CENTURION ESCAPES CARIBBEAN CHARM 2. Bermuda More than just pink sand beaches and knee-high socks, the inimitable isle of Bermuda – ideal for August – continues to encapsulate a timeless sense of an unruffled isle which always rewards further exploration. English afternoon tea, fiestas and rum, fish chowder and stone cottages: Bermuda is an island caressed by the Gulf Stream, a beacon of summer civility before the vast wilds of the Atlantic. ◆ Hamilton BEACH VIBES 3. Mediterranean June and from mid-September in the Med is when the mountains, valleys, beaches and towns are are at the best –hot but not full blistering inferno temperatures. What better times to head to Seven Pines, Ibiza (7pines.com), a brand- new opening for early summer 2018 set on the west side of the island amid hectares of pine forest. The whitewashed suites, located between Cala Conta and Cala Codolar with the island of Es Vedrà as a backdrop, give off an aura of unrushed serenity, perfect as a counterpoint to the unbridled hedonism elsewhere on the island. Opulence of a more historic type awaits elsewhere in the region, nowhere with more flamboyance than the Hotel de Paris ( hoteldeparismontecarlo. com) in Monte Carlo. The Belle Epoque frontage and the miasma of marbled colonnades and crystal chandeliers dazzle Santa Marina, Mykonos and glint in the sunlight. Though, come summer, the best people-watching comes alfresco: the port is just a fiveminute walk away and the streets outside hum with the purr of Ferraris galore. Just west in St Tropez, the private beach at La Résidence de la Pinède (residencepinede. com), the only hotel in the French Riviera that has one, is a calming retreat of talcum soft sand and hilly coastline. With just 36 rooms, the crowds feel a long way away, yet impeccable cuisine couldn’t be at closer hand – with a restaurant overseen by Arnaud Donckele, who trained with Alain Ducasse. For still more privacy, it’s hard to beat Santa Marina ( santa-marina. gr) on the island of Mykonos. Tucked into a hillside on the southern tip of Ornos Bay (the private beach is the only one on Mykonos), the hammam treatments, the two infinity pools and cabana beds, all set amid immaculate splendour, make for a Greek getaway where sun, sea, sand and solitude come together in glorious harmony in early and late summer. ◆ Hotel de Paris, Monaco ISLAND HOPPING 4. Maldives Early summer amid the atolls sees the beginning of the changing of the seasons: the dry heat abating as the wet season begins. Yet hours of blissful sunshine are still guaranteed in July and August as palm trees gently sway and deserted beaches seem to almost cry out for a scattering of footprints. Kudadoo Private Island (kudadoo.com) is a new, and utterly sublime, escape from reality, an adults-only retreat with luxe overwater villas infused with a subtle Japanese sophistication. Mammoth coral reefs swarming with multicoloured fish, making for dream snorkelling and, come sunset, dinner in 5.8, the resort’s own underwater glass restaurant, is an experience that is not soon forgotten. Taj Exotica ( tajhotels. com/maldives), located in a lush easterly atoll, is the sole property on Taj Exotica UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS WITH FINE HOTELS & RESORTS CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM/FHR
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPICERS PEAK LODGE From the moment you emerge onto the winding driveway surrounded by the lush green grass that covers the mountaintop, it’s easy to tell there is something special about Spicers Peak Lodge. This is not just a place to stay, but a destination to experience. With elegant suites in the main lodge, or secluded private lodges surrounded by natural bush, Spicers Peak Lodge offers guests a chance to truly relax. Chefs at renowned onsite restaurant The Peak create dishes inspired by fresh, local produce, matching them with both regional and international wines, ensuring this all-inclusive experience is one for the most discerning diner. For guests who desire to experience the outdoors, guided and unguided bushwalks and mountain-bike tours offer the chance to encounter local wildlife. A sunset four-wheel drive tour complete with champagne is the perfect way to end the day as you watch the spectacular sunset slip away over the Scenic Rim. And with a range of treatments available, Spa Anise is the perfect way to unwind after exploring the natural beauty of Spicers Peak Lodge. Here at Spicers Peak Lodge, one of Australia’s most spectacular luxury lodges, relaxation and revitalisation come naturally. spicersretreats.com/spicers-peak-lodge Wilkinsons Rd, Maryvale QLD 4370, Australia CALL YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER OR CENTURION TRAVEL SERVICE FOR MORE INFORMATION
