Inspiration isn’t about ticking off the places everyone already knows. It’s about the destination you’ve never considered, the type of holiday you thought wasn’t you, the one that doesn’t come up in conversation. This is where we step outside the obvious, beyond the familiar bucket list, and look at travel with fresh eyes.
Find inspiration. Define your escape.
In West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea lies Côte d’Ivoire, a country that pulses with creative energy, deep history, and natural beauty. Long overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, the country is emerging as one of West Africa’s most compelling destinations. You can explore tropical forests in the morning, wander colonial streets in the afternoon, and dance to cutting-edge African music at night.
Discover More: Guide to Côte d’Ivoire, AfricaAccra, the capital of Ghana sits on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. It was in 1877 when Accra became the capital of the British Gold Coast colony and in 1957 when Ghana, the first African country south of the Sahara, achieved independence from colonial rule.
Discover More: A tour of Accra, Ghana in a dayWhile Bhutan, in the Eastern Himalayas, is known for its valleys, Paro is one of the most accessible; it's not too far from Paro International Airport, around an hours' drive away. The drive passes through forested mountains to Six Senses Paro, set at an elevation of 9,500 feet (2.7 kilometers) in the Paro Valley, amid peaceful, lush surroundings with sweeping views over the mountainscape. Personally, I deeply love nature and enjoyed my end-to-end experience at Six Senses Paro.
Discover More: Six Senses Paro, Bhutan – A reviewI am sipping masala tea with delicious local savouries under the gorgeous mango tree which holds pride of place in the sprawling 5.3 acre Aamaghati Wildlife Resort named after the mango tree-lined ravine. It is located right at the fringes of Ranthambore National Park, a tiger habitat.
Discover More: Aamaghati Wildlife Resort, eco-friendly luxury resort, Rajasthan, IndiaA new non-stop service between Seattle and Papeete, Tahiti, is launching on 11 June 2027 courtesy of Alaska Airlines and operated by Hawaiian Airlines. The new route will offer UK travellers an additional way to reach the Tahiti Islands, the South Pacific paradise.
Discover More: The Islands of Tahiti become more accessible to UK travellers with new Alaska Airlines route launching June 2027When the First Fleet sailed into Sydney cove in 1788 - eleven ships carrying more than a thousand convicts and marines - it marked the beginning of a city that would grow from a precarious outpost into one of the world’s most recognisable skylines. Nearly 250 years on, the spirit of arrival hasn’t disappeared. It has simply evolved. Today you arrive not by creaking tall ship but by taxi, ferry or train, stepping out at Circular Quay with the Sydney Harbour Bridge arcing overhead and the Sydney Opera House fanned out like an invitation.
Discover More: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay: A View To a ThrillFor many sailors, the idea of taking command of a yacht without a professional skipper can feel intimidating at first. Choosing the right destination makes all the difference, and few places in the world are as welcoming to first-time bareboat charters as the British Virgin Islands (BVI). With consistent trade winds, short island distances, and line-of-sight navigation, the BVI has built a reputation as one of the easiest and most enjoyable regions to begin independent sailing.
Discover More: Why the British Virgin Islands Are the World’s Best Destination for First-Time Bareboat ChartersRosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa is a quiet, relaxed, unassuming property with an easy charm. It is located in a nature reserve in Dominica, itself known as Nature Island.
Discover More: Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, DominicaMy stay in the Vaud Canton of Switzerland, began in the small mountain village of Rougement in Pays d'Enhaut. I flew to Geneva and then travelled there by train. A picturesque journey skirting Lake Geneva before zig-zagging up the mountain on the Golden Pass Belle Époque train to Rougement.
Discover More: Artisans and Adventures in the Swiss Canton of Vaud, SwitzerlandSardinia is famous for its turquoise sea, white-sand beaches and expensive yachts bobbing offshore. But head into the island’s rugged southwest, and another world emerges. Here, mountains conceal abandoned mines, rusting machinery stands amid wildflowers, and ancient paths wind through villages whose wealth was once tied to the minerals beneath their feet.
Discover More: Walking the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara in Sardinia, ItalySun Siyam Iru Fushi is a private 52-acre natural island sanctuary within the pristine Noonu Atoll in the northern part of the Maldives and is accessible via a scenic 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé's Velana International Airport.
Discover More: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Review, MaldivesSun Siyam offers a collection of five private island resorts in The Maldives and in September this year celebrated 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. As part of a bold brand transformation, all properties now fall under The House of Siyam, grouped into three distinct collections.
Discover More: Sun Siyam Iru Veli Review, The MaldivesThis is the driest and often the hottest place on Earth, where some areas are so high above sea level that it can be difficult to breathe. Petulant temperatures offer up freezing mornings and evenings and boiling hot afternoons. There's a sparse desert where llamas roam freely, mineral-rich canyons, a pristine night sky, shining lagoons that look like artwork, and smoking volcanoes of the Andes emit cloud-like plumes of steam replete with pulverised rock.
Discover More: What to do in San Pedro de Atacama, ChileWe've selected six Michelin-starred restaurants. Each offers a distinct approach, but they all share a commitment to excellence and creativity. Get ready for an unforgettable culinary journey.
Discover More: 6 Michelin-Starred restaurants to discover in Rio de JaneiroCruise operator Celestyal has confirmed the safe and successful transit of both its vessels, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a notable operational milestone during a period of heightened regional sensitivity.
Discover More: Cruise ship sails through Strait of HormuzThe United Arab Emirates or UAE is known for its glittering skyscrapers and luxury hotels, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, beyond the glitz and glamour lies a hidden gem that is gaining popularity among travellers seeking a blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation—Ras Al Khaimah. It’s in the northernmost part of the UAE and, as well as boasting some of the region’s most beautiful and less crowded beaches, you’ll find glorious unspoilt nature inland.
Discover More: Exploring Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on footI stayed at the newly opened Meininger Edinburgh and was impressed by what I found. It occupies a converted office block in the Haymarket district of Edinburgh. The clean lines of this building are a marked contrast to the historic mansion across the road, and the reception inside is spacious and contemporary.
Discover More: The Meininger Hotel, a review of a hybrid hotel in Edinburgh, ScotlandBury St Edmunds is a charming town in the heart of Suffolk. It has picturesque medieval houses, a glorious botanical garden, a magnificent cathedral, the ruins of one of the most important abbeys in Europe and dozens of independent shops and appealing places to eat and drink.
Discover More: The Dark Side of Bury St EdmundsFrom the neon-glowing blues clubs of Beale Street to the indie boutiques and tree-lined charm of Cooper-Young, and the bold creative energy of revitalised Crosstown, Memphis is best discovered neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Its legendary musical heritage may have put the city on the map, but every corner holds a distinct personality all its own. Here are seven unmissable Memphis neighbourhoods, plus the very best places to eat, drink, and stay along the way.
Discover More: The Ultimate Guide to Memphis’ NeighbourhoodsI’ve visited Alabama many times, and whenever I mention it, people are genuinely impressed—yet it’s almost never the first place they dream of travelling to. Why does this remarkable corner of the Deep South sit so far down most people’s bucket lists?
Discover More: Alabama: A story of Soul & Rock Music, Moon Rockets and Civil RightsEscape the ordinary.
Discover destinations, stories and inspiration
Discover destinations, stories and inspiration
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