Costa Rica

Costa Rica means ‘rich coast’, but its natural treasures can be found in every inch of this enthralling Central American country. The land of the pura vida, it’s one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with over 5% of the world’s wildlife species and everything from steamy volcanoes and lush rainforests to paradisiacal beaches and bubbling hot springs. Luke, one of our travel curators, visited last summer and spent his days zipping through Monteverde’s thrilling treetops, catching waves in Tamarindo from sunrise to sunset, and hanging with the sloths at Fortuna’s Mistico bridges – experiences he’ll never forget.

Pompeii, Italy

The magic of Pompeii works every time. A place where it takes little imagination to visualise just how the Romans lived two thousand years ago. From fancy dining rooms and lavish bathing spas, to historic brothels and fascinating archaeological finds, the whole city was preserved under layers of volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 and now beckons history enthusiasts for a remarkable day trip as part of their Italian adventure. Walk along the high pavements of deserted side streets, hop across stepping stones and peer at the ruts eroded by generations of Roman carts. It’s now even easier to get from Rome to Pompeii with a direct train service operating the 150-mile route and, with this year’s reveal of the first-century fresco-adorned House of the Vettii after a 20-year restoration process, there really couldn’t be a better time to visit.

Norway

The Scandinavian jewel of Norway is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth. A land of glaciers and soaring peaks, buzzing cities and unspoiled wilderness, charming fishing towns and remote villages, watching Sámi traditions play out beneath the midnight sun or the mesmerising Northern Lights will be one of the best experiences of your life. Although there are no guarantees, northern Norway is in the Northern Lights “prime zone” in terms of latitude, so the chances of witnessing a display are excellent – you may even get to see them on each night of your stay! There are often clear skies too, especially a little way inland among the picturesque mountains. Despite the high latitude, the small towns and cities up here such as Tromsø, Alta, Bodø, Kirkenes and Svolvær are surprisingly vibrant with restaurants, bars, shops, museums and other attractions nearby.

Borneo

Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, is one of our favourite ‘wild card’ destinations to excite our more adventurous travellers with. A delightful haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, the stunning country is enveloped by a thick tapestry of rainforests rich in biodiversity and home to numerous species endemic to the island. This includes the iconic Bornean orangutan (Borneo is actually the only place on Earth where you can see orangutans in their natural habitat) and the adorable pygmy elephant. You’ll be the envy of everyone if you have the patience (and luck) to spot these creatures in the wildlife, but if you want a guaranteed meeting then you can visit a local sanctuary or rehabilitation centre. However, perhaps the true highlight of Borneo is the delightful cultural melting pot which bubbles across the country. Shared between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, you can dive straight into a delicious mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay and indigenous tribal-inspired cuisine, but make sure to try the unbelievable fresh Sarawak laksa and some kek lapis layer cake from one of the waterfront stalls.

Aspen, USA

Although there is only one Aspen, with its famously challenging runs, glamorous town and celebrity visitors, there are actually four separate mountains in the Colorado resort, known jointly as Aspen Snowmass. Linked by a complimentary shuttle bus, Aspen itself sits at the foot of Aspen Mountain, while Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass (the biggest of the four) sit beside. Start with a delightful stroll through the historic Aspen, discovering its history as a Victorian mining town and browsing designer boutiques galore. Don’t worry about food – Aspen has over 100 bars and restaurants serving everything from wood-fired pizzas and goat tacos to vegan delights. As for the skiing, the collective resort combines 4,000 acres of wide-open terrain, challenging and child-friendly tree trails, bowls and walls, as well as so called ‘dump’ runs like Last Dollar and Short Snort, where miners once tunnelled their way into the mountain. Lowri, our Head of Ski, is off to explore Aspen for herself in December, so get ready for even more magical insight into the ‘King of US skiing’ on her return!

If any of our featured destinations have inspired you or if you have anywhere else in mind to explore, give us a call on +44 1491 575 987 and tell us where you’d like to go first!