54 METRO Thursday, November 14, 2013
travel
METRO
Affordable and lu A Maldives resort that won’t break the bank. By Jane Mulkerrins
D
A mountain chalet that’s in the heart of the city Why force yourself to choose between a city break and snowcapped mountains? Next month, Paris’s Park Hyatt is combining the two, with a mountain chalet installed on its terrace to recreate the calm, alpine atmosphere in the middle of the bustling French capital. The hotel’s chef, Jean-
eep in the darkness of a British autumn, sometimes the only way to plough on is by planning exotic breaks abroad. However, many paradise islands can weigh heavily on budgets. Enter Kanifushi Island, the newest resort in the Maldives, which, while unashamedly deluxe, also aims to be less costly than many. ‘We’re excited about introducing the Platinum Plus plan, which marries the traditional five-star experience with genuine value for money and makes the Maldives a more accessible holiday destination for those who may previously have considered a holiday here too expensive,’ says Dinesh Bhaskar, director of sales and marketing at Atmosphere, which owns the 150-
François Rouquette, will be serving up cheese fondue with cooked meats, sausages, pâtés, pastries and soup, wines and brandies, for groups of up to six diners. Reservations are essential. From £150 per person. www.parkhyatt.com
Detox in the sun and banish the winter blues
Best 5 late deals Italy
Ti Sana spa and detox retreat sits inside a former Italian nobleman’s home in Arlate, a sleepy hamlet in north Italy. Peaceful it may be, but easy? Think
Whether you fancy shedding a few kilos to fit into that party dress, or need to book a break to banish the bulge (and the blues) in the post-New Year gloom, the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, on Turkey’s Aegean Sea, has a seven-day programme to sort you out, in the sunshine. With scrubs, rubs, wraps, reiki, massage, outdoor exercise, yoga,
and Pilates, as well as carefully designed bespoke menus, the week-long purification programme should reset the switch, banishing toxins, stress, bloating and fatigue. From £1,200 for the seven-day programme (three and five-day programmes also available). www.kempinski.com/bodrum
again. Its detox programmes are designed so that guests receive a head-to-toe well-being MOT. If the idea of raw food and having your colon cleansed makes you run scared, then it’s probably not for you, but health devotees will rejoice at its straightforward and very effective approach. Wellbeing Escapes is offering one free night at Ti Sana spa and resort, Lombardy, when you book
three nights or more by November 30 for travel by March 31, 2014. www.wellbeingescapes.com
Turkey
For a spot of Christmas shopping, hit the streets of Istanbul, a city that caters for every taste. It is home to designer shops and authentic Turkish fare, which can be found on the cluttered stalls of the sprawling Grand Bazaar. The Sirkeci Konak is a renovated Ottoman mansion close to the must-see sights, including the Topkapi Palace, once the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans and now packed with priceless artifacts. Exclusive Escapes is offering three nights at the Sirkeci Konak, Istanbul, for £770 per person, including breakfast, flights, transfers and a private city guide for half a day, based on two sharing, departing before December 14. www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk
Canary Islands
Away from the cheap shots and sunburn that is Las Americas, there is a luxury side to Tenerife and this resort has it all wrapped up in a delightfully refined package. Its rooms overlook either the abundant gardens or the Atlantic; its L’occitane en