Beautiful Belize has been popping up all over our socials of
late, its rugged beaches, lush jungles and brilliantly coloured
coral reefs making perfect fodder for “wish you were here” BeReals
and barefoot-in-the-sand Instagram Reels. Beyond its
picture-perfect looks, though, this Central American country hums
with age-old traditions and ancient stories. Head inland and you’ll
find Mayan ruins and sky-tickling mountain ranges. Stick to the
coast, and you’ll be eating from a cookbook that counts Chinese,
Creole, Lebanese, Mennonite and Mestizo among influences.
Traversing the dinky country is easy, thanks to the retro fleet of
retired Bluebird buses that tootle between towns. Bought from the
US, these 1950s beauties are painted in primary colours and used as
commuter shuttles between major conurbations in the country.
They’re the easiest (and coolest) way to get around.

Spain’s third-largest city was once considered
little more than an industrial hub – but times have changed. Last
year, the southeastern city was awarded World Design Capital
status, in recognition of its transformation into a creative
leader. Head down to the ultra-modern waterfront to catch a piece
of the action. This futuristic quarter houses exhibition spaces, a
concert hall and an oceanarium, but we’d advise also setting some
time aside to enjoy the gardens that fan out around the space-age
structures. Once you’ve gazed at the architecture, head into the
old quarter to wander a tangle of gothic streets. Start
explorations with a horchata (a traditional sweet drink) at
Horchatería
Daniel, then settle on a good paella spot, of which there are
many – the dish was created here. Our favourite eatery? Bodega Anyora, housed in
the old fishing quarter of El Cabanyal, which serves traditional
seafood dishes with a modern twist.

It’s no wonder that, with a name meaning “hidden port”, this
corner of southern Mexico is kept under wraps by locals. Quietly
preserving its reputation as a secluded escape on Oaxaca’s Emerald
Coast, Puerto Escondido’s secret beaches, with their golden sands
and crashing waves, number among the world’s best surfing
destinations. Those less confident tackling the waves can head for
La Punta or Playa Carrizalillo to swim in turquoise waters and sip
on freshly cracked coconuts. While there are no direct flights from
outside of Mexico, those willing to make the trip will be welcomed
with some of Oaxaca’s best cuisine. Be sure to make a trip to
Laguna de Manialtepec, a bioluminescent lagoon nearby. Summer is
the rainy season, while Christmas and Easter holidays can be a bit
busier. Visit between January and May to have Puerto Escondido all to
yourself.

This small town, located between Yellowstone National Park and the jagged peaks
of the Grand Tetons, isn’t just for cowboys. With the best of the
great outdoors on its doorstep, including hiking, biking, climbing,
skiing, paddling, fishing and wildlife spotting, and a mighty
cultural offering – you’ll spot a Warhol at the National Museum of
Wildlife Art – plus a renowned dining scene, this town is a
real crowd-pleaser. We suggest making tracks for the luxurious
Rustic Inn, home to a full-service spa, outdoor
pool, hot tub and sauna.

One of South America’s smallest countries, Guyana remains
something of a well-kept secret. But, as the continent’s only
English-speaking country, complete with vast coastal plains,
towering mountains, arid savannahs and expansive rainforests, the
country’s immense diversity will delight those seeking a
nature-filled retreat. If it’s culture you’re looking for, visit
Georgetown to immerse yourself in a toe-tapping music scene,
colourful architecture and vibrant culinary hotspots.
Alternatively, head inland to explore “The Land of Many Waters” –
think cascading waterfalls and vast rivers streaming through
verdant landscapes. Come in February for the Mashramani festival,
Guyana’s anniversary of becoming a republic, when parades float
down streets, dancers strut through the neighbourhood and steel
drum bands play until sundown.

The South of France is loved for many reasons, its
glittering coastline, rolling lavender fields and world-class wine
being just a few of them. But, having been made popular by writers,
artists and celebrities, many of its stretches of golden sand have
become somewhat overcrowded. We suggest skipping the
tourist-swamped Nice and St Tropez and, instead, savouring a slice of
traditional French culture in the delightful harbour town of
Menton. Craving some vitamin D? This place is perfectly positioned
within a valley, which makes for a pretty unique microclimate.
Expect mild temperatures even in winter and tropical blooms
year-round, along with lush citrus trees and olive groves aplenty.
Be sure to taste your way through the area’s delicious culinary
specialities, which include hearty bouillabaisse and fluffy lemon
desserts (this being the centre of France’s lemon industry).

Seen the sights of Geneva and Zurich? Head to Aarau, a tiny town
in the north of Switzerland that’s packed with a surprisingly large
number of castles and museums. Art lovers won’t want to miss the
Aargauer Kunsthaus museum. Those who prefer to
discover a destination through its architecture should take a
stroll through the old town, looking up to spot the intricate
gables, the majority of which date back to the 16th century. A pair
of binoculars wouldn’t go amiss here.

Prepare to sink a soju (or three) in Andong. The birthplace of
Korea’s famous firewater isn’t afraid of its mind-bending hooch.
Beyond the booze, there’s plenty more to explore in this eastern
city. Andong is the country’s folk capital, so a night inside a
traditional, 600-year-old home in the Unesco-listed Hahoe
Folk Village is top of our list. Then, there’s the city’s mask
museum, a temple to traditional talchum storytelling. After ogling
the expressive wooden masks used during the dances, we’re stopping
in on the Folk Museum to learn about the ins and outs of
the city’s Confucian culture, and to gawp at elegant porcelain
pottery and traditionally made paper crafts. Learn the story behind
soju at the dedicated museum (spoiler: invading Mongols are involved), or,
if you’re feeling a bit queasy at the 40 per cent ABV of the
chest-warming spirit, take a seat at the Andong Brewing bar, a craft beer pit stop pouring
creatively flavoured pints.

An 1880s water stop, this unassuming small city in the
Chihuahuan Desert hit the headlines when artist Donald Judd moved
here in 1971. Today, Marfa is a place of gas stations-turned-galleries,
crystal-filled corner shops and laundromats serving lattes. For
breakfast, grab a bite at Aster Marfa – the eggs benedict is legendary.
Tour The Chinati
Foundation’s outdoor and indoor art installations – at sunrise
is best – before driving along Highway 90 for Scandinavian duo
Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset’s famed Prada Marfa
installation.

If you’re looking to unwind after the headiness of Marrakech’s sense-awakening souks, journey
north to Meknes, a city just south of Fez that’s known for its
imperial past and traditional spice market. The old town, a Unesco
World Heritage site, has been impeccably preserved, so a day
getting lost in the medina’s endless warren of small streets is
time well spent. Be sure to stop at Bab Mansour, a breathtaking
monumental gate on the south side of the old city, and the
Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, at the 17th-century sultan’s former
kasbah, before bedding down at boutique bolthole Château Roslane.

As far-flung Southeast Asian islands go, Rabbit Island (as
it’s more commonly known) is one of the more easily accessible
options, being just a 30-minute boat ride from Kep, but its rugged
charm and rustic lifestyle remain unspoilt. Days here are best
spent alternating between lounging in hammocks and dozing on soft
sands (just don’t be alarmed if the odd chicken wanders past),
before scoffing fisherman’s fare in restaurant shacks along the
shore. Evenings are for swapping travellers’ tales or, more
commonly at weekends, warming up the vocals and blaring out
ear-splitting renditions of cult favourites from a pop-up karaoke
bar to a bemused local crowd.

Just a 45-minute flight from Athens (or around an hour on the ferry from
Piraeus, the capital’s main port), Hydra has long been a haven for the art crowd, being
home to the Hydra School of Fine Arts. This car-free island offers
rugged cliffs, stone-grey mansions, wandering donkeys and steep
steps that lead up into isolated, quaint towns clinging to craggy
hillsides. There are no large-scale hotels; only small, bohemian stays and cute cafés inviting you in for a
glass of perfectly chilled rosé.

Home to more than just Romeo and Juliet, Verona is undeniably
one of the most romantic of Italy’s cities. Ramble across one of the seven bridges
that span the Adige River, visit the oldest still-operating library
in Europe, Biblioteca Capitolare, and catch an opera at the
intimate Teatro Filarmonico. If you’re planning to visit for
longer, consider volunteering with the Juliet Club, a quaint
institution that sees an army of letter writers sending love advice
to heartbroken correspondents from across the globe.

Side-step the Aussie-accented crowds in Bali with a visit to
Belitung. One of thousands of islands that make up the Indonesian
archipelago, this diminutive destination, just off the east coast
of Sumatra, promises honey-hued sands strewn with sea-washed
granite boulders, colourful Dutch colonial-built seaside towns and
not a nightclub in sight. Drop your bags at the
sustainability-focused Eco Beach Tent, then hop on a boat to explore
the more than 100 surrounding islets. Set sail for Lengkuas to spy
a 141-year-old lighthouse, slip into the sea to snorkel between
coral reefs and hike up the granite face of Batu Baginda,
accompanied by chattering monkeys and rowdy cicadas. Note that the
forested geopark surrounding this incredible rock formation is
currently under regeneration. Much of the island has been scarified
by palm plantations, but a Unesco designation in 2021 is raising
hopes that Belitung’s unique geological features can be preserved
and protected.

There’s something of a foodie renaissance cooking in London’s Notting Hill: Palestinian kitchens plating up
slow-cooked lamb and herb-drenched kufta; French bistros offering
freshly baked sourdough and forkfuls of creamed greens; and
neighbourhood eateries putting a devilishly delicious spin on
British classics. Post-feast, rummage the shelves of Alice’s
antiques arcade, where treasures including stoneware, street signs,
musical instruments and life buoys await. Then, drop into the
recently renovated old-school boozer The Pelican for a
sustainable and local bottle menu. Come bedtime, all eyes are on
the newly opened Hoxton hotel, in nearby Shepherd’s Bush.

One of only a handful of Andaman Islands to be inhabited, this dreamy
destination is known for its warm hospitality and unspoilt
landscape: think dense forests, tropical rainforests and active
volcanoes that flank pristine blonde beaches stretching alongside
the azure-blue shore as far as the eye can see. Forget about trying
to find a WiFi signal and instead spend days flitting between
palm-flanked coves. Radhanagar Beach (also known as Number Seven
Beach) is our favourite, thanks to a cluster of nearby street-food
stalls selling fresh fruits and smoothies. Elephant Beach,
meanwhile, with its vibrant corals and colourful fish, is best
suited to snorkellers – but it’s pretty wonderful above the
waterline, too. Arrive at sunrise to watch elephants gleefully
splashing in the shallows, and keep your eyes peeled for Rajan, the
eldest, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

Ready to explore one of the best ski destinations on the planet
but unsure which Japanese resort to make tracks to? Look no
further than the town of Niseko. A well-established Japanese ski
hotspot, thanks to its 30 runs, 3 gondolas and 30 lifts, plus
guaranteed snowfall, it is being discovered by a new generation of
skiers, largely due to the arrival of the sparkling new Setsu Niseko hotel. The 2022-opened stay’s 190
guest rooms impress with their Japandi-style interiors – all crisp
linens, clean lines and pale woods. But it’s the spa that truly
makes it a crashpad like no other, with treatments including herbal
healing practices and full-body programmes that promise to soothe
post-piste muscles.