Beyond the Guidebook: Journeys of Intent

Beyond the Guidebook

If places like New York, Dubai and Bangkok are the headline holidays, then these experiences: remote villas on a pristine white sand island in Madagascar, and transcendental landscapes in the Arctic and Australia, are Earth’s most vivid details. Details we seek to uncover with our series of unGoogleable destinations: Beyond the Guidebook.

In Beyond the Guidebook: Journeys of Intent, we explore 6 destinations leading the way in intentional luxury travel: private island escapes acting as beacons of sustainability and environmental conservationism, remote breaks in Europe paired with luxury hotels that defy convention, and finely tuned wellness practices set within remote Himalayan palaces. Each of these represents a mindful approach to exploring the world, with a focus on purpose, connection, and positive impact, rather than ticking off the items on a bucket list.

From Madagascar to the Arctic Circle, the Himalayas to the Ligurian coast, these are the kind of places you find when you travel beyond the guidebook.

Miavana by Time + Tide: in service of nature

Miavana by Time + Tide is deliberately remote. Set on the private island Nosy Ankao, with a limited number of villas, it exists to enable exclusive access to one of Earth’s most biologically rich destinations. Arriving by helicopter, the first thing you might notice is the freshness of the air, the sugary white sands or the expanse of nature unblemished, stretching in natural tones to the horizon. Go underwater for scuba diving or snorkelling the reefs that fringe the resort, and you’ll see a jewellery box of colourful fish, in emerald, ruby, and amethyst swimming between manta rays and spinner dolphins. On land, tracking inquisitive lemurs that were rescued from a high-poaching area on the mainland is an enchanting activity, guided by resident naturalists, but more practical is planting a tree — a sustainable extension of the resort’s commitment to replenishing the island ecosystem. Walk the beaches, and you’ll find footprint-free white sands that arch into crystalline water, punctuated only by wildlife and the occasional piece of driftwood, lending a desert-island charm.

Stay: Island-inspired design brings the natural tones and shimmering Madagascan light indoors in each of Miavana by Time + Tide’s 13 villas. Warm, natural woods and neutral furnishings in large, open-plan spaces lead to view-framing floor-to-ceiling windows opening to the languid silhouette of a palm arching over your pool. One, two and three-bedroom villas are available, each with bicycles and an electric buggy for getting around, as well as a personal butler and ample deck space for relaxation. The entire island is available for exclusive use, should you wish.

Ananda in the Himalayas: in pursuit of balance

Resting in the forested foothills of the Himalayas in a 100-acre Maharaja’s Palace Estate, Ananda is defined by its setting as much as its commitment to wellness. Hovering above the Ganges, the retreat occupies the ornate former palace estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, surrounded by sal forests, and distinct for its palpable sense of calm. For wellness, there are few better options anywhere in the world. Indeed, Ananda’s approach draws on centuries-old Indian healing traditions, integrating Ayurveda, yoga and meditation, carefully harmonised with contemporary science. Guests are offered tailored programmes designed around individual goals, whether restorative sleep, stress management, emotional balance, hormonal rebalance or holistic rejuvenation. Between healthy meals and resonant rituals, moments are spent walking Himalayan footpaths, viewing the grand palace terraces, or simply absorbing the still beauty of the foothills.

Stay: Rooms and suites offer sweeping panoramas across the Ganges valley, connecting the indoor experience to the vastness of the exterior landscape. For greater privacy and of particular interest for guests undertaking extended restorative stays, Ananda Villas provide secluded gardens with a pool and generous living spaces, allowing guests to fully embrace and live the Ananda experience.

COMO Journey into the Arctic: in Arctic embrace

There are so few places that feel as elementally present, as awe-inspiring, and utterly transformative as the Arctic. And this cruise, COMO’s Journey into the Arctic, reimagines polar exploration through a lens of intent, offering enviable access while remaining deeply respectful of the region’s fragility. The most intriguing part, though, is the pairing of the expedition expertise of Natural World Safaris — specialists in remote, wildlife-rich destinations, with COMO’s expertise as a luxury hospitality brand, allowing for a balance of adventure tempered by exceptional Shambhala wellness practices and phenomenal COMO cuisine. There are two sailings to choose from. Go in May if you want the classic, raw Arctic experience with long daylight hours, dramatic ice, and opportunities to see polar bears. Or choose September if you prefer milder temperatures, and the chance to see vibrant autumn tundra colours, combined with longer shore landings, whale watching and opportunities to see the phantasmagoric display of the northern lights above the ship.

Departing from Longyearbyen in Svalbard, guests board the expedition vessel M/S Polarfront, navigating cinematic fjords, seas chequered by ice, and dramatic coastlines sculpted by time and temperature. Zodiac landings on uninhabited shores are punctuated by whales breaching nearby waters, while walks atop the untouched snow introduce a wild silence that feels entirely unbroken. Between excursions, onboard life is as restorative and educational as you wish, with lectures and workshops led by seasoned expedition leaders, and moments of tranquillity found in the sauna as icebergs drift by.

Stay: M/S Polarfront accommodates just 12 guests in single and double-occupancy cabins, each finished in a pared-back luxe style. Designed to facilitate restorative evenings indoors after long days outdoors, cabins are equipped with COMO Shambhala amenities, inviting ritual and rest, while shared spaces encourage conversation, contemplation and observation of the passing Arctic cinema — best enjoyed from the hot tub on deck three.

Longitude 131°: in Uluru’s presence

At Longitude 131°, the beguiling all-inclusive luxury camp set in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, you’re surrounded by rust-red soil contrasting with green vegetation spread across the outback, leading the eye to the giant Uluru on the horizon. The camp is not designed to compete with its surroundings, but to facilitate non-invasive access to them, framing uninterrupted views of the epic geological poetry of Uluru, and providing an ideal setting in which to experience Australia’s spiritual heart. Guided experiences are key here, led by expert hosts and Aboriginal Anangu guides who invite guests on a journey to understand the cultural and geological significance of the region, from vivid storytelling around a camp fire, conjuring ancient tales and ancestral spirits, and immersive bush walks to meet the geological monoliths of the desert, to wildlife spotting (birds, reptiles and roaming desert camels) and atmospheric dining at Table 131 — Longitude 131°’s exceptional dunetop dining spot, with cuisine served under a sky full of stars.

Stay: Longitude 131°’s luxury safari-style tents are oriented towards Uluru, with floor-to-ceiling glass creating a powerful visual dialogue between interior and landscape. Design is contemporary, allowing the colours of the desert to take centre stage, and the art is sourced from Aboriginal artists, while outdoor decks provide unfiltered immersion. Ask your Travel Designer about the remarkable Dune Pavilion, which boasts views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Wolf Lodge: in the company of wolves

Wolf Lodge, set within the boreal forests of Norway, high above the Arctic Circle, offers a stunning confluence of dense, lush forestry, jagged mountains, enchanting frozen lakes… and wolves. The lodge is set within Polar Park — the world’s northernmost animal park, and while the local wolves are free roaming within its huge enclosures, they’re also accustomed to human proximity, allowing for unusually close unscripted encounters: the wolves howling in the snow and peering through windows, their unmistakable brindled coat and penetrating eyes, marking them far removed from their canine cousins. Wildlife specialists are on hand to help you track wolf movements in the forests, and you’ll encounter the subtle signs left by lynx, bears, moose and birds of prey — with encounters always happening on nature’s terms. Between excursions, there is plenty of time to reflect: warming by the fire, sharing stories over Nordic meals, or stepping outside to experience the profound silence of the forest at night, and, if you travel in the winter, a sky animated by the surreal colours of the aurora.

Stay: Accommodation is warm and unfussy, with large windows framing the forest beyond and interiors that prioritise comfort, natural materials and a sense of space. The lodge is for sole use only, and if operating with full occupancy, can accommodate just 15 stays per year, making it one of Europe’s most coveted wildlife experiences. Indeed, a stay here is one of a kind, with a driver at your disposal as soon as you land in Norway, as well as a chef, wildlife host and wilderness guides.

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Villa Beatrice: in devotion to Portofino

Set on the sunny wooded hills overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio, this stately villa offers a singular rendition of the Italian Riviera, removed from the paint-etched town below, yet deeply connected to its beauty. Wrapped in terraced gardens and reached by a private road, the villa has all the charm of a personal residence and drips with the history of this timeless Italian town. But while La Piazzetta di Portofino hums with life below, Villa Beatrice remains a serene escape from the crowds, a vantage point from which to observe the magnificence of the Ligurian landscapes unravelling towards the sea.

The Villa Beatrice, a part of the Belmond Hotel Splendido estate, long favoured by our Travel Designers and one to book in advance this season, allows use of the hotel’s iconic amenities: a swim in the saltwater pool, a spa treatment overlooking the coast, or dinner on the chic candlelit terraces, adding flexibility without compromise.

Stay: Villa Beatrice is a restored three-storey palazzo, available for exclusive use, and, with its generous four suites and “La Casetta”, a one-bedroom stone cottage, it’s ideal for families and groups. The landscaped gardens are home to a pool, and the villa benefits from private access to the sea via a dedicated boat landing. A full staff, including a butler and a chef, available 24 hours a day, ensures an exceptional level of service.

Your 360 Travel Designer is here to craft holidays defined by intention. From travel shaped by wild landscapes and raw elemental beauty, to stays in destinations that exist for a purpose beyond luxury, we curate experiences that invite deeper connection: to place, nature, and to yourself — taking you far beyond the guidebook.

Our Latest Travel Inspiration:

Beyond the Guidebook: Journeys of Intent

Miavana by Time + Tide: in service of nature

Ananda in the Himalayas: in pursuit of balance