Exsus says

It’s hard to think of a single country with such an intoxicating variety of year-round holiday experiences. From ancient Aztec and Mayan temples to the dreamy beaches of the Caribbean, Gulf and Pacific coasts, whale-watching in the Sea of Cortez to hiking in the Copper Canyon – not to mention the delicious cuisine – Mexico is one of our favourite choices for a luxury holiday.

We know it inside out and can tailor-make virtually any itinerary (self-drive or escorted by a guide in a private car) and have selected an outstanding choice of hotels from exclusive resorts to boutique haciendas.

The most popular holiday is our 11-night Hacienda-hopping and Riviera Maya luxury self-drive tour. Enjoy two nights each in Hacienda San Jose and Hacienda Temozon as you explore in your own time – Mayan ruins such as Chichen Itza, snorkelling in one of the cenotes (underground sink holes) and colourful village markets.

Then it’s off to the Riviera Maya for 7 nights in the lap of luxury; stay in the exquisite beachfront Esencia, the former home of an Italian Duchess, with just 29 rooms in the original villa and garden cottages (some with a private pool), a spa and terrific food.

11 nights cost from £2,895 per person including all flights, hire car and accommodation.

Other itinerary ideas include the option to combine a stay in Mexico with Belize, Guatemala and Havana in Cuba.

Mexico works at any time of year – the white sand beaches of the Mayan Riviera are at their best from December through to May whilst Mexico’s Baja California, on the west coast, has excellent weather year-round.

Find out more about our luxury holidays in Mexico and the latest special offers.

Cox & Kings says

Our choice of luxury tours (both escorted and private) and tailor made holidays leave little unexplored in Cambodia, one of Asia’s most fascinating and culture-rich destinations.

No visit to Cambodia would be complete without a few days in Siem Reap, gateway to the magical temples of Angkor, built more than 1,000 years ago by the Khmer empire. The capital city of Phnom Penh, with its tragic history and vibrant reincarnation, should also be on every itinerary.

We offer so much more besides – a helicopter flight over the temples of Angkor, a visit to the floating markets of Tonle Spa Lake, a temple camping safari with the chance to explore some of the lesser known temples and a stay in a secluded luxury tent, floating on the river in the Cardamom Mountains.

After all that breathtaking sightseeing, you can relax on the beach at Cambodia’s luxurious Song Saa island retreat.

Our most popular private tour, Cambodia in style, takes in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap over five nights, staying in the impeccable Raffles Hotel le Royal and Amansara hotels. It’s the perfect add-on to a longer stay in South East Asia.

If you want to make the most of a visit to the region, we also offer fascinating escorted and private tours which take in Northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia as well as Cambodia. Take a look at our 13-night Ancient Kingdoms of South East Asia escorted tour, for example.

Find out more about our holidays in Cambodia.

Citalia says

Sicily is unlike any other part of Italy – and proud of it. The warm climate ensures bursts of bougainvillea and lush fruit orchards growing amidst the classical ruins and resorts, from quaint fishing village to fashionista heaven.

With more than 80 years of Italian heritage, Citalia offers a broad range of accommodation and flight options to create your perfect Sicily holiday.

Cefalu is a charming seaside town with a warren of medieval streets and some of Sicily’s best beaches.

The Hotel Alberi del Paradiso is an elegant boutique hotel, close to Cefalu’s Piazza del Duomo and 15 minutes walk from the white sandy beach.

Taormina has captured the imagination of travellers and writers for decades with its small piazzas, quaint pedestrianised streets and fabulous ocean views, all set against a backdrop of magnificent Mount Etna.

For five star luxury, we recommend Hotel San Domenico Palace, Taormina, with glorious views of Mount Etna. Stay in the 15th Century Convent or in the Grand Hotel with its 19th century Liberty-style wing.

Hotel Caparena & Wellness Club, located in Taormina Mare, boasts various relaxing spa treatments, including the exclusive Citrus Fruit Therapy, inspired by the scent of Sicilian oranges.

For a three star option, Citalia recommends Hotel Villa Belvedere, a delightfully secluded little hotel less than ten minutes from the centre of Taormina.

Palermo is the cosmopolitan capital, home to upscale boutiques and vibrant street markets whilst the medieval port of Syracuse, originally a Greek settlement, is nestled between two natural harbours on the Ortigia peninsula.

Find out more about our holidays in Sicily and check our special offers.

Thomson Tailormade says

St Lucia’s reputation as the Caribbean’s most scenic island is well founded. In addition to palm-fringed beaches and lush rainforest, it boasts a rich culture infused with Creole, French and African influences.

Don’t miss a visit to the iconic twin peaks – the Pitons – designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby are the Diamond Waterfalls, set in tropical gardens, plus the world’s only drive-in volcano.

Adventurers can go diving, zipwire across the rainforest canopy, take a jeep safari tour and a helicopter flight. There is golf at St Lucia Golf & Country Club and the chance to experience the island’s unique culture at Fond Latisab Creole Park.

Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa is set on a secluded stretch of private beach, with rooms scattered around the tropical gardens and beachfront. The new all-inclusive programme and Samsarati Spa, together with a huge range of activities, make it a great choice for an active holiday for all ages.

The boutique-style Rendezvous is for couples only and has all the ingredients for a romantic getaway. Relax by the pool, on the beach or in the lazy river and indulge yourselves in the spa.

The Bodyholiday, LeSPORT is one of the world’s leading health and wellbeing resorts. It combines an all inclusive beach holiday with a rejuvenating programme of activities and treatments included in the price. Following a US$20 million refurbishment, it will reopen at the end of September 2011 as a five star resort.

With holidays costing from just £779pp including daily British Airways flights, escape to St Lucia for the perfect Caribbean getaway.

Click here for more about Thomson Tailormade holidays in St Lucia.

Indus Tours says

There is something magical and mystical about Nepal. The early morning mist in the valleys gives way to stunning vistas, all framed by the majesty of the snow-capped Himalaya Mountains.

There’s lush green forest and high pasture, with yaks grazing and chimney smoke lifting from the remote villages, each linked by narrow winding tracks.

The glorious Newari medieval architecture is a feast for the eyes as breathtakingly beautiful temples, pagodas and palaces all vie for attention. Then, deeper into the country, tortuous paths appear, leading to some of the most spectacular trekking country in the world.

Nepal is also rich in flora and fauna with wildlife parks sheltering the magnificent Bengal tiger and cantankerous one-horned rhino.

Our private 10-day Magic of Nepal tour is the perfect introduction. It starts in Delhi and takes you, in comfort, to Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park and Pokhara. You’ll stay in delightful first-class hotels and have plenty of opportunity to explore with the benefit of an expert guide and in your own free time. We can extend your stay if you would like to spend time trekking in the region.

As an independent tailor-made holiday specialist with well-travelled and knowledgeable staff, Indus Tours will offer you expert and thoughtful advice and build a holiday itinerary just for you. We can also add extensions to India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka or Indochina.

Find out more about our holidays in Nepal or order a brochure.

Barefoot Traveller says

The Arabian Gulf has long fascinated European travellers. Today it is best known for its vast wealth, lavish hotels and eye-popping modern architecture – but you don’t have to look far to find rustic villages steeped in ancient tradition, sandy beaches where turtles lay their eggs and beautiful deserts.

The glittering city of Dubai provides thrills of every type, from water parks and indoor ski slopes to gold souks and mosques. Its hotels – including the iconic Burj al Arab – are amongst the most spectacular in the world.

But there is another side to Dubai, in the atmospheric old town and on the Creek where wooden dhows unload their cargo. And you need only drive a few miles outside the city to find nature in the raw.

We recommend a stay at the eco-resort of Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa. Nestled amongst the desert dunes, it is a serene oasis where you can ride Arab horses, try your hand at falconry and join guided nature walks.

Neighbouring Oman is another world altogether, a fascinating nation rich in culture, wildlife and history. Discover the Fujairah desert with its mysterious landscapes of red dunes, forts and wadis, and explore the museums and souks of the capital, Muscat.

Oman’s spectacular Six Senses Zighy Bay resort is located on the Northern Musandam Peninsula, just two hours drive from Dubai. This luxurious, secluded resort offers breathtaking scenery with dramatic mountains and a glorious sandy beach.

The capital of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is a modern city guided by ancient tradition. It offers sightseeing, shopping and luscious landscapes along with authentic Arabic hospitality. Travel inland to the ancient silk road junction of Al Ain, where the desert colours are brightest between November and March.

Other Abu Dhabi highlights include the Liwa Desert, one of the world’s largest uninterrupted sand deserts, where you can stay at the incredible Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. Cool down in the plunge pool outside your private villa and enjoy the vast wilderness that surrounds you.

We offer tailor made holidays, short breaks and twin-centre getaways to Dubai, Oman, Abu Dhabi and beyond. View our latest special offers.

i-escape says

With breathtaking landscapes from tip to toe, Chile is a once-in-a-lifetime destination offering a dazzling combination of outdoor adventure, gourmet relaxation and city elegance.

In the north, the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, a breathtaking region of volcanic craters, black sand dunes and vast salt lakes. It’s perfect for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and star gazing.

Other must-sees include the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, the lush country winelands of the Colchagua Valley and the Unesco-listed churches of Chiloé.

You’ll see alpine vistas and azure waters in the Lake District, before the icebergs and glacial fjords of Patagonia in the south will render you speechless. It’s magical.

You can hike in the Andes and climb snow-capped volcanoes. You can sand-board near Awasi and see flamingos on shimmering salt plains. You can surf, you can ski, you can sleep beneath the stars.

But where to stay? Over the last ten years, we’ve hand-picked our very favourite boutique hotels in Chile, visited each one in person and written an honest review of each with 30+ photos.

They range from an incredible spa hotel in the desert, to an activity-based camp in the Torres del Paine; from a hotel in a winery to a designer haven in Santiago. And we’ve thrown in with some luxurious lakeside retreats en route.

If you’re concerned about the cost, there are plenty of budget gems to keep costs down.

You can book them all at guaranteed best rates, ask us for impartial advice, or read our detailed guide to Chile then make a no-obligation enquiry at your chosen property on i-escape (you can hold rooms for 5+ days).

Ski Total says

Our years of experience and specialist knowledge, along with our attention to detail, make a Ski Total chalet holiday with friends or family both relaxing and stress free.

We offer a choice of chalets and chalet hotels in 15 carefully-selected resorts in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. Each online resort guide provides key information about the pistes, suitability for different levels of ability, snowboarders, children and non-skiers plus a piste map and snow report.

Our accommodation choices range from smaller four to six person chalets to larger chalet hotels that sleep from 26 up to 70 guests. You can join a chalet hotel as a single traveller, couple, family, party of friends or take over the whole place with your friends. Our chalet-finder chart will help you find one to suit you.

Many of the chalet hotels feature their own swimming pool and/or hot tub and around half of them also offer skiing to the door. Some are designated for adults only, even during the school holidays.

We know that great food is a key part of any ski holiday. When it comes to cuisine, we set our standards very high and train our staff extensively before the season starts. A choice of four bottled wines is served each evening to accompany the four- or five-course dinner and there’s a full breakfast and generous afternoon tea too.

Find out more about Ski Total’s chalet holidays and late deals or order a brochure.

Countryside & Coastal says

We are a group of ten like-minded friends, each of whom runs a bed and breakfast close to the Jurassic Coast. We all love living here – for some it’s been our family home for generations, others have moved here simply because it’s a beautiful place to live.

Our character properties include working farmhouses and a converted farm building, modern family homes and rural cottages near to the market town of Bridport.

Each of us takes pride in providing comfortable, usually en-suite, accommodation, a warm welcome, insider tips on things to do and the best pubs and restaurants – and a hearty West Country breakfast, usually with ingredients sourced from the nearest farm and bakery.

We also offer art and willow workshops, fishing holidays and lessons, horse riding and the opportunity to get up close with the farm animals.

Year-round activities and places to see include village fetes, food and music festivals, world-class fossiling, sea swimming, mackerel fishing, hill walking, sailing, hot air ballooning, farmers’ markets,  historic churches and beautiful gardens for starters!

Bridport itself has a thriving arts and vintage scene with galleries, independent shops, markets and regular events at various arts centres.

It’s foodie heaven here. Masterchef winner Mat Follas opened his restaurant, The Wild Garlic, in Beaminster; Mark Hix runs a fish restaurant in Lyme Regis and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s empire is close by.

Each of us offers quality accommodation close to the sea in rural Dorset. All our properties are inspected by Visit Britain and some accept dogs.

View all ten Countryside & Coastal properties.