Hidden gems, no layover required

Words: Caroline Howley

You don’t need to fly to the other side of the world to discover somewhere that feels fresh. Venture beyond the usual holiday hotspots to laze on soft, pink Bermudan beaches, hike through ancient Corsican wine country or hunt the northern lights in the Arctic Circle – all are just a direct British Airways flight away.

Bermuda

Bermuda is full of surprises: blush-pink beaches, caves strung with stalactites and shipwrecks beneath the waves. This 181-isle Atlantic archipelago also has all the ingredients for a memorable island escape: glassy waters, coral reefs, year-round warm weather and the rosy sands of its famed Horseshoe Bay. Away from the beaches, discover the pastel-hued buildings that characterise the Unesco-listed town of St George’s, or you might be lucky enough to spot rare Bermuda skinks at Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. After dark, dine waterside in the tiny capital of Hamilton – don’t leave without sampling Bermuda fish chowder, or the island’s signature fried fish sandwich, loaded with tartar sauce and served on raisin bread.

Fly direct to Bermuda

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Many travellers treat Colombo as a place to land before heading straight for Sri Lanka’s tea country or beaches. Stay a little longer, though, and it provides an enticing opening chapter to your trip. Wander the colonial streets of Fort, snap up some bargains amid the commotion at Pettah Market and marvel at the red-and-white Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque. The flourishing foodie scene and luxurious boutique hotels add a touch of glamour to your stay. As daylight fades, join local families at Galle Face Green urban park, where sunset snacks come with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka’s famous street food dish, the kottu roti, is a must-try.

Fly direct to Colombo

Tivat, Montenegro

A town of two harbours, Tivat’s waterfront sits a ten-minute stroll from Porto Montenegro – one of the Adriatic’s most glamorous marinas. Within this superyacht haven, you’ll find designer boutiques, polished restaurants and some rather nice boats. Over at Kalimanj harbour, everything’s a little more relaxed: fishing boats bob in the water and cafés spill onto pavements. Nearby, a park populated with exotic plants brought by sailors stretches from the waterfront into the leafy town. But the best of Tivat is out in the cinematic Bay of Kotor: hop on a boat to explore tiny settlements and secluded swim spots, and watch the mountains turn golden at sunset.

Fly direct to Tivat

Pisa and the Versilia Coast, Italy

While most visitors to Pisa pause only for a quick photo by the Leaning Tower, the surrounding Versilia coast offers a far more rewarding escape. Just a short drive north lies Forte dei Marmi, where the new Principessa Forte dei Marmi, Autograph Collection, brings a sleek, maritime aesthetic to the shore with yacht-inspired architecture and 36 sun-washed rooms with private terraces. Set just off the beach with a serene heated pool, the hotel’s main draw is Marias – a collaboration between acclaimed chef Jason Atherton and executive chef Giorgio Cicero – serving wood-fired pasta and fresh catches from nearby Livorno. It’s an effortlessly chic base for enjoying Tuscany’s quiet coastal Riviera.

Fly direct to Pisa

Figari, Corsica

Figari is Southern Corsica at its rugged best: a scattering of 14 hamlets surrounded by unspoilt coastline, wild, hilly scrubland and vineyards with roots in antiquity. You’ll find no built-up beach developments here, just 800 hectares of protected rocky coastline that’s popular with windsurfers and punctuated by hidden coves. Then there’s the wine. This is one of Corsica’s oldest wine-growing regions, with ancient vines rooted in granite soil. Follow the wine route to family-run estates to taste aromatic Vermentinu whites and Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu rosés and reds.

Fly direct to Figari

Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

The Arctic Circle feels a world away, but Rovaniemi is surprisingly easy to reach, with British Airways offering direct flights to Finland’s Lapland capital every December. Father Christmas might have put the city on the map (the kitsch Santa Claus Village is certainly worth a visit), but there’s more to this Arctic outpost. Think snowshoeing through the frosted wilderness, chasing the northern lights on a snowmobile, fat-biking over frozen trails and warming up afterwards in a traditional smoke sauna. Or just kick back with a feast of hearty root vegetable stews, lake fish and wild berries (the sweet, tart cloudberries are a highlight) and watch the aurora borealis paint the night sky.

Fly direct to Rovaniemi

Kalamata, Greece

An appealing alternative to Greece’s better-known islands, Kalamata is a walkable city with a split personality. Inland, beneath the ruins of Kalamata Castle, the old town is a tangle of narrow lanes, Neoclassical buildings and Byzantine churches. Down at the water the pace slows. A palm-lined promenade gives way to a broad pebble beach, the Taygetus mountains rising sharply to the east. At the heart of fertile Messenia, Kalamata is surrounded by olive groves and known for its namesake olives and oil, as well as figs, honey, citrus fruits and local cheeses. Visit the central market for a taste.

Fly direct to Kalamata

British Airways has an extensive direct route network, connecting you to destinations across the globe. Discover hidden gems, revisit beloved spots or embark on an adventure somewhere entirely new.