Cave tips

At five o’clock in the morning, a pale golden light is washing over an otherworldly landscape of conical rock formations and undulating cliffsides. The sky is specked with colorful hot air balloons at varying heights. In the early morning silence, the only sounds are the occasional gentle woosh as the balloons fire and dogs barking far off in the valley.

The small island of Ikaria, with its 164km (102 miles) of undulating coastline, sits serenely in the midst of the Northern Aegean islands, just a hop from the much larger Samos.

Legend has it that the dramatic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were created with the help of a team of angels. Buried deep into the rock in the highlands of northern Ethiopia, the 11 monolithic churches were built in the late 12th and early 13th Centuries by King Lalibela, who, so he claimed, had built the churches on the instruction from God.

The gateway to Switzerland’s Bernese Alps, Thun is as quintessentially Swiss as you can get. Lake Thun is bookended by its namesake town to the west and the adventure sports hub of Interlaken to the east, and has long provided an escape into nature for Swiss travellers in the know. However, the region has remained somewhat under the radar to holidaymakers from further afield. The result is a series of quiet, trail-woven vineyards, castle-sprinkled shores, myth-laden caves and never-ending mountain views — all perfect for a short summer or autumn break.

A sprinkle of forest-clad tropical islands spills off the 2,989 miles of beach and mangrove-studded coasts that cut this green peninsula out of the sea. Running from the north to join the ancient forests of Pahang state in the center, the undulating peaks of the Titiwangsa mountain range split the country in the middle. Malaysia’s lesser-visited mountainous backbone is ripe with easy-going nature treks, but also hides a bounty of offbeat trails to delight the most daring hikers.

No country in Asia, and possibly the world, is such a kaleidoscope of as Malaysia.

Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful. The picturesque Greek island is built on the remains of a volcanic caldera in the Aegean Sea. It’s known for its stunning white-washed towns, breathtaking views, and amazing sunsets that light up the caldera. The crimson evening sky is so well-known it’s one of the most photographed places in the world.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has this week announced the opening of the 60-room Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town—the very first Wyndham Grand in Poland. The property is located in a historic townhouse in the heart of the Old Town of Krakow which makes it an attractive option for guests looking for a luxurious hotel that’s comfortably within walking distance of the iconic landmarks of the city.

Grand Cayman has long been a popular destination for travelers in search of white-sand beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving spots, and well-heeled accommodations. Just 22 miles long and eight miles wide, the island is the largest of the Cayman Islands and has a reputation for providing travelers with a quiet, low-key getaway. And with most of the action happening near the famous Seven Mile Beach, only 15 minutes from the Owen Roberts International Airport, travelers can start their vacations minutes after landing.

Over a two-year period, work has been carried out to remove large overhanging trees, improve the walls and trails throughout the maze, plant new fruit trees and excavate a colourful mural that became buried in the ground.

Growing up, Borneo seemed like the wildest corner of our planet: a vast, far-away island where orangutans swung through the rainforest and remote tribes hunted with blowpipes. It was the sort of place that stoked the imagination; if you were a kid spending a rainy afternoon writing a story of adventure and exploration, you couldn’t start with a better backdrop than the jungles of Borneo. Four decades on, I find myself on the island, on a 10-day tour of the forested Malaysian region of Sarawak, which lies along the northwest shore. Strolling along the bustling waterfront of Kuching, the region’s capital (home to its international airport), I realise the real Borneo is more varied and textured than the Borneo of my boyhood visions: a place with modern, urban attractions as well as the tangle of nature beyond.

Jemma Schofield and Chris Watson always wanted to get married in the land of fire and ice.

Fancy sleeping in a see-through dome? Built for two, Finn Lough’s bubbles are set in private woodland and come with double beds and rolltop baths. All of which makes them perfect for stargazing or just relaxing in — particularly with the rain pinging off their transparent shells. An on-site spa adds a Finnish sauna, hot tubs and float room, and The Barn serves small plates that go big on local flavours.

Come to Costa Rica to discover magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities and creatures great and small. This smallish Central American country offers a world of adventure, from water sports to mountain hikes, from rainforest wildlife watching to cloud-forest birding. 

Public transit systems are rarely top of the list when considering attractions to include in your travel itinerary. But that’s the case in Stockholm, where stations on the city’s metro system double as an art gallery.

Located on Central America’s northeastern coast, Belize has a distinctly Caribbean feel which sets it apart from its neighbours, Guatemala and Mexico. A visit here reveals an astonishing diversity of attractions and experiences, including hiking through jungles to enigmatic Maya sites and visiting national parks teeming with wildlife. Here are five incredible places not to miss.

Green fields and hills give Ireland its “Emerald Isle” nickname. But with nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, rivers, and lakes, the island nation is also awash in blue. Rounding out all that unspoiled nature are ancient castles, historic villages, and pubs alive with traditional music. Here’s the best way to experience this colorful corner of Europe.

Iceland has many highlights, and it’s nearly impossible to choose one place over another.

Aruba, home to the most sunny days in the Caribbean, boasts an overwhelming sense of warmth and happiness that you’ll feel all across the island. In addition to the perpetual sunshine, people come to this pristine island for many reasons: delectable cuisine; a romantic retreat; the welcoming culture; destination weddings; and the abundance of water activities. From cave exploring to shipwreck snorkeling, here are some of the must-see adventures throughout this Caribbean country, also know as the One happy island.

International dialling code: +41 Currency: Swiss f

The excitement started before I had even arrived in Gibraltar. As the plane steered towards the landing strip, the aircraft’s wing appeared to almost dip into the sea water. Shrieks of joy echoed around the cabin. “Dolphins, dolphins, look, there’s babies!”. All those without window seats on the right-hand side – including myself – were left feeling glum as we missed out on the preshow. But I wasn’t disappointed for too long. This 7-square-kilometre piece of land had plenty more surprises to come.