50 NATGEOTRAVEL.COM
BEST SUMMER | NATURE | ADVENTURE | CULTUREHONG KONGDragon’s
Tales
Hike the scenic peaks
of the Dragon’s Back
Trail with Wild Hong
Kong and you’ll see
a greener side of
this skyscraper-filled
city. Then retreat to
the cool confines
of the striking new
Xiqu Centre, an arts
venue dedicated to
Cantonese opera and
music. wildhongkong
.com; westkowloon.hk
/en/xiqu-centre0 2.
GSTAAD, SWITZERLANDMountain
Mania
Pick up a backpack preloaded with all the
makings of a cheese fondue at Molkerei (dairy
shop) in the valley town of Gstaad, then board
a gondola at the base of Wispile mountain and
head 6,270 feet up to the top for a hike and
picnic amid the wildflowers. Or hire a guide
and hop on a mountain bike (traditional or
electric) to tackle the chalet-strewn hills and
valleys—stopping only for selfies with Alpine
bovines. For a real thrill, make your way to
the Alpine Coaster, a half-mile descent on a
toboggan track where you’re in control of your
speed up to almost 25 miles an hour, and kids
ages nine and up can drive solo. gstaad.ch;
glacier3000.ch0 1.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINESCaribbean
Escapes
St. Vincent has waterfalls to sit under, fern-laden rainforest
paths to hike, and even a volcano to climb, but make time
to explore beyond this main island as well. The Grenadines
comprise 32 additional islands and cays, nestled in the clear
Caribbean Sea. On Petit St. Vincent Private Island Resort, a
National Geographic Unique Lodge, the Jean-Michel Cousteau
diving center offers expert-led underwater reef tours. Or
explore the Tobago Cays on a daylong charter of the 115-foot
Star of the Sea yacht, based in Bequia. natgeolodges.com/
explore; bequiabeachhotel.com/yacht-star-of-the-seaN.EISELE- H
EI
N/LOOK/ALAMY;^ PREVI
OUS^
PAGES:
B
LUEORANGESTUDI
O/ALAMY