desert sky will create lifelong memories. As Four Seasons Preferred Partners, all of our clients booking suites at the Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach will receive in-resort credit for their stay.

#1 . Traditionally ‘last minute’ holidays have been synonymous with taking a punt on the unknown, but at My Native we strongly believe that there is no need to compromise on quality just because you’re booking the week or even the day before. Indeed, with an ever-changing world, a last-minute break may be your best bet and our team of experts will ensure that your holiday will be one to remember for all of the right reasons.

#2. For those of you who like planning ahead and having something to look forward to, we are in the process of helping a number of clients plan for 2021. Unlike instant purchase flight bookings that you make with an airline online, we are holding flights for our clients with later ticketing deadlines. This gives you flexibility to hold one or multiple destination options until nearer your date of travel. And we have been working hard with our hotel partners since March to offer you fully flexible booking terms for 2021, refundable right up until your travel date.

#3. And, if you care about sustainable tourism as much as we do, know that by booking holidays, you’ll be supporting local communities through this global pandemic; from drivers to fishermen, waiters to housekeepers, chefs to dive instructors.

So, where does it makes sense to book right now? Here are a few of our top picks based on our conversations with you over the past 6 months - what you’re asking us for and what you’re craving.

Christmas, February half-term and Easter are just lovely in the Caribbean and - with fewer visitors from the States this year - there are some great stay 7 nights, pay for 5 deals. Flight prices are also unsurprisingly low, even for a festive break before, after or whilst Father Christmas is doing his rounds. With direct flights, Antigua and St. Lucia are both on the travel corridor list and just required a negative PCR covid test within 7 days of your arrival. And if an onward flight doesn’t faze you, St Kitts, St Barts, St Vincent and the Grenadines offer a smaller-island, relaxed vibe. Similarly, many of our preferred private island resorts in the Maldives are offering fully flexible booking conditions so a Christmas or February half-term week is a good ‘wait & see’ option until our favourite Indian Ocean islands are given the green light.

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Social distancing is part and parcel of life in Scandinavia, particularly in Lapland where your very own private winter wilderness awaits. Flights are mainly direct and, unlike many Lapland tours, you’re not on a fixed itinerary - choose from ice-fishing, skidoo safaris (naturally, our lodges have skidoos for all ages and sizes), bonfires under the stars, snow-shoe treks in search of the Northern Lights, tobogganing, or even a private visit to meet Father Christmas and his wild reindeer. It goes without saying that hot-chocolate by an open-fire and a traditional sauna and hot tub are a must…

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For those of you who need a break from your home offices but unfortunately can’t escape your screens, workcations are a fantastic opportunity to combine work commitments with the opportunity to explore somewhere new. Many of you have been asking us to help choose a home-from-home for the long Easter or Summer breaks, and pictured above is one of our favourites in Galle, the Portuguese fort on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Expect a fully- staffed house, delicious home-cooked food, and easy access to beaches. And enjoy surfing breaks, calms seas, cycle paths through paddy fields, and galleries, restaurants and brilliant local markets within easy walking distance. At the weekend, we’d definitely recommend logging off for a few nights at a Yala National Park lodge on the trail of leopards.

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Ski enthusiasts are a determined species, and speaking to our partners based in resort, we are fully expecting many of our preferred hotels to have a strong 2020/21 ski season. The necessary changes have been made on the slopes to minimise the risk of infection - reduced numbers of people allowed in gondola ski lifts but running at their maximum speed, staggered ski pass times, and you’ll definitely need us to reserve your table ahead of time for any slope-side lunches during peak weeks. Based on the current travel corridor list, you can ski in Sweden and Italy. And we’ll be keeping a close eye on France, Switzerland and Austria as the ski season nears. So don’t disregard skiing this season; we particularly love the week before Christmas in Italy, and a New Year’s skiing weekend in Sweden is truly memorable.

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Cultural breaks have become very popular recently, perhaps because traditional classroom learning has been such a challenge this year. Having toured numerous European cities ourselves with children from three to eleven years old in tow, we fully appreciate the fact that attention spans are finite, and finishing off the day with a swimming pool is a must! The Four Seasons Astir Palace, just outside of Athens, is a brilliant base for visiting the Temple of Poseidon and the Acropolis. And Lecce - the Florence of the south - is such a gem of a Baroque city; take a Street Art and Graffiti tour in the morning and head to the beach for the rest of the day.

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Self-care has become something of a marketing buzz word of late, but taking the time to look after yourself has never been more important. So booking a break at a spa or yoga retreat is, in our opinion, a wise idea for the benefit of both yourself and those around you. But not all spas are made equal so please talk to us about what self-care means for you and if the definition of ‘time to yourself’ involves more action and adrenaline than rest and relaxation, we know plenty of ideal destinations for the more energetic amongst you.

The face of travel is undoubtedly changing. One of the shifts is towards longer breaks, finding a place to call home for a few weeks, getting under the skin of a new destination and living life as a local. There's nothing we enjoy more! For many of you, workcations are now also a real possibility...

This 3-bedroom townhouse in the Portuguese fort of Galle offers a beautiful home-from-home (fully staffed with delicious local meals included), easy access to beaches - surfing breaks and calms seas, walking distance to galleries, markets and restaurants, cycle paths through paddy fields, and visits to tea plantations or leopard safaris on the weekend. 

For more ideas like these, subscribe to our weekly Native News. We'd love to keep you updated on the industry's changing trends and news, and help you to make travel decisions that count...

If, like us, you haven't quite had your fill of blue skies, toes-in-the-sand and warm seas this summer, book ahead for an Autumn or early Spring 2021 break. A quick hop from London and currently on the UK's travel corridor list, we love this newly-opened Four Seasons just outside of Athens. 

For a pampering, long weekend away, it ticks every box. And equally, families keen to explore the Acropolis and the temple of Poseidon will be hard-pushed to find a better base for their adventures...

As and when we are able to travel again, it makes sense to have plans in place. Worry-free bookings mean minimal or no deposits at the time of booking (on flights & accommodation), and full payment 30 days prior to departure. Flexibility in these uncertain times is key.

Making informed decisions about travel is also necessary, so speak to an expert. We can recommend slope-side ski properties and tried & tested beachfront villas. From selecting hotels with sustainable eco-credentials to ensuring your first family safari really knocks it out of the park, or making sure that honeymoon bolthole is the remotest retreat possible. When you do travel again, you’ll want to make sure that the experience ticks every.single.box

Time To Yourself

If you’re desperate for some time to yourself, this would be our top pick. Marrakech is one of those destinations that has so many brilliant hotels, palaces & riads to stay at that you could literally pick one blind-folded and not be disappointed. This said, there is one new arrival to the scene which has us very excited…The Oberoi Marrakech. Ten years in the making, this is an architectural & design masterpiece, a haven of peace, set amongst 28 acres of olive and citrus groves with uninterrupted views of the Atlas Mountains. The Oberoi hotels are legendary in India for their serene interiors and slick, authentic service. As well as a traditional Moroccan hamman, the spa also offers Hatha yoga, meditation, and nutritional and ayurvedic programmes. Whether you stay with your partner, a friend or by yourself, a stay at this elegant retreat will undoubtedly give you space & time for yourself.

Our favourite times of year? March-May, & September-November

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Wide-Open Spaces

If you’re craving wide-open spaces, consider a 7-10 day break in Oman or Jordan. Situated towards the west coast of Oman, these desert camps are brilliantly run and combine well with a few nights in the breathtaking Hajar Mountains, finishing off with an easy few days on the shores of the Arabian Sea. You’ll find similarly serene valleys, rugged canyons, desert landscapes & star-gazing skies in Jordan where you can also indulge in two culture-packed days in Petra and Jerash.

Our favourite times of year? October-November, and March-April

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Time With Grandparents

Many of us are sorely missing seeing our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended families at the moment. This 4-bedroom Cretan villa provides the perfect holiday hang-out for all; an ensuite bedroom on the ground level for grandparents, an infinity pool for adults, separate kids pool, a large lawn for ball games, spacious lounge areas inside & out, and a housekeeper & chef if you want them, or total privacy for your family if you prefer. The nearest beach & village are a 5-minute drive away. The villas that we feature come in all shapes & sizes. They are all well taken care of throughout the year and come with the most brilliant of local hosts. Our carefully-selected portfolio of villas includes the Greek islands, Ibiza, Puglia, Sicily & Umbria. Here at My Native, we have extraordinarily high standards and expectations, and source only the best home-from-homes.

Our favourite months for a European villa break? May half-term, for a hit of early Summer sun & quiet beaches.

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Not Lifting A Finger

The ideal twin-centre holiday if you feel in need of a total break from domestic chores would be a stay at one of these exclusive-use houses in Madikwe Game Reserve and then the Beach Lodge at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Here you will have your own staff - a personal chef and butler, two housekeepers, a host, safari guide and, in Madikwe, a wildlife tracker as well. Moreover, the  ‘Morukuru Freedom Concept’ gives you and your party the opportunity to do “whatever you want, whenever you want”. Genius.

Our favourite months of year to go? This depends on your priorities.

For the best game-viewing: April to October but temperatures will be cooler, particularly during our summer months.

For the best whale-watching: August and September are the best months for whale-watching on the Garden Route (Ocean Beach Lodge has some of the best shore-based whale watching in the world).

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Freedom for your children

We love our children to be outdoors, and firmly believe that they should be seen AND heard on their holidays, and that’s why these three private island resorts are our favourites for families.

Play by COMO, the kids club at this brilliant Maldivian resort, focuses on social play over technology-driven games and kids can even snorkel with a marine-biologist. All three islands offer a wonderfully-safe, natural habitat for children to explore and let off steam, whether it be swinging on tarzan ropes, paddling in shallow house reefs, hiding in tree houses or jumping off jetties, there’s something for every child, not to mention the young at heart. And what better way to wind down the day than with cinema under the stars and marshmallow-toasting on the beach? We wish every day could be this good.

Best time to go? Maldives: November-March | Indonesia: March-September

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The Mountains

Many of you may have missed out on your ski break this year, so let’s make sure that 2021 is one to remember for all the right reasons. Why not consider venturing cross-Atlantic for the slopes of Whistler, Lake Tahoe or Colorado? Ski schools in the US & Canadian resorts take children from three years of age, and we’ve found the ski instructors across the pond to be particularly good with our younger learners. Service levels are second-to-none, queues for ski-lifts tend to be shorter and more organized, and, in general, your hotel suite or residence will be roomier than the equivalent chalet or room in the Alps. The ski-in, ski-out Ritz Carlton on the north-western shores of Lake Tahoe is hard to beat for young families, and we love Little Nell in Aspen for its central location, contemporary design and slick service.

Best months to go? Early January-end of March

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For more details on any of the above breaks, or to chat through other travel ideas you’re considering, do get in touch at julie@my-native.com, or 0203 371 7203. We’d love to hear from you.

And in the meantime, stay safe & stay home.

These lodges are our absolute favourites in Lapland; a collection of small, family-owned properties, in a remote, pristine location, where the details matter. Choose from a room in the hotel with easy access to the restaurant and cosy lounges, a lake-side chalet, or a log cabin or suite in the forest - some with their own sauna. You can even spend a night in an Aurora Bubble directly under the north sky; given its’ remote location, far removed from any light pollution, you are ideally placed to spot the aurora borealis.

Whichever option you choose, the modern Scandi alpine decor is cosy & stylish. The mezzanine children’s rooms are brilliantly designed and we love the spacious, fireside living rooms; ideal for family gatherings or groups of friends.

For families, whatever your child's age, there are activities to suit... learn to fish on the ice, cross-country ski or snowshoe through pristine forests, make cinnamon buns with the Pastry Chef, meet Father Christmas, Aurora hunt by snowmobile, visit an actual reindeer farm and learn from the herders the importance of reindeer in Lapland, or spend an afternoon sledging!

How do the logistics work? Given the remote location, it’s surprisingly straight-forward; a 3-hour direct flight from London to Northern Finland and, depending on which lodge you choose, a 30-60 minute transfer. Your destination is 300 km inside the Arctic Circle, just a short distance from the Russian border.

Contact us for availability, a detailed itinerary & prices. We’d love to send you there!

In the meantime, stay safe, stay well & stay home.

You’ll be hard-pushed to find more remote, beautiful valleys, a more genuine sense of hospitality and a more magnificent mountain playground for hiking, cycling, kayaking, rafting & paragliding than Nepal. Kathmandu is a 12-hour flight from London so we’d recommend at least two weeks for this adventure; for families, consider it in the Autumn if you have a 2-week October half-term, as an alternative Christmas break or an Easter holiday. For individuals & couples, October to April are the ideal months to be there so opt for November, February & early March for quieter hiking paths & cheaper flights.

The Pavilions hotel group has set a new standard in hospitality with The Farm & Lakeview - two properties located either a 5-hour hike or kayak away from one another in secluded spots overlooking the Annapurna mountain range, just outside of Pokhara.

The Farm is made up of 14 luxurious villas - all with a private terrace, high ceilings, Himalayan views, shower and tub in the bathroom, Nepalese textiles and artworks, and tech add-ons such as iPod docking stations. Their We Are Family program is brilliant: working on the organic farm one morning, exploring the local villages by bike, cookery lessons, family yoga, hikes, kayaking…and there’s a lovely salt-water pool too. The wellness element at The Farm deserves a mention too; their state-of-the-art spa is located in the most serene and peaceful of settings - ideal for pampering of the body, mind & soul. And for those of you in search of a pure yoga retreat, their tailored programmes are packed with healthy, balanced meals, meditation & morning-to-evening yoga practices.

Pavilions Lakeview is made up of 8 tented villas; solid walls and a tented roof giving you the comfort of a luxury villa but the thrill of sleeping and showering outdoors. This latest opening from Pavilions occupies a stunning location above Phewa Lake, surrounded by rice fields and views of the Annapurna Mountains. The restaurant serves up deliciously-authentic, locally-sourced Nepalese cuisine, as well as international favourites which cater for all palettes.. rice pancakes with Himalayan honey, Poached eggs, herb salad and cashew dukka on toast, Fish fingers with homemade spicy chutney, and Spag Bol topped with yak cheese…naturally!

Sustainability is at the core of both properties; rather unusually, equal importance is afforded to guests and the local community, funding education programmes and offering training & employment opportunities. There is also an organic farm onsite with the objective of creating employment for local farmers to stem the exodus of communities to the cities. For guests - young & old - keen to get involved, taking part in the day-to-day action on the farm is fully encouraged.

For a day-to-day outline & pricing, please do get in touch. A few days in Kathmandu at the beginning or end of your trip is a must and we know the best places to lay your head in the vibrant City of Temples.

And in the meantime, we send you our very best wishes; stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home.

Having worked in the travel industry for 15 years, I know how resilient the travel sector is and how innovative and determined the people working in it are. Hospitality is all about the people and the current challenge we’re all facing - more so than any other - is bringing out the very best in our travel partners globally; patience, empathy, and creativity aplenty. I couldn’t ask for a more collaborative network of airlines, hotels, ground agents & clients.

It’s been an extraordinarily busy time for us with the Easter holidays about to start. Many of our clients have been asking us what protection their My Native holiday has. The answer is:

We pride ourselves on being a socially-responsible company, committed to supporting sustainable tourism globally. With this objective in mind, we are encouraging our clients where possible to postpone their holidays to a future date. Our partners, like us, are incredibly grateful for the commitment that our clients are also showing to supporting them & the tourism industry as a whole.

With self-isolation a reality for many of you, you may have time on your hands to reflect. Clearly, we don’t know how long COVID 19 will be amongst us but we do know that it won’t be forever so planning ahead for October half-term, Christmas holidays and thinking where you might like to venture to in 2021 is smart - and, frankly, a good form of escapism! All of our partners are offering flexible payment terms - airlines & hotels alike - so do get in touch if you have an idea where you’d like to venture to next. Most of our suppliers are offering no penalty for cancelling or changing arrangements until 7 days before travel, and we can hold flights with payment due a month prior to departure.

One thing we are certain off is that we’re not the only ones itching to be escaping somewhere…Over the coming weeks & months, we’ll continue to provide inspiration from our favourite destinations around the globe. Call us or email us if you’d like to chat through any travel ideas you have. Native Ski will be online shortly featuring our favourite ski-in, ski-out hotels, advice on which ski schools we prefer in each resort, competitive rates, and - as ever - the best in local knowledge.

We've been so impressed with our partners since the outbreak of the Coronavirus earlier this year. Airlines, ground agents, & hotels have all been in touch to let us know about their flexible booking & payment terms accommodating a global clientele with understandable concerns and hesitations. 

Some of our clients are travelling this Easter break and some have cancelled, many clients are continuing to plan ahead for the summer holidays and others are holding fire. Many of you are busy looking ahead to October half-term and Christmas breaks, as well as 2021 ski trips which makes a lot of sense.

So, this evening, we're sharing with you a few images from Ubud. We're heading here for October half-term; shoulder-season in Bali so prices are lower and the weather is wonderful. 

And given that it's International Women's Day, we're tagging a few of our favourite female partners from within the industry; they're a resilient, hard-working & focused bunch so am sure this year will prove to be a success, regardless of the challenges.

Thank you for coming to see us at Most Curious Manchester on Saturday. We really enjoyed meeting you and loved hearing about your honeymoon plans for 2020, 2021 & beyond! The destinations we chatted about were so varied; from Colombia to Sri Lanka, Iceland to Japan, South Africa to Indonesia. And so many different wishlists: surfing, snow-boarding, yoga, hiking, pristine beaches, seeing the Northern Lights, island-hopping, taking a toddler too, micro-brewery tours… we can’t wait to help you tick all those boxes. If you didn’t get the chance to speak to us, please do get in touch at honeymoons@my-native.com, or on 0203 371 7203.

We chatted to many of you about the Experimental Group Hotels, and we’re pleased to announce that Abbie & Luke are the winners of our fabulous giveaway of two nights away at any one of their properties. The offer is valid until January 20th 2021 so please do let us know your preferred dates & location, Abbie & Luke.

We’re sorry to those of you who entered & didn’t win but all couples who do book their honeymoon with My Native receive a beautiful, navy, leather travel wallet & personalised leather travel tags. We also have a Most Curious gift for all couples booking their honeymoon within six months of the show; we’ll be gifting you one of these fabulous travel cosmetics bags! No more plastic bags needed at the airport for those liquids 😊

If you’re expecting a honeymoon proposal from us, we’ll be in touch this week. And if you would love to entrust your honeymoon plans to an expert, drop us an email or give us a call on 0203 371 7203. These Most Curious couples did….

Choosing an island to stay on in the Maldives is not straight-forward as they are not all made equal. Some are accessed by speedboat, others by seaplane. Some islands have a spectacular, easily-accessible house reef whilst for others you'll need to hop on a speedboat to swim with turtles, rays & reef sharks. Some islands have a wide sandy beach whereas others are not so blessed. And the focus on sustainability is not consistent either; fortunately, a few islands are now focusing on their environmental impact - no mean feat in the Maldives where produce has to be flown in, waste management practices are generally poor, and solar energy panels are far & few between. 

This said, the two COMO resorts that we stayed at this week - Cocoa Island and Maalifushi - offer an abundance of reasons. First off, the staff are brilliant; attentive, genuine & very personal. Second, the focus on wellness is evident not only in the daily yoga, pilates, state-of-the-art gym and sublime spa treatments, but also in the COMO SHAMBHALA menu which offers tasty, lighter meals in addition to a wonderfully-diverse a la carte. Furthermore, the beaches - particularly at Cocoa Island - are amongst the best in the Maldives; wide expanses and fine sand that extends through to the restaurants for relaxed feet-in-sand dining. Likewise for the house reef at both resorts; a breath-taking display of marine life directly accessible from your private deck, and Marine Biologists on site too who are busy tracking whale-shark movements in the area and offering daily guided snorkel & dive trips. And finally, we were thrilled to see an immaculate, organic kitchen garden at Maalifushi; herbs & vegetables grown locally with no fertilisers or pesticides. 

Accommodation is either over-water or beach-front. Ask us about our favourite suites & villas; we’d love to share our top tips with you.

Are you a surfer or a calm-sea swimmer? Do you want to be able to stroll to a few shops & restaurants in the evening or do you like complete seclusion & isolation? Do you prefer a house reef or are you happy to venture further for your snorkelling? Is the sea safe enough for your toddlers to paddle in? At that time of year, which coastline will be sheltered from the trade winds? These are all questions that we're used to answering and which, when taken care of by someone who appreciates that these details matter, can elevate a simple beach holiday from satisfactory to sublime.

The first stop for us is Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives...complete with underwater spa and lagoon-size infinity pool. Best months to be there? November-April.

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Next stop is Bali. Do you prefer the bustling beaches of Seminyak or the sheltered seclusion of Jimbaran Bay? And will you venture to the neighbouring island of Lombok? The Legian Sire is looking very smart ahead of its’ re-opening in May this year. Best months to be here? June-October

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Vietnam is very popular this year and for good reason. We love the island of Phu Quoc and the beaches around Nha Trang - still relatively unspoilt. Best months to be here? November-March.

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Closer to home? Some of our favourite European beaches can be found in Ibiza, Puglia, Sardinia, and the Greek islands. Ask us about the selection of villas we have within an easy drive of these beaches. Best time to be here? May and September are our favourite months. June-August are lovely too but hot, hot, hot.

We’re pleased as punch!

Why? Grab a copy of The Sunday Times and flick to the centre pages of the brilliant Travel Supplement. On pages 21 & 21, Deputy Travel Editor, Jenny Coad, recounts her week on the Egadi Islands with My Native. This trio of islands, off Sicily’s west coast, are wonderfully unspoilt; think secluded coves, laid-back living, breathtakingly pristine waters, quiet cycle paths, rustic landscapes, grilled tuna & caponata, and the freshest lobster soup.

Click here for the full article. And read our blog for more details on the Egadi islands, and our top five island destinations for 2020.

Following a seven-month renovation, COMO Cocoa Island will be re-opening next week on 9th January. Conveniently located 40 minutes by speedboat from Male international airport, Cocoa Island is one of the most convenient Maldivian islands to access. This is an island better suited to couples in our opinion; facilities are low-key but perfectly orchestrated; a new, state-of-the-art Gym, a yoga studio with 360 degree views of the island, a dive centre, and the Como SHAMBHALA spa, which takes up one third of the island, is a destination in its own right. We love the calm, mInimalist style of all of the newly renovated rooms; in particular, the Loft Water villas, with their mezzanine bedroom overlooking the living area, are superbly spacious. Their fabulous ‘reopening package’, valid until mid- March, saves you quite a few pennies; speedboat transfers, usually US$350 pp, breakfast & a daily 3-course dinner.

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Nikoi is, hands-down, our favourite family island escape. Why? Well, the staff on Nikoi genuinely adore getting to know each child. The creative activities on offer each day inspire kids of all ages to try something new…whether it be jetty jumping, snorkelling, catch-the-flag, flying dragon (code name for their zip wire), treasure hunts, or woodcraft. Paddle-boarding, kayaking and diving are popular past-times amongst the teenagers and as the sun sets over the South China Sea, a beach bonfire is lit, BFG-proportioned marshmallow sticks appear and a movie under the stars ensues. Add to this peanut-butter cookies & bananas on the bar for that essential morning snack on-the-go, a kids menu which brings local dishes to their radar without shocking young taste buds, and giant monitor lizards lazily sloping around the resort & you've got a pretty spectacular family holiday. Easter is our favourite time here but you’ll need to book ahead as it’s popular with local expat families.

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For pure escapism and an authentic slice of Sicilian paradise, head to the Egadi islands off the west coast of Sicily. The largest of the three islands, Favignana, is ideal cycling terrain so ease into laid-back island living by exploring the island's secluded coves, quiet sandy beaches and savouring the freshest of seafood in one of the island's two piazzas. Pick up a picnic and hop on a ferry or charter a yacht to the nearby island of Levanzo - home to paleolithic cave paintings. Always leaving the best to last, spend your final days exploring the most remote and our favourite of the three Egadi islands, Marettimo. Accommodation here is low-key but stylish; choose between renovated fishmerman’s self-catering cottages or boutique hotels with lots of local character. May half-term is idyllic here or late August/early September for warmer seas.

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Nestled between Vancouver Island and the west coast of Canada is Sonora Island. If the idea of sitting on a beach doesn’t rock your world, perhaps the pristine forests & clear, still waters surrounding the Sonora Resort might appeal more. Activities on offer include: world-famous salmon fishing, guided eco-tours by rib boat, close-up views of grizzly bears, orcas, sea lions and dolphins, remote glacier tours by helicopter, and riding ocean rapids. There are some brilliant mountain-bike tracks and hikes directly from the hotel for more independent exploring. The resort is also Relais-Chateaux so foodies will be immensely happy.

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If one island is just not enough for you, consider a week at the Legian Bali with a 7-night cruise of the Indonesian Komodo National Park and Gili islands. Aqua Blu is equipped with diving and snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and two zodiacs so plenty to keep you entertained between stops. There are 25 crew members for 30 guests, interconnecting cabins for families (note that there is a minimum age of 7 years old) and Indonesia-inspired cuisine including the freshest seafood and alfresco barbecues. Our summer months are the best time to visit and there is still some availability for July & August.

Taking a sustainable approach to travel is definitely on our minds as we go into 2020. If it's important to you too, ask us about hotels, lodges & villa operators that have a sustainable mindset. The impact on the local community is so important; there are some brilliant practices out there so if you'd like to explore these as you decide where to go & where to stay in 2020, talk to us. Greenwashing is rife in the travel industry so don't just think that 'eco' ticks the box.

Nihi Sumba in Indonesia has local communities at its core; funding water projects, primary schools, nutrition, malaria vaccinations and training & employment opportunities through The Sumba Foundation. Ideal in our summer months, this villa-only resort provides privacy and space for families and a wonderfully-original choice of activities from surfing to cocoa-making in the island's chocolate factory, yoga and beach horse-riding. If you're lucky, you might experience a turtle release.

If your children, like ours, are already budding eco-warriors, look no further than Ibiza for a holiday with an eco-conscience. We’ve teamed up with a brilliant local foundation to offer our clients the opportunity to clean up the ocean themselves whilst discovering local coves, the neighbouring islands of Tagomago and Formentera, dolphin-spotting and all on an emission-free, solar-powered catamaran! The villas we represent in Ibiza are superb, as are the hosts that look after them; and can be fully hosted for the week with chef & housekeeper or you can choose to have a guest chef in on a few nights. On other days, take a guided walk along Ibiza’s beautiful coastline and we’ll provide a locally-sourced, fresh picnic to keep those energy levels where they need to be! We love Ibiza during the May & October half-terms, but the summer months are also sublime.

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For footie-mad girls & boys, a week at Rocco Forte’s Verdura resort in Sicily will see them training every morning with Juventus players. Having tried & tested this resort in May half-term a few years ago, we know that it works; the interconnecting rooms provide enough space & privacy for all, complimentary bikes of all sizes make for fun journeys to breakfast each morning, there are golf clinics for the little ones & tennis lessons for those who want to hit some balls, and enough variety of restaurants to keep you brilliantly fed. For Chelsea fans, Forte Village in Sardinia runs training academies for 4-14 year olds through May half-term and the summer months. Ask us which hotel in this resort would suit you best as there are seven to choose from. We love the private villas as you have the benefits of the resort and the privacy of your own pool, garden & home-from-home.

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There can’t be many better places in the world to learn to ride than Montana; nor are there more authentic places to stay than on a working cattle ranch. After a few private lessons in the riding arena, venture out on a guided horseback ride through Yellowstone National Park seeking out their big five - elk, grizzlies, black bears, bison, and wolves. When you fancy a day off the saddle, try your hand at fly-fishing for trout in some of Montana’s Blue Ribbon rivers - the Gallatin, Yellowstone & Madison. The quiet stretches of these rivers are also ideal for family canoe trips, or rafting further downstream on the white waters. Sundowners, toasted marshmallows, and a roaring campfire will bring your evenings to a close.

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To experience one of the world’s finest outdoor playgrounds, consider a week on Hawaii’s second-largest island, Maui. Learn to surf, paddle an outrigger, swim in the island’s seven sacred pools (& waterfalls), snorkel, dive, join the ‘Morning Ocean swim clinic’ if you’re an early-riser! We’re excited about the brand-spanking new Auberge Maui Lani; their 2 bedroom beachfront bungalows with private pools are hard to beat for families. The keiki-only explorers club is an outdoor base camp designed like a rustic tropical hideaway with tree swings, hammocks and a big sandbox for shell hunting. Young kids will spend their days involved in sandcastle-building contests, beach bonfire storytelling and s’mores. For older children, there are fabulous mountain bike tracks, hikes, kayaking, and beach yoga & cross-training for the fitness fanatics. We’d recommend spending a few nights in Vancouver on the way out (a direct, 9-hour flight from London) and San Francisco on your way home.

And a final, festive point…if you missed this week's top pick of Christmas presents for wanderlusters, consider these new travel cosmetic cases from NotAnotherBill; a stylish way to glide through airport security and a brilliant alternative to plastic. With leather edging and matching personalisation patch accompanied by a contrasting coloured zip tape, the black & navy is My Native's favourite. For a 10% discount, use NATIVE10 at checkout.

For the perfect antitode to post-Christmas blues, Le CouCou in Meribel is offering 3 nights for 2 in January and early February. We’re road-testing it next month so keep an eye out for our thoughts on this brand spanking new Trois Vallees design hotel.

If you’re planning to take the kids, consider the ‘Time for Family’ offer at Severin’s, Lech, in Austria. Direct flights from London to Innsbruck and then a 90-minute transfer to the slopes. Kids stay for free in the cosy bunk beds of the Family Suite. Offer is valid 15th March-15th April.

Jumping ahead to April & May, Crillon Le Brave in Provence has announced a 3-for-2 night Springtime offer making the sublime, hilltop-village hotel very affordable.

We’re also excited about the first 5-star hotel to open its doors in Reykjavik in 2020 - the EDITION. Just a three-hour flight from London, you’re unlikely to find a weekend break that will leave you feeling more invigorated and pampered than this one. If it’s anything like the London EDITION, we’re going to be hooked. We love June through August for the long, lazy evenings, shorefront horse-rides, waterfall hikes and summer festivals.

And our top pick for 2020 weekend breaks is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta. Unlike a long-weekend city break to Rome or Paris where you might come away feeling frustrated that you’ve only scratched the surface, this city offers just the right measure of culture. Only 1km long by 600 metres wide, the capital of Malta delivers inside access to baroque palazzos & churches, guided walks around the famous Knight’s quarters and viewings of Caravaggios accompanied by an art curator. And once you’ve had your fill, you’re just an hour away from some of the Mediterranean’s finest dive sites and beaches…

From summer 2020, the 24-room boutique hotel - Iniala Malta - will be a reason in itself to visit. Spread over four beautiful townhouses and several ancient vaults, the hotel juxtaposes exceptional design with breathtakingly historic walls. Some of the suites will have their own plunge pool and the fine-dining rooftop restaurant overlooking the Grand Harbour will be quite the place to dine on a summer’s evening. September and October are our favourite months to visit so put Valletta on your list for 2020, and call us for details of Iniala’s opening offers.

And finally, a festive gift idea that any avid travellers in your family or network of friends will thank you for; an annual subscription to Suitcase - our favourite, monthly, travel journal. December’s issue, on ‘Taste’, is teasing our tastebuds, taking us to all corners of the globe in search of the best local cuisine. Keep an eye out for their Black Friday offers this weekend. In their own words, ‘SUITCASE explores the world through a local lens, disrupting conventional travel for a globally minded generation.’ Brilliant.

If it’s your first time taking your family to India, consider a 10-day tour of the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with a few nights on the beaches of Goa. For budding wildlife enthusiasts, and to break up the intense days of sightseeing, two nights in Ranthambore National Park makes a lot of sense, particularly since the tiger population in the park has risen over recent years. For many years, Goa has almost exclusively been a package-holiday destination. More recently, a number of unique boutique properties offering a more authentic experience, sublime service levels and wonderful cuisine have put the destination back on the map; ask us about the newly-opened, heritage Postcard Hotels…we simply love the local experiences they are offering.

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For families preferring a shorter flight, Amman in Jordan is a 5-hour flight from London with average October temperatures of 27 degrees. Float on the Dead Sea, walk along the streets of the Roman Decapolis in Jerash, star-gaze from a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum, even learn how to make baba ghanoush in Amman's finest cookery school. All this before you've even arrived in Petra! As this is the third most water-scarce country in the world, our superb guides will be sure to drop the topic of sustainability into the conversation. We’d recommend a minimum age of 7 years old for this trip as the drives are long, and the walk to the Treasury in Petra will be challenging for very young children.

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You’ll need to be smart about venturing to South-East Asia in October as many places will require an umbrella & mac. This said, it is one of the best months to visit Borneo, for an exciting fortnight of beaches, pristine rainforests & wildlife. Equally, October is one of the finest months to visit northern & southern Vietnam; providing you avoid central Vietnam. Start in the northern mountainous region of Sapa & the French-colonial city of Hanoi, and finish-up in Saigon, which in late October should be dry & warm, with relatively low humidity levels. For beach-time, stick to Mui Ne or the unspoilt islands of Phu Quoc.

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If two weeks on the beach is too much for your family, consider flying with Oman Air to the Maldives stopping off for a few nights in Muscat & a desert camp enroute. After a 4-hour flight to Malé, Como Maalifushi is then a spectacular 60-minute seaplane flight away. For a truly remote setting with a wondrous house reef and uninterrupted horizons, you couldn’t ask for better. The activities on offer are equally as impressive; daily yoga, kayaking, paddle-boarding, night-snorkelling, and splash-net dolphin-spotting cruises (where you sit in the net of a dhoni and get dragged through the ocean). Their ‘Family Getaway’ offer for October half-term includes complimentary half board upgrade for adults, and complimentary full board upgrade and return seaplane transfers for two children under 12.

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And finally, to ensure Dad looks stylish on his family holidays next year, consider Mangata London - a brilliant, British company offering sustainable men's swimwear made with the environment in mind. The brand uses a super soft, super quick dry fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, sourced from all places where plastic shouldn't be, the ocean, beaches and landfill. Stylish and sustainable - be part of the solution not the pollution. To receive 10% off your purchases, use discount code MYNATIVE10 when checking-out. Your hardest decision will be which stylish design to choose...