Sometimes a week on a sunny beach just isn’t enough. These lifestyle holidays offer a unique travel experience that suits your interests.
For most people, taking a holiday involves jetting off to somewhere sunny and spending the best part of a week lounging by a pool with a cocktail in hand.
However, some of us are looking for something a little more specific. Thankfully, internet access makes it possible to plan the perfect getaway, tailored to your unique personality, interests, opinions and behaviours.
Dropping into a travel agents and booking a pre-packaged deal was once your only option. Now you can plan every tiny detail of your trip without moving off of your sofa.
Lifestyle holidays that are perfect for those that prefer to do something different
To help you get started, we have put together these five perfect lifestyle holidays for those that prefer to do it a little differently to everyone else:
Luxury lifestyle holidays in Dubai
Before the United Arab Emirates discovered its vast oil deposits, Dubai was a small port town, best known for its pearl and fishing industries. However, the last decade has seen the city transform into the hub of everything luxury.
Where better to rest and relax than a place where every room comes with its own butler and everything from table legs to toilet seats are coated in gold? The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah comes with a hefty cost. However, you can’t get any more luxurious than the best hotel in the world.
Once you’re done taking in the room’s comforts, take a stroll (or a helicopter?) to the Dubai Mall. The world’s largest shopping centre contains over 1,200 stores, including luxury brands such as Cartier, Armani, Versace and Hermes.
Before you leave, make sure you grab a bite to eat at Coya, which was voted by Time Out as the best restaurant in Dubai. Loved by locals and tourists alike, their South American dishes are widely regarded as some of the best in the city.
Simple-living lifestyle holidays in California
Technology is now a massive part of our lives. However, despite the ease and convenience that internet access provides, many of us would love nothing more than to disconnect from the online world and go back to a simpler way of life.
Finding somewhere truly ‘off the grid’ can be tough. In fact, there’s almost always a Wi-Fi connection or telephone line in distance.
However, 95% of the Yosemite National Park is officially recognised as wilderness, meaning that there are no cars, buildings or electricity in sight. This makes it the perfect destination for those looking to live a simpler life throughout their break.
There are no fancy eateries to serve you the fine-dining experience. You will have to pre-pack your breakfast, lunch and dinners and cook them yourself on a campfire. Just be careful that the smells don’t attract any of Yosemite’s permanent residents.
When you’re not busy trying to get by without an oven, you can spend your time taking in the park’s natural beauty. However, if you’re worried about losing your way or overusing your legs, Yosemite Hospitality offers bus tours around the park all year round.
Heathy lifestyle holidays in Malaga
Looking to follow a healthier lifestyle, but struggling to give up nicotine, caffeine or fatty foods? Improve your wellbeing both mentally at physically at a health retreat. It could be just what you need to break your bad habits.
The Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat is the ideal place to leave the stresses of modern life behind. It is surrounded by the Sierra de las Nieves and offers stunning views of the natural park.
The Spa hotel offers a range of retreats, including Yoga, weight loss, detox, fitness and Pilates. Their six night programs include a range of classes, full board meals and complimentary use of facilities such as gyms and saunas, which are bound to leave you feeling healthier, stronger and happier.
If the set meals don’t tickle your fancy, head down to El Karmem Restaurante Vegano. The five-star rated restaurant blends Yoga with vegan foods, which is as good for your soul as it is for your taste buds.
When you’re not in a class, you can venture out into Malaga to explore the area’s beauty. Despite its bustling centre, if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, make your way to the Montes de Malaga and immerse yourself in almost 5,000 hectares of nature.
Thrill-seeking lifestyle holidays in Victoria Falls
Hardly the standard idea of relaxation, some of us love nothing more than to put ourselves in positions of danger.
For some, a 30 second ride on a rollercoaster invokes feelings of dread and panic. For others, jumping out of a plane is the greatest feeling imaginable. What better way to banish stress than to spend some time in one of the most dangerous places in the world?
Victoria Falls, Zambia, offers plenty of death-defying activities for you to partake in. Spend some time ‘relaxing’ in the Devil’s Pool. The naturally formed infinity pool lets you peer into the abyss while a waterfall cascades down it beside you. Head down to the Zambezi River once you’re done at the top. There you can spend the day white water rafting through the unpredictable waters, dubbed the ‘world’s wildest water run’.
In order to maximise your time spent outdoors, opt for the Royal Livingstone Zambia hotel. Tame zebras roam free and rooms overlook the Zambezi. Located in the Mosioa-Tunya National Park, the luxury hotel offers visitors a taste of African life, complete with the comforts of European living.
If you fancy something a little more traditional to eat, check out The Boma. The outdoor eatery offers a selection of Zimbabwean cuisine. Hand-cooked in front of you on a campfire, it is bound to delight your senses.
Spiritual lifestyle holidays in Bangalore
If you want to get in touch with your spiritual side, there’s no better place than the home of spirituality. India is the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism). Although religion continues to be displaced by celebrity worship in many parts of the world, spirituality remains a way of life in India.
If you’re travelling to the South East Asian country, there’s no better place to rest your head than one of the many spiritual ashrams dotted around.
The Shreyas Yoga Retreat in Bengaluru, Karnataka is one of the best. The boutique retreat blends luxury and serenity perfectly. It offers visitors a stay that will leave them feeling refreshed, with a variety of Yoga classes and meditation sessions taking place throughout the day.
You can continue to immerse yourself in Indian culture with a trip to World Heritage Sites Hampi and Pattadakal, where you can set your eyes upon a number of ancient temples.
After a long day exploring, you should grab something to eat at Grasshopper. Voted as one of the best places to eat in Bangalore, the fine dining restaurant offers a range of beautifully presented Indian dishes. However, it is the laidback, no-rush atmosphere that makes Grasshopper so popular.
Does one of these lifestyle holidays sound perfect for you? Want to know more about luxury travel? Read more:
You don’t have to break the bank to travel in style – you can do it for free