Three Holidays Everyone Should Experience

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There are some holidays that are simply about getting away for a week. Then there are the trips that become part of your story – the places you return from feeling as though you have genuinely experienced something. From glamorous Mediterranean living to unforgettable sailing and one of the world’s great ancient wonders, these three holidays offer very different ways to escape the everyday.

1. A Villa Holiday on the French Riviera

Few places combine sunshine, glamour and effortless Mediterranean living quite like the French Riviera. From the sophisticated streets of Nice and Cannes to the beautiful villages scattered through the hills behind the coast, this is a destination that manages to feel both wonderfully indulgent and surprisingly relaxed.

And the best way to experience it? Stay in your own villa.

A Riviera villa gives you the freedom to make the holiday completely your own. Start the day slowly with breakfast beside your private pool, before heading down to the coast for a morning swim. Spend the afternoon exploring a colourful Provençal market, wandering through a hilltop village or finding a quiet beach away from the crowds.

Then return to the villa, open a bottle of wine and settle in for a long dinner as the evening temperature remains pleasantly warm.

There is plenty to explore. Nice offers its famous Promenade des Anglais and atmospheric old town, while Antibes combines a beautiful harbour with a wonderfully relaxed feel. Further east, Menton sits close to the Italian border, with colourful buildings, gardens and a distinctly Italian influence. Venture inland and you will find villages such as Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence perched dramatically above the coast.

The real appeal, however, is the lifestyle. A French Riviera villa holiday is about long lunches, lazy afternoons, beautiful scenery and having nowhere you particularly need to be. It is Mediterranean living at its most seductive.

2. A Sailing Holiday Around Sardinia

For a holiday that combines adventure, freedom and some of the most spectacular water in Europe, head to Sardinia.

Hiring a yacht or catamaran round Sardinia gives you the chance to explore the island from a completely different perspective. Instead of following the roads from one hotel to another, your accommodation travels with you – allowing you to discover secluded beaches, tiny islands and bays that are difficult to reach by land.

The north-east of Sardinia is particularly spectacular. The Costa Smeralda is famous for its emerald-coloured water, dramatic coastline and beautiful beaches, while the nearby Maddalena Archipelago feels like a sailor’s paradise.

Days can be wonderfully simple. Wake up at anchor, jump into impossibly clear water and enjoy breakfast on deck. Sail for a few hours, stopping whenever you spot a tempting swimming spot, then head ashore in the afternoon to explore a harbour or village.

The Maddalena islands are perfect for this style of holiday, with short passages between islands and countless places to stop for a swim. You can also cross to Corsica, adding another country and an entirely different collection of landscapes and villages to your adventure.

The great thing about sailing Sardinia is that you can make it as active or relaxed as you like. Spend the day sailing and exploring, or simply find the perfect bay and stay there until sunset.

By evening, there is something magical about sitting on deck as the water turns gold and the coastline disappears into the distance. It is the sort of holiday where you quickly lose track of what day it is – which is exactly the point.

3. Discover the Pyramids of Egypt

Some destinations are beautiful. Others are unforgettable because of their sheer historical significance. Egypt belongs firmly in the second category.

Standing in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza is one of those travel moments that feels almost surreal. These enormous structures were built thousands of years ago, yet they remain standing today – a reminder of a civilisation whose achievements continue to fascinate us.

Of course, the pyramids are only the beginning. A trip to Egypt can take you through thousands of years of history, from the temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings to the magnificent temples along the Nile.

One of the most memorable ways to experience the country is to combine Cairo with a Nile cruise. After exploring the pyramids, head south and let the river carry you through the heart of ancient Egypt. Along the way, you can visit extraordinary temples at places such as Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo.

Then there is the Egyptian landscape itself. The contrast between the fertile green banks of the Nile and the vast desert beyond is extraordinary.

What makes Egypt such a compelling holiday is the feeling that you are not simply visiting another country – you are stepping into history. Few travel experiences can compete with standing beneath monuments that have fascinated travellers for generations.

Whether you choose the relaxed luxury of a Riviera villa, the freedom of sailing around Sardinia or the sheer wonder of discovering ancient Egypt, all three offer something beyond the standard holiday. They give you the chance to experience somewhere, rather than simply visit it – and leave you with memories that last long after you return home.