Montenegro: the new pearl of the Balkans. Image by Faruk Kaymak
Chile
In my experience, most travellers touch down in Santiago and head straight out of town ? north for the stark beauty of Atacama or to the wild expanse of Patagonia down south. In this sliver of South America, which will celebrate 200 years of independence from the Spanish Empire in 2018, there?s so much in between.
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Long overlooked, Santiago is worth pausing in. The food scene is piping hot, with restaurants like Boragó at the fore. More and more design-centric boutiques are popping up. As if that wasn?t enough, it?s all framed by the stunning surrounding Andes. With BA?s relatively new nonstop flights to Santiago, it?s more accessible than ever. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. Image by Olga Stalska
Once you?ve finished exploring Santiago, I recommend heading to Patagonia to stay at one of my favourite hotels. The Explora Lodge provides some of Earth?s ultimate views. Sitting at the breakfast table on a clear day, the view is one of the most beautiful you?ll ever see ? with glaciers, snowcapped mountains and the lake. The trouble is you must get lucky. I?ve been there several times and you might get horizontal snow when it’s windy so that you can?t see more than a foot ahead of you.
Agra
Rudyard Kipling, Disney and the UK?s close ties to the subcontinent obviously have had an indelible effect on our psyches. India?s a...