The Coolest Places in the World You Can Travel to

Situated around 1,000km (620mi) off the coast of mainland Ecuador and dispersed on either side of the Equator, the Galápagos Islands are without doubt one of the most unique places to visit in the world. This pristine Pacific archipelago is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife – including giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins and magnificent frigatebirds – as well as numerous remote, uninhabited islands. From kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in the Itabaca Channel to hiking along lava trails on San Cristóbal and swimming with sea lions at Punta Carola beach, this five-day tour will give you a real sense of all that it has to offer.

Japan is a country that truly has it all – neon-lit skyscrapers, bamboo forests, ancient temples, breathtaking mountains and so much more. By joining this 12-day Rail Trip you’ll get a true sense of Japan’s history, culture and natural beauty. Beginning in the foodie capital, Osaka, you’ll head south on the Bullet Train to learn about the devastating history and resilience of Hiroshima, before exploring the backstreets of Kyoto by bike and hiking through the vermilion-coloured torii gates of Fushimi Inari – one of Japan’s most important shrines. Sip sake, soak in onsens and marvel at bubbling volcanic geysers in the mountains – you’ll also be treated to fabulous views of Mount Fuji on a cruise across Lake Ashi. Top it all off with sushi-making, taiko drumming and sightseeing in Tokyo – the perfect place to wrap up your trip.

Tucked away in the Caucasus Mountains, blending the boundaries of Europe and Asia, is this uniquely beautiful nation. It’s a land where fairytale churches pop their heads up amid rugged snow-capped landscapes, verdant forests conceal a world of exploration, and where ancient cities transport you back to another time. It’s also, somewhat surprisingly, one of the best wine destinations on Earth and, thanks to the famed sulphur baths of Tbilisi, a bit of a spa destination. Our incredible value nine-day trip here explores all of these facets, starting in Tbilisi before heading into the country for hiking, baking and wine tasting. We’ll drive through Truso Gorge and visit remote villages, dine on local delicacies and visit the gorgeous Gergeti Church. To top it all off we’ll go for a well earned soak in those sulphur baths, leaving your relaxed and rejuvenated after the trip of a lifetime.

Hollywood’s obsession with this otherworldly land is reason enough to find in intoxicating. Blockbusters like Dune (2021), The Martian (2015) and various Star Wars properties have long used Wadi Rum’s rusty, rocky desert as a playground, while the ancient city of Petra is the climactic location in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). There’s reason beyond its list of IMDB credits to join our eight-day Jordan trip, though. As well as a 4×4 exploration of Wadi Rum followed by desert camping under the stars, and a cool backdoor route into Petra, avoiding the crowds, we’ll also float in the Dead Sea, snorkel in the Red Sea and discover incredible Arabic street food in Amman.