Dark Hedges, Ireland
British correspondent Lucy Parks reports with some inspiration on the following beautiful destinations just waiting to be explored. The world is filled with so many stunning landscapes.
Cape Town, South Africa
From hiking, biking and surfing, Cape Town has it all. The crown jewel of the city is, of course, Table Mountain National Park, which is only complemented by the surrounding landscapes that will take your breath away.
Cape town also offers a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Christians, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu people living in harmony in the quaint towns and villages. The best of Cape Town comes from the strength of the locals, who each have a unique story to tell, and will gladly tell it to a friendly ear. Learn more with the Cape Town guide.
Scottish Highlands, Scotland
One of the most beautiful destinations on the planet is the Scottish Highlands, which offers rolling green mountains, exquisite castles and beautiful lochs. While many cities across the UK have changed over the years, the Scottish Highlands continues to retain its rugged landscape, which will most likely remain unchanged in decades to come. The locals are also the embodiment of hospitality, and you will fall in love with the delicious food on offer at this fairy-tale destination. Just some of the highland areas you can explore are the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Fort William, to name but a few.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Few destinations can quite compare to the beauty of Turkey’s Cappadocia, which offers stark savannas that offer remarkable panoramas you are unlikely to forget in a hurry. Due to the soft stone plains, many people have sought shelter underground, and tourists can now step inside the rock-cut churches as part of Goreme Open-Air Museum.
Cappadocia is a hiker’s haven, as you will feel a million miles away from the stresses of everyday life when you make your way across the orange valleys. You need to see it to believe it.
The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
Many people may recognise The Dark Hedges from the HBO hit TV show Game of Thrones, which is used as a fictional area in the Kingsroad. However, the trees are really based in Northern Island on the coast of the beautiful Antrim. The natural beauty really does look like something out of a fiction book, but the tunnel-tree avenue has been created by beech trees that were first planted in the 18th century.
Hvar Island, Croatia
How can you not fall in love with an island that offers approximately 2,274 hours of sunshine every single year? Hvar Island is a sun-worshipper’s paradise, as you can unwind by the poolside in one of the many luxurious hotels. You can also take a stroll along the gorgeous northern coastal towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad, and if money is not an issue, you can enjoy a trip on a stunning yacht to experience the island in all her glory. The island is also home to amazing vineyards, lavender fields and rocky, rugged peaks, as well as isolated coves that are synonymous with this underrated destination.