Many believe that luxury travel involves lounging by a poolside with a glass of Champagne in hand while gazing at some incredible view. I’m sure we can all agree that scene seems pretty divine and we’ve all wished for it at some point, but luxury can also be defined as a top class experience, something that takes effort to achieve, something that truly takes your breath away.
Make this summer yours to fill with fantastic memories, discovering beautiful places even better than the last. And if you need a place to start, we’ve put together the top 7 destinations where you can seek out a little adventure and also spot some stunning locations to relax a little too – after all, it is your holiday!
India
From bustling cities to tropical sands resting on the Indian Ocean, this is a colourful nation offering up delightful cuisine and mesmerising monuments too. Take a trip to a national park to spot Asian elephants and Bengal tigers, cruise the River Ganges, explore the Golden Triangle (the route encompassing Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) all before retiring to one of the prestigious hotels that this country holds. And don’t forget to visit one of the internationally recognised monuments – the marble mausoleum, the Taj Mahal.
Mount Kilimanjaro
If you’re looking for an adventure that combines gorgeous views of nature with an exciting trek that you’ll never forget, consider going on the Kilimanjaro trek. The tallest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro combines an array of terrain from tropical rainforest to alpine moorland and with a dormant volcano to spice things up (well its most recent activity was 200,000 years ago) this will certainly be a trip to share with friends and family.
The Elqui Valley
This Chilean valley lies at the southern edge of the Atacama Desert and is the perfect place for sky-gazing, having been designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. When you’re not looking up, you can enjoy a great deal of activities, including horseback riding, off-roading and trekking, as well as the more relaxing activities of wine and Pisco tasting.
Panama
With beautiful white-sand beaches, truly unforgettable protected rainforests on top of having an incredibly rich biodiversity, Panama should certainly be on your list. The small Central American country’s culture is well preserved and the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was expanded a little while ago making it a very interesting place to visit. There also happen to be a great range of luxury resorts to reside in during your stay making this paradise destination ever more desirable.
Hvar Island
This stunning Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea is surely one of the most beautiful in Europe. A popular location for a summer trip, there are an array of sights to see including the hilltop fortress, 13th century walls and Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral as well as inland lavender fields, glorious beaches and caves to be discovered by boat. You will be spoilt with delicious local wines and seafood too in this enchanting place where you can soak up the sun as well as the fascinating history.
The Great Barrier Reef
Having been declared one of the original Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-see. This beautiful coral reef – the largest in the world – extends from Cape York to Bundaberg, and is believed to be over 18 million years old in the north. There are around 2,900 individual reefs, more than 1,500 species of fish and 900 islands encompassing it.
A popular starting point for reef visitors is Cairns, which offers the closest access, and it also has plenty of places to visit, including the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Traveling down the coast, you will get to the reef’s central portion, which includes some gorgeous beaches to enjoy. In terms of exploring the reef itself, you can do it in various ways, but the most interesting ones have to be via a plane or up close, through a scuba mask.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is the perfect place for someone who’s in love with the outdoors. With over 3,000 square miles of nature, including beautiful forests, hot springs, superb meadows, geysers, mountains, canyons and waterfalls, you’re bound to fall in love, and want to return time and time again.
Thanks to its incredibly big territory, you’ll have enough space to explore without bumping into many of the other 4 million visitors that the park sees each year. There are more than enough trails, both well-known and lesser known ones, so you’re sure to find something to your liking.
If any of the above have whet your appetite for a little adventure this summer then start planning now for the trip of a lifetime.
Image at the very top of the article credit: saiko3p/Bigstock.com
