Surfing has long been romanticised in popular culture. The pursuit of the perfect wave, the laid-back, sun-bleached lifestyle, the freedom of chasing your next ride. There’s an undeniable allure to the nomadic surf way of life – carefree, aspirational, untethered. But for most, limited annual leave means that when we do take a surf trip, we also want it to feel like a holiday, so a no-frills beach shack or the chaos of a party-heavy surf camp is not going to cut it. Whether you’re looking to take up surfing for the first time or you’re a seasoned shredder, this lineup of luxurious surf stays make the perfect base for catching some of the world’s best waves, while maximising on comfort and design.

Planted between breathtaking beaches and forest-cloaked mountains, Rio de Janeiro – aka the Marvellous City – is one of the world’s most seductive coastal cities. At times, it feels charmingly chaotic – from the golden sands of Copacabana Beach to the gritty, street-art-filled neighbourhood of Lapa. At others, it feels surprisingly serene, whether you’re strolling the bougainvillea-draped hills of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood or hiking the rainforest on the city’s outer edges. Cariocas (that’s Rio residents) go about their days, and nights, with a catching lust for life – and you’ll soon be swept along by the same zealous live-and-let-live attitude. Here, discover our top picks around the city.

It’s appropriate that the most famous Gen X film about stag parties is called The Hangover. Back then, an entire generation of gentlemen expected to jet off to foreign climes and test the limits of their livers whenever their peers popped the question. Now it seems, the party is over. A recent survey by tour operator First Choice found that 69 per cent of Millennial and Gen Z men actively dread the prospect of booze-fuelled “boys’ holidays”, with more than half routinely making up excuses to avoid them. Gone is a thirst for excessive alcohol and hangovers that make your hair hurt – replaced by a hunger for cultural immersion, shared experiences and elevated cuisine.

When it comes to booking that long-awaited, sunshine-filled getaway, you can never go wrong with an Italian sojourn. But while coastal hotspots like Capri, Portofino and Amalfi may spring to mind, finding yourself crammed in with the crowds during peak season is rarely ideal. Thankfully, they don’t call Italy the bel paese for no reason. There are plenty of secluded, lesser-known places that are a little more out of the way and are all the more breathtaking for it. Below, five Italians share the islands where they love to vacation – so all you need to do is pack your bags.

Surfing has long been romanticised in popular culture. The pursuit of the perfect wave, the laid-back, sun-bleached lifestyle, the freedom of chasing your next ride. There’s an undeniable allure to the nomadic surf way of life – carefree, aspirational, untethered. But for most, limited annual leave means that when we do take a surf trip, we also want it to feel like a holiday, so a no-frills beach shack or the chaos of a party-heavy surf camp is not going to cut it. Whether you’re looking to take up surfing for the first time or you’re a seasoned shredder, this lineup of luxurious surf stays make the perfect base for catching some of the world’s best waves, while maximising on comfort and design.

Planted between breathtaking beaches and forest-cloaked mountains, Rio de Janeiro – aka the Marvellous City – is one of the world’s most seductive coastal cities. At times, it feels charmingly chaotic – from the golden sands of Copacabana Beach to the gritty, street-art-filled neighbourhood of Lapa. At others, it feels surprisingly serene, whether you’re strolling the bougainvillea-draped hills of the Santa Teresa neighbourhood or hiking the rainforest on the city’s outer edges. Cariocas (that’s Rio residents) go about their days, and nights, with a catching lust for life – and you’ll soon be swept along by the same zealous live-and-let-live attitude. Here, discover our top picks around the city.