India’s majestic Taj Mahal may be one of the 'New Seven Wonders', but the 300-year-old palaces of Rajasthan are every bit as extraordinary. Jaipur, the Pink City, makes the perfect base for exploring the region’s royal gems, including the striking latticed façade of the Hawa Mahal, the candy-colored arches of Patrika Gate and the mirrored halls of Amer Fort. Between sightseeing, wander markets stacked with block-printed textiles and handcrafted jewelery, making an obligatory stop for a steaming cup of masala chai.

Madeira is a floating botanical garden on the Atlantic. A mix of volcanic cliffs, lush laurel forests, terraced vineyards and small villages carved into mountainsides. Every turn feels dramatic: one minute you’re above the clouds on Pico do Arieiro, the next you’re hiking through jungle trails older than the United States itself! Home to world-class wine so divine that it's globally recognised as its own fortified wine category, with its own protected designation and production methods.

Turquoise coves, ancient worlds and late-summer ease. It's no surprise that Bodrum has long been considered a playground for Türkiye’s stylish crowd escape to. In September, it’s particularly spectacular. The water is still warm, the crowds have thinned, and the sun softens into a golden haze that makes the whole peninsula glow. Bodrum itself is a postcard of whitewashed houses, bougainvillea, and boats bobbing in the harbour, while the surrounding seaside villages, such as Türkbükü, offer hidden bays or sumptuous seafood shacks on the sand in Gümüşlük’s. This part of Türkiye is abundant in ancient riches too, such as the ruins of Halicarnassus, and the Castle of St Peter and of course unmissable hammam rituals.