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BEST SWIMS<br />
© Palais Namaskar, Marrakech<br />
HOTEL-POOL HEAVEN<br />
Palais Namaskar,<br />
Marrakech<br />
Atlas Mountains beyond, the pool<br />
is so serene it seems a shame<br />
to disturb it. Despite its vast<br />
proportions (long enough for<br />
lengths, but with shallow steps<br />
for kids, too), it is heated, so go in<br />
February/March when it’s 26°C by<br />
lunchtime, but the peaks are still<br />
snow-capped. Most guests use their<br />
private villa pools, leaving this one<br />
perpetually peaceful.<br />
SECRET SPLASH<br />
Paxos, Greece<br />
Paxos has dreamy swims by the<br />
dozen, but the beach you want is<br />
Lakkos, a cliff-hugged splodge of<br />
white pebbles in the Ionian island’s<br />
northeast. Swim laps around the curl<br />
of the bay, or float over fish-silvered<br />
seaweed and spiny black urchins<br />
(mind your feet). Go in May, when the<br />
sea is warming up and you get the<br />
beach to yourself. Steps back up lead<br />
to a steep path best tackled barefoot<br />
— you’ll slide out of your flip-flops.<br />
BUCKET LIST<br />
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland<br />
Waste products from power stations<br />
don’t usually look this ethereally<br />
beautiful. But this is Iceland — so this<br />
man-made ‘lagoon’ is geothermal, the<br />
water luminously blue (it’s the silicates,<br />
since you asked), and sociable soaks in<br />
it are part of the culture. Travel snobs<br />
will tell you that real Icelanders are more<br />
likely to go to smaller, local pools (which<br />
is true), but none of those municipal<br />
baths offers the same dramatic black<br />
crags or haunting mistscape.<br />
Credit: The Sunday Times Travel Magazine / News Licensing<br />
POSTER-PERFECT PLUNGE<br />
Koh Hong, Thailand<br />
Everyone should take a boat trip in<br />
southern Thailand. Nowhere else in<br />
the world will you experience a more<br />
VIP-feeling voyage for so little cash<br />
(five hours’ gliding about costs from<br />
just $15). On your elegant longtail<br />
boat (speedboats are faster, but<br />
less romantic), strike a supermodel<br />
pose as you crane your neck to<br />
marvel at the mossy outcrops of<br />
the islands in the emerald waters<br />
off Krabi. Everyone does the Phi<br />
Phi islands, so head instead for the<br />
Hongs — Koh Hong National Park<br />
is the wild James Bond seduction<br />
fantasy you’ve always pictured.<br />
Book the right boat and its skipper<br />
will take you for a swim in the secret<br />
lagoon encircled by rock face at the<br />
island’s centre, before depositing<br />
you on fine, gold sand, under<br />
imposing, vine-tangled cliffs. The<br />
beach should be quiet, but up your<br />
chances by going in the shoulder<br />
season (late <strong>November</strong> or May).<br />
worldtravellermagazine.com 33
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