Want to travel like royalty? Get inspired by the British royal family holidays. From dreamy private islands in the Caribbean to luxury lodges in Africa, the famous family are known to jet off to some of the world’s most lavish, yet secluded, destinations to spend their downtime.

As Queen Elizabeth prepares to become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee on 6 February 2022, after marking 70 years of service, it’s likely Her Majesty will be in need of a well-deserved break. So where do the royal family deem worthy of a holiday? From the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite ski resort to the Queen’s beloved Scottish Highland estate, here are five holiday hotspots the royals put on repeat.

1. Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Set on the northeast coast of the Scottish Highlands, Aberdeenshire offers a stunning landscape of beaches, rivers, ancient ruins, and quaint seaside towns. It’s also home to Balmoral Castle, the private royal residence and beloved estate where Queen Elizabeth spends her annual summer holidays. Before his passing, Prince Philip also joined the Queen here every year. Other members of the royal family often join her for holidays in Scotland too, including the Cambridges and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice of York. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also have their own home on the Balmoral Estate, known as Birkhall, which Prince Charles inherited from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Why Balmoral? Queen Elizabeth reportedly feels most at home in the wild, secluded beauty of the Scottish Highlands. She loves getting away to enjoy her favourite outdoor pursuits, such as walking, horse riding, picnics, shooting, and driving her Range Rover. Princess Eugenie once said: “I think Granny is the most happy there, I think she really, really loves the Highlands… walks, picnics, dogs, a lot of dogs, there’s always dogs… You just have room to breathe and run.”

The sprawling Balmoral Estate is famed for its remarkable Scots Baronial architecture, immaculate gardens, and protected wildlife, including endangered red squirrels. There are 50,000 acres of mountains, valleys, forests, pastures, moors, lochs, and gardens, so it’s understandable why Balmoral has served as a private royal retreat for over 150 years. While it’s a private residence for the British royal family, they do allow visitors from April to July. You can stay in one of the cottages on the grounds, or spend your Aberdeenshire holiday in one of the region’s charming old inns. 

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2. Klosters, Switzerland

The British royal family are known to be skiing enthusiasts, so where better to indulge their passion for snowsports than the Alps? While they’ve been known to spend their ski holidays in places like Verbier, Switzerland and Courchevel, France, the royal family have a preference for Klosters, the luxury ski resort in the Swiss Alps. With plush suites combined with a peaceful, discreet atmosphere and breathtaking alpine landscapes, this snowy retreat is definitely a favourite of the British royal family. 

Prince Charles often took the late Princess Diana and his sons, Princes William and Harry, when they were children, and it’s reportedly where William and Harry learned to ski. Both princes have since returned many times in adulthood, and it’s where Prince William first went public with his now-wife, Kate Middleton, after they were spotted on the slopes. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also love to spend time at Klosters, while Prince Charles is such a famous and frequent guest, that there are cable cars named in his honour. 

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3. Corfu, Greece

The Greek Islands are famed as a favourite holiday destination for A-listers, but which island is the most loved by the British royal family? It’s the exquisite island of Corfu, where sparkling turquoise waters lap against brilliant white sand beaches. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are known to come here on their summer holidays to soak up the Mediterranean sunshine and it’s also where Prince Charle’s father, Prince Philip, was born as a Greek prince in 1921. 

Prince Charles once said: “Greece is in my blood and I have long had a fascination for her ancient culture and history.” The couple spends time at their villa on the mainland and also on superyachts at sea. If you’d like to spend your next holidays like the royals, there’s plenty to see and do in Corfu, from exploring the historic Corfu Town and wine and olive oil tasting to simply relaxing on the picturesque beaches. 

RELATED CONTENT: Journeys of a lifetime: Why 2022 is the year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience

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4. Botswana, Africa

The British royal family are known to head to Africa when they want to retreat into nature. Prince William often visits Kenya as Royal Patron of Tusk and President of United For Wildlife and it’s where he proposed to Kate Middleton in October 2010.

For Prince Harry, it’s Botswana that holds a special place in his heart. He took his now-wife Meghan Markle to Botswana for their glamorous third date in 2016 and it’s said to be the place they fell in love. They reportedly stayed at Meno A Kwena, a luxury, sustainable tented camp perched above the Boteti River in the Makgadikgadi National Park.

Harry said in an interview: “We camped out with each other under the stars… We were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.” The couple returned again the following year to celebrate Meghan’s 36th birthday. When Harry proposed, he even sourced one of the diamonds on Meghan’s engagement ring from Botswana. 

Harry also visited Botswana as part of a tour of Africa in 2019 and talked about his deep connection to the place. He says he first discovered the beauty of Botswana when his father took him and his brother here to get away from it all after the death of his mother, Princess Diana. He said the trip helped him to cope and he now comes here every summer. With its spectacular savannahs, deltas, and deserts, it’s safe to say that Botswana is one of the most loved British royal family travel locations.

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5. Mustique, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Beautiful, secluded – and off-limits to paparazzi – the magnificent island of Mustique is the ultimate tropical paradise… So it makes sense that it’s a favoured destination for British royal family holidays. As part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, this exclusive Caribbean island is all about dreamy turquoise waters and powdery white beaches. The island takes the privacy of its guests seriously and it’s played host to many royals over the years from Prince William and Kate Middleton to Queen Elizabeth and the late Princess Margaret. 

Mustique’s history with the British royal family began in the sixties when it was a beloved retreat for Princess Margaret. She spent her honeymoon there and then built her own private villa, called Les Jolies Eaux, after Lord Glenconner gave her land in Mustique in 1960 as a wedding gift. She often hosted royal family members including her sister, Queen Elizabeth, and once said it was the only place she could truly relax. The six-bedroom villa is now available as a private rental.

Mustique is still a royal favourite today and Kate and William love to spend their summer holidays here. In 2018, the couple enjoyed a night out attending the 50th-anniversary party for Basil’s Bar, the iconic beachside bar. In fact, Kate and her family have been holidaying here for years, even before she married Prince William. Kate’s parents have been known to join the Cambridges on their holidays here. The couple also bring their children to the island paradise and Kate even took Prince George’s official birthday portrait here – so we know this is one special place for the British royal family. 

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Are you dreaming of visiting any of these beloved British royal family travel locations? Let us know in the comments below…

After two years of travel turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is set to experience a return to the golden age of travel. With restrictions easing and borders opening, 2022 will undoubtedly be the year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Travellers have been dealing with cancelled or postponed trips for years and are now embracing the old adage: “there’s no time like the present”.  Whether the dream is to cruise the Nile River in Egypt or walk the ancient Machu Picchu in Peru, people are booking the most extraordinary bucket list adventures – and they’re willing to splurge to do it.

The year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience

Machu Picchu

Expedia is calling it the year of the GOAT, or the “Greatest of All Trips”. The company is naming extravagant bucket list holidays as the biggest travel trend of 2022, after its 2022 Travel Trends Report found that 65% of respondents intend to “go big” on their next trip. The report also found the top-searched international destinations for 2022 travel are Rome, London and Paris, along with Bali and Mexico.

Meanwhile, HomeToGo’s travel trends report found that searches for Tuscany in Italy are up 141% and the South of France are up 88%.

Amadeus is also seeing considerable increases in bookings for once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, with bookings to Peruvian cities near Machu Picchu up by nearly 50%, searches for safaris in Africa up by 36%, and flight bookings to Jordan’s Petra up by 22%.

The American Express 2022 Global Travel Trends Report found that 55% of respondents plan to book a once-in-a-lifetime holiday this year. The report also found that 74% of respondents are booking trips for 2022 even if they have to postpone or cancel later, and 62% intend to travel more in 2022 and take two to four trips this year.

So why are more travellers ready to spend big to ensure 2022 is their year of the once-in-a-lifetime travel experience?

Ready to indulge

Venice-Simplon Orient Express

Most travellers have not dipped into their travel funds for almost two years, so they’re financially ready to splurge on a memorable once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

A joint trending in travel report by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Trip.com found that 70% of leisure travellers intend to spend more on travel in 2022 than they have in the past five years. International spending is expected to​ rise by a massive 94% in 2022.

The American Express report found that people are not only willing to travel more, but are ready to spend more to do it. A whopping 86% of respondents plan to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to previous years. Expedia has also found that travellers are more willing than ever before to spend big on travel.

Travellers are already putting their plans in motion, with American Express Travel bookings up 24% compared to 2019. Meanwhile, HomeToGo’s average booking expenditures have also increased by 54%, compared with 2019 figures.

The company also found that previously pent-up travellers are seeking more luxurious destinations and more spacious accommodation in 2022, despite the higher costs.

Importantly, travellers are being more thoughtful about where they spend their money and are seeking out brands that support local communities, such as Luxury Gold. The American Express report found that 81% of respondents want the money they spend while travelling to go back into the local community.

Seizing the moment

After losing two years to the pandemic, people are now feeling a sense of urgency to travel. They’ve been longing to get back out into the world and they don’t want to miss out on visiting the people and places they love, seeing bucket list destinations, and celebrating important life events. To make up for lost time, more people are now booking those remarkable once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.

So seize the moment now with a bucket list adventure. Whether it’s a safari in South Africa, a trip to see the cherry blossoms in Japan, or a journey around the most opulent cities of old Europe, 2022 is going to be one extraordinary year.

Where will you travel in 2022 for a bucket list adventure or a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience?

Imagine residing in pure luxury in the beautiful expanse of Africa’s nature. Safari by day and dine on a candle-lit terrace at night, listening to the sounds of wild animals in the evening air. Truly at one with nature, a stay at the Lion Sands Game Reserve in South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, is an unforgettable experience.

On many a bucket list is the thrill and excitement of seeing Africa’s Big Five: the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. Here you can make those dreams a reality, and at the same time reconnect with life and one another.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve

Situated in the Sabi Sands, which boasts one of the planet’s highest concentrations of animal species, the Lion Sands Lodges offer exquisite treehouse-style rooms, and luxury suites with private decks and plunge pools. Relax in open-air lounges and dine overlooking the Sabie River. With impeccable service, guests reside like royalty with every need taken care of.

Having such majestic animals on your doorstep is one of life’s great privileges. And from the lodges of the Lion Sands Game Reserve, you can look out on Africa uninterrupted. Arise with the sunrise and watch elephants moving about in the fresh morning mist, while you sip delicious coffee and breakfast. Spend your days on safari, seeking out the Big Five with expert trackers, going on bush walks and relaxing in the hotel’s Africology Spa. Then, as the sun dips beyond the savannah, enjoy candle-lit dinners and spectacular feasts of slow-cooked meats, seasonal vegetables and sweet treats. Soak up the magic of the African bushveld illuminated by the sinking sun and fall asleep listening the distant calls of hyenas and lions, under a blanket of stars.

The thrill of going on Safari

Going on safari means stepping into a thrilling world of excitement and anticipation. What will you see and when? Can you track a herd of elephant to their watering hole or discover a pride of lions roaming the savannah? Be sure to have your camera in full working order before you go and brush up on wildlife photography skills, you won’t want to miss this chance to capture the moment.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve, in Kruger National Park, forms part of an ecosystem boasting the largest concentration of wild animal species in the Southern Hemisphere. Hop in your private open-air safari vehicle for exhilarating game drives, hosted by professionally qualified rangers and trackers. Highly skilled, the trackers analyse animal spoor and read the bush like a book.

Sunrise is often the best time to spot predators; huddle down under blankets as you’re driven through the fresh morning mist in search of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard, as you pass rocky outcrops, and scan the bush for buck and giraffes. Learn about the complexities of termite colonies, see crocodiles and hippopotamus at watering holes and discover many exotic bird species.

Early evening is the ideal time to spot members of the Big Five, including rhinoceros, buffalo and lion. And, as well as safaris, you can hone your tracking skills on bush walks with an expert ranger and experience the thrill of locating animals for yourselves.

Exquisite Dining

Whether under the stars, out in the bush, or on the atmospheric terraced restaurants, every meal at the Lion Sands Game Reserve becomes an experience in itself. Be it appreciating the landscapes or wildlife, dining with amazing views is guaranteed. Expert chefs transform local recipes into contemporary dishes, giving you a taste of Southern Africa, paired with wines from a hand-selected collection of premium Cape labels.

The in-house chefs specialize in a variety of cuisines and are able to offer everything from vegetarian to traditional fare. Popular South African dishes to try are: Bobotie, a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a creamy golden topping; Potjiekos, a traditional Afrikaner stew that is slow cooked and never stirred: Biltong, dried cured meat and Boerewors, a farmer sausage.

Spectacular South Africa

If a luxurious safari sounds perfect for you, then take a look at our Spectacular South Africa luxury guided tour. This stunning 9-Day journey takes you through the spectacular sights and landscapes of South Africa, including a three-day safari. Explore Cape Town and its surrounding areas, visit an acclaimed wine estate and see the UNESCO World Heritage site and former prison of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island. And all the way staying in exquisite hotels and dining on fine local cuisine. There is also the option to extend your journey to visit the majestic Victoria Falls.