Archives: Countries

The Arctic and Antarctica may be poles apart but their DNA is almost identical. Offering cruises past glossy glaciers, treks across thousand-year-old ice fields and unique scientific exploration, these frozen frontiers are the epitome of awe-inspiring. Chase the Northern Lights across Norway, swim beside orcas off Norway’s Arctic Ocean, and follow in the footsteps of…

Since the Golden Age of Sail, Portugal has been charming visitors with its wine-rich Douro Valley, historic hilltop towns and suave cities, Lisbon and Porto. Use the country’s 300 days of sun to explore its Mediterranean coastline – think lazy lagoons, dramatic cliffs and inviting beaches – road trip along its wine route and sample…

Botswana, a land thousands of miles from the sea yet deeply defined by water, is the ultimate anomaly. At its heart lies the Okavango Delta, a network of streams, palm islands, channels and lagoons in the country’s north that plays host to some of nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Further east in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans…

Despite its dominance in football, Spain often gets overshadowed by its French and Italian neighbours. But no more. This impassioned country, home to some of the world’s most exuberant festivals, is a heady mix of flamenco, late-night feasts, beautiful beaches and timeless architecture (here’s looking at you, Gaudí). Wander the winding streets of Seville, eat…

Stockholm is always a good place to start in Sweden. Spread across a maze of islands and waterways, the capital brings together colourful old-town streets, elegant palaces and a distinctly cool design, food and café scene. From here, head west to Gothenburg, a laid-back coastal city known for its independent boutiques, excellent seafood and creative…

Argentina is a country of contrasts; gigantic glaciers, high-altitude vineyards, vast open grasslands and bustling barrios. From its capital, Buenos Aires, where passionate milongas (spontaneous tango dances) spill onto charming continental streets, to nearby Córdoba where you can experience life as a gaucho on a working estancia, Argentina’s allure is undeniable. Visit natural wonders such…

Long overlooked by its tourism juggernaut neighbours, landlocked Bolivia is one of South America’s most intriguing destinations. Snow-capped peaks, vast high-altitude plains, colourful deserts and tropical forests pack an extraordinary amount of variety into one country. In La Paz, markets spill onto steep streets beneath the Andes, while just beyond the city, the surreal Valle…

The fifth largest country in the world, there are few landscapes Brazil doesn’t have. From the densely packed cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro that explode into kaleidoscopes of feathered headwear during February’s carnival season, to the wild, remote expanses in the Amazon and Pantanal, Brazil is a true embodiment of diversity. Visit…

For a country so narrow, Chile certainly knows how to show off. Wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, this long strip of land stretches from the driest desert on Earth to the frozen wilderness of Patagonia, taking in moon-like landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, glacial lakes and fjord-cut coastlines along the way. Start in Santiago,…

Imagine a country where snow-capped Andean peaks give way to Caribbean seas, coffee-covered hills and dense tropical rainforest. Welcome to Colombia. Once overshadowed by a turbulent recent history and notorious reputation, the country has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as one of South America’s most exciting and sought-after destinations. Today, ancient ruins and enchanting colonial…