“Rest of the World” Dream Destinations

Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Copyright Amansara We asked the Harper travel consultants on our “Rest of the World” team to tell us where they would go if they could choose anywhere in their territory, which includes everywhere except North America and Europe. Because these consultants have worked with exotic destinations for years, we expected some creative answers, and our team did not disappoint. Answers ranged from Laos to Tasmania.

Della: "That’s easy — gorilla trekking in Rwanda! Ever since my high school days and working at the zoo, I have always dreamed of visiting these magnificent creatures in their own habitat before they are erased from the planet. And then Antarctica — the only continent I have not visited yet."

Laura: "I would travel to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat and stay at Amansara, and then I would travel to Myanmar to take Orient-Express’s Road To Mandalay. Last, I would spend a week at Cocoa Island in the Maldives."

Linda: "My dream destination is the Australia/Pacific area.  I want to visit Sydney, stay at the Park Hyatt, climb the bridge and attend a performance at the Opera House.  Then I would go to Tasmania to learn about its history and to visit the beautiful beaches and national parks.  Next I would drive the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide before flying to Kangaroo Island for a stay at Southern Ocean Lodge.  I also want to tour the seldom-visited west and far north parts of the country.  A cruise between Broome and Darwin would be fascinating.  I would go to Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef to relax and explore different reef areas via snorkeling trips.  And finally, I would fly to a remote island like the Solomon Islands, Guam or New Guinea to explore and snorkel around the World War II artifacts, as well as learn more about the history of that part of the world."

Ruth: "I’ve heard such glowing remarks about the Aman hotels in Bhutan, Siem Reap and Luang Prabang, and the great lodges in New Zealand. The explora lodge or Awasi in the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Alvear Palace and the tango dancing in Buenos Aires all have me ready to pack my bags and head to the airport."

Erica: "I would love to go back to the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  It’s set in the lush green Mae Rim Valley surrounded by rice paddies and beautiful terraces to sit and relax and perhaps watch rice being planted or see the pink buffalo wander by.  The Pool Villas are spectacular, coming with their own dining salas in some cases.  It has the best spa facility for miles around.  The whole atmosphere was just tranquil and serene and somewhere I would love to visit again and stay for a while …"