BEACH HUTS THE LATEST FOR STAYCATIONS

The humble British beach hut was never like this. A luxury 'hut' with sleeping, seating, kitchen and bathroom facilities is the latest offering to persuade holidaymakers of the attractions of a staycation, and the joys of being beside the British seaside.

The traditional beach hut had long since ceased to be humble, of course, much sort after and often changing hands at the price of a bijou residence. Yet it retained a down-market image, largely associated with tea brewed on a primus stove and damp sandwiches.

Now, entrepeneur Darren Baker is giving the hut a make-over, taking it up-market and aiming to make it the saviour of many a run-down British resort.

As part of a £35 million expansion plan, Beach Hut Resorts has built 21 prototypes of these de luxe huts, each sleeping four to six people, with a separate bedroom, fully fitted kitchen, bathroom, sitting area and 24 hour concierge service. The first development will be ready to open for next summer season at Whitley Bay and others throughout the UK are in the planning pipeline.

The artist's impression above indicates the same close proximity for the new huts as the old. To find out more go to beachhutresorts.com.

FEARSOME CAPE HORN OFFERS TRANQUILITY

For those who literally want to go to the ends of the earth, Cape Horn beckons. This southern-most tip of South America, long feared by sailors, is being touted as a new tourist spot for those who yearn to get away from it all.

Lakutaia Lodge is situated on the extreme tip of Navarino Island, just north of Cape Horn, overlooking the Beagle channel visited by Darwin. It is identified as one of earth's last wild places by the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Here, visitors can trek, horseback ride, kayak and explore an untouched world. Various programmes are available, including a six-day trip on board a schooner ship, sailing along the Avenue of the Glaciers, following the route that Darwin took on the Beagle. Next year, a fly-fishing trip is to be featured.

The Lodge itself is situated in a nature reserve some two miles from the only town on the island, Puerto Williams, and is usually reached by flying from Punta Arenas in Chile. At the Luxury Travel Fair in London in November, a representative emphasised that this is a place for those who seek tranquility and nature. And the beauty of the place is best to be enjoyed when the elements aren't raging, which is between September and May/June.
Go to www.lakutaia.cl for more information.

SOUTH AMERICA THE NEXT BIG DESTINATION

South America is shaping up to be the new leading region for 2010, offering some spots rather more easily reached that Cape Horn.

Jewel in the crown is Galapagos, another destination boosted by the Darwin anniversary in 2009. There have been fears that tourism was becoming too intrusive but Ania Mudrawicz, who established Galapagos Classic Cruises 15 year ago, and who was at the Luxury Travel Fair in London in November, emphasised the strict controls that are in place and closely regulated by the Ecuador authorities. Visitor numbers are not allowed to increase, no new boats may replace old ones, and no private boats may enter the region.

"The regulations have got stronger," she revealed. "Visitors can only go ashore with an authorised guide, they must stay within the paths that are roped, and they mustn't touch anything."

These restrictions in no way diminish the experience of seeing the flora and fauna of these magical islands, particularly wonderful for children, she added.

UK visitors fly to Quito, capital of Ecuador, and then may travel by train on to the coast through the Andes and take ship to the islands. www.galapagoscruises.co.uk

For a shorter South American sojourn, Cuba has been climbing the popularity charts, offering a hot climate, plenty of interesting culture and reasonable prices. www.gapadventure.co.uk has one nine day trip that includes salsa dancing lessons and other musical treats from just £759. Also from this company (not just for gapyear students) is a new one to Belize, a kayaking opportunity along the coast and exploration of the world's second largest barrier reef over eight days, from £789.