Adventure

With a world dominated by social media, busy trains and crammed coffee shops, the idea of ‘getting away from it all’ seems so unlikely sometimes. But while the planet seems ever closer and more connected, there’s one last real wilderness out there to escape to.  With 8,000 miles of coastline, Western Australia accounts for almost half the continent. If it were a nation in itself, it would be the world’s tenth largest country. So, if you want some space to breathe, you’ve just found the ultimate getaway.

Just smell that nutmeg, as it’s turned into everything from jam and syrup to ice cream. And don’t forget the chocolate, coffee, sugar cane and bananas too.  Grenada is known as “The Spice Island” – and for good reason. It’s been a major producer of nutmeg for more than a century and one of its most atmospheric sights is the monumental wooden Nutmeg Processing Station set beside the sea at Gouyave. This deliciously scented warehouse seems unchanged since the day it opened in 1952, and the lucrative spice is so much a part of island life it features on the national flag.

Many a travel destination has a reputation written into popular perception in indelible ink. And perhaps nowhere more so than the Canary Islands. This much-loved Atlantic archipelago – with the biggest member of the group, Tenerife, sitting at its heart – renowned as a haven of winter sunshine, basking in temperatures which hover at around the 20C mark just as continental Europe is coping with the worst weather.

Follow in the footsteps of Bob Marley (and Winston Churchill, James Bond and Noel Coward too) and wing your way to Jamaica, to enjoy marvellous music, fabulous food, wonderful watersports and beautiful beaches.  No matter what you like best about the Caribbean, you are likely to find it in Jamaica. This former’ Spanish, then British, colony is not only one of the largest islands (there is 4,000 square miles of it) but one of the most diverse and without doubt one of the liveliest. Few would dispute that Jamaica is also one of the most attractive of the Caribbean Islands.

Northern Ireland is full of striking landscapes and rich farmland. Its people are no less unique: hospitable, laid-back, the perfect hosts. What’s more, Belfast and the Causeway Coastal Route were voted best in Travel 2018 by Lonely Planet.

The Antiguans are justifiably proud of their stunning beaches – all 365 of them. It’s a wonder they managed to count them, as quite a few have inviting castaway-style bars that stock some very quaffable rums – locally-distilled Cavalier, which is aged in bourbon barrels, is a good quality one to bring home and it tastes great too.

San Francisco is a city with an abundance of historic charms. The Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets lined with colourful Victorian-era homes and the city’s iconic cable cars are a powerful reminder that you’re in one of the most culturally important cities in the USA.

Foodie focus

In addition to this city’s rich heritage, the Northern Californian metropolis continues to innovate and inspire, with a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant scene, legendary covered food market and all-compassing eco vibe.

Let’s be honest. Salzburg in Austria might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of a romantic city break – but that’s part of what makes it the perfect place for one. The city doesn’t shout too loudly about its many charms, but those savvy couples that do visit will be richly rewarded with stunning sights, blissful views and so many romantic restaurants and bars that you’ll be planning your return before your holiday is even over.

Tokyo: one of the world’s largest cities. It’s big, buzzy and loud. But the Japanese capital isn’t all frantic-paced living and cramming on to impossibly packed subway trains. There are blissful pockets of peace and tranquillity too. From discovering the intricacies of a traditional tea ceremony to zazen meditation and dining experiences that last all afternoon, here are five ways to find calm in Tokyo.

Offering golden-age glamour next to golden sands, vibrant culture and cuisine, all overlooked by dramatic canyons, Los Angeles has no shortage of oft-filmed assets to recommend it. But there’s one in particular that always gives it an edge over anywhere. Los Angeles offers a rich melting pot of cultures bubbling up with surprises, the cosy climate also makes the region’s golden beaches, breathtaking hills and sumptuous surf seriously tempting. Can you take it all in during one short break? You better believe it...