You’d be forgiven for thinking this expanse of red water was a mirage if you were travelling in any sort of altered state through Bolivia’s southwest altiplano. You’re not seeing things though. This shallow salt lake, covering 6,000 hectares, rests at about 4,250 metres above sea level and is a neighbour to the famous Salar de Uyuni. The unusual colour of the water comes from a surfeit of red algae and other microorganisms. White patches are also not a visual illusion – just massive borax deposits on the lake’s surface.
The other attractions at Laguna Colorada are the flamingos that can be seen wading in the shallows. One of the three species is the rare James’s flamingo – also known as the puna flamingo – which is native to the region but was thought extinct until a small population was discovered in 1956. While they’re still considered endangered, the abundant plankton in the water keeps them coming back in hefty numbers for food. They’re naturally white, by the way; it’s the algae that stains them this glorious shade of pink.
There’s a point on any trip from Australia to New York when you wonder if it will ever end. Usually that happens as you are fanging through LAX trying to make your connection; it comes back two hours into that same connecting flight when you realise you’re trapped for another 200 minutes. Believe us when we tell you there is a better way. Jump on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Sydney or Brisbane to Honolulu then schedule a few days of sun and surf to overcome jet lag.
Head to O’ahu’s North Shore, catch a few waves at Waimea Bay, snorkel with turtles, check out the cute galleries and shops of Haleiwa and eat pounds of shrimp at the famous food trucks. Just as you’re settling in to this new existence it’s back to Daniel K Inouye International Airport for the onwards flight to New York. It’s still two almost-10-hour flights, but a stopover in paradise makes it all worthwhile. Avoiding customs at LAX is an added bonus.
We’re tipping big things for this burgeoning Balkan country, so now’s the time to make tracks before everyone else catches wind of its charms. MIR Corporation’s two-week Albania: Beyond the Guidebook tour offers the perfect introduction to the country.
After starting in the vibrant capital of Tirana, where the buildings are painted different colours, you’ll pass through the remote Albanian Alps, visit a local qeleshe (skullcap) workshop in Kruja, down shots of raki in Permet and gawk at the incredible Ottoman architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Berat. Plus, there’s mussel tasting on Lake Butrint, a walking tour of Shkodra and a cooking class in Korce, which just goes to show how full of surprises Albania really is.
Hidden away in the shadow of the Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan have long been considered places of intrigue and wonder. On the Nepal and Bhutan Adventure with Wendy Wu Tours, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the unique culture, ancient traditions and deep spirituality of these enigmatic countries. Across 14 days you’ll visit Boudhanath Stupa, take part in a Nepalese cooking class and receive a special Lama blessing by Buddhist monks.
Fly to Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital, where you’ll visit the rural towns of Punakha and Paro. Finally, you’ll hike the trail lined with prayer flags to the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery, which sits900 metres high on the cliffs of the beautiful Paro Valley. Talk about finishing on a high.
Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the world, so there’s no better way of immersing yourself in the natural splendour of this island than by trekking through it for two weeks. Exodus Travels will lead you on an epic expedition through Andringitra, Isalo and Ranomafana National Parks (home to a remarkable array of endemic birds, frogs, reptiles and mammals), and you’ll also climb the country’s second-highest peak, Peak Boby.
The trips includes five days of hiking with full porterage anda couple more days of shorter walks, but a stopover at the gorgeous coastal town of Ifaty allows you to rest your weary feet. Of course, there’s also a visit to Anja Reserve to see ring-tailed lemurs, because there’s no way you can leave Madagascar without checking out these cute critters.
During the European winter swap skis for snowshoes and head to the Dolomites for an eight-day snowjourn thanks to KE Adventure Travel. You’ll be based in the picturesque resort town of Cortina and accompanied by local mountain guides who know the slopes like the back of their hands.
Most days you’ll average at least 10 kilometres, but when you’re passing the breathtaking rock formations of Tre Cime de Lavaredo and Cinque Torri, plus summiting Monte Mondeval, you won’t even notice your step count climbing. Along the way there are various World War I museums, monuments and military emplacements to check out, and compulsory stops are made for strudel and coffee.
You can fly from Melbourne direct to Colombo, a huge, cosmopolitan metropolis, on your way to yet another one. Of all the routes to London, this one would have to be our favourite. It doesn’t cut the journey in half, but it does move you along further than the more popular Asian stopovers of Bangkok or Singapore. Plus, even if you don’t plan on spending a few nights, there is a long layover during which SriLankan Airlines will provide a transit hotel.
Colombo has everything you could possibly want in a quick break: golden beaches, monumental architecture and amazing food. At some point you’ll definitely want to hit the baffling but fascinating Pettah Market, but break up sightseeing in the Fort Area with high tea at the Kingsbury, served just the way we like it – buffet style. Take a dip in the sea at Galle Face Beach and give your legs a good stretch at the neighbouring Galle Face Green before heading back to the airport for your next flight.
It’s true. You do need to go via Auckland first, but we think it’s worth it to stop in French Polynesia on the way to the USA with Air Tahiti Nui. Papeete is the main city on the island of Tahiti, gateway to more than a hundred sun-kissed drops in the ocean – perfect if you’ve got time on your side – and an intriguing taste of France in a tropical paradise.
Visit the Gauguin Museum, enjoy the local seafood cooked with Gallic flair, and spend some time outdoors. Even better, head over the isthmus at Taravao on the other side of the island to get to Tahiti Iti (literally Little Tahiti). There you’ll find traditional Polynesian villages, amazing waterfalls and sea caves, and excellent hiking. Oh, and it’s also home to one of the world’s most famous surf breaks, Teahupoo, although you should only brave it if you’re better than average on a board.
Prepare to eat your way through Morocco on what has to be one of the country’s most delicious tours. Your gastronomic journey, called Savory Spices and Souks, begins in Casablanca, before moving on to the fishing village of Essaouira, the High Atlas Mountains and Marrakech. Borrowing from Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish cultures, the local cuisine is a mouthwatering medley of pastries, grilled meats, soups and aromatic spices. And guess what? You’ll be sampling it all.
Other highlights include cooking classes, where you’ll whip up traditional meals like a fish tagine, plus stopovers at a women’s argan oil co-op, Bahia Palace and the Hassan II Mosque. There’s even a street food tour, because there’s no such thing as eating too much on this culinary adventure.
So impressive is the nature reserve and national park of Jiuzhaigou, located in the Sichuan province of China’s southwest, it’s been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve. Covering more than 72,000 hectares it’s renowned for its incredible beauty – tiered waterfalls, snow-topped mountains, colourful autumn leaves – and has seen a steady increase in visitors since it opened to the public in 1982.
Rather than boasting just one vibrant colour, Five Flower Lake changes depending on the weather and surroundings. Sometimes it’s turquoise, other times jade, deep blue and even amber. Most of the time it’s vivid aqua, but the best time to visit is when the leaves of the surrounding forest are starting to change and the mirrored surface takes on the varied shades of the foliage.
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