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​5 Best Places to Visit in Bhutan: The Ultimate Kingdom Guide

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 Squeezed between India and China, Bhutan evaluates the progress of its nation by its “Gross National Happiness” not GDP. It is a realm of lush pine forests, cliff-hanging monasteries and fluttering prayer flags set against the roaring Himalayan wind. 1. Paro: The Iconic Gateway and Cliffside Wonder Paro is where most visitors arrive, and from there, expectations are set. The lush landscape, consisting of paddy fields and traditional painted houses, offers one of the most iconic sights in the country: Paro Taktsang. This temple, perched precariously on a 3,120m-high rock, requires a four- to five-hour uphill trek through forests of blue pine and rhododendron. But there are other attractions as well: Rinpung Dzong, a great fortress overlooking the river with delicate timber-work and sturdy stone buttresses. ​2. Thimphu: The Traffic-Light-Free Capital ​There are only a handful of national capitals in the world that do not have a single traffic light. The couple of times Thimphu tried...
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​5 Best Lakes in Italy to Visit

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 The Italian lakes are among the most beautiful spots in Europe and perhaps the most romantic in terms of travel. Nestled among snow-capped Alpine mountains, orange and lemon trees, and stately villas from the Belle Époque period, each of the lakes offers a distinct personality, be it the allure of Hollywood-style movies, the excitement of fast windsurfing, or the tranquility of the Alps. ​1. Lake Como: Unfiltered Elegance and Timeless Charm Nestled at the base of the Lombardian Alps, the Rhaetian Alps, lies the stunning lake of Como. It’s easy to see why it’s so famous. Shaped like a wishbone, the shores are lined with mountains that plunge directly into the deep blue lake, peppered with pastel-coloured towns and classical villas. In the centre of the lake is the beautiful town of Bellagio, which is linked by regular ferry to Varenna, known for its cobbled streets, and the Tremezzo village of Villa Carlotta, home to a historic botanical garden. To really experience Como, skip the ...
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​5 Best Safe and Women-Friendly Beaches to Visit in Mauritius

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 Mauritius is famous for its lagoons and volcanoes, but the things you need most for a good trip, if you are a woman travelling alone or with friends, are safety, clear paths, respectful local vibes, and accessible amenities. 1. Trou aux Biches: The Calm Haven for Solo Sunbathers Trou aux Biches, on the north-west coast, is a relaxed beach that doesn’t demand your attention. It’s protected by a barrier reef further out, meaning the lagoon water is flat, shallow and calm. There are no riptides. It’s one of the few beaches in Mauritius that’s not full of tour guides and pushy touts. Instead, there are smart little boutique resorts and restaurants, meaning you can leave your bag on the sand while you snorkel past sea turtles or lie down and read a book for an hour without being bothered. There are public toilet blocks, clean changing rooms, and the beaches are well patrolled, and surrounded by good beachfront cafes. You could spend the whole day here without any fuss. ​2. Le Morne: Em...
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Top 5 Places to Visit in Nepal You Can’t Miss

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 In the Himalayas, prayer flags wave above the world’s tallest mountains; in centuries-old brick courtyards, ancient cultural practices come alive; in the floodplains of the Terai, rare animals roam free. For any travel experience you have in mind, these are five must-visit destinations in Nepal. 1. Kathmandu Valley The Kathmandu Valley is a hub for Newari art, Buddhist stupas, and other historic sites. Begin your morning by joining worshippers turning the prayer wheels around the white dome of the Boudhanath Stupa. Visit the monkeys that cling to the stone reliefs at Swayambhunath Stupa. Explore the many courtyards of Kathmandu Durbar Square. Away from the throng of motorbikes in Thamel, the Kathmandu Valley retains a spiritual character of its own. The people of the region follow both Hinduism and the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism. ​2. Pokhara Nestled at the foot of the distinctive skyline of the Annapurna range, Pokhara is one of the most popular adventure and recreational center...
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​5 Best Women-Friendly Beaches in Australia

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 With almost 36,000km of coastline, Australia is home to countless surf breaks, secret coves and gorgeous sandy beaches. But as much as we love our coastlines, there are a few things that female solo and group travellers usually want from a coastal getaway, including good community vibes, great facilities, safe swimming areas and a feeling of absolute safety. Whether you want a women-only ocean pool sanctuary or a laid-back cove surrounded by coastal trails, here are some of our favourite coastal gems. McIver's Ladies Baths, New South Wales McIver’s Ladies Baths is a historic beachside location in Sydney, nestled on the cliff between Coogee Beach and Wylie's Baths. Open since the early twentieth century and legally protected by the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act, this ocean seawater pool is open only to women and children. Filled with the water from the Pacific Ocean, the ocean pool is a safe, calm spot to take a dip in the salt water, away from the ocean’s waves. It is not only t...
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​5 Best Places to Watch the Northern Lights in Sweden

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 There are few places on Earth better suited for witnessing auroras than the skies over Arctic Sweden. When you look up at the sky over frozen lakes and through forests covered in snow, you will be greeted by dancing green and purple lights that can light up your winter night. Northern lights enthusiasts have been visiting the Scandinavian nation for decades due to its perfect mix of low levels of cloud cover and long stretches of darkness in winter. But while northern lights in Sweden can be seen throughout the country’s north from Kiruna in the interior to Luleå and the sea, some areas are better than others for sightings. Here’s how to plan an Arctic holiday in Sweden for the best chance of seeing the northern lights. ​Abisko National Park and the Aurora Sky Station Abisko National Park is considered by meteorologists and tourists to be one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Located about 200 km north of the Arctic circle near the Norwegian border, the v...
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5 Best Mountains in Europe to Visit This Year

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 Europe is blessed with spectacular scenery, but what is most awe-inspiring is the continent’s dramatic mountain ranges. From old limestone peaks to snow-capped glaciers and remote volcanoes, we have selected five memorable summits that will take your breath away. 1. The Matterhorn On the Swiss-Italian border, the Matterhorn (4,478 m) is possibly the most famous mountain summit in the world. This pyramid-shaped mountain, with its asymmetric, chiselled form and straight-to-the-sky cliffs, towers above the car-free town of Zermatt. In 1865, the peak entered the popular consciousness after the first ascent was successfully made by Edward Whymper’s party along the Hörnli Ridge. For the skilled climber, the Matterhorn provides a formidable challenge with steep slopes of granite and ice. You don’t have to carry an ice axe to enjoy the peak, however. The Gornergrat railway ascends to 3,089 m, offering sweeping views across 29 mountains over 4,000 metres high. At dawn, a walk along the lak...
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