#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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Long-haul family travel has historically been reserved for the Summer and Easter holidays, and occasionally Christmas. With many schools now introducing a two-week October half-term, our wanderlust families should be rubbing their hands with glee…

Why? Well, firstly, October means lower hotel prices & airfares. It also means quieter beaches and, as long as you choose your destination well, a wonderful hit of sunshine just as the nights are drawing in and temperatures are beginning to drop at home. Worried about splurging on an Autumn 2020 holiday before Christmas? Don’t be. We are able to hold flights and accommodation for you now, secure your holiday, and your pennies won’t part from you until Summer 2020.

Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing our favourite October destinations and hotels with you. Stay tuned & ping us an email if you’d like prices.

First up is the Maldives; notoriously expensive at Christmas, and peak monsoon season during our summer months, October marks the end of the rainy season. Como Maalifushi is a spectacular 60-minute seaplane flight from Malé; 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!). Maalifushi is also one of the few Maldivian resorts to have a TropicSurf Guide at the resort who will escort you to three secluded surf swells on different atolls. For younger guests, Play by COMO offers 4-12 year olds a creative choice of high-energy and quieter activities to suit all characters. Their ‘Family Getaway’ offer for October half-term includes complimentary half board upgrade for adults, and complimentary full board upgrade for children below 12 years of age. Up to two children in the family will also receive complimentary return seaplane transfers; so quite a saving.