What to expect from the new Hillside Resort Bodrum

Slovenia’s lakes, trails, and little capital

The compact size of Slovenia makes it a great choice if you want a trip with variety but without long transfers. Begin in Ljubljana, where you can take the funicular up to the castle, browse the Central Market, and follow the river past the Triple Bridge and riverside cafés. At Lake Bled, walk the six-kilometre shoreline path, take a traditional pletna boat to the island church, or try a slice of kremšnita cream cake at a local café. For a quieter alpine stay, Lake Bohinj sits within Triglav National Park, with forest paths, clear water, and trails leading to Savica Waterfall. If you’re keen to get higher into the mountains, the cable car to Mount Vogel opens up broad views across the Julian Alps.

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities by train

Uzbekistan’s historic cities make for a memorable itinerary, and high-speed trains connect many of the main stops. In Samarkand, give yourself time for the Registan’s three richly tiled madrasahs, the blue-domed Gur-e Amir mausoleum, and Shah-i-Zinda, a remarkable avenue of tiled tombs. Bukhara is best explored on foot: make sure you pause by the pool at Lyab-i Hauz, climb the Ark fortress, and browse the old trading domes that once served merchants travelling the Silk Road. In Khiva, pass through the gates of Itchan Kala, the walled old town, where courtyards, minarets, and carved wooden doors line the lanes. For a memorable view, climb the Islam Khoja minaret, then return to the ground-level tea houses for a slower end to the day.

Colombia from Cartagena to the Cocora Valley

Few journeys offer the contrast of Caribbean colour and cool Andean scenery found between Cartagena and Colombia’s coffee country. Cartagena’s walled old town is made for an unhurried wander, with wooden balconies over the lanes, leafy plazas, and sea-facing ramparts at Las Bóvedas. Across the old city walls, Getsemaní brings another side of Cartagena, with street art, independent cafés, and evening music around Plaza de la Trinidad. Inland, Salento’s colourful streets make a welcoming base for the Cocora Valley, where towering wax palms line the walking trails. Nearby coffee farms offer a chance to follow the process from coffee plant to cup, while a longer stay in the region can include visits to Filandia and the mountain scenery around the coffee-growing villages.

São Miguel’s volcanic lakes and hot springs

Instead of heading to Portugal in 2027, consider São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. At Sete Cidades, viewpoints such as Vista do Rei look down on the twin crater lakes, one blue and one green, while trails lead around the rim and down towards the village. In Furnas, see steam rise from the ground at the caldeiras, visit Terra Nostra Park’s botanical gardens, and try cozido das Furnas, a slow-cooked stew prepared in the volcanic soil. Along the coast, stop at a natural swimming pool or take a boat trip to look for whales and dolphins. With crater lakes, hot springs, and black-sand beaches all on the same island, it’s worth allowing several days rather than trying to rush through it all.

Northern Vietnam’s street food and limestone scenery

For a trip that combines big-city energy with some of Vietnam’s most striking natural scenery, the north is hard to beat. Start in Hanoi, where a morning walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake can be followed by phở for breakfast and a wander through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. Take time to explore the Temple of Literature, browse the stalls at Đồng Xuân Market, and pause for an egg coffee in a neighbourhood café. For a slower pace, travel to Ninh Binh and take a small boat through the waterways and caves of Tràng An, passing beneath steep limestone peaks; the viewpoint at Hang Múa rewards the climb with a sweeping view over the rice fields. Then head to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise, with time to kayak between limestone islands, visit a floating village, or watch the sun set from the deck.