Planning a long-haul holiday from the UK starts with crucial decisions; not just where to go but how you want to spend your time. The best trips offer more than a change of scenery. They shift your perspective. The right destination feels unfamiliar in all the right ways, full of new sounds, flavours, and rhythms.
The island of Mauritius is an exotic holiday destination – Photo by Michal Marek
To get it right, timing matters. So does choosing a long-haul holiday destination that matches your pace. Is it a morning swim and grilled mas huni in the Maldives? A seafood lunch on a catamaran off the island of Mauritius? Walking through cinnamon estates in Sri Lanka or crossing quiet bays in southern Thailand? These are the choices that shape the trip. Plan them well, and the rest takes care of itself.
Dive Into the Maldives, Where the Sea Feels Endless
After landing in Malé, a short transfer by boat or private jet takes you to the island where you’ll stay. Most travellers choose one resort and settle in.
At Kudadoo or Baros, villas open straight onto the lagoon. Staff remember your preferences. Meals focus on quality and freshness: Grilled reef fish, coconut pancakes, and mango with lime. If you visit between May and November, ask about snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay. Resorts with experienced guides offer early access before crowds arrive.
If you’re looking for peace, choose Gili Lankanfushi. It’s not just a luxury eco-beach resort: it is a retreat to get away from the world.
An over water villa in the Maldives
From Beach to Hill Country in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, you can wake beside the ocean and fall asleep in the hills. It’s one of the few places to move between beach and countryside in a single day and feel like each was a unique journey.
Stay at Kayaam House near Tangalle for a few days of sea air and open space, then travel inland to Nine Skies near Ella. Both properties are quiet and well run. Along the way, take time for an ayurvedic treatment using local herbs and warm oils. You’ll find experienced therapists in both coastal and inland hotels.
The tea country hills of central Sri Lanka
Explore Jungle, Rice Fields, and Ritual in Bali
The Indonesian island of Bali has a rhythm of its own, especially as you move inland and away from the more touristy spots along the coast. Mornings start early, often with the scent of incense and the sound of water. The days move slowly.
Capella Ubud offers privacy and a sense of place. The tented suites look into the forest, and there’s no pressure to do anything unless you want to. Swim, walk, rest. Lunch might be grilled prawns with sambal, or roasted duck served on a banana leaf. You can arrange a private temple blessing with a local priest nearby for a quiet, respectful ceremony that stays with you.
Yeh Pulu rice fields in Bali, Indonesia
Mauritius Island Hopping in Style
Mauritius offers more than beaches. There are small fishing villages, sugarcane fields, and winding roads that lead to spice gardens and mountain viewpoints.
Base yourself near Le Morne or Tamarin. From there, book a private catamaran to Île aux Cerfs or Île aux Aigrettes. The trip includes swimming, snorkelling, and grilled seafood on board. If you prefer to stay put, most resorts offer calm water, strong service, and enough space to make it feel like yours alone.
Blue Bay, Mauritius – Photo by Florian GIORGIO
A Quiet Corner of Thailand
Koh Yao Noi is less visited than other parts of Thailand’s Andaman coast, and that’s part of the appeal. You arrive by boat. The island is calm, green, and surrounded by limestone cliffs.
At Six Senses Yao Noi, villas are built for privacy, many with pools and long views across the bay. You can kayak, explore nearby islands, or stay in. Consider an evening at The Jungle Cinema if your trip includes time in Phuket. Floating in warm water as the screen lights up the trees is a simple but memorable way to end the day.
Phuket is the biggest island of Thailand and sits on the Andaman Sea
Final Thoughts for Your Exotic Adventure
A great trip doesn’t rely on a full itinerary. The correct setting, good timing, and a few well-chosen experiences are often enough. Exotic doesn’t need to be far-fetched. It needs to feel different in a way that stays with you.
