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Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

Tuesday 04 February 2014 16:38 GMT

Maldives

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

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1/10In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

1. Maldives

Why do people go? The Indian Ocean archipelago is a perennial favourite among honeymooners seeking blissful beaches and, crucially, seclusion. With scores of private islands to chose from, and a notable absence of kids’ clubs on many, this is tropical hideaway territory. And those almost implausibly perfect beaches – talc sands and sea turtles paddling below the waterline – make the Maldives a once-in-a-liftetime escape from reality.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

2. Thailand

Why do people go? This seductive South-east Asian nation welcomes visitors with beatific smiles, divine cuisine and affordability. Luxury comes at a fraction of the price of other Asian countries, while backpackers can play out 'The Beach' fantasies on a shoestring budget. Days spent splashing about in emerald-green waters and evenings back on shore indulging in Thai massage, fragrant curries and ice cold Chang beer – what could be better? And when the islands and beaches have been exhausted, there are golden temples and wildlife-rich hill country to explore.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

3. Sri Lanka

Why do people go? For a beach holiday with cultural frills. Sri Lanka has a little bit of everything: laid-back golden beaches, surf breaks, dazzling wildlife, piquant cuisine, tea plantations, Buddhist temples, ancient citadels, graceful colonial architecture and a vibrant capital. And it’s possible to experience most of that on a two-week holiday.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

4. United Arab Emirates

Why do people go? For beaches and sunshine without the hassle of a long-haul flight. There’s only a four-hour time difference to contend with and you can fly there in under seven hours, so short breaks are viable without the anxiety of jetlag or losing days to travel-time. The watchwords here are sun, sand, sea and shopping. Culture is much further down the agenda: a Louvre and Guggenheim are in development in Abu Dhabi, but are years off completion.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

5. USA

Why do people go? Geographical diversity, culture and wide open spaces. The big lures are New York for shopping, Florida for Mickey Mouse and California for, well, pretty much everything you could possibly want from a holiday, including fantastic wine. And, just in case you’re wondering: no foreign language skills required, and the food is supersized.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

6. Mauritius

Why do people go? Because they’re in love. Couples converge on this Oxfordshire-sized Indian Ocean island to make the most of warm seas, sandy beaches and complex spa offerings delivered by the luxury resorts that line the coast. For local fizz, visit bustling Port Louis to experience the island’s peculiar African/Indian cultural mash-up. For nature, try Black River Gorges National park. And always remember the tragic history of the dodo, now commemorated on Mauritius’s currency and flag.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

7. Malaysia

Why do people go? Because they find it difficult to make decisions. Kuala Lumpur is the travel hub that lures many travellers en route to elsewhere, or those keen to sample the nation’s culture and cuisine. Here the Petronas towers stand as a beacon of South-east Asian confidence. For something more off-the-beaten track, the Malaysian Borneo offers astonishing jungle terrain and stunning beaches.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

8. Cuba

Why do people go? The only outpost of communism in the western hemisphere is a nation caught in time, and Havana is the most extraordinary city in the Caribbean, if not the world. The crumbling architecture and vintage American cars are being spruced up, but Cuba’s revolutionary history still captures the imagination. Oh, and if that doesn’t do it for you, Varadero and Guardalavaca are resort towns that deliver much the same experience as you’d be able to find anywhere else with a Caribbean climate.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

9. Antigua

Why do people go? Direct flights from the UK make this an easily accessible part of the Caribbean, with virtually guaranteed sunshine. Nelson’s Dockyard offers a glimpse of the British colonial past, but the big reasons to be here are the beaches, the snorkelling, the windsurfing, and the golf. Familes can get enough of the place: kids clubs and all-inclusives rule.

In pictures: Top ten long-haul holiday destinations

10. Singapore

Why do people go? En route to Australia. Singapore is the ideal stopover destination. Adjust your bodyclock, acclimatise to the heat, stretch your legs and pack in a couple of days of Asia-in-a-nutshell. There’s air-conditioned shopping, the cuisines and cultures of Chinatown and Little India, verdant gardens, a resort island, treetop walks in the forest and gleaming colonial architecture repurposed as boutiques and design-focused hotels. And for longer stays, Malaysia and Indonesia are close at hand.

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