MY MAGNIFICENT 7

 

IT'S A TOUGH JOB BUT SOMEONE'S GOT TO DO IT. JULIA BRADBURY, PRESENTER OF FIVE'S ROUGH GUIDE TRAVEL SERIES, SHARES HER FAVOURITE SPOTS WITH FABULOUS...

By Julia Bradbury

BEST FOR... BEACH DELUXE

 

Reethi Rah, The Maldives

If you want a once-in-a-lifetime holiday and don’t mind blowing a couple of months’ salary, this is the place. It has a carved black rock infinity pool and the rooms are bungalows on wooden stilts above the turquoise Indian Ocean. Thanks to the attentive staff, you barely lift a finger, unless you fancy diving among the (harmless!) blacktip reef sharks or doing yoga on the boardwalks. Sheer paradise, from £390 per room, per night.

Click here for more details about the Maldives.

 

BEST FOR... DISCOVERY

 

Nicaragua

You have to be determined to get to Nicaragua as it's a long schlep via the US, but the volcanic landscape and lush forests make it worthwhile - and the coastlines, white beaches and giant waves are a paradise for surfers. Nicaragua is a great destination for a group, or if it's just you and your man, try the 5-star Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge.

Click here for more details about Nicaragua. Flights from Heathrow to Managua from £660 through United Airlines.

 

BEST FOR... CITY ESCAPE

 

Berlin, Germany

With its 24-hour nightlife, this once-divided city is now one of the most exciting places in the world. The countless bars and restaurants are still relatively cheap - a meal for two should cost around £30 - and there's loads to see, from infamous border crossing Checkpoint Charlie to the haunting Holocaust memorial and the weird and wonderful art centre Kunsthaus Tacheles.

Click here for details about Berlin. EasyJet flies from various British airports to Berlin from £20.99.

 

BEST FOR... SHORT-HAUL SEASIDE

 

Ston, Croatia

I stumbled across this medieval seaside village last year while driving from Dubrovnik to Split, and loved it - it's a real throwback to another century. The pace is leisurely and the only people on the beach are locals. The fort overlooking the winding streets is worth a visit - and don't leave without sampling locally-caught mussels in one of the excellent restaurants.

Click here for details about Croatia. Fly from London to Dubrovnik with Croatia Airlines from £79.

 

BEST FOR... ADVENTURE

 

Iceland

With its volcanic scenery, hot geothermal springs and Viking heritage, this is one of the most amazing places I've visited. The capital, Reykjavik, is renowned for its nightlife and the people there love to party, but if you prefer the outdoors you can ski, hire skidoos or hike. Food can be controversial - and at nearly £50 for puffin, £30 for a whale steak and £5 for a beer, prices are even more shocking.

Click here for details about Reykjavik. Fly from London to Reykjavik with BA from £79.

 

BEST FOR... LANDSCAPES

 

The Lake District

If you want a once-in-a-lifetime holiday and don’t mind blowing a couple of months’ salary, this is the place. It has a carved black rock infinity pool and the rooms are bungalows on wooden stilts above the turquoise Indian Ocean. Thanks to the attentive staff, you barely lift a finger, unless you fancy diving among the (harmless!) blacktip reef sharks or doing yoga on the boardwalks. Sheer paradise, from £390 per room, per night.

Click here for details about the Lake District. Rooms cost from £21 per person per night through Oakthwaite Keswick.

 

BEST FOR... MOUNTAINS

 

Zermatt, Switzerland

If you love skiing or just great scenery – the spectacular Matterhorn is here – this resort is open all year-round for outdoor activities. Cars are banned so you get around in horse-drawn carts or electric taxis, and although it’s posh, it’s not flashy. The cheese fondues are amazing.

Click here for details about Zermatt. Fly from Luton to Zurich with EasyJet from £24.99

 

CLICK FOR MORE TRAVEL FEATURES

AUG 31 THE FULL MONTENEGRO

AUG 24 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

AUG 17 STYLE KAPITAL

AUG 10 HAPPY MONDAYS

AUG 3 24-HOUR PARTY PLACES

JULY THE RHODES LESS TRAVELLED, BABE IN THE WOODS, PARADISE FOUND, GREETINGS FROM GLAMSTERDAM

JUNE WELSH RARE BITS, CHIC AND CHEERFUL, MIAMI NICE, SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER

MAY RETURN TO OZ!, GOING FOR A SONG, GET CARRIE-D AWAY, SUNSET STRIP

APRIL KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, SOME LIKE IT HOT, 7 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, TOTALLY TAN-FAST-IC TRIPS

MARCH GO IT ALONE, GIRL, BLING & BUY IN DUBAI, BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, COOL CRUISES, FLIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION

FEB GIRL'S GUIDE TO SKIING, ALT GIRLIE WEEKENDS, 'MAGNIFICANT 7', GET A ROOM