Bucks &amp; Oxon

I&#8217;ve stayed at Jumby Bay &#8211; the most luxurious holiday I&#8217;ve ever had. We had a huge suite (well, more like a house) right on the white sandy beach. Superb food, really outstanding watersports, staff tending to your every whim (sigh) &#8211; and you can drive yourself around the private island in little white golf carts, like in The Prisoner! Only problem &#8211; you won&#8217;t want to leave!

Have a big celebration coming up? Sometimes a few bottles of warm Prosecco and a knees-up down your local just won&#8217;t cut it. An exotic getaway with your nearest and dearest however&#8230;. um, YES PLEASE!&nbsp; As always, we are here to help with some celebration hols travel inspo for you (and even if you&#8217;re not going anywhere beyond Waitrose for the foreseeable, it makes for rather nice travel porn). Here are some suggestions to whet your appetite for fun times ahead.
FOR A BIG BIRTHDAY
Safari so good
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56881 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/safari.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/safari.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/safari-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/safari-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/safari-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
A milestone birthday is a&nbsp;great excuse to do something a bit different and blow the cobwebs away. If going on safari is something you&#8217;ve thought about doing since your gap year but have never quite managed, now&#8217;s the time. This 12 day trip takes in <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/tanzania/ngorongoro-serengeti-zanzibar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ngorongo, Serengeti and Zanzibar</a> &#8211; and the unforgettable&nbsp;sights of 1.5m migrating wildebeest. Certainly beats a 3 day hangover.
Bali spa luxury&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56695 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="563" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali-min-150x84.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali-min-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali-min-720x405.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
On the quieter, less touristy north-eastern corner of Bali, the clue is in the title with <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/indonesia/spa-village-resort-tembok-bali" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spa Village Resort</a>. A holiday here comes complete with daily spa treatments &#8211; well, it is your birthday after all. There&#8217;s also complimentary wood carving, weaving and candle-making sessions. Who knows, you could come home with a whole new career&#8230;
Tropical beach&nbsp;decadence&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56699 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-sarojin-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="563" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-sarojin-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-sarojin-min-150x84.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-sarojin-min-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-sarojin-min-720x405.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
This secluded <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/thailand/the-sarojin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">seafront resort</a> in Khao Lak, Thailand is a laid-back as it is beautiful. Want to eat dinner by the side of a jungle waterfall? Picnic by candlelight on a private beach? Or have breakfast at 3pm because you can&#8217;t be bothered to get out of bed? You got it, birthday girl.
FOR A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY
Fijian island retreat&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56882 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/fiji-island-retrat.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="672" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/fiji-island-retrat.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/fiji-island-retrat-150x101.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/fiji-island-retrat-300x202.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/fiji-island-retrat-720x484.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
I stayed at <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/fiji/yasawa-island-resort-and-spa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yasawa Island resort</a> a few years ago with him indoors and my then-toddler, and it was probably the most perfect hotel experience of my life. You have to&nbsp;take a transfer flight from Nadi (it&#8217;s about an hour) and then you arrive to white sand, turquoise waters and teaming staff. This is a real showstopper of a treat, with&nbsp;your own private stretch of&nbsp;beach outside your room, outdoor shower, huuuuuuge outdoor deck. Central to the hotel&#8217;s success though are the Fijians themselves &#8211; supremely friendly, awesome with children and justifiably proud of their stunning island.
Mexican massage fun (with extra hot sauciness)
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56701 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Viceroy-Riviera-Maya-Infinity-Pool-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="663" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Viceroy-Riviera-Maya-Infinity-Pool-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Viceroy-Riviera-Maya-Infinity-Pool-min-150x99.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Viceroy-Riviera-Maya-Infinity-Pool-min-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Viceroy-Riviera-Maya-Infinity-Pool-min-720x477.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Three reasons to love this 41 <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/mexico-riviera-maya/viceroy-riviera-maya" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">villa luxury resort</a> just outside Playa del Carmen (where I went on my honeymoon as it happens &#8211; can totally recommend this stunning stretch of Mexico). The weekly tequila and ceviche-tasting sessions (yum), the fact they don&#8217;t allow children under the age of 14 (ideal if you&#8217;re trying to escape your little darlings &#8211; and everyone else&#8217;s), and the spa&#8217;s signature massage that uses the resort&#8217;s exclusive &#8216;love oil&#8217;. Ooo-er &#8211; that&#8217;ll certainly&nbsp;reboot your romance.
Tremendous treehouse&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56883 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/mantangi-treehouse.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="649" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/mantangi-treehouse.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/mantangi-treehouse-150x97.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/mantangi-treehouse-300x195.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/mantangi-treehouse-720x467.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
OK, back to Fiji &#8211; well, if you insist &#8211; to one of Matangi Private Island Resort&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/fiji/matangi-private-island-resort" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stunning&nbsp;treehouses</a>. With their views of&nbsp;the beach, Horseshoe Bay and across to other islands, plus an outdoor shower,&nbsp; Jacuzzi and day bed, they&#8217;re as gorgeous as they are romantic. You can also book a private candle-lit dinner at a secluded spot on the island&#8230; you could even take him indoors along, arf!
FAMILY GATHERING
Action stations in Thailand&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56694 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/soneva-kiri-resort-thailand-beach-pool-villa-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/soneva-kiri-resort-thailand-beach-pool-villa-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/soneva-kiri-resort-thailand-beach-pool-villa-min-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/soneva-kiri-resort-thailand-beach-pool-villa-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/soneva-kiri-resort-thailand-beach-pool-villa-min-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Taking the whole gang with you? This <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/thailand/soneva-kiri/family" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Koh Kood resort</a> has 6 bedroom villas that&#8217;ll sleep up to 12 people so they&#8217;re brilliant for bigger groups. There&#8217;s a million and one activities to keep everyone happy, from star gazing to jungle walks to cooking classes to every watersport under the blazing sun.&nbsp;Us? We&#8217;ll be mainlining popcorn at the outdoor cinema.
Floating villa paradise
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56691 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/constance-halaveli-maldives-2016-aerial-06-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/constance-halaveli-maldives-2016-aerial-06-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/constance-halaveli-maldives-2016-aerial-06-min-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/constance-halaveli-maldives-2016-aerial-06-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/constance-halaveli-maldives-2016-aerial-06-min-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
This Leading <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/themaldives/constance-halaveli-resort" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hotel Of The World</a> in the Maldives&nbsp;is a collection of family-friendly thatched villas that stand on stilts in the ridiculously blue waters on the Indian Ocean. So basically, it&#8217;s a 2 second commute down the steps to the sea &#8211; or if that&#8217;s too arduous, you can relax in your private plunge pool. For more active family members, there&#8217;s loads of brilliant diving, plus kayaking and windsurfing.
Caribbean dream&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56698 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-landings-saint-lucia-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-landings-saint-lucia-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-landings-saint-lucia-min-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-landings-saint-lucia-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/the-landings-saint-lucia-min-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
St Lucia? White sands? Mojitos on tap? We&#8217;re there. Relaxed modern beach resort <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/saintlucia/the-landings" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Landings</a> has 1-3 bedroom villa suites, with kitchens and living/dining areas. The kids club is for ages 3+ and there&#8217;s tennis, golf and watersports aplenty.
PUSHING THE BOAT OUT&nbsp;(quite literally &#8211; to a private island)
Thanda Island, Tanzania
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56696 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/thanda-island-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/thanda-island-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/thanda-island-min-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/thanda-island-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/thanda-island-min-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Private island? Oh, go on then. Tanzania&#8217;s <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/tanzania/thanda-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thanda Island</a> is a 40 minute helicopter ride from&nbsp;Dar Es Salaam off the east coast of Africa. And it is STUNNING. The villa sleeps 10, with space for another 8 in two Tanzanian bandas (cute thatched houses basically) nearby.&nbsp;There&#8217;s a dedicated team of butlers, chefs and housekeepers to cater to your every whim, a Steinway grand piano and indoor aquarium. Get you!
Jumby Bay, Antigua&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56692 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Jumby-Bay-Antigua-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="663" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Jumby-Bay-Antigua-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Jumby-Bay-Antigua-min-150x99.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Jumby-Bay-Antigua-min-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Jumby-Bay-Antigua-min-720x477.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Antigua a bit *sniff* busy for you? Head two miles north to this <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/antigua/jumby-bay" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">300 acre private 40-room resort</a>, which is one of the most exclusive in the Caribbean and only accessible via boat. Previous celebrity guest? That&#8217;ll be Christopher Columbus, who discovered this divine coral reef in 1493.
Azura Quilalea, Mozambique&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-56690 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Azura-Quilalea-Aerial-Side-View-min.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Azura-Quilalea-Aerial-Side-View-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Azura-Quilalea-Aerial-Side-View-min-150x92.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Azura-Quilalea-Aerial-Side-View-min-300x185.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/10/Azura-Quilalea-Aerial-Side-View-min-720x443.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
This diddy 86 acre <a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/mozambique/azura-quilalea" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">uninhabited island</a> twinkles prettily in Mozambique&#8217;s&nbsp;Quirimbas Archipelago. It&#8217;s super-exclusive, with just nine beachfront villas, world-class diving and the opportunity to spot humpback whales.&nbsp;The perfect spot to play out all your Robinson Crusoe fantasies &#8211; if Robinson Crusoe had a butler and infinity plunge pool, that is.
<a href="https://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;Turquoise Holidays</a>

Make your holidays count: 13 trips of a lifetime

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