Dreaming of new emotions and travel milestones? Whether you’re pining for sun-drenched days at a chic beach bar, the thrill of uncovering ancient treasures, or skiing through a winter wonderland, we’ve got you covered.
Dive into our curated list of top destinations, each offering unique and exciting experiences that promise to create lasting memories. Your next adventure awaits.
- Dubai for beach lovers
- Athens for history buffs
- Istanbul for adventure seekers
- Val Thorens for ski lovers
Dubai for beach lovers
Behind the glistening skyscrapers, the glitz and glamour of the dining scene, and the emirate’s penchant for breaking world records, it’s easy to forget that Dubai may well be one of the most exciting beachside cities in the world.
The warm waters of the Persian Gulf are among the prime components of its allure. There’s great diversity here, with options for all budgets and luxury of various degrees.
Photo source: Unsplash
Dubai’s ground zero is its public beaches. JBR Beach by the marina is one of the world’s most vibrant urban stretches of golden sand, with direct access to premium shopping outlets, an exciting restaurant scene, and great outdoor sports infrastructure.
Photo source: Visit Dubai
Then there’s Jumeirah Public Beach featuring the iconic silhouette of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim Park, and great conditions for surfing.
Photo source: Visit Dubai
Night swimming is a top pastime here after the floodlights are turned on. A bit further north you’ll find the laid-back Kite Beach, which is a mecca for water activities, long breezy strolls, and kitesurfing, of course.
You’re spoilt for choice in Dubai, because the many smaller, more in-the-know stretches of beach also deserve to be discovered.
Palm West Beach on the man-made Palm Jumeirah island is an ultimate foodie spot with vistas of the marina skyline (especially enchanting at sunset) and a variety of bistros, pizzerias, and restaurants.
Photo source: Visit Dubai
Al Mamzar Beach Park a bit outside of the city centre welcomes visitors with thousands of palm trees, shady gardens, and irresistible sunrises and sunsets.
Pet owners will love Dubai Islands Beach, the first dog-friendly sandy stretch in the city.
But where Dubai truly excels, is in its beach bars. You can’t leave here without indulging in one; they embody the state of mind in this sun-kissed megalopolis.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Expect high-end cuisine, fine drinks, sexy DJ beats, and stylish crowds. Nikki Beach is a staple of the luxury lifestyle, bringing Santorini and Saint-Tropez vibes to the Arabian Gulf.
A private beach and marina views are beloved features of chic Drift. And the party is always on at Palm Jumeira’s Beach by Five, which comes with some of the best views of the Dubai skyline.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Apart from sunbathing and hanging out in the beach clubs, this city is perfect for getting active on the water.
It offers quite an assortment of things to do, from classics like kitesurfing, paragliding, jetskiing, and paddleboarding to only-in-Dubai sea extravaganzas such as flyboarding and high-speed plunges below the surface of the water in the shark-like Seabreacher submarine.
Photo source: Visit Dubai
Athens for history buffs
Few cities in the world can rival Athens in historical prominence. After all, the Greek capital is one of the cradles of Western civilisation.
It’s also a big, high-octane city in which antiquity and modernity intertwine in fascinating, often chaotic ways. But that’s the whole point; Athens is known for its unfiltered energy, striking panoramas, delicious cuisine, and friendly people.
Photo source: Unsplash
The Acropolis dominates the landscape here, quite literally. The gargantuan ancient citadel occupies a tall rocky hill and watches over Athens with the grace and might of millennia.
When you see it for the first time, you’re mesmerised. It’s a grandiose testament to ancient Greece and a fitting place for the gods of the local mythology to call home.
The whitewashed columns of the temples compete in splendour and invite visitors to hours of exploration.
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Although the outcrop was inhabited as early as 4000–3000 BCE, the majority of the buildings of the Acropolis that can be seen today were constructed under the rule of Pericles during what’s called the Golden Age of Athens, between 460 and 430 BCE.
Needless to say, going up that hill and devoting time to see each of the treasured attractions of the Acropolis is a must. It’s a magical experience up there – time travel back to an era long gone.
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Immediately recognisable by its iconic columned silhouette, the Parthenon is the crown jewel of the Acropolis complex. Devoted to Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, it’s among the best-preserved ancient temples in the world and a spectacular symbol of Greece.
Then there’s the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman theatre that still functions as a live music venue and has wonderful views of the city.
Photo source: Unsplash
The Theatre of Dionysus is another ancient marvel nearby. And don’t miss the Erechtheion temple with Ionian architecture and striking female figures holding up the porch.
If you’re hungry for more historical background, be sure to visit the sprawling contemporary Acropolis Museum.
Photo source: Visit Greece
But Athens is much more than just its famous hill. Begin your acquaintance with the modern city at Monastiraki Square.
With an Instagrammable vista, the rooftop terrace of A for Athens is an awesome place for a first coffee – preferably a frappé, the favourite drink of locals.
Photo source: Booking
Take a stroll down narrow Adrianou Street, which is filled with colourful Neo-Classical houses, quaint tavernas, and ancient ruins here and there.
And don’t forget about the sea. You can easily reach the beaches of Glyfada along the Athens Riviera by hopping on a tram.
Photo source: Unsplash
Istanbul for adventure seekers
The sun rises over the Bosphorus. Shadows give way to light on the countless minarets that celebrate morning with the spellbinding call to prayer. The movement of ferries intensifies between the bridges.
Merchants at the Grand Bazaar set out their carpets and lamps. Freshly baked baklava is carefully placed in the display windows of cafés.
Istanbul is ready for a new day. And it’s guaranteed to be an exciting one for those preparing to explore the city.
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The water is the best way to admire this Turkish gem of a city. Ferries connect all the major neighbourhoods, and fares are very affordable.
If you’re after photogenic vistas and sea breezes, this is the way to do it. The swaying waves, the tea on deck, and the sound of seagulls – can it get any more romantic than this?
Photo source: Unsplash
Everything starts in the Sultanahmet district, where every corner lives and breathes history. This is where the city was born and thrived as Byzantine Constantinople. It’s also where Ottoman rule reached its peak, gracing the city’s skyline with splendid palaces and opulent mosques.
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Begin with the Hagia Sophia. Completed in 537 CE, this striking monument to the complexity of Istanbul’s history was inaugurated as a church, subsequently became a mosque, then a museum, and recently reverted to a mosque.
Topkapı Palace is another highlight with magnificent interiors and picturesque grounds. For something particularly unique, pay a visit to the subterranean world of the ancient Basilica Cistern.
And the labyrinthine passages of the Grand Bazaar make for an unmissable shopping adventure.
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There’s no right or wrong way to discover Istanbul. The city is so big and packed with attractions that everyone will create their own experience. Embrace it and you’ll be rewarded.
Hunt for antiquities on the cosy streets of Çukurcuma. Get your daily fix of beauty in the opulent halls of Dolmabahçe Palace. Admire the perfect silhouette of Maiden’s Tower on a sunset ferry ride.
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Or take a long, pensive stroll along the Bosphorus promenade from Arnavutköy to Bebek. And definitely go on a day trip to one of the Princes’ Islands on a rendezvous with the Sea of Marmara.
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The city on the Bosphorus is ideal for culinary adventures, too. For an exciting street-food scene, there’s no better place than the vibrant Kadıköy neighbourhood on the Asian side.
Local bistros and eateries serving trendy Neo-Turkish cuisine can be found in Cihangir. The waterside restaurants in Bebek are for seafood, while upscale Nişantaşı is for fine dining, and harbourside Karaköy has the best baklava.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
Val Thorens for ski lovers
Nothing can prepare you for meeting the High Alps up close for the first time. It’s one thing to observe their sheer greatness from a distance; it’s a whole different feeling to stand in the heart of these gigantic mountains.
That’s Val Thorens for you – the highest ski resort in Europe and an eight-time winner of the World’s Best Ski Resort Award, including in 2023. The reason for this recognition is simple: this French skiing mecca provides the perfect combination of spectacular mountains and superb service.
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This destination is best described as a skiing microcosm rather than a mere resort. The stats are impressive. Val Thorens is part of Les Trois Vallées, a.k.a. the biggest ski area in the world.
To put that in numbers, the region encompasses 600 kilometres of interconnected slopes and boasts 158 ski lifts. In a word, it’s paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether you go for a weekend getaway or a week-long winter holiday, you won’t run out of things to do here.
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The easiest and most convenient way to get to Val Thorens is to book an airport transfer. The transfer time from Geneva to Val Thorens is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
When in Val Thorens, expect some of the most breathtaking Alpine vistas in all of Europe. It’s situated at an altitude of 2300 metres and surrounded by rocky peaks and glaciers.
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But you can ski from even higher points, such as Cime de Caron and Pointe du Bouchet, both above 3000 metres.
The resort’s 150 kilometres of slopes with a great variety of runs are ideal for beginners as well as pros. The area is serviced by 30 ski lifts that manage crowds pretty well, and the skiing adventures include downhill, off-piste, touring, and freestyle.
Photo by A. Bertrand on Val Thorens
But of course, it’s not only about skiing here. Thrill seekers will love the 70,000-square-metre snow park packed with infrastructure ideal for mastering your tricks.
There’s also a snow-tubing zone for kids, the longest toboggan ride in France, a fun park with trampolines, and the Le Board sports centre with a swimming pool, wellness area, and courts for various sports.
All the top mountainside adventures – snowshoeing, climbing, hiking, and dog-sledding – are available, too.
Photo by T. Loubere on Val Thorens
There’s one more thing that draws people to Val Thorens. We’re in the French Alps, after all, and this country is famous for its taste for slopeside fun.
Think high-altitude parties with unparalleled views, cocktail-sipping on the terraces of apres-ski bars, and all-night-long dancing in the clubs at the base.
Photo source: Tripadvisor
To top it off, there’s a vibrant gastronomic scene with fine-dining establishments serving French cuisine, taverns in chalets, cosy pubs, and pretty coffee shops.
As for accommodations, all budgets are represented, and they’re predominantly ski-in/ski-out.
Photo source: Val Thorens
Read more about authentic travel experiences in Baltic Outlook.