Quite unbelievably, we’re planning our travels for the year 2018! Join us as we scour the planet for some of the best, most secretive, blissfully luxurious, charmingly rustic, superbly remote, and utterly private spots to unwind and experience parts of the world we didn’t know existed. During this busy time of the year, we feel drawn to the therapeutic presence of the ocean and are very happily plotting our first seaside holiday.
To start: Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve, which is located near the quaint South African town of Port Alfred, and is surrounded by protected terrestrial and marine reserve. This place oozes timeless elegance while embracing the salty presence of the Indian Ocean in the air, and celebrates the richness of the country’s natural assets. There is a private villa consisting of 3 ensuite double rooms to cater for exclusive groups, adding even more privacy to this oceanside retreat. There is no denying the level of opulence at Oceana, where everything including the ocean is at your fingertips.
South African heritage is celebrated in the art and decor of this palatial sanctuary, while the natural abundance of the coastal reserve is protected and cherished with passion. A long stretch of private beach is perfect for picnics, swimming, running, strolling, dining, and sunset watching. The rolling hills of the reserve are home to a host of special bird species and plenty of indigenous animals, all of which can be explored on bumbling game drives or long walks. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed, and the service is perfect, leaving Oceana’s guests wanting for nothing.
Zanzibar Grand Beach Villa and Boutique
Tanzania’s coastline is famously decorated with magnificent underwater gardens and colourful coral reefs where shimmering shoals of fish dart through the clear water among turtles, dolphins, whale sharks, starfish – unending marine beauty! On the historic island of Zanzibar, just off Tanzania’s coast, white beaches abound and tall palm trees sway in the wind. This is one place we definitely want to be. Just a few minutes’ from the island’s ancient Stone Town, and on a private stretch of beach, the Zanzibar Grand Beach Villa & Boutique offers that sublime blend of modern freshness and an ambience of old world charm.
The private pool is lined with loungers, shaded by umbrellas, while the shaded verandah offers a rustic place to enjoy a summer lunch on driftwood furniture only a step or two from the swimming pool. A mere 10-minute walk from the bustling culture of Stone Town, rich with spicy aromas and noisy chatter of locals; this seaside resort is a peaceful retreat for an exclusive group with 5 ensuite bedrooms only footsteps from the wonderful waters of the Zanzibarian coast.
Sea & Rock Villa, Cape Town
Cape Town city slicking doesn’t get better than this: perched on the foothills of Table Mountain in the trendy seaside suburb of Camps Bay with a striking view of the azure ocean below, the Sea & Rock Villa offers nothing short of the perfect beach villa stay. Cape Town is renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and much of that can be accredited to the magnificent beaches, which join the fynbos mountain slopes with the Atlantic waves. Camps Bay is home to Cape Town locals as well as international visitors, so the combination of tourist offerings and local flair is the perfect cocktail.
Sea & Rock Villa is a 6-bedroom, 2-storey apartment, which offers individual sea views to each bedroom, a heated swimming pool on the deck of the first floor, and a jacuzzi on the second floor balcony. There are 2 kitchens, creating space and functionality, while 2 lounges also offer ample relaxation indoors. There is plenty of parking, but we’re pretty convinced we’d enjoy walking the short distances to the fantastic restaurants on the Camps Bay Strip and the incredible string of beaches along the edge of the continent.
andBeyond Vamizi Island, Mozambique
If we had to pick a favourite, we’ve pretty much landed on it. andBeyond Vamizi Island is beach villa perfection, surrounded by the Southern waters of the Indian Ocean as it wraps its turquoise embrace around this northern Mozambican coral island. The Quirimbas Archipelago has a worldwide repuation as a marine paradise, yet it is gently managed and maintained through strict regulations that protect its status as a conservation area. andBeyond Vamizi Island is a celebration of ecologically sustainable luxury on a private coral island, and the 6 beach villas are individually designed to incorporate the surroundings and cherish the natural abundance.
Each of the 6 exclusive villas is individually designed to capture the essence of the African island, from cultural heritage to natural diversity. Luxury is an uncompromised theme throughout Vamizi Island, yet the opulence of these villas is subtle and powerfully executed to blend in with the sandy shores and coastal vegetation that occupies the island. Supreme comfort for families, children, and couples is evident, while it is impossible to ignore the wild location and the presence of the birds and wildlife, as well as the ever-lapping ocean. Indulge in a host of activities, which include turtle conservation, scuba diving, guided nature walks, village tours, boating safaris, fishing, and “castaway picnics”.
