Australia

Australia is a continent that feels like a world of its own, where the landscapes are so vast and the light so unique that everything looks like it’s been shot in high definition. It’s a place where you can spend your morning surfing on a world-famous beach and your evening watching the sunset over a red desert that hasn’t changed in millions of years.

The journey usually starts in Sydney, where the shimmering harbor is the undisputed star. Seeing the white sails of the Sydney Opera House against the deep blue water for the first time is a “pinch-me” moment. I always suggest taking the ferry to Manly just as the sun begins to set; you get the best view of the skyline without the premium price tag. But if you want a real local experience, do the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. The path winds along sandstone cliffs, past rock pools carved into the ocean’s edge, and offers endless views of the Pacific.

Then, there’s the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Flying into Cairns or Port Douglas, you’re at the doorstep of the planet’s largest living structure. Gliding over the coral gardens in a glass-bottom boat or diving into the warm water to see a sea turtle swim by is a humbling experience. It’s a kaleidoscope of colors that you truly have to see to believe.

But to find the ancient heart of Australia, you have to head to the Red Centre. Standing before Uluru at dawn, watching the massive monolith change from a deep purple to a fiery, glowing orange, is a spiritual experience. This land has been cared for by the Anangu people for over 30,000 years, and you can feel that deep history in the silence of the desert. Whether you’re driving the winding Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles or spotting kangaroos in the wild on Kangaroo Island, Australia reminds you that nature is still very much in charge.