As Hong Kong finally (albeit gradually) relaxes its travel restrictions, it's time to give your travel bucket list a little refresher.
If there’s one thing we learned from the pandemic, it’s that travelling abroad should never be taken for granted. And now that flight bans are no longer (thank god), we can finally look beyond local staycations and daycations. Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go to? Well, you should probably seize the day and renew your travel bucket list with some of the beautiful destinations and unmissable experiences below – before another wave hits… (Touchwood!)
5 trips of a lifetime: Essential destinations for your travel bucket list
1. Explore the Antelope Canyon in Arizona, United States
Have you seen the stunning collection of photos featuring curvaceous, red-orange canyons on the Kardashian-Jenners’ Instagram? Now you have. A natural wonder half a world away from Hong Kong, the rocks and dunes at Antelope Canyon are much more than just your average Instagram-worthy hotspot. Located just 40 minutes away from the Amangiri Resort, Antelope Canyon is a celeb-esque attraction that offers adventures of a lifetime such as hot-air balloon rides, horseback riding, floatation therapy with saltwater from the Dead Sea, among others.
Find out more about the experiences offered by Amangiri Resort at Canyon Point.
2. Glamping in Antarctica
Echo, a series of luxury eco-camp pods created by the tour operator White Desert, enables visitors to access the rarely seen interior of Antarctica. Meant to leave minimal impact on the environment, the exclusive camp provides guests with futuristically designed bedroom ‘sky pods’, a central lounge area, dining services, and heated shower pods. With a variety of activities available, such as fat biking, skidooing, ice-climbing, Arctic Truck-driving, and even visiting a penguin colony, a trip to White Desert is definitely on our travel bucket list.
Find out more about White Desert.
3. Dive into Cape Kelp Forests in Cape Town, South Africa
Dare swimming with sharks? Don’t fret, as you’ll be in the safe hands of shark biologist Justin Blake on your expedition to Cape Kelp Forests, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. During the journey, guests will get to explore sea caves, as well as enter the octopus gardens, made famous in the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. And of course, the highlight of the journey will be snorkelling along puffadder shysharks, pyjama sharks, spotted gully sharks, plus plenty other fascinating aquatic creatures – cute seals and dolphins, anyone?
Find out more about the Cape Kelp Forests ocean expedition offered by Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town.
4. Walk with elephants in Chiang Rai, Thailand
If the Jaws-y experience above isn’t exactly your cup of tea, how about staying dry with some equally exciting adventures on land? On Anantara’s Elephant Tour in Chiang Rai, you’ll be able to walk with the gentle giants and observe them in their natural habitat. While you accompany the elephants on their daily journey to the river where they bathe and play, resident vets and researchers will give you more insight into elephant biology, behaviour, and conservation. For those who like to connect with animals and nature, this trip deserves to be on your travel bucket list.
Find out more about the Elephant Camp at Anatara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.
5. Ski at St Moritz in Graubunden, Switzerland
Tired of the scorching heat in the 852? Escape to the snowy, mountainous paradise that is St Moritz. This place proudly holds one of the world’s grandest ski resorts and has hosted two Winter Olympic Games. Be sure to check out its Olympia Bob Run, the only natural ice rink in the world. For thrill-seekers, head over to the toboggan runs to sled downhill, covering a whopping 718 metres in altitude and passing 20 curves on the way. Moreover, the resort hosts several après ski for those who wish to party and let loose after days’ worth of skiing. If you’d like to enjoy a unique mountain holiday with gorgeous views of snow to match, St Moritz should nab the top spot on your travel bucket list.
Find out more about St Moritz.
