Wild Cards

Though it’s best known as a gateway to Skye, the bustling port town of Mallaig makes a great staycation pit stop in its own right. Expect hot tubs overlooking the northern lights, fresh seafood restaurants and Scotland’s west-coast beaches that rival the Mediterranean.

Less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, North Berwick is a favourite day-trip destination among Scots. Yet its growing foodie scene and independent boutiques framed by wide, sandy beaches make this a great spot for a UK staycation.

With a free-spirited heritage and easy access to New York City and the surrounding Catskill Mountains, the town of Woodstock in upstate New York is a great destination for a memorable mini-break, scenic hikes and high-vibe dining. Peace out.

In southwestern North Macedonia the Balkan city of Bitola is too often overlooked by travellers dazzled by nearby Lake Ohrid. Yet this historic city buzzes with a calendar of cultural events and a thriving café scene while nature is just on its doorstep.

An easy ferry ride from Athens lies Kea. A gateway to hidden crystal coves, craggy cliffside hiking trails and award-winning oceanside restaurants, this secluded Cycladic island is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets.

Set among the Dedham Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and “Constable country”, this pretty village on the cusp of Essex and Suffolk is a nostalgic rendering of rural England. Less than two hours’ drive from London, its half-timbered cottages and cosy pubs make this a quintessential countryside day trip for city dwellers.

Eschewing the dark tourism sites and moving beyond the outdated associations of war and tragedy that have overshadowed Bosnia and Herzegovina's beauty for so long, New Metonyms: Bosnia & Herzegovina shines a light on it's bucolic landscapes and bountiful history.

Island hop on the far-flung corner of the Aegean, where the sun-soaked Dodecanese sands are lapped by cerulean waters. Rhodes and Kos are the star attraction of this cluster of islands, but when you’ve done eyeing medieval monuments, make tracks for slow-living Leros and the dramatic hiking trails of Kalymnos.

Bordered by the River Bandon, this lesser-known Irish harbour town is threaded by a colourful streetscape filled with artisan boutiques and restaurants serving local produce. Consider this a great destination for a mini-break or coastal stop-off on a road-trip across County Cork and Ireland beyond.

Backed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is popping up on the millennial radar thanks to farm-to-table restaurants, a vibrant arts scene and back-to-nature vibes. We’ve got the lowdown on North Carolina’s up-and-coming destination, including the hotels to book, beer gardens to visit and when to plan your trip.

Part of the Frisian Islands, Wangerooge is a well-kept secret among German travellers who flock here in summer for its rich natural habitat, charming railway, spa retreats and watersports on beaches lapped by the North Sea. Want to destress in the great outdoors? This is the island for you.

The ancient port town of Saint-Malo is a highlight of any trip to Brittany. While its famous chateau draws photographers and lovers of heritage travel, there’s little quite like gazing over the English Channel from the most dramatic beaches of France’s west coast.

From far-flung corners to little pockets of paradise, we’re bringing you the world’s most exotic and unusual locations. Wander from home at your leisure.