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ESSENTIAL TRAVEL GUIDE.
I hope to inspire you this my greatest picks for your next travel plans.
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BALI.
The rich and diverse culture of Bali plays out at all levels of life, from the exquisite flower-petal offerings placed everywhere, to the processions of joyfully garbed locals shutting down major roads as they march to one of the myriad temple ceremonies, to the otherworldly traditional music and dance performed island-wide. Almost everything has spiritual meaning. The middle of Bali is dominated by the dramatic volcanoes of the central mountains and hillside temples such as Pura Luhur Batukau (one of the island’s estimated 10,000 temples), while the tallest peak, Gunung Agung, is the island’s spiritual centre.
TAKE A LOOK.
PLACE OF THE MOMENT
PARIS
Worlds most elegant city.
Photo by Dumitru Culiuc on Pexels.com
Photo by Dumitru Culiuc on Pexels.com
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Photo by Ashley Elena on Pexels.com
Photo by Martijn Adegeest on Pexels.com
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com
The French capital topped the table of 100 of the globe’s most cultured and fashionable places with London still managing to beat stylish contenders from everywhere else on the planet.
The wide-ranging list looked at factors from architectural beauty to accessibility to how each place was perceived by those who lived, worked or visited.
Cleanliness, culture and style were also included with the scores provided by fashion experts, architects and others.
With the exception of New York, every other city in the top ten was in Europe with Italy providing four of them and France two – Paris and Bordeaux. Vienna came third and Barcelona sixth.
The only other British cities to feature in the full list of 100 – compiled by fashion app Zalando – were Edinburgh at 38 and Brighton at 69 while Tokyo was the only non-European or American city in the top 30.
Zalando said: ‘We know that elegance cannot be bought. Rather, the quality pertains to something more subtle and difficult to define.
‘While trends change, true elegance never goes out of style.
‘It’s not just the people, but the cities themselves, with their unique architecture and cultural landscapes, that make a destination elegant.’
A total of 400 cities were analysed to come up with the list. Scores for each of the factors were then averaged out to find a total out of five.
Urban.
summer nights and city lights.
These are some of the best cities in the world – make sure you try and factor at least one of them into your travels!
1. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo; city of flashing neon lights, super-advanced gadgetry, Hello Kitty and about 13 million people, which makes it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. But it’s got more to offer than batteries, bodies and blinking lights. From the cacophony of sights, sounds and smells that is Tokyo, it is possible to make a short journey and find yourself atop a mountain with nothing other than peace and tranquillity surrounding you. It may be far to travel to but it’s got a whole lot to offer – whether you like stuffed cat toys or not.
Tokyo and Japan in general is not a cheap place to get to or stay. Cheap flights can be obtained for about £400 to £500, but during the summer months can peak at £900 return! Hostels cost around £15 to £20 per night and there are plenty of fast food outlets about, so you can feed yourself cheaply. If you’ve got the stomach for it, sushi can cost as little as £1 per portion, so that should help stretch the budget.
2. New York, USA
New York, New York; setting for hundreds of sitcoms and films, inspiration of many a song. Five boroughs, 12 avenues and street after street crammed full of museums, shops, fast food outlets and ‘I ♥ NYC’ gift shops – and that’s before you get started on the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square and all the other tourist-tastic stuff that you can get up to.
Home to the world’s largest department store, New York is probably the most fashionable, hip city on the planet. Plus it’s really easy to get to with all major mulit-national airlines flying there – flights costs range from £300 to £700 depending on the time of year you travel – summer months are much more expensive. New York is not a cheap city to stay with prices similar to those in the UK, but beware, prices displayed are not inclusive of tax, so bear this is mind before you head off on the mother of all spending sprees! Go on, take a bite out of the Big Apple.
3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Say Rio and you think Carnival, thousands of bronzed bikini-clad bodies snaking through the sun-baked streets of Brazil’s capital city in time to a thumping samba beat. But this city has plenty more besides – some of the world’s most stunning beaches, thriving nightlife, a 24/7 party vibe and Sugar Loaf mountain too. All of which are proudly enveloped by the open arms of the huge white statue of Christ the Redeemer standing atop the Corcovado Mountain at a height of 710 meters. Rio de Janeiro, a jewel in South America’s crown.
A couple of things to be aware of before hot-footing it across to Rio. Portuguese is the official language throughout Brazil, although you shouldn’t have any problems finding English speakers in the main cities like Rio. Flights start at around £400 to £500 and peak at over £900 in the summer months, so pick your flights carefully. A bed in a hostel costs around £7 a night and you can eat plenty of food very cheaply in Brazil. But you’ll soon burn off any excess calories dancing the night away in the Rio’s bars and nightclubs.
4. London, UK
It was a toss-up between London and Paris for the honour of top European city, but we think that England’s capital just pips it. After all, London played host to the 2012 Olympics, so we figured it must be better. Home to Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, the London Dungeon’s and more musuems than you can shake a cucumber sandwich and a cup of tea at, this city is simply bursting with history and culture. Take a boat trip along the Thames, stroll through Hyde Park, gaze at the Crown Jewels or feed the pigeons at Trafalgar Square. We promise you’ll never get bored in London.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is often regarded as the World’s most beautiful city. Combining the fast pace of a great urban metropolis with the immense natural beauty synonymous with Africa, it certainly is a city of contrasts. Nestled on a peninsula between lush valleys and rocky heights and overlooked by the great Table Mountain, whether it’s stunning wildlife or crazy nightlife you are after, Cape Town has it in spades.
Flights to Cape Town begin at around £400 and peak at £600 in the summer months – bear this in mind when booking. A bed in a hostel costs around £7 and you can eat out cheaply too – just get off the main streets and hunt out the smaller places that will offer you cracking seafood or game animals by the half kilo. It’s also worth remembering that South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere so has seasons opposite to the UK’s (their winter is during our summer, etc). Also Cape Town has a Mediterranean-type climate with hot summers and warm, wet winters. The South Africans are also well-known for their partying, so will certainly be able to show you a good time if you stop by Cape Town.
Beach bums.
What is defines a beautiful beach? For some, it’s the whiteness of the sand and the clarity of the water. For others, it’s the ruggedness of the coast and the power of the waves. For others, it’s the beauty of the people sitting along the shore. When it comes to beaches, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
Where: Tulum, Mexico
Who: With wanderlust running through her veins, photographer Laura Austin is someone you can’t help but watch. After growing up in small mountain towns in Colorado and Vermont, she is currently based in Los Angeles. The contrast of her roots in nature and the urban environment where she lives now forces Austin to constantly escape the city and explore. Follow her on Instagram: @JetSetSarah
Why: Tulum is the perfect place to just check out from reality for a while. From yoga retreats to trendy beach bungalows, it is the perfect mix of luxury and adventure with the most beautiful crystal-clear blue water and white-sand beaches.
Where: Boracay White Beach, Philippines
Who: Melissa Hie is a user-experience designer who caught the travel bug a few years ago. She also loves eating and has found the perfect medium to combine the two through Instagram. While not a photographer by trade, she has been interested in photography since young age and is fascinated by “bokeh.” Her love for photography took off once she got her hands on an iPhone five years ago. Follow her on Instagram: @girleatworld
Why: If you are looking for a quiet white beach with clear blue water, Boracay is not the place for you. And that’s exactly why I picked this place. Don’t be mistaken, the soft white sand and the clear blue water are there, but what makes Boracay stand out to me is that the White Beach is lined up with cool restaurants, chic cafe, clubs, water sports activities and hotels, just steps away from the beach. It really makes a quick post-lunch dip in the clear blue water very convenient, and you never run out of things to do!
Where: Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia
Who: Lauren Bath is a chef turned photographer, thanks to her early success on Instagram. After quitting her job in 2013, she launched full force into a travel career and also writes and has become involved with project management and education. With her unique approach, Bath is able to tap into the all-important “dreaming phase” of holiday planning. Follow her on Instagram: @laurenepbath
Why: I find it difficult to articulate what I love about the beach, as I’ve grown up by the sea and it feels as much a part of me as any other part of me. Near the beach I feel whole. I feel the power of the tides and the waves, the salt air permeates my home and the subtle sounds of the ocean filter through to me as I sleep. Despite all of my travels and my love of the mountains and deserts, I know I’m only home when the beach is close by.
Where: Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles
Who: Ashley Graham is a leader for the body positivity movement, a business-savvy entrepreneur who designs lingerie, dresses and swimwear, a sought-after television personality and an author. Her book, A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty & Power Really Look Like, was recently published by Dey Street Books. Follow her on Instagram: @theashleygraham
Why: The beaches in the Seychelles at Six Senses Zil Pasyon are some of the most stunning I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere is exotic and peaceful with the pure white sand and incredibly bright blue sea water, almost so picturesque that it looks like a stage set for a tropical island. This summer when I’m working through these sweltering hot days in the city, I’ll be dreaming about cooling off in the Seychelles.
Glamping.
GLAMPING HAS GIVEN luxury camping a bum rap for far too long. The extravagant, posh term referring to experiences where glamour meets camping has turned off some adventurers who would otherwise enjoy this upscale approach to sleeping under the stars. Picture this: Go hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, or whatever your heart desires in the most exotic and breathtaking places on the planet, then return “home” to a cozy bed with a real mattress, gourmet meals, and a roaring campfire—all prepared for you in advance. We dare you to say “Nah, I’m good” to these awesome, high-end, camping experiences around the globe.
Todos Santos Eco Adventures in Baja, Mexico
Todos Santos Eco Adventures starts each boat ride from La Paz to La Isla Espíritu Santo (Holy Spirit Island) with a morning swim … with sharks. The 30-foot-long, polka-dotted whale sharks are harmless and photogenic, so bring a waterproof camera. You’ll also want it when splashing around with sea lion pups and turtles later in the Sea of Cortez. Once you arrive at Camp Cecil—the island’s first and only year-round luxury camping property, founded by the charming husband-and-wife team Sergio and Bryan Jauregui last November—freshen up in one of eight spacious, safari-style tents, complete with beds and furnishings on the stunning secluded beach. Sit down to an oceanfront gourmet lunch prepared by an Italian chef, then grab a siesta or get in gear to kayak, SUP, snorkel, or hike around your own private paradise, which Jacques Cousteau once called the “Galápagos of the North.”
Best time to visit: June and November are the dreamiest months in terms of weather and wildlife, but it’s open all year, except for September and October. For its first season, Camp Cecil is only $275 per person a night through August 15 (rates will go up on November 1).
Wanderland Popup in the Catskills, New York
In spring of 2017, Wanderland Popup is bringing its chic boutique tents to the tiny town of Tannersville, inside the green mountains of the Catskills and about a two-hour-a-half-hour drive from New York City. The New Jersey-based company, founded by artsy couple Jason Thomson and Sonia Jo, will set up 10 Lotus Belle tents, handcrafted in Australia, in a lush field close to a private lake and hiking trails in Hunter Mountain, Indian Head and Kaaterskill Wild Forest. Visitors can also go fly fishing, try zip lining, and enjoy bonfires. Decorated with a vintage vibe and artisanal accessories, these cozy tents and their come-hither, queen-sized-beds are warm, both literally and figuratively.
Best time to visit: The location is best enjoyed during the spring, summer, and early fall—perfect for leaf-peeping season. Tents start at $185 a night.
Garden Village Bled at Lake Bled, Slovenia
Escape to the vibrant forests of the Julian Alps, and set up camp at the eco-resort Garden Village Bled, just a few minutes away from the semi-glacial Lake Bled. It sounds a bit like the title of a horror flick, but rest-assured, this Central European countryside is as scenic and serene as they come. Choose from one of the camp’s 23 units—ranging from a family-sized treehouse to a safari-style tent with large double bed, bath tub, air conditioning, and a private vegetable garden. Visitors also have access to a plant-filled organic restaurant and a refreshing spring water pool that will help soothe sore muscles after hiking Slovenia’s highest peak, the approximately 9,400-foot Mt. Triglav. Other cool activities in the area: fishing, kayaking, rafting on alpine rivers, riding, cycling, golf, tennis, and paragliding.
Best time to visit:Head to the camp fromApril to October. Rates start at $200 a night per person, based on double-occupancy.
Aman-i-Khás in Rajasthan, India
If you’ve heard of Aman Resorts, which hosts 31 properties in 20 countries, you know they are known for their intimate, stylish retreats set in remote, beautiful surroundings. Aman-i-Khás is no exception. Situated in the famous Ranthambore National Park (just outside Jaipur), this 10-tent sanctuary brings the best man-made amenities to mother nature, including 20-foot canopy ceilings, air conditioning, and a stand-alone shower and tub. When you’re not lounging in your sweet “room,” you’ll be out with guides tracking tigers (this is the best place to spot these beasts in the wild), leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, antelope, deer, and more.
Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California
If you’re obsessed with sunsets, consider a dusk stakeout in this fabulous 500-square-foot tent that resembles a giant cocoon. Perched on the edge of a cliff at Treebones Resort in Big Sur, this hidden gem overlooks the Pacific Ocean from a private deck—which is a great spot for your tripod. An outdoor fire pit will keep you warm as temperatures dip during that magic hour. After you get the shot, aim your camera inward to capture the metal ribs of your temporary home, which glow in the dark, offering solar-powered indoor lighting. The room features a claw-foot shower, flushable composting toilet, and cozy king-sized bed that you will struggle to leave in the mornings. Good thing day activities, like hiking through redwoods to canyons and waterfalls or kayaking with whales, dolphins, and seals, aren’t scheduled too early.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada
While you’re waiting for the next installation of the Jurassic Park film franchise, yo
u can see traces of extinct dinosaurs and other Mesozoic-eracreatures in the rock formations across this sprawling valley. Located in the Canadian badlands, just under a two-hour drive from Calgary, Dinosaur Provincial Park is teeming with authentic dino-digs you can explore by foot. After a long day of hiking, kick up your feet in a snazzy canvas tent with a wood floor, electric heater, fans, lights, and outlets. The campsite also features a BBQ, fridge, cookware, queen-sized bed, and a pullout futon that sleeps two, plus nearby showers, laundry facility, and restaurant. If your inner archeologist wants to dig up the past, drive 2.5 hours further to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park for one of the largest collections of petroglyphs and pictographs on the great plains of North America.
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