Go Here, Not There

Thinking of going on a big trip? Whether it’s with the fam or the love of your life, ditch the cliché hotspots and check out these alternative destinations instead.

Jun 2016

Thinking of going on a big trip? Whether it’s with the fam or the love of your life, ditch the cliché hotspots and check out these alternative destinations instead.

You were thinking: Paris, France

How about: Quebec, Canada

With its historic architecture and quaint cafes, the charming Old Quebec district definitely doesn’t lose out to the city of love. Walk hand-in-hand down the cobbled streets and bask in an atmosphere of serenity and peace. Hungry? Grab a pain au chocolat at a cafe and listen to locals converse in fluent French.

Visit museums dotted around town to find out more about this UNESCO World Heritage site, or simply join a bike tour to enjoy the gorgeous scenery surrounding you. Either way, Quebec City is the destination of choice for a romantic time with the one you love.

You were thinking:Cape Town, South Africa

How about: Casablanca, Morocco

Morocco is an easy-to-explore North African delight suited for a pair of adventurous partners. In this exotic and diverse country, Berber, Islamic, European, African and Arabic influences mingle in an overload of the senses. Think medieval cities and ancient fortresses, atmospheric markets and treeshaded city squares, snowy mountain tops of the High Atlas Mountains and wild Atlantic beaches; plus, the lure of the red sands of the Sahara.

Throw in great food (couscous, sizzling brochettes and tagines), incredible accommodation (good-value traditional riads with bags of style), warm year-round sunshine and friendly people, and Morocco has all the makings of a stellar vacation.

ALSO HEAD TO… SANTORINI

Fashion blogger and Digital Marketer Vera Mao tells us the three activities you have to do when you’re at this romantic Greek island.

Rent an ATV to get around

“An ATV, a four-wheeled motorcycle, is definitely the easiest way to get around as Santorini’s streets are narrow.”

Check out Nea Kameni

“Take a full- or half-day boat tour and walk on Nea Kameni, a volcanic landform. My boat tour also brought me to the volcanic hot springs there, but the catch was that we had to plunge into the cold waters of the Mediterranean Sea and swim towards the hot springs.You can literally feel the water getting warmer as you move towards Nea Kameni.”

Catch the sunset at least once

“You can catch one of the most amazing sunsets in the world in Santorini. I have never seen the sun so big, fiery red and majestic as it slowly sunk down the horizon and disappeared at the water’s edge.”