The Tropical Islands To Visit This Year
Created in partnership with turquoise holidays
SRI LANKA
For a relatively small island, Sri Lanka has it all: vast jungles and national parks home to an array of tropical wildlife, miles of beaches, Buddhist temples and ancient cities. Then there’s the incredible food at restaurants and street food stalls across the country, all lit up by unique spices and dishes passed down over generations. This is also one of the few countries in the world where you can spot elephants from your hotel room or along the beach. Best of all, perhaps, Sri Lanka is known for its welcoming people and excellent hospitality. Most visitors start in the bustling capital Colombo, before venturing across the country to visit the tea plantations and incredible coastline. Other must-see spots include Galle with its historic fort, Kandy for its proximity to numerous national parks, and Ella with its trendy cafés and historic train network.
Turquoise offers itineraries to suit every traveller. Its ‘Ultimate Sri Lanka’ tour is a nine-day trip that showcases the country’s highlights, from elephants and tea country to culture and beaches. Guests stay in luxury accommodation with incredible views of tea plantations, lakes and the island’s lush greenery. You can also choose from honeymoon itineraries, filled with romantic excursions, and other bucket-list holidays, all meticulously curated by a team of experts who know the country well.
Important Info:
Flight Time: Direct flights from London to Colombo take 11 hours.
Time Difference: GMT +5.5 hours.
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee.
When To Go: Visit during the sunny, dry season (the best time to visit beaches and tea country) from December to April, when temperatures in Kandy hover around 20°C.
Browse Turquoise’s special offers in Sri Lanka here.
THE MALDIVES
Most travellers who have visited this small south Asian nation will agree there are few places that can rival its exclusivity and natural beauty. Comprising more than 1,000 coral atolls and tropical islands, the Maldives have turquoise waters, white sands and a host of luxury resorts, as well as more affordable accommodation options. Whether you’re after a special family trip or romantic getaway, Turquoise Holiday Company can help plan each part of your trip and take care of all the details. For many, the Maldives are a trip of a lifetime and there are a few things to think about before visiting: from how secluded you want to feel (some islands and resorts are close together, while others are remote with only a vast expanse of ocean in front of you) to whether you want to stay on a small island for total privacy or a larger island with more facilities.
Turquoise work with leading luxury hotels across the Maldives, including Four Seasons, Six Senses, LUX* and One&Only, as well as smaller brands offering something unique. There are various accommodation options to consider, like overwater villas vs staying on the beach (a great choice if travelling with little ones), and you can even choose where to stay based on whether you prefer the sunrise or sunset. All resorts have access to a reef, which you can either swim to or visit by boat to explore waters that are teeming with wildlife.
Important Info:
Flight Time: Direct flights from London to Malé International take around 10.5 hours. There are also indirect flights (via Middle East hubs) which take 12-15 hours. Many travellers combine a trip with a holiday in Sri Lanka.
Time Difference: GMT +5 hours.
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa. US dollars are also widely accepted.
When To Go: The Maldives is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is between November and April, when temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C.
Resort Access: Resorts are accessible via speedboat or seaplane – make sure you are aware of the onward journey to the island you choose. Most are accessible by seaplane, but some closer to the main island of Malé are just a short boat trip away.
Browse Turquoise’s special offers across the Maldives here.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius isn’t just a great honeymoon destination. This small island (roughly the same size as Scotland’s Isle of Skye) is the perfect destination for adventure holidays thanks to its volcanic terrain, vast jungle and bio-protected coral reefs. Outdoorsy types can try everything from ziplining across national parks and swimming in the Domaine de Chazal canyon to heading on a safari. Elsewhere, there are 720 miles of coastline to explore, with clear, warm waters and pastel-hued reefs offering excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. We like the sound of a catamaran trip around the country’s many islets or to spot dolphins along the scenic west coast.
Whether you want to relax on the beach for a week or get out and see some natural wonders, Turquoise can plan the perfect trip. For family holidays, its team will ensure children are entertained at a kids club – with activities like cookery classes, nature walks and water sports – while parents soak up the sunshine and make the most of facilities at their chosen resort. Imagine relaxing at the luxury Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius or Sugar Beach hotel. Adults can also ask the team to plan excursions to waterfalls or one of the country’s famous rum distilleries. If you don’t have kids in tow, the island is yours to explore from an adults-only hotel.
Important Info:
Flight Time: Direct flights from London take 12 hours.
Time Difference: GMT +4 hours.
Currency: Mauritian Rupee.
When To Go: The best times to visit the island are from April to June, and September to December, avoiding the peak summer and winter temperatures.
Browse Turquoise’s special offers in Mauritius here.
THE SEYCHELLES
An archipelago of 115 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles has nearly 500km of coastline. No wonder beaches are its main attraction, but the country is also home to lush rainforests and unique wildlife, each varying across the islands. The Seychelles are great for island hopping, with most trips starting on the largest island of Mahé where you’ll find the major holiday resorts and buzzing local markets. Elsewhere, Praslin is home to seriously stunning beaches and the Vallée de Mai rainforest, thick with over 6,000 Coco de Mer trees. Other highlights include sunsets at the crescent-shaped Anse Lazio, and the hard-to-reach Anse Georgette beach. The experts at Turquoise also have a secret favourite: the tiny island of La Digue where the main mode of transport is bicycle – imagine watching crabs scuttle across the beach and hunting for coconuts during a lazy beach day. Beyond Mahé, some far-flung outer islands offer remote escapes – Denis Islands and Desroches both have secluded beaches.
Unsurprisingly, the Seychelles has numerous luxury hotels, and Turquoise has hand-selected a collection of the best. From the modern Four Seasons Resort Seychelles to Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas tucked away on Mahé, resorts come highly recommended. Turquoise guests can stay at more than one hotel to make the most of the island’s highlights – think a few nights on Mahé before visiting a private island. The team can also tailor itineraries based on who you’re travelling with, whether it’s a multigenerational trip or babymoon.
Important Info:
Flight Time: Direct flights from London to Mahé take 12 hours, 50 minutes.
Time Difference: GMT +4 hours.
Currency: Seychellois Rupee
When To Go: The best times to visit are between April and May, and October and November, when the islands are less windy and temperatures are warm.
Resort Access: Private car transfers, short flights, boats and helicopters are all options when island hopping in the Seychelles. Discuss your best route with a Turquoise specialist.
Browse Turquoise’s special offers in the Seychelles here.
INSPIRED?
Here are just a few reasons to book with The Turquoise Holiday Company…
- It’s an award-winning tour operator, with over 20 years’ experience creating luxury and bespoke holidays. Its team of experts don’t recommend anywhere they haven’t visited, so you can rest assured your trip will be a memorable one.
- The team take care of each part of the planning process, so all you have to do is sit back and look forward to your dream holiday. From flights and transfers to accommodation and special touches that make trips memorable (like surprises in your rooms, activities for the kids and romantic excursions), each part will be meticulously planned.
- Whether it’s for a romantic trip (the team has sold over 10,000 honeymoons), a family holiday or a group experience, travellers return to Turquoise time and again – it’s an Atol-protected tour operator you can trust.
- Booking long-haul trips direct can be time consuming, and often more costly. Turquoise will ensure you get the best rates at its partner hotels and flight providers. You’ll be assigned a travel agent to sort out all the logistics.
For personalised recommendations and bespoke itinerary suggestions, contact the Turquoise team by phone on 0207 147 7087. You can also email the team at enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk – or visit one of its beach house-inspired offices in London and Buckinghamshire.
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