Our top destinations for 2018

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Easter Island, Chile

Nestled amid the Andes in southwest Bolivia is Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat and one of South America’s most spectacular natural wonders. This vast, ethereal landscape was created when prehistoric Lake Minchín dried out, leaving behind a parched, dazzlingly white salt crust that stretches as far as the eye can see. The glistening scene is transformed when nearby lakes overflow onto the flats, creating a thin layer of reflective surface water that breathtakingly mirrors the sky above. The magical flats aren’t just prized for their beauty – they also harbour up to 70% of the world’s lithium reserves and over 10 billion tonnes of salt.

Easter Island is a tiny speck of enigma in the Pacific Ocean, and one of the most isolated places the world. Nicknamed "Te Pito O Te Henua" (“Navel of The World”) by early settlers, the island belongs to Chile, which is nearly 2,300 miles to the east. Best known for its staggering moai – mysterious Polynesian stone sculptures – Easter Island is also one of the best places to go for vacation in terms of diving, snorkeling and surfing. You can also explore the island's savage beauty on foot, bike or on horseback, or relax on one of the island’s white, sandy beaches. The beach-to-tourist ratio is high, so you have a good chance of finding one for yourself.

Buzios, Brazil

Taprobane Island, Sri Lanka

Titled the ‘St Tropez of Latin America’, Buzios is a seaside surprise in Brazil. Until the 1960s when Brigitte Bardot and her Brazilian boyfriend stumbled upon it, beautiful Buzios was a simple fishing village. Now it is one of Brazil's most upscale seaside resorts boasting world-class restaurants, glamorous boutiques and stunning villas. With a distinctly Mediterranean style, Buzios is cherished for its pretty waterfront and narrow cobblestone streets. The town’s beautiful beaches host an array of watersports, while its lush forests are perfect for hiking through.

Located just 200 yards off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Taprobane is the country’s only privately-owned island. This 2.5-acre tropical paradise is only accessible by wading waist-height through the sea from the mainland. Visitors can stay in the only building on the idyllic island, a lavish five-bedroom villa which was built in the 1920s and has since hosted royalty and presidents, lazing in a stunning infinity pool and dining on gourmet meals prepared by a private chef. Beyond the villa’s luxurious facilities, guests can stroll along unspoilt beaches and discover an underwater wonderland while snorkelling or swimming in the crystal-clear Indian Ocean.

St Barths, Caribbean

With its Gallic, gingerbread charm, white sandy beaches and boutique shops, St. Barths has a distinctive style that’s drawn the Caribbean’s most elite to its azure waters. Visitors to this immaculate island can take their pick of 22 secluded beaches, some peppered with coves that will serve to awaken the spirit of adventure in the young and old alike. Beaches such as Colombier can only be reached by two hiking trails or by boat. However, this spot in particular is well worth the journey thanks to placid waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.