Our Most Original Travel Ideas for 2024

The oldest wine-producing region in the world? Georgia, where eastern Europe abuts Western Asia, has been in business for more than 8,000 years. Its wines are generally made on a scale so small that only locals get to taste them. But you will, too, on this adventure, which visits extraordinary landscapes and sights: think medieval monasteries above plunging gorges, and mountain passes through the snow-capped Caucasus range.

Ecuador ticks all the boxes, from the Andes to the Amazon. After exploring Quito, the capital, ride with Andean cowboys in the shadow of Cotopaxi, an active volcano; try white-water rafting from Baños village into orchid-filled cloud forest; and spot toucans and capuchin monkeys in the rainforests of the lowland Amazon. Along the way, you can swim in waterfalls, cycle mountain trails and learn to cook authentic Andean food.