Bigger Is Better, and Better is What We Do Best

Antarctica

The great white wonder along earth’s final frontier, Antarctica is the holy grail of intrepid pursuits. Step foot on the seventh continent and you’ll join the ranks of those who’ve come before you – dreamers who’ve dared to seek the world that lies beyond their own imaginations. 

Unless you’re a scientist, research assistant, or Tony Bourdain, the only way to travel around Antarctica is on a cruise ship. And no, we don’t mean a cheesy vessel with theme nights and bingo. We’re talking serious expedition liners built for cruising glacial waters, like Antarctica 21’s Magellen Explorer, Quark’s Ultramarine, or National Geographic’s Endurance.

Right For

Those who’ve crossed 192 off their bucket list

Best Time to Visit

November-February

Planning Lead Time

12-24 months

Bhutan

A Himalayan Kingdom fiercely ensconced by Buddhist tradition, Bhutan is both visually arresting and culturally engaging. The kingdom’s beautiful valleys are conveniently parsed into one epic circuit, where adventure and spiritual awakening are met with unprecedented luxury between each mountain pass.

Journey with Six Senses across Bhutan's most stunning valleys, while uncovering the secrets of this ancient kingdom, where wealth is measured by Gross National Happiness and a deep connection with the earth thrives in communities seemingly untouched by modernity. Visit local monasteries and receive blessings from their resident monks, trek to sacred hilltops for private picnics with Himalayan views, play soccer with villagers, and don traditional kira and gho to attend sacred festivals -- the pinnacle of Bhutanese social life. Hike or helicopter to the Tiger’s Nest, the country’s iconic monastery, which sits precariously on a rocky cliff, 900 meters off the ground.

Right For

Scenery snobs, spiritual seekers, holistic hikers

Best Time to Visit

October-April

Planning Lead Time

4-6 months

Chile

A novel of contrasting textures and colors, Chile is a typographic eden for the intrepid. The country’s northern and southern-most extremities stand as polar opposite bookends, the prologue and the epilogue of a staggering Andean adventure. Barren, desolate Atacama is the brilliant red precursor to the emerald lakes and white capped peaks of windswept Patagonia. Feel free to jump from end to end – you’ll only miss the story of the Millahue Valley in between.

Pairing Atacama and Patagonia is easy with hotel brands like Tierra and Explora offering enticing packages to complete their circuits. The Tierra properties are the cream of the crop, though Explora’s expedition oriented activities are appealing to serious outdoorsmen. Should you care to explore the country further, Vina Vik in the renowned Millahue Valley is an oenophile’s dreamscape while Eleven Experience’s Rio Palena Lodge caters to experienced anglers.

Right For

Whatever the opposite of “beach bum” is

Best Time to Visit

November - March

Planning Lead Time

6-12 months

Egypt

To distill 5,000 years of ancient history into one week-long trip may sound like an impossible task, but as you sail along the Nile, traditional feluccas aflutter in the wind, it’s easy to imagine the landscape as it once was – a majestic fulcrum of science, engineering, mathematics, and design. In the shadow of Giza’s pyramids or the cradle of Valley of the Kings, Egypt’s great empire snaps into view.

If there was ever a time to visit Egypt, it’s now, when record low tourist volume grants visitors with unprecedented access to the country’s historic sites. Join an Egyptologist for an after-hours tour of the Egyptian Museum, take a sunrise heli flight above the great Pyramids of Giza, stroll Old Cairo’s frenetic Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, and discover the power of the might Nile as you sail on luxury ships like the Oberoi Philae or private dahabiya boats like Nour al Nil.

Right For

History buffs

Best Time to Visit

October-April

Planning Lead Time

4-6 months

Galapagos

Equal parts uncharted adventure and scientific study, a trip to the Galapagos engages both sides of the brain. Darwinian discoveries await on the islands’ unfathomable landscapes, where the daily intermingling of humans and wildlife feels like an otherworldly eclipse. This isolated group of volcanic islands and its fragile ecosystem has taken on a kind of mythological status as a showcase of biodiversity. But you don’t have to be an evolutionary biologist to appreciate one of the few places left on the planet where the human footprint is kept to a minimum.

A week of exploration and adventure onboard, Ecoventura’s Origin/Theory, the Galapagos' most luxurious yacht, is a dream trip for anyone with a curious outlook and spirit of discovery. Join expert guides and marine biologists as you delve into Darwinian history and trek across the islands' surreal landscapes. Spot blue footed boobies, swim with playful sea lions, and observe endemic species in their natural habitats. Pair your Galapagos journey with a stay in historic Quito at the grand Casa Gangotena or delight in the simple joys of farm life at the 17th century Hacienda Zuleta.

Right For

Curious minds

Best Time to Visit

May-October

Planning Lead Time

6-12 months

Indonesia

270 million people, 735,000 miles, 17,000 islands – the world’s fourth largest country is an incomprehensible numbers game. But to stand in the shadow of Borobudur, the wake of God’s Left, or the waters of Wayag is to watch Indonesia distill into one tactile wonder.

Hot Take: our dream Indonesia itinerary doesn’t include Bali. We’re all about that soul-searching Eat.Pray.Love trip, but the title of this article is Bigger is Better, and well, Indonesia is more than just riding scooters through Ubud. Instead, we’ll get our spiritual fix at Amanjiwo, on the island of Java. Mirroring the design of nearby Borobodur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, the terraced property has a temple-like ambiance with stacked platform gathering spaces that surround a central domed stupa, where the hum of a thousand nearby azzans serves as a day-long serenade. Next, we’ll hop over to Nihi Sumba, a sort of adult surf camp meets untouched island paradise where wild horses run free on the beach, guests bask in the privacy of their thatched roof villas, and surfers come to hang ten on one of the world's most coveted wave breaks. Finally, we’ll cap things off with a Rascal Voyages charter across Raja Ampat, quite simply, the most indulgent way to realize what a small space you occupy in this world.

Right For

Honeymooners, Divers, Surfers, “Boat People”

Best Time to Visit

Year-Round

Planning Lead Time

6+ months

Southeast Asia

Four countries wrapped like a loosely wound spiral, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos can each stand alone as individual destinations, but when paired together, create a symphonic harmony of culture, cuisine, and colorful chaos. Bangkok’s frenetic energy feels punchier when paired with Luang Prabang’s gentle pace. The pink and red hues of Siem Reap sunrises are the perfect follow-up to Hoi An’s deep marigolds and Nha Trang’s sea of greens and blues. The mighty Mekong, the great connector running through it all.  

You could easily spend months traversing Southeast Asia without making a dent in its never-ending list of must sees, but one of our favorite ways to connect the dots is aboard the Aqua Mekong. Taking guests on a journey through Vietnam and Cambodia, the state-of-the-art 205-foot ship was designed by Saigon-based architects to provide the chic sophistication of a luxury, five-star hotel while floating past the sights and sounds of the Mekong. There are seemingly one million incredible pre- and post-cruise pairing options, so we’ll just rattle off a few of our favorites:

Discover the ancient history of Siem Reap with a stay at Phum Baitang. Redefine your concept of what a city hotel can be at The Siam. Relax, reconnect, and recharge at Amanoi. Set your sights on the world’s most beautiful coastal scenery at Six Senses Yao Noi. Delight in Bill Bensley minimalism at Shinta Mani Wild, Rosewood Luang Prabang, or Capella Hanoi. Or learn how to be an elephant trainer at the Four Seasons Golden Triangle.

Right For

Grownup backpackers

Best Time to Visit

Year-round

Planning Lead Time

4-6 months