Honeymoon and travel ideas for Essex couples

Reale is a new eco-friendly villa in Sicily

Reale is a new eco-friendly villa in Sicily. This is one of the only properties in the Villatravellers collection with an electric car charging point, ensuring guests can get from A to B in a more eco-friendly way. With panoramic views of the Aeolian Islands from a private infinity pool, this luxuriously modern four-bedroom villa is a spacious haven with a romantic terrace and floor-to-ceiling French windows.

Escape to Italy this New Year's Eve

This holiday season, guests in search of a luxurious alternative to spending New Year in the UK need look no further than the exquisite sister properties, Masseria Petrarolo and Masseria Pistola, nestled within the Tenuta Petrarolo Pistola Estate, in the heart of picturesque Puglia, Italy. These stunning properties offer the perfect backdrop for family gatherings during this festive season.

Masseria Pistola, a beautifully renovated 10-bedroom family home and estate, is perched in a prominent position overlooking the scenic Canale Di Pirro Valley. Nearby, guests will find Masseria Petrarolo, an impressive nine-bedroom fortified farmhouse and estate spanning 60 hectares of olive groves and lush lavender fields with sweeping views of the Adriatic Sea. Both properties have been lovingly restored by British-Swiss entrepreneur Constant Tedder, with interiors designed by the renowned James Waterworth.

Celebrate the festive season in London

Located in the heart of London, with its own distinctive personality, The Academy is ideally situated to enjoy all that the capital has to offer this Christmas. Just a stone's throw from the Oxford Street Christmas Lights, The Academy's Bloomsbury setting is ideal for enjoying seasonal highlights, including Carols at the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park's famous Winter Wonderland. With beautifully appointed rooms and a contemporary take on townhouse living, The Academy is a hidden gem in the lively city, and this Christmas will be offering an array of festive experiences, from mulled wine and hot chocolate on arrival to its own festive afternoon tea.

The Glasshouse in Edinburgh is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas

Set in the heart of Edinburgh, The Glasshouse offers an iconic piece of history in modern times. The hotel features a rooftop garden with panoramic views and an award-winning Snug, where guests can unwind in a homely setting and sample the hotel's extensive range of Scotch whiskies. With its central city location, The Glasshouse is the ultimate spot to soak up the festivities, including Edinburgh's Christmas, which sees the city centre transform into a winter wonderland with markets, funfair rides, and events.

Monkey Island Estate is the ideal countryside getaway this Christmas

With a history that dates back 800 years, Monkey Island Estate, situated on a private island in the village of Bray, is the ideal countryside getaway this Christmas. Set within seven acres of picturesque gardens overlooking the River Thames, the estate offers timeless glamour and modern design with its own brasserie and floating spa. Just a 20-minute drive from Windsor Castle, guests can follow in the footsteps of royalty, and visitors will see the State Apartments transformed with shimmering Christmas trees and twinkling lights for the most regal of festive decorations. From 1st-24th December, the hotel will also be offering a special festive afternoon tea, including an assortment of Christmas sandwiches, cranberry and candied orange scones, and a selection of fancies inspired by traditional desserts, including an Irish Coffee Yule Log.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa is ideal for festive celebrations

The Gainsborough Bath Spa offers the ideal escape for those looking to sample the local celebrations while indulging in some relaxation. The hotel is perfectly situated to explore the iconic Bath Christmas Market, and after a day of shopping, it provides a true sanctuary with its award-winning Spa Village, offering exclusive access to Bath's natural thermal waters.

For those looking to celebrate the season in style, The Gainsborough Brasserie will be offering a delectable three-course festive dinner menu, combining the very best seasonal produce with classic Christmas flavours. A Festive Afternoon Tea will also be available, including an assortment of finger sandwiches, scones, and an array of Christmas-inspired cakes served with artisan teas and the option of a glass of fine Champagne, from £38 per person.

Visit some of Europe's renowned Christmas markets

Paris is known for its enchanting Christmas markets, which transform the city into a winter wonderland that captivates from late November to early January. Dotted with Christmas trees and delightful chalet-style craft stalls, the markets are brimming with fresh local produce and the inviting warmth of vin chaud. The Luxury Travel Book beckons guests to embrace Paris like a local with carefully curated villas and apartments, including the Rue De Surène, perched atop a four-star boutique hotel near the Madeleine. Guests can immerse themselves in the festive spirit at the Hôtel De Ville Christmas market, where the backdrop of French Renaissance architecture sets the stage for a magical experience complete with dazzling lighting, vintage carousels, and charming boutique shopping stalls.

Celebrate the festive season at Malta’s Mdina

For keen travellers seeking out an alternative destination to celebrate the festivities of Christmas and New Year's Eve, look no further than The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux. This opulent 17th-century palace is hidden away in the Medieval fortified city of Mdina, the old capital of Malta, which experiences temperatures of almost 20 degrees throughout the whole of December. With the streets no longer heaving with tourists in peak season, it provides the perfect setting to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. Overflowing with culture, archaeology, and history, and with a delectable array of food and drink, Malta is a brilliant holiday destination, but even better at Christmas!

Enjoy a new culinary journey through Norway

Travel specialist Pelorus has announced a new culinary journey through Norway in partnership with 62Nord and SKANDL.

Couples will have the opportunity to explore the very best of Norway's landscape through exciting hands-on masterclasses led by chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, sourcing the freshest of ingredients from in and around the stunning fjord. Guests will also try their hand at Nordic fishing, foraging, and food preparation techniques, including open-flame cooking, before resting their heads at one of 62Nord's properties.

Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa has launched a new honeymoon package

Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa has launched the Romantique Honeymoon package for couples looking for the ultimate romantic retreat. Located in Lhaviyani Atoll, a secluded hideaway surrounded by a shimmering lagoon, guests can enjoy paradise and even escape to the resort's own private island, Bodu Finolhu. Gourmets are treated to a host of culinary experiences from the teppanyaki in Japanese Tabemasu, a private open-air pavilion overlooking the ocean to the secluded Harvest Table, next to the resort's greenhouse, where couples can enjoy a secluded dinner crafted using fresh produce from the island.

Hôtel Le Coucou will reopen this December with an array of enhancements

Hôtel Le Coucou will reopen this December with an array of enhancements. From a new French-style bistro to upgraded chalet experiences, collaborations, and special holiday events, Le Coucou promises a truly unforgettable winter getaway in the heart of the French Alps.

To elevate the private chalet experience, Le Coucou will pamper guests with new beauty products and provide the opportunity to attend a master class with AIME founder Mathilde Lacombe, gaining insights into her skincare philosophy and products.

The UAE is emerging as a stunning boating destination

With over 1,300km of coastline to discover and crystal-clear blue waters, it's no wonder that the UAE is becoming one of the best places to sail. Whether you're a sailing enthusiast or someone who likes to just invest in a short and sweet boat ride for the day, the weather conditions are near perfect, with little tidal movement and predictable winds. The UAE also offers a natural flat landscape, beaches, warm temperatures, and many beautiful islands to explore.

Château Troplong Mondot is celebrating 30 years of alternative cultivation

Château Troplong Mondot, a wine estate and boutique hotel in Bordeaux, is celebrating 30 years of insecticide and herbicide-free cultivation. It has also transitioned to being fully ploughed by its 12 resident horses that roam the vineyard between March and November.

The Château's luxury restaurant, Les Belles Perdrix, boasts seasonal menus that capitalise on the best picks from the garden and local suppliers. The restaurant has quickly become one of the most sought-after tables in the area and has been awarded both a Michelin Star and a Green Star in recognition of its sustainable methods.

Jade Mountain has announced a partnership with luxury suncare brand Saltee

Jade Mountain has announced a partnership with luxury suncare brand Saltee. The partnership will give guests the opportunity to try Saltee products, protect themselves from the radiant sun, and discover more about their skin's health and what can be done to protect it in different situations.

Eleanor Allum, the head of partnerships and sales at Saltee, explains: "We are thrilled to be adding to the guests' experience at Jade Mountain by surprising and delighting them with meaningful yet relevant SPF gifts on arrival. Forged on sustainable principles and being the most ocean-friendly sun care range, the synergy between the two partners couldn't be more aligned."

Sitatunga Private Island is a new water-based safari camp

Sitatunga Private Island is a new water-based safari camp in the upper reaches of Botswana's Okavango Delta. Built on a raised, wrap-around private deck, Sitatunga Private Island can accommodate four adults in two private suites. Constructed almost entirely of recycled materials, the camp offers couples a 'slow safari' that is as sustainable as it is luxurious. The suites come complete with an indoor lounge, bathrooms with baths and separate showers, a deck with outdoor lounging and seating areas, as well as a private pool with views over the lagoon.

Once in Mykonos is a luxury hotel in with harbour restaurants close by

Known for its blend of Cycladic charm and cosmopolitan energy, Mykonos entices couples with its turquoise waters and lively nightlife. Conveniently located just a short drive from archaeological sites, Once in Mykonos is a luxury hotel with harbour restaurants close by where couples can sample fresh Mediterranean cuisine and relax on white- sand beaches.

Private cruises take guests around the island's picturesque bays and hidden coves, as well as tours of neighbouring islands, Delos and Rhenia. The hotel can also arrange private sea excursions and scuba diving to see Greece's diverse marine life and traces of the Greek and Roman empire's ancient ruins underwater.

Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic has won an award

Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana has been named the 'Dominican Republic's Leading Resort for 2023' by the esteemed World Travel Awards. Situated on picturesque beaches, the resort is an all-inclusive destination featuring 516 rooms and 228 suites across 13 different room categories.

Daniel Cazarin, the general manager of Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana, said: "We are honoured and humbled by this incredible recognition. Our sincere gratitude goes out to our team members and industry partners, whose unwavering support and best-in-class service have made this accomplishment possible. We look forward to continuing to provide unforgettable experiences at Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana."

Eight romantic honeymoon experiences

Your honeymoon is the canvas of your love story, a chapter that deserves to be painted with unforgettable moments. It's not just a holiday; it's an adventure that marks the beginning of your newly-married life together. Here, Dan Hyams, a luxury tailor-made travel and honeymoon specialist, introduces eight inspiring experiences that elevate your honeymoon into a tale of love, adventure, and luxury, ensuring that your journey together is as magnificent as you have always dreamt it to be.

Hilton’s signature hotel brand is set to open its first resort in the Seychelles

Hilton's signature hotel brand is set to open its first resort in the Seychelles. Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island lies just over 130 kilometres south of Mahé on a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests and protected by its own lagoon and coral reef. Much of Platte Island's surrounding scenery remains untouched, meaning guests are likely to see native Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays, and whale sharks.

The resort will be home to 50 seafront villas, all equipped with private pools and personal concierges.

Alternative Greek destinations for a late summer getaway

Those seeking a last-minute Grecian escape or late summer honeymoon should consider lesser-known destinations teeming with untouched beauty and authentic experiences.

Set in two of Greece's most authentic destinations, Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa and Parga Beach Resort invite guests to experience an alternative side of the country. Located in the northeast and northwest, both locations offer everything and more for a quintessential Greek summer, filled with days basking in the sun, delicious food, and pristine beaches.