Mozambique

African culture on beautiful, pristine beaches.

Bordering South Africa to the North-East, Mozambique is blessed with hundreds of miles of beautiful unspoilt coastline; with warm, blue waters of the Indian ocean lapping at the shores of white sand beaches. The picture postcard sunsets punctuated by the sails of the traditional fishermens’ dhow boats. Mozambique has a more authentic feel than many other Indian ocean retreats, with a more relaxed, uncomplicated luxury and authentic experience than one finds elsewhere.

South Africa

Surf and Safari, and a whole lot more

There's not much that South Africa doesn't have to offer its visitors. The Kruger's private reserves deliver Africa's most reliable Big 5 game viewing, while Cape Town and its surrounding wine valleys provide an elegant, Mediterranean twist to a South Africa safari. With award-wining wines and cuisine to boot.

July to November sees South Africa’s Whale Coast hum with activity as migratory whales arrive from the icy Antarctic to mate and give birth in warmer waters. The town of Hermanus lies at the center of the whale-watching experience and is known as the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world.

The gorgeous Garden Route is ideal for failproof family holidays and self-drive adventures – especially when combined with the malaria-free reserves of the Eastern Cape. You can always add KwaZulu-Natal's big game and pristine beaches to the mix before visiting the continent’s favorite family holiday resort, Sun City. Home to championship golf courses, superb hotels and entertaining water theme parks, it’s the perfect end to your South Africa safari.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica might just be one of the most perfect destinations on earth.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, family-friendly activities, romance, good food, or luxurious hotels, you’ll find it here. Yoga, wellness and eco-travel have claimed their stake here too, and it’s easy to see why.

This beautiful country, filled with rainforests, beaches, river valleys, and biodiverse wildlife as well as restaurants, bars, and luxe eco-conscious hotels, has always been a great place to take a vacation, but it has gained popularity as an amazing destination in the last few years.

It’s no wonder, considering that there’s literally something for everyone when you plan a getaway there. 

Rainforest hikes and brisk high-altitude trails, rushing white-water rapids and warm-water, world-class surfing. From the rush of a canopy zipline to other thrills like canyoning or cave tubing – to a sun-dazed afternoon at the beach, or wellness and yoga. National Parks allow visitors to glimpse life in both rainforest and could forest, simmering volcanoes offer otherworldly vistas. It’s also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some extraordinary wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths. Reliable surf breaks are suited to beginners and experts alike. Can’t decide? Don’t worry; given the country’s size, you can plan a relatively short trip that includes it all.

Japan

Striking Contrasts and Remarkable Beauty

Walk hand-in-hand beneath cherry blossom trees in the spring, or slalom down the Japan Alps in the winter. Snorkel and dive in the tropical islands of Okinawa. .Dance ‘til dawn in Tokyo’s rollicking clubs or bask in a hot-spring spa. Immerse yourself in history at Kyoto’s 17th century Katsura Imperial Villa and gardens, and tour the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the god of love. For an unforgettable experience, scale Mount Fuji by night (July-August), and see the sunrise from Japan’s tallest peak.

Japan is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. 

Enjoy sci-fi cityscapes, tranquil green tea plantations and placid, eternal lakes in Japan. It is a land where the future meets the past. You’ll find ancient gods, customs and craftsmanship woven together with cutting-edge modern technology and futuristic fashions in this 6800-island volcanic archipelago. Get ready for a complete sensory overload.

Japanese cuisine is exquisite and diverse, with restaurants often specializing in just one dish – perhaps having spent generations perfecting it – and pay close attention to every stage, from sourcing the freshest, local ingredients to assembling the dish attractively.

From the splendor of a Kyoto geisha dance or the tranquility of cherry-lined canals, to a bullet fast train journey from the bustling, cityscapes of Tokyo and Osaka to the tranquil landscapes of the east – it never ceases to amaze.

London and Beyond

From Bard and Bond, to Country Charm

Immersed in history, London's rich seams of eye-opening antiquity are everywhere. The city's buildings are striking milestones in a unique and beguiling biography, and a great many of them – the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben – are instantly recognizable landmarks. 

Architectural grandeur rises up all around you in the West End, ancient remains dot the City and charming pubs punctuate the historic quarters, leafy suburbs and riverbanks. Take your pick.

In stunning contrast to the City’s ancient treasures, you can take a whirl on the London Eye, climb the O2, whiz up the Thames on a high-speed boat, and marvel at views from 800 feet up in London’s tallest skyscraper, The Shard. If you’re more Bard than Bond, take in a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe or the theater-rich West End. Culture lovers can also stroll miles of free museums and galleries. 

London is as much about wide-open vistas and leafy landscape escapes as it is high-density, sight-packed urban exploration. Central London is where the major museums, galleries and most iconic sights congregate, but visit Hampstead Heath or the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to flee the crowds and frolic in wide open green expanses. You can also venture further out to Kew Gardens, Richmond or Hampton Court Palace for beautiful panoramas of riverside London followed yet again- by a pint in a quiet waterside pub. It simply is the British way.

And my favorite addition to any London visit? A few days in the glorious British countryside such as The Cotswolds. Undulating gracefully across six counties, the Cotswolds region is a delightful tangle of golden villages, thatched cottages, evocative churches and honey-colored mansions.