Hike the spectacular emerald-green rice terraces of mountainous Banaue (the famed “stepping stones to the sky”), then don your snorkeling gear and slip into the warm waters of the Coral Triangle to swim amid a staggering abundance of vibrant reef life.
Elephant Court
Periyar, India
Set in a lush, hilly landscape and named for the wild elephants that roam nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Elephant Court is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers, with its grounds full of birds, fruit trees, and the occasional troops of monkeys. It offers understated elegance with traditional Keralan architecture of teak paneling and open-air buildings with thatched roofs. The large, comfortable cottage-style rooms have private baths and verandas. Morning and evening boat rides on Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’s mist-shrouded lake, on the lookout for wildlife, are magical, and the in-house spa offers Ayurvedic massages. The dinner buffet offers plenty of choice, including Kerala’s distinctive regional dishes.
