For a centre considered one of the most densely populated in the world, Macau has its share of leafy parks and tree lined walking trails to retreat to, as well as historic forts and even cute pandas. Just a stone’s throw from Hong Kong, Macao is an independent territory where historic UNESCO World Heritage sites get cosy against modern skyscrapers.
A short gondola ride will carry you to the Guia Fortress, a 17thcentury colonial fort perched on the highest point of the peninsula. From here you can peek into mainland China, or wander inside the fort and adjacent chapel for a little artistic fresco action. The 91 metre-high whitewashed lighthouse is a highlight.
If you need a little peace and quiet, head to the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, secreted away behind high walls within a busy neighbourhood. This public park was once a private garden created by local merchant Lou Kau in 1906. Lose yourself on narrow paths through groves of bamboo and flowering bushes en route to a pond filled with lotus flowers and golden carp. A nine-turn bridge is said to foil evil spirits who can only move in straight lines.
Everyone loves a panda and on the outlying island of Coloane you’ll find Seac Pai Van Park, home to four resident giant panda. On loan from China as part of a breeding campaign, this family of four regularly put on a show as they wrestle and roll down grassy slopes. Make sure you meet the two red pandas too.
Coloane is also home toHac-Sa Reservoir Country Park, often considered the ‘lungs’ of Macao. Here you can wander mountainous forest trails, canoe on the reservoir, get lost in a plant maze, or just fire up the barbecue and chill out.
Finish up at Camoes Garden, once part of a property belonging to the Chairman of the British East India Company in the 18thcentury. This heavily wooded garden is the place to go to watch locals busting out a bit of morning tai chi under towering banyan trees, while caged birds watch on.
If you thought this part of the world was lacking in greenery, think again.
When it comes to sharks, tigers are one of the most thrilling species to see. At Tiger Beach in the Bahamas you can come face to face with these magnificent creatures, sans cage, for an experience like no other.
Get acquainted with the entire ‘shiver’ of sharks with guru Gregory Sweeney. Greg’s been running shark trips here for over ten years and knows these guys well, ensuring you can relax enough to enjoy the excitement of every encounter, while he’s also a big fan of Australian and Kiwi travellers.
Trips operate from the MV Dolphin Dream, an 26-metre expedition yacht. An intimate group of ten divers plus crew means you’ll get maximum personal time with the sharks as well as fantastic photo opportunities. Greg is an accomplished underwater photographer and expeditions tend to attract photographers from around the world, so if you want to pick up some tips from the experts this is the place to do it.
Tiger Beach trips run in October when tiger sharks gather in large numbers for breeding, but an alternative in March combines both tigers and hammerheads for the ultimate experience. You’ll also see other predators like the lemon shark and graceful Caribbean reef shark.
This is a truly unique opportunity to witness these rare and majestic creatures while also understanding and appreciating their vital role in our oceans.
If those blue waters of the Adriatic Sea weren’t dazzling enough to look at, try snorkelling in them beneath the white limestone cliffs of Cala Corvino Bay. With the help of a mask and snorkel you can explore the spectacular string of caves, arches and grottos that scatter the coastline. Thanks to its rocky base, the waters here are renowned for their clarity and aqua hue.
Professional guides know where to go to show you the best spots: sites such as the Aquarium, a semi-submerged cavern full of sea sponges, the Sirens and the Pacchi caverns. At the Grotto of the Fairies, a little-known pool on a tiny beach with fine white sand, you’ll even spot marine fossils in the rock.
A head torch will help you explore inside caverns while shallow pools are ideal for poking around in search of critters. Guides are knowledgeable in marine biology and will give you a heads up before jumping in so you know what to look out for.
Pack your skis and hit the slopes of the Mediterranean’s highest peak, Mt Etna, on the island of Sicily. Though the Med usually conjures images of sun lounges and striped umbrellas, you’ll rise to the dizzying heights of 3340m above sea level on an active volcano. Always simmering away with the odd puff of ash or smoke, the combination of snow, black lava fields and glistening sea views makes for a truly unique ski touring experience.
Etna covers an area of 1190 square kilometres (459 sqm) so there are plenty of places to explore. Four major craters create long sloping flanks that offer ski runs up to a kilometre long, and adrenaline seekers will love the steep canals of Valle del Bove.
Return to base (literally) at day’s end for some fine Italian fare and hospitality, or spend the night at an on-mountain refugio.
Sure you’re skiing on an active volcano but that just makes it an adventure, right?
The lakes region in northern Italy is a magnet for the rich and famous. George Clooney lives here, along with Madonna and Richard Branson, but if you want to at least travel like the elite, hop aboard a private helicopter for a flight over Lake Maggiore.
Straddling Italy and Switzerland, this winding waterway stretches for 64.37 km (40 mi) between the Alps. It’s a region known by the aristocracy as Europe’s Garden, filled with drop dead gorgeous villages, terraced gardens and lake front villas. From up high, you’ll catch stunning views of the blue waters of Maggiore and nearby Lake Orta. The tiny Borromee Islands are an impressive sight, filled with grand palaces and gardens that rise from the lake.
Finish the trip in style, aperitif in hand, atop the 1492m high peak of Mottarone, while soaking up breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps and Mount Rose.
With its Tiffany-coloured waters, immaculate white sand beaches and more than 7641 islands to choose from, the Philippines is nothing short of an island-hopping mecca. But with this much choice, how do you choose? Sure, there’s the cyan waters of Palawan, postcard-perfect Coron and the dreamy and newly reopened island of Boracay, but we propose something a little different. Think less time spent catching rays on sun-kissed beaches, more time living out your subaquatic dreams below the ocean’s surface and you get Pescador Island and its surrounds.
From the port of Moalboal, jump into a bangka (boat) with your guide and sail to Pescador. The island itself is like iceberg, only riddled with shrubs and ochre in colour; 10 per cent of its mass sits above the surface, while below the rest is made up of coral that spills on and on before cascading downward to form a stunning reef wall. Slap on your snorkel and glide across its colourful surface in search of tropical fish.
Next, it’s time to banish the idea that sardines are simply a small, oily snacks to be enjoyed. Just a short ride away, shielded from predators and rough tides thanks to its proximity to the shore, is a sardine run. A seemingly endless ribbon consisting of millions of small, slippery fishes clustered together moving together as one, it’s a magical spectacle that needs to be seen to be believed.
And finally, there’s the local sea turtles. They’re somewhat elusive (the best things are, no?), and your bangka skippers will likely jump into the water before you to scout for them to offer you the best chance at spotting them. And there’s nothing quite like gliding alongside a sea turtle.
Once you return to port, tuck into some local flavours over lunch and recount your most epic sightings.
Named as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the pink sands of Tangsi Beach in Lombok is secluded, calm and colourful. Pink sands are framed by green landscapes and crystal blue waters that lie nearly flat most of the time thanks to the protection of the bay.
The beach’s colour comes from the pink coral shards that mix in to the grainy white sand. It’s no surprise, then, that below the ocean’s surface lies an abundance of live coral and sea life, and it’s calm waters make it the perfect place for swimming and snorkelling.
Keep in mind though, Tangsi Beach is fairly remote and undeveloped, so there’s not a lot around and you’ll have to bring your own snorkelling gear, and without hotels or resorts lining this beach, you’re best to stay in nearby Mataram.
Still, it’s this lack of development that makes this beach so wonderful. Lazy days, on pink sands, and the whole ocean to yourself… what more could you want?
Nestled among the pristine shores of the Gili Islands lies the smallest islet of three – Gili Meno. Peaceful, under developed and just two kilometres long and one kilometre wide, Gili Meno draws in travellers looking for a quieter escape.
From small local cafes and fish grilled on the beach, to lazing the days away in a hammock or playing chess with the locals, days on Gili Meno are slower than other touristy hotspots in Indonesia.
Enjoy the powdery white sands and turquoise waters to the sounds of reggae music setting the pace in the background.
But despite the calmer stride of the island, under water holds a difference scene. This is where the island really comes alive, with turtles and tropical fish darting around colourful coral reefs, graceful manta rays and reef sharks gliding through the glimmering ocean and Moray eels and cuttlefish coming out to party at night.
It’s enough to live out your wildest Blue Lagoon fantasy.
On the south coast of Lombok island, 30 minutes away from the airport, there lies a beach paradise fed by the Indian Ocean.
The 1250-hectare Mandalika may be teeming with luxurious resorts, hotels, nightclubs and tourists, but it’s the white sands of Mandalika’s Kuta Beach that has our attention.
This 7.2-kilometre beach is not the Kuta Beach of Bali that most know. Mandalika’s Kuta is a beachside village that draws people in with it’s laid back, sleepy vibes and watersport activities.
If there is one thing everyone must do in the Indonesian island of Lombok, it’s go chasing waterfalls, none more spectacular than the natural curtain of Benang Kelambu Waterfall in Mount Rinjani National Park.
Trecking around half a kilometre up the mountainous landscape, past Benang Setokel Waterfall (which translates to bundle of thread and is three waterfalls cascading into a pond) and Tiara Dewi Anjani waterfall, and up a steep 100-metre staircase, you’ll arrive at Kelambu.
The word itself means curtain, which makes total sense when you see the crystal waters flowing through a wall of greenery. Multiple waterfalls merge together to create a curtain-like view of around 40-metres, where you can walk beneath the cool water or bathe in a nearby pool.
(
