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...
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
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
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.
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).
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
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
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 villas below work brilliantly for family holidays from May through September, and the southernmost properties with heated pools can also be considered for October half-term. Details of your home-from-home will be important to you, and are important to us, so ask us about floorplans, access to local shops & restaurants, whether the stairs are toddler-friendly, whether the swimming pool is fenced, and what temperature the pool is heated to in the cooler months…we never tire of the details.
If you’re lucky, your May break will coincide with Tinos Food Paths, a food festival, which takes islanders and visitors alike around the island to discover the best gastronomic spots. Think beach barbecues, fish suppers at Tinos market, cuttlefish risotto on harbour-side tables – local recipes, local ingredients and, most importantly of all, in the company of the locals themselves.
Just a 30-minute sail from the party island of Mykonos, Tinos is a great choice for families & couples in search of the quieter, more authentic side to Greece.
Villa Eti provides an ideal spot to kick-back at, complete with a fresh-water pool and a playground, and it’s an easy stroll to the beach.
If your holiday ticklist includes a pool and a beach nearby, cast a glance at Villa Chloe on Paros in the Greek Cyclades. Offering 4 bedrooms, spacious living areas, a beach-front infinity pool and ensuite bathrooms for all, the villa rents for €6,000/week at May half-term.
On Paros, expect whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, blonde-sand beaches, and lively tavernas. A haven for families...Golden Beach, where Villa Chloe is situated, has the sandiest of shallow waters for toddlers and young children. An ideal spot for windsurfing too.
The kitchen cabinets alone make us want to go back....
