Hire a boat and skipper to explore Lake Inle
How long:
Eight hours.
The experience:
Kick off early from the misty shores of Myanmar’s Lake Inle and watch in awe as upright, legpadding fishermen trap fish in their conical nets and farmers tend their floating gardens which thrive in the wide expanse of fresh water. The Intha people live on and around the shallow lake, which is Myanmar’s secondlargest, and visitors can disembark for a closer look at floating markets, cigar makers, silk weavers, sacred pagodas and the delightful Inthar House, where Burmese cats – once extinct in their country of origin – are bred.
Make it happen:
Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min offers boat and skipper hire for around $47 for up to five people. Rooms start at around $208 twin share. See novotel.com/MyanMin
‘‘Bag a Munro’’ in Scotland How long:
Five to 10 hours (round trip).
The experience:
Munros are Scottish mountains more than 3000 feet (914 metres), named in honour of Sir Hugh T Munro, the first man to survey and catalogue them. Ben Nevis – Scotland’s highest peak (1345 metres), near Fort William – entices many hikers. But there are 281 alternatives to ‘‘bag’’ – including Ben Lomond, a 90-minute drive from Glasgow. Some locals make it their life’s work to climb every Munro, though an easier challenge might be one of Scotland’s 222 Corbetts, with peaks of between 2500 (762 metres) and 3000 feet. All Munros are doable in a day, but weather conditions can change in an instant, so come prepared (a flask of warming scotch might raise the spirits).
Make it happen:
For information on Munro Trails see walkhighlands.co.uk/munros and visitscotland.com Eight to 10 hours.
The experience:
This 300km circuit from Icelandic capital Reykjavik encapsulates the magnetic appeal of The Land of Fire and Ice. Crossing the continental divide – Iceland straddles the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates – you’ll see spewing geysers, gushing waterfalls, crinkly lava fields, pristine lakes, and lush green meadows that are infused with Viking legends, plus stunning Game of Thrones locations.
Make it happen:
Hire a car (from about $63 a day) and do the loop anticlockwise to avoid the tour buses, which mostly go clockwise. See visiticeland.com – Traveller