You don’t need a surfboard to have year-round summertime fun when you have a private charter jet. If the cold weather is starting to give you the winter blues, or you simply need a sunny break, pack your passport and make your way to a luxury destination in a different hemisphere.
September to November
- South Africa: Ditch your rain jacket for a t-shirt and head for the white sandy beaches of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg. After bathing in the sun, head to the game reserves to get an up-close glimpse at larger-than-life animals. Rest your head at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg or the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town.
- Rangiroa, Tahiti: Teaming with the Society Islands, French Polynesia has the driest, least humid weather between the months of September and November. Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago is famous for its snorkeling and diving as the remote atoll has an abundance of marine life, is the home of the fabled Blue Lagoon and has some of the world’s best pearl farms. Spend the night in a luxury bungalow at the Hotel Kia Ora.
December to February
- Puntarenas, Costa Rica: Hire a driver to get you around the laid-back Central American country where addresses don’t exist. To get a rain forest and beach adventure in one shot, make your way to the Parador Resort and Spa in the town of Manuel Antonio. When you’re here, you don’t have to go far to taste the world’s best coffee, spy endangered wildlife and catch some waves.
- South Island, New Zealand: Commune with nature and sample fine vino in Queenstown and Christchurch, the adventure capitals of New Zealand. Enjoy activities that range from bungee jumping to wine tours. Alternatively, take a luxury cruise on the Milford Sound and visit the famous Canterbury Museum before you check in for the night at the five-star Matakauri Lodge.
March to May
- Jakarta, Indonesia: Escape the spring showers and head to Jakarta, a true playground for a discerning private charter jet taveler. After unpacking your bags at the centrally located Ritz-Carlton, prepare to wow your senses at the Indonesia Permai Orchid Garden, which showcases hundreds of local species of orchids. When you’re ready to spend some serious cash, the Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan and Grand Indonesia malls can give you a hand.
- Colonia District, Singapore: A melting pot of Asian cultures, downtown Singapore’s Colonial District is embellished with cricket lawns and cathedrals. Experience nature at the Bukit Timah Reserve, escape the tourists at the Botanical Gardens and shop for exotic spices in the Arab district or Little India. If you’re a connoisseur of all things opulent, check into the Raffles Hotel, one of Singapore’s most luxurious and graceful landmarks.
June to August
- Budapest, Hungary: With lovely a countryside and elegant cities, Budapest is known for its enchanting cultural sophistication, regal bridges and grand historic buildings. Originally two separate cities, Buda and Pest, you can visit the Royal Palace on Castle Hill, go on a river cruise along the Danube, see castle ruins of Visegrad or take the kids to the enchanting Budapest Puppet Theater. Continue your fairy tale excursion at the Four Season’s Gresham Palace at the foot of the Chain Bridge.
- Olso, Norway: Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun,” the sun never falls below the horizon between the months of May and July. As part of the Arctic Circle, the land of the Vikings is speckled with fairytale-like forests, charming fishing villages and flashes of the surreal Northern Lights. Oslo is where the legends of trolls, princesses and trolls were born, and has wide mix of modern architecture with medieval buildings. Visit City Hall, the home of the Nobel Peace Prize awards. Then make your way to one of the cultural museums to get a glimpse of Viking life. Round out your trip with a stay at the Grand Hotel Oslo’s Tower Suite.
