Off the Map:
The World’s Most Unusual Travel Destinations
The World’s Most Unusual Travel Destinations
They say it's the destination that matters, but seasoned travellers know the journey often becomes the story. Whether soaring above snow-capped mountains, watching the countryside drift past from the window of a train, or winding along spectacular coastal roads, every mode of transport offers its own unique adventure. From legendary rail journeys and epic road trips to unforgettable flights that are attractions in their own right, these remarkable experiences prove that sometimes getting there really is half the fun.
Flying High
Flying is one of the best ways to see the world. Whether you are a frequent flyer or not, nothing is better than glancing out of the window to be wowed by spectacular landscapes and otherworldly sights you’ve never seen before. The best flying experiences are as varied as they are exciting, from small aircraft to hot air balloons and helicopters to large jets.
Flight To the Southern Aurora
Many travellers spend a small fortune flying to Norway, Canada or the Arctic Circle to witness the Northern Lights — but you can experience the same breathtaking phenomenon on a flight departing from Australia. Board a Qantas Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner and head south over the Southern Ocean toward Antarctica, aiming for latitudes around 62° south where the Aurora Australis shines brightest.
These special flights run for 10–13 hours depending on your departure city, with a couple of hours typically spent inside the auroral zone. Once there, the cabin lights are switched off to give passengers the best possible view. The exact route varies each night, guided by real‑time auroral activity.
Seeing the Southern Lights from the comfort of a Dreamliner is a rare and unforgettable experience. You’ll enjoy full inflight catering, while expert astronomers explain how auroras form and highlight notable objects in the night sky. They’ll also teach you how to photograph the aurora, supported by a professional photographer onboard to help you get the perfect shot. A journey like this is truly unique — a spectacular adventure not to be missed.
Flying is one of the best ways to see the world. Whether you are a frequent flyer or not, nothing is better than glancing out of the window to be wowed by spectacular landscapes and otherworldly sights you’ve never seen before. The best flying experiences are as varied as they are exciting, from small aircraft to hot air balloons and helicopters to large jets.
Flight To the Southern Aurora
Many travellers spend a small fortune flying to Norway, Canada or the Arctic Circle to witness the Northern Lights — but you can experience the same breathtaking phenomenon on a flight departing from Australia. Board a Qantas Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner and head south over the Southern Ocean toward Antarctica, aiming for latitudes around 62° south where the Aurora Australis shines brightest.
These special flights run for 10–13 hours depending on your departure city, with a couple of hours typically spent inside the auroral zone. Once there, the cabin lights are switched off to give passengers the best possible view. The exact route varies each night, guided by real‑time auroral activity.
Seeing the Southern Lights from the comfort of a Dreamliner is a rare and unforgettable experience. You’ll enjoy full inflight catering, while expert astronomers explain how auroras form and highlight notable objects in the night sky. They’ll also teach you how to photograph the aurora, supported by a professional photographer onboard to help you get the perfect shot. A journey like this is truly unique — a spectacular adventure not to be missed.
Flight Over the Okavango Delta in Botswana
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world’s most pristine wilderness regions. As the largest inland delta on Earth, it offers the drama of big‑game viewing, the serenity of untouched wetlands, and sweeping scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.
A scenic flight reveals the delta from above: golden floodplains dotted with lush palm islands and alive with an astonishing diversity of wildlife. From the air, you can spot hippos in winding waterways and elephant or buffalo resting in the shade of the trees. You also see how the water channels shift and reshape themselves, tracing ever‑changing paths through this dynamic ecosystem.
Travel within the delta is primarily by light aircraft — mostly single‑engine planes — though helicopter services are available. Experiencing the Okavango from the sky provides a perspective that’s both exhilarating and unforgettable.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the world’s most pristine wilderness regions. As the largest inland delta on Earth, it offers the drama of big‑game viewing, the serenity of untouched wetlands, and sweeping scenes of extraordinary natural beauty.
A scenic flight reveals the delta from above: golden floodplains dotted with lush palm islands and alive with an astonishing diversity of wildlife. From the air, you can spot hippos in winding waterways and elephant or buffalo resting in the shade of the trees. You also see how the water channels shift and reshape themselves, tracing ever‑changing paths through this dynamic ecosystem.
Travel within the delta is primarily by light aircraft — mostly single‑engine planes — though helicopter services are available. Experiencing the Okavango from the sky provides a perspective that’s both exhilarating and unforgettable.
All Aboard
There’s something ineffably chic about a train. As air travel continues to blur the line between convenience and chaos—lost luggage, anyone? —rail travel feels more reliable than ever. Adventurers and eco-conscious travellers alike are turning to this glamorous, slow-travel alternative where the logistics are seamless and the views are spectacular. A train trip often brings you where everyday roads cannot, whether tracking through the rugged Peruvian highlands or winding across the romantic Canadian Rockies. Ultimately, you are experiencing corners of the world that remain hidden from any other perspective.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
The world’s most iconic locomotive continues to set the benchmark for luxury travel, reigning as a perpetual Readers’ Choice Awards favourite. Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and you are instantly immersed in a fantasy of 1920s Art Deco romance. Yet, the legendary aesthetic is matched only by the train's flawless hospitality: bags vanish from the platform to reappear in your cabin, glasses are kept topped up, and beds are turned down like magic. The journey transforms seamlessly from day to night; after an afternoon tracking across the French countryside and Swiss peaks, the evening formal wear comes alive. Mingling in the vibrant bar car makes dressing up feel like the ultimate insider experience. To keep an edge on exclusivity, the train continuously pushes boundaries—most notably with L’Observatoire. Designed by French pop artist JR, this sprawling masterpiece of a carriage boasts its own lounge, daybed, private wardrobe, ensuite bathroom, and a secret tearoom.
There’s something ineffably chic about a train. As air travel continues to blur the line between convenience and chaos—lost luggage, anyone? —rail travel feels more reliable than ever. Adventurers and eco-conscious travellers alike are turning to this glamorous, slow-travel alternative where the logistics are seamless and the views are spectacular. A train trip often brings you where everyday roads cannot, whether tracking through the rugged Peruvian highlands or winding across the romantic Canadian Rockies. Ultimately, you are experiencing corners of the world that remain hidden from any other perspective.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
The world’s most iconic locomotive continues to set the benchmark for luxury travel, reigning as a perpetual Readers’ Choice Awards favourite. Step aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and you are instantly immersed in a fantasy of 1920s Art Deco romance. Yet, the legendary aesthetic is matched only by the train's flawless hospitality: bags vanish from the platform to reappear in your cabin, glasses are kept topped up, and beds are turned down like magic. The journey transforms seamlessly from day to night; after an afternoon tracking across the French countryside and Swiss peaks, the evening formal wear comes alive. Mingling in the vibrant bar car makes dressing up feel like the ultimate insider experience. To keep an edge on exclusivity, the train continuously pushes boundaries—most notably with L’Observatoire. Designed by French pop artist JR, this sprawling masterpiece of a carriage boasts its own lounge, daybed, private wardrobe, ensuite bathroom, and a secret tearoom.
Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland
It’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Nowhere is that old adage more beautifully realized than aboard Belmond’s Royal Scotsman. Hosting a mere 36 guests at a time, this ultra-exclusive train departs from and returns to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, charting an intimate loop through the rugged heart of the Scottish Highlands. The route glides past dramatic landmarks like the iconic Kyle of Lochalsh and the ancient expanses of Cairngorms National Park. For the ultimate in mid-journey indulgence, travellers can retreat to a dedicated spa carriage designed by Dior. Here, wellness specialists are uniquely trained to synchronize their therapeutic movements with the natural, rhythmic tilts and lilts of the train, redefining what it means to travel well.
It’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Nowhere is that old adage more beautifully realized than aboard Belmond’s Royal Scotsman. Hosting a mere 36 guests at a time, this ultra-exclusive train departs from and returns to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station, charting an intimate loop through the rugged heart of the Scottish Highlands. The route glides past dramatic landmarks like the iconic Kyle of Lochalsh and the ancient expanses of Cairngorms National Park. For the ultimate in mid-journey indulgence, travellers can retreat to a dedicated spa carriage designed by Dior. Here, wellness specialists are uniquely trained to synchronize their therapeutic movements with the natural, rhythmic tilts and lilts of the train, redefining what it means to travel well.
Great Journeys on Four Wheels
From high-speed racetracks to scenic coastal roads, some of the world's most memorable travel experiences are best enjoyed behind the wheel. Whether you're driving a dream car, exploring historic streets in a vintage classic, or discovering spectacular landscapes by road, these automotive adventures are guaranteed to get your engine running.
Monaco Grand Prix (without the price tag)
Monaco, the legendary home of the annual Monaco Grand Prix, offers plenty of high-octane thrills for car enthusiasts outside of race weekend. For travellers who want to experience the rush of the world's most famous street circuit without spending thousands on grandstand tickets, a guided track tour is the perfect alternative. You can walk the entire circuit on foot while an expert guide uncovers F1 history and behind-the-scenes trivia. While motorsport purists will love spotting subtle track markings and racing details left behind in the off-season, the tour is equally fascinating for anyone wanting to dive into Monaco's glamorous history.
From high-speed racetracks to scenic coastal roads, some of the world's most memorable travel experiences are best enjoyed behind the wheel. Whether you're driving a dream car, exploring historic streets in a vintage classic, or discovering spectacular landscapes by road, these automotive adventures are guaranteed to get your engine running.
Monaco Grand Prix (without the price tag)
Monaco, the legendary home of the annual Monaco Grand Prix, offers plenty of high-octane thrills for car enthusiasts outside of race weekend. For travellers who want to experience the rush of the world's most famous street circuit without spending thousands on grandstand tickets, a guided track tour is the perfect alternative. You can walk the entire circuit on foot while an expert guide uncovers F1 history and behind-the-scenes trivia. While motorsport purists will love spotting subtle track markings and racing details left behind in the off-season, the tour is equally fascinating for anyone wanting to dive into Monaco's glamorous history.
Sip tea on a double-decker bus in London, England
Motorsport travel adventures don’t always have to be high-octane. This experience lets you combine two must-do activities in London: afternoon tea and a ride on the top floor of one of the city’s iconic double-decker buses. Unwind with a glass of prosecco and enjoy views of London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace from the bus’s panoramic windows. And unlike trekking around the city on foot, this tour is accessible for travellers of all ages and fitness levels. As a bonus, it’s also a weather-proof way to see the famously rainy city.
Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, one thing is certain: the world’s greatest adventures don’t begin when you arrive – they begin the moment you set off.
Motorsport travel adventures don’t always have to be high-octane. This experience lets you combine two must-do activities in London: afternoon tea and a ride on the top floor of one of the city’s iconic double-decker buses. Unwind with a glass of prosecco and enjoy views of London landmarks such as Buckingham Palace from the bus’s panoramic windows. And unlike trekking around the city on foot, this tour is accessible for travellers of all ages and fitness levels. As a bonus, it’s also a weather-proof way to see the famously rainy city.
Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile, one thing is certain: the world’s greatest adventures don’t begin when you arrive – they begin the moment you set off.
