An Antarctic expedition for adventurers who prefer to get amongst the environment, rather than view it from a porthole. This expedition has a number of adventure-oriented add-ons so that travellers can get the most out of their Antarctic experience. Scuba dive with the seals through plunging ice walls where few artificial fins have been. Climb deserted alpine peaks, or spend a night camping on the ice.
The Antarctic Peninsula expedition departs from Ushuaia, Argentina and arrives at Punta Arenas, Chile – or the reverse, depending on what dates you choose to leave. And for those who don’t quite know how to handle their camera, there’s a professional photographer on board to help snap-happy adventurers adjust to the conditions and capture their best pictures.
The reason this is one of the parties you have to put on your bucket list is right there in its name: Willie Nelson. Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of country music, the 81-year-old songwriter, author, actor and activist is an absolute legend. He first held Willie’s Picnic way back in 1973 in a field in Dripping Springs, Texas, which is outside Austin if your knowledge of Texan geography isn’t that good. Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Tom T Hall co-headlined, 40,000 people turned up (according to legend that’s about 35,000 more than anyone expected) and it all turned into a bit of a debacle. Thankfully, not at all phased by the chaos that ensued, Nelson continued what would become a tradition, even if it’s had the occasional year off now and then.
For the past few years, the event has been held in a large field adjacent to Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s biggest honky tonk – and reason enough to visit to Fort Worth – with 6000 folks grabbing themselves a ticket to country-music heaven.
Make sure you… grab a handful of napkins. Billy Bob’s Bar-B-Que operates on site and, this being a picnic, you’d be mad not to stuff yourself silly on the Texan specialty.
Don’t… go too hard too early in the Texan sun. There’s a cool zone inside Billy Bob’s if you need it.
For a relatively small place Norway’s capital Oslo punches well above its weight when it comes to interesting sights. And one of the best ways to take in this leafy city is from a rather elevated position. Standing atop the arresting, angular Oslo Opera House, set by the water’s edge in the very heart of the capital, will allow you privileged views of the Oslo Fjord, with bright clapboard houses scattered along its shore line. While turning 180 degrees on the spot will provide views of both the city, and beyond the hills and mountains that surround it.
The marble-embellished roof of the opera house was designed by Norwegian artists Kristain Blystad, Kalle Grude, Jorunn Sannes. And aside from enjoying the near 360-degree panoramic views from on top of it, the opera house also plays host to a number of events, such as plays and concerts performed both within its walls and outside in its sprawling forecourt. Whether you take a stroll on the iconic roof or see a moving ballet performance, the Oslo Opera House is a highlight of any visit to the Norwegian capital and should be at the top of your to-do list.
If you haven’t been you dream about going and if you have been then all you do is dream about going back. Greece is the type of place that leaves you with a lingering taste for more. An overwhelming (yet very much welcome) array of local food, drink and ancient sights surround you, whether you’re sailing the Cyclades, exploring the Ottoman influence in the Dodecanese or immersing yourself in the mythology of the Ionian islands. And with more than 6000 isles at your toes there is plenty to uncover.
Heading north come Aussie winter means trading short, cold days for balmy European nights. Your daily routine on these Hellenic islands might consist of eating spit-roasted lamb souvlaki on the heady shores of Mykonos, cycling to the lazy beaches of Naxos or exploring the archaeological sites splashed all over Rhodes.
There’s not a whole lot of warming sun, and the number of minutes you can lie out in a cossie is severely limited, but Antarctica is a surprisingly popular beach destination for those brave travellers out there. Let’s face it, the landscape couldn’t be any more stunning and the wildlife is plentiful.
There is one place here where you can brave a swim that won’t leave you with frostbitten toes: Pendulum Cove in Deception Island. On this isle in the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, you can strip off and jump into waters heated to the temperature of a steamy bath by volcanic activity underground. Just remember to pack your togs.
Join millions of pilgrims on the banks of the Ganges, Sangham, Yamuna or Sarasvati for the holy Hindu festival, Kumbh Mela. Over 55 days, you can wash away your past sins in the sacred Indian waters and seek enlightenment from revered sadhus (holy men). Kumbh Mela is the largest spiritual gathering in the world and rotates the location every three years, meaning the festival only occurs at one location every 12 years.
The festival kicks off on a date determined by zodiac positions of the sun, the moon and Jupiter – when the sun and moon enter Capricorn, and Jupiter enters Aries. Kumbh Mela has been described as ‘the world’s most massive act of faith’, – but the ‘great’ cleanse, Maha Kumbh Melis only occurs once every 144 years… stay alive until 2145 and you may just get to see it.
What do you get when you combine skis with kitesurfing get-up? One hell of an extreme snow sport that’s not for the faint-hearted. Snowkiting is a Nordic craze popular with surf junkies and serious snow bunnies who mix disciplines for awesome airborne adventures. Get yourself to Finland, grab a pair of skis or a snowboard, strap yourself into your kite harness and let the wind take you where it will. Okay, so there’s a little technique involved, particularly if you don’t want to find yourself hurtling towards the North Pole.
Norway is beautiful come snow or sunshine, but to witness this Scandinavian beauty at its most magical you need to pay attention to the light. Or more precisely, the lack thereof, as is the case in northern Norway from November to February. A cruise along Norway’s coast has been recognised as one of the globe’s most beautiful sea journeys, but with dramatic differences in weather year round, when is the best time to do it? The calendar’s two extremes – winter’s long Polar nights and summer’s ethereal midnight sun – are the undeniable highlights.
Winter is of course the perfect time to see the northern lights. And with Hurtigruten’s Northern Lights Promise you are guaranteed to see these fleeting light shows from onboard one of their ships. What’s more, rather than just holing up inside for the winter, Norwegians love to party. So there are many festivals in the winter like the Northern Lights Festival in Tromsø; the Tromsø International Film Festival; and for the really active, the Polar Night Half Marathon (spiked shoes essential!).
There’s also an abundance of snow adventures on offer with Hurtigruten, including shore excursions such as dog sledding safaris, snow scooter trips, snow-shoeing, sleigh rides, and more. Plus if you arrive in November prepare to get festive at one of the many Christmas markets.
Between May and August, under the soft midnight sun, the incredible scenery of Norway’s fjords are on full display from the panorama decks on board. Spring and Summer are also wonderful times to see wildlife. From polar bears in Svalbard, to puffins at the Vesterålen archipelago, all visible even from the ship’s deck. Or get onshore and take a midnight hike across a glacier and you can even take a dip in the ocean! Admire wildflowers blossoming as the tundra comes alive – get out among nature on a trekking excursion and marvel at the beautiful colours of summer blooms. No matter what time of year it is, a cruise up the Norwegian coast is probably going to be a little bit magnificent.
A towel laid out on an icing sugar stretch of sand, the sweet juice of a tender green coconut, an aquamarine sea gently lapping the shore, fresh seafood on the menu every evening – Port Salut in Haiti’s south ticks the boxes of the perfect Caribbean holiday destination. But despite its picture postcard nature, there’s only a handful of other tourists in sight.
Recent years have seen tourism to Haiti flounder as a result of 2010’s devastating earthquake and a wave of political instability. But now the country has its sights firmly set on rebuilding the local tourism industry, with Port Salut a major focus. A major new all-inclusive resort just opened in the north – could the south be next? Either way, we’d strongly advise you get here sooner rather than later. With waterfalls, caves and historic ruins all within easy reach of the low-key hotels and guesthouses peppered around Port Salut, this tropical secret is bound to catch the attention of the world in the not too distant future.
Set up shop on the east Coast of Upolu, Samoa’s main island, and spot tropical fish from your beach hut. Spend your days cooling off in the shallows or kayaking around uninhabited Nu’utele Island, rising dramatically from the water just a kilometre off shore. Lonely Planet lists Lalomanu among its top 10 Paradises on Earth and not without reason – the powdery sand remains deserted, save some simple fales (huts) for hire, a couple of restaurants selling fresh fish, coconuts and cocktails, and the verdant tendrils of vines creeping towards the lagoon.
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