If you find yourself craving an adventure vacation, one that lends itself to exploration and excitement, then a desert-based holiday might be for you. Whether you want to go off-grid, or visit on a day trip from your villa rental, there are numerous options, tour guides, and destinations that cater to all tastes.

Here are five of the most remote, tranquil and enchanting deserts to consider for your next trip.

The Arabian Desert, Middle East
If you’re seeking vast wilderness with just you and rich earthy sand for company, then the Arabian desert is a must. Stretching from Iraq to the Yemen, it takes in the Persian Gulf with Riyadh at its capital. This vast 900,00 square mile of land is the fifth largest desert in the world, and brings the nostalgia of Arabian nights and romance to those brave enough to visit, especially by camel.

Dry and desolate, and far from the bright lights and luxury villa rentals of the UAE, this baron land is best to visit between November and February. This is when it experiences colder temperatures, which are still hot by any standard (71-83 farenheit).

The Sahara Desert, Africa
When you think of deserts, the Sahara is the one that first comes to mind. The third largest in the world, this expansive space extends 3.6 million square miles covering most of Africa’s northern region. The extraordinary terrain is made up of sandy dunes, as well as rocks and sparse patches of grass and salt flats. As well as providing a breathtaking backdrop, it’s home to some incredible species, as well as flora and fauana. A good time to visit is between May and October when the weather is milder. Many visitors are surprised to learn that during winter (December – February) it can even plummet to freezing temperatures too.

The Namib, Africa
A visit to the Namib is undoubtedly about escape. Here you can get off the beaten track and disconnect with the distractions of the world. Inhabited by just tumbleweed and desert plants, as well as the occasional elephant, it’s hostile environment is far from the luxury villas and glossy restaurants of South Africa. While it may not be the biggest, it is certainly the oldest desert on the planet, with its red dunes and dusty panes estimated to be around 55 million years old.

Moab Desert, USA
If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, the Moab desert in Utah is one of the most stunning to encounter. A veritable geological treat, it boasts hues of red, burgundy and coral, with boulders, cliffs and rugged terrain for hiking, climbing and exploring.

Dare to ditch your villa rental and pitch up and tent, and you’ll experience a sky full of stars in all their magical brilliance. The surrounding canyonlands balance out the remote desert with rivers, forests and even a state park to conqueror. Spring and fall is the perfect time to visit this rugged land, when tourists and heat levels are lower than usual.

The Antarctic Desert
And finally, you perhaps wouldn’t think that the largest desert on the planet is one filled with layers of ice. However, that’s exactly what all 5.5 million square miles of the Antarctic desert offers. Expect to see whales, icebergs and glaciers of ice in this humbling and spectacular setting, which many choose to visit by expedition cruise. Visit between October and March when the temperatures are most bearable (35-44 Fahrenheit), especially if you’re embarking on the famous two-day Drake Passage sea voyage.

Looking for a luxury villa rental for your next expedition? Visit Villazzo, which offers some of the most incredible properties in leading destinations across the world.

Offering exotic elegance, Thailand is a unspoilt country that is much-loved for its food, culture and beach life. But, with over 1,430 islands to choose from, as well as the mainland, it’s hard to know where to begin, especially if it’s your first visit.

With this in mind, we’ve handpicked six of the best Thailand islands, equipped with luxury villa rentals and first-class restaurants for total indulgence. Let’s dive in!

Best for deep relaxation and first-timers: Koh Samui
If it’s your first visit to Thailand, Koh Samui is a great starting point. This tourist-friendly haven is known for its stunning beaches, full-moon parties and luxurious touches… if you know where to find them. This is the destination for laying back in a hammock in your Thailand villa rental under a banana tree, and letting the world float by.

With scenery at every turn, it’s a sun kissed spot for getting back to nature and enjoying the tranquillity of island living. It’s all about rest and relaxation in hearty doses, soaking up the sun more than the culture, and that’s alright too!

Best for water life: Koh Tao
Translated as ‘Turtle Island’ this enticing island is the perfect get-away for deep-sea diving and discovering Thailand’s rich underwater world. This popular diving destination welcomes amateurs and pros alike, and there’s even night diving and shark diving for those brave enough. With crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand, it’s a wonderful choice for beach lovers.

Best for glamour: Phuket
Another popular choice for island first-timers, Phuket eases you into Thai life with all the western comforts you’re aching for. As the biggest of all the islands, Phuket is more ‘on’ than off the beaten track. With this comes a plethora of villa rentals, popular restaurants and even cosmetic surgery clinics, catering to the many tourists it receives. There’s also a fair amount of designer boutiques and stunning beaches for the jet-set crowd.

Best for Beach Selfies: Phi Phi Leh Island
Made famous by the film and book ‘The Beach’, Phi Phi Island certainly lives up to the hype. The main beach, as featured in the film, is sheer paradise with spectacular scenery to wow. However, with this comes an influx of tourists. Hiding away in your own luxury villa is the best way to experience this island, or as many do – stay in Krabi in the mainland and jet over for the day. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

Best for exploring wildlife and nature: Koh Lanta
For an authentic Thai experience, Koh Lanta in the Krabi region is enjoyed for its luscious greenery, tropical rainforests and coral beaches. On the cusp of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, it attracts visitors seeking action adventure, such as hiking, biking and discovering its mangroves and waterfalls. At the end of a long day trekking, it’s a joy to come home to your villa rental and enjoy the stillness of tranquil surroundings.

Best for unspoilt beauty: Koh Libong
This small but stunning island is the perfect antidote to the commotion of the other more-discovered islands. While there isn’t much in way of exploration, it provides the perfect base for relaxation and being at one with the world. It is, however, one of few places where you can see a dugong (a bit like a sea cow) in its natural surroundings. If that doesn’t appeal, there’s a number of luxury villa rentals with pools you can retire to instead.

Villazzo offers some of the best luxury villa rentals throughout the world, for more please visit Villazzo.com

With each new year comes a new buzzword or trend in the travel industry. For instance in recent years sustainable travel and eco luxury villas have been growing in popularity, as conscious consumerism becomes more prominent.

However, with the recent turn in events, the focus has shifted somewhat. And the ‘workcation’ trend is pipped to be big for 2021.

What is the ‘workcation’ trend?
As its name suggests, a ‘workcation’ is a vacation that allows you to mix business with pleasure. It has become a popular option in the ‘nomadic’ community, as it accommodates freelance working, with all the benefits of luxury living. After all, why would you work in a grey office, when you could be situated in a luxury vacation home instead!? Plus, it can even make you more productive, and committed to the company you work for, so it’s win-win for everyone.

The new work-life balance
With our working lives greatly impacted in recent months, the working-from-home revolution has affected all our personal lives too. Because of this, in the coming year we will see a greater focus on ‘nomadic’ living – something that has impacted the hospitality sector greatly.

Remote working has been on the rise over the past few years, however the impact of Covid-19 has accelerated its growth. During the pandemic, 42 per cent of Americans worked from home, a change that experts believe will continue for many years.

With an estimated 4.7 million nationals remote working, it’s no surprise that this has also changed the face of business travel.

The rise of the digital nomad
If you’re enjoying a ‘workcation’ it’s likely that you are a digital nomad. This is an employee who works from no fixed address. That means they can be typing away from the pool in their luxury villa, or ‘zooming’ into meetings from the comfort of their local coffee shop. While they may be office based, they have the choice of basing themselves anywhere.

Although the term mainly refers to freelancers and those in the gig economy, today it also applies to a growing number of people in full-time employment. And this means that the hospitality industry must adapt.

Workcation demands
For the business traveller, this means that rental properties, must be equipped with all the necessary amenities.

As industry leaders in luxury villa rentals, we have long accommodated the needs of digital nomads. Here’s just some of the ways we cater to ‘workcationer’ needs…

• WiFi
Connectivity is an absolute must wherever you’re based in the world. From the jungle of Costa Rica, to the chic boltholes of Ibiza, all our properties are equipped with high-speed WiFi throughout. Rather handy when you fancy taking your Zoom call on your rooftop terrace (even if your co-workers hate you for it!)

• Study rooms
Many ‘workcationers’ travel with their loved ones. Great for after-hours, not so great during work hours! For this reason, many of our properties have home offices or libraries with printers, computers and scanners, and are situated in study rooms for that added layer of privacy.

• Facilities on hand
When you’re in between meetings, you need to be surrounded by all the necessary comforts. All our luxury villas are fully kitted out with the facilities you need. This ranges from coffee-making machines through to concierge on call. Need to organise an office meeting with catering at a moment’s notice? No problem, our concierge team can take care of it.

• Tranquil surroundings
Probably the number one requirement for a productive day ‘in the office’ is tranquil surroundings. Just as well then, that Villazzo properties are situated in some of the most stunning locations in the world, in tranquil settings. Yet, they remain close to all the nearby essentials. You’ll notice that our properties tend to be within reach of local shopping malls, golf courses and airports, to make your (nomadic) life, that bit easier!

So there you have it – the workcation trend has arrived. Will you be part of it?

Ready for your next workcation? Come check out the luxury properties Villazzo has to offer.