Don’t get us wrong, we’re as excited about the Olympics as the next person. But as the megaphones start to whine at major London stations, cattle-corral style gates are set up all over the place, and you’re forced to nestle just that little bit deeper into fellow commuters’ armpits, we can’t help but dream of escaping all the madness...
Here are some seriously secluded escapes where hustle and bustle will be the last thing on your mind.
Aman Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
Swap Olympic marshals, hurrying you along, for wonderfully subtle and seamless service at Aman Sveti Stefan. Sitting on its own islet off Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast, this peaceful resort is made up of painstakingly restored 15th century fishermen’s homes, surrounded by pine forest, and with beautiful views over the bay of Budva. This, combined with fantastic wine, excellent cuisine, and dramatic coastal walks to see centuries-old heritage sites, makes Aman Sveti Stefan a favourite with anyone who likes a mixture of relaxation and culture.
Cayo Espanto, Belize
Swap the men’s 3m springboard, for fantastic diving and snorkelling in Belize. Cayo Espanto is an uber-luxurious private island resort off the coast of Belize, made up of a handful of villas that each have their own butler, jetty, and pool. This is the place to loll in hammocks, tuck into lobster, and flop into the crystal clear waters for snorkelling with manta rays. As well as diving amongst the western hemisphere's largest coral reef, if you head to mainland Belize you’ll find fantastic Mayan ruins, and plenty of jungle-clad adventure including one of our favourites – caving in Actun Tunichil Muknal.
Soneva Kiri, Island of Koh Kood in Thailand
Swap seas of Olympic-hungry tourists for the crystal clear waters surrounding Soneva Kiri. Those who’ve experienced Six Senses luxury will be familiar with their ‘No shoes, no news’ philosophy – and that’s exactly what you’ll get at this chilled-out, eco-friendly hideaway. All of the rooms have a really exotic feel, so you’ll feel a million miles from home, and families will love quirky little touches like a dining pod up in the trees, and the Private Beach Reserve villa which has a tree house and a waterslide into the pool below. Watch this space for fantastic summer offers at Soneva Kiri – or, for equally exotic escapes – check out the wellness sanctuary, Kamalaya, and the palatial Tanjong Jara in Malaysia.
Greystoke Mahale, Tanzania
Swap angry commuter altercations, for quarrelling chimps in the forests of the Mahale Mountains. Hidden amongst whispering trees on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, Greystoke Mahale is a wild, remote and breathtakingly beautiful escape: think sailing out in a dhow, grilling fish on the beach, and trekking into the forest in search of the elusive chimp. So, if you’ve had a classic safari experience and want to see a different side of Africa, take a look at Hidden Tanzania: Luxury Wilderness Safari and Chimpanzee Trekking.
