Ditch any preconceived notions you may have of Afghanistan and step into the remote Wakhan Corridor. For 21 days you’ll traverse high passes, icy rivers and valleys on horseback, yak and your own two feet as you make your way through this rugged region. Ride through the Showr Pass, trek to Lake Zorkel and barter with nomadic Kyrgyz communities. On the last day, take in the spectacular Hindu Kush and soak in the hot springs of Sargaz. Not for the faint of heart, this is one tough trip, but its rewards are many.
If you’re keen to get off the grid, the Caribbean islets of Los Roques are tough to beat. This cluster of 350 islands, cays and atolls is awash with powder-white sand, eye-popping technicolour reefs and dazzling waters coloured in every shade of blue. Declared a national park in 1972, the archipelago has a cap on tourists and restricts development, ensuring the islands remain unspoilt.
El Gran Roque, the largest and only populated island, is dotted with rustic pousadas (hotels), markets and dive shops, yet still retains its local charm. Explore the surrounding islands – you’re spoilt for choice – and enjoy the chance to swim, snorkel and sand-flop in total seclusion. This just might be the paradise you’ve been searching for.
Perched atop Britain’s highest chalk sea cliffs, Belle Tout Lighthouse occupies a commanding position 160 metres above the English Channel. Leave your vertigo on the doorstep and ascend the tower for a night in the original lighthouse-keeper’s loft.
The quirky, round, brick-walled room features a fireplace and loft double bed, or you can opt for one of the more luxurious downstairs rooms, with sweeping ocean vistas. Hang out in the lantern-room lounge and enjoy 360-degree views so breathtaking you’ll choke on your gin and tonic. The lighthouse is decommissioned, so you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep.
Brazil’s nightlife is some of the world’s most exciting, but if you find yourself all partied out, an escape to this jungle retreat is sure to recharge your batteries.
Hidden in the heart of the Amazon, the lodge offers eco-luxe cottages and bungalows tucked within tropical wilderness. You’re in the wilds here, but the amenities are strictly civilised – think plush bedding, air-conditioning, private balconies and hammocks swinging in the breeze.
Take a dip in the pool overlooking the Negro River and head to the 13-metre-high observation deck for unparalleled views of the Anavilhanas Archipelago. When you’re recharged and ready for adventure, take a hike through the dry-land forests, search for pink river dolphins, or cruise the national park, which teems with more than 400 islands.
You’ve probably never considered a bus tour to be a particularly cool way to explore a city, but then you’ve probably never heard of Colombia’s Rumba in Chiva. These night tours of Cartagena swap the usual dull, double-decker buses and pre-recorded audio guides for rustic, brightly coloured chiva buses, where party-loving revellers cram onto rows of benches. Add free-flowing rum, a three-piece band and empanadas to line your stomach, and you’ve got a recipe for a brilliantly trashy night out on the town.
After rumbling around the city to check out the best sights, you’ll be deposited at a nightclub. Your party bus will linger for an hour or so, but it’s far more fun to party like a local, so wave your wheels goodbye and make your way home at dawn.
The ‘liquid rainbow’ that runs through the tiny town of La Macarena, between the Andes and the Amazon, is considered the most beautiful river in the world for a reason – we guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it. For a few short months each year, the Caño Cristales bursts with colour – bold swathes of pink, red, yellow, orange and green – giving the crystal-clear water a festive appearance.
The source of this kaleidoscope of colour? The aquatic flower Macarenia clavigera, which blooms in a riot of hues, creating an Instagram-worthy natural phenomenon.
When artist Carlos Páez Vilaró found a wooden shack on the beach at Punta Ballena, near Maldonado, he decided it was where he would work. Inspired by the architecture of Santorini, he added some rooms to the original structure then kept on building – for 36 years.
Now, the massive and distinctively quirky hotel – which deliberately features a total of zero straight lines – consists of 72 apartments across 13 floors, all of which have terraces overlooking the ocean. There’s also a studio and museum showcasing the work of Vilaró, who died in 2014.
There’s no denying Machu Picchu is a stunning sight, but with thousands of visitors passing through its temples and rocky ruins every day, it’s not as if you’re going to feel like Hiram Bingham. If you’re not afraid to get a little hot and sweaty, take a trip instead to Choquequirao, high above the Apurímac River outside of Cusco. After a two-day trek, you’ll find yourself, with perhaps a handful of other hardy souls, wandering these magical Incan ruins.
One of the most amazing features is a series of terraces embellished with figures of llamas created from white stone. The only way out is the way you came, so it’s down the valley and back up again along steep switchbacks bathed in sunlight. Be sure to keep an eye out for huge shadows of the Andean condors that soar overhead. Some say this is the toughest trek in Peru, so consider engaging the help of a touring company in Cusco.
Follow the path of the pilgrims to Rishikesh, the ‘City of the Divine,’ and take part in the International Yoga Festival. You’ll meet soulful gurus and long-haired hippies by the thousands as limber up and join in the festivities, which take place annually around the beginning of March.
Learn from the spiritual masters of India and join the throng to perform 108 Sun Salutations en masse at sunrise. Okay, so that means a 4am wake-up, but we know that you can drag yourself out of bed for this special occasion!
Tucked away in a former gallery on one of the oldest roads in Hong Kong, this chilled-out spot channels a Japanese vibe. Bar Ozu, with its plush couches, high ceilings and walls splashed with arty graffiti, manages to be both cool and unpretentious.
There’s an extensive list of Japanese whiskies, beers, signature cocktails and sakes – those unfamiliar with the fermented rice beverage can even try a flight of three samples. If you’re feeling adventurous, say kanpai with a Pasabi, the bar’s wasabi-infused cocktail. Laid-back reggae and hip-hop accompany the conversation rather than overpowering it, leaving you to enjoy some good company and delicious drinks.
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