S is for Sri Lanka: culture, tea & coast

Sri Lanka is a compact “do‑it‑all” island: ancient sites, wildlife, hill country and beaches.

Explore the Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa/Anuradhapura)

Safari in Yala, Udawalawe or Minneriya for leopards and elephants

Ride the train through tea hills from Kandy to Ella, staying on an estate

Unwind on the south or west coast near Galle, Mirissa or Bentota

Add Colombo for rooftop bars, markets and a taste of modern Sri Lanka

It is very easy to shape into a balanced mix of exploring and relaxing.

T is for Tanzania: safari & Zanzibar

Tanzania is Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro’s natural amphitheatre, baobab‑studded Tarangire and the soft sands of Zanzibar.

Tarangire or Lake Manyara to start, for elephants and varied scenery

Serengeti for big cats and, in season, the Great Migration

Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife and crater‑rim views

Stone Town in Zanzibar for spice, history and rooftops

Zanzibar’s beaches for white sand, turquoise water and barefoot evenings

A beautiful choice if you want a “chapters” style trip: safari first, Zanzibar last.

U is for Uganda: gorillas, chimps & river safaris

Uganda is primate encounters and lush landscapes with a gentle, grounded feel.

Trek to mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Track chimps in Kibale or another forest reserve

Combine game drives and boat trips in Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls

Add lakeside downtime at somewhere like Lake Bunyonyi

Ideal for travellers who like the idea of combining trekking, river safaris and community‑based experiences.

V is for Vietnam: culture, coast & cuisine

Vietnam is somewhere I fell in love with 22 years ago: lanterns, rice terraces, karst bays and endlessly good food.

Hanoi’s lakes, Old Quarter and cafés

Sapa’s terraced hills and minority villages

Halong or Lan Ha Bay overnight cruise among limestone karsts

Hue and Hoi An for imperial history, rivers and lantern‑lit streets plus nearby beaches

Danang, Nha Trang or Phu Quoc for coastal time

Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta for big‑city buzz and river life

Wonderful for travellers who enjoy a strong sense of place, food and variety.

W is for West Coast USA: road‑trip classic

The West Coast USA is all about Pacific views, city skylines and national parks.

Start in San Francisco, then follow Highway 1 via Monterey, Big Sur and Santa Barbara

Continue through LA and perhaps San Diego for beaches and sunshine

Head inland to wine country (Napa/Sonoma), Yosemite, Sequoia or Joshua Tree for nature and stargazing

Perfect for a flexible, choose‑your‑own‑adventure style road trip.

Y is for Yukon: the wild north

The Yukon is true frontier travel: big skies, big distances and huge silence.

Whitehorse for small‑city comforts and riverfront walks

Kluane National Park for mountains, icefields and hiking or scenic flights

Klondike Highway to Dawson City for Gold Rush history and boardwalk streets

Potential detours towards the Dempster Highway for tundra and vast views

Depending on season: midnight sun or aurora‑filled skies

A dream for anyone who loves the feeling of being properly away from it all.

Z is for Zambia & Zimbabwe: safaris & the Smoke that Thunders

To round off the alphabet, two incredible neighbours that pair perfectly with each other.

Zambia is known for its wild feel and superb guiding:

South Luangwa for some of Africa’s best walking safaris as well as classic game drives.

Lower Zambezi for canoeing and boat safaris along the river, watching elephants and hippos from the water.

The Zambian side of Victoria Falls for misty viewpoints and rainbows over “Mosi‑oa‑Tunya”, the Smoke that Thunders.

Zimbabwe adds drama and strong guiding too:

Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwean side for that iconic waterfall curtain and sunset cruises on the Zambezi.

Hwange National Park for big elephant herds and varied landscapes.

Mana Pools (for more adventurous travellers) for walking, canoeing and atmospheric riverbank sightings.

For both countries, June to October is usually best for classic safari, with dry conditions and excellent wildlife viewing.