by Michelle Snaddon
Who doesn’t love an island holiday? There’s nothing quite like an escape to a heavenly isle surrounded by aquamarine waters and dotted with secret coves fringed by palm trees… so we’ve curated a small collection of our favourites.
Once a distant dream of Helen Untiedt and Belita White, the island portfolio was a long time coming, but Perfect Hideaways now has some truly wonderful escapes to offer with seven very distinct island experiences… from Mauritius to the Maldives, Madagascar, Mozambique, Barbados, Sardinia and even Greece, we have you covered.
To save time and to help you decide where you want to go, we have put together our most frequently asked questions for each of our islands.
MAURITIUS
By far our biggest island collection of private villas and coastal apartments, Mauritius is an easy escape for South Africans, but also for anyone flying in from Europe. Connections are numerous these days and within an hour or two of arriving, you’ll be enjoying a dip in the island’s silky warm waters. It’s our most family friendly island as it’s accessible, easy to drive around and to self-cater when you’ve found your feet.
Before you book, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the different coastal regions of the island. Our Introducing Mauritius blog covers each area in detail and links to our favourite hideaways, each one with a detailed review.
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
Where should we go?
The north of Mauritius is popular if you want to be in the hustle and bustle of the island with beautiful beaches, coffee shops, boutiques and cute restaurants. It’s very vibey with night clubs open in the evenings, but our homes are just on the outskirts so you have the best of both worlds. In many ways, it’s like going to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
If you want a calmer holiday, the west or east is better for families, especially if you just want to relax, enjoy the beach and don’t want to drive around too much. For the first time, we suggest you do a short stay at a resort before you book a self-catering villa.
What’s the best time of year to go?
Mauritius is tropical all year round. December, January and February are very hot and humid. In winter it tapers down and is really beautiful, although evenings are a little cooler and sea temperature drops a little, but it’s a lot warmer than being in Europe or in a South African winter, so it’s a year-round destination.
What about flights?
We don’t book flights, although we work with a preferred agent that we can refer to you to. There is no shortage of flights, with direct flights from Joburg.
Currently:
- There are two direct overnight flights per week from Cape Town on Air Mauritius on Tuesday and Sunday (6 hours)
- There are daily flights from Joburg with Air Mauritius. Fly Safair is twice a week and SAA departs several times per week. (3+ hours from Joburg)
South African passport holders don’t need a visa, international passport holders should check as visa requirements depend on country of origin. We can arrange transfers and/or car hire with preferred suppliers for your arrival and departure. We can put you in touch directly.
Do your villas offer full services?
Each of our villas has a dedicated house manager on site. They will meet-and-greet and offer a full concierge service or you can do your own thing and experience the supermarkets and food markets yourselves. However, we can also do pre-shopping, deliver groceries or readymade meals, book chefs, organise babysitting and will do lovely restaurant and shopping recommendations. In some areas, there are malls with the same retail brands as South Africa.
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in Mauritius, please enquire.
GREECE
In the past year, Greece has held strong as a destination that remains affordable and is easy to travel to with a family, but it also holds a special place in the romantic hearts of young couples and honeymooners. We’ve chosen islands that you can fly into directly or from Athens, and most of our villas can host multigenerational families. So, what are you waiting for? Our portfolio is small at the moment, but there’s more in the wings, so subscribe now and look out for our launch mailers so that you can snap up nights as they become available. Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
Is it easy to self-drive in Greece?
Yes, car hire is easy and Evia, for example, is an easy drive from the airport in under two hours. Evia is the second largest island in Greece and roads to the bridge that crosses from the mainland to the island are well signposted. Once you’re through the small industrial area near the bridge, the hilly, rural countryside and pretty coastline is easy to explore by car. No ferries are needed to get here but there is no public transport from Three Stone Villas so you need a car to visit the hot springs, monasteries and other beaches or tavernas.
When is the best time to go?
Definitely off-peak when it’s not so busy or hot. May and June are lovely or later in the year – September and early October. Hot months are July and August. Everything closes for the winter season, including restaurants and shops on the islands, but travelling to Greece as it opens up is wonderful: it’s quieter and more authentic.
To visit other islands, is it best to fly or take the ferry?
Ferries need to be booked ahead as they fill up fast and they can be unreliable. It’s easier to go by ferry if there are just two of you and your time is flexible, but if you’re travelling with kids, rather fly or drive to your destination. This is why we launched our collection with Evia (easy to drive to) and will shortly launch Corfu. Corfu has its own airport. Hiring a car is a must – it’s a large island and you’ll want to explore.
If you have two weeks here though, you might want to book the car ferry to Igoumenitsa and explore the less-touristy region of northern Greece, especially if you want to hike Vikos Gorge (best to book a walking tour) in mountainous Zagoria (loved for its untouched stone villages) or visit Meteora (the cliff top monasteries were made famous by the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only). Meteoria is two hours’ drive from Igoumenitsa.
If you do want to visit other islands by ferry, be sure to book in advance. There are a number of helpful ferry websites: Ferry.gr or Ferries in Greece.
Is it worth stopping over in Athens?
Sometimes you need to spend a night before catching your flight and there’s loads to see in Athens, a city in transition, so we recommend two nights. The March ‘24 issue of Conde Nast Traveller has an insider’s take on how the ancient metropolis of Athens of today is on the ascent once again. ‘I expected to encounter a meeting of past and present in Athens; what surprised me were signs of the future,’ Eleni says. Be sure to read More than Myth by Eleni N Gage before you go for an insight into the new energy in this vibrant city.
Athens is now attracting serious foodies. Helen Untiedt recommends you don’t miss Ergon Foods, at the foot of the Acropolis. ‘It’s fabulous,’ she says. Known as an ‘epicurean boutique hotel’ the concept is one of ‘rooms above the inn’, but the ground floor is a marketplace, or modern-day Agora in a glass atrium flooded with natural light. It hosts a community of artisans or ‘urban farmers’ harvesting the vertical orchard or running the bakery, deli, roastery, butcher, greengrocer and fishmonger. Stay and book a cookery class with their professional chefs. And, even if you don’t stay, you’ll love the bar and restaurant that celebrates Greek food culture, and the walk-in rooftop bar, Retiré, is open April to October with spectacular views of the Acropolis.
Or you might want to book a five-star treat just before you fly home… two neoclassical buildings house the cool, minimal interiors of Xenodocheio Milos near Syntagma Square, dubbed as the first five star ‘gastronomy hotel’ in the heart of Athens. Opposite Old Parliament House and in the heart of the upmarket fashion district, it’s easy to soak up the revived energy of downtown Athens here.
Other recommendations include new design hotel The Dolli, the bohemian Shila, a six-suite boutique residence often frequented by Athenian creatives with a plant-filled roof garden.
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in Greece, please enquire.
MADAGASCAR
So, what does the fourth largest island on earth have that others don’t? Extraordinary biodiversity, with everything from untouched reefs and abundant marine life to rainforests filled with lemurs and chameleons. In fact, 85% of the plants and animals found here are found nowhere else on earth! It’s also known for its photogenic avenue of baobabs, for its sapphires, vanilla and cloves…
We have launched with Time + Tide Miavana, once a secret hideout for pirates and now a five-star escape on Nosy Ankao in a 15 000-hectare marine area, on the beautiful north-east coast of Madagascar. This blissful island escape is the most luxurious on the island, but it can also be combined with sister safari properties in Zambia to complete the experience of a lifetime.
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
When is the best time to go?
April to October is by far the best time to visit Madagascar but March and November are less crowded. The winter season here is dry and in summer it is rainy, particularly on the east coast. Most visitors head for the north on their first visit. January to March is cyclone season (low season) with hot, humid days. April, May and June are the most popular times to visit, as it’s the best time to see wildlife and the rainforests and you can expect longer sunshiney days with light showers.
High season starts in July and August. It’s winter but temperatures are more comfortable and it’s dry, making island hopping and rainforest hikes a pleasure. It’s also the time for thousands of terns to begin nesting and migrating humpback whales begin to calve, staying to nurture their young until September. For many, September offers the best beach weather… and in the rainforest, it’s birthing season for lemurs. By October you’ll spot baby lemurs and fossa, and some say this is the best time to see the Avenue of Baobabs, although the baobabs are not as prolific as they used to be. November and December are likely to be very wet with the summer heat spiking tropical thunderstorms so rather plan ahead to visit in winter. Turtle hatchlings can be seen making their way to the sea between December and April.
What to pack?
Don’t overpack as you’ll spend most of your time in cozzies and a flowing kaftan on the beach or sailing, but bring a good hat and your best sunscreen. If you forget something, only the basics can be bought at the island boutique. Pack something pretty for semi-formal dinners each evening – with something warm to wrap around your shoulders as it gets cooler.
If you wish to do the helicopter excursion to Ankarana Reserve to Amber Mountain or Montagne d’Ambre National Park to see the lemurs, you will also want to pack lightweight safari gear and closed walking shoes.
How do I get there and do I have to transfer by helicopter?
SA Airlink flies to Antananarivo and then you transfer via private jet to Diego Suarez. From there, yes, Miavana is only accessible by helicopter as the island is part of a protected marine reserve.
Time + Tide Miavana (our only property in Madagascar at the moment) is on Nosy Ankao, the largest of five islands in the archipelago on the north-east coast.
Do we need to bring diving gear?
No need as everything is supplied for dives and all water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and kite surfing. Bring your GoPro if you wish, and your own reef suit if you prefer for snorkelling. You can also go by boat to see dolphins, mantas and whales.
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in Madagascar, please enquire.
SARDINIA
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
When is the best time to go?
The best months of summer are from June to September – it’s warm and sunny in the day (25-35 degrees) but at night it drops to a comfortable 20-26 degrees – although June and September are less busy.
How do I get there?
There are only two ways to get here: by ferry or by plane. Flights come in regularly from Italian cities plus London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna and Madrid. You’ll fly into the recdently expanded Cagliari Elmas Airport.
What to pack?
Life at the villa is laid-back and casual but with all the outdoor dining areas and pizza oven, you’ll want to pack something warm for the evenings. Restaurants and chi-chi boutiques line the shores, and the marinas play host to the rich and famous who sail in on luxury yachts so a pack a few understated-yet-elegant outfits for lunch or dinner out. Remember that Italians are impossibly stylish even when they aren’t making an effort! The local market is a short walk away and there are lovely walks so pack walking shoes. The villas are beautifully equipped so just pack your clothes, hat and sunscreen!
Is it easy to self-drive in Sardinia?
Yes, it is, and having a car is the only way to explore the islands quieter beaches and coves. Some of the routes twist and wind through mountainous areas but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views. Definitely recommended.
MOZAMBIQUE
Whether you choose the blissfully unspoiled islands off Mozambique’s palm-fringed shores up north or its rugged coastline with soaring dunes in this surfer’s paradise down south, the tropical waters of this Indian Ocean paradise are world-renowned for idyllic snorkelling and superb diving off Two Mile Reef or in remote archipelagos teeming with colourful fish.
Fly in by helicopter from Vilanculos over the aquamarine waters of the Bazaruto archipelago, sail the gentle breezes in a traditional wooden dhow, picnic on a private sandbank or go diving with whale sharks, mantas and turtles. Soak up local jazz and African rhythms in this authentic and culturally diverse destination. This is the land of pansy shells, roasted cashew nuts, the freshest seafood and spicy crab curries served with ice-cold local beer, of spectacular sundowners and star-spangled night skies. Sleep to the sound of swishing coconut palms, wake to the gentle lapping of waves at dawn… Mozambique is the place to reconnect with family and friends at one of Perfect Hideaways’ laid-back beach houses or romantic lodges set on these unspoilt shores.
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
Are there any shops on Bazaruto or Benguerra islands?
No, but if you’re staying in a hotel, each one has a small boutique where you’ll find jewellery and locally made gifts plus beach essentials. Pack everything you need for your island holiday!
How long does it take to fly via helicopter?
Connections from Vilanculos to Bazaruto or Benguerra take 10-20 minutes, depending on where you’re going. Have your camera ready – it’s a spectacular journey over the aquamarine sea! (Battery packs to recharge phones are super handy.) There’s a luggage limit for helicopters of (check) 15kgs (soft bags only). If you have excess baggage, you might need to pay extra for it to be sent over by boat. (Kusasa does this).
Is there a shop at The Sanctuary?
Speak to our consultant when you book as there’s an ordering system for replenishing groceries on the San Sebastien Peninsula – only accessible by boat (45 mins boat trip from Vilanculos).
Do I need to pack a wetsuit and underwater camera equipment or can I hire?
If you like your own wetsuit, bring it, but all diving equipment is included in the cost of the dive. GoPros are super handy for underwater photography – bring your own if you have one. Not qualified? You can do a PADI course at all island hotels, otherwise snorkelling is superb. Diving is good in the winter months from May to September and the whales come from June to October.
When is the best time to go?
The dry season is June to September in Mozambique when the weather is mild and wonderfully pleasant (18-24 degrees). February and August are windy and this affects dive visibility but fishing is year-round.
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in Mozambique, please enquire.
MALDIVES
With some of the most magical dive spots and resort islands in the world, the Maldives is not only a dreamy destination for honeymooners but for adventure travellers who love water sports and families looking for a relaxed island escape. Divers come to explore its magical underworld as 99% of the country is made up of crystal-clear waters, and 1% islands, making it one of the best places in the world to swim with manta rays and whale sharks.
Combine these experiences with luxurious overwater villas, soothing spas set in tropical gardens and world-class restaurants along with private dining experiences on remote sandbanks or along palm-fringed beaches… can you imagine a more idyllic island escape?
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
How long does it take to do a diving course?
You would typically need 3-5 days but regulations are that your last dive needs to be 24 hours before you fly home (known as the pre-flight surface interval). Two days is even safer, especially if you did deep, repetitive or decompression diving, so you need to stay for a minimum of one week.
Do I need to bring a wetsuit?
You will find everything you need at dive centres but if you prefer your own, 3mm is fine, 5mm max as the water is warm for most of the year! A snug fitting rash vest or ‘rashie’ is super useful for the occasional jellyfish. Pack reef-safe water shoes to protect your feet from coral and waterproof diving bags to keep phones and cameras during dives and water sports.
Why choose the South Ari Atoll?
The Maldives is renowned for its exhilarating underwater experiences and dive sites. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks (not a shark but a giant fish) and graceful manta rays. The South Ari Atoll is a protected marine area on the southern base of the atoll of over 42kms.
Weather: when is the best time to go?
The best weather, out of monsoon season, is November to April when it’s between 25-30 degrees. However, if you’re a diver, it’s best to time trips around what you’d like to see – manta migrations vary from north to south, for example. August is also popular: a bonus for anyone wanting to escape the crowds in Europe. It’s the rainy season but tropical showers are short and dramatic, and still with around 7 hours of sunshine at 30 degrees!
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in the Maldives please enquire.
BARBADOS
Barbadians, also known as Bajans, are renowned for their warm welcomes on this eastern Caribbean island in the Atlantic Ocean. Bridgetown, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is the cultural heart of this Lesser Antilles island. It’s no surprise that singer Rihanna was born in Barbados, where familiar soundtracks of reggae and calypso are part of daily life along with music festivals. She returns home as often as she can, along with other visiting celebrities such as Sir Elton John and Oprah Winfrey.
Most guests spend their time snorkelling these crystal-clear waters, lazing on the beach or relaxing together with friends and family at their private villa enjoying dishes prepared by resident chefs, or venturing out to restaurants for fresh seafood feasts or spicy dishes with African, European and Indian culinary influences. Others come for the polo and golf, while adventurous travellers love hiking lush rainforests, trying new water sports and exploring the coastline by boat or surfing and paddleboarding.
Some of the most frequently asked questions are:
Why Barbados?
‘Barbados is a great place to start in the Caribbean, and our owners have a knack for choosing superb locations around the world,’ says Helen Untiedt. Their South African home is Bakoven Seahorse, right on Bakoven Beach in Cape Town, and Martangie Villa is in an equally desirable location on the shores of Reeds Bay along the West Coast (known as the Platinum Coast). Barbados is easy to reach via direct flights from Heathrow.
When is the best time to go?
The best time of year is between mid-December and mid-April (winter through to spring) or even up till June. This is the dry season when temperatures average 24-30 degrees, but Barbados remains one of those destinations that can be visited at any time of the year although July to October is less popular because of Caribbean hurricane season but Barbados is luckily out of this belt. Summer is the wet season (off-peak) but there’s still plenty of sunshine between April and December.
Do your villas offer full services?
Martangie Villa has a Concierge Service managed by a company called Blue Sky and daily housekeeping and a cook are included in the stay. Extra housekeeping can be arranged.
Should we hire a car?
Yes, hiring an air-conditioned car is easy and driving is on the left. It’s worth being independent so that you can explore the lush island interior or visit Bridgetown (20 minutes away) as it’s 34kms long and up to 23km wide. Grantley Adams International Airport is a 45-minute drive from Martangie Villa.
For more on our handpicked collection of private accommodation in Barbados, please enquire.
Whether you’re looking for luxury accommodation for a romantic honeymoon or gloriously family friendly hideaways, our island collection has something for everyone.
Choose from Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique or Madagascar (our the four M’s!) or head for beautiful Greece, Sardinia and tropical Barbados.
Which of these beautiful islands will it be? Let our expert team at Perfect Hideaways help you decide!
