Dreaming of your next escape into nature?
From luxurious glamping beneath starlit skies to rustic lodges perched by serene lakes, join us as we explore some of the most awe-inspiring natural retreats around the globe.
Get ready to add these must-visit spots to your travel bucket list!
- Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone is where you can watch a grizzly bear fishing for trout or discover a hidden geothermal pool through the trees.
The park’s lesser-known hikes can lead you to quiet geyser basins and untouched wilderness areas, where the vast landscapes remind you just how wild America can be.
Under Canvas Yellowstone: This glamping site is just minutes from the national park entrance and offers a luxurious outdoor experience with tents equipped with full beds and wood stoves.
2. Big Sur, California, USA
Big Sur is where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean in a dramatic display of natural beauty.
This rugged stretch of California’s coastline is not just about scenic drives, it’s a paradise for hikers and nature lovers.
You can explore hidden coves, spot migrating whales from cliff-top vantage points, and marvel at the ancient redwood forests that tower majestically overhead.
For a truly magical experience, visit McWay Falls, where an 80-foot waterfall tumbles down to a pristine beach below.
Treebones Resort: It is one of the best options for glamping in Big Sur. Offers unique yurts with spectacular ocean and mountain views, fully integrating you into the stunning landscape of Big Sur’s coast.
3. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
Welcome to the wild edges of the world. In Torres del Paine, Chile, you might spend your days chasing the perfect sunrise over the iconic Towers or spotting elusive pumas.
Over in Argentina, the Perito Moreno Glacier offers a dramatic spectacle – you can listen to the thunderous crack of ice breaking off, a process known as calving, and feel the thrill of walking across this ancient ice during a mini-trekking expedition.
EcoCamp Patagonia (Chile): Stay in geodesic domes that blend into the landscape of Torres del Paine, offering luxury and sustainability with stunning views of the mountains and steppe.
4. Banff National Park, Canada
Banff is not just another park – it’s a kingdom of the wild, with elk wandering the town streets and turquoise waters that have to be seen to be believed. Try canoeing on Lake Louise in the early morning mist or hiking up to the teahouse above Moraine Lake for a slice of freshly baked pie in the clouds.
Moraine Lake Lodge: Nestled right by the lake, this lodge offers cozy, rustic cabins with unparalleled access to the surrounding natural beauty, especially the breathtaking lake view.
5. The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Imagine sleeping in a hammock surrounded by the sounds of the Amazon, waking up to the call of howler monkeys. A riverboat trip could have you fishing for piranha by day and spotting caimans by flashlight at night. The Amazon is not just a place to visit but a vast, vibrant ecosystem that pulses with life.
Ariau Amazon Towers: This hotel offers treehouse accommodation elevated above the jungle floor, allowing you to live among the treetops and experience the Amazon from a unique vantage point.
6. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Climbing Kilimanjaro is as much about the journey as the destination. You’ll walk through lush rainforests, alpine deserts, and finally across a barren lunar landscape to reach the summit. It’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a single day here, a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability.
Kilimanjaro Halisi Retreat: Located on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, this retreat offers serene accommodations in nature, providing comfort and scenic views before or after your climb.
7. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Fiordland is more than just scenery; it’s an epic of earth and water.
You might kayak through the misty waters of Doubtful Sound, dwarfed by its towering cliffs and deep silence, or find yourself staring down a kea, a mischievous alpine parrot, as it attempts to swipe your lunch.
Fiordland Lodge: Overlooking Lake Te Anau and surrounded by natural flora, this lodge offers a luxurious yet eco-friendly stay, perfect for exploring nearby fjords.
8. Iceland’s Golden Circle
Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle is like touring another planet. At Thingvellir, you can snorkel between tectonic plates in crystal-clear waters, or feel the earth tremble beneath your feet at the Geysir geothermal area, where the ground bubbles with geothermal activity.
ION Adventure Hotel: Situated near Thingvellir National Park, this hotel offers a modern and eco-friendly stay with stunning views of the volcanic landscape.
9. The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos are a patchwork of bizarre landscapes and even stranger creatures. You might snorkel with playful sea lions, watch marine iguanas sunbathing on black lava rocks, or walk among giant tortoises that seem almost prehistoric. Each island tells its own evolutionary story.
Galapagos Safari Camp: Inspired by African safari camps, this luxury tented camp on Santa Cruz Island offers comfort in the wild, with an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
10. Bhutan’s Himalayas
In Bhutan, the journey to the Tiger’s Nest hangs on a cliffside and challenges both body and spirit. It’s a place where monks might pass you by in vibrant robes, and prayer flags whisper in the wind—each step feels like a move towards enlightenment.
Gangtey Lodge: Providing stunning views of the Gangtey Valley, this lodge offers a blend of luxury and traditional Bhutanese style, with detailed woodwork and modern amenities.
11. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is a mosaic of color under the sea. Whether you’re diving among the neon corals or taking a glass-bottom boat ride, you’re in the midst of a living artwork. It’s a place where the vibrant life below the surface is as vital and fascinating as the ocean itself.
Lizard Island Resort: As the only resort on Lizard Island, this exclusive location offers luxury rooms and villas with direct beach access and spectacular reef views.
12. Drakensberg Region, South Africa
The Drakensberg is South Africa’s highest mountain range and offers breathtaking vistas and a serene escape into nature.
The area combines rugged peaks with lush green valleys teeming with wildlife.
Hikers can explore trails leading to San rock art sites, cascading waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams.
A must-do is the hike to Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall, which plunges dramatically over the escarpment.
Cathedral Peak Hotel: Features charming stone-and-thatch cottages and provides easy access to hiking trails and breathtaking views of the Drakensberg mountains.
