Second Beach cranks up the style stakes a little: think young

Second Beach cranks up the style stakes a little: think young dudes in baggy board shorts, and cute women in surfer-chick outfits. Third is incredibly popular with gay people, and is packed with international queens sporting six packs, particularly during the busy Christmas and New Year holiday.Fourth, however, is the ultimate Cape Town spot for the bold and the beautiful to flout their good looks. First is the hardest of the four beaches to reach and tends to be the quietest. The coves are separated from one another by giant granite boulders and, while each bay is as beautiful as the last, they all have loyal and distinctive followers.

But, it’s to Clifton Beach, on the western extremity of Cape Town’s border, that the really beautiful people flock.There are four beaches at Clifton that are simply named First, Second, Third and Fourth Beach. WHY CLIFTON?

WHY CLIFTON?
Camps Bay has the sweeping palm-fringed beach that features on the classic Cape Town postcard; Noordhoek has the deserted acres of white sand; and Hout Bay has the breakers surfers seek. You can relax in the library, or browse the boutique filled with an eclectic mix of objects from all over the world.SEEThe hotel will offer different guided activities on a daily basis including treks, mountain biking, walks and sightseeing such as day trips to the local town of Paro to visit the Museum of Bhutan and the capital Thimphu. Or, trek to the Taktsang Monastery or “Tiger’s Nest”, which clings to the vertiginous cliffside.Uma Paro travel factsUma ParoParo, Bhutan (00 975 8 271 597; o.bz)Druk Air(00 975 82 71 856; .bt). It boasts its own private spa, traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath and outdoor deck with jaw-dropping views of the mountains.EATConsequently, the restaurant is dominated by a traditional Bhutanese Bukhari fire, and will serve organic dishes inspired by traditional cooking with an Indian-fusion twist.DRINKYou really only have the hotel bar as an option, or, pull up a chair at the juice bar instead.PLAYThe Como Shambala spa will offer holistic treatments with an Asian slant. For pure luxury and seclusion, book the two-bed villa set in a forest a short walk from the hotel. Unless you arrange to cross the border from India, the country’s tiny airline, Druk Air, is the only route in.

It operates flights from Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Yangon and Bangkok. The hotel is a 10 minute drive from the airport.SLEEPThe hotel has 29 standard and deluxe rooms as well as suites and villas. Guests spend their days exploring the surrounding area, and learning about the Bhutanese way of life. The building echoes traditional architecture and is reminiscent of the many fortresses that dot the countryside.WHERE?The hotel is located in one of Bhutan’s most sacred regions, the Paro Valley at an altitude of 7,200ft, which according to legend is where Guru Rimpoche came on the back of a tigress from Tibet, bringing with him Buddhism. Bhutan is about as exclusive a destination as it gets – the authorities limit the number of tourists to this Buddhist country to about 6,000 per year – the perfect location for those who like their holidays tempered with serious spirituality. Uma Paro opens at the end of the month in the small mountain kingdom of Bhutan, tucked into the folds of the Himalaya between India and Tibet. Or, you can buy stylish glassware at the funky Spanish homewares store, La Oca.Puro travel factsPuro12 Montenegro (00 34 971 425 450; )Minimar67 Joaquim Vicari Fuster (00 34 971 248 604)Fabrica 2323 Fabrica (00 34 971 453125)CathedralPlaca de l’Almoina (00 34 971 723 130)Museu Es BaluardPlaca Porta de Santa Catalina; (00 34 971 908 199)La Oca9 Berenguer de Tornamira, (00 34 971 721 510)Uma Paro, BhutanWHY UMA PARO?Soaring peaks, elusive snow leopards and fluttering prayer flags – these are just a few of the wonders awaiting guests at Christina Ong’s latest venture.