CANVAS
Like naming your first-born child, a great deal of love and thought went into naming our new blog, CANVAS by The Turquoise Holiday Company, when we launched it in 2018. To us, the word CANVAS conjures up African safari camps and even an artist’s blank canvas. To us, the name evokes that image of a beautiful schooner, her sails shaken out in the morning light to catch the breeze and discover the next South Pacific lagoon to drop her anchor in.
The success of our blog has led to a travel journal sharing the same name, which aims to unravel the stories, people and insider secrets behind the destinations it covers in every issue. The theme of our first issue, published in 2019, was People & Places, where we unearthed fascinating tales from around the globe, from the Samburu people of Kenya to the tea planters of Sri Lanka. Our second issue (Islands & Oceans), released in 2021, follows in very much the same vein, covering our favourite islands and coastal hotspots around the globe. As you turn their pages, we hope every issue of CANVAS serves to inspire your wanderlust and, ultimately, your future adventures. Happy reading!
Highlights
Issue Two: Islands & Oceans
I grew up and lived for many years in East Lothian in Scotland and spent my early summers there facing the windswept beaches of North Berwick, looking at the rocky and uninhabited islands floating in the Firth of Forth: the Bass Rock, The Lamb, Craigleith and Fidra, to name just a few. The last of those is said to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It was these barren and treeless islands, so close to shore yet so out of reach, which sparked my love affair with islands. It feels strangely unfaithful to admit that I’ve since seen, stayed at and fallen in love with more beautiful and certainly warmer islands, many of which are featured in this edition of CANVAS by The Turquoise Holiday Company.
There is something just so magical about an island. It doesn’t matter if it’s an island off the coast of Scotland or the dreamy Caribbean, the safety and security it grants from the ocean and the isolation, solitude and, most importantly, exclusivity an island offers, exudes the glorious feeling that no-one else can reach you. I love the journey as well and whether it’s by ferry, speedboat or the more glamourous seaplane, the journey and arrival never fail to inspire me.
I hope you find your perfect island within the pages of this edition of CANVAS. You will certainly read about plenty of the palm-lined, crystal lagoon-ringed islands we all dream of visiting, as well as the stories behind them and the wealth of things you can do on each. Perhaps it’s better you visit the tropical treasure island in Stevenson’s book, rather than the freezing cold Fidra which inspired him.
James Bell, Managing Director
As featured in Islands & Oceans
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
Facing the vast Pacific Ocean, with uninterrupted views of the lagoon meeting the protective outer reef, this luxurious retreat nestles along a beautiful white sand beach, with magical sunsets that never fail to impress.
Soneva Jani, Maldives
Soneva Jani is one of the Maldives’ most iconic resorts, set within a breathtaking lagoon of crystal clear waters and uninterrupted ocean views in the Noonu Atoll.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a sleepy boutique resort on the island of Virgin Gorda – located just 15 minutes by boat from Tortola. It lies behind a stunning reef making the water of the beach perfectly calm.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
Nestled in arguably the most enchanting corner of the Caribbean, Sugar Beach boasts a prime beachfront location whilst being encased by the majestic Pitons on one side and lush emerald rainforest on the other.
Kokomo Private Island
Kokomo Private Island is located on pristine Yaukuve Island, south of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, and just a 45 minute scenic seaplane flight from the international gateway airport in Nadi, this magnificent island retreat promises absolute luxury and pure escapism.
Fanjove Island
Fanjove Island has long been an exceptional jewel in East Africa's Indian Ocean crown. Exquisitely located in the little-known Songo Songo archipelago off the eastern coast of Tanzania, Fanjove epitomises Robinson Crusoe desert island seclusion.
NIHI Sumba
Our little blue planet is heavily populated and it is rare to find a spot which offers real escapism in the truest sense of the word. On the remote island of Sumba, an hour’s flight east from Bali, we have found just such as a place – welcome to Nihi Sumba.
As featured in People & Places
Denis Private Island
A coral cay carpeted with tropical forest and encircled by the softest-of-soft white sand – why wouldn’t you go?! The clue is in the name – Denis is a family-owned private island whose charm lies in its intimate service and seclusion – for honeymooners, this is pure bliss!
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
In the virtually uncharted territory of the Laamu Atoll, this stunningly understated resort is hidden deep in the Indian Ocean towards the far southern reaches of the Maldivian archipelago.
Guana Island
Seven pristine beaches and miles of tropical forest make up Guana Island. With acres of seclusion per guest you’ll barely have to share it with anyone. This is beautiful low key luxury at its very best.
Song Saa
The islands of Cambodia lie in the glistening waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the divine resort of Song Saa Private Island makes up part of this magnificent seascape. Set on two small islands, which are connected by a footbridge, you are surrounded by reef teaming with life. This is a private and intimate experience for the lucky few who are privileged enough to stay here. Just an hour by plane from Siem Reap followed by a 35 minute speedboat journey, it is the perfect place to relax after a visit to the temples of Angkor.
Matangi Private Island Resort
A haven for divers and romantics, Matangi Private Island boasts virgin tropical rainforest, white sand beaches, volcanic rock faces rising from crystal clear waters and fringing coral reefs.
Fundu Lagoon, Pemba Island
This island hideaway off the coast of Zanzibar is the epitome of twenty-first century Robinson Crusoe shabby chic! Its laid-back charm is perfect for a post-safari chill-out.
Ceylon Tea Trails
Sri Lanka’s heritage is inextricably tangled with the Ceylon tea industry and this magnificent Relais & Chateaux property takes all things ‘tea’ and turns it into a breathtakingly charming experience.
Six Senses Krabey Island
A scenic ten-minute drive from Sihanouvkville airport, with direct flights from Siem Reap and Saigon, followed by a short boat ride and before you know it you’ve arrived in pristine, unadulterated paradise on the island of Koh Krabey. This idyllic sanctuary is the perfect antidote to a visit to the Angkor Temples and a sublime finale to a top-to-toe journey through Vietnam. Six Senses have transformed this tiny volcanic island into a gorgeous intimate jungle retreat, with 30 acres of jungle carefully landscaped to preserve the natural environment.