Fresh mountain air, gleaming white pistes and charming hospitality await in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, located in the canton of Valais in the Swiss Alps. Mt. Blanc’s snowy peak can just be spotted from the distance. The municipality, which was created through the fusion of the two centres of Crans and Montana, is perched…
Paragliding over Interlaken, Switzerland
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” So said inventor and polymath Leonardo da Vinci, who was fascinated by the phenomenon of flight, and sketched the plans for the first ever parachute some…
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar (Burma): The ultimate island escape?
Pictures of the world”s most beautiful beaches never show the tourist hordes which now crowd their sandy shores. But what if the dream beach is still out there, and there is no one else around? Keith Lyons goes in search of the perfect stretch of sand on the Mergui Archipelago, and finds more on land…
Walking El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain
The smallest and most westerly of the Canary Islands, El Hierro was once considered the end of the world but now is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Geopark with crystal clear waters and over 500 extinct volcanic craters. Being the most remote Canary Island, there’s no easy way to get here – no direct flights…
Hot Springs in Kyushu Japan
Kyushu is the third largest island in Japan and the most south-westerly. At its centre is Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. The seismic activity means that there are hot springs everywhere, greatly prized for their medicinal properties by the Japanese, offering treatment for diverse ailments such as anaemia, poor…
Tajikistan – exploring the Pamir Highway by car
The Pamir Mountains in the tiny Central Asian country of Tajikistan have long been called “The Roof of the World”. And through these dramatic, snow-capped peaks runs the Pamir Highway, arguably the world’s greatest road trip. Although the exact start and endpoints are a little blurred, the core route stretches from Dushanbe, the capital, to…
What to See in Zurich
Switzerland is one of those places people know from photos or postcards, but have rarely had the chance to visit. So, if you’re wondering what to see in Zurich, we’ve got your covered. With the allure of the Swiss Alps, towns like Lucerne and Zermatt, as well as the chocolate and the cheese, there is so much to…
Reasons Why You Should Visit Israel at Least Once in Your Lifetime
With dramatic landscapes, countless historic sites and the coolest city in the region, Israel presents a world-class tourism destination. Here are the top reasons to visit at least once. The amazing beaches From the shores of Tel Aviv to the cliffs of Acre in the north, almost all of the Israeli coastline is stunning and easily accessible.…
South Africa’s top private reserves
The quarter century since the democratic elections of 1994 has witnessed a remarkable blossoming of private reserves in South Africa. Most famous, and justifiably so, is the cluster of five-star ‘Big Five’ properties — Londolozi, Sabi Sabi, Singita and so on — protected within the classic bushveld of Sabi Sands Game Reserve on the eastern…
11 of the best breathtaking UK hikes
Walkers are spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing hikes in the UK, with something from the amateurs all the way up to the pros. If there’s one thing the UK can deliver, it’s good walks. The country is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rippled with routes that take in spectacular countryside and…