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Ultimate Indulgence  59

                   Ultimate                                                                                                                          Son       Recently he has also been     bubbly. As an all-inclusive retreat,

            Indulgence                                                                                                                      Bunyola            sprinkling his luxury magic over   breakfast is a help yourself affair,

                                                                                                                                                                                             lunch is buffet-style and dinner,
                                                                                                                                                               Mallorca. Last summer saw the
                                                                                                                                                               opening of Son Bunyola, a vast
                                                                                                                                                                                             days swimming, reading, trekking
                                                                                                                                                               680 acre estate on the island’s   a sit-down extravaganza. Spend
                                                                                                                                                               northwest coast, home to just two   the surrounding Tramuntana
            Luxury properties are definitely Sir Richard Branson’s forte.                                                                                      villas: the four-bedroom Sa Terra   mountains or simply chilling out.
            We take a glimpse into his world.                                                                                                                  Rotja and the five-bedroom Sa   This get-away-from-it-all escape
                                                                                                                                                               Punta de S’Aguila (a ten-minute   is a perfect hangout for both
            Necker Island, Branson’s   than not hired exclusively,   bedrooms, sprawling   giant tortoises and huge                                            drive apart), with a third, Son   families and friends.
            private paradise in the   although for selected     terraces scattered with   iguanas; feed lemurs and                             Clockwise from right:    Balegueret, due to open this
            British Virgin Islands    dates from the end of June   giant sun-pods and a huge   photograph flamingoes.                         Sa Terra Rotja: terrace,   summer. They have been built in
            remains one of the world’s   through to October, it opens   infinity pool. This might be a   And on your travels you                 lounge, bathroom   traditional Mallorcan style with
            ultimate destinations. Lush   its doors to individuals for   celeb hangout but it doesn’t   might come across a treasure                           exposed beams and terracotta
            greenery is fringed by white   it’s Celebration Weeks.   feel glitzy, more barefoot   chest filled with champagne,                                 tiled floors; there are private
            sand set against brilliant blue   There are eight private   boho. Spend hours lolling   a floating sushi bar or a                                  heated pools, gorgeous terraces
            sky and sea: a 74 acre dot of   villas scattered around the   in a hammock, zip-wire   beach barbecue. Operated on                                 for outdoor dining and stunning
            Caribbean gorgeousness. The   grounds, but The Great   down to the beach for some   an all-inclusive basis, Necker                                 en suite bedrooms. Acres of
            island accommodates up to   House remains the hub.   snorkelling, kite surfing or   Island is a place to indulge,                                  vines, citrus fruit trees, almonds
            28 guests and is more often   There are 10 exquisite   paddle boarding; befriend   Branson-style.                                                  and olive trees cocoon the villas,
                                                                                                                                                               whilst a herb-scented track leads
                                                                                                                                                               down to a pebble beach. Dine out
                                                                                                                                                               on tapas in nearby local villages
                                                                                                                                                               or stay put for culinary feasts full
                                                                                                                                                               of local produce: fish, lamb, cured
                                                                                                                                                               meats, cheeses, homemade bread
                                                                                                                                                               and olives are served up with
                                                                                                                                                               local Mallorcan wine and Spanish



                                                                                                                                                                                             Go wild
                                                                                                                                                                                             Mahali Mzuri translates from
                                                                                                                                                                                             Swahili as ‘beautiful place’. Book
                                                                                                                                                                                             a front row seat in one of just 12
                                                                                                                                                                                             tents for the Great Migration
                                                                                                                                                                                             between July and October,
                                                                                                                                                                                             possibly one of the greatest
                                                                                                                                                                                             natural spectacles on earth.

                                                                                                                                                                                             Wine and dine
                                                                                                                                                                                             Branson’s ultra-luxe foray
                                                                                                                                                                                             into South Africa comes in the
                                                                                                                                                                                             form of Mont Rochelle, a 26
                                                                                                                                                                                             bedroom hotel and vineyard in
                                                                                                                                                                                             Franschhoek. Highlight of the
                                                                                                                                                                                             trip: wine tasting and workshops
                                                                                                                                                                                             at the winery with Estate
                                                                                                                                                                                             Manager, Dustin Osbourne.

                                                                                                                                                                                             Mountain high
                                                                                                                                                                                             Whether winter skiing or summer
                                                                                                                                                                                             hiking, there is no more indulgent   Clockwise from right:
                                                                                                                                                                                             a place to stay than Branson’s   Giraffes at Mahali Mzuri;
                                                                                                                                                                                             Verbier bolthole, The Lodge.    suite at The Lodge Verbier;
                                                                                                                                                                                             It sleeps 18 and comes with a    Mont Rochelle Valley
                                                                                                                                                                                             pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis,
                                                                                                                                                                                             a party room with fully stocked
                                                                                                                                                                                             bar, wine cellar, snooker table
                                                                                                                                                                                             and dance floor, plus nightly
                                                                                                                                                                                             feasts whipped up by the super-
                                                                                                                                                                                             duper chef.

                                                                                                                                                                                  To speak to one of our specialists, please see contact details on inside back cover
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