Enjoy the splendour of luxury holidays with TravelSmart

The Independent

In this episode of Travel Smart, Annabel Grossman and Ben Parker present the ultimate guide to luxury holiday destinations around the world. Discover the best places for five-star getaways, high-end hotels, Michelin star dining, and breathtaking scenery. From the Caribbean’s serene islands to the opulence of Dubai and the timeless glamour of the French Riviera, explore top choices for luxury travel. Also, learn about affordable luxury in Southeast Asia and the unique splendor of safari adventures.

Transcript

00:00Welcome to Travel Smarts, the insider's travel guide from Independent TV.

00:05This is a series where we share our take on the best destinations to visit from across the globe.

00:10This week we're splashing the cash and looking into the best destinations to visit for a luxury holiday.

00:16We're talking five-star getaways, high-end hotels, Michelin-starred dining and spectacular scenery.

00:31When you think of luxury holidays, your mind probably drifts to white sand islands

00:36with over-water villas and glistening turquoise waters.

00:39So we're starting out in the Caribbean, one of our top choices for heavenly honeymoons,

00:44solo splurges and five-star family holidays.

00:51If you're looking for upscale hotels, high-end restaurants and plenty of shopping,

00:56opt for an island like Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua or the Bahamas.

01:01For the ultimate in exclusivity, head to St Barts and the British Virgin Islands.

01:07As destinations of choice for A-listers and the glitterati,

01:10both places are known for offering visitors privacy.

01:14Over in East Africa, the Seychelles offer seemingly endless island getaways

01:19where your every whim is catered for.

01:22The Maldives in the Indian Ocean are well known for their range of all-inclusive high-end breaks.

01:28Although increasingly, you'll find some more affordable options among these islands,

01:32providing high-end service at slightly more accessible prices.

01:38If you're looking for some opulence on a city break, consider a stay in London or Paris.

01:43Both of these cities are blessed with an abundance of five-star hotels, fine dining options

01:49and shopping districts filled with designer stores and independent boutiques.

01:55Both have an abundance of five-star hotels, fine dining options and shopping districts

02:00where you can find designer stores as well as boutique options.

02:04If you're heading over to Paris, opt for the Eurostar rather than flying for a relaxing experience.

02:09With the Premier ticket, you'll be treated to a three-course meal with champagne

02:13and be taken straight to Gare du Nord in the centre of Paris

02:16with no need to mess around with airports or transfers.

02:19For a high-end US city break, New York is the obvious option.

02:23For a truly luxe experience, avoid the crowds of Midtown and Times Square

02:28and choose a hotel in Soho, Greenwich Village, the West Village or the Meatpacking District.

02:33Miami and LA also offer everything you could ask for in terms of a glitzy US city break.

02:38But don't be afraid to look to the south where up-and-coming cities like Charleston, Austin and Nashville

02:44can also offer plenty for the discerning traveller.

02:47Dubai is in a class of its own when it comes to luxury.

02:50After all, this city is home to the spectacular Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building

02:55as well as the world's only seven-star hotel, the impossibly opulent Burj Al Arab.

03:00Around every corner, you'll find glitz and glamour

03:03whether you're after a swanky brunch with friends downtown,

03:06an all-inclusive on the palm where the kids will be well entertained

03:09or a quiet golfing break in the sunshine on the creek.

03:14If you're looking for something more subtle, a little closer to home,

03:17you can find getaways fit for royalty on the Côte d'Azur.

03:23The charming towns scattered along the French Riviera

03:26such as Nice, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Saint-Raphael

03:33simply ooze old-school glamour.

03:36Or hop over the border to Monaco to enjoy a taste of this billionaire's playground

03:40where Ferraris are parked outside the Hotel de Paris,

03:43yachts dot the shoreline and wealthy clientele dip in and out of casinos.

03:50If you don't have a millionaire's budget but still want to experience the high life,

03:54it's worth considering countries where your money goes further.

03:57Even if you factor in the cost of the flight,

03:59once you reach Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam or Laos,

04:03you'll find that luxury is much more affordable.

04:07Finally, we can't talk about luxury without mentioning safari.

04:11Because if there's one holiday worth having a splurge on,

04:14it's a trip into the wild to spot animals.

04:18Luxury may mean different things out here.

04:20Some will be thinking of gorgeous tents,

04:22while others will prefer beautiful lodges with swimming pools and excellent dining options.

04:27Either way, being out in the wild doesn't have to mean roughing it.

04:33That's all we've got time for on this episode of Travel Smart on Independent TV.

04:37Be sure to check in for the next episode,

04:40which you can watch onsite on the Independence mobile app or on your smart TV.

04:45And for the latest travel news, reviews and advice,

04:48visit independent.co.uk forward slash travel and listen to Simon Calder's daily podcast.

05:02Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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