A Whole New World
Escape to places unknown with visual storytellers
UBUD, BALI with ... Tara Whiteman
Taking a ride nearly 1,000 feet above Los Angeles on the Skyslide, waking up to the French Alps, hanging out with gorgeous reindeers ... pretty much sums up Australian blogger Tara Whiteman’s life on-the-go. Escape to Bali with Tara, where she has been seen swinging high above the Ayung River between coconut trees. After you’ve had your adventure fix, retreat to the serene boutique resort hotel, Bisma Eight. Take a moment to place a canang sari, one of the daily Balinese Hindu offerings, at the feet of the Lord Ganesh shrine in the lobby, before setting off to a private Forest Suite, built to resemble a treehouse. As the hub of arts and culture in Bali, Ubud also boasts intimate boutique galleries such as Naka Contemporary Art and Tony Raka Gallery that are stylish and visually arresting. www.bisma-eight.com; www.nakacontemporaryart.com; www.tonyrakaartgallery.com; @taramilktea
NAIROBI, KENYA with ... Jack Morris and Lauren Bullen
When Jack Morris and Lauren Bullen were spotted having a cup of coffee and tucking into a hearty breakfast with giraffes peering through the windows, we wondered if it was real life. Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Giraffe Manor is a manor-turned-hotel, which is now home to a number of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Just a stone’s throw away is the Nairobi National Park that is set to offer an adventure of a lifetime. For an eclectic mix of food and art, head over to The Talisman, an elegant restaurant where the dining experience is enhanced with a tasteful selection of contemporary African art that includes Kathy Katuti and Lukwago. www.thesafaricollection.com; www.kws.go.ke; www.thetalismanrestaurant.com; @doyoutravel; @gypsea_lust
KAUAI, HAWAII with ... Selena Slavenburg and Jacob Taylor
One foot in Amsterdam, and another on the go, Selena and Jacob specialise in curating travel guides to inspire your next trip. With powdered shores, unclouded waters, and an abundance of coral reefs, it’s easy to see why Kauai is one of the couple’s personal favourites out of all the Hawaiian islands. For a local favourite, Sushi Girl is a hole in the wall that helps cross out “eat poke in Hawaii” off your list. Then, there is Hanalei Bay, which is one of those places where you would sip on a tropical smoothie, let the salty breeze tease your hair, and watch surfers brave the tides at the largest bay in Kauai’s north shore. Feeling extra adventurous? Ride in an open-door helicopter and witness the rugged splendour of Na Pali Coast. www.sushigirlkauai.fish; www.finduslost.com; @finduslost
JAIPUR, INDIA with ... Andrea Chong and Daryl Aiden Yow
An English literature graduate and guest stylist on How Do I Look? Asia, Andrea Chong has a knack for recounting the world’s most photogenic and exotic destinations to the digital community on her blog. Together with her travel confidant, Daryl Aiden, they have mastered the art of picture-perfect holidays, most recently in the Pink City of India. Kickstart your little jaunt with an exclusive stay at the 475-year-old Samode Palace, a splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. A stroll through the palace grounds, lined with beautiful frescoes, immediately transports one to a different realm. High up on the hill, Amber Fort continues to charm, with the reflection of the vibrant mosaics bouncing off the thousands of tiny mirrors in the breathtaking Sheesh Mahal, also known as the Hall of Mirrors. www.samode.com; www.dreachong.com; www.darylaidenyow.com; @dreachong; @darylaiden
OREGON, US
with ... Luke and Malloryanne Leasure Husband and wife Luke and Mallory’s powerpacked roles as a photographer duo have seen them capturing life’s finest moments in the most stunning backdrops. Based in Portland, Oregon, the couple has featured rocky hills in the weirdest formations, surrounded by the most otherworldly landscapes. Often seen on their Instagram profiles, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is truly a sight to behold. A drive through all three units—Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno—will reveal spectacular streaks of red, orange, and grey that form a sublime pattern. For a real vivid documentation of this national monument’s beauty, the boardwalk trail through Painted Cove is an ideal spot. With these alluring brick-red claystone hills setting the scene, Oregon’s epic surroundings are sights to behold. www.lukeandmallory.com; @lukejleasure; @hellomalloryanne
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR with ... Kiersten
Rich If you’re lucky like Kiersten Rich of The Blonde Abroad, you’ll most probably find yourself sailing on a luxury Ecoventura yacht to the Galápagos Islands. As one of the few untouched places left on the planet where the human footprint is kept to a minimum, the wildlife creatures that call the Galápagos home are beautifully naïve. Get whisked away by the thrill of swimming alongside sea lions and sea turtles at La Loberia on San Cristóbal island. Sunbathe with iguanas that don’t intimidate or hang out with blue-footed boobies ... they’re all part of the island’s rich ecosystem, which also helped Charles Darwin develop his theory of natural selection. www.theblondeabroad.com; @theblondeabroad