In April 2001, John and Silvana Nicholls, today owners and operators of Vanuatu Hotels, arrived in Vanuatu to launch and manage a resort on the island of Tanna. They immediately declared it a bird sanctuary. They also banned coconut crab from their menu. The resort became the island’s de facto animal refuge.

In December 2007, a global call for votes on 440 destinations in 220 countries netted a pared-down list of 77 sites, all vying for one of seven coveted spots as the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Then, on 21 July 2009, a panel of experts announced the even more select list of only 28 finalists….

It really is as good as it sounds: South Africa’s Panorama Route brings you face to face with the majesty of the earth’s canvas of colourful and intricate painting. Winding northeast from the spectacular Drakensburg Mountains of Mpumalanga to the northeastern end of the Great Escarpment, the Panorama Route takes in some of Africa’s (and the world’s) most dramatic scenery.

Go face to trunk with Thailand’s magnificent elephants at Ayutthaya, an historical village 86km north of Bangkok. Living alongside traditional Thai mahouts (elephant trainers) and their families, guests are assigned to older retired elephants for the duration of their stay and are responsible for all of those elephants’ needs.