IF STAYING HOME HAS MADE YOU DESPERATE TO GET AWAY, IT’S TIME TO PLAN YOUR ESCAPE SAYS HELEN WRIGHT, EVEN IF THE LONG-HAUL TRIP OF YOUR DREAMS COULD BE SOME TIME AWAY
WITH LIMITATIONS on travel - fresh air and freedom can’t come soon enough. Why not use this time to plan a bucket list holiday or explore somewhere different? We look at five refreshing places to find clean air and a new perspective.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH: TWO WEEKS
PERFECT FOR: NATURE LOVERS AND THOSE LOOKING FOR A STRESS-FREE, OUTDOORSY BREAK
GET ACTIVE: ON A NETWORK OF STUNNING HIKING TRAILS ACROSS THE STATE
FIND OUT MORE: TRAVELOREGON.COM
LONG-HAUL
DREAM
OREGON
USA
GET YOUR BEARINGS: SITUATED above California and sharing its beautiful coastline, Oregon is a chilled-out sanctuary in the otherwise chaotic USA. If there is anywhere you can successfully social distance, it’s here. 25% of the state is covered with lush, green National Forest, providing thousands of walking, hiking and climbing trails. Relying on natural beauty, you can hike through fragrant forests, shaded by towering Douglas fir and ponderosa pines. Spend the day following the path of a cascading waterfall and explore wild, unspoiled beaches. For local charm, wander through seaside fishing villages and local markets, sampling excellent farm(and sea)-to-table meals that serve fresh, quality food without a flashy price tag.
INSTAGRAM WORTHY? GO BACK to basics and tour the state in an RV or Camper van. You can cover the highlights, driving from Portland to the Californian border on a two-week trip. Campsites are beautifully maintained, friendly and safe, but there are also gorgeous hotels for every budget if you’d prefer a few more luxuries.
AND THERE’S MORE OREGON’S colourful capital, Portland celebrates independent shops, excellent food and has its own network of hiking and biking trails to enjoy.
NEW ZEALAND
RECOMMENDED LENGTH: THREE WEEKS (OR FOUR IF YOU CAN GET THE TIME OFF)
PERFECT FOR: A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP, ADVENTURE SEEKERS, FAMILIES
GET ACTIVE: DOING EXTREME SPORTS - FROM BUNGEE JUMPING TO ZIP-LINING, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO GET THE ADRENALIN FLOWING
FIND OUT MORE: NEWZEALAND.COM
ONCE IN
A LIFETIME
The South Pacific
GET YOUR BEARINGS: IF THERE WAS ever an antidote to being stuck in your own home for weeks, it’s flying to the other side of the world. If you are looking for total freedom and a taste of adventure, how could we miss out New Zealand, possibly one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world? Beautiful green landscapes lead to stunning beaches. You can swim in waterfalls, bathe in hot sulphur pools, ski in the mountains, hike, kayak, sail, horse ride, cycle… essentially, everything you’ve ever w
