Paradise: a place or condition of great happiness where everything is exactly as you would like it to be. Cambridge Dictionary

There are many definitions of ‘paradise’, but for me, paradise is an idyllic holiday destination where we can expect pure white sands, brilliant sunshine every day, toasty temperatures, alfresco dining, learning about new people and cultures, and creating memories with the ones you love.

To reach such a paradise, I would happily sit all day (and night) on a plane, train, car or boat, but after years of working within the travel and tourism industry, I now realise that not everyone is prepared to go that extra mile to reach the holiday destination of their dreams.

Destinations commonly referred to as ‘paradise’ such as Bora Bora, the Quirimbas Archipelago in Mozambique, the Easter Islands of Chile, the Fiji Islands, and the Maldives are all somewhat remote – but if you want to enjoy the pristine waters, endless beaches, and cultural experiences that these places have to offer – you are going to need to make the effort to get there.

Two or three plane changes, a speedboat or helicopter transfer, a taxi, and perhaps a rickshaw ride are all part of the journey, and while it may be tiring, if you see it as part of your adventure – you’ll be there before you know it!

A direct flight from London to Bora Bora just isn’t going to happen, neither is a non-stop flight to the Easter Islands – but if there was, these places wouldn’t be paradise anymore, but rather overcrowded holiday hot spots – and haven’t we got enough of those?

I’d love to know how far you would be willing to travel to reach your paradise – please feel free to add your comments below!

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu