Yes: there are a million places in the world, and every possible holiday experience has been packaged and prepared for you. Do you want white sand and bronzed bodies, languid days and sea-breeze tranquillity? A retreat for romance? Step right this way. Do you yearn for a rucksack and trek across lonely peaks? A tent on mountain heights, a stove and no frills –or treats in the cafés at base-camp? Hotels beyond imagination? Everyone welcome. Do you want it to be a long time coming? A short break? Do you want to travel on bedframes and rickshaws? Or sail – in style? Party and sing in tents? Or dance the night? Eat the world? Child’s play (well, usually). Time with your loved ones, time with your friends – isn’t there always somewhere you’re being driven to? Just a gleam in the imagination’s boat, a whisper in the breeze – commodification in motion. 

From the huge Pacific to the tiny Caribbean, the great cities of New York to the wilderness of Yellowstone, there is so much to explore and have fun. Which ecosystems you like will depend very much on your taste and temperament.

 Join us as we ask the big question — where are the best places in the world to be on holiday? — and journey across the globe to find out, uncovering destinations and wonders both well known and overlooked. 

 Wherever you find yourself right now – whether it’s plotting your next holiday or just daydreaming about the other side of the world – pull up a chair and join us as we share in the glories of our corner of the globe and start traveling, in all its shapes and forms. Adventure awaits, and the world is one great and wonderful place. Let’s begin. We are The Dodo.

1. Santorini, Greece: 

 Photo courtesy Andrew CiavarellaSantorini is an island in the Aegean Sea renowned for its sunsets, white buildings, whitewashed streets and pretty blue domes, astonishing views and wonderful beaches. The island is the largest, most southern member of a small volcanic archipelago in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece’s mainland. Santorini is the most active volcanic centre in the Aegean, and perhaps the most active in the Mediterranean Sea overall. There are medieval remnants to be found in nearly every corner of the island, small subterranean churches and chapels excavated from the walls of mountains and rock formations. Santorini offers excellent choices for meals and is the number one island in the whole of Greece for the delicious Mediterranean cuisine that reigns supreme. There are main archaeological sites dating to the famous Minoan civilisation (c1600 BCE) found on Santorini, including the breathtaking ancient Rema of Akrotiri. Santorini offers excellent choices for holidays, beaches and the delicious local cuisine.

Santorini in Greece is a surreal and romantic place, a fantasy island where lovers go to bask in the golden rays of the sun and soak it all in. It’s located in the Aegean Sea, south of Crete, and is one of the Cyclades islands (except Naxos and Ios, which are also Cyclades islands). This sea is pink and turquoise, and Santorini is encircled by white beaches. The sky is carved out of violet and pink, glowing from the ashes of long-extinguished volcanoes. Here there is comfort and a soothing darkness, and his love for her only grows more profound. Sometimes, an island can offer a place to go home to, for a stint, perhaps leaving other more onerous responsibilities and attachments behind.

When it comes to geology, Santorini – the largest and southernmost island of its volcanic archipelago – is a planet on its own. The result of an eruptive saga spanning millennia, vulnerable islands and undersea volcanic cones have collided as their cratered peaks have risen and fallen. To traverse Santorini’s cliff-lined caldera and the west coast’s black-sand beaches, its ancient ruins and hidden caves, is to follow in the footsteps of the island’s millennial past.

The island’s chief attraction is Akrotiri, the Minoan town built here around 1600 BCE, partly exposed from its cocoon of volcanic ash. Santorini has been excavated to reveal the high culture that once lived on it.

Aside from the wonderful cultural history, it is a food desert. Staying in Santorini for two weeks, I found it difficult not to be drawn in by the irresistible works of art that adorned almost every eatery: lobster salads rising to skies and perfectly ripe tomatoes dancing with feta cheese in fresh cream… some of the succulent, decadent fare I have ever indulged in.

Perhaps most of all, though, is for its white-sand, blue-water beaches, such as Kamari, for laid-back sun-worshippers, or Amoudi Bay, reached via a dangerous steep slope, with a pirate’s cave as a bonus.

With its spectacular views, historical monuments and amazing cuisine, Santorini is the ultimate holiday destination: a place where you can relax, discover and create cherished memories for a lifetime.

2. Kyoto, Japan:

     Kyoto, a city that enjoys a long history and rich tradition, Kyoto serves as a place of dreams for many people not only within Japan but all over the world. Its historical temples, garden landscapes, cultural attractions and sites that remain closely linked to the old traditions create a profound impact. For example, flower-viewing in spring and participating in the Japanese tea ceremony are Japanese cultural attractions that visitors can enjoy, alongside taking a walk in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove all year round. In recent years, we have seen numerous foreign tourists. Tradition melts into innovation. Meanwhile, the prefecture’s stunning natural landscape, which is filled with cultural properties, national parks and world heritage sites is also one of its key features. The happy smiling presence of the mayor perhaps suggests that his own delight will stem from the fruits of his labour here, along with all the guests and visitors who will arrive in the months to come. Amidst the 21st century’s increasingly fast-paced digital universe, Kyoto aims to provide a home for old tradition that will never fade. 

Kyoto, the island of Honshu, in Japan, is like an open-air museum of history and culture, where just about every building looks like something out of a textbook of world history and art – and this precisely is why millions of tourists flock there. Kyoto is Japan’s living history and culture.

 The city’s most familiar tourist sites are its old shrines and temples, which are indeed loci of religious and spiritual life — but they’re also much-photographed, historically significant structures that make Kyoto the repository of Japan’s history. The gleaming gold of the Kinkaku-ji, or even the hillside Kiyomizu-dera overlooking the city, are instantly recognisable images of Japan.

 In addition to its shrines and temples, Kyoto is known for the artistic residues of a lost Eden that continue to shape the calm and harmony of its enduring garden landscapes. Not least, the city is home to the atmospheric Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where giant stalks of bamboo sway in the breeze, as well as to the Japanese tea ceremony, the ritualistic preparation and drinking of matcha tea, which lasts as long as an hour and is performed in the presence of a tree or other element drawn from the purpose-built environment.

Though rooted in this ancient city, Kyoto maintains a state of innovation – where tradition and novelty co-exist fluidly – and its diverse and sublime natural scenery (which makes up much of its area and is protected as national parks and other world heritage sites) remains to be investigated and further embodied.

Whatever changes the 21st century brings, Kyoto will be forever committed to upholding tradition and to ‘keeping open the doors of forgotten ways of life’, as the Kyoto vision states. As you walk past a temple, through a zen garden or down a main thoroughfare, you have a chance to step back in time and re-experience the past, writes Travis Rothamel in his blog. You can step back into Japan’s culture. Here, the past and the present converge healing handsomely together.

3. Banff National Park, Canada:

 Set in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a popular outdoor recreation area and tourist destination in Canada. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, fishing, cave exploring, river rafting and natural hot spring soaking. In Banff, you can also view the turquoise Lake Louise, drive along the Icefields Parkway, or just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Banff National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies, is a paradise for outdoor recreation, nature lovers and wilderness enthusiasts. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, this gem of a park offers a panoply of activities and sites for exploring the wonders of the north.

Hiking, however, is one of the most popular activities in Banff. The national park offers a wide range of trails, from the flat and family-friendly to the steep and strenuous alpine routes. Anything goes, never mind how forbidding the surrounding peaks might be; slopes covered with lush forest or vertical slabs of bare rock, whatever shade of blue the glacial lakes happen to have that day, any of it is there for you to walk into an experience as pure and wild as you can find anywhere.

But there is another way to experience the Banff magic, camping under the stars. Camping grounds are plentiful in and around the park, making it easy to pitch a tent surrounded by towering trees or meadows and hear nature’s soothing lullaby while drifting into slumber.

But to call these sorts of rendering tasks magical might be taking the concept a bit too far. For those looking for more action, one can always go rock-climbing, whitewater rafting or mountain-biking to get their adrenaline pumping in Banff. Whether scaling a sheer rock face or dodging collapsing rapids, there is no shortage of activities that can get your heart racing in the park. 

 Of course, no series of Banff visits would be complete without paying homage to the classic sights that have captivated travellers for so many decades: the icefields parkway that runs parallel to the greatest mountain peaks in all of North America, the old sway-backed red bridges that cut across rushing rivers, waterfalls, glacial lakes like Legend, Peyto and the lake Louise; or the geothermal hot springs where people still swim and bathe and relax their aching muscles, lulled into a state of mindfulness by just being part of the process of being and belonging. 

 The National Parks of Canada is inviting visitors to Banff National Park to experience the story of adventure, discovery and the connections to majestic wilderness that form the spirit of Banff National Park and the Canadian experience.

4. Amalfi Coast, Italy:

 The Amalfi Coast must be one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. The sea is crystal-blue, the villages nestled on the hills smell of lemons and the houses are painted different tints of orange and yellow. It is a perfect place for a relaxing holiday – at least that’s what people say. You can wander around the cobbled back streets of Positano and sample fresh seafood delicacies in rustic seaside restaurants, or go on a charming boat tour along the coast. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular. The Mediterranean climate is calm, and the whole place oozes a relaxed atmosphere.

One of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy is situated in the region of Campania, more precisely the Amalfi Coast, located right on the margin of the Tyrrhenian Sea. On this stretch of coast, one can find a series of jewel-like villages, panoramic views and magical colours that make it an extraordinary place to visit.

Every time you loop back on these narrow sea-hugging roads, it reveals itself in another sequence of vertical cliffs, cascading vineyards and clinging villages, scented with the lemon groves, with painfully pretty houses in colourful orange and yellow.

And Positano itself, a maze of pastel-washed lanes in storeys that cascade down to the water in a tight spiral of steps and alleys overhung with bougainvillea and jasmine. It needs some time to explore, so linger in its stores, where the scent of walnut pasta, lemon slivers and capers distracts you from the task in hand. Don’t miss the seafood: buy the catch of the day, still slithering in its basket,and then take it to a small seaside trattoria for them to cook it.

For the ultimate experience, travel by boat along the coastline, where you can gaze in awe at the dramatic cliffs and secluded coves scattered along the shore. Enjoy the warm sea breeze against your skin and take in the picturesque panorama that surrounds you from the comfort of your boat.

 Its mild climate and lazy atmosphere make it the quintessential site for a relaxing vacation on the Mediterranean. You can bask on the beach, eat food from the region or just look at the scenery, but wherever you are on the Amalfi Coast, you know that you have made the right choice because Italy’s southern shoreline is an example of beauty and comfort in its least demanding form.

5. Maui, Hawaii:

 One of the most beautiful spots on Earth, Maui is world-renowned for its picturesque landscapes, powdery white hot beaches, and friendly private residents. A favourite destination of tourists on vacations looking for a dose of sun, sand and fun, Maui offers plenty of activities and places to see for all kinds of travellers. Snorkelling with green sea turtles at Molokini Crater, or catching the so-called most beautiful sunrise on Earth atop the dormant Haleakalā Volcano, all these can be enjoyed on Maui. You could also visit the old whaling town of Lahaina and the hippie haven of Paia, or simply sample some authentic local delicacies at a roadside stand or a food truck, or simply veg out and lounge on a beach.

Maui, Hawaii, often described as one of the greatest places on earth, is an island paradise that caters to travellers who come seeking beautiful vistas, warm local hospitality, white-sand beaches, extraordinary recreational activities and luxurious pampering. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii in the centre of the Pacific Ocean, home to white sand beaches, lush tropical forests and volcanic landscapes.

 Another classic Maui experience is the chance to snorkel with sea turtles at Molokini Crater, a semi-submerged volcanic crater, home to numerous colourful fish. Swim through a school of these graceful turtles and you can create a lifetime of memories.

The special trip to the top of the extinct Haleakalā Volcano, taken early in the morning for the sunrise, is the ultimate spiritual experience that, when the first beams of light break across the darkness of the sky, can make you understand why National Geographic chose to describe it as ‘the most beautiful sunrise on Earth’. 

You’ll find a glimpse of island life walking through the old whaling town of Lahaina, where quaint storefronts and art galleries fill the narrow streets of the old town; or the bohemian town of Paia – an anchor for artists, hippies and surfers alive since the 1930s.

Of course, no trip to Maui would be complete without sampling its gourmet foods at local roadside stands and food trucks; allow your palate to be tantalised by Hawaii’s enormous culinary melting-pot.

And, of course, Maui’s beaches provide ultimate relaxation for those who make them their main vacation destination. You can catch some rays and take a swim in the famed Kaanapali Beach, or you can explore the Road to Hana to find little oases of Mahi’pu’ha – they don’t come more perfect than that.

Fill your days with fun or simply the wonder of being in the same space as all this beauty. Whether you want to play or just be, Maui offers everything you’re looking for. We invite you to come and explore, or just be amazed: paradise awaits.

6. Bora Bora, French Polynesia:

 A volcanic island set in the South Pacific Ocean, Bora  Bora is famous for its blue lagoons, overwater bungalows, steep peaks and verdant jungles. Visitors can snorkel or dive amidst rainbow coral reefs, sunbathe on white-sand beaches, or take a helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of the island’s towering mountains. Hoping to attract wanting-to-be-alone young couples, the island is ideal for a holiday away from home.

The island of Maui in Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and many tourists travel to the island for a variety of different reasons. Maui offers people the most beautiful natural scenery, friendly people, and a wide range of activities, such as relaxation and adventure. The island of Maui is located in the Pacific Ocean, and it is considered by many to have the best beaches, the nicest tropical jungles, and the most picturesque volcanos in the world.

Snorkelling among green sea turtles at Molokini Crater is a key Maui experience. A submerged volcanic caldera filled with coral and multicoloured fish, Molokini is the go-to outing for tourists who want to swim with Hawaii’s gentle herbivorses.

A pilgrimage to its summit is a perfect way to begin the day. The rewards for visiting Haleakalā at sunrise are spectacular: from the top of this inactive volcano, you can see all around the island. In fact, you can see far enough east to watch the very first light of dawn floating over the Pacific Ocean every single morning. This is why the National Park Service calls Haleakalā ‘the most beautiful sunrise on Earth’.

 Some of these towns and villages retain something of the island’s distinct sense of culture: stroll through the old whaling port of Lahaina, which bursts with eclectic boutiques, shady roadsides and art galleries, or visit the small bohemian town of Paia, popular with artists, surfers and alternative lifestylers. After all, what would a trip to Maui be without sampling some island cuisine? Try traditional island culture at mauka roadstalls and trucks where you’ll find the taste of Hawaii’s melting-pot culture.

And for those looking to completely immerse themselves in relaxation, Maui’s beaches draw massive crowds. On the sandy shores of Kaanapali Beach, or among the rugged cliffs and hidden coves that line the winding Road to Hana, every moment spent on Maui is a moment that the island and its purveyors can fill with the beauty of their islands. 

There’s no limit to how you can have fun on Maui, or unwind, or just be immersed by Mother Nature’s bounty and majesty. Come to Maui and let every day be an adventure, an escape, a delight.

7. Cappadocia, Turkey:

 Cappadocia. Your mind likely conjures a vision of rock formations, fairy chimneys, and hot air balloons soaring between their peaks. Although rich in both history and legend, this tourist destination in central Anatolia will forever be associated with the otherworldly geography of its landscapes. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, Racja Domoina (meaning ‘Land of Beautiful Horses’ in the Hittite language) has a history of millennia, punctuated by invasions of Persians in 584 BCE, Greeks in 334 BCE, and Romans in 104 BCE, to name just a few overlapping chapters. However, it is the otherworldly geology that sets this site apart, enabling the development of underground cities I could easily spend every summer exploring the region’s canyons and underground cities. As it is, I visit once a year mostly to soar among the region’s strange topography and snap some Instagram-worthy photos. I have gazed at pigeon holes in the ceilings of disused cave churches, tried half-dried apricots from the region, eaten a lamb from a hole in the ground, and repeated ‘Cappadocia is gorgeous’ multiple times. I have dragged family members on hikes through the region’s valleys, and taken friends hot air ballooning at sunrise, all eager gratitude in exchange for my free travel. Tourism is important. It stimulates the local economy and fosters appreciation for cultural heritage. But beyond supplementing the pockets of locals or keeping government workers on staff, tourism can often hinder more than it helps, especially when it preserves tourism sites rather than culture.

 Cappadocia. When you hear this name, you likely picture rock formations, fairy chimneys and hot air balloons floating between their tops. Tourists flock to this central Anatolian pearl not only for its centuries of rich history and legend, but the otherworldly geography of its landscapes will forever be intertwined with the site itself. The first humans in Racja Domoina (‘Land of Beautiful Horses’, as Hittite said) are believed to be Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. The Persians invaded in 584 BCE, the Greeks in 334 BCE, and the Romans in 104 BCE. And that is just a handful of the site’s invasive chapters. However, it is this otherworldly geology that makes this site unique, producing the very underground cities that I would happily spend every summer wandering between its canyons and underground cities. As it is, I visit at least once a year for experience-laden holidays I, too, spend days pretending to appreciate the region’s imaginary history, to pose against the rocks like a conquistador for Instagram, to admire pigeon holes in the ceilings of abandoned cave churches, and to eat half-dried apricot from the region. I have eaten a lamb from a hole in the ground numerous times, I’ve repeatedly said ‘Cappadocia is gorgeous’ to myself, I’ve hiked with my family members through its highland valleys, and I’ve taken almost every friend I’ve made in the past 10 years hot air ballooning at sunrise, ready to shed gratitude for my free travel like moulting pigeons shed the feathers from their wingtips. Tourism is important. It helps average citizens to earn money, and it preserves cultural heritage. But fewer than half of its benefits help the average citizen. Unless tourism is pursued as a lifestyle, as an expensive hobby or led by a man with unaged ambition, it – at least in the places and cultures where Western world often lands – more often hinders than it helps. Tourism maintains tourism sites, not culture.

8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

 A city known for its electric atmosphere and pulsating vibe, Rio de Janeiro is a tourist destination that’s rich in culture, beaches and distinctive landmarks that turn the city into an exciting and bright place to visit. Visitors can explore the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, set foot on the charming streets of Santa Teresa and Lapa, or climb up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for a unique panoramic view of the city. The samba rhythms heard in Rio de Janeiro make travelling to this city a perfect holiday for those who enjoy music, dance and travel.

Clouds can also be shaped by human hands. Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, has a vibrancy and wow factor about it that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The city is a cultural, beachy, icons-a-plenty highlight that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. When you arrive, the life and intensity of Rio wraps its arms around you and doesn’t let go.

Rio has many attractions, but the city’s beaches are pre-eminent, best-known and most on show – Copacabana and Ipanema, famously, are part of a long 22-mile coastline that no human could not want to walk at least one stretch of. Sunbathe, swim, or just watch the parade with a cooling caipirinha.

Further afield into the city’s delightful neighbourhoods, a simmering delight awaits. Walk the Colombian-esque cobbled streets of Santa Teresa and lose yourself among kaleidoscopic colonial architecture and rainbow-hued graffiti before reaching the top of Corcovado. Visit the frenetic bohemian ahead-of-its-own-time district of Lapa and its spectacular aqueduct built by an Alexandrian queal and its overblown nightlife, samba drums and dance clubs kept alive by the enervated hands of hedonists who groove until sunrise.

To the south-east of the city, climb to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain on an open-cable car for sweeping views of Rio’s sprawling cityscape, bookended by the towering Christ the Redeemer statue sitting atop Corcovado Mountain. 

Without a doubt, however, the energy and exhilaration of samba and the steamiest music and dance of any carnival anywhere is Rio de Janeiro’s greatest year-round draw. Bossa nova to profoundly sexy, pillow-talky introspections of earnest intimate love. Then samba: from spreading the endorphins among a crowd, to erupting in an improvised dazzling choreography and single-minded rhythms at one of Rio’s fabled samba clubs, Rio de Janeiro is the supreme playground for all music and dance. 

Rio never stops partying. Indeed the city never stops, in any shape or form. Every corner is brimming with something interesting to see, do or else. Every block is a stage, every day a call for carnival. Welcome to Rio, welcome to life, welcome to the eternal present.

9. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania:

   Go on safari in Serengeti National Park with the most impressive wildlife-viewing experiences on Earth. The park is one of the most famous hunting grounds for the annual migration of more than two million wildebeest and zebras, or a world-class game drive to track lions, cheetahs, leopards, and gazelles. Or simply to view the African savanna, Serengeti National Park offers a holiday with lots to see and do. 

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the great destinations on Earth for wildlife-viewing. The world’s oldest national park, it contains some of the most beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife in the world.

The Great Migration is a major draw to Serengeti National Park, its annual movement of more than two million wildebeest and zebra across the plains, always in search of fresh grazing areas. Any visitor would never forget the experience of watching such a vast migration of animals. 

But the Big Five aren’t the only animals that make their home in Serengeti. Although you could be forgiven for assuming that the wildlife-viewing opportunities are second to none in the world solely down to the massive migration, that would be a mistake. You’ll also find such staples of the African mammalian tourism scene as lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and giraffes. The best game drive of your life holds its own secret corners around almost every bush. The best guides will take you deep into the wilderness to see them at their finest.

Lioness resting with cubs, Serengeti National Park, July 2017But it isn’t merely the abundance of Serengeti’s wildlife that makes it so special. Its landscapes are without parallel in Africa. As I’ve strolled across its plains and valleys, often on foot, I’ve been rewarded with the sight of emerald bush giving way to rollling savannas, lines of acacia trees disappearing into the horizon, and acres of land speckled with boulders ready to be plunged into by proud lions. Surrounding these scenes are rivers – one might stumble upon the Mara River which straddles Kenya and Tanzania. With its white-sand shores and meandering curves, this river seems not to belong in a place of such harsh extremes and gruelling droughts – instead, it seems a flow from yesterday’s rainfall, curling gently to the south, towards our destination. Or there are the rocky outcrops – ‘kopjes’, they’re called – suspended above the plains, casting long shadows eastwards with the dawn. Then there is the way the light transforms between sunrise and sunset; how the sun’s passage across the sky makes colours that might have seemed grey at dawn suffuse with golden glow by the time of sunset.

Adventures include hot-air balloon safaris and guided walks, as well as trips with the local Maasai tribal communities. 

 When you head out into the Serengeti today at dawn, it remains the true African experience. Everything about Serengeti National Park exemplifies the poetry of the wild, bringing travel to Africa full circle, and inviting guests to experience and enjoy the endless splendour of nature. Serengeti National Park is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the world…it remains a place where we can all find beauty and solace in the most powerful, primitive space imaginable.To find out more about Serengeti National Park, please click here. To learn more about when you too should visit Africa, click here.

10. Great Barrier Reef, Australia:

 Stretching for almost 2,300 km along Queensland’s northeastern coast, the world’s largest coral reef system covers an area of more than 344,000 sq km and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can look at the reef by snorkelling alongside the myriad brightly coloured coral; dive among the millions of vivid fish schools – some of which boast up to thousands of individuals – and charismatic visitors such as sea turtles; or fly above for a view of the reef from the air. The natural beauty and biological diversity means that a holiday on the Great Barrier Reef is a profound and memorable experience.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Nature’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring creations. It runs parallel to the coast of Queensland’s northeast for almost 2,300 km, and is the world’s largest coral reef system covering more than 344,000 sq km. As such, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site ‘of outstanding universal value to humanity’.

 There’s no better way to see the reef than to fully immerse yourself in it, snorkelling or diving among the fish and corals, or flying overhead and looking down. You’ll soon understand what I mean when I say there are more ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef than any other place on Earth. Snorkellers swim near to sea turtles and brightly coloured corals, and sometimes encounter small groups of tropical fish that move as if they were one large organism. Divers slip under the surface and through the coral gardens where slow-moving, ageless sea turtles swim amongst thousands of tiny herbivores foraging for algae among the corals.

Those who prefer to view the phenomenon from the sky can do so through scenic flights that perspectivise the ‘pattern and scale’ of the reef from above. Here the beauty of the reef is put on view – from a safe remove.

As well as being stunningly beautiful, thousands of species of life thrive on the Great Barrier Reef — from the tiniest organisms on the Reef, to the famously charismatic (such as the giant marine mammals). Each interaction with one facet or another of the Reef exemplifies the interdependence of all life, and the need to protect it.

 A holiday in the Great Barrier Reef is not merely a vacation or mere travel; it is a journey that buries itself into our minds, a memory that accompanies each person who had the luck to visit this natural wonder in the past and in […] a beautiful, green, blue and mysterious world one might experience, like FitzClarence did upon seeing it, travelling through the sea’s transparent water, with the endless ‘paths of corals and shells’.

From the beaches of Santorini in the Mediterranean to the rocky hinterland of Banff National Park in Canada, there are certainly no shortage of wonderful places to spend a fortnight or a summer. If it’s the calm of the coast you’re looking for, an adventure in nature, or the chance to open your mind in a culture slightly removed from your own, literally thousands of places exist to send you into raptures.

Is there really any reason to wait? Get your travel15 on, and go! Towers, Banff, Canada; table, Ilia, Santorini; bottom, NSW, Great Barrier Reef  15.Isating 16.Vietnam.

 The world is your oyster: go before it’s too late – you’ll be glad you took those opportunities to leave your comfort zone, your perceived obligation to lead a settled and respectable life at home. The road is your home, and these are good days to be alive and kicking on our mortal coil. So seize the day, step into the darkness of the unknown, and let the light of the world enchant you senseless. Alone, with people you know, or people you make on the road, the road is the reward, and the road memory will last you a lifetime. So what’s stopping you? The world is calling and you have to answer, right here, today.