As I write this, the sun is slowly breaking through the grey veil that has shrouded much of England's summer. We got it good far too late in the season, but we'll take what comes! After enduring a 'summer' marked by capricious weather, the promise of a revitalising escape beckons. September and October emerge as the golden months of opportunity, offering a chance to trade in umbrellas for sunglasses and gloomy skies for a warm embrace of sun-drenched destinations. So, as autumn whispers its arrival, cast aside the gloom and embark on a journey to the sun-kissed havens that have been on the radar of our very intrepid friends and travel tastemakers over at Secrettrips.com.
Terre Blanche - Tourrettes, France
Cradled within a mountain-fringed plain where picture-perfect villages perch precariously between the southern Alps and the Esterel Massif, Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort occupies a stunning inland spot close to Tourrettes, between Vence and Grasse. If peace and solitude are your thing, you’ve come to the right place. A mere 50-minutes’ drive inland from Aéroport de Nice, and you’ll be whisked away to this country club-resembling, cypress-fringed gated residence, via the stunning Lac de Saint-Cassien which feels like you’re driving through the Ozarks – its cool waters not only offer welcome respite from the unrelenting heat of the summer, but also the oft-overcrowded beaches of the Côte d’Azur. But here's the real kicker for couples - it boasts two world-class golf courses... and.. wait for it... and an incredible spa, so if improving your handicap is not on your menu, a blissful full body massage can be.
Ibiza is not short of stunning hotels and beautiful renovated fincas, but the island’s latest instalment, Hotel Petunia, is a real treat and a nice digression from the super-contemporary stays elsewhere. Located on the far south-west coast of the island, overlooking the mystical rock formation of Es Vedrà, Hotel Petunia is the first Spanish addition to the excellent Beaumier portfolio, and has been given a decidedly 1970s aesthetic makeover, thanks to the brilliant work of New York-based Studio Galeón. Although this writer was still a twinkle in his father’s eye back then, the ’70s are often fondly recounted as Ibiza’s golden age, when the island became something of a pilgrimage destination for artists and creatives looking for a new way to live and escape. The cliffs overlooking Es Vedrà became central to those communities, and it’s there that you’ll find Hotel Petunia, soaking up the magnetism of this mesmeric corner of the island.
With its verdant landscapes and rich Italian culture, Tuscany has long captured the world’s imagination; enchanting cinemagoers with its romanticism and elegance via Merchant Ivory’s A Room with a View or tantalising taste buds with the simplicity and freshness of dishes such as pappa al pomodoro, and bistecca alla fiorentina. It’s no surprise, then, to find one of Europe’s greatest and most serene wellness centres situated here, in Castelfalfi: a beautiful 13th-century Italian village (now revived as a luxury resort) set in 2,700 acres of prime Tuscan countryside. At Castelfalfi, guests can indulge in everything from hiking to axe throwing, beekeeping, golfing, truffle hunting, wine tasting and pizza making. And when indoor zen calls you, there’s the aforementioned state-of-the-art spa, courtesy of an exclusive partnership with Thai wellness brand RAKxa, featuring treatments designed to address body, mind and lifestyle – and the kind of jet lag that only attention to the chakras will fix.
The postcard-perfect views of the caldera from the clifftop town of Oia are just one of Santorini's delights - the others include a plethora of stunning luxury villa resorts and hotels, the newest of which is the immaculate Sandblu. Situated on the Ancient Thira Hill, this sprawling resort of white-box bliss boasts truly breath-taking views, so typical of Santorini. The gastronomy at the hotel's main restaurant Apnea is a wonderful amalgam of Mediterranean creativity, Greek heritage, and contemporary styling, with dishes such as grilled scorpion fish with fennel, and blu crab with melon and bergamot. There's an on-site bakery - Staria - that produces Parisian-quality breads and pastries, while the Aroma is the place to head at sundown, to sample on a smorgasbord of Greek tapas (the veal cheeks with black truffle are insane) and local wines.
Bali's dry season is in full swing round about now, offering consistently hot days without the wild humidity you get in the wet season. One of the most beautiful and authentic places on the island is the jungle countryside around Ubud (the town itself is a hot mess of tourists so give it a swerve), which is lush, verdant, and home to some of the most incredible views. If you want to visit Ubud in style, head straight for the Four Seasons in the Sayan Valley, nestled on the hillside overlooking the Ayung River far below. The villas are nothing short of spectacular, designed to evoke a sense of traditional Balinese elegance while providing every modern comfort. There's top class Indonesian dining to be had on the Ayung Terrace, but also authentic Mediterranean flavours down at the Riverside restaurant.
Hotel Villa Ducale - Taormina, Sicily
For fans of the hit HBO series White Lotus, Taormina must surely be on your radar after season 2's crazy ongoings in Sicily's boujiest, and arguably most beautiful town. Perched nearly 700ft above the Ionian Sea, walking the maze of Taormina's cobbled streets is like stepping back in time, with a Medieval palazzo seemingly around every corner, and Mount Etna looming in the background. Taormina was a stop off on the Grand Tour in the 18th century, not least because it was one of the first gay travel destinations, popularised by the risque artworks of one German baron Wilhelm von Gloeden. The likes of Lord Byron and his travelling library would have certainly approved of the exquisite lodgings at the Hotel Villa Ducale which opened in 1993 and has since been one of the finest places to experience Taormina. The panoramic views are peerless, stretching from the Strait of Messina to Mount Etna itself. It only has 19 rooms so you can assured of the highest quality service and privacy, while the award-winning restaurant serves up sumptuous Sicilian dishes
For an eclectic insider tour of the world's best destinations, head over to Secrettrips.com where you'll find unique tips by some of the world's most esteemed and intrepid tastemakers.
