region

The ideal spot for a relaxing getaway, Kuda Bandos offers a glimpse of the Maldives' astonishing natural beauty. While just a boat ride from the bustling Maldivian capital of Malé, this tiny island is a tranquil hideaway blanketed in lush vegetation. Swaying palms shade the powdery beaches, where you can easily spend a day relaxing on white sands and swimming in crystalline waters. Home to a wide variety of marine life, the surrounding reefs allow snorkelers and divers to observe colorful fish, sea turtles, vibrant corals and gentle mantas.

Also known as Fort Dauphin, Taolagnaro has miles of beautiful beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming and surfing, while the surrounding nature sanctuaries protect the astonishing biodiversity of exotic flora and fauna unique to Madagascar. Just minutes from town in the lush forests of Nahampoana Reserve, you’ll find the island’s most famous residents, diverse species of lemurs such as ring-tailed and sifaka.

The city of Cape Town and its environs truly have something for everyone. Naturalists should take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for extraordinary views and then explore the diverse flora and fauna of the Cape of Good Hope, including baboons, ostriches and a colony of African penguins. History buffs will be moved by poignant stories of apartheid told in the District Six Museum and in the prison on Robben Island that once confined Nelson Mandela. Epicures might venture to nearby Stellenbosch to taste award-winning wines at vineyards nestled in lush valleys embraced by mountains.