Beyond
Unique Destinations
Africa and the Middle East offer some of the world’s most distinctive travel experiences, from safari lodges and wine country to desert landscapes, ancient ruins, luxury beach extensions, and cultural cities.
The Maldives sits at the top of dream-destination lists for a reason: private-island resorts, overwater villas, white sand, glassy lagoons, and water so blue it almost feels unreal.
Polynesia brings together some of the most dreamlike island scenery in the world, from overwater bungalows and coral lagoons to volcanic mountains, lush surroundings, and warm island culture. From Bora Bora to Tahiti, and all the islands in between, combinations can be shaped into romantic escapes, luxury retreats, or family adventures.
South America is made for travelers drawn to dramatic scenery and cultural depth. From Peru’s Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to Patagonia’s glaciers, the Galápagos Islands, wine regions, rainforest lodges, and vibrant cities, the region offers everything from soft adventure to once-in-a-lifetime natural wonders.
Big scenery, rare wildlife, and wide-open adventure: Australia and New Zealand deliver a trip with the kind of payoff a long flight deserves. Pair Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, and coastal drives with New Zealand’s fjords, mountains, and road trips through some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.
So You Think You’ve
Seen It All?
Destinations for those ready to step off the well-traveled road.
South America
Ancient ruins, rare wildlife, and landscapes that feel larger than life.
South America is where travel starts to feel a little more untamed. These trips can move from high-altitude ruins and mountain valleys to glacier fields, remote islands, volcanic coastlines, and wildlife encounters that feel completely different from the usual vacation.
A Galápagos cruise is one of the best ways to experience the islands with expert guidance, smooth logistics, and access to more remote wildlife areas. Days may include guided shore landings, snorkeling, volcanic landscapes, and close-up encounters with animals that often seem completely unbothered by people.
Potential highlights may include:
- Small-ship cruising through the Galápagos Islands with naturalist-led excursions
- Giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and rare island wildlife
- Snorkeling, volcanic beaches, lava formations, island walks, and clear-water coves
- Pre- or post-cruise time in Quito or mainland Ecuador
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: Year-round
Patagonia cruising is ideal for travelers drawn to the far edges of the map: icy channels, wind-shaped landscapes, glacier views, mountain scenery, and ports that feel deeply removed from everyday life. Some itineraries focus on southern Patagonia, while longer expedition sailings may continue toward Antarctica.
Potential highlights may include:
- Glacier-lined fjords, Cape Horn, the Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Punta Arenas, or Ushuaia
- Mountain views, remote waterways, penguin colonies, sea birds, and expedition-style scenery
- Optional Antarctica sailings with Antarctic waters, icebergs, wildlife viewing, and one of the most remote travel experiences in the world
- Pre- or post-cruise time in Buenos Aires, Santiago, or southern Chile/Argentina
Suggested length: 10–14+ nights
Best time to travel: November–March
Peru blends ancient history, mountain scenery, local culture, and soft adventure in a way that feels both iconic and deeply personal. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are the centerpiece, but the full journey can include beautiful hotels, private guides, highland markets, food experiences, and time to adjust to the altitude.
Potential highlights may include:
- Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Incan ruins
- Private guided touring, colorful markets, highland villages, and boutique valley hotels
- Luxury train travel, local food experiences, scenic viewpoints, and a slower pace through the Andes
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: April–May or September–November
Maldives
The world’s ultimate blue-water bucket list escape.
The Maldives is the kind of destination where the resort, the water, and the villa style shape the entire trip. With private-island settings, overwater villas, reef access, and that almost unreal blue water, it is less about rushing around and more about choosing the perfect place to completely slow down.
Most Maldives trips begin by flying into Malé before continuing by speedboat, domestic flight, or seaplane to a private-island resort. Each resort has its own personality, so the right fit depends on the villa style, dining plan, reef access, transfer type, and overall feel of the island.
Potential highlights may include:
- A luxury overwater villa with a private pool, direct lagoon access, and ocean views from the moment you wake up
- Beach villas, private plunge pools, white-sand resort islands, and quiet barefoot luxury
- Reef snorkeling, spa time, sunset cruises, floating breakfasts, and private dining
- Whale shark or manta ray snorkeling excursions in the right season and region, for travelers who want a more adventurous blue-water experience
Suggested length: 6–9 nights
Best time to travel: December–April
Because Maldives flights often connect through major international gateways, a stopover can make the journey feel smoother and add another layer to the trip. Dubai offers desert experiences, luxury hotels, beach clubs, and skyline views; Istanbul brings historic mosques, bazaars, rooftop dining, and Bosphorus scenery; and London can turn the trip into a city-and-island combination with museums, markets, theater, and classic sightseeing before or after the beach.
Potential highlights may include:
- Dubai for desert safaris, luxury shopping, rooftop dining, beach clubs, and high-end hotels
- Istanbul for the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus cruises, and atmospheric food experiences
- London for museums, afternoon tea, West End shows, markets, historic landmarks, and a few easy city days before or after the Maldives
Polynesia
Blue lagoons, volcanic peaks, and island stays that feel far from ordinary.
Polynesia offers the kind of island scenery that feels almost cinematic: volcanic mountains, coral lagoons, lush green interiors, quiet beaches, and resorts that make the journey feel worth the distance. These trips can be romantic, luxurious, adventurous, or simply built around some of the most beautiful water in the world.
French Polynesia is the classic South Pacific dream, with Tahiti as the gateway, Moorea for lush volcanic scenery, and Bora Bora for the iconic lagoon and Mount Otemanu views. The islands pair beautifully together, creating a trip that feels both peaceful and visually dramatic.
Potential highlights may include:
- Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, overwater bungalows, and blue lagoon views
- Snorkeling, lagoon tours, private motu picnics, spa time, and scenic island flights
- Mount Otemanu views, lush volcanic scenery, coral gardens, and quiet resort days
Suggested length: 8–10 nights
Best time to travel: May–October
Fiji brings a warmer, more relaxed island rhythm, with private-island resorts, reef snorkeling, friendly hospitality, and beautiful beach settings. It can work as a standalone escape or as a softer beach finish after a longer Australia or New Zealand itinerary.
Potential highlights may include:
- Private-island resorts, coral reefs, beach villas, and relaxed luxury
- Snorkeling, boat days, cultural experiences, spa time, and island-hopping
- Pairing Fiji with New Zealand or Australia for a beach-and-adventure combination
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: May–October
Africa & the Middle East
Desert camps, ancient cities, safari plains, and journeys rich with story.
Africa and the Middle East are for travelers who want a trip with texture: ancient ruins, desert landscapes, wildlife, spice markets, dramatic coastlines, and places that feel rich with history. This region can be soft and luxurious, adventurous and remote, or a thoughtful mix of both.
An African safari is not just about seeing animals from a vehicle. The best trips are built around the rhythm of the bush: early morning game drives, sundowners, wildlife tracking, quiet lodge time, and those rare moments where everything pauses because something incredible is happening right in front of you.
Potential highlights may include:
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Morning and evening game drives with chances to see elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and more
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Private reserves, luxury safari lodges, bush dinners, sundowners, guided walks, and wildlife photography
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South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls, the Serengeti, Maasai Mara, Kruger, or Ngorongoro Crater
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Pairing safari with Cape Town, the Winelands, Zanzibar, Seychelles, or a Middle East stopover
Suggested length: 8–12 nights
Best time to travel: Varies by country and wildlife goals
Egypt is one of the world’s great history trips, but it is often best experienced with strong guided support. Private touring, trusted guides, planned transfers, and a well-paced Nile River cruise can make the trip feel smoother, more comfortable, and much easier to navigate.
Potential highlights may include:
- The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and ancient temples
- Nile River cruising with guided stops at temples, tombs, and archaeological sites along the river
- Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, and traditional felucca sailing
- Private guides, airport assistance, arranged transfers, and structured touring for a more comfortable experience
Suggested length: 8–11 nights
Best time to travel: October–April
Morocco is full of atmosphere, color, and contrast, with cities that feel layered and alive, mountain landscapes, desert roads, and design-forward places to stay. It can feel exotic and adventurous while still offering beautiful hotels, private guides, and a comfortable travel flow.
Potential highlights may include:
- Marrakech, Fes, the Atlas Mountains, Ait Ben Haddou, Essaouira, or the Sahara Desert
- Riads, souks, spice markets, gardens, hammams, rooftop dining, and private guided touring
- Desert glamping, camel rides, scenic drives, golden dunes, and boutique stays
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: March–May or September–November
Jordan is a compact but incredibly rich destination, with ancient cities, desert landscapes, Roman ruins, and warm hospitality. It works well for travelers who want something adventurous and different without needing a long, complicated itinerary.
Potential highlights may include:
- Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and Roman ruins
- Desert camps, local markets, scenic drives, guided touring, and Petra by Night
- Floating in the Dead Sea, exploring rose-colored canyons, and stargazing in Wadi Rum
Suggested length: 7–9 nights
Best time to travel: March–May or September–November
Seychelles is a more secluded style of tropical escape, with granite boulders, lush greenery, clear water, and beaches that feel almost untouched. It works beautifully on its own or as a luxury beach finish after safari or a longer Africa/Middle East itinerary.
Potential highlights may include:
- Mahé, Praslin, La Digue, private islands, and boutique beach resorts
- White-sand beaches, granite boulders, turquoise water, nature reserves, and yacht days
- Pairing Seychelles with a safari, Dubai stopover, Doha stopover, or Middle East extension
Suggested length: 7–10 nights
Best time to travel: April–May or October–November
Australia & New Zealand
Reef, rainforest, alpine roads, and wide-open adventure.
Big scenery, rare wildlife, and wide-open adventure: Australia and New Zealand deliver the kind of trip people cross the world for. Pair Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, wine regions, rainforest, and coastal drives with New Zealand’s fjords, mountains, glowworm caves, lakes, and road trips through some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.
Australia can be shaped around city stays, reef days, wildlife, wine regions, rainforest, beaches, and coastal drives, with enough variety to feel like several trips in one.
Potential highlights may include:
- Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania, or Uluru
- The Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest, and island resorts
- Wine regions, wildlife encounters, scenic flights, coastal drives, and luxury lodges
Suggested length: 10–14 nights
Best time to travel: Varies by region
New Zealand is known for landscapes that shift quickly, from lakes and mountains to fjords, glowworm caves, geothermal valleys, beaches, and scenic roads.
Potential highlights may include:
- Auckland, Rotorua, Waitomo, Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, or Lake Tekapo
- Glowworm caves, geothermal valleys, fjords, alpine roads, wineries, and scenic rail or road trips
- Soft adventure, boutique lodges, lake stays, mountain views, and optional winter/ski experiences
Suggested length: 10–14 nights
Best time to travel: November–April for warmer weather, or June–September for a winter/ski escape
Been There. Planned That.
Firsthand experience, honest insight, and recommendations shaped by real travel. From personal favorites to carefully curated excursions with trusted local guides, Brightside uses what we’ve learned along the way to create trips that feel thoughtful, seamless, and genuinely connected to the destination.
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