6 escapes to have on your radar this June

1. THE ROYAL RIVIERA

Experience the life of royalty on the French Riviera with a stay in the Prince Rainier III Suite at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Sprawling over 830 square metres, the suite pays homage to the ‘Builder’ Prince of Monaco with a curated selection of sculptures created by the prince and paintings from his personal collection. There’s also two bedrooms, a large main lounge with a bar, a library, a dining room, an office and a glass-walled sauna that opens onto the Mediterranean sky. Go for a dip al fresco in the infinity pool on the topside of the split-level terrace and soak up incredible views of the Place du Casino and Monaco. The suite also comes replete with a dedicated team of private Clefs d’Or concierges with guests greeted on arrival at the airport or heliport with welcome gifts. Available on request, prices start at a cool EUR 60,000 ($65,000) per night.

www.montecarlosbm.com

2. MAGNIFICENT MILLINERY

One of the most revered social weeks on England’s summer calendar will take place from 18-22 June as Royal Ascot returns for the 313th year. For five days, horse-racing enthusiasts, fashionistas and gourmands will descend on Berkshire for this stunning spectacle of pageantry. Aside from the action on the paddock, racegoers can check out British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher’s Lookbook and Millinery Collective; two pieces of inspirational high fashion editorial which aim to entice racegoers to get lost in the magical world of fashion. And when the stomach murmurs, attendees will be able to feast on gastronomic delights crafted by the likes of legendary chef Raymond Blanc; executive chef of the Michelin-starred Northcote Restaurant, Lisa Goodwin-Allen; and former executive head chef at three Michelin-starred L’Enclume and one Michelin-starred Rogan & Co. in Cumbria, Tom Barnes.

www.ascot.com

3. WHEN IN ROME

There’s nowhere quite like Rome for experiencing a taste of La Dolce Vita. Narrow cobbled streets, magnificent cultural landmarks and of course, the food. The Italian capital holds a special allure for all sorts of traveller, but cinephiles have something even tastier to enjoy this summer. Hotel de la Ville, the Rocco Forte hotel on Via Sistina, is offering guests the chance to embark on a journey through time, glamour and cinematic greatness with “Hurry up, Marcello!” an evening journey around the Rome in a vintage Fiat 500 car. Retracing the steps of Federico Fellini’s acclaimed 1960s film La Dolce Vita, you and two friends can discover the Eternal City’s iconic destinations on a two-hour ride. Guests can relive a time when Via Veneto was the pulsating heart of Rome society and Cinecittà was known as the ‘Hollywood on the Tiber’. Prices start from EUR 290 (US $315) per car for the two-hour tour, bookable through the hotel’s concierge.

www.roccofortehotels.com

4. JUNGLE WELLNESS

Discover the healing power of Ayurveda and reconnect with yourself this summer at ÀNI Sri Lanka. Affording spellbinding views of the Indian Ocean from its position within the verdant coastal jungles of southern Sri Lanka, guests can find relaxation and physical and mental well-being through Ayurveda’s combination of yoga, meditation, nutrition, medicine and life patterns. There’s up to 15 sessions per day where you can indulge in a comprehensive selection of spa treatments, massages and guided meditations to help you rejuvenate and unwind. Gastronomes at the retreat will be in for a special Ayurveda lunch that takes place at a hidden location. Set inside a 300-year-old colonial house, the dining experience will see Ayurvedic dishes crafted by chef Cyril and the culinary team that enhance overall wellbeing as you strive for perfect spiritual and physical balance.

www.aniprivateresorts.com

5. BUSH ADVENTURES

Here’s a chance to get back to nature under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Set in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills, ol Donyo Lodge is inviting guests to start the day in an exhilarating way with breakfast in the bush by horseback. Home to a stable of 21 horses, guests swap the rumble of engines for the sound of hooves on grassy plains as they trot through the bush where their passers-by include giraffes and cheetahs. For breakfast, it’s freshly baked goods and fruit to the sound of singing birds underneath the shade of an acacia tree. When day turns to night, climb into your very own ‘Star Bed’ on the terrace of your suite where the alarm clock is the dawn chorus and the rising sun. And you can elevate your stay to new levels with a helicopter ride that offers scenic trips through the Chyulu Hills, Kilimanjaro and Amboseli area. Prices start from $1,120 per person per night.

www.greatplainsconservation.com

6. SUITE SUMMER DREAMS

There can’t be many places more beautiful in which to enjoy the summer than Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Picture waking up to sunrises over the ocean, showcasing your surfing skills and discovering the vibrant marine life of the islands where your companions are sea turtles and whale sharks before tucking into a meal at chef Hari Nayak’s Baraabaru under the orange hue of the fading sun. There’s even an opportunity to improve your backhand at the Tennis Academy under the guidance of one the resort’s professionals. And when it’s time to slow down, The Island Spa welcomes guests to soak up relaxation with antigravity yoga sessions and moonlight magic at tree top venue, The Night Spa. Choose the Suite Dreams by the Sea package for five nights or more and you will luxuriate in one Kuda Huraa’s specialty suites and also enjoy a 10 per cent discount off bed and breakfast rates.