Exotic destinations a 10 hour flight from the UK

For most people, seeing the world is a life-long ambition.

Whether you need a break from the pressures of your daily routine, or you want to spend some quality time with your family, a holiday is a great way to de-stress. You’ll soon feel relaxed and more like yourself when you’re surrounded by sandy beaches, soaring mountains, and sipping fruity cocktails by the sea.

If you find yourself hungering for more than that bi-annual trip to Spain, it’s probably time to start thinking about travelling further afield. Flying long haul can seem a little daunting – particularly if you’ve never done it before – but you’d be surprised at just how comfortable it is. These days, long-haul flights are a breeze. You get to watch new films, tuck into complimentary drinks and snacks, and curl up with a pillow and a blanket if you’re on a night flight. Better still, you’ll be amazed at just how many tropical destinations are less than 10 hours from the UK.

You don’t have to commit to a 14-hour flight or a multi-stopover journey to reach somewhere exotic. Planes can fly much quicker and further than they used to, which means places like Barbados, India and Florida are all within 10 hours of the UK. If you’d prefer some city life, New York is about eight hours away, while the skyscrapers and beaches of the Middle East are just a short seven-hour flight away. Tempted? Find out where you could be, after less than 10 hours in the sky.

Barbados

You only have to Google the word 'Barbados' to be bombarded with the type of images regularly used on the front of luxury holiday brochures. When it comes to visual appeal, it’s extremely difficult to beat this utterly gorgeous part of the world. At just under nine hours, it’s one of the longer flights featured on this list, but a holiday to Barbados is worth the journey. With a tailor-made package holiday, you could be enjoying the coral-rich waters and super laidback lifestyle of modern Barbados in no time. According to locals, the breathtakingly beautiful Bottom Bay is by far the best beach on the island – so grab your towel, slap on some sunscreen and get out there.

St Lucia

If you were to travel just west of Barbados, you’d find the slighter larger Caribbean island of St Lucia. This equally-gorgeous slice of paradise takes about nine hours to fly to, but St Lucia tends to be a bit more exclusive than its neighbour. You’ll find the same soft sands, azure oceans and lush, tropical mountains – but where Barbados has become the poster child for Caribbean holidays, St Lucia is quieter and more private. Because of this, it’s a popular honeymoon destination. The island is also a big hit with the Hollywood jet-set and sporting superstars, who are regularly snapped here lounging on their luxury yachts.

Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a teeny tiny little country right on the southern edge of the Middle East. When you tell your friends you’ve just got back from holiday in Oman, they may be surprised – until you show them a few photographs. For such a small, under-the-radar country, Oman is achingly beautiful. In fact, it's one of our top five places in the Middle East. And it’s only seven hours away from the UK. With vast deserts, intricate architecture and tropical beaches, Oman is a dream destination for anybody who loves both sunshine and the great outdoors. Plus, you’re guaranteed a bargain holiday every time – this off-the-beaten-track destination is a very cheap place to visit.

India

With intricate buildings, rainbow-coloured markets and flavour-filled food, India is the epitome of exotic. And yet it’s so accessible. A direct nine-hour flight will land you in Mumbai, while Delhi is only eight-and-a-half hours away. In no time at all, you could be on your way to seeing the magnificent Taj Mahal, the lush green hills of Kerala, or the blush-coloured city of Jaipur. The best way to tick off India’s best bits is with a tour. We’ll take care of all the details and logistics for your epic holiday – so all you need to focus on is the world-famous sights.

New York

‘Exotic’ doesn’t always mean beaches. Some of the world’s most fascinating places are bustling, glittering cities. And there are very few places on the planet more exhilarating than New York. A visit to the Big Apple should definitely be on your bucket list. And, when the flight is just eight hours long, there’s really no excuse not to go. There’s a reason why everyone loves New York. There simply is nothing quite like exploring the coolest and most cosmopolitan city in the world. With just 48 hours in New York City, you can see the iconic Empire State Building, watch a dazzling show on Broadway, and shop ‘til you drop on Fifth Avenue. There’s so much to do here that it’ll feel like a crime to waste time sleeping – even if you are staying in one of the beautiful boutique hotels.

Florida

The Sunshine State has everything, from unspoilt national parks and pristine beaches, to parks and giant malls. But, best of all, Florida is nearer than you think. Orlando and Miami are both less than 10 hours from the UK. Whether you want to zoom along the world’s greatest rollercoasters, chill out on the best beaches in America, or try some of Florida's famous craft beers, your dream holiday is within easy reach. You could even fly into one city and fly back from the other, to really see all the highlights of Florida. Or, combine Orlando and New York on a multi-centre adventure.

Antigua

If you need even more encouragement to book a flight to the Caribbean – unlikely – take a look at Antigua. It’s a very small country, and shares its island with Barbuda. But what it lacks in size, Antigua certainly makes up for in personality. How can you resist a country that renamed its highest mountain after former American President Barack Obama? Or somewhere that has a natural port as gorgeous as the horseshoe-shaped Falmouth Harbour? This little isle is a favourite with Caribbean connoisseurs and first-time visitors alike – and it’s less than eight hours from the UK. Plus, it's a fantastic budget-friendly Caribbean option.

Get ready, set, travel.

Whichever destination takes your fancy, our Travel Specialists have all the knowledge and expertise to help you build the perfect holiday. Whether you're still dreaming about where you could go next, or you're itching to book that bucket-list trip, we've got you covered. For more information, give us a call, or visit in store.