Sailing in the Caribbean

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Wymara Resort & Villas COMO Parrot Cay

Chic and stylish, luxurious yet laid back, Wymara Resort and Villas sits in a glorious spot on the stunning Grace Bay beach on the island of Providenciales. Close to bars, restaurants and plenty of activities, it is ideally located for guests who want to explore their surroundings as well as relax and enjoy the facilities at this beachfront hideaway.

With 91 rooms, suites and villas there is certainly a room to suit your personal needs and requirements. All have views of the glittering ocean from their private terrace or balcony and most lie just steps from the powder soft sands of the spectacular beach. Modern and sophisticated, the décor blends perfectly with the azure tones of the sea, giving the rooms a calm and relaxed feel. With top of the range bedding and incredibly comfortable beds, you’ll be sure to start each day here feeling fully refreshed! Choose to dine alfresco and enjoy ‘catch of the day’ under the stars whilst listening to the gentle lapping of the sea. Zest serves delicious seafood with tastes of the Mediterranean… guests can savour a feast of Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Snapper and when in season, Caribbean Spiny Lobster! Stelle is a slightly more formal restaurant with guests able to enjoy the cuisine indoors or outside gazing over the pool. Offering a wide variety of dishes, diners will be spoilt for choice when looking at the menu! To add a little sparkle to your day, why not head to the Pink Bar? Set directly on the beach, it serves light bites along with a selection of rose wines and blush champagnes – the perfect spot for a sundowner!

Days here can be as fun filled or relaxed as you wish. With a vast array of watersports available, including complimentary kayaks, paddle boards and hobie cats there need never be a dull moment. Venture down the beach a little for jet skiing, kite boarding, parasailing or scuba diving, all payable locally. Of course the snorkelling here is second to none, so don’t forget to pack your mask, or borrow one from the hotel! If staying on dry land is more your thing, why not explore the island on horseback or enjoy a round of golf at the nearby Provo Golf Club. Gym lovers will enjoy the 24 hour fitness centre along with an abundance of classes, from Pilates to Power Yoga, whilst those looking for more in the way of relaxation can enjoy a well-earned rest on one of the inviting sun loungers.

The Spa is the place to visit if you want to escape into a relaxing sanctuary. With a lengthy spa menu aimed at balancing and restoring the mind and body, you are sure to depart feeling thoroughly revitalised! We are sure you’ll be tempted by a Tranquillity Facial or a Caicos Coco Calmer Massage!

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Set on a private island in the ridiculously idyllic Turks and Caicos, COMO Parrot Cay sits on an ivory stretch of sand that is seemingly endless and washed by the gin-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Do not underestimate the beauty of the beaches here – this truly could be paradise!

To further enhance the sublime location, the range of rooms, beach houses and villas on offer is equally superb. With just 72 in total including the uberexclusive Parrot Cay Estates, this is a place of unobtrusive luxury. Rooms are generous in size with sleek, stylish furniture, vast four poster beds swathed in voile and private verandas or sun decks. Expect a calming palate of colours with cream, ivory and pale blue featuring strongly; this is effortless glamour. We highly recommend the One Bedroom Beach Houses which are just steps from the perfect white sand and offer separate living and sleeping areas, as well as a heated plunge pool on your private deck.

When it comes to dining, the bounty of seafood on the doorstep plays a starring role. The poolside Lotus restaurant features fresh Caribbean and Asian flavours or for a more formal elegant feel, The Terrace serves sophisticated Mediterranean dishes. The COMO Shambhala cuisine follows a wellness theme and is exceptionally popular. Private beach picnics, tiki hut dinners and in-room dining are also available.

COMO Shambhala Retreat is set in low-lying pavilions overlooking the North Caicos Channel and the surrounding wetlands, offering a wide range of holistic and Asian inspired treatments. Yoga and Pilates claim an integral role at Parrot Cay and complimentary classes are held six days per week, as well as private tuition. Those looking for meditation can learn about the healing powers of Pranayama, a deep breathing yoga technique.

The calm waters are heaven-sent for superb water sports and there is an excellent non-motorised water sports programme. The snorkelling is just breathtaking and the dive sites are among the best to be found in the Caribbean. If getting sand in your shoes is not your thing then don’t worry, the dazzling infinity edge pool is equally divine and surrounded by shady day bed pavilions with a picture-perfect view over the beach. Children will enjoy the Play by COMO service which has been specially designed to enrich the stay of younger guests. There is an indoor play space with toys aplenty, delicious children’s menus in the restaurants and a fabulous array of activities including palm weaving, mocktail making and nature walks.

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Whether you’re a first-timer or a serial visitor, New York City never fails to delight and surprise. It’s the City That Never Sleeps, the Big Apple, Gotham (before Batman), a fizzing ball of energy that captivates everyone who strolls its streets.

The city is a wanderer’s dream – you’ll get neck ache peering up at the cloud-baiting skyscrapers that seem to go on forever, with many of them icons themselves – the Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building and, of course, the Empire State Building. The must-sees don’t end there – there’s the shopping paradise of Fifth Avenue, the Museum of Modern Art and the Statue of Liberty. The hipster vibes of Brooklyn are slowly becoming an essential stop on your tour of New York City, in addition to the staple sights in Manhattan.

The rectangular Central Park is a leafy sanctuary in which to escape busy city life and it looks just as good blanketed in snow as it does drenched in sun. Here, New York City really slows down and affords you the opportunity to relax in its emerald surrounds and watch life go by. There’s so much going on in the Big Apple that you could return time after time for a luxury holiday and have a different experience each visit. That’s what makes New York City so enthralling.

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Days 1-3 ● New York With heaps of hotels all over New York, it is hard to know which to choose for a stay in this energetic city, however, one of our favourites is The Chatwal hotel. Set in the heart of Manhattan, it is just a stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park and the Broadway theatre district, so perfectly located for a few days exploring. Yet once you’re inside, it offers a complete escape from the hustle and bustle. Rooms and suites are beautifully appointed with art deco-style furniture, vintage prints on the walls and even benefit from a butler service! For the ultimate relaxation, head to the in-house spa and indulge in a treatment or two.

Days 4-10 ● Antigua After three fun-filled days in New York, take the short flight to Antigua with its idyllic white-sand beaches and gin-clear seas for some well-earned downtime. Enjoy seven nights at the recently refurbished Curtain Bluff (see page 16). Set, as the name suggests, on a stunning bluff, the resort is flanked by two beautiful beaches and offers an abundance of activities within the all-inclusive plan. Make the most of the range of water sports, daily snorkelling trips to the nearby reef and on-land activities… or just while away the hours in one of the comfy hammocks!

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If you want a beach with a sun-kissed buzz, then look no further than Miami. It’s a large slice of trendy Americana, a place that has seemingly become a playground for some of the finest architects and where cutting-edge creativity rules. Three quarters of a century after the art deco movement made Miami a byword for 1930s glamour, the city still oozes style.

Thanks to its year-round tropical climate, South Beach is a sanctuary for both the locals and visitors, where candy-coloured buildings front mile upon mile of glittering golden sand. A stroll along Ocean Drive, which runs parallel to South Beach, is like a throwback to the great American summers of the past. Inland, its proximity to the Caribbean is evident in its distinct neighbourhoods, with Little Havana harbouring Cuban influences and the beat of a steel drum never too far away in Coconut Grove.

It’s a luxury holiday haven for the cool and chic but it’s surrounded by epic wildlife experiences, too. Tropical gardens speckle the urban environment, magnificent manatees can be spotted off the Florida coast and alligators fill the wetlands of Everglades National Park. Miami is much more than just a one-dimensional city beach destination!

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Days 1-3 ● Miami Spend three days hanging out at the super stylish COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach. Set in an enviable location overlooking America’s most iconic beach, it is the perfect base from which to explore this vibrant city. Just a short walk away is art museum The Bass, where the latest international contemporary art is exhibited or for a spot of retail therapy, head to nearby Lincoln Road Mall. Back at the hotel, guests can relax in super stylish pastel-hued rooms, furnished with sleek, art deco furniture. For the best views in the house, head to the rooftop pool and gaze out across the glittering ocean.

Days 4-10 ● Turks & Caicos After three uber-cool days in Miami, hop on a direct flight to the paradise that is Turks & Caicos. The powder-soft beaches and crystal-clear waters are heavenly – it is the perfect place to wind down after a busy few days exploring! Spend seven nights at the exquisite COMO Parrot Cay (see page 59). Set on its very own private island, just a short boat ride from the airport, COMO Parrot Cay is a serene hideaway where wellness and tranquillity are the key to unwinding and taking it easy!