00:00Welcome to Travel Smarts, the insider's travel guide from Independent TV.
00:05This is a series where we share our take on the best destinations to visit from across the globe.
00:10This week we're splashing the cash and looking into the best destinations to visit for a luxury holiday.
00:16We're talking five-star getaways, high-end hotels, Michelin-starred dining and spectacular scenery.
00:31When you think of luxury holidays, your mind probably drifts to white sand islands
00:36with over-water villas and glistening turquoise waters.
00:39So we're starting out in the Caribbean, one of our top choices for heavenly honeymoons,
00:44solo splurges and five-star family holidays.
00:51If you're looking for upscale hotels, high-end restaurants and plenty of shopping,
00:56opt for an island like Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua or the Bahamas.
01:01For the ultimate in exclusivity, head to St Barts and the British Virgin Islands.
01:07As destinations of choice for A-listers and the glitterati,
01:10both places are known for offering visitors privacy.
01:14Over in East Africa, the Seychelles offer seemingly endless island getaways
01:19where your every whim is catered for.
01:22The Maldives in the Indian Ocean are well known for their range of all-inclusive high-end breaks.
01:28Although increasingly, you'll find some more affordable options among these islands,
01:32providing high-end service at slightly more accessible prices.
01:38If you're looking for some opulence on a city break, consider a stay in London or Paris.
01:43Both of these cities are blessed with an abundance of five-star hotels, fine dining options
01:49and shopping districts filled with designer stores and independent boutiques.
01:55Both have an abundance of five-star hotels, fine dining options and shopping districts
02:00where you can find designer stores as well as boutique options.
02:04If you're heading over to Paris, opt for the Eurostar rather than flying for a relaxing experience.
02:09With the Premier ticket, you'll be treated to a three-course meal with champagne
02:13and be taken straight to Gare du Nord in the centre of Paris
02:16with no need to mess around with airports or transfers.
02:19For a high-end US city break, New York is the obvious option.
02:23For a truly luxe experience, avoid the crowds of Midtown and Times Square
02:28and choose a hotel in Soho, Greenwich Village, the West Village or the Meatpacking District.
02:33Miami and LA also offer everything you could ask for in terms of a glitzy US city break.
02:38But don't be afraid to look to the south where up-and-coming cities like Charleston, Austin and Nashville
02:44can also offer plenty for the discerning traveller.
02:47Dubai is in a class of its own when it comes to luxury.
02:50After all, this city is home to the spectacular Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building
02:55as well as the world's only seven-star hotel, the impossibly opulent Burj Al Arab.
03:00Around every corner, you'll find glitz and glamour
03:03whether you're after a swanky brunch with friends downtown,
03:06an all-inclusive on the palm where the kids will be well entertained
03:09or a quiet golfing break in the sunshine on the creek.
03:14If you're looking for something more subtle, a little closer to home,
03:17you can find getaways fit for royalty on the Côte d'Azur.
03:23The charming towns scattered along the French Riviera
03:26such as Nice, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Saint-Raphael
03:33simply ooze old-school glamour.
03:36Or hop over the border to Monaco to enjoy a taste of this billionaire's playground
03:40where Ferraris are parked outside the Hotel de Paris,
03:43yachts dot the shoreline and wealthy clientele dip in and out of casinos.
03:50If you don't have a millionaire's budget but still want to experience the high life,
03:54it's worth considering countries where your money goes further.
03:57Even if you factor in the cost of the flight,
03:59once you reach Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam or Laos,
04:03you'll find that luxury is much more affordable.
04:07Finally, we can't talk about luxury without mentioning safari.
04:11Because if there's one holiday worth having a splurge on,
04:14it's a trip into the wild to spot animals.
04:18Luxury may mean different things out here.
04:20Some will be thinking of gorgeous tents,
04:22while others will prefer beautiful lodges with swimming pools and excellent dining options.
04:27Either way, being out in the wild doesn't have to mean roughing it.
04:33That's all we've got time for on this episode of Travel Smart on Independent TV.
04:37Be sure to check in for the next episode,
04:40which you can watch onsite on the Independence mobile app or on your smart TV.
04:45And for the latest travel news, reviews and advice,
04:48visit independent.co.uk forward slash travel and listen to Simon Calder's daily podcast.
05:02Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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