The Best Private Trips to Book for a Relaxing Retreat

The bays and beaches of Thailand’s southerly regions make for a dreamy tropical retreat, and this 11-day itinerary will leave you and your group with a longtail boatful of memories. After a brief intro to Bangkok, you’ll head south to Khao Sok Lake, where a floating raft house with your name on it awaits. You’ll have instant access to the lake, plus a kayak to explore if you don’t fancy a swim. The following day includes a longtail boat wildlife safari and a kayaking adventure through mangrove forests. After that we’ll boat over to Hong Island to snorkel with tropical fish and have a sunset cruise, before moving on to another island, Koh Yao Yai. That’s where we’ll spend three nights at a gorgeous beach resort, where you can explore the island at your own pace, even if that just means beach time and infinity pool dips. Our last night will be spent back on the mainland, with a farewell dinner in Phuket.

There’s something inherently relaxing about Southern Europe, and nowhere better represents the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle than a pretty little Greek island. Our eight-day extravaganza in Greece is designed to show you a lot, but with lots of free time and a relaxed itinerary that allows for flexibility. The tour starts in Athens, where you’ll have a guided tour of the Acropolis and of the trendy Keramikos neighbourhood. Then our island-hopping adventure begins, first with beach time and a boat cruise on Milos, famed for its charming fishing villages and striking cave systems. Naxos is next, where you’ll travel inland for an incredible foodie experience, as you’re taught how to rustle up classic Greek dishes using fresh, local Naxian ingredients. Our final destination? It could only be Santorini, with its glorious whitewashed buildings and unmistakable blue-domed churches. If your taste of the Greek life hasn’t already soothed you, then the Santorini sunset surely will.

This island paradise has become a haven for spiritual travellers, and we can’t blame them. You can pretty much tailor your Bali experience to fit any travel style, but our 12-day itinerary blends a hint of tropical adventure with lots of relaxation and a few culturally unique experiences. We’ll start with immersion, as we learn to make traditional offerings to place in a sacred temple and hike through rice paddies and rural villages. You’ll picnic beside a waterfall and climb Mount Batur at sunrise, before the relaxation really kicks in on our detour to the tiny island of Gili Trawangan. Our stunning beach resort will keep you well rested, from the cosy bedrooms to the gorgeous infinity pool and the onsite spa. If that’s not enough, we’ll be surrounded by some of the finest beaches in Indonesia – what more could you want?

If your inner-peace is found when deep in a food coma, this East Asian itinerary is ready to take you to nirvana. Taiwan is a gorgeous island nation off the coast of China with a distinct cultural identity, an abundance of natural beauty and a truly incredible food scene. Our loop tour of the island aims to put a focus on all of the above, via a series of scenic train rides that wind you gently through the Taiwanese countryside. You’ll discover true serenity on a Sun Moon Lake boat ride, warm the soul with a soul-soothing tea tasting session and make magical memories with a sky lantern release on Shifen Old Street. On the foodie front, you’ll visit two of Taipei’s most thrilling night markets, as well as Taichung, the culinary capital. You’ll also be treated to a Taiwanese cooking masterclass at a local culinary school – real food for the soul.