Our Favourite Selection of Two Week Escapes

South Africa & Mauritius: From city heights to ocean calm

Begin your journey in Johannesburg, where the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff offers an unexpected sanctuary above the urban sprawl. Set on a hillside draped in jacaranda trees, this elegant retreat feels worlds away from the city below. Suites open onto leafy balconies, while the panoramic pool terrace provides a sweeping view of the city’s northern suburbs. Between spa rituals and long, lazy lunches overlooking the canopy, there's time to dip into Jo'burg's creative pulse – think modern galleries, hidden cafés and vibrant neighbourhoods humming with energy.

Then, the scenery shifts. Ulusaba, tucked within the Sabi Sand Reserve, brings you into the heart of the wild. Elevated walkways link treehouse-style rooms with panoramic views of a dry riverbed where elephants often wander. Mornings begin with game drives led by expert trackers, who bring you thrillingly close to lions, leopards and rhino, while evenings unfold around firelit dinners set amid the hush of the bush. Between it all, you’ll find space to breathe, whether that’s beside your plunge pool or at the open-air spa, surrounded by nothing but birdsong and the scent of the savannah.

Finally, Mauritius calls. At One&Only Le Saint Géran, soft sands and warm waters set the stage for sheer, beachy bliss. This much-loved resort curves along a private peninsula, where palm-shaded hammocks and beachside dining invite you to let go of the world entirely. Days might bring reef snorkelling, spa rituals or a sail across the lagoon on a private catamaran. Or they might simply drift by as you stroll barefoot from beach to bar, carried by the island breeze and a sense of calm you could never get at home.

View our luxury South Africa and Mauritius tour here.

Angkor Wat

Cambodia: Angkor temples and private island serenity

Southeast Asia’s contrasts are at their most compelling on this Cambodian escape. Begin in Siem Reap, where dawn over Angkor Wat reveals temple spires silhouetted against soft light and centuries of history are carved in stone. Stay at Shinta Mani Angkor, a Bill Bensley-designed retreat in the Royal District that blends Khmer-inspired design with tropical gardens, private pools and contemporary Cambodian art. Just minutes from the temples and the buzz of downtown, it offers a calm, characterful base for exploring the best of Siem Reap.

Finish your two‑week journey at Song Saa Private Island, a barefoot‑luxury sanctuary in Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, where jungle, reef and quiet beaches connect you with a quieter pace for your final few days. Here, eco‑chic villas blend into the wild and spa experiences, kayaking and reef snorkelling are ways of being, not checkboxes, before you head home.

View our luxury two-week Cambodia tour here.

The city of Bangkok

Thailand: gilded temples to jungle calm

Begin in Bangkok, where the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok rises quietly beside the Chao Phraya River. With its silk-draped suites and storied charm, the hotel offers a stillness that contrasts beautifully with the city beyond. One moment you’re wandering through gilded shrines or bartering for silk in a canal-side market; the next, you’re sipping tea in a colonial-style lounge as longboats pass by. Take a tuk-tuk into the chaos, visit the railway and floating markets, then return to watch the sunset from a riverside terrace, where the city hums and softens with evening light.

Next, swap skyline for rainforest. Deep within Khao Sok National Park, 500RAI Floating Resort drifts on the mirrored surface of Cheow Lan Lake. The only way in is by longtail boat; the only sound, jungle. Mornings bring mist on the water and the call of gibbons from the cliffs. You might hike to waterfalls, kayak through flooded forests or do nothing at all but sit on your deck, watching the lake shift from blue to gold as dusk rolls in. With no roads, no crowds and no signal, this is nature without distraction.

Then comes Koh Samui, where The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui curves around a quiet bay lined with palms and polished wood villas in a perfect picture of the Thailand we know from postcards. You'll find the island has a softness to it, whether that's in the way warm rain lifts the scent of the greenery, or in the hush of the sea as it folds onto the shore. One morning, you might set off across the water, the hull skimming turquoise shallows on the way to Koh Phangan for snorkelling trip. Another, you could be ziplining through a rainforest or following the scent of grilled fish to a beach shack with sand underfoot and nowhere else to be. Low-key, luxurious and easy to love, Samui lets the sea do most of the talking.

Last but definitely not least, the hills of Chiang Mai bring a final shift in mood. The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai lies just outside the old city, set among rice paddies and lotus ponds. Up here, the air is cooler and life leans inward. Lanterns swing in the breeze above quiet temples. Fragrant Khao Soi is ladled into ceramic bowls with a satisfying splash. Markets glow after dark. We'd suggest exploring the ancient centre by bike or drifting through narrow lanes lined with craft shops and coffee roasters. It’s a colourful yet calm finisher to your taste of Thailand, offering a glimpse at a slow, more spiritual side of the country's culture.

View our luxury Thailand tour here.

Rice terrace in Ubud, Bali

Bali & Lombok: Island contrasts, cultural calm and standout scenery

Begin in Bali, where temple offerings bloom on every street corner and the air carries a quiet sense of ritual. At The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua, the mood is indulgent from the moment you arrive. Suites and villas blend contemporary ease with Balinese craft, while the beachfront setting and saltwater lagoon invite long, languid afternoons. Evenings might mean dinner beneath the palms, the sound of gamelan (a traditional Indonesian musical ensemble) drifting on the breeze, or a nightcap on your terrace as the ocean hushes the day to sleep.

Beyond the resort, Bali reveals itself in layers. A drive inland leads to Ubud, where jungle-framed rice terraces and open-air temples offer a deeper connection to the island’s spiritual roots. In the south, clifftop shrines and dramatic coastlines give way to vibrant beach clubs and smoky seafood barbecues. It’s this balance between reverence and revelry that makes Bali unique.

Lombok offers a different kind of stillness. A short hop across the water brings you to The Oberoi Beach Resort, an exclusive retreat tucked along a quiet stretch of Medana Bay. Villas with thatched roofs sit among tropical gardens, where the pathways are lined with frangipani and time is measured by the tides. The luxury here is unspoken, offering an invitation to breathe a little deeper. 

Head out by boat to the Gili Islands, where the water is so clear it seems to dissolve the line between sea and sky. Coral gardens bloom just below the surface, and sea turtles move with a kind of graceful indifference. Back on land, you'll find that time stretches. You might swim before breakfast, cycle through palm groves at dusk, or simply let the day pass by with the ocean’s ebb and flow.

Together, Bali and Lombok reveal two sides of Indonesia’s island soul: one rich with ritual and colour, the other pared back and deeply still. It's in the movement between the two that something lasting begins to settle: a reminder of how it feels to be fully present.

See one of our favourite luxury Bali and Lombok tours.

The Leela Palace, Jaipur

India: Vibrant contrasts and cultural immersion

India stirs something in you. It’s the swirl of marigold petals underfoot, the call to prayer drifting over rooftops, the gleam of carved marble catching the first light of day. In the cities, life moves at full tilt in the form of tuk-tuks weaving through traffic, the scent of cardamom in the air, conversations rising like birdsong in crowded bazaars. Your time here, no matter how long or short, floods the senses and fills your mind with memories.

After days steeped in such intensity, Ananda in the Himalayas offers space to exhale. Set on a quiet estate once owned by the maharajah and perched high above the Ganges valley near Rishikesh, this wellness retreat is surrounded by sal forests and mountain mist. Ayurvedic therapies, yoga pavilions and meditation sessions are tailored to you, while nourishing cuisine and stillness replace the din of the cities. The perfect way to round off your Indian adventure, or simply a natural pause in the middle.

One of our personal travel managers, Louise, recently returned from an incredible familiarisation trip, experiencing India’s cultural tapestry firsthand, from rickshaw rides through old city lanes to regal palaces that echo with centuries of stories. Here's what she had to say about her experience:

"I started in New Delhi, staying in a Grand Deluxe Room at The Leela Palace, New Delhi with club access. Being on one of the higher floors gave me a real sense of calm above the city. The room was spacious and elegantly styled, with a supremely comfortable bed and a traditional bathroom that felt wonderfully indulgent. The hotel has its own signature scent throughout, which instantly transports you the moment you step inside. It's rich, warm and unmistakably luxurious.

"We dined at both the Indian and Japanese restaurants. The Indian offered a refined, fine-dining experience, while the Japanese was unexpectedly excellent: fresh, balanced and beautifully presented. I also loved the rooftop pool. It felt like a peaceful escape from the energy of the city, and the service was seamless. The excursions through Old and New Delhi struck the perfect balance between immersive and authentic, and really brought the contrasts of the city to life.

"Next was Jaipur, and the arrival alone was unforgettable. We were welcomed with traditional Indian dancers and a scattering of rose petals, which felt genuinely moving. I stayed at the Leela Palace again, this time in a Royal Villa with a private plunge pool, and every detail felt considered. Whether we dined from the buffet or ordered à la carte, the food was consistently excellent. The standout was the traditional Indian restaurant on site – the most atmospheric and beautifully designed restaurant I’ve ever been to. The spa here was stunning, with serene gender-separated areas and plunge pools that made it hard to leave. I also walked with elephants, wandered through vibrant flower markets and had dinner under the stars at a private desert campsite. Jaipur was a standout for me. The colours, the culture, the warmth – it was everything I’d hoped India would be.

"Our final stop was Udaipur and one more gorgeous hotel stay, this time at The Leela Palace Udaipur. Arriving at the hotel by boat felt incredibly special and set the tone for a slower, more reflective end to the journey. We enjoyed a private dinner on the terrace with traditional Indian dishes and views across the water. It was calm, quiet and completely transporting. The shared pool here is beautiful, and I’d highly recommend taking a boat trip on Lake Pichola to get a real sense of the city’s magic. Udaipur also offered the best palace visit of the trip. It was less busy than others, which made the experience feel more intimate and memorable.

"If I could offer one tip, it would be to visit the Taj Mahal early in the morning and stay the night before in Agra to avoid the crowds. And in Jaipur, don’t miss the local markets. They’re a burst of colour and life, full of personality.

"I gave the trip a 10 out of 10 and I’d go again in a heartbeat. India is a place that stays with you. It definitely asks for your attention, but what you get in return is unforgettable."

Feeling inspired? Our personal travel managers are ready to tailor every detail of your two‑week escape - from flights and accommodation to curated experiences that reflect your interests and pace. Call us on 0203 816 0935, pop into our Shenfield store, or enquire online today and start planning your perfectly timed adventure.