Unique Summer Destinations for the Curious Traveller

Barbados

A distinctive island in the easternmost Caribbean with a rich cultural heritage, get swept off your feet by hospitable locals, alluring Bajan culture, and dizzying Barbadian rum dating back to 1703. Step into the tropical refuge of Welchman Hall Gully within a collapsed cave, feast on rich flavours of flying fish, cou cou, and prawn curry, and spot playful green monkeys at Saint Peter parish.

Boasting a mahogany grove, coral sand, and three acclaimed golf courses, the historic ‘Pink Paradise’ of Sandy Lane is simply iconic. From the sprawling pool and gelato bar, to The Treehouse Club and Sports Camps for older kids, these memorable island adventures will keep children busy and fulfilled, while adults kick back in timeless surroundings and indulge in gourmet dining.

For those seeking unique summer destinations that combine ease of access with characterful charm, Barbados is a perfect match.

Canada

A veritable outdoor playground of 3.8 million square miles across 13 provinces and territories, the grandeur and scope of the Great White North’s offerings will surprise and stun you. Discover rainforests and prairie provinces, glacial lakes and summer daylight in the Arctic, and countless more wonders. Take time to venture deep into these abundant and varied landscapes – be it cultural, culinary, or natural.

Landing at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge by seaplane, this remote haven on Vancouver Island attracts off-grid explorers. In just 25 luxury tents, share this ‘grand, unfiltered wilderness’ with eagles, bears, and whales. Visit pristine sea caves by helicopter, go canyoning and horse-riding, and take the Glacial Plunge in the Bedwell River to still the mind. Canada’s West Coast is one of the world’s truly unique summer destinations, perfect for intrepid travellers in search of epic experiences and immersive luxury.

Galápagos

During this cool and dry season from July onwards, expect refreshing ocean swims and a balmy breeze during land excursions. Keep your eyes open for whales and dolphins in the western waters, the tiny Galápagos penguins, and many breeding and nesting birds, such as blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. A wildlife feast for the senses, where your curiosity expands daily upon following Darwin’s footsteps.

Float along Celebrity Cruises’ all-inclusive inner & outer loop itineraries, luxuriating on a 100-guest yacht with stateroom suites. Dramatic volcanic landscapes and sheltered mangroves serve as a backdrop as you snorkel with marine iguanas, sea lions and turtles. Inviting children from eight years old upwards, tick off animal and bird species together from their wildlife bucket-list. For a once-in-a-lifetime journey, the Galápagos remains one of the most unique summer destinations on the planet – utterly captivating and refreshingly untamed.

Madagascar

One of the best ways to experience this island nation unfurl before you is by flight, a diverse stretch overlooking spiny forests, deep gorges, endless beaches and jagged Tsingy limestone rock formations to name but a few. Catch the ancient Avenue of the Baobabs at dusk, learn about the medieval Malagasy kingdom, and observe majestic lemurs, hunting fossas, plant species and birds that exist nowhere else on earth.

Privacy reigns at Voaara, boasting seven bungalows and a villa on a dreamy white sand beach in Sainte Marie; thatched roofs and natural materials complement the peaceful surroundings. Try wing foiling and quad bike tours, stargaze from a bird’s nest perch, and relish a castaway picnic on a deserted beach. Madagascar’s one-of-a-kind biodiversity and off-grid charm make it one of the most unique summer destinations for those with a true sense of adventure.

Sri Lanka

Sun and ocean therapy is guaranteed here, a utopia that delights all travellers’ desires and caters to all ages. Spend days learning to surf, encountering whales and sea turtles, wildlife spotting on exciting game drives, or a challenging hike along the scenic Pekoe Trail of the Central Highlands. Wellness and spirituality also beckon you to forge a deeper connection to yourself and the natural world.

Take flight to the East Coast, where Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Yala National Park is true to its namesake. Ensconced in ‘expedition-chic’ cocoons, days are spent searching for herds of elephants and elusive leopards; at dusk, enjoy perfect sundowners as crashing waves lull you to sleep. Whether it’s your first time or a long-awaited return, Sri Lanka is firmly among the world’s unique summer destinations – offering soul-stirring moments at every turn.

Maldives

Nothing embodies the perfect holiday quite like ivory beaches, warm Maldivian hospitality, seaplane hops with shades of blue vistas, a myriad of watersports and an ample selection of international cuisine. Scuba divers will marvel at these nutrient-rich waters, where the theatre of marine life plays out in the most dramatic fashion. World-class resorts take luxury to new heights and time spent here heals all wounds.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau is an idyllic outpost where you can snorkel with manta rays, lounge at cabanas with a choice of three pools, or swim through their crystal clear reef and lagoon. Kids eat for free with a range of water slides to burn their energy, and all guests benefit from Club access and numerous daily F&B offerings. Need we say more? For those chasing truly unique summer destinations where luxury meets nature’s rhythm, look no further.

Norway

Feel rejuvenated in the land of the Midnight Sun and the thrilling outdoors while cruising gigantic glacial fjords, hiking striking coastlines, and arriving at the picture-perfect villages of Lofoten Islands. Road tripping here is a freeing sensation, and the remote quality of the North matched with the most magnificent wild mammals makes for an otherworldly experience. Succulent dishes of cured fish, mutton and berries complete your wholesome journey.

Stay at Storfjord HotelDesigned as a ‘slow life hideaway’ with a sustainable edge, arise to forest or fjord views from the comfort of your contemporary suite. Imitating cabin life, the silence of these lush mountains are best experienced from outdoor jacuzzis or unspoiled hiking tracks. Local food suppliers guarantee ‘a genuine taste of the region’ to renew the body from inside out. The combination of crisp air, sustainable luxury, and stunning light makes Norway one of Europe’s most unique summer destinations.

Italy

With their alabaster peaks, hearty alpine cuisine, and some of the highest vertical rock walls in the world, the Dolomites are in a league of their own. A less-frequented mountain range during the Summer, you’ll be rewarded with secluded hiking trails, refreshing lake swims, and wildflowers in bloom. Tuck into a mountain hut for South Tyrolean fare after an exhilarating horseback ride along the Italian Alps.

FORESTIS is a divine adults-only refuge at 1800 metres, focusing on Wellness, minimalism, and the healing peace of the great outdoors. This ticks all the boxes for a much-needed detox and retreat, with foraged Forest Cuisine and a Spa that stimulates ‘a regenerating flow’ of body and Self. For those who crave alpine serenity in a setting of mindful luxury, the Dolomites stand proud among Europe’s most unique summer destinations.