In the dreary days of winter, it’s the most natural thing to dream of inspiring beach destinations where you could travel. With rolling waves onto golden sands framed by towering cliffs cloaked in lush vegetation, it’s easy to see in your mind’s eye what paradise looks like. If you’re keen for small group travel to a stunning coastal destination, we can recommend a few beaches that will truly take your breath away.

No matter which continent you seek adventure on, Luxury Gold can help you plan exclusive beach vacations in the most amazing places, so you won’t have to worry about a single thing. Read on to help decide your next beach getaway.

HAWAII

Kauna’oa Bay, Kohala Coast

The immaculate white sands of this beach are unusual in this part of the island, as they are formed of silica, instead of coral or lava like the other beaches on the Kohala coast. It’s a perfect place to take a refreshing swim in the morning, as the water is still and calm. The bay curves around providing shelter, but sometimes it’s possible to partake in the island’s favorite water sport – surfing.

On Luxury Gold’s Luxurious Hawaiian Escape, you stay directly on this private beach, so it’s possible to have it all to yourself. Swim with the manta rays or simply stroll on the white sand as the sun goes down over the island.

Wailea Beach, Maui

This glorious stretch of sand is named after the Lea, goddess of canoe makers. The calm waters are ideal for swimming or snorkeling, as the visibility is superb. If you just want to relax and top up your tan, there’s plenty of space on this wide beach, so you can get a prime spot in the sun. You can also admire the views of volcanic islands Kaho’olawe, Lana’i and Molokini in the distance.

Many Hollywood celebrities have been spotted on these sands, but nature lovers will prefer visiting in winter when humpback whales can be seen breaching just off the coast. Luxury Gold guests can enjoy a gentle walk from their splendid accommodation at Fairmont Kea Lani along the Wailea Beach Hear the sounds of the whales in season as your feet sink into the silky sand.

BRAZIL

Praia de Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

Surely the most famous beach on earth, Praia de Copacabana is a perfectly scalloped slice of coastline, framed by green forested hills. With Luxury Gold, you can enjoy the view from the grand Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, which sits right on the beach.  Spot the enormous waves in the middle section, grab a cool drink from one of the hawkers and watch people weave in and out on the monochrome boardwalk with the recognizable wave motif.

If you’re feeling active, you can take a paddleboard out on the ocean, or maybe join one of the beach volleyball games taking place all along the 5-kilometer stretch? It’s also one of the most incredible places on earth to ring in a New Year, with revelers from all over the world and one of the biggest fireworks displays on the planet.

AUSTRALIA

Cape Tribulation, Queensland

Photo by David Clode

There is something remarkable about stepping from one the world’s oldest rainforests onto the beach at Cape Tribulation. Located in the Daintree National Park, this small coastal town feels totally off the beaten track and doesn’t welcome as many tourists as the beaches around Sydney or the Gold Coast.

Luxury Gold guests begin their Inspiring Australia tour staying right by the Coral Sea, so it’s a great opportunity to get some tranquil beach time in an extraordinary environment.

The crystal waters of Coral Sea are home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the planet’s most amazing natural wonders and a giant living organism that can actually be seen from space. This means that Cape Tribulation contains an abundance of marine life, so it’s a superb place for a diving trip. If not, take a walk along the pristine sands and enjoy the peace of this stunningly beautiful place.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland

Perhaps you’d like some remote beach time as an addition to your Luxury Gold Inspiring Australia tour? If so, the award-winning Whitehaven Beach is a strong recommendation. Here you’ll find some of the purest sand in the world and the pleasingly warm waters are an inviting place any time of day.

If you fancy stretching your legs, head to the northern end of the beach, where you’ll discover Hill Inlet. This is where the tide shifts, creating a natural swirl of colors that is a beautiful sight to behold. As it’s located in the center of the Great Barrier Reef, you are sure to witness some amazing sea life in the clear turquoise waters. You can also take a seaplane or helicopter ride to appreciate the magnificent natural beauty of the area.

NEW ZEALAND

Mount Maunganui Beach, Auckland

Photo by Andre Knight

You are never too far from a beach in New Zealand, and the staggering beauty of each means that you’ll never have a wasted trip. However, Mount Maunganui beach is consistently voted as one of the best beaches in the country and even makes the top 25 in the world. Surfers flock here due to the awesome surf breaks, but as the coastline stretches for hundreds of miles, plenty of people visit purely for the gorgeous views.

Mount Maunganui is overlooked by its namesake mountain and it’s great for swimming, as well as surfing. Paddle boarding is another popular water sport at this spot. A gentle uphill walk will take you to the top of the Mount, an extinct volcano carpeted in foliage, where you have a spectacular vantage point over the Bay of Plenty. Many native birds frequent the mount, so you’ll easily catch a glimpse of a fanned tail as it swoops towards the Pacific Ocean.

Luxury Gold brings small travel groups to experience The Long White Cloud, which ends in Auckland. From there, Mount Maunganui is easily reached by car in under three hours, or you can take a short flight to nearby Tauranga.

CROATIA

Petrcane beach, Dalmation

Croatia’s mainland coastline stretches for over 1,300 kilometers, so travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes for picturesque picnic spots by the sea. However, much of the rugged coastline is rocky, with only a handful of beaches being sandy. Petrcane beach has both rocks and sand, which is convenient for travelers who don’t like sand sticking to their feet or clothing after being in the water.

Luxury Gold guests can easily access Petrcane Beach when staying at the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera. The temperate waters of the Adriatic Sea and the shallow depths at this beach mean that it’s safe and pleasant for an afternoon dip. It is situated between two peninsulas, which provides shelter and it never gets too busy; the vibe of this ancient fishing village is completely relaxed. There are friendly cafés and restaurants nearby and a pretty promenade to walk along, while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze.

FRANCE

Plage Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

When you think of the most exclusive beach vacations in the world, the Cote d’Azur is sure to spring to mind. This beach sits right by some of the most expensive real estate on the planet and part of it is sealed off as an exclusive club that has played host to huge stars such as Sean Connery and Tom Cruise. This exquisite spot was named for Pablo Picasso’s daughter, so it has long been a favorite among artists too.

However, you can access the beach for free, and it’s worth it simply to marvel at the unobstructed views across the cliffs of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Eze. Either book your spot under one of the beach umbrellas, or you can even join the jet set for some water skiing or paddle boarding around the little cove. Experience more sweeping Mediterranean vistas on Luxury Gold’s French Vogue tour.

PORTUGAL

Praia Do Carvalho, Benagil

It can be hard to find a beach on the Algarve that isn’t crowded, but enter a cliffside tunnel in Benagil, navigate the sandstone steps and you’ll emerge onto the small but perfectly performed Praia Do Carvalho. There is no lifeguard on this beach, but the soft golden sands and inviting sapphire sea between the large cliffs make it an absolute paradise.

If you like your beach days to be high on adrenalin, you can partake in some cliff diving, which is safe due to the depth of the water here. Snorkeling is also a rewarding experience, as the water is clear and the V-shape of the cove makes it a welcoming place for a multitude of marine life.

If you’ve joined one of the luxury group tours enjoying Spain & Portugal in Style, then you might like to add on a few days in the Algarve to explore the region in more depth.

SOUTH AFRICA

Bloubergstrand, Cape Town

Photo by Brent Ninaber

Although it’s a city, Cape Town has some incredible beaches. It’s difficult to choose which one is best, because it depends what you want from your beach trip. Certainly, the one with the most striking scenery is Bloubergstrand. The startling white sands lead to sparkling blue water with Table Mountain as a remarkable backdrop. It is truly inspiring.

The beach also feels quite untouched by tourism, mostly because it’s so expansive that it never gets crowded. You can find a great spot to catch some rays without anyone nearby. The winds can pick up down here, so it’s popular for kitesurfing and wind-surfing, and the crashing waves are a photo op in themselves.

Visitors who embark on the Spectacular South Africa tour with Luxury Gold spend five days in Cape Town, so there is time to really appreciate what the city has to offer, and see more than one of its astounding beaches.

MONTENEGRO

Plavi Horizonti, Dalmation

Although Montenegro is a tiny nation, with 295 kilometers of coastline it offers plenty for beach lovers to adore. The warm Mediterranean climate means that there is an abundance of sunny days, and the calm waters are great for a refreshing swim.

Luxury Gold guests enjoy a full day of leisure in Tivat, so it’s ideal for a relaxing day on the sand. Plavi horizonti, a Blue Flag beach, is situated in the southern part of the bay of Tivat, and is popular with families. The clear waters here are naturally sheltered from the wind by the pine and olive trees that line the cove. The beach is a mixture of fine sand and pebbles and warm rocky pools provide safe places to explore. This is one of the best beaches in Montenegro to snorkel, as you’ll catch sight of plenty of sea life beneath the surface.

Small Group Travel With Luxury Gold

As we consider getting back to travel, Luxury Gold have introduced small group departures, which can make your journey even more magical. Guests enjoy more space and time to explore a destination with less waiting around and more access to selected experiences that aren’t available to larger groups.

If you’re seeking smaller travel groups to the world’s best beach destinations, Luxury Gold affords you the opportunity with an average of 15 guests on our small group departures to Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and more. For as long as physical distancing is the norm, you can do so with Luxury Gold.

Choose your next sun break on one of the world’s finest beaches with Luxury Gold.

If you’re a traveler who wants to appreciate more about the history and culture of a destination, then visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site should be part of your itinerary. These extraordinary places can be a natural phenomenon or a historic monument and some even combine both, but all are striking in their representation of humanity.

Currently, there are more than 1,100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted around the globe, although Italy and India have a wealth of them for locals and tourists to admire. If you need inspiration for your next luxury travel adventure, then look no further. The good news is that many Luxury Gold tours feature several UNESCO World Heritage Sites on their itinerary, so you can relax in the space and style you need while immersing yourself in the wonders of the world. We’ve gathered the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites to add to your luxury travel wish list.

Iguassu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Available on Classic South America Tour

Iguassu Falls

Chosen as one of the new seven natural Wonders of the World, Iguassu Falls comprises 257 waterfalls across an area of 2.7 kilometers. Iguassu Falls sits along the borders between Argentina and Brazil and is accessible from either country. The Falls are a truly jaw-dropping sight – they are taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, and the area is home to an incredible ecosystem with butterflies, monkeys and even jaguars.

The Devil’s Throat is the most well-known waterfall in the immense system of cascading falls. Venture along many yards of footbridges to catch sight of it thundering over 260 feet and creating a plume of misty spray. If you join the Classic South America tour, you can stay in Belmond Das Cataratas, the only luxury resort located inside the Brazil Iguassu National Park, just moments from the falls.

On the Brazilian side of the Falls, you can visit the Bird Park, which shelters more than 1,000 birds, as well as butterflies and many different reptiles native to South America.

Memphis and its Necropolis, Egypt with the Great Pyramids of Giza

Available on Elegance of Egypt tour

Pyramids of Giza

For any inquisitive traveler seeking to learn more about ancient civilization, Egypt offers a vast number of historical sites and artifacts to discover. Chief among these is the sprawling Memphis and its Necropolis, once the capital of Ancient Egypt, established around 3,000 B.C. and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Join a knowledgeable Egyptologist on the Elegance of Egypt tour to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the enormous tombs whose construction still interests scientists today. Venture into the center to see the chambers where great pharaohs were buried, while hearing more about some of the most important surviving monuments of humankind.

Visitors can marvel at the enigmatic Sphinx, the oldest known monumental structure in Egypt and explore further to learn about the many great dynasties that inhabited this land.

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, Egypt

Available on Elegance of the Pharaohs tour

Statue in the temple of Karnak

Staying in Egypt, Thebes was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Once home to the wealthiest people in the country, the majestic remains of the city stand as a testament to the Middle and New Kingdom’s of Egypt.

Delve deep into the grand history at Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built, and stand in awe of Rameses II, as his shadow is cast beneath the hot sun. Luxury Gold offers VIP tours so guests can stroll around the Temple of Luxor after hours, away from the crowds. It is a chance to scan the hieroglyphics carved thousands of years ago and hear more from your Egyptologist on the lives of those who lived during these impressive civilizations. Every step brings a new discovery, as the area is truly an open-air museum.

Agra Fort, India 

Available on Spirit of North and South India tour

Agra Fort

Comprising a number of fairy tale palaces, Agra Fort is a 16th century Mughal monument that is recognizable by its looming red sandstone walls. It was home to Mughal emperors until 1638, when the capital moved to Delhi.

The fort is, in fact, a walled city and Luxury Gold guests can stay inside the walls in the grandeur of Mughal Agra, an opulent resort perfectly placed for exploring the marble towers and courtyard gardens of the fort. There’s also the opportunity for VIP tours to meet local people, enjoy tea and pakoras on a rooftop and hear more about the heritage of this historic municipality.

Taj Mahal, India 

Available on Imperial Rajasthan tour

Taj Mahal

Just minutes away is the most iconic symbol of love in the world: the Taj Mahal. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, it has long been admired for its beauty, architecture and intricate design. It was built between 1632 and 1653 by the fifth Mughal emperor Shahjahan as a shrine to his wife, Mumtaz, who died in childbirth.

The best time to visit this stunning monument is at dawn, when the morning rays of sunshine seem to turn the white marble to shades of pink and orange. With Luxury Gold, this is all arranged in advance, so you can enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic icon as the sun rises.

Jaipur, India

Available on Essence of India with Ranthambore tour

The pride of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was only classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. This glorious walled city was founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II and is a remarkable example of urban planning that also happens to be incredibly aesthetically pleasing.

Within the city walls are many places of interest, including the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a staggering building that rises five stories in a configuration of honeycombed hives. Take in the City Palace Museum and enjoy a VIP experience of tea in the Royal Families living room.

Banff and Jasper National Parks, Canada 

Available on the Majesty of the Rockies tour

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a stunning area of natural beauty with imposing snowy peaks, lush forests and serene lakes that reflect the surrounding landscapes. The seven national parks in the region have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. This is nature at its unaltered finest. On Luxury Gold’s Majesty of the Rockies tour there is the opportunity to take it all in without the need for tiring days of driving.

Catch a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, before arriving at Jasper National Park. Here you can see giant hanging glaciers and stroll through cavernous canyons while keeping an eye out for the myriad animals that populate the park, including bears, bighorn sheep and deer, as well as many more species.

Take a cruise on the still waters of Maligne Lake, famous for its turquoise hue, before a stop on Spirit Island, to simply breathe in the magnificence of the surrounding nature. Traverse the Icefields Pathway on your way to Banff National Park, for more remarkable scenery.

In Banff, you can ride the Banff Gondola to the summit for endless views of this mountainous paradise, or even take to the skies in a helicopter ride for a real bird’s-eye view of the Rockies in all their splendor.

Pompeii, Italy

Available on Ultimate Italy tour 

Pompeii, Italy

Buried under a blanket of volcanic ash for 1,800 years, Pompeii was once a vibrant Roman city until 79 A.D. In one day, Mount Vesuvius erupted, and lava rained down on the town, causing residents to flee and engulfing the town whole. It wasn’t until 1748 that a group of explorers discovered the site, which had been extraordinarily preserved beneath the ash.

Visitors can spend days exploring the remains, as parts of ancient bath houses, bakeries and homes remain. Mosaics can still be witnessed on the floors of ancient villas. Let a Local Expert guide you amid the ruins to understand Roman life before the eruption.

City of Bath, UK

Available on British Royale tour

Great Bath, part of the Roman Baths in Bath, UK

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built around the only geothermal springs in the United Kingdom. It is a beautiful Georgian city that dates back more than 3,000 years, and the site of the well-preserved Roman Baths that you can visit on your British Royale tour with Luxury Gold. Imagine how the Romans lived, get a feel for the healing waters and appreciate the magnificent architecture on show across the city.

Aside from visiting the historic baths, there is much to explore in the protected city. Stroll across Pulteney Bridge, designed by the designed architect, Robert Adams, or take a boat ride beneath it for an alternative view. The city was also the home of renowned author, Jane Austen, so visitors can take a tour around the scenes of her novels, “Persuasion” and “Northanger Abbey”.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Available on the Classic South America tour 

‘Christ The Redeemer’ statue with Sugarloaf Mountain

A recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro was awarded a new status in July 2012. It was recognized for many aspects from the famous Copacabana Bay to the Tijuca National Park, a rainforest which covers the Corcovado mountain right down to the sea.

When visiting Rio, it would be wrong not to make the ascent to Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the most recognizable effigies in the world. This 30-meter statue is an art deco masterpiece that is prone to lightning strikes, because of its height and position. In fact, just before 2014 FIFA World Cup, a thumb of the statue broke off after a lightning strike.

The culture, artistic inspiration and natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro was commented on by the UNESCO committee when granting recognition to the city.

Pont du Gard, France

Available on French Vogue tour

Pont du Gard, France

The Pont du Gard is a remarkable feat of engineering that dates back to the 1st century A.D. 50 kilometers of tunnels and bridges were built to channel water to the surrounding areas of Nîmes. Precision was paramount for the success of the project and Roman engineers excelled in creating the aqueduct, which still stands today.

First, stroll around nearby Avignon, also a UNESCO site, before taking an afternoon visit to Pont du Gard, where you’ll see over 21,000 cubic meters of limestone that was mined nearby to create the aqueduct. There is also a fascinating museum that follows the journey of construction of the incredible Roman antiquity, still standing after two thousand years.

Kinkakuji Temple, Japan

Available on Majestic Japan tour 

Kinkakuji temple

Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji temple is an impressive structure that was originally constructed in A.D. 1397. Unfortunately, it has burned down several times since, but was restored to its former glory in 1955. Each floor was created in a different architectural style to reflect the many facets of society when Yoshimitsu was in power.

Apart from appreciating the architecture of the temple, visitors can enjoy the expansive gardens, which remain in the same layout as when they were first planted. Wander by the Anmintaku pond that never dries up and see various statues positioned throughout the green spaces.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Available on Treasures of the Incas tour

Machu Picchu, Peru

Once lost to acres of Andean forest, this mysterious Incan city was built 2,430 meters above sea level in the 15th century. Tour the mystical site with your Local Expert before the crowds arrive ensuring that you avoid the hundreds of travelers who make the ascent to the ruins daily. This is a bucket list item for anyone who has an interest in ancient civilizations, but it is also a journey of wonder that never fails to delight visitors due to the amazing natural setting and complex structures built by the Incas.

Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and it is the most important attraction in Peru, thus it is only accessible with a special permit. In 2007, it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

I’ve been working in varying roles in the travel industry for some 25 years. In that time I have learnt two things, firstly that my passion for travel will never wane (and that it is a privilege we can’t take for granted) and secondly that you must always expect the unexpected when working in the sector! Admittedly 2020 threw us some pretty big curveballs but the two lessons above have never rung truer.

I am pleased to share with you my 2021 bucket list, I hope you enjoy the journey of reading it, dreaming a little and perhaps in the not-too-distant future take one of the trips confident that when you travel with The Travel Corporation you can sit back and relax knowing that all the details are taken care of on your behalf. What’s more, on all Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Trafalgar Tours  in 2021, there will be an on-road team of three – a passionate Travel Director or Traveling Concierge, a diligent driver and – new for 2021 – a dedicated  Well-Being Director to take a proactive approach to your well-being.

Highlight from a recent trip – Venice

Luxury Gold – Ultimate Italy

Back in autumn, as European borders were opening up and we enjoyed some COVID-calm moments, I was fortunate to spend a few days in Venice with my family. Dusting off that passport after not having traveled for several months and the anticipation of what was to come was very powerful and made me realize how much I missed travel. The excitement in our house was palpable. I love Venice – always have, always will but taking my kids there for their first visit when it wasn’t crowded made it even more special.

We stayed in one of my favorite hotels in Venice, Bauer Hotel which is also beloved by our Luxury Gold guests. Staying right in the heart of Venice, a stone’s throw from St. Mark’s and arriving at your hotel by water taxi never disappoints! The team was fantastic as always and the Covid-19 protocols were brilliant, and we felt perfectly at ease at all times. In my mind, there is only one ‘right way’ to do Venice and that is to stay at one of the hotels right on Venice Island instead of staying on the mainland. Being able to stroll through the narrow alleyways at night and being there when Venice comes into its own, is truly magical. At Luxury Gold, we would never do it any other way.

In the picture below you can see my family in St Mark’s square in Venice just before we sat down at Café Florian to enjoy a Bellini and a mocktail for the boys at dusk with very few people.

Another highlight, and my younger son’s favorite experience, was visiting one of the traditional glass workshops on Murano Island and watching the artisans at work. He loved it so much that his current career aspiration is to become a glass blower!

Our trip to Burano with its colorful houses and trying to spot houses in our favorite colors and eating a gelato or two a day were other highlights.

Making Travel Matter – Insight Vacations Country Roads of Andalucía

Insight Vacations Country Roads of Andalucia

As CEO of Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, it is a goal of mine to bring people together to enjoy travel but also make it a force for good. Our new trip through Andalucía does just that. Our newly created Make Travel Matter experiences advance the United Nations Global Goals and positively impact our travelers and the communities we visit. They are chosen with great care using an assessment endorsed by sustainable tourism experts which is exclusive to Insight Vacations and its sister brands.

In Seville on Insight Vacation’s Country Roads of Andalucía Tour you will visit The Cristina Heeren Foundation which aims to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco and is a beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. You meet the students of the foundation, learn some basic flamenco steps, and then feel the passion as the students perform an emotional show.  The school allows students access to cultural education that otherwise may not have occurred. TreadRight’s sponsorship has helped students to complete their studies in advanced guitar, singing and dance.  As students complete their training, they will carry on and safeguard the traditional flamenco dance, contributing to the protection of Andalusia and Spain’s cultural heritage.

Connecting with my eldest – GenZ on U by Uniworld

GenZ on U by Uniworld -Vienna Vibe

My eldest son is shortly celebrating his 13th birthday, and whilst I am still trying to get over the fact that I am the mother of a teenager now, I thought it would be fun to go on The Vienna Vibe cruise together. GenZ on U by Uniworld, their new family program exclusively for teens and their parents on select U by Uniworld cruises is a perfect experience for both adults and their teen.

We’ve picked The Vienna Vibe cruise to enjoy our Austrian heritage. We are most looking forward to having a bit of a cook off in their Viennese cooking class. Come back to our blog to find out whose Schnitzel and Apple strudel is better!