1. Anguilla
Anguilla is the perfect getaway for travelers dreaming of an island escape. Only 16 miles long and three miles wide, this island is home to 33 stunning beaches. You will be spoiled by the soft white sand and the crystal-clear ocean water. With no cruise ships, chain restaurants or casinos to be found, it is the quintessential destination for anyone looking to get away from reality. When you stay here, you stay in the real Caribbean.
With so many beautiful hotels to choose from on the island, one stands out as the most luxurious. The Four Seasons Resort & Residence Anguilla is considered one of the best hotels in the Caribbean. It spans 35 acres and overlooks Meads and Barnes bays on the northwest shore of the island. The resort offers rooms ranging from an ocean-view studio to a five-bedroom beachfront villa. From water sports to relaxing pool time to exotic dining experiences, you won’t want to ever leave this resort.
Anguilla is home to some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Check out the Straw Hat for beachfront views that are as spectacular as the food. Notable menu items include the Seared Honey Rosemary Pork Chop, Grilled Local Crayfish and the Caribbean Bouillabaisse. With food this great, it might just be your first and last stop on the island.
There are also plenty of ways to work off that good food. Shoal Bay East is known as one of the best beaches for snorkeling around Anguilla’s coral gardens. The Cuisinart Resort Golf Club, which sports a Greg Norman-designed PGA 18-hole championship course, is the perfect spot to play a round. And if you feel like island hopping, take a short five-minute boat ride to Sandy Island. Although it may look like a deserted island from far away, there actually is a top-notch restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat.
2. Dubai
Dubai is over-the-top in the best way possible. Whether you are looking for a luxury shopping destination, a beach vacation or a thrill-seeking adventure, Dubai has it.
Hailed as “the world’s first seven-star hotel” and “the most luxurious hotel in the world” by travelers and critics, the Burj Al Arab lives up to the hype. Sitting on a private man-made island, this all-suite hotel, designed to resemble the sail of a ship, offers Rolls-Royce airport pickups, 24k-gold-plated iPads and personal butlers on every floor. With floor to ceiling views of the Arabian Gulf in every suite, your stay at the Burj Al Arab will truly be a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Looking for an unforgettable culinary experience? Then Pierchic is the place for you. This multi-award-winning restaurant offers over-the-water dining, with phenomenal views of the Arabian Gulf. It is easily considered one of the most romantic dining destinations in Dubai. The seafood-based menu was created by Chef Beatrice Segoni, who was formerly the chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Borgo San Jacopo. Notable menu items include the Linguine Al Ragù Di Astice, the Filetto Di Branzino D’amo, Panzanella, or the Gran Grigliata Di Pesce for 2.
There is an endless number of attractions and activities to explore in Dubai. It is one of the many reasons why people love to travel there. You can visit the Burj Khalifa to take in the stunning views of Dubai from the tallest building in the world, or spend the day getting lost in the Dubai Mall, the planet’s largest mall. And make sure to check the desert safari off your bucket list, too. This includes dune bashing, sand-boarding and, of course, camel riding.
3. Egypt
Ditch the Luxor in Las Vegas for Luxor, Egypt. Coined “the world’s greatest open-air museum,” Luxor has an endless number of tombs, monuments and temples for you to explore. The second you step foot into the city, you will feel a part of Egyptian history.
And Luxor does offer more than its spectacular historic sites. Another incredible side of this city is its delicious food and luxurious hotel scene. On the east bank of the Nile sits the posh Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor Hotel. The sweeping staircases, grand chandeliers and lavish red carpets will make you feel as though you have been transported back in time. Royalty and celebrities alike have stayed here over the decades, making it the perfect destination for history lovers. Agatha Christie is even rumored to have written Death on the Nile while staying here.
With a wide range of restaurants available in Luxor, the best place to go for authentic Egyptian food is Sofra’s Restaurant & Café. Drawing its inspiration from rich Arabian culture, this restaurant invites you to enjoy true, traditional food. Highlights on the menu include Batt Baladi Fi Alfron, duck stuffed with Sofra filling, and Hamam Mahsi, pigeon stuffed with rice or rubbed wheat, chopped onion and fresh herbs, charcoal-grilled or fried.
The best way to experience Luxor is to discover the wonders of the ancient world. The Valley of Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs from the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties, making it one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Here you can find the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun. The Karnak Temple is one of the most important religious sites in Egypt. It consists of several temples, pylons, chapels and other ancient historical buildings. Both of these places are filled with history of the ancient world, making them must-stop destinations in Luxor.
