Some journeys stay with us long after we return home. For our “Where the Heart Is” Reader’s Raffle, our Editorial Team selected three stories that reminded us why we travel in the first place: for the places that move us, the memories we carry, and the destinations that quietly become part of us.
Thank you to everyone who shared a favourite travel memory with us, and to our wonderful hotel partners for helping us turn these stories into journeys to look forward to.
This is only the beginning. We’ll be bringing you more stories, more destinations and more opportunities to share where your heart has taken you.
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4 NIGHTS at HERITAGE GRAND PERAST, MONTENEGRO
Vanessa Rosero Pinto
Langkawi captured my heart in a way few places ever have. It is not the destination everyone talks about or rushes to visit, and perhaps that is exactly what makes it so special. Here, nature still feels untouched, the pace is slower, and every day unfolds with a sense of ease and wonder.
The island offers some of the most beautiful waters I have ever swum in, warm, calm, and endlessly inviting. The food is exceptional, from simple local dishes full of flavour to unforgettable meals overlooking the sea. Yet what truly sets Langkawi apart is its wildlife and people. Monkeys waking us up on our terrace, majestic hornbills soaring overhead, and other animals are part of daily life, creating magical moments around every corner.
Most of all, it is the warmth of the people that stays with you. Everywhere we went, we were welcomed with genuine kindness, generosity, and smiles that felt sincere. During our honeymoon at the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi, my husband Diogo and I were constantly touched by the thoughtfulness and hospitality we experienced, from the smallest gestures to the moments that became lifelong memories.
Langkawi is not about chasing trends or ticking off landmarks. It is about feeling present, connected to nature, and reminded of life’s simple pleasures. If you are looking for beauty, authenticity, and a place that leaves a lasting mark on your heart, discover Langkawi.
2 NIGHTS at VILLA DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Alice Gayet
La Maddalena is a small island off the coast of northern Sardinia, and for as long as I can remember it has been part of my life. I’ve been going there since I was born, to a tiny house my grandparents bought in the 1970s, where time always seemed to slow down. I can still remember childhood evenings spent running up and down the street with my brother and friends, cuddling stray cats, playing hide and seek while our grandparents were playing cards, the sweet calls of swallows in the sky, and the distant hum of ferries.
Nothing beats its raw, primordial atmosphere: the sea is a shade of blue you can’t find anywhere else in the world, and the beaches are true hidden gems – often difficult to reach and untouched – but once you get there, you never want to leave. You are lulled by the gentle buzz of bees, the soothing sound of waves rolling onto golden sand, and the constant whisper of the wind sweeping across the island. And the scent, oh, that fragrant, pungent aroma of helichrysum that I can smell the moment I step foot on the island…
2 NIGHTS at VILLA DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Ritika Khushalani
It’s going to be the Maldives.
Not because of the luxury, the villas, or any of the things it’s usually known for. I think sometimes it’s about timing, and the stillness that comes when you need it most!
We’re usually city people. We love the energy, the food, the streets, the walking, the shopping. So choosing the Maldives was a surprise even to us. But sometimes a destination chooses you.
The Maldives gave us the space to reconnect and just be. It was about slowing down, being by the water, listening to the waves, and embracing the quiet.
And on a personal note, I got back into diving after 10 years and rediscovered the stillness beneath the ocean.
So yes, my destination is the Maldives.
