FMTY & Travel Bookings

So now we’ve covered the ‘why’, it’s time to address the ‘where’. Below are a few of my dream destinations, but I’m always game to hear yours as well!

Luxury Beachfront Hideaways

Mexico has been a staple ‘winter sun’ destination’ for years, for good reason. Stunning scenery, incredible food, fascinating culture – it’s a country which has a lot to offer. I explored a tiny part of this beautiful place in 2019 and since then I’ve been dying to go back.

While Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya veer toward overdevelopment, there’s still an unspoiled coastline between the two fast-growing towns. Near the powdery white sands of Xpu-Ha, the secluded jungle hideaway of Hotel Esencia is a reprieve from bustling resorts and hedonistic eco-hotels – yet offers all the trappings needed to never leave its grounds. It was originally built as a retreat for an Italian duchess, the 50-acre estate centres on a main house, while stone paths lead to four expansive guest villas and 47 suites, each with a private terrace and some with a heated pool and solarium overlooking the Caribbean.

Or if you feel like making a more ecologically driven trip, take a look at Rancho Pescadero, described as “an awakening – an exploration that encompasses the free spirit, rich culture, and lyrical beauty of Baja California, Mexico. Where wellness is experienced in its most complete sense: the joy of living well.” The owners have a commitment to protecting both ecology in the region, but also wider social wellbeing. To do so, they have created a housing complex for employees, where each of the 170 dwellings will actually become their legal home after years of working at the resort – while also implementing a technical education program for the community’s youth and investing in a clean-air incinerator for the resort’s waste and for local use. A dreamy resort in all senses of the word.

Secluded Bermudian Charm

Bermuda offers a unique combination of natural beauty, culture, and history that make it well worth a visit. The islands offer gorgeous beaches, stunning coastal scenery, and a laid-back island lifestyle unlike anywhere else. Along with the weather, the history and the cuisine, it’s been on my wishlist for a while. The combination of natural wonders, laid-back lifestyle and rich heritage make it a truly a winter sun dream.

Built in 1906, The Rosedon Hotel is a charming, intimate, Bermudian boutique hotel, centrally located within walking distance of the main city, Hamilton. Surrounded by lush tropical foliage and close to many pink sand beaches, Rosedon Hotel captures the essence of Bermuda. I’m thinking cocktails on the terrace at sunset, before we stroll hand in hand through the town to dinner, basking in the warm evening breeze.

As a PADI qualified advanced open water diver (many, many years ago…) I have an enduring love for anywhere which allows me to dive under the water – so a hotel named The Reefs will instantly pique my interest. Perched on a coastal cliff, The Reefs Resort & Club is home to one of the island’s finest slices of pink sand, one that magically unfolds into a pristine underwater environment the moment we step into its turquoise waters. And if we fancy keeping our heads above water, there’s a spa with views of the ocean instead.

Icelandic Winter Wonderland

Or if sun and sand isn’t really your thing, we could lean into the icy vibes and plan an Icelandic adventure. I’ve always wanted to experience the geothermal pools of this gorgeous country – I’ve been told that it’s smart to skip the ever-busy Blue Lagoon and experience once of the smaller pools, such as the Mývatn Nature Baths. I’ve never seen the Northern Lights, and I can’t imagine a better way to get to know each other than under the stars, watching one of the greatest natural wonders on earth.