It’s a romanticized image: out in the wilderness, with nothing but open skies and vast terrain, sunsets that blow your mind and night skies bursting with stars. Yet, the reality is often closer to a scene from Castaway than The Horse Whisperer! Indeed, getting off the beaten track can be demanding if you choose to camp out and fend for yourself, but these days you don’t have to. There are plenty of high-end and luxury options, that place you right in the thick of the wilderness, without requiring any survival tactics during your stay!
Live in luxury in Italy’s wine regions
With vineyards scattered all over the country, Italy is an obvious choice for any budding, or wannabe, sommeliers or wine critics. Depending on your tastes, head north to Veneto (or ‘Venice’, to us!) for some of the region’s best Prosecco and views of the Dolomite Mountains spanning all the way to the Adriatic Sea. If your preferred tipple is red in color, you’d do worse than a visit to Piedmont, where the red wines are robust and the views are stunning; bordering France and Switzerland, this part of Italy sits at the foot of the Alps.
There’s accommodation ranging from decadent villas, to glamorous camping, all the way up and down Italy.
Seek adventure — with a comfortable bed — in Utah
Widely considered one of the most scenic locations in the United States, Utah has no shortage of National Parks to explore and stunning vistas to take in. Thanks to supremely clear skies, visitors can often see for up to 100 miles in the daylight, and at night, experience unparalleled views of the Milky Way: it really doesn’t get more impressive than that!
Much of the accommodation offers high-end facilities such as private canyons and hundreds of acres of private land. Grab yourself a bed and breakfast near Bryce Canyon to be close to all the wildlife, with no expense on comfort.
Encounter another world in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountain range, just outside of Marrakech, is your destination if you’re looking for truly untouched and unchanged panoramas. With traditional pre-Arab Berber culture still thriving in this part of the country, you really will feel like you’ve been transported to another world! Perhaps that’s why nearby Atlas Film Studios is the largest in the world, with the landscape serving as a backdrop for films such as Star Wars, Gladiator and Black Hawk Down.
Rest assured though, there are plenty of gorgeous traditional-style riads to rent, equipped with sleek swimming pools, olive tree orchards and a team of staff members at your service. You’ll also be seriously pleased with the local cuisine: think rich tajines and uplifting fresh mint tea.
The best of both worlds: great escapes and grandeur
You don’t need to sacrifice, or decide between, a great adventure and a lavish vacation break. There are so many incredible sights to take in, all over the world, and you can choose to start closer to home — within the US – or further afield.