LOCATION: In the bustling city of Agra, about 230 km south-east of Delhi.
WHEN TO GO: Visit during springtime, at the end of peak season.
PHOTO TIP: It’s worth hopping across the river to Mehtab Bagh for a different angle.
BREAKFAST ON: A cup of masala chai and golden deep-fried bedai bread served with dal.
A vision in ivory-white rising from the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and for good reason. Over 370 years after it was first completed, the vast mausoleum complex still impresses the crowds with its towering dome and minarets perfectly reflected in tranquil marble ponds.
A symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The white marble mausoleum stands out from the surrounding red sandstone buildings, as to better represent the enlightenment, spirituality and faith of Jahan’s beloved. Conceived by court architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, it was built with the help of over 20,000 artisans, including sculptors from Bukhara and calligraphers from Syria.
It is particularly atmospheric on a spring morning, perhaps with a slight mist rising from the river. At sunrise, the soft light illuminates the beautiful details of the building, from the marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and bas-reliefs representing flowers, fruit and plants, to the lattice windows and gateway arches bordered with Arabic calligraphy.
The tomb is the centrepiece of a walled complex which also includes a mosque and a guest house. The buildings sit on a 300 m-long platform surrounded by formal gardens and water features referencing the Persian Paradise gardens and the Pool of Abundance promised to Muhammad. One garden believed to be part of the original master plan is actually across the river and worth the 30-minute drive there. Known as Mehtab Bagh, or ‘Moonlight Garden’, it is also open from sunrise to sunset.
With its bustling markets and delicious street food, Agra is a great base to visit not only the Taj Mahal but also Agra Fort, and the ancient Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri, another UNESCO site open from sunrise to sunset. Many visitors stop here as part of the Golden Triangle trip, a popular touristic circuit that takes in Delhi and the Pink City of Jaipur. But Agra is also situated near the Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest tiger habitats in the country, and the Keoladeo National Park, a paradise for birdwatchers.
Over 500 years ago, the Vietnamese scholar Nguyễ n Trãi described Ha Long Bay as ‘a rock wonder in the sky’, and it is still true today – the thousands of islands seem to be floating between sea and sky, especially when the winter mist rolls into the bay.
With a 120 km-long coastline and about 2,000 islets, the bay is vast, but only around a third is a UNESCO natural heritage site. In this protected area around 700 small islands, covered in lush jungle broken by karst cliffs, emerge from the emerald green waters.
To enjoy this unique landscape, book a night cruise from a reputable sustainable travel company to try to allay the impact of your stay on this endangered tropical paradise. You’ll be able to watch the sunrise from the deck before visiting one of the bay’s spectacular limestone caves, such as Sung Sot, where the stalactites and rock formations are illuminated in a rainbow of colours.
Most cruises stop at Titop Island, where a viewpoint offers panoramic views of the bay, and at one of the four floating fishing villages such as Vung Vien, in Bai Tu Long Bay. Many offer onboard activities such as cooking classes and tai chi sessions, and excursions including beach trips, kayaking and squid fishing. Some even specialise in rock climbing and deep-water soloing, as the limestone in the bay forms such unique holds.
If you have time and want to see a slightly less busy but equally beautiful bay, head to Lan Ha, just to the south of Ha Long Bay. There are around 300 karst islands here, as well as numerous white sand beaches, such as on the island of Cat Ba. Its national park is home to most of the world’s 65 remaining goldenheaded langurs, the world’s most endangered primate, and offers some great hiking trails.
The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is only two hours away by car. It’s a vibrant and bustling place, where you can stop at cool coffee shops, feast on pho and banh mi sandwiches, visit the historic Old Quarter and Ngoc Son Temple, and marvel at the super narrow ‘tube houses’ that rise above the leafy streets and stream of cyclos.
BONDI BEACH Australia
LOCATION: In Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, 7 km east of the central business district.
WHEN TO GO: From December to February for swimming, sunbathing and surfing.
PHOTO TIP: Bring a tripod and use a slower shutter speed to capture the waves’ movement.
BREAKFAST ON: A flat white, a bowl of Weet-Bix and toast (Vegemite toast if you dare!).
COUNTY CORK Ireland
LOCATION: Between two channels of the River Lee, in the southern province of Munster.
WHEN TO GO: There are lots of festivals planned in the spring and autumn months.
PHOTO TIP: For more dramatic coastal scenery head west on the Wild Atlantic Way.
BREAKFAST ON: Fried eggs with a runny yolk, soda bread and a cup of Irish Breakfast tea.
Is there a better way to welcome the rising sun than standing on a paddleboard, arms raised in salute, floating in a tranquil cove in the Mediterranean Sea? This spectacular experience –and many more – can be found in the seaside town of Fornells, a water sports hub in the north of Menorca.
As the easternmost point in Spain, the Balearic Island is the first part of the country to see the sunrise and is not short of great spots to do so. People here worship the sun not just by sunbathing on the island’s lovely beaches, but by following ancient traditions.
The summer solstice is part of the Feast of Sant Joan, huge celebrations led by a flute player that take over the ancient capital of Ciutadella for three days, with horse races, parades, fireworks and hazelnut wars – yes, they throw hazelnut shells at each other, to the sound of marching bands. Apparently, the playful battle is a sign of affection here.
A toast to the longest day of the year is likely to involve pomada, lemonade mixed with the local gin (a remnant of the
British, who ruled the island for a century), while feasts feature dishes such as lobster stew, arroz de la tierra and local cheese.
The second biggest natural port in the world, the capital Mahón (Maó) is a great base to discover the east of the island. As well as a quaint old town and fish market, it is home to a stunning contemporary art gallery on the harbour’s Illa del Rei. From here, you can take a sunrise boat trip to El Castell at the mouth of the harbour and Cala San Esteban, a tiny inlet with whitewashed houses and a hilltop 18th-century fortress.
At sunrise, Faro de Favàtrix is silhouetted against the pale purple, pink and orange sky. The lighthouse stands in the heart of Alburfera des Grau, a protected natural area with lagoons, historic watchtowers and secluded beaches.
But perhaps the most magical place to catch the dawn is the Taula de Trepucó, just south of Mahón. Among the island’s many megalithic monuments is the 8 m-tall, T-shaped ‘table for giants’, built about 2,500 years ago by the mysterious Talayotic civilisation.
PATAGONIA Argentina
LOCATION: In the Andes Mountains, on the vast southernmost tip of South America.
WHEN TO GO: The main hiking season is from December to February.
PHOTO TIP: Focus on the textures of ice from the Perito Moreno’s viewing platforms.
BREAKFAST ON: Yerba maté and pastries such as medialunas and brioche-like facturas.
The clue is in the original name: Fitz Roy, symbol of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, is actually called ‘chaltén’, or smoking mountain, by the indigenous Tehuelche people. Its 3,405 m jagged peak is indeed often shrouded in clouds, but that doesn’t seem to stop the keen hikers who camp at its base in the summer months.
If you are brave enough, you can join them on a classic hike to the magical Laguna de los Tres, where you should be able to glimpse the sharp granite peaks reflected in a glacial lake. But if you want to catch the sunrise there, you’re in for an early start: it takes about four hours to get there from El Chaltén, the nearby village that is known as the trekking capital of Argentina, and the sun makes its appearance at about 5.30 a.m. in the summer.
Thankfully, it’s also possible to stay at a couple of campsites nearby and combine it with stops at Laguna Torre and Laguna Sucia, two other beautiful mountain lakes, as well as a mirador overlooking the Piedras Blancas glacier.
Once back in town, you can treat yourself to a glass of local red wine and a nice steak, or homemade chocolate alfajores. If you don’t want to hike, the road to El Chaltén and its viewpoint are quite spectacular, with a long stretch leading to Fitz Roy (which, by the way, is named in honour of the captain of the HMS Beagle, who travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast).
Beyond the mountain lies the vast white emptiness of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and its 47 glaciers. El Chaltén is the northern hub of the Los Glaciares National Park, while the southern part of the park is home to the Perito Moreno, Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, which all flow into the 160 km-long, milky grey Lake Argentino.
From El Calafate, boat cruises take you between icebergs to the mouth of the Perito Moreno. The glacier is actually growing, and its 18,000-year-old ice is in constant movement. This produces spectacular ice falls from its front wall, which dwarfs the passing cruise boats and kayakers.
SALAR DE
UYUNI
Bolivia
LOCATION: On the Altiplano in south-west Bolivia, at an elevation of 3,656 m.
WHEN TO GO: December to April for the mirror effect; May to November for the dry season.
PHOTO TIP: The endless horizon makes it easy to play with perspective and depth of field.
BREAKFAST ON: Empanadas with api, a hot drink made from corn, pineapple and cinnamon.
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