SEE WHALES BREACH ON THE GARDEN ROUTE IN SOUTH AFRICA
Strictly speaking the Garden Route is just a four-hour coastal drive along the southern edge of Africa, one end an afternoon’s drive from Cape Town, the other two hours from Port Elizabeth. But no other highway is this appealing. It boasts the world’s second mildest climate, losing out only to Hawaii. The year-round rain means that its ten national parks are bursting with flora and fauna: more than 300 species of birds, coral reefs, elephants, dolphins and several types of whale.
Don’t expect to be carbound on this nature trail, either. The view from the road may be national Geographic-worthy (clouds permitting) but adventurous travellers should make time to venture into the forest, especially in Tsitsikamma National Park. Hire a mountain bike and explore the well-mapped trails, walk behind waterfalls, cross a 77m-long suspension bridge or just use up your entire life’s adrenaline in one go on the world’s highest bungee jump.
If you’re after a pretty way to see more of South Africa but not that into the great outdoors, you’ll be relieved to hear that the Garden Route’s main towns are all well set up for visitors. For great bars, amenities and people plan a stop at Mossel Plettenberg Bay, and Storms River has a good selection of restaurants and even a microbrewery, despite its teeny population. Something for everyone, then. Strap in, cos this route’s one hell of a ride.
SOAK IN A HOT SPRING AT THE WORLD’S BEST SPA IN MELBOURNE
Forget Sydney Harbour, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef, we’ve found an even more compelling reason to head Down Under. Peninsula Hot Springs on the outskirts of Melbourne was this year voted the best spa in the world and it looks truly heavenly. It features a series of outdoor pools fed by hot geothermal water and which look out over the gorgeous Morlington Peninsula coastline. If that’s not enough to soothe your weary London soul then there’s also a Turkish hamam, a cave pool, plunge pools, massaging thermal showers and a 360-degree hilltop pool. The spa also offers legendary treatments, including the Kodo massage, a treatment inspired by traditional Aboriginal techniques using a range of native aromatic oils.
When you’re about as Zen as you’re ever going to get, you can head out to explore the surrounding area. First things first: this is wine country, so make sure you visit at least one vineyard, such as the family-run Crittenden Estate. The Peninsula is also a foodie hotspot, and you’ll find market stalls overflowing with local organic produce, cute cheese and chocolate shops and several best-in-the- country restaurants.
If you want to get closer to the great outdoors, grab your tent and head to one of the beachside camping sites where you can roll out of bed straight into the aquamarine waters of Port Philip Bay or take a boat trip to snorkel with adorable bottlenose dolphins and sea dragons. After that little lot you’ll just about be ready to face the Central line again.
EXPLORE A DESERT OASIS IN MOROCCO
Sand. Sand. Sand. Palm trees! Kasbahs! Coming across a desert oasis is an experience like no other and Skoura in Morocco delvers all you could want from one. A day’s drive from Marrakesh via a precipitous winding mountain pass will bring you to this sizeable patch of palms which was once the first stop for caravans coming across the Sahara. Locals will encourage you to take a guided bike tour-a nice way to support the local economy-which will take you to the best viewing points in the palmerie, and includes tea with a local host. There are also several historically important Kasbahs to take in, including the restored Kasbah Amerhidil – which features on the Moroccan 50 Dirham bank note. Head to the roof for views over to the snow-dusted Atlas Mountains. And if you get bored of the slower pace of life among the palms you can explore further afield and head to the dramatic Dades and Todra gorges or the Unesco World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, a popular film location.
PEDAL DOWN A VOLCANO IN BALI
In Bali, exerting yourself physically is best done before the sun really gets too high, so if you’re going to cycle down a volcanic crater, you want to get up early. The crucial word here is ‘down’. You do not, repeat not, have to cycle up the crater to cycle back down-you’ll have your pick of cycling tour guides and they all come with cars.
Mount Batur is an active volcano. It sits inside a huge crater that was once a larger volcano-set your camera to panorama mode because there’s a lot of gorgeous scenery to take in at the top. Then you’ll hop on your bike and careen down the 27km crater to the bottom. It’s a gentle route down mostly deserted roads, through tiny Balinese villages where children shout ‘Hello! Hello!’ as you zip by. The lush green rice paddies you fly through are dotted with vaguely ominous scarecrows that don’t seem to greatly deter flocks of hungry birds.
Since it’s downhill all the way, the biggest workout is clutching the brakes so you don’t accidently break the sound barrier. Other than that, it’s an almost completely effort-free cycle: the best kind, in other words.