Welcome to 2017 and a time to look forward to new experiences, adventures and of course, splendid villa vacations in tropical climes, from the gorgeous beaches of Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand to the beautiful island of Bali in Indonesia. 2017 is officially about work-life balance, travel, relaxation, and quality of life.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster and this sign is independent, instinctual, and enjoys freedom and privacy. It can mean that 2017 is the year of the private villa vacation where you can stay in a luxury villa retreat in a stunning, hideaway location with spectacular views. Relax into your own rhythm of lounging by the infinity pool and enjoying al fresco meals cooked by a private villa chef whenever you like.

In 2017, holidays are about being yourself and living life to the fullest. The element of Fire ruling the Rooster encourages you to unleash your passion, feel stimulated, and be active. Villas by the sea where you can enjoy water sports, swimming, and even work out in your own private gym really rejuvenate and energize a vacation too; the perfect balance to reclining on soft sands or in a scenic rural oasis. With the lucky direction of 2017 being south and gold, brown and yellow prosperous colors for 2017, all the cosmic signs are pointing to a sunny villa vacation.

New Year is a time of change; a time to recharge your batteries, set goals for the future, and really seize life by shaking off the past, adjusting your lifestyle, and embracing joy. New Year is the best time to make a resolution to enjoy life more, taking time to focus on family and friends and yourself. In other words, it is a real opportunity to ground, refocus, and reinvigorate your whole being with a vacation basking in the sun.

Create your own private retreat to truly unwind and nurture your sense of mind and body wellbeing. Whilst a break away in luxurious surroundings is a real treat, a perfectly timed getaway in the right spot, staying in the best villa, can transform; a wonderful way to start the year.

Giving your time away a spa holiday feel with massage, yoga, and simply being in nature is an engaging way to kickstart a health, diet, and fitness regime. You can also choose a villa that gets you moving with interesting activities to get involved with either on-site or close by.

Destressing is really about resetting and shedding the build of stresses and strains. Looking out to a sunset or a sunrise in an in inspiring part of the world is a pure, unadulterated tonic.

Luxury is having time to simply be and go with the flow, not having to be concerned with organizing your time if you prefer not to. It is also important that upscale means comfortable as well as aesthetics. Muted colors, spa style bathrooms, and incredible quality furnishings, where every detail of your stay is thought out; these are the ingredients to a soothing vacation experience.

Some upscale hotels and resorts also exude a customized holiday feel where guests do not feel part of the tourist masses. With incredible restaurants and the best service, such luxury stay can induce relaxing respite from the real world.

There are also many special occasions, festivals, and events that you can plan throughout 2017 from Chinese New Year to Thailand’s fun Songkran water festival in April and Bali’s cultural performances, sights, and celebrations.

The island of Phuket in Thailand hosts a multitude of impressive events in particular, including world-renowned yachting festivals from Phuket Raceweek regatta in July to the high-profile Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in December. Another highlight of the year is the October spectacle that is the Vegetarian Festival with its visually stunning display of spiritual piercings. You can also charter a yacht and explore a whole new world from a totally different perspective.

Planning your vacations for 2017 means letting your imagination feel inspired.