CLUB PEOPLE • August 2018
Five dream holidays to book now
If you’re struggling for ideas on where to go next, who better to inspire you than fellow Club Members? Whether it’s swimming with manta rays in Fiji, getting a cultural fix in Istanbul or enjoying five-star pampering in Malaysia, here are some of your favourite travel itineraries
Langkawi
Angela Catterall, Silver cardholder
A short flight from the bustle of Kuala Lumpur and you’re in beautiful Langkawi, where you can shop duty-free in almost every retailer on the island. For classic five-star luxury, book a stay at The Danna on the Andaman Sea – a coastline full of palm tree-lined beaches and Malaysian mountain silhouettes. Once you arrive in paradise, indulge in a neck massage at the hotel, have ice lollies delivered to your sun lounger, and relax on your balcony as the minah birds and hummingbirds fly by. Your best bet for getting around is to hire a car, but watch out for monkeys running out in front of you – they appear when you least expect it! For a fantastic day trip, try the Langkawi Craft Complex, where impressive demonstrations of local crafts such as batik (hand-dyeing cloth) and woodturning feature alongside small, fascinating museums full of history and Langkawi legends.
Fiji
Tamsin Cocks, Blue cardholder
Island hopping in Fiji is probably my favourite holiday experience to date. The Mamanuca and Yasawa island chains are some of the most idyllic and tropical of their kind in the world – think Castaway, Blue Lagoon or Survivor, all of which were filmed here. Access to paradise is remarkably easy: a 30-minute drive from Nadi International Airport (fly from London via BA partner Fiji Airways) gets you to the iconic Yasawa Flyer at Port Denarau - buy your pass online in advance for the best rates. Every day at 8.30am, the bright yellow ferry putters through the islands, dropping holiday makers at one of the 40-plus tiny paradise resorts. Aside from breathtaking scenery and five-star chill time, you can swim with manta rays, scuba dive, learn to weave bamboo baskets and enjoy as much kokoda (Fijian ceviche) and fresh coconuts as you can handle.
The USA
Naomi Reading, Bronze cardholder
Washington DC has a great vibe – it’s more mellow than New York, but still has excellent restaurants and, of course, the iconic sights. Walking down 14th street will lead you to all the historic monuments and museums that the capital is famed for, from the White House and Lincoln Memorial to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Stop for a pre-Prohibition-inspired cocktail at Provision No.14 – it serves an amazing mac and cheese, and the outdoor area is always buzzing. Further west, Las Vegas always promises plenty of fun. Caesar’s Palace has seven amazing pools where you can catch some rays from one of the plush cabanas, before heading out for the night.
Istanbul
Joey Horsfall, Silver cardholder
These days I can’t stop recommending Istanbul, a city crammed with hidden treasures. Drop your bags at Hotel Miniature, with its industrial décor and ultra-attentive hosts, before heading out to some must-see mosques: the enormous Hagia Sophia and spectacular Sultan Ahmed, both filled with some of the most beautiful mosaics in Islamic history. Shopping bags at the ready, the Grand and Spice bazaars are a feast for the senses – the former is one of the world’s oldest covered markets. Backstreet must-eats include the elegant Leb-i Derya where you can tuck into delicious octopus, and Yeni Lokanta, for fab, floral gin cocktails. Finally, sea legs at the ready, as the Bosphorus boat tour is a perfect way to capture the sights.
South Africa
Mark Moloney, Blue cardholder
Having my own wheels makes a massive difference to the freedom I feel when travelling. South Africa with its spectacular Garden Route between Mossel Bay and Storms River provided one of the most memorable road trips I’ve ever been on. With the ocean on one side and dramatic coastal scenery on the other, it truly is some of the best driving in the world. There’s plenty to do along the way to break up the journey, including wildlife parks, shark cage diving, ostrich riding and wine tasting at numerous wine estates, such as Solms Delta in the stunning Franschhoek Valley.
Do you have a holiday recomendation you'd like to share with your fellow Executive Club Members? Email us at theclub@ba.com
This article has been tagged Destination, Hotels
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