Short Trips on Long Weekends

Travel Inspiration

Ladies & gentlemen, whip out your smart phones and lock in your leave - after April & May, there are no more national holidays till August... Let the professionals help you make the most of your precious days off with Lightfoot Travel's great ideas on bespoke mini trips - minus the long plane journeys and jetlag.

Seeking Serenity, Head to Java, Indonesia
If you want to immerse yourself in ruggedly beautiful scenery and exotic cultures, Java is just the place. Cut a path inland to Java's rural heartland - one of the most peaceful spots in the world - to stay at the ultra-Zen Amanjiwo Resort. A cultural landmark in its own right, it is built from intricately carved limestone, with 36 suites set in a moon shape around the central Rotunda. It overlooks the world's largest Buddhist sanctuary, the ancient Borobudur Temple (a magnificent shrine to Lord Buddha and a pilgrimage hotspot), which in turn is framed by four jungle-clad volcanoes. Unwind with traditional Javanese spa treatments or browse through the hotel's boutique shop, stocked with beautiful jewellery and hand-carved furniture from nearby villages. For something out of an ancient fairytale, head off on an early morning elephant trek to watch the sun rise over the blushing Borobudor Temple, or hike through the area's famous coffee plantations on foot. Java promises a generous dose of natural beauty, culture and luxury - the perfect short break cocktail.

Pamper Me Please, Head to Tasmania, Australia
Aside from magnificent scenery and gastronomy, what's most exciting about Saffire Freycinet, an über-luxe coastal sanctuary in Tasmania, is the Saffire Spa. The spa's signature treatment, The Sapphire Experience, uses pure blue sapphire dust, thought to increase the skin's luminosity and balance the chakras. After an energising body brush and mask to stimulate lymphatic flow, you're bathed in a warm balm and wrapped in silk sheets for a scalp massage, before a full body massage and a liberal smothering in sapphire dust body crème. The spa has a whole "Jewel Collection" of treatments to choose from (some use gold, others diamonds!), which combine the energy of precious stones and the purity of local minerals to soothe and restore. Using products by renowned Australian skincare specialists LaGaia, the treatments are sure to make you sigh in delight .

Temple Time, Hotfoot to Angkor Wat, Cambodia
For a rich dose of Indochine charm, spend a weekend in the magical world of Siem Reap, the cultural heart of Cambodia. Alive with colourful markets, French colonial cafes and friendly locals, it promises an instant hit of atmosphere. Hotel de La Paix is the town's most stylish boutique hotel. A hip combination of art deco and Khmer design, it houses an Arts Lounge with a great collection of modern and traditional Cambodian arts. Better yet, just 10 minutes drive away is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. A century has passed since explorers rode elephants through the jungle and stumbled upon this 12th Century complex of intricately carved temples. Head off before dawn to follow in their footsteps, soaking up the eerie silence whilst other tourists sleep. Go with a private guide or hop on a bicycle to navigate these gnarled ruins in private. Back at the Hotel de la Paix, unwind by the pool before hitting the town. The elegance of the French colonial era still lingers in Siem Reap. The FCC is a particularly classy establishment and, with its piano bar and sexy terrace overlooking the main street, it a great place for drinks and people-watching.

These escapes were brought to you by Lightfoot Travel p. 6438 4091, e. info@lightfoottravel.com, a Singapore-based luxury tour operator offering expert travel advice & inspiration, tailor-made itineraries & full booking services.

Short Trips on Long    |   14 Mar 2011 at 08:58 AM

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