Wonders Of The World
As we move through 2026, the world has never felt more accessible or full of specialised wonders. From the long-awaited unveiling of massive cultural archives in Egypt to the rare astronomical peak of the Northern Lights, this year offers a unique alignment of events for the intentional traveller. Whether you are looking for the raw geological power of an active volcano in Japan or the silent, mirrored modernism of the Saudi desert, these twelve destinations represent the absolute pinnacle of global adventure for the current calendar year.
Rising from the Tyrrhenian Sea just off Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, Capri is a small island of cliffs, coves, and impossibly blue water. Though only 10 square kilometres, its steep terrain makes it feel much larger — from sea level to the top of Monte Solaro, the island climbs nearly 600 metres. Roads curve along terraces of lemon trees and whitewashed villas, leading to hidden beaches and panoramic viewpoints over the Bay of Naples. It’s the kind of place that feels effortlessly glamorous yet still connected to nature, and perfect for a day trip from Sorrento when planned right.
I have travelled to so many countries over the last few years, but when booking this trip to the Amalfi Coast it turned out to be the most confusing trip to plan and took far longer to understand the logistics than any other trip I have done. I visited Italy ten years ago and have explored many parts of the country, but this was my first time on the Amalfi Coast. I read so many articles warning me not to hire Vespas because they are dangerous, not to drive because the roads are too tight and there is nowhere to park, that buses are always delayed, and that ferries are the best option but sometimes do not run due to bad weather. I mean, talk about scaremongering.
Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on Oman’s Green Mountain, Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa is the ultimate summer escape from the desert heat. Often called the Grand Canyon of the Middle East, this rugged plateau offers a completely different world just a few hours from Dubai. We left 42-degree heat behind and arrived to crisp 28-degree temperatures in August, with refreshing rain showers and cool breezes we hadn’t felt in months. Being able to sit outdoors comfortably, surrounded by dramatic canyons and terraced villages, felt incredible. The hotel sits right on the edge of the mountain, offering uninterrupted views across deep gorges and rocky peaks that stretch for miles.
Just a two-hour drive from Dubai, Musandam in Oman feels like a completely different world. Jagged limestone cliffs rise straight out of the sea, forming deep inlets and quiet coves often called the fjords of Arabia. The landscape is wild and untouched, with no buildings or roads in sight once you’re on the water. It’s one of the most scenic parts of the Gulf and also one of the best places to dive in the region. The calm waters, varied topography, and rich marine life make it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers looking for a quick weekend underwater.
The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is a five‑star resort set in the North Malé Atoll, around 50 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. Part of Marriott International and designed by Kerry Hill, it sits within the Fari Islands, a new luxury development that brings together three resorts — The Ritz‑Carlton, Patina Maldives and the upcoming Capella Maldives — as well as the Fari Marina Village. This village is home to the Fari Beach Club, boutiques and a collection of shared dining and cultural spaces. While guests are free to explore these wider facilities, The Ritz‑Carlton itself feels self‑contained, offering overwater and beachfront villas, a full‑service spa, multiple restaurants and bars, a dive centre and a wide range of recreational and wellness activities.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a five-star property located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Part of Marriott International, the resort follows Westin’s global wellness philosophy built around six pillars: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. This ethos is reflected throughout the island — from the brand’s signature Heavenly Beds and daily yoga sessions to nourishing dining options and a focus on rest and renewal.
The resort features spacious overwater and beachfront villas, a dedicated spa, and a range of wellness and fitness programmes. Its location also offers seasonal access to Hanifaru Bay, one of the world’s top sites for snorkelling with manta rays. Designed with sustainability and comfort in mind, The Westin caters to travellers looking for a quieter, more balanced Maldives experience.
Summer is the perfect time to explore the vast and diverse landscapes of America's national parks. Whether you're drawn to towering mountains, desert canyons, lush forests, or coastal trails, the USA offers something for every kind of traveller. This guide highlights the best national parks to visit in the summer months — places where the weather is ideal, the scenery is spectacular, and the adventure is nonstop.
AlUla is one of Saudi Arabia’s most remarkable destinations, located in the northwest of the country within the Medina region. Known for its dramatic desert landscapes and archaeological significance, it is home to Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as ancient rock tombs, historic dwellings, and striking sandstone formations. In recent years, AlUla has opened up to international tourism with new infrastructure, seasonal events, and luxury accommodations, making it an ideal destination for travellers interested in history, culture, and nature.
This isn't the result of a viral post making the rounds on social media - Marriott Mena House in Cairo has been captivating visitors for over a century. Nestled just down the road from the Great Pyramids of Giza, this iconic hotel is the pinnacle of ancient history and luxury, offering guests a front-row seat to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If the Great Pyramids are on your bucket list - as they are for so many - then Mena House is the perfect place to stay, while you give this extraordinary wonder, one big tick.
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Nile River, Luxor is often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum — and it’s easy to see why. This ancient city is a treasure trove of history, where every corner reveals stories carved in stone and echoes of a civilisation that shaped the course of human history. From the towering columns of Karnak Temple to the mysterious tombs hidden deep within the Valley of the Kings, Luxor offers an unforgettable journey through time.
Cairo is exactly what you expect — and yet, it still manages to surprise you. Loud, hot, completely alive. The kind of city that doesn’t ease you in gently, it just sweeps you up in its chaos and colour. One minute you’re weaving through traffic that somehow works without rules, the next you’re standing still beneath the Pyramids, barely believing they’re real. It’s gritty and grand all at once, with layers of history, street noise, spice and smoke. And somehow, it all just works. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, Cairo always gives you something unexpected.
Seychelles is known for having some of the clearest water, finest beaches, and most striking granite boulders in the world—a true island paradise scattered across the Indian Ocean. Whether tucked behind a luxury resort or hidden at the end of a hiking trail, every beach in Seychelles is public, meaning you’re free to explore them all. From postcard-perfect coves to long, shallow bays ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, the islands offer something for every kind of beachgoer.
There’s something cinematic about arriving in AlUla for the first time. Set deep within the Ashar Valley, this design-led retreat brings a new kind of luxury to the desert: 45 gleaming Airstream caravans, each thoughtfully placed to blend into the Mars-like surroundings. The site itself is more than a place to sleep—it’s a communal experience. Food trucks serve up regional flavours, gathering spaces encourage connection, and activities draw on local Bedouin traditions. For those chasing something different, Caravan AlUla captures the wild beauty of the desert without compromising on comfort.
My husband and I were sitting in the otherworldly Our Habitas pool, discussing our top five favourite places we’d ever been. Less than 24 hours in, and we both agreed—this Arabian gem was already at the top of our lists. With the likes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Monument Valley, Four Seasons Seychelles, and Iceland, one thing ties them all together: untouched natural beauty. And AlUla is no exception. It’s as if Monument Valley had a Middle Eastern twin.
If you’re based in the UAE, Oman - or heading this way on your travels, you must visit Musandam. Ever since I got my PADI license, people told me, ‘You have to scuba dive in Oman.’ They weren’t wrong, as I was completely blown away. From the marine life, rugged mountains, calm waters and close proximity to Dubai, Musandam is no doubt the best dive spot in the region.
As of 2024 there are nearly 200 resorts in The Maldives, so choosing where to stay can be extremely overwhelming. Especially for the honeymooners who have meticulously planned in advance and saved thousands, to go on the most special trip of their life - they don’t want to be disappointed when they arrive.
I was lucky enough to visit The Maldives for my 30th birthday in 2023 - I still can’t believe I can say that! We stayed at the newly upgraded Villa Nautica on the North Malé Atoll, which has been voted the number 1 resort on TripAdvisor for 2024.
When I look back on all the places I’ve been to, Monument Valley always ends up being in my top 5 most memorable. When I first saw photos of this magical place, many years ago, I knew I had to visit. I’m a sucker for grand, natural landscapes, especially those in the raw desert.
For me, Monument Valley ticks all the boxes.
One of the most famous, and visited landmarks in the Untied Kingdom. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument dating back to around 3000 to 2000 BC. It features a circle of tall standing stones weighing about 25 tons each. The larger Sarsen stones were brought from quarries 25 miles away, while the smaller bluestones came from 150 miles away in Wales.
On everyone’s bucket list - right? I studied Ancient Egypt in primary school and remember being completely obsessed with the subject. Pharaohs, Pyramids, Hieroglyphics, all of it. I was intrigued that artefacts and mummies are constantly being discovered and the Pyramids are still standing after 4,500 years.
I never thought in a million years I would ever scuba dive, let alone think my first experience would be in Egypt. We dived with Mirage Divers in Dahab, which are known for being one of the best diving companies in the country. Dahab is a small, laid-back, beach town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula and only an hours drive from Sharm el-Sheikh. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days and to ‘get happy’.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of those trips which you can’t explain to anybody. Your own individual experience and journey will not be the same as anyone else’s. The feelings, emotions and the physical and mental torture that you have to put yourself through to get to the summit, will change the perspective of your entire life.
A packing guide that will save your life - quite literally.
After six months of planning, researching, training and spending all my mula on equipment and hiking gear, I felt ready to take on the roof of Africa. I remember my mum dragging me around all the typical sports and outdoor shops. ‘Soph, you’ll need a warm jacket, walking boots, gloves, backpack…’ - the list felt endless. To be fair, I was taking on my first, solo hiking challenge and I had to be ready.
Have you ever wondered where the movies Martian, Transformers and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed? Wadi Rum is the answer – a Mars-like valley in southern Jordan. The whole landscape makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet. The red sand, giant rocks and the crisp starry skies are the stuff of dreams. To get the full experience of Wadi Rum, you can stay at glamping sites tucked away in the extensive desert – managed by Bedouins.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know Jordan existed until a couple of years ago. But now it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited! I spent 4 nights in Jordan with my partner at the end of November 2019, staying in a different place each night - The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman. Our trip consisted of staying in a bubble tent in the middle of the desert, walking 25,000 steps around Petra, floating at the lowest point on earth covered in mud and staying in a 4000-year-old cave.
From the bustling city of Amman to the deep history of Petra. From the Mars-like desert of Wadi Rum to the lowest point on Earth at the Dead Sea. Jordan has so much to offer. There’s no glitz and glam here - just thousands of years of natural gems that speak for themselves. I was introduced to Jordan at quite a late stage and I before I knew it, I was booking flights and accommodation. I am normally a huge travel planner, sometimes years in advance, in this case I didn’t have time to build expectations. And I’m glad I didn’t.
The best way to see the Grand Canyon is to hire a car, pack your walking boots and get ready for some of the best sunrises and sunsets you will ever see. That’s exactly what I did in the summer of 2015. Two days of incredible scenery, moments of calm and memories that I will cherish forever.
Venice is one of the world’s greatest cities, famous for the car-less streets, picturesque canals, gondolas, the Rialto Bridge and many historic buildings.
A romantic city, perfect for a weekend away with your loved ones. Or a solo trip that will re-ignite your soul for food, passion and love. The relaxed Italian way of life rubs off on everyone that visits.
One of the most instagrammable spots on the planet - Krka National Park. If it’s not on your bucket list yet, add it now! In recent years, Croatia has been firmly placed on the map after revealing its natural beauty to the world. Endless waterfalls, mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches. Krka is now one of Europe’s most sought after destinations and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Sigiriya is a massive granite peak that rises two hundred metres above the flat plains of central Sri Lanka. This UNESCO site, known as Lion Rock, is more than just a natural landmark. It was a 5th-century capital city built by King Kasyapa, surrounded by a complex system of water gardens, moats and defensive walls.
The climb to the top takes you through different stages of history. Halfway up the rock, two giant stone lion paws mark the entrance to the old palace. On the western side, you will find the mirror wall, which was once polished so the King could see himself. Nearby, ancient frescoes of women are still visible in the rock, preserved for centuries.