Costa Rica

:-) Costa Rica is renowned for its stunning biodiversity, vast protected spaces and warm weather. It's home to dense jungles, active volcanoes, rushing rivers, spectacular waterfalls and vibrant cities. :-( It's…

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Oman

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country located in West Asia. Oman is one of the oldest human-inhabited places on Earth. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, while sharing maritime borders with Iran and Pakistan.Golden desert dunes and soft-sand beaches, 16th-century forts and busy souqs, imposing mountains and grand canyons — Oman's offerings are diverse and accessible and make a great place to visit in the Middle East.

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Cyprus

Cyprus is the birthplace of the notoriously frisky Aphrodite. The busy resorts of Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca are ideal bases — you’ll most likely want to be on the beach — but take off into the hills and you’re plunged almost immediately into rolling landscapes of vineyards, mountains, craggy gorges and sun-dappled cedar and pine forests. Old men play backgammon in sleepy wine-growing villages and mountaintop Orthodox monasteries reveal cool interiors dripping with gold.

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SA: Manyaleti – Pungwe Bush Lodge – April 2024

Pungwe is a small intimate authentic safari camp which brings back the essence of a true safari experience. The comfortable en-suite meru-style tents are reminiscent of days when safaris were all about the sights, sounds and smells of the bush. The camp is about the bush, the animals, the unique experiences and the subsequent regaling of these by the iconic fireside. Pungwe Safari Camp is situated in the southern part of the 22 000 hectare Big 5 Manyeleti Reserve. Pungwe shares unfenced boundaries with two world renowned reserves, the Sabi Sand Reserve to the south and the Kruger National Park to the east, allowing for free movement of wildlife between the three reserves. This ensures that Pungwe's guests will be privy to some spectacular game viewing without having to share the sightings with numerous other visitors. Guided morning walking safaris puts you in touch with the bush, immerses you in your surroundings and enable you to encounter wildlife at a unique level. Afternoon/evening game drives ensure that sightings are up-close and personal. The perfect combination to create lasting memories. The 4 en-suite meru-styled tents at Pungwe offer simple elegant comfort, security, hot (via donkey burners) and cold running water for baths or showers and an exceptional feeling of truly being in the African bush. Only under canvas will you not only hear, but feel the roar of the lion, the throaty cough of a leopard and the Fiery Necked Nightjar celebrating the night.

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SA: Sabi Sands – Umkumbe Bush Lodge – March 2024

Resting comfortably under a canopy of indigenous trees in the southern stretches of the Sabi Sand, sits the inimitable and understated Umkumbe Bush Lodge. This luxury tented camp offers all the creature comforts from home, and is the first of its kind in the reserve. The lodge is based on the idea of glamping, but with a luxurious twist. Umkumbe is a beautifully designed bush lodge that offers accommodation in 10 tented style suite has its own private deck or verandah and is fully equipped for a comfortable safari retreat. This scenic part of the Sabie Game Reserve has a beautiful mix of environments from winding riverbeds and woodland to open savanna and riverine thickets. This wilderness reserve is home to the big-five as well as a huge diversity of different flora and fauna to discover. There are 2 daily game drives included in a safari stay. The morning safari will stop for a scenic coffee pit stop and on afternoon drive, guests can enjoy a classic safari sundowner and snacks. Bush walks are offered after breakfast so that you can get close and personal to the flora as well as the smells of the bush. Highly recommended!

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France: Les 3 Valleys

Les Trois Vallées is the largest connected ski area in the world which is linked solely by ski lifts and slopes. It claims to have about 600 km of ski slopes, resulting in 18.5 km² of groomed runs, while an independent expert measured about 493 km. In addition, there are 120 km for cross-country skiing. Seven ski resorts are spread over the mountainside in a rich and unique landscape. Courchevel. Méribel. Brides-les-Bains. Les Menuires. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Val Thorens. Orelle. The Alpine area of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is known for its charming namesake village, with traditional stone-and-wood farmhouses, plus a handful of Savoyard restaurants

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UK: Scotland – Hogmanay in Pitlochry via St Andrews

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year's Day. Some of the more famous historic ways to ring in the new year include exchanging gifts such as black buns and whisky, while many others partake in the classic tradition of first footing — which refers to the first person stepping into your home on January 1 determining your luck for the year ahead.

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Colombia

Colombia is known for its significant natural resources, modern cities, and a diverse culture. The government has made great strides in recent years to secure peace with revolutionaries, minimize crime, and protect its strong democratic institutions and the country boasts at growing economy.

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Colombia: Cartagena

Cartagena is a city that is located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, in the northwestern part of the South American continent. It has a fascinating and often unbelievable history: once the largest slave port in the Americas, the city was regularly invaded and besieged by pirates and is home to some of the finest historical architecture in the country.

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