The capital of Réunion, Saint-Denis offers a blend of French colonial charm, Creole culture and stunning natural surroundings. A stroll along Rue de Paris reveals the city’s architectural heritage in landmarks like Saint-Denis Cathedral. The island’s biodiversity comes to life in the Natural History Museum, set in the heart of a botanical garden featuring exotic palms, orchids and banyan trees. Shop the local market for vanilla, rum, spices and geranium oil before heading out to explore the striking landscapes outside of town.

Richards Bay opens a window onto the cultural and natural heritage of the KwaZuluNatal province. Not far from the city are game reserves such as Hluhluwe and Thula Thula, where you can embark on a safari in an open-air vehicle in search of Africa’s Big Five: lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and rhinoceros. A UNESCO World Heritage site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park encompasses vast savannas and lake systems home to hippos, zebras, giraffes and more than 500 species of birds, as well as a sheltered beach on the coast of Cape Vidal that is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Mauritius is a spectacularly beautiful island where sandy white coasts lined with calm turquoise waters rise into emerald mountains. South of Port Louis, explore the multihued sand dunes known as Seven-Colored Earth and the cliffside cascades of Chamarel Waterfall, and then taste some of the island’s famous rum at a local distillery. To the north, the renowned centuries-old Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden displays giant water lilies, baobab trees and other rare tropical plants.

Before setting off to explore the natural wonders of the Andaman Islands, learn a bit about their history at the Cellular Jail, a colonial-era prison that played a crucial role in India’s fight for independence. History buffs will also appreciate the British ruins on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. Port Blair’s Anthropological Museum lends insight into the region’s indigenous tribes, and the Indian Navy operates the Samudrika Naval Marine Museum, which enlightens visitors about the aquatic ecosystems of the islands.