7 Trips to Book In Advance

February Half Term & Easter

Luxuries for all the family in Dubai

Dubai offers an exceptional level of dependability, with guaranteed sunshine, convenient flights, and a seamless blend of relaxation and cultural discovery. But that dependability comes at the cost of exclusivity, with many hotels enjoying consistently high occupancy rates during the busy Easter weekend, making early booking crucial. For an Easter weekend getaway in Dubai, highlights include warm winter temperatures, calm seas, and an eclectic choice of family-friendly experiences: desert adventures and water parks to world-class dining and shopping.

Stay: We recommend the fabulous Raffles The Palm Dubai, set on the picturesque western crescent of Palm Jumeirah. The palatial beachfront resort is defined by its grand pink-toned facade offset by lush palms. But it’s the generous proportions that appeal: vast marble interiors glittering with gold accents and Swarovski chandeliers, manicured gardens opening onto a private sandy beach, and some of the largest accommodations in the city, ideal for families. Service is discreet and attentive, elevated by the impeccable Raffles butler service. Facilities cater to all types of guests with couples massages and hammam spa rituals in the Cinq Mondes Spa, sophisticated sushi at Matagi, Arabian Gulf views from the hotel’s Cupola, enthralling perfume workshops and an ‘edutainment’ program for the kids.

Ikos: Elevated All-Inclusive

Greece, Spain or a little bit of both?

Ikos’s Mediterranean resorts consistently win awards with their unconditional luxury concept, yet they still feel something of a secret. They sit along heavenly stretches of coastlines in Greece and Spain, enjoying languorous, sun-filled days that suit travellers looking for an elevated and not at all typical, all-inclusive getaway. There are numerous locations, from the cosmopolitan Costa del Sol and the honeyed coves of Mallorca, to the beauty of islands Corfu, Kos and Crete, as well as the raw pine-scented landscapes of Greece’s Halkidiki peninsula. While each Ikos has its unique features, they boast plenty of fantastic shared qualities too: exceptional attention to detail and depth of service, swoonworthy beaches, expansive grounds, and eclectic cuisine, dreamed up by Michelin-starred chefs and shaped by regional influences. A nice sustainable touch is the complimentary electric cars (MINI Clubmans, currently), perfect for exploring further afield.

Stay: A favourite of 360’s is Ikos Oceania, perched above the sea with sweeping vistas across the glittering Aegean. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something new, try Ikos Porto Petro and Ikos Odisia, both of which are adding a collection of stunning three and four-bedroom villas to their Deluxe Collections, offering seclusion, complimentary spa treatments, a dedicated concierge, champagne on arrival and space enough for the family.

For an entirely new Ikos experience, ask your Travel Designer about the new Ikos Kissamos set to arrive in summer 2026 on Greece’s biggest island, Crete, with 53 acres of gardens set on a stretch of unspoiled beach.

A Portofino Icon

Elegance on the Italian Coast

Summers in Italy are so special. Villages drip as vibrantly and at times, chaotically, as an artist’s easel down verdant hills towards azure seas. Cities like Venice remain romantic despite the crowds, Florence beguiles with cobbled streets and the hilly Tuscan countryside never far away, while Rome’s almost unfathomable eras of architecture remain a draw for travellers from all over the world. And in recent years, it just keeps getting more popular. Indeed, Italy remains one of the most sought-after summer destinations in Europe. And one of our favourite spots, the ravishing Ligurian gem Portofino, is no different. Summers here bring fleets of yachts to glittering cerulean waters, and Portofino’s few good hotels tend to book out their best rooms months in advance, making early booking essential.

Stay: Rising in palatial proportions from the lush green hills behind Portofino, this iconic address is possibly the most striking hotel along the Ligurian coast. Indeed, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, has drawn astute travellers for more than half a century, and now, after a several-year-long renovation, it is better than ever. If you’ve stayed previously, you’ll note that while the terraced gardens and iconic saltwater pool remain, they’ve been beautifully renewed. But there are manifold new additions too, including the attractive Baratta Sedici restaurant and the Dior spa, bringing a layer of Parisian chic to the sun-kissed Ligurian coast, with treatment rooms overlooking the Gulf of Portofino. Most intriguing, however, is Villa Beatrice, Belmond’s exclusive private villa. The three-floored villa overlooks the enthralling Gulf of Tigullio, boasting original frescoes, murals, and ornate arched windows, an evocative sanctuary for family holidays in Portofino.

Ski: Courchevel

Exclusive Escapes in the French Alps

If the South of France is emblematic of glamorous European summers, then the French Alps are surely the same for winter travel. Only in the Alps, we swap the champagne-white sands for powdery white snow, the grand dame hotels for lodges dripping with alpine charm, and the Provençal vineyard trails for convivial Après-ski and lashings of creamy, beautiful fondue. Courchevel is a favourite amongst 360’s Travel Designers, for its effortless blend of outstanding skiing, polish and sense of tradition. Demand here is unwavering, particularly over Christmas and the New Year.

Stay: We recommend Airelles Courchevel for your ski season in the French Alps, a storybook château with snow-capped turrets, views of cinematic white mountains fringed by pine forests, and a fabulous position at the heart of the resort. Designed as an homage to Alpine craftsmanship, the Airelles’ carved wood interiors, stained glass windows and richly layered textiles create a cosy yet sophisticated atmosphere. There is a vast Airelles spa with pools, hammams, a snow cave, and treatment rooms ideal for post-ski restoration, multiple restaurants ranging from relaxed alpine dining to Japanese-Peruvian cuisine by legendary Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and the renowned Kid’s Club (with everything from ski lessons to craft workshops), making Airelles an appealing choice for all types of travellers.

Winter in the Indian Ocean

An Overwater Villa For Christmas in the Maldives

There are not many destinations that feel as completely removed from everyday life as the Maldives. Scattered across the Indian Ocean as emeralds on a bed of liquid aquamarine, these coral atolls offer a sense of distance that is as psychological as it is geographical. Over Christmas and New Year, especially, availability in the best resorts dwindles, making early planning a necessity for those seeking the most exclusive private-island experiences and uniquely beautiful villas.

Stay: JOALI Maldives reimagines the prototypical Maldivian resort as an art-led sanctuary, where design, craftsmanship and a distinctive sense of place shape every aspect of the experience. Set on Muravandhoo Island in the pristine Raa Atoll, the resort pairs expansive beach and overwater villas with private pools and dedicated butlers, with an aesthetic that draws on sculptural installations and natural materials. Days are barefoot and unhurried with snorkelling on wildlife-filled reefs, sailing between neighbouring islands, or rejuvenating days in the resort’s wellbeing facilities, which centre on personalised treatments and restorative rituals.

JOALI is home to one of our most beloved overwater villas in the Maldives: the Luxury Sunset Water Villa with Pool.

The First Moments of 2027

New Year’s Eve in Sydney

After New Zealand’s Auckland, Sydney is one of the first major cities to welcome the new year, making it a glorious stage for a celebration watched the world over. The highlight is, of course, the striking choreography of fireworks, light and sound unfolding over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. However, demand for the very best vantage points is generally fierce, and accommodation with truly phenomenal views is limited to a small handful of addresses.

Stay: For New Year’s Eve in Sydney, we can think of no better option than Park Hyatt Sydney, set directly on the harbour’s edge. It occupies one of the most coveted locations in the city. With rooms boasting uninterrupted panoramas of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it is an ideal front-row seat to the New Year’s Eve celebrations. For the occasion, Park Hyatt Sydney offers a private superyacht sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour, chilled Champagne delivered to your room on the day and wellness treatments for all guests. The most sought-after suites feature generous terraces with immersive views of the event (such as the fabulous Sydney Suite, with sweeping vistas of the harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge), allowing you to experience the fireworks from the privacy of your own space — an unparalleled welcome for 2027.