The province of Palawan is a spectacular untamed region found on the western fringes of the Philippine Archipelago. Almost nowhere else can one simultaneously encounter two such intriguing, dynamic and diverse habitats as reefs and tropical rainforests. Rich in teeming jungles, tousled mangrove swamps and vibrant coral reefs, Palawan is truly one of the best examples in Asia of a species-rich, biologically diverse ecosystem.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed region of Cappadocia, Turkey, is well known for its magical lunar landscape and creative approaches to tourism like its cave hotels. Built straight into the rock or the facades of old manmade caves, cave hotels are everything from five-star caverns to brightly lit grottos for tourists on a budget. They’re positively primeval. And they’re just one part of an overall approach to travel that emphasises what’s local and sustainable.

The Greek island of Kefalonia is home to Melissani Lake, a pool of still water captured in a natural cave. It has always been a site for religious ceremonies. The caves are breathtakingly beautiful and, as enclosed spaces, are an ideal venue for rites associated with the divine.

Swaziland’s Gobholo Caves are unusual. They remain 95% unexplored and undocumented. What is known is that it is very rare to find caves of this age and magnitude in granite rock. Daily (morning and evening) guided expeditions are available. The trip is adventurous, involving a considerable hike to the cave and some spelunking techniques once inside.

The diamonds that were once harvested from the national park of the Chapada Diamantina (or Diamond Highlands) are only the tip of a precious natural resource iceberg in the northeast Brazilian state of Bahia. In fact, until recently, Chapada Diamantina was perhaps Brazil’s best-kept secret, trade from tourism having been on the rise only since it became an official national park in 1985.