DRSummer beckons. Pick your destination and get ready for an action-packed vacation
TURKEY
Hot Air Ballooning at Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a landscape that you will have never witnessed before in your lifetime. This makes it one of the most popular spots in the world to go up in a Hot Air Balloon. As you take off for sunrise you will start to be hypnotised by the spectacular and surreal landscape that lies below you. You will gently drift over the fairy chimneys, through valleys scattered with pigeon houses, over orchards and vineyards. The different colours of the diversified landscape will leave you breathless.
BELGIUM
Royal Palace, Brussels
Every summer (22 July to 02 September 2019) the Belgian royal family opens the doors to their palace! It’s the perfect opportunity to admire the beauty that surrounds the daily lives of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Marble, precious furniture and panelling frameworks by Michaël Borremans, Marthe Wéry, Jan Fabre and Dirk Breakman. Don’t miss the search for the throne, in the throne room… Belgium really is surreal!
CANADA
The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies stretch to about 900 miles northwest from the Montana Border. The lakes and peaks of these mountains combine to form a beautiful scenery at any time of the year, however, the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies is during the summer season, as the highways are clear. The two most popular destinations for visitors are Banff and Jasper as they are connected by a 140-mile highway and offer a view of the mountains from both sides without any obstruction. The Horseshoe Lake near Jasper is one of the best locations for cliff diving due to the depth of the tilted slab of rock on its border.
JAPAN
Mount Fuji / Train Ride
Mount Fuji is one of the most popular symbols that represent Japan. Elevated high out of the plains of Central Honshu, at 3776 m high, 60 miles outside of Tokyo. Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano climbed by over 300,000 adrenaline junkies every year. The most popular location is around the Fuji Five Lakes and the Hakone area, the Kawaguchi-ko, which is great for a close-up view of the mountain. The area is very popular for base climbing, hiking, camping and fishing. The quickest way to Mount Fuji from Tokyo is by the Shinkansen Train which takes about 36 minutes.
SEYCHELLES
Pegasos Cruise
If an exotic cruise is what you have always dreamt of, Seychelles is the perfect destination for both summer and winter cruises due to its warm tropical climate. Discover this paradise on-board Pegasos Cruise and experience a unique island-hopping voyage. Explore islands like Mahe, Praslin, Curieuse Island and La Digue. This is an ultimate experience for travellers seeking a romantic honeymoon getaway or just fancy a luxurious cruise. Choose from any of the 21 rooms divided among 3 categories and enjoy your home at sea with amenities such as mini Spa Suite, mini library and an indoor & outdoor lounge.
THAILAND
Raya Heritage
Raya Heritage introduces an all-new approach to resort design with its recent opening in the northern Thai capital of Chiang Mai. Nestled in a lush green garden on the banks of the Ping River, Raya Heritage is just a 20-minute drive from the town centre, yet a world away in ambience. Inspired by the artistry and craftsmanship of Lanna, a kingdom that once encompassed northern Thailand as well as northern Laos, Myanmar’s Shan State and Yunnan, China, Raya Heritage blends the simple charm and character of Lanna’s past with discreet, personalised service and state-of-the-art guest comfort. Raya Heritage arranges excursions to some of the area’s most interesting sites. Temple and market trips, village visits and forays into national parks are all on offer. Other popular activities include elephant experiences, jungle walks, rock climbing and rafting.
ITALY
Cinque Terre
The best part of Cinque Terre is its beautiful coastline, so don’t be afraid to get all up in it. Rent a beach chair and sip on an Aperol spritz at Monterosso al Mare, hike down to the secret beach at Corniglia, go cliff jumping at Riomaggiore, or hop into the water at Manarola and gaze back at the colorful facades in town.
SOUTH AFRICA
Bloukrans Bridge
Bungee jumping off Bloukrans bridge promises to be an experience of a lifetime, it giving adrenaline seekers a perfect view of the majestic Bloukrans River valley.
MALAYSIA
Coral Flyer
Experience an adrenaline rush with Coral Flyer which connects the islands of Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sapi. It is the longest island to island zip line in the world.
MONACO
Bike Tours
A brand-new activity that’s totally in tune with the spirit of the age! Monaco Bike Tours invites you to take a tour of this tiny city-state… by electric bicycle. An eco-friendly way to explore the Principality! Put on your helmet, hop on your bike, and set off on a three-hour ride. The Bike Tours places great importance on safety, and the route you will take has been carefully chosen and checked to ensure it is both safe and interesting. The tour takes in the whole Principality (Monaco-Ville, Port, F1 Circuit, Casino, etc.). There will be regular breaks, so you can take a breather and get some great photos, and there will also be an opportunity to take a stroll – on foot – around the old town.
USA
Volvo Auto Museum, Lake County, Illinois
If you love great cars, you’ll want to see the beauties at Lake County’s Volvo Auto Museum. More than 300 classic, antique and Hollywood cars are beautifully presented on nearly six hectares of charming countryside. Plan to spend a day at Volvo, especially since lunch is served at the fabulous Betty Boop-themed diner. From Elvis Presley’s car to the Blues Brothers’ Bluesmobile and the authentic Dark Knight Joker semi-truck driven by the late Heath Ledger, you’ll find photo opportunities like this nowhere else.
AUSTRALIA
Mt. Buller, Victoria
Mt. Buller is a town picturesquely located in the Shire of Mansfield in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria. With over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, there is something to appeal to all levels of ability. An easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, Mt. Buller is the most accessible major snow resort in Australia and a premier ski destination for snow enthusiasts from across the nation and around the world. For plenty of snow play fun, Mt. Buller has two toboggan parks, complete with their own snowmaking machines to keep the kids happy all winter long.
ICELAND
Blue Lagoon
Experience the wonder of the geothermal Blue Lagoon in Iceland while going for a dip in the famed warm milky-blue waters enclosed by the striking black lava field. The average temperature of the waters is 39°C (101°F) all year round, so it is perfect to bathe in no matter how cold the outside temperature is. The seawater is rich with minerals such as silica, which will leave your skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
CROATIA
The Blue Cave
The Blue Grotto, located in the small bay of Balun, will leave travellers hypnotized by the illuminating sapphire waters. Found in a small cove on the east side of the island of Biševo and about 4.5 nautical miles from Komiža, the water has a silvery-blue color, created by light refraction of sunlight entering through a crack in the stone.
SCANDINAVIA
Midnight Sun
During summer, the ‘Midnight Sun’ is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the northerly latitudes above the Arctic Circle in Nordic Visitor destinations such as Svalbard, the Lapland region of Scandinavia and northern parts of Iceland and Greenland. These regions experience the presence of sunlight for a period of 24 hours, hence the term ‘Midnight Sun’. A journey to the areas above the Arctic Circle in Norway from April to August is a breath-taking experience, as the sun doesn’t set during this period. Joining a whale safari or exploring nature in a different light takes on a new dimension on a chilly summer night. During these nights, many activities such as midnight golfing, cycling, river paddling, and sea kayaking are available.
RUSSIA
White Night Festival, St. Petersburg
The city of St. Petersburg is known for the ‘white nights’, which last from late May until mid-June every year. This phenomenon has become a symbol of the city and with time it has grown rich with festivals, entertainment, and cultural events. ‘Stars of the White Nights’ is a series of classical ballet and opera performances at the Mariinsky Theatre and Concert Hall and it is an essential part of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.
MACAO
Fisherman’s Wharf
Located near Maritime Terminal, Fisherman’s Wharf is a themed shopping mall and park, designed following Euromerican fisherman’s wharves. Spread over sprawling 28 acres, the Fisherman’s Wharf has three sections, namely, Dynasty Wharf, East Meets West and Legend Wharf and it is definitely one of the best places to visit in Macao. Fisherman’s Wharf brings together a variety of themes to create a unique and multicultural experience that appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors from across the world. Attractions include Water Performance Arena, a Video Games Center and Arabian themed kids play zone.
MEXICO
Cenote Ik Kil, Chichén Itzá
For travellers who find themselves in Mexico, a swim in a cenote, meaning ‘sacred well’, is a must. The ancient Mayan civilization believed that the cenotes were portals to speak to the Gods and constructed their villages around them. Today, these underground grottos nestled in the lush Mexican jungle are famous for their jewel-tone waters. If you’re travelling through the Yucatán Peninsula, a quick dip in one of these photogenic swimming spots is the perfect way to end a day spent exploring the nearby complex of Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá.
INDIA
Wayanad, Kerala
It features right on top of the list when it comes to hill stations in India. Filled with lovely, scenic roads, jungles with mighty elephants and deer wandering in peace, and the lush greenery of Western Ghats, there are amazing places to visit in Wayanad.
Novotel Imagica Khopoli, Maharashtra
Novotel Imagica Khopoli is India’s first theme park property by Accor. Surrounded by the lush greenery of Sahyadri Hills, the hotel is located within close proximity to India’s premier theme parks of Imagica, Aquamagica, and Snowmagica, making it ideal for family holidays and those seeking to relax and rejuvenate away from the bustling city life. The hotel features the largest inventory with 287 well-appointed rooms which overlook the park, pool and the hills.
ISRAEL
Mitzpe Ramon
Israel has many great spots for star-gazing with Mitzpe Ramon, a town in the Negev Desert in Southern Israel among the best locations in the country and in the world for an astronomic experience. The clear night sky, comfortable summer weather, relative remoteness of the region and distance from major sources of light pollution are some of the reasons why the Negev desert and Mitzpe Ramon have become very popular destinations for star-gazing tours and adventures. The Ramon Crater in Mitzpe Ramon is the world’s largest erosion crater created 220 million years ago. It is among the best locations in the world for star-gazing and recently was named the first International Dark Sky Park in the Middle-East.
HONG KONG
Ocean Park
Ocean Park Hong Kong comprising ‘The Waterfront’ and ‘The Summit’, is an amusement park, an oceanarium, and an animal theme park. Ocean Park is home to over 400 different marine species, a lot of hair-raising thrill rides, encounters with amazing Asian animals like the giant pandas, red pandas, Asian otters, etc. It also has an exclusive Polar adventure zone where you can catch a glimpse of penguins, walruses, seals, and other creatures of the North and South Pole. There is also a retro zone called Old Hong Kong, where you can relive the culture of the 50s-70s. There are 8 different theme zones with over 80 attractions and incredible shows.
DUBAI
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Sprawling over 25 million square feet (about the size of a small country), Dubai Parks and Resorts is home to three epic Theme Parks and one splash-tastic Water Park. Best of all, each park, attraction, ride and area has been inspired by some of the world’s favourite movies and toys, from The Smurfs to Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar to The Hunger Games and even the classic Bollywood action masala film, Dabangg. The destination is also home to the region’s first-ever LEGO® themed amusement and water park.
