With life full of stressful distractions, it’s nice every once in a while to get away from it all and forget about the rigours of daily life. Finding the perfect relaxing holiday destination, however, is not always as straightforward as one would like.
If you’re looking for holiday ideas with relaxation in mind, turn off the Blackberry, close down your laptop for a week or two and immerse yourself in feelings of tranquility in one of these luxurious holiday destinations.
Sandpiper Resort, Florida, USA
Located just two hours north of Miami on Florida’s east coast, Club Med’s Sandpiper resort is the perfect relaxation destination for the active family.
While the resort is set in luscious gardens, home to palm trees, laurel trees and all manner of wildlife, as well as being endowed with its own 120-yard private beach, it’s Sandpiper’s facilities that helps to set it apart from its peers.
The recently refurbished resort has its own tennis, fitness and golf academies, with internationally revered coaches on hand to help you hone your skills in whichever area you choose. And for those with young children, the resort’s circus school is sure to keep them entertained, while you take advantage of the abundance of facilities on offer.
If relaxing on the beach and enjoying a round or two of golf isn’t enough to help you unwind, no trip to the Sandpiper resort would be complete without taking a cruise down the St. Lucie River. And if you and your partner would like to take the opportunity to explore Miami’s nightlife in a limousine, the resort’s kids’ club, which staffed with experienced professionals, is on hand to make sure that your little ones are kept amused, in a safe and secure environment.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana, in the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic, is the perfect holiday destination for those couples or families in search of their own slice of tropical paradise.
Set against the backdrop of a turquoise lagoon, Punta Cana is blessed with its own 650-yard, sweeping white sand beach – the ideal place to soak up the strong Caribbean sun, while enjoying a couple of equally strong cocktails.
This family friendly resort redefines the word luxury. While the resort has everything that you’d expect from a Club Med resort, the emphasis is very much on a relaxed, island way of life. Days spent lazing on the beach are best broken up with frequent dips in the crystal clear water, exploring the vibrant and colourful underwater life of the Caribbean Sea.
And after an exhausting day of topping up your tan and swimming with Stingrays, a sumptuous seafood dinner and a glass or two of delicious wine at the resort’s L’Hispaniola restaurant, overlooking the turquoise lagoon, is the perfect place to unwind and get ready to do it all again the next day.
Bali, Indonesia
The Indonesian island of Bali is full of effusive colour, vibrancy and cultural intrigue. And Club Med’s Bali resort is the perfect base from which to explore everything that the island has to offer.
The resort’s Marc Hertrich-designed contemporary lounge bar, swimming pool and spa, offer the perfect blend of Western charm and Balinese tradition. And dinner at the Agung or Batur restaurant is the perfect setting in which to decide where your next adventure will take you.
The Balinese town of Ubud is a must for anyone looking to truly unwind. The town, situated close to Bali’s central mountains, is overtly Balinese in character, packed with traditional spas, an abundance of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Balinese cuisine, and a packed programme of entertainment opportunities, including theatre performances, musical recitals and an array of art galleries.
If you’re planning on a visit to Bali in order to fully immerse yourself in Balinese culture, however, no trip would be complete without visiting the Pura Bratan temple, on the shores of Lake Bratan. This 17th century water temple, where offerings are made to the Balinese water goddess, Dewi Danu, is one of the most breathtaking scenes that you’ll find anywhere in the world. Standing in the shadow of the temple, you’ll be reminded of the insignificance of your trivial worries, making it the perfect place to unwind for the busy professional.
Your ideal destination
Whether you prefer the sporting focus of the Sandpiper resort, are attracted by the island paradise of Punta Cana, or are excited about immersing yourself in Balinese culture, you can rest assured that Club Med luxury holidays effortlessly blend relaxation with active leisure, in a way that is sure to exceed even your wildest expectations.
