Diwali usually comes with a familiar itinerary: intimate gatherings that turn into elaborate parties, festive dinners, endless rounds of mithai and a social calendar that's booked weeks in advance. But for those who would rather trade the celebrations at home for something a little different, the festive break presents a rather good opportunity to travel.
Imagine spending your mornings training with world-class fitness coaches in Dubai, discovering contemporary art on a private Maldivian island, or waking up in the middle of a Cambodian rainforest.
Whether you're travelling with family, escaping with your partner or simply looking for an excuse to do something extraordinary, these six destinations offer a rather compelling alternative to the usual Diwali party circuit.
The Maldives is hardly an unexpected choice for a luxury holiday, but Patina Maldives offers something beyond the usual combination of white sand, turquoise water and spectacular overwater villas.
Located in the Fari Islands archipelago in North Malé Atoll, Patina was designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan and his team at Studio MK27. The architecture is minimalist without feeling stark, allowing the island's greenery and the Indian Ocean to take centre stage.
But it's the art that makes Patina particularly interesting. Among its most striking installations is Amarta, a Skyspace by American artist James Turrell, where changing light and colour transform the experience of looking at the sky. There's also a thoughtfully curated collection of contemporary artworks across the resort, making the island something of an outdoor gallery.
Spend your days between your private pool, the beach and the resort's wellness experiences, before heading to Fari Marina Village for its restaurants, boutiques and Fari Beach Club. It's an island holiday for those who enjoy beautiful spaces as much as beautiful beaches.
If your idea of a memorable holiday involves wandering through old streets, discovering independent boutiques, eating excellent food and staying somewhere with a little history, Galle makes a strong case for a festive escape.
Within the centuries-old walls of Galle Fort, colonial-era buildings now house intimate hotels, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Spend your days exploring the narrow streets, stopping for coffee, browsing boutiques and admiring the fort's distinctive Dutch colonial architecture.
For somewhere particularly atmospheric, consider No. 77 Leyn Baan, part of The One Group of Hotels. Set within a restored 120-year-old residence, the property brings together historic architecture, open courtyards, elegant interiors and the privacy of a home rather than a conventional hotel. Guests can arrange guided walks through Galle Fort or discover Sri Lankan cooking through locally inspired culinary experiences.
There's something lovely about spending a few days in a destination where the pleasure lies in exploring without much of an agenda. And with good restaurants, interesting shops and the coast close at hand, there's plenty to keep you occupied should you decide otherwise.
If you're planning to celebrate Diwali with family or a close group of friends, there's a certain appeal to having an entire estate to yourselves. Particularly when it comes with a private pool, spectacular views and someone else taking care of the arrangements.
Tucked away in Malkarne, in South Goa's quieter hinterland, The Summit by SaffronStays is a six-bedroom hillside estate surrounded by forests, cashew orchards, freshwater springs and mountain views. Perhaps its most distinctive feature is a soundproof rock bar, where oak barrels are used to age house-made cashew feni.
The property's backstory is as interesting as its architecture. Originally built by a son in memory of his father, a microbiologist and entomologist with a deep connection to Goa's natural environment, the home was designed to follow the contours of the hillside. Today, its cascading indoor waterfall, natural stone, greenery and artworks curated in association with the Museum of Goa make it an unusual setting for a family getaway.
While most festive holidays revolve around elaborate meals and late nights, here's one for those who'd rather spend their mornings working out and their afternoons recovering from it.
Located within Dubai's striking One Za'abeel development, SIRO takes a different approach to luxury hospitality. Instead of treating fitness as another hotel amenity, the entire experience is built around training, recovery, nutrition and sleep.
The 885-square-metre Fitness Lab features dedicated studios for boxing, Pilates, yoga and cycling, and the Recovery Lab offers everything from assisted stretching and compression therapy to cryotherapy and red-light treatments. Even the rooms are designed with recovery in mind, featuring temperature-regulating mattresses, blackout blinds and in-room fitness equipment.
But a stay here doesn't mean giving up Dubai's more indulgent pleasures. The hotel shares space with One&Only, where you can dine at Nobu and explore Culinara's collection of restaurants. There's also the Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie for those interested in a more comprehensive wellness experience.
After all, there's no reason an excellent workout and an extravagant dinner can't be part of the same itinerary.
At Shinta Mani Wild, checking in can involve flying over the rainforest and waterfalls on a 400-metre zipline before landing at a bar, where your personal butler waits to welcome you.
Hidden within Cambodia's South Cardamom National Park, this tented camp features just 15 luxurious tents spread along a river. Expect spacious interiors, outdoor bathtubs, and private decks overlooking the wilderness.
But the real attraction lies beyond the tents. Guests can accompany Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols, explore the waterways aboard specially designed expedition boats (complete with bars and sun decks), or venture into the forest with the chef to forage for ingredients before learning to turn them into Cambodian dishes.
For those who prefer their adventures a little less strenuous, the Khmer Tonics Spa offers treatments using medicinal plants gathered from the rainforest.
If your idea of a great Diwali holiday involves leaving behind the parties, the crowds and your usual routine, disappearing into a Cambodian rainforest is a rather wonderful place to start.
If you're going to skip the Diwali celebrations at home, you might as well find yourself another spectacular display of lights.
This November, AlUla Skies returns to the dramatic desert landscapes of northwestern Saudi Arabia, bringing ten days of hot-air-balloon flights, stargazing and unusual experiences beneath the night sky. Imagine floating above the ancient sandstone formations at sunrise, with the magnificent tombs of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forming part of the surrounding landscape.
For those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground, the festival's Hot Air Balloon Glow Shows promise illuminated balloons accompanied by music, light projections, fire performers and aerial acrobatics. There are also guided stargazing sessions with astronomers, hikes beneath the stars and outdoor film screenings at Our Habitas AlUla. With the festival coinciding with a period of particularly dark, moonless skies, it's an excellent opportunity to discover the region's extraordinary celestial views.
For somewhere memorable to stay, consider Banyan Tree AlUla, where luxurious tented villas sit among the sandstone formations of Ashar Valley, or Our Habitas AlUla, known for its contemporary design and wellness experiences.