This summer is set to be one to remember.
Most Britons have been itching to jet away for the past two years. Last summer, the pandemic deterred many people from travelling abroad, instead of spending their summer holidays exploring the British isles. As beautiful as parts of Britain are, it is simply not the same as travelling abroad.
Thankfully, the pandemic is now in the rear-view mirror, and following the Covid-stricken summers of 2020 and 2021, we can travel abroad once more. With most countries having eased, and in many cases wholly removed, travel restrictions, it is once more safe to travel.
So, dust off your passports, pack your bags, and prepare to embark on an adventure you are unlikely to forget.
Here are the best summer destinations for 2022.
CORSICA, FRANCE
Placed between France and Italy - and with Sardinia to its South - Corsica is the fourth-largest island in the Meditteranean and presents a mix of stylish coastal towns, dense forest and craggy peaks. Lovingly referred to as L’Île de Beauté – the Isle of Beauty – a moniker it more than lives up to, Corsica will enthral visitors with its stunning natural landscapes, charming old villages and array of gorgeous beaches.
To truly experience Corsica's beauty, you need to see it from the waters encompassing the island. Book a yachty for the day and visit the fantastic snorkelling and diving sites, hidden bays, and remote colourful towns. Venture a little further out to sea to spot the many species of dolphins and whales that call the waters around Corsica home. The Pelagos Sanctuary - which covers nearly 90,000sqkm of the marine space surrounding Corsica – is home to a wide variety of the cetacean family. The protected area means Corsica is also a great place for avid divers to see the marine life of the Meditteranean up close and personal.
Being caught between France and Italy, countries renowned for their viticulture industries, it is little wonder that Corsica also has a thriving winemaking culture. A mild climate means the island has excellent harvesting and produces a slew of exquisite wines. There are three main types of grapes grown here: Vermentino, a light-skinned wine grape variety producing dry wine; Sangiovese, a red wine grape variety that produces sweet wine; and Sciacarello, a unique red grape indigenous to Corsica. If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur, you have to book a wine tasting tour - be sure to pick one that serves its wine alongside local meats and cheeses for a truly spectacular wine tasting experience.
When you're not exploring, diving, or sampling various vinos, it's time to relax by the beach - and fortunately, Corsica has many pristine spots to choose from. The popular Calvi beach has glorious views of the Citadel, while the more secluded Loto Bach has gorgeous cerulean waters. Palombaggi Beach is romantic and private, hidden by pretty pine forests. For peace and quiet, head west to the wild Cupabia Beach, which you will likely have all to yourselves.
PRIVATE JET AIRPORTS IN CORSICA:
Ajaccio Campo Dell'oro Airport (AJA)
Figari Sud Airport (FSD)
Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport (CLY)
Bastia – Poretta Airport (BIA)
LAKE COMO, ITALY
A place of glorious sunshine and gentle pleasure, Lago di Como has long been one of the more glamorous travel destinations. Ancient villas that once belonged to the crème de la crème of Italian aristocracy still skirt the longshore with modern-day residents, including the likes of George Clooney, Madonna, and Giovanni Versace. Despite its reputation for luxury and glamour, Lake Como is perfectly accessible with plenty to enjoy for travellers on a more modest budget.
Lake Como may be best known for its verdant cypress shores and romantic vistas; it is also known for its impeccable architecture dating back centuries. Nestled on the southern point of Lake Como, Como is the largest city on the lake’s shores. Here you will find Como’s iconic cathedral, Duomo, an iconic 14th-century Gothic and Renaissance cathedral that remains as pristine and gorgeous as it was when it was first built. Elsewhere, you will find the neoclassical Tempio Voltiano, a museum dedicated to the work of physicist Alessandro Volta. The museum houses some of the original equipment used during Volta’s monumental research, and the building is as impressive as his legacy. Afterwards, take a gander at the nearby Villa Olmo, which has some of the most luscious gardens in the whole of Italy. Finally, for some great views, ramble up towards Castello Baradello. From these medieval ruins, you will see all across Lake Como.
You would be remised if you travelled to Lake Como and did not take a cruise along its shimmering waves. Lake Como, also known as Lario, is the third largest of Italian lakes and one of the deepest lakes in Europe. Its characteristic shape, reminiscent of an inverted Y, results from the melting of glaciers combined with the erosive action of the ancient Adda river. Sail the crystal-clear waters of the lake on board a sailing boat. In Alto Lario, you will find many sailing clubs that offer courses for beginners and experienced sailors alike.
Lake Como is ripe for exploration, with forested mountains providing excellent hiking opportunities and extraordinary views. As with anywhere else in Italy, it has an incredible array of wine and foods that will leave you salivating. Lake Como is perfect for those passionate about photography, architecture, and nature.
Private Jet Airports NEAR LAKE COMO:
Il Caravaggio International Airport (BGY)
Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN)
Parma Airport (PMF)
Turin Caselle Airport (TRN)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly said, "If the world was only one country, Istanbul would be its capital." Travellers throughout the ages have shared this sentiment. Istanbul has always been a rich mosaic of people, religions and cultures. Spread across two continents, this transcontinental metropolis is a fast-paced cultural melting pot. Admired all over the world for its charming architecture and lively atmosphere, Istanbul is a city of contrasts. Istanbul is where east meets west. Century-old buildings stand next to modern skyscrapers. Mosques, churches and synagogues can be found side by side. Istanbul is a dynamic and vibrant city that epitomises dynamic and modern city life.
Istanbul has over 2500 years of unique historical and cultural riches. Ottoman palaces, Byzantine castle fortresses and Roman-era obelisks are just some of the historical sites you will find scattered around Istanbul. Some examples of Istanbul's grandeur include the Hagia Sofia Museum. This architectural masterpiece once served as a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque, and the 17th-century Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque for its illustrious interior tile decorations, grey cascading domes and six minarets.
Bazaars are another huge part of Turkey's national identity, and the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar is the beating heart of Istanbul. Visitors can spend hours bargaining for decorative tiles, handwoven rugs, antiques, jewellery and scarves, and much more. Turkish baths, locally known as hammams, have played an important role in city life in Istanbul since Roman times. These institutions served as social hubs for men and women to socialise. Today, visitors include both enthusiastic visitors keen to experience the cleansing rituals offered here and nostalgic residents reminiscing about times gone by.
Besides the stunning architecture and rich history, Istanbul is a hub of gastronomical experimentation, and chefs here are renowned for creating exquisite new dishes based on traditional Turkish recipes. Spend the day experiencing street-food classics such as simit, sesame-encrusted bagels ubiquitous across the country, midye dolma, mussels mixed with seasoned rice and lemon juice, and doner kebabs cooked on rotating spits. In the evening, relax at one of the many rooftop bars scattered across the city. 5 Kat offers some of the best panoramas of both continents, along with excellent service, food and drinks. Alexandra Cocktail Bar mixes up some of the best cocktails in Europe and Asia while offering a stunning view of the iconic Bosphorus. The bar and the neighbourhood generally provide a more laid-back vibe, making it the perfect spot to escape the bustling crowds.
PRIVATE JET AIRPORTS IN ISTANBUL:
Atatürk Airport (ISL)
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
Florida has been a mainstay of American tourism for the past few decades, and it is obvious why. The Sunshine State is well deserving of its nickname, offering incredible weather all year round. Florida is home to hundreds of miles of stunning beaches, world-famous amusement parks and water parks, vibrant and lively nightlife, and a vast array of unique tourist attractions that make it a one-of-a-kind holiday destination.
Orlando, in particular, is famous for its theme parks. At Universal Orlando Resort™, you can explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, strolling through Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley. If you are lucky, maybe you will get to play a game of Quidditch while enjoying a pint of Butterbeer. For animal lovers, SeaWorld offers an opportunity to watch waddling penguins, explore a dolphin nursery, and, for those brave enough, a passage through a glass tunnel in a shark aquarium. Less we forget, Disney World! The cast of Disney characters draws millions of families from around the globe to Orlando year after year. For thrill-seekers, Disneyland has a half-dozen roller coasters, each with its own distinctive design. Away from the theme parks, families can shop till they drop at outlet malls or spend the day relaxing by one of the state's many beaches. Those without little ones can explore Orlando's revitalized nightlife and restaurant scenes in the downtown area. Long after the theme parks close, the nightlife in Florida is pulsating with dance clubs. Miami Beach is known for its dazzling nightclubs such as LIV, Clubspace, Story, and E11EVEN — much like the heat of this tropical state, parties here never stop.
The Florida peninsula is rich with wildlife. The sawgrass marshes and mangrove forests of the Everglades are home to over 350 species of bird, 27 different kinds of snakes, the bottlenose dolphin, alligators, crocodiles and the Florida panther. So, whatever you do, stay close to your tour guide! Florida is also popular for ornithophily, with bird-watching possible in over 500 locations across the state. Keep an eye out for the reddish egret, roseate spoonbill, anhinga, both species of night-herons, black-whiskered vireo, grey kingbird, and mangrove cuckoo.
PRIVATE JET AIRPORTS IN florida:
Miami Executive Airport (TMB)
Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE)
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Boca Raton Airport (BCT)
St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Orlando Executive Airport (ORL)
Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (CRG)
KRAKOW, POLAND
From long sunny walks through the old town to basking in the sun on the banks of the Vistula River, summer in Krakow is brimming with pleasurable activities. Enjoy the beer gardens until late in the evening and be greeted by sunshine when you walk out of a club at 6 a.m. Summer is the best time to visit Krakow.
Krakow had long floated under the radar; however, over the past few years, it has begun to be recognised as one of the top destinations in Europe. Tourists are more drawn to the Old Town than any other place in Krakow. Made famous as one of the first ever urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Krakow's Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets with historic merchant houses lining the pavements and sprawling squares where medieval churches and trading houses still loom above the flagstones. Another exciting part of Krakow, rich in history, is Kazimierz. Once the historic Jewish Quarter of Krakow, Kazimierz is nestled just south of the Old Town. A place of crumbling plaster and exposed brick, fusing the industrial with the Gothic, and synagogues and artisan beer houses side-by-side, it's a veritable hub of culture and vibrancy. It's also known for its raucous nightlife, with all-night drinking joints and more vodka bars than you can shake an empty shot glass at. Legend has it that Krakow has more bars and clubs packed into a small space than any other metro area in Europe. The town pulses everything from thumping discos to underground beer halls. There's also an excellent pub crawl in Krakow, along with opportunities for vodka tasting and trips to microbreweries.
As with any holiday destination, people look forward to enjoying the local cuisine and experiencing new dishes, and Krakow has some exquisite delicacies. While pierogi dumplings and Poland's meat-and-two-veg meals are available across the country, from salt-washed Gdansk on the Baltic to buzzing Warsaw, there's actually a cuisine of Lesser Poland that's unique to this southern town. As with many countries in Eastern Europe, Poland is famed for its meat, specifically sausages. Kiełbasa krakowska sucha staropolska is a long-lasting, smoked, cooked and dried sausage made with coarsely ground lean pork and spices with a strong flavour of cured, smoked meat, with distinctive peppery overtones and a delicate aftertaste of nutmeg and garlic. Cheese lovers should try the smoky sheep's cheese of the mountains and Redykołka, hard cheese made from half-fat sheep's milk in the Podhale region. Be sure to sample the crispy zapiekanki bread and the chewy pretzels of obwarzanek from the roadside stalls throughout Krakow.
PRIVATE JET AIRPORTS NEAR KRAKOW:
John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice and Katowice International Airport (KRK)
Czestochowa Rudniki Airport (CZW)
Katowice Airport (KTW)
Schenectady Rail Airport (ZTD)
IBIZA, SPAIN
The beauty of Ibiza's beaches and coves is well-known. We don't have to further introduce this wild and carefree island, lost in the middle of the Meditteranean, with picturesque landscapes worthy of a postcard. The White Ise reveals its colourful charms to those who are lucky. Ibiza has become an essential destination, welcoming epicureans, hedonists, and travellers searching for the good life to shores for decades. So much so that Ibiza has established itself as one of the most popular luxury holiday destinations for an endless summer.
Summer is the best time to visit the White Isle, with the beaches and the terraces of the beach clubs filling up as the thermometer ignite, only to empty once the sun rises. In summer, the beaches of Ibiza vibrate to the rhythm of the music of its beach clubs, with house music reverberating along the shoreline. Away from the clubs and dancefloor, Ibiza is the perfect place for rest and relaxation. With a coastline of more than 200 kilometres and endless golden beaches with shallow water, it is no surprise this is a popular destination for families. It is simple to navigate tiny bays from a yacht that would otherwise be inaccessible or unseen from the twisting country roads. Go to the more famous beaches for excitement, whether it be windsurfing, kayaking, or paddle boarding sessions. After the activities are completed, sit back, relax and enjoy a well-deserved siesta.
To learn more about Ibiza read our most recent blog.
PRIVATE JET AIRPORTS in ibiza:
Ibiza Airport (IBZ)
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS!
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