2016 hails the era of the new luxury – the simple luxury of space, time together, freedom and jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes so remote that you’d be lucky to get access to a telephone, let alone the internet. Here, Suzy Higgs from Turquoise rounds up her favourite luxury holidays in the world where escapism means just that – and you can be offline for the duration totally guilt-free
Cook Islands, South Pacific
This collection of 15 idyllic islands in the South Pacific is true paradise. Think turquoise lagoons, swaying palms, white sand beaches… and very limited WiFi. Instead, you can focus on water sports galore, exploring the lush interior of the island and chilling under a palm tree with a fresh coconut. The island of Rarotonga has just one road circumnavigating it and hiring a car gets you living like locals – eat where the locals eat, visit the local markets – and switch off from the everyday. After a week on Rarotonga, hop over to nearby Aitutaki where one of the world’s most incredible lagoons awaits (and where no building is higher than the tallest coconut tree). Water babes will love the snorkelling and boat trips – and you’ll even get a very rare passport stamp from One Foot Island. We particularly love Pacific Resort Aitutaki. While you can connect to the outside world using their Wi-Fi, why would you when one of the world’s best lagoons is crying out for you to jump in it?
Ninamu Resort, Tuamotu Islands, Tahiti
If you’re looking for true escapism, head to the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia where you’ll find Tikehau’s hidden gem – Ninamu Resort. Proud to be totally off-grid, Ninamu, which is home to just seven hand-built and unique Robinson Crusoe-esque bungalows, produces its own power, filters its water and grows wonderful organic produce. WiFi is available in the reception area but it runs at ‘island speed’ so you’ll be safely undistracted from the online world, and free to focus on all the fun activities on offer. Choose from snorkelling, kiteboarding, surfing, fishing to name a few – and what’s more, they’re included in your stay, along with all meals and snacks. Jump in a kayak and paddle to a nearby motu (islet) for a picnic on your own private beach.
Elephant Hills Tented Jungle Camp, Thailand
Inspired by the African safari camps, Elephant Hills is the first luxury camp of its kind in Thailand. Set in two locations, the original camp has 30 tents in a stunning position with expansive views of the jungle and river below, while the Rainforest Camp offers 10 tents set on a floating platform on Cheow Larn Lake. The tents are extremely comfortable and all feature ensuite facilities with hot and cold running water. The Rainforest Camp uses both solar power and wind energy. The owners are passionate about elephants and about the jungle itself. Adults and children alike will love learning about the habitat and habits of the elephants, as well as their preservation. A wide variety of activities are included, the highlight being the Mahout experience which offers the wonderful opportunity to feed and wash the elephants! Jungle trekking, canoeing along the Sok River and kayaking on the lake are also memorable activities for families. And as for WiFi… it is available in the main area, but the Rainforest Camp is so remote that there is no internet and not even phone signal out there, so you can be offline and guilt-free.
Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris, Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
This luxury tented camp is just a stone’s throw away from Yala National Park, the country’s second largest national park, and is the best place to spot leopards as well as many other incredible animals. Yala is the new upcoming safari destination and is also being described as the new Africa. With a no-no approach to WiFi, visitors are actively discouraged from using their smart phones and really letting the area get under their skin. This is truly back to nature, Sri Lankan style. Instead of looking at the screen in the palm of your hand, guests on Noel’s safaris study their surroundings on the daily game drives with the opportunity to spot leopards, elephants, sambar, sloth bear and a wide variety of other wildlife. Identify foot prints, enjoy guided nature walks, find your inner artist at the nature art classes or simply kick back with a book in your hammock and feel a world away from ‘real life’. In the evenings, share your incredible sightings with fellow guests during your al fresco dinner in the bush.
Glamping in Oman’s Dimanyat Islands aboard 75’ SY Azurra, Oman
One of Oman’s least-known treasures, the World Heritage Listed Dimanyat Islands are an archipelago of nine atolls, only 11 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat. Uninhabited apart from a small police outpost, the islands are a nature reserve with spectacular coral reefs, ideal for snorkelling and diving – and you are definitely far from the mobile grid. Glamping takes on a new meaning here as you set sail from Muscat’s Wave Marina aboard the magnificent 75’ sailing catamaran, SY Azzura. Sleep on the huge nets under the stars, without compromising on comfort. The crew of five includes a full-time chef, so food on board is a gourmet affair, and you can help set the course, steer the yacht and assist with the sails. Drop anchor off one of the atolls and spend the days snorkelling, exploring on land and fishing from the tender. The yacht will island hop for two days and if mobile withdrawal symptoms really set in, the crew can always send your mobile up the mast in an effort to send and receive messages!
Island Hopping Dhow Safari, Mozambique
This will prove to be one of the most memorable experiences you could ever have dreamt about – even for Africa aficionados. On the Quirimbas Archipelago in northern Mozambique you can sail on a traditional dhow with a local crew around the deserted islands. Imagine remote fine sands with only shells and friendly fishermen, turquoise seas and freshly caught fish, lobster and prawns. Sea kayak and sail up wide coastal river mouths and snorkel off deserted sandbanks into pristine water. You will sleep in mobile eco-camps on Robinson Crusoe islands – and your chef will cook your catch-of-the-day on an open fire under the stars. The dhow has a hand-held freshwater shower with the ultimate view-out-to-sea. After four nights, you will have earned your luxury and will disembark for three nights on ancient Ibo Island – a remote Mozambican island lost in time where your well-earned waterfront refuge is Ibo Island Lodge.
Greystoke Mahale, Western Tanzania
Tucked away on a pristine far-flung beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania, this is possibly one of the most unique camps in the world. It nestles beneath the forested slopes of the soaring Mahale Mountains, home to the world’s largest known population of chimpanzees – a remote corner of Tanzania where Wi-Fi is most definitely non-existent. You’re off the map here – there are no roads, let alone mobile access – and getting there is all part of the adventure. It’s a long journey – the only access is via a 90 minute dhow journey across the lake and before that, a light aircraft flight (from Arusha) to the nearest airstrip. Sleep in open-fronted wood and thatch bandas on the edge of the forest overlooking the beach and lake. There’s a chill-out deck upstairs in each banda reached by a quirky canoe-ladder – perfect for an afternoon with a book. Chimp trekking happens once during every full day of your stay and you’ll head out armed with water and snacks first thing in the morning. When not in search of chimps, hike the forest paths looking for birds and butterflies, swim in ice-cold pools up in the mountain waterfalls, take a kayak out for a paddle on the lake, go for sundowners on the old wooden dhow, stopping to fish on the way or just relax on the warm sands of the beach. This should be at the top of every wildlife-based bucket list.
All holidays can be booked through Turquoise Holidays
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