London

A world unto itself, the UK’s capital has eclectic neighbourhoods and lots of famous landmarks.  Your first visit (as you will definitely want to come back for more) can include visits to the Tower of London, the National Gallery, and the British Museum. There are always a number of West End (London’s answer to Broadway) musicals on, and for those who would love a more cultural experience you see an opera at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. If you have time, head up Portobello Road, where the famous film Notting Hill was shot, where you can even visit the bookstore where Hugh Grant’s character worked. The best part about flying to London is that you can take flights from there to our other suggested destinations in and around Europe, here’s a list of our favourites:

Sardinia

Sardinia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and enticing holiday destinations in the world. The island’s Mediterranean climate, with its hot dry summers and mild winters, makes it a perfect holiday destination for most of the year. The island is blessed by thousands of rare animal and plant species. Much of Sardinia is a paradise for wind and kite surfers.

Sardinia’s hilly expanse and endless beaches make the island a perfect arena for visiting horse riders. In the evening when the sun worshippers leave their posts, you can gallop freely across the beach and its shoreline, even if you are a beginner. This is a good way to experience a different side of the island and discover spots that are usually inaccessible.

Among the most popular features of Sardinia are the astonishing cliffs of Capo Caccia and the famous Neptun Cave. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) is about thirty miles long and features some of the most enchanting beaches and landscapes in the world. It’s recognised as being a particular haven for tourists seeking the heights of luxury.

Sardinia offers many lovely luxury hotels including several that need a helicopter or boat to reach them. Private Jet Charter would happily supply the helicopter! The most popular airport for private jets is Olbia which gives ready access to the fabled Costa Smeralda.

Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Romans used to call it the ‘Purple Islands’ but surprisingly, considering its beauty, Madeira itself seems to have been forgotten after the end of Roman rule. It was rediscovered, possibly accidentally, by Portuguese sailors in the fifteenth century.

Today, Madeira’s benign climate, stunning landscapes and dazzling flowers make it one of the most desirable year-round resorts in Europe. It is also of course world-famous for its fortified dessert wine known as Madeira. Some Madeira restaurants give you the chance to sample old vintages of the wine, including some vintages from the nineteenth century. Superb embroidery is also one of Madeira’s popular exports.

Among the many enticing dishes on offer in Madeira is the delicious traditional Madeira cake containing molasses, a reminder of the days when Madeira was a major centre for sugar production. The Madeiran skewered beef kebab, Espatada, is one of the most delicious dishes of the island’s cuisine. So is the popular deep-water Madeiran fish, Espada, that’s particularly popular fried with plantains on top.

Madeira is particularly delightful in spring. The island’s relative isolation means that while a well-organised holiday destination with a great deal to offer it’s never going to be too crowded for comfort.

The two main airports in Madeira are both readily accessible by private jet direct from Britain. The most likely destination for most holidaymakers is Santa Cruz airport (also known as Funchal airport) on the island of Madeira itself and the other in the city of Vila Baleira on Porto Santo island.

Madeira has many very fine four and five-star hotels, most overlooking the sea.

Morocco

The combination of the mysteries of the North African culture, beautiful views and scenery, and proximity to Europe make Morocco one of the most popular destinations to visit by private jet. One cunning idea if flying there by private air charter is to travel direct to the airport at Essaouira and not flying to Marrakesh and having to spend hours in a taxi to get to Essaouira itself, which is perhaps the best coastal town in Morocco.

What’s so great about Essaouira is that while offering a true Moroccan experience with the landscapes and luxurious hotels you’d expect, Essaouira is actually a real town rather than just a beach resort. The harbour is a hive of activity with fishing nets stretching out on the quayside, boats unloading their catches, fish auctions and stalls serving seafood sizzling on grills.

The Medina remains unscathed by tourism and adds a potent mystique  to the town. Orson Wells filmed Othello here in 1949.

Maui

How about somewhere closer to home? The combination of the beautiful views and scenery, and proximity to the US make Maui one of the most popular destinations to visit by private jet. A good idea would be to fly there by private air charter direct to the airport at east Maui there’s tiny Hana Airport rather than flying to Kahului and having to spend a long time in a taxi to get to Hana, one of the last unspoiled Hawaiian frontiers. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului, however the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it’s fraught with narrow one-lane bridges.

What’s so great is that Hana itself is a small town where Hawaiian traditions are alive and aloha is a way of life, while having access to gorgeous waterfalls, dramatic vistas and flowering rainforests.

Author: This article was a guest post written by Noor Ali from AircraftCharter.com. We specialize in private jet charters and delivering people to their destination in luxurious style. The biggest thanks to the Jet Set Era team for giving us the opportunity to post on such a wonderful blog.