From highway to high waves: five offbeat coastal road trips
Californias Big Sur and Australias Great Ocean Road may get all the headlines when it comes to coastal driving but theyre not the only places where you can lose yourself in spectacular scenery, glowing sunsets and glistening surf.The following routes are equally impressive and also offer quirky cult
Planning your perfect trip to the Amalfi Coast
South from chaotic and fascinating Naples, the vertiginous and craggy Amalfi Coast – and the three island outposts of Capri, Ischia and Procida – have been a magnet for visitors since Roman times.Hemmed in by high mountains, the coastal towns of the Campania region are physically unspoilt, and they
Diving in paradise: underwater adventures in Palau
Diving is Palaus biggest drawcard, and for good reason. This western Pacific archipelago boasts an amazing mix of pristine reefs, vertigo-inducing drop-offs, thrilling drift dives, abundant marine life and fascinating WWII shipwrecks. To top it off, waters are warm year-round and diving facilities a
The best of Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island may be a short ferry ride from Auckland but as the saying goes: it’s a world away. Here old-school beach shacks share the same stunning views as architect-designed mansions, and their millionaire inhabitants are usually indistinguishable from the vineyard workers and retired hippies
Wild isles: seven great wildlife experiences off Britains coast
Brilliant blue seas teeming with marine life. Cliff faces bearing vast, precarious colonies of sea birds. Moorland roamed by hulking deer. The UK’s islands are beautiful and most are largely untouched, making them wonderful places to see the very best in British wildlife. Puffin watching on the
Live the good life: 12 local experiences on the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its sophisticated glamour, secret beaches, shady groves and sensational views. Discover a whole new side to the region with our countdown of its 12 best local experiences. 1. Leap into the MediterraneanThe greatest thrill on the Amalfi Coast is to head out for the
Sultry Southern Thailand: a guide to the Trang Islands
Giant rock formations rise from glimmering emerald waters and sugary beaches wrap jungle-shrouded islands. Speedboats buzz between them, with weathered long-tails puttering behind. This is southern Thailand as you’ve always imagined it, only more beautiful – and less travelled. With improving transp
Choose your own Malaysian island adventure
With almost 900 islands – 878 to be exact – Malaysia has plenty of offshore attractions to compete with the best destinations in its peninsular mainland. West coast isles like Penang and Langkawi offer a compelling blend of cuisine, culture and luxury, while east coast ones are more rugged and remot
Which of East Africas Indian Ocean islands is for you?
Marketing brochures seem to just scream about luxury resorts on palm-fringed beaches, but East Africa’s Indian Ocean islands are as diverse as the islanders, spice merchants and explorers that have shaped them. Whether you’re looking for giant coconuts or giant tortoises; lush rainforests, cool high
Barbados for rum drinkers
There’s a time and a place’ goes the slogan for Mount Gay Rum, and nowhere is the phrase more apt than the home of the world’s oldest commercial rum distiller: Barbados. This sweet golden nectar is a fundamental part of the nations culture, the birthplace of the Caribbean’s favorite liquor.Revered i
Ten things to know about visiting Haiti
Haiti has been missing in action from the Caribbean tourism scene for years, but now its stepping out from the shadows and proudly declaring itself one of the most distinctive and exciting countries for visitors to the region. Here are ten things you need to know.Citadelle and Sans SouciHaitis great
Visiting Halong Bay: tips to plan your trip
The World Heritage seascape of Halong Bay, dotted with jagged limestone pinnacles, is one of Vietnam’s biggest attractions. The most popular way to experience the bay is on a cruise, and unsurprisingly every travel agency and hotel in Hanoi has tours to sell.Choice is a great thing, but the multitud
Beyond Halong Bay: lesser
Stunning Halong Bay continues to dominate the itineraries of most travellers in Vietnam, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of the countrys northeast.If you’ve got some time up your sleeve and want to delve a little deeper, you’ll find there is more to this region than cruising around Halong’s fete
Italy’s fabulous five: planning your visit to the Cinque Terre
The Italian Riviera is not short of rugged coastline or romantic towns and villages, but the five fishing communities of the Cinque Terre are its most iconic highlight. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of remote authenticity, with few r
Seven perfect bars for sunset
Bali is famous for its kaleidoscopic sunsets which arrive on cue at around 6pm every day of the year. Whether you’d rather laze on the beach with a Bintang or sip a cocktail high above the waves, Indonesias most popular holiday island is packed with great spots to kick back and watch the sun sink in
Secret Ko Pha
In the late 1970s, Ko Pha-Ngan was a pristine paradise that beckoned the intrepid. Its innocent days may be long gone, but don’t let that deter you: this Thai gulf isle offers much more outside the full moon parties that made it famous.Avoid the full moon and the smaller but still-raucous half-moon
The Lofoten Islands, Norway: there but for the grace of cod
It appears indistinct at first, a light smudge behind a grey bank of clouds. As the wind whips in off the ocean and races howling across the valley, small puddles of clear sky appear, briefly revealing the Milky Way and the smooth arc of a satellite far above. The smudge starts to glow and build, la
Halkidiki beyond the beaches: 10 alternative experiences in northern Greece
The shores of Greece elicit blissful sighs, even from suntan-averse travellers. Halkidiki – the three-pronged region in Greece’s north – is especially rich in sparkling sands. But it would be a crying shame to head straight for the sunlounger in a region that ripples with vineyards, groans with anci
Coves, cliffs and lighthouses of Canadas epic east coast
From harbor villages where the scent of fresh chowder wafts through the air to lighthouse-studded coastlines, this winding journey takes you through the best of Canadas east coast.The worlds second-largest country has a massive Atlantic coastline, and the best way to tackle its awesomeness is by car
Raja Ampat: a quick guide to visiting the idyllic Papuan archipelago
Picture a tropical archipelago of steep, jungle-covered islands, glittering white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons and luminous turquoise waters. Now throw in pristine coral reefs inhabited by clouds of tie-died fish. Place it in a remote corner of Indonesia largely unknown to foreign tourists, and you
