Periyar is a forested highland destination in Kerala’s Idukki district, centered on the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the town of Thekkady. Set within the Western Ghats, the region combines wooded hills, evergreen forests, grasslands, streams, and the large Periyar Lake. The tiger reserve covers about 925 square kilometres and supports an extensive range of wildlife. Its landscape is particularly associated with Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, gaur, sambar deer, wild dogs, and rich birdlife.

The snorkeling is extraordinary in the reefs of Cano Island. Cano has its roots in pre-Columbian trading and is also a former burial ground for coastal Indians.

Flic en Flac is a coastal town on the western side of Mauritius, overlooking a sheltered lagoon protected by a coral reef. It is known for its long sandy beach, calm coastal waters, and views toward the open Indian Ocean. The town has grown from a small fishing settlement into one of the island’s established seaside communities, while fishing and boating remain visible along the coast.

The Gulf of Oman is a region of diverse landscapes and rich history. Stretching between the coasts of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, this gulf is lined with stunning shorelines, port cities, and hidden natural gems.

Antsirabe is a highland city in central Madagascar, known for its cool climate, broad streets, thermal springs, and distinctive cycle rickshaws called pousse-pousse. Located in a fertile agricultural region, it serves as an important center for farming, crafts, and local trade. The surrounding landscape includes rice fields, volcanic hills, and cultivated countryside, while the city itself has a more orderly layout than many other Malagasy towns.