Our bucket list is filled with the most enchanting experiences and adventures around the world.
From magnificent natural sights to spiritual spaces and authentic destinations, a visit to any of these locations is sure to leave you charged.
Petra, Jordan
If starring in your own version of Indiana Jones is high on your bucket list, Petra is for you. One of the world’s most famous, important and admired archaeological sites – a symbol of Jordan itself – this ancient Nabatean city is located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, and is accessed via The Siq, an eye-of-the-needle narrow gorge with towering cliffs on either side. Preserved buildings like The Treasury and The Monastery are half-built, half-carved into breathtaking rock formations, offering a fabled ‘Lost City’ experience without the Temple of Doom.
Marfa, USA
Framed by a mountain range, golden grass and endless cerulean sky, Marfa was once just a small town on a long road in western Texas. Today, Marfa is a renowned hub for minimalist art, thanks to Donald Judd, the pioneering artist and designer who transformed it into his creative domain. Exploring geometric form, industrial materials and spatial relationships, Judd purchased swathes of land and repurposed buildings to house his monumental sculptures and site-specific installations from the early ‘70s into the ‘90s.
Those seeking an immersive encounter with Judd’s legacy – and that of like-minded contemporaries – can visit the Chinati Foundation and the Judd Foundation in Marfa. These institutions offer guided tours and present Judd’s work at scale – Chinati features large installations, while the Judd Foundation preserves his furniture, paintings and design work. If you’re in the area, visit Prada Marfa, a ‘pop architectural land art project’ by Scandinavian creatives Elmgreen & Dragset, a faux boutique that exists within the artistic landscape Judd helped cultivate.
Osaka, Japan
It’s common knowledge that the food, shopping and nightlife in Osaka are awesome, in the much overused colloquial sense of that word. But if you’re in Japan’s ‘second city’ seeking authentic awe, skip the neon of Minami and instead head for the quiet suburban burgh of Ibaraki, to visit legendary architect (and Osaka native) Tadao Ando’s Church of Light. Built by the Pritzker Prize-winning sensei of contemporary brutalism in 1989, the compact 113sqm structure is perhaps the perfect example of Ando’s mastery of contrasting light, shadow and austere desaturated planes. The antithesis of Europe’s grand, bedazzled cathedrals, here there are no gilt fixtures, gaudy frescoes or colourful stained glass windows – just the light shifting and dwindling as the day progresses, echoing life’s path. It’s a very small space that inspires meditation on the very biggest questions.
New York, USA
There’s no shortage of creative excellence to inspire in New York City, from theatre to dining, fashion to nightclubs. But it’s in the realm of visual art where the Big Apple truly excels.
Long a mecca for ascendant art talent, today New York is the undisputed heavyweight when it comes to art galleries and museums, which exist here in unmatched quantity and quality. In the commercial sphere, you’ve got the contemporary attractions of galleries such as David Zwirner, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Marianne Boesky and the Gladstone, where you can peruse the work of bold-faced blue-chip names alongside up-and-coming art stars.
The city’s art museums, meanwhile, cater to every possible taste and predilection. Most certainly, hit the Frick, MoMA, the Met and the Guggenheim. But don’t sleep on underrated gems such as the American Folk Art Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image, Harlem’s National Jazz Museum, and the Noguchi Museum for more diverse sources of creative tinder.
Uluru & Kakadu, Australia
To the eye, Uluru appears like a giant ochre-coloured monolith but in the minds of many Australians, it is so much more. Part iconic landscape, part sacred site, Uluru and its Red Centre cousins in the Central Australian Desert of the Northern Territory are the beating heart of Indigenous culture and history. While Uluru itself is the undoubted star, the neighbouring Kata Tjuta (formerly The Olgas) and Nourlangie in spectacular Kakadu National Park to the northeast are among the most important cultural, heritage and art sites in Australia. Visit and you will never forget them.
Stay at Longitude 131° for luxury under the stars at Uluru. Every Australian should see Uluru, and there is no finer way to do so than waking up to admire its rosy sunrise hue under of one of the 16 tented pavilions at Longitude 131°. This boutique resort is a special place where the detail is everything.
Big Sur, USA
There are coastlines and then there’s Big Sur, the rugged, wild and dramatic section of California’s Central Coast. Located between the Carmel Highlands and San Simeon Big Sur has captivated international visitors and locals alike for generations. Renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty, awash with redwood forests, hiking trails and glorious beaches, Big Sur is said to be the longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the United States and one that is fiercely protected. The best luxe accommodations include Alila’s Ventana Big Sur, Bernardus Lodge and Spa, and the incomparable Post Ranch Inn, a homestead set high atop the cliffs.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
One of the most important spiritual, archaeological and cultural sites in Southeast Asia, Angkor Wat is a sight to behold. Rightly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, the park contains magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the 15th century. The most renowned temples are Angkor Wat, the neighbouring Angkor Thom and the beautiful Bayon Temple. Luxury hotels and resorts abound in Siem Reap: Amansara offers 24 chic suites along with a pool, spa and striking circular dining room. The Bill Bensley-designed Shinta Mani Angkor is another idyllic place to stay; opt for an expansive Pool Villa.
Makadikadi, Botswana
Thought to be the largest salt pans on the planet, Botswana’s Makadikadi is a strangely magical, otherworldly place deep in the heart of Southern Africa. In the dry season, they appear as retina-searing, chalk-white and desert-like plains. During the rainy season the pans spring to life, transforming into lush grassy flatlands teeming with water birds and vast herds of game to become one of the most important wetland regions in Botswana to rival the iconic Okavango Delta. Makadikadi’s two permanent tented accommodations – Jacks Camp and San Camp – deliver the full Out of Africa experience.
The Lochs of Scotland
Who doesn’t love the mystery of a mythical creature – a monster no less – that’s said to be lurking deep in the frigid waters of a brooding lake? Explore the wild and alluring shores of Scotland’s storied lochs and you’ll fall in love with every tall tale heard along the way. The names of these legendary lakes and waterways roll off the tongue like a wee dram of Scotch whisky – Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Loch Coruisk and Loch Alsh to name a few – all delivering unique experiences to be savoured slowly. And keep your eyes peeled for that elusive Nessie… she’s there, somewhere. Maybe.
Meteora, Greece
Built atop a craggy perch among a city of sandstone pillars, the Holy Monastery of Rousanos holds court at 484 metres above sea level. This 16th-century sanctuary has welcomed monks, nuns and persecuted individuals into its halls over the past 400 years and today remains a home for the faithful seeking the blessing of Saint Barbara. Filled with intricate carvings, 16th-century frescoes and flower-filled courtyards, this monastic hideaway overlooks the Meteora rock formation of northwestern Greece and takes in panoramic vistas of the region’s verdant forests. A place of reverence, meditation and inspiration, visitors will find their imagination revived and sense of self restored after spending a day within the monastery walls. And, as you watch the sunset sink over the far ranges, contemplate the determination of those who came first, the monks who scaled cliffs and climbed rope ladders in the pursuit of peace and dedication to faith. A humbling experience, indeed.
The Arctic
Why head as far north as you can go? Because the Arctic is one of the most extraordinary, monumental, ethereal, fragile and otherworldly places you’ll ever have the privilege to experience. What looks like a vast, barren and often frozen polar wilderness blanketed with sea ice is in fact home to an array of unique and spectacular marine life and land-based mammals from the iconic polar bear to Arctic foxes, reindeer, walruses, pods of humpback and beluga whales, even a rare blue whale if you’re really lucky. Several cruise lines – including HX Expeditions – offer perspective-altering journeys deep into this magnificent region that will change the way you think about ocean conservation – even life itself.
Sleep in a Croatian monastery
Escaping the summer crowds in Croatia is now a reality – between April and October, travellers with a spare $15,000 can rent a 15th-century monastery located on the car-free island of Lopud, once the home of Franciscan monks, for exclusive use.
Accessed by ferry from Dubrovnik or speedboat from Brsecine, LOPUD 1483 has been restored over the past 20 years by art collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemsza. The property was renovated under the direction of Zagreb-based architect Rujana Markovic and Italian designer Paula Lenti, with the 12 former monk cells now converted into five stonewalled bedrooms, enveloped by expansive gardens and affording incredible views over the Adriatic.
Spend mornings practising yoga on the large wooden deck before indulging in a personal wellness program, touring the surrounding Renaissance villas and chapels, or unwinding on one of the island’s sandy beaches. On the rooftop, a Sunset Terrace offers direct sea access via a secret underground cave, as well as vistas of the neighbouring islands of Sipan, Mljet and, on a clear day, Korcula.
Heli-ski Russia’s remote volcanoes
There are few places in the world that can rival the dramatic beauty of Kamchatka in Russia’s far east. While getting here takes time and effort, a vast volcanic peninsula of charging rivers and snow-dusted peaks awaits.
Between the months of March and May, and for the price tag of €125,000, adventure enthusiasts (in a group of up to 12) can spend six days heli-skiing from the summit of smoking volcanoes down to the beach. A private chopper and expert guides will help you reach remote peaks. You’ll feast on barbecues beside rivers of molten lava and soak ski-weary limbs in hot springs along the way, and then return to base to defrost in an exclusive nine-room lodge.
Fly between the luxury lodges of New Zealand
Operating since 1994, Australian-owned Captain’s Choice was one of the first in the world to introduce private jet journeys across the globe. They’ve recently expanded their portfolio closer to home, introducing an itinerary to three luxury lodges across New Zealand. Visit The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Huka Lodge and Matakauri Lodge for a slew of money-can’t-buy experiences, from a sumptuous five-course dinner prepared by chef Paul Froggatt to fly fishing at Tongariro River.
Take over an entire Maldivian private island
Velaa Private Island is the epitome of exclusivity. The resort is located within the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives – a 45-minute seaplane ride north of the capital of Male. The retreat was conceptualised by architect Petr Kolar using wood from Borneo, stone from Jordan and artisan patio furniture from Italy. The island is surrounded by the white-sand beaches and azure waters the archipelago is known for. In addition to a dreamy spa offering opulent treatments – think a chardonnay body scrub or a green caviar facial – there’s a golf academy with 170 metres of greens, plus every water activity imaginable on your doorstep, from semi-submersible submarines to hoverboards.
Go glamping in Antarctica
Travel to the seventh continent in style with a stay at White Desert’s Whichaway Camp. Record-breaking polar explorer Patrick Woodhead founded the camp and is the first and only luxury accommodation in Antarctica. You reach the camp’s heated, fibreglass igloo-like sleeping pods via transfers by private Gulfstream jet from Cape Town. Experiences include visiting emperor penguin colonies, learning essential polar skills from explorer Ben Saunders, and ‘Ultimate Antarctica’, which includes standing at the South Pole, cross-country skiing and hiking ice tunnels.
Stay at Indonesia’s best dive resort
Surrounded by 20 kilometres of marine park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Wakatobi Resort is home to some of the most biodiverse reefs on Earth. Here, you won’t see other dive boats dotting the horizon. In fact, there are no other divers within 160 kilometres. What you will find is access to more than 40 exceptional dive and snorkel sites, a house reef just steps from your room that has earned global recognition as the world’s best shore dive, plus a world-class team of guides ready to help you explore it all, whether you’re a seasoned diver or slipping on fins for the first time.
Enjoy five-star service, gourmet dining, opulent accommodations, and exclusive access to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. And while savouring the peace and relaxation at one of the world’s most pristine island getaways, feel secure knowing that your stay supports behind-the-scenes initiatives to protect marine life, while also providing an income to nearby local communities.
Find private shores in Fiji
When it comes to seclusion, the privately-owned Vomo Island Fiji might be the ultimate destination. Vomo is set on a petite, crocodile-shaped isle in the Mamanucas – accessed via a scenic helicopter ride from Nadi. The resort’s villas and private residences are just steps from powdery shores, gin-clear waters and reefs teeming with marine life.
The ultimate stay is in the spectacular Reef House, spanning 200 metres of absolute beachfront across two blocks. The Reef House starts from $55,000 per week for up to 12 guests. Snorkel, play the par-three golf course, hike the slopes of Mount Vomo, circumnavigate the whole island (it only takes two hours), or rent your own private island, Vomo Lailai, for the day.
Stand at the ends of the earth
When it comes to going off-grid, it’s hard to look past Fogo Island Inn. Located in a traditional fishing village off the northern coast of Canada’s Newfoundland. The province is renowned for its icebergs, wild storms, whales and Northern Lights.
The resort is an architectural marvel: starkly minimalist yet rising from the rugged island landscape like it’s always belonged there. Designed by Saunders Architecture, the on-site ‘Shed’ is housed in a simple timber building with no electricity and lit by kerosene lamps – reminiscent of the cabins occupied by the majority of the islanders until very recently – and is centred around the notion of ‘slow eating’: taking the time to socialise and bask in the tastes, sounds and smells alongside the chefs themselves. With 80 per cent of the produce sourced locally, from fresh seafood to 20 kinds of berries, it’s truly a treat for the tastebuds
© Fogo Island Inn
Fly, stay and cruise Tahiti
Sometimes, one island is not enough. With Windstar Cruises’ seven-night ‘Dreams of Tahiti’ round-trip from Papeete to Papeete, sun-seekers fly, stay and cruise on board the graceful Sea Breeze yacht between Moorea, Raiatea, Motu Mahaea, Bora Bora and Huahine. Trips allow for plenty of time to snorkel the cerulean lagoons, meander through dense rainforest, stop by the open bridge to learn to sail with the captain and learn about the fascinating Polynesian culture, from tikis to tiare flowers.
Skydive Mount Everest
Those looking for an alternative way to experience the world’s tallest mountain – and $25,000 to spend – should consider hurtling through the skies at 130 kilometres per hour. With nothing but the air at your feet, an oxygen mask across your face and the snow-capped Himalayas enveloping you on all sides.
Every November, the Everest Skydive expedition offers one of the highest commercial freefalls in the world. Following a guided 11-day trek through Nepal, adrenaline junkies are strapped in for two tandem skydives from more than 23,000 feet (7,600 metres) above sea level.
Delight in a suite with an incredible view of Paris
Nothing says romance like watching the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower from the comfort of your bed. Alongside views of the city’s most famous icon, InterContinental Paris Le Grand’s Suite La Parisienne is as opulent as the building it is housed in. Envisioned by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the 100-square-metre Parisian-style apartment is trimmed in shades of ivory and powder pinks, and features plush armchairs and sofas by Counot Blandin and Collinet and House of Pierre Frey, respectively. All of these details complement the drop-dead-gorgeous centrepiece: wallpaper designed by Manuel Canovas as an ode to the fashion and glamour of La Ville Lumièr.
Start the day by joining executive chef Laurent André at the Batignolles market to handpick organic produce, before returning to Café de la Paix – once frequented by the likes of Victor Hugo and Oscar Wilde – for a private cooking lesson.
Hideaway in Seychelles
North Island is much more than a beautiful destination. Reached by private helicopter, this exclusive, car-free private island resort is about the same size as Monaco. but certainly large enough for weeks of leisure.
The resort is home to four beaches covered in the softest sand in Seychelles and neighbours a marine park ideal for diving and snorkelling. A stay at one of the 11 villas will set you back around $10,000 a night. The rate is inclusive of an on-hand attendant to guide your experience, whether you wish to go hiking with a conservationist or practice yoga with the sunrise.
The retreat’s Environmental Team are, however, perhaps the real stars of this show, happy to share the ins and outs of their dreamy island’s expansive wildlife rehabilitation program.
