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The summer will be upon us even before we know it. It's time to plan the vacation and we suggest this time you explore that untrodden trail, the lost coast, the mountain valley from ano-ther century. Some of our destinations are near but most are far, all wide-open places waiting to repair your fractured sense of time. Whether you want to raft an unknown Alaskan river or hike up the Inca trail or just chill out on a sunny beach, you will find a destination to suit your temperament. Our picks range from plush and classic to the cutting-edge and hard-core. So clear your calendar, make your bookings and get set to go.


Seychelles Islands

Unspoiled islands, fine white sand beaches washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, lush tropical vegetation and exotic palms, spectacular views, genuine Creole cuisine...the Seychelles Islands will amaze you.

Whether it is Aldabra, the largest atoll in the world and the home to 152,000 giant tortoises, Alphonse Island, an excellent fly fishing destination, the Anse Lazio beach, voted ‘The best beach in the world’ in 2004 or Vallee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seychelles offers many places to explore, things to do and sights to see. Seychelles offers a multitude of activities to have a lot of fun and entertainment. You may choose between water sports and land sports or other activities like bird watching, shopping, enjoying a massage at your private villa or simply relax on one of the white sand beaches.


Angkor Wat
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia, a thousand fairy tale temples testify to the splendour of an ancient empire that endured for 600 years. Journey to the spell-binding capital of the Khmer Empire, a collection of sky-scraping temples, colossal carvings and vast reflecting pools, Angkor is a place without equal anywhere on earth. With hundreds of temples spread out over 120 square miles, the ruins of Angkor are a singularly awesome human achievement. There are 40 temples open to visitors, of which Angkor Wat is just one, albeit the most famous. As Cambodia proves itself to be a safe and accessible destination, your trip to Southeast Asia can now include a visit to Angkor Wat.


Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park is an island of tropical rainforest in a sea of agricultural lands – an isolated fragment of what was once a continuous belt of rainforest extending from Guinea through Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire to Ghana. Degraded by mining, farming and settlement, and combed by hunters and timber extractors, Kakum now covers less than 140 square miles, but is one of the last remaining habitat for six endangered species.

And while there, don't miss Africa's only canopy walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground, offering you what is truly a bird's eye view of the rainforest. At this height, you don't have to be an expert to identify the colourful patterns of tropical birds as they glide through the forest below you. You don't even have to climb to get onto the walkway. It starts at ground level, and as you walk along, the land below you slopes into a valley, and you find yourself 12 stories up in the forest canopy.


The Wenhai Ecolodge
With Wenhai Lake near its front steps and the peaks of Jade Dragon in the background, the Wenhai Ecolodge is a scenic, peaceful mountain retreat. Recently renovated, updated with sustainable energy systems, the Ecolodge is a unique experience in all of China.

To get there, of course, is not easy but every travel site vouches that the journey is worth it. Fly to Beijing or Shanghai, then continue three hours on to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, and catch a 45-minute hopper flight to Lijiang, an aging hamlet with old stone houses and cobblestone streets. And you still haven't arrived.

From there, you take a half-hour bus ride up to the village of Baisha, where you start hiking for five hours, first through rural communities, then up through pine trees, then into oak and rhododendron forests. Only then do you arrive at Wenhai Ecolodge, a refurbished log house with sloping roofs and hand-carved window frames.

Although the inn has only 20 beds, it is becoming a maverick example of ecotourism in China. The lodge is owned by a village cooperative comprising 56 families who bought, renovated, and now staff the property, dishing out rural cuisine in a rustic courtyard. The Ecolodge provides a great base for day hikes around the lake, to the upper slopes of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or to more remote Yi villages in the area. It can also be a starting point for a three-day trek that brings you to the entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Alaska white water rafting
Alaska white water rafting is like none other. Most rafting trips are located in isolated areas, accessible only by small charter airplane or helicopters. These rivers give you the experience of seeing pristine nature the way it's supposed to be. There are full-fledged extreme Alaskan rafting trips for the seasoned experts and those with more advanced skills.

There are scenic floating trips and also bear observing safaris that last a full day. Some rafting trips can be as little as 3-4 hours, while others may be booked for a continuous week or two.

Even a first-timer can experience the more advanced Alaska rafting runs. Because of the high level of professionalism and first-hand experience among the Alaska's river guides and rafting outfitters, prior rafting experience is not always a qualifier before you can enjoy Alaskan rafting. There are over 3,000 rivers in Alaska, of which 446 river runs are available for Alaskan rafting.


The Inca Trail
There are numerous ways to get to Peru's number-one tourist attraction, Machu Picchu, including efficient and comfortable trips by helicopter or train. But for the truly adventurous there is a third option: hiking there on a reconstructed stone path called the Inca Trail. Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan ruins that make up South America's best-known archaeological site, retains its mystery despite its popularity among tourists. Blanketed by thick Andean jungle and surrounded by peaks, it requires a bit more perspective and a bit more effort to reach Machu Picchu than most other places. Some say it was a secret Inca capital; others insist it used to be a religious retreat. Archaeologists presume the complex was built in the 15th century. While stones testify to the building prowess of the Incas and the crop terraces reflect their agricultural skill, the mighty Inca civilisation, which rose and fell within a short 100 years, had its flaws. First and foremost, the Incas never invented writing. For that reason, if no other, Machu Picchu may always remain a mystery.