The Countdown to the
Festive Season Begins

August is the moment to look ahead: the year's final stretch is in sight, and year-end travel dates are filling up fast.

Whether you prefer swapping tinsel for a Maasai Mara sunrise or escaping to a quiet backwater retreat in Kerala, this edition is built on a simple premise: the best gift that you can give your family this season isn't under a tree-it's a boarding pass.

Inside this August edition, discover two ways to spend the festive calendar's best weeks off:

• 6 Festive Escapes Abroad: From private picnics in the Seychelles to lantern-lit rivers in Hoi An and iconic safaris
• 10 Quiet Corners of India: A handpicked list of independent stays-heritage homes, hill plantations, and farmstays-built for slow living

Seychelles: Barefoot Luxury &
Island Slow Living

Unwind amid granite boulders and turquoise waters on private beach picnics. October and November fall into the island's ideal transitional weather window, making it a tranquil barefoot-luxury escape for festive slow living.

Nestled directly on Mahé’s Barbarons Beach, Avani Plus Barbarons Seychelles Resort is our top pick for an effortless getaway. Combining modern lifestyle luxury with barefoot island charm, it features refreshed ocean-view rooms, diverse coastal dining, a serene spa, and direct beach access just 30 minutes from the airport.

Mauritius: Coastal Glamour &
Creole Charm

Enjoy Creole spice, catamaran sunsets, and warm tropical sunshine. With the island turning colorful and vibrant for Diwali, it brings an extra touch of glamour and coastal charm to your festive break.

Set along the tranquil shores of Turtle Bay protected marine park, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius is our premier recommendation for refined luxury. Spanning 20 acres of lush sub-tropical gardens, it offers private thatched-roof villas, sunken marble tubs, fine Creole dining, and legendary Oberoi service.

Kenya: Sunrise Safaris &
Maasai Mara Dawns

Swap traditional city lights for a sunrise over the Maasai Mara. Late-year safaris deliver golden savannah light, thrilling wildlife game drives, and starlit campfire dinners.

Tucked away in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Olare Mara Kempinski offers exclusive, classic under-canvas luxury. Featuring just 12 sprawling tented suites, top-tier big cat viewings, night game drives, and campfire dinners under the stars, it delivers an intimate, world-class safari experience.

Thailand: Island Sunsets & Rooftop Countdowns

Cool, pleasant post-monsoon weather sets the stage for diverse celebrations. Move seamlessly from Phuket's vibrant beach clubs to Bangkok's rooftop countdowns and Chiang Mai's serene, lantern-lit streets.

Perched on a lush hillside above Patong, Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong blends peaceful tropical tranquility with easy access to vibrant island nightlife. The resort features three shimmering pools, Thai-inspired luxury rooms, award-winning spa treatments, and rooftop dining overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Sri Lanka: Tea Trails & Wildlife Escapes

Compact yet endlessly varied, Sri Lanka lets you explore tea-terraced hills, leopard-spotted national parks, and golden beaches within a single, unhurried week.

Perched on a rocky cliff amidst a lush 21-acre coconut plantation along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is our top pick for coastal tranquility. Enjoy oceanfront pool villas, cliffside Italian dining, Ayurvedic spa treatments, and easy access to national park safaris.

Vietnam: Halong Karsts &
Lantern-Lit Rivers

Cruise through Halong Bay's limestone karsts, soak up Hanoi's old-quarter energy, and wander Hoi An's glowing, lantern-lit rivers for a culture-filled holiday.

Nestled in the lush Son Tra Nature Reserve, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is our top recommendation for Vietnam. Designed by Bill Bensley, this cliffside sanctuary features a private beach, Michelin-starred dining at La Maison 1888, a unique funicular railway, and panoramic ocean views from every room.