Enigma Explorers

29/03/2022

Dodecanese Islands, Greece

Think of the Greek Islands and think of whitewashed stone villages illuminated against the blue Aegean, ancient ruins and tiny little fishing villages. The Dodecanese islands, a chain of 12 larger islands (Rhodes is the best known of them) and lots of little ones, are all these clichés and more. For a real taste of Greek life, the volcanic island of Nisyros is wonderfully welcoming and a haven for artists. Symi, half an hour from the Turkish coast, has Michelin stars and is glamorously old school, Kastellorizo inspired the likes of Pink Floyd and Patmos has incredible Byzantine architecture, or if you can't settle on one, go island hopping on the Calypso.

29/03/2022

Munich, Germany

Can’t wait until autumn to pull on the lederhosen? May in Munich brings Springfest (or Fruhlingfest), Oktoberfest’s little sister. Expect the same risky mix of fairground rides and beer-filled steins, but smaller and less lairy crowds. The city has its own version of hygge: ‘Gemütlichkeit’. Soak it up in one of the many twinkly pub gardens, or under the vaulted ceiling of a beer cellar. Enough hops? The sun is shining on river surfers riding the Eisbach wave in the Englischen Garten – a year-round swell best left to pros. It might just be warm enough for the park’s n**e section to fill up, too; this is Germany, after all.

29/03/2022

Sicily, Italy

The football at the toe of Italy’s boot, the Mediterranean’s largest island is a reliably sunny way to kick off an early summer. There’s scalded volcano country and fertile wine land, Greek temples and Roman ruins. You can wander the shady lanes of baroque hill towns such as Ragusa, then stroll sun-soaked plazas in the coastal city of Syracuse. Come May, the countryside blooms, and the water lapping the beaches is warm. Bring your towel with you when you go to lunch in the old fishing village of Porto Palo – Sicily’s prettiest secluded cove, Capparrina di Mare, is just a little further west.

29/03/2022

Bahamas, Caribbean

Behold the Bahamian sweet spot: May. The winter hordes long gone, and spring-breakers freshly departed. Hurricane season doesn’t set in until June. Beaches relieved of rowdy crowds settle sedately in the sun. There’s nothing to do but stake out your patch on pristine Cabbage Beach (even quieter at the north end), take your pick of poolside lounge chairs, and pluck the fruits of Gladstone Road Farmers Market (open until the end of the month). You might even splash about with a sow at Pig Beach.

29/03/2022

Brighton, United Kingdom

Kinky and quirky. Bohemian and burlesque. Brighton invented Britain’s seaside scene long before Margate started luring London creatives from their concrete cocoons. It’s still our coolest beach town – for proof, come in May. That’s when the Great Escape new music festival hits: what The Times calls Britain’s answer to SXSW, and Steve Lamacq claims is the music world’s Cannes. Expect a studiously obscure line-up you’re definitely not hip enough to have heard of (sample bands: Pyschedelic P**n Crumpets; Tropical F*** Storm). Also on in May is Brighton Fringe. As England’s biggest open-access arts festival, count on it to bring the weird. Plus, the sun should be peeking onto that pebble beach this time of year. Sorry, Kent Riviera: Brighton’s just better.

22/02/2022

This string of islands dots the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Kenya and boasts some of the clearest water in the world.

22/02/2022

If you're thinking there's no way this gorgeous place could possibly exist on earth, we're right there with you. Deep in New Mexico, the White Sands National Monument is easily one of the country's most breathtaking national parks.

22/02/2022

The capital city of Malta, Valletta is right at the edge of the country's largest island. Awash in a sea of white, the walled city dates back to the 1500s. Now you won't have to choose between unwinding on island time and touring Baroque landmarks. History buffs and sun worshippers, Valletta is what travel dreams are made of.

22/02/2022

Namibia's Namib Desert was the inspiration behind some of Salvador Dalí's most celebrated works. It's also one of the world's most unique coastal deserts, as well as the oldest it's at least 55 million years old.

22/02/2022

French Country addicts, listen up: Not only can you marvel at all the stone-clad wood beamed buildings and blue and white decor your heart could desire, but you can also admire lavender fields and sip rosé at sunset, with a fresh baguette and cheese, bien sur.

22/02/2022

These aquamarine hot springs are a sight to see. And you'll also get to enjoy sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside while soaking.

22/02/2022

Jaipur, Rajasthan, is full of visual inspiration everywhere you look. From this incredible structure known as Hawa Mahal to the Chad Baori an ancient stepwell, there is so much to see and do.

22/02/2022

The Southern California desert is a favorite destination among design lovers and sun chasers. Surrounded by mountains and studded by Palm Trees, bougainvillea, and citrus trees, the natural landscape lends itself to unforgettable sunrise hikes and sunset cocktails by the pool. There's also plenty of great shopping, dining, and other activities, like golfing and rock climbing.

22/02/2022

The best time to see the Marvel Lake's vibrant turquoise hue created by sunlight reflecting off the rock floor is July and August. But Banff is also home to three world-class ski resorts and is lovely during the winter.

22/02/2022

Get your cameras ready this lakeside town is known as the most photographed place in Europe. Spend your vacation wandering the 16th century alpine houses, exploring an ancient salt mine, or even visiting a glacier garden.

21/01/2022

For years, Cancun has been the preferred getaway for East Coast Americans (particularly Floridians) who want an international getaway that's still close to home. But despite the droves of tourists, the area has managed to keep the charm that attracted people in the first place.

Cancun itself is known mostly for its luxury hotels, wild nightlife and warm beaches. Definitely indulge in all of these — as well as the Mexican food! — but also consider other activities like visiting Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes and snorkeling.

21/01/2022

Set in the Sorrentina Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast has long been renowned for its natural beauty and idyllic coastal towns. During the golden age of Hollywood, it was a preferred vacation spot for glamorous movie stars.

Days here are spent eating Italian food, drinking wine and walking around colorful cobblestone streets. You can also expect to drink copious amounts of wine as you look out into the Mediterranean Sea.

21/01/2022

The Argentine Patagonia comes in at No. 30 on the U.S. News & World Report, dropping eight spots from previous rankings.

In this region in the Andes, as U.S. News notes, you’ll find “cobalt lakes, azure-tinted glaciers, emerald trees and turquoise skies” everywhere you look. For a trip full of adventure and discovery, there are few better destinations on the planet.

No trip is complete without a visit to the craggy Mount Fitz Roy, the historic (and mysterious) Cave of the Hands, the Punta Tombo wildlife preserve, the Peninsula Valdes marine wildlife refuge and the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. Be sure to bring your camera and your sense of wonder.

26/11/2021

LIFT CEO and co-founder Jonathan Ayache said, the airline has partnered with service providers to offer better flexibility of travel experiences.

“While curated travel experiences have become a standard in the travel industry, LIFT Experiences allow travellers to tailor travel experiences as much as possible. These packages have been curated by LIFT with the best prices in mind.

26/11/2021

The definition of reality, according to Merriam Webster, is “something that actually exists or happens.” This traditional rationale is a bit antiquated for the year 2021, however, as new technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have been emerging and transforming society. In fact, it is predicted that from 2019-2023, the global VR/AR market will see a 77% compound annual growth rate—showing that these technological capacities will be a significant part of our “reality” in no time at all.

26/11/2021

Travel from several southern African countries will be halted over the emergence of a new strain of Covid.

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said six countries will be added to the red list, with flights initially banned.

These are from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.

26/11/2021

Here is a fantastic piece of news for the international travellers! If you are a Leonardo DiCaprio fan, then you must have watched his famous movie "The Beach". Well, fun fact is that the movie was largely shot in Thailand's famous Maya Bay - a beach cove. Did you know that?

25/11/2021

While wading through the long weeks of lockdown in the waters around Kota Kinabalu, we anchored off the idyllic island of Sepanggar. As usual, the buildings were deserted, there were tourist boats marooned in the sheltered bay and solitary men in beaten up fishing canoes quietly retrieved their small nets.

25/11/2021

f you’ve ever had any connection with boats, you’ll know that one of the biggest issues with living on one is the constant equipment failure. It’s the inevitable consequence of living in the corrosive marine environment.

Add termites, tropical heat and humidity into the mix, and you’ll begin to understand why sailors go on about maintenance all the time!

25/11/2021

The sails are out and we are sailing and cruising west coast Sabah again!

Sailing days have been few and far between since you-know-what happened… and we are having a great time playing around in the blue, blue water.

19/11/2021

TAKE IN THE VIEWS FROM SÃO JORGE CASTLE
São Jorge Castle was once a Moorish castle, but subsequent occupiers have altered the building so much that little of its original construction remains. However, as it operated as the Royal Palace from the 13th to the 16th century, it’s lost little of its grandeur.

The most compelling aspect of the castle, however, is the stunning view over the beautiful city. Lisbon’s patchwork of terracotta tiles interrupted only by narrow rambling lanes is a sight to behold.

19/11/2021

WANDER THE CLOISTERS OF SÃO VICENTE DE FORA
The Church of São Vicente de Fora has had a chequered history, including being devastated in the 1755 earthquake. Thoroughly renovated throughout the 17th century, it remains today an exquisite hidden gem, that houses the tombs of many Portuguese Kings. It’s a wonderful thing to do in Lisbon.

The church itself is decent, but the cloisters next door are thoroughly impressive. Lisbon’s story-telling azulejos cover the walls under the protection of white vaulted ceilings. The sacristy walls are covered with intensively elaborate marble designs and intricately painted ceilings.

19/11/2021

HUNT FOR WEIRD TREASURES AT FEIRA DA LADRA (THIEVES’ MARKET)
At the square beside the National Pantheon, a flea market takes place twice a week (Tue & Sat) which has a reputation for being known as the thief’s market. Despite the appealing stories of the market being stocked to the brim with stolen goods, the name actually comes from ladro referring to a bug found in antiques.

19/11/2021

CLIMB UP TO THE DOME OF THE PANTEÃO NACIONAL
The striking baroque National Palace was originally built as a church but now houses monuments to the great and the good, linked to the golden era of Portuguese history. Like many landmarks in Lisbon, it pays particular homage to Vasco da Gama, the sea-faring hero who returned fabulous wealth to Portugal.

Climbing the stairs to reach the internal perimeter of the domed roof provides the best view of what 16th-century money can buy. The entrance is lavishly adorned with geometrical marble flooring, plush gold detailing and grand stone columns.

19/11/2021

ABSORB THE ARCHITECTURE OF JERÓNIMO’S CHURCH & MONASTERY
Some of the wealth generated from Portugal’s Age of Discovery was spent erecting magnificent monuments. Few are more impressive than Jerónimos Monastery, built to commemorate the return of Vasco de Gama from India, who is also buried here.

The church also contains the tomb of Luís de Camões, a Portuguese poet. His tomb is facing that of his wife so they can be together when they are resurrected. Stained-glass windows illuminate the tombs in an eerie ethereal manner, beside beautifully sculpted, towering columns.

19/11/2021