Words by Phoebe Oliver
Brighton beach is never dull – in mid-Summer it provides an eclectic mix of sun seeking tourists and Brighton & Hove locals and there are few better spots to people watch. But where would you go if you wanted to find somewhere a little quieter?
Just to the left and down a little you will find Ovingdean Beach with a café that sells arguably one of the best bits of cake in town and pockets of sand on which to bask.
With peace in mind this month’s travel pages are dedicated to secret beaches and hideaway coves. Places for your mind and body to escape and drift away…
You would be hard pressed to think of a beach that is more private and pristine than the one on Aleenta Phuket. It stands out from all the noise and bustle of Phuket – and it’s perfect for a private getaway. Virtually all tourists in Phuket come out of the airport and turn left – but for this resort you turn right.
It’s the only one of its kind and is on a coastline that was long considered the ‘Hamptons’ of Thailand, indeed the Thai Royals holidayed here for centuries – and it was all private homes until the owner of Aleenta turned her family home into a resort.
The Beachfront villa is highly recommended – a freestanding suite that comprises one-third of what the resort terms its ‘residences’. They have a private pool and a spacious communal living area, with its comfy day-beds and huge flatscreen TV.
Two and a half of the four walls are made entirely of glass, and retract fully to provide instant access to a private beach-facing deck at the front and the secluded pool to the side. The hotel’s stylish Restaurant offered a great menu of Thai, international and well-being focused food, prepared beautifully by a French chef who was happy to adapt dishes for vegetarians.
Prices from 150 GBP per night for the Beachfront Pool suites.
www.aleenta.com/phuket/
Stiniva Cove is a hidden beach in the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia and only accessible by yacht. It is simply stunning. If you get there early and you will get the secluded beach to yourself. With its white-pebbled beach, turquoise waters, surrounding by cliffs rising to more than 30 metres in height, you simply won’t want to leave. Many people claim this is the most beautiful beach they have ever visited and there is the bonus of the Stiniva Bar and Café in the shade for cocktails and refreshments. If you take your snorkel and mask you’ll enjoy seeing all the fish in the crystal clear waters.
To visit this wonderful gem, travellers can do this while they sail around the Dalmatian Islands on their own private yacht with Seamaster Yachting.
Skippered yacht charters don’t cost the earth like many people think. A sailing holiday with around the Mediterranean needn’t be on cramped and packed boat with people you don’t know, it is affordable to do it yourself. There are many options to suit all budgets:
Book a skippered yacht charter package including yacht, skipper, flights and transfers. For example, a week’s holiday on a Bavaria 41 sailing the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia on a 3 cabin yacht which sleeps 6 plus the skipper is £665pp (based on 6 sharing + skipper) or £997pp (based on 4 sharing + skipper) for the yacht, flights and transfers.
Amos Bay is a wonderful secret cove, on Turkey’s Bozburun Peninsula, nestled beside the unspoilt Bay of Kumlubuk, which is home to Exclusive Escapes’ Dionysos Estate.
The super stylish boutique hotel has a remote setting perched on top of a canyon, with sea vistas from every corner. Quiet as it is, the boutique hotel doesn’t lack for facilities which include a spa (with open air hot tubs), large infinity pool overlooking the sea, shady gardens peppered with hammocks, a tennis court, golf putting green, air-conditioned gym and a private beach club.
Guests can visit the Estate’s organic farm (situated in the mountains directly above the hotel) which supplies the three restaurants with home-grown fruit, vegetables and dairy produce. The Estate also produces and bottles organic extra virgin olive oil and wine for hotel consumption. There’s a tranquil walk along shady paths to nearby Amos Bay which has a wonderfully small Lokanata, which served fresh, home-cooked dishes. People come to bathe here but also to explore the ruins of a Hellenistic site.
Turkey specialist Exclusive Escapes offers seven nights’ B&B at the Dionysos Estate from £850pp sharing, including return flights from the private terminal at Stansted, Heathrow or Manchester to Dalaman, transfers and a day’s sea cruise.
Voidokilia beach in the Southwest Peloponnese region of Greece is celebrated as being one of the best in the world.
Countless sailors have been taken aback by their sailing journeys through the Messinian waters, shaped by 4500 years of history, whilst the varied coastline including Voidokilia beach are celebrated as being among the best in the Mediterranean. Sailing in these parts of Greece is ideal for discovering less-known pirate hideouts and caves, as well as monuments that reflect the region’s historical background.
The nearby 5 star The Westin Resort features rooms and suites with décor inspired by old Messinian mansions that spring from nature and create an ambiance of genuine hospitality. Most of the rooms enjoy unobstructed views of the Ionian Sea and individual infinity pools. It was also recently voted the ‘Best Family Destination’ in Europe.
Package Price: Abercrombie & Kent is offering a seven night stay at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino from £1,100 per person based upon two sharing an Infinity King/Twin with Resort View & private pool, on a bed and breakfast basis. The price also includes flights and transfers. For more information visit www.abercrombiekent.co.uk