The Challenge

A lot of people don’t have Canada on their radar. Incredible really, as it’s got everything: cities, wilderness, mountains, beaches. There are some wonderfully romantic spots, and the accommodation and service you find are some of the best in the world.

You’d fly from Heathrow straight into Vancouver, and stay at the beautiful Rosewood Hotel Georgia. It’s right in the centre of the city, and the rooms have been renovated really nicely. It’s a bit old-school New York in style, with lots of dark wood and luxurious touches – the perfect place to relax for a few days before picking up a car and driving the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.

This two-hour drive takes you on a stunning route through Stanley Park and right into the heart of the mountains, to your next stop, Nita Lake Lodge. With beautiful views of the lake and plenty of nice shops and restaurants, you’re just a half-hour walk from Whistler village, which can a bit busy and overwhelming to stay in itself.

There’s so much to do here, like taking a peaceful cable car between the peaks. It’s also a hub for really high-end restaurants, and you can enjoy some excellent seafood.

After Whistler you’d take the car back to Vancouver, before flying up to Port Hardy and taking a seaplane to Nimmo Bay. It’s a beautiful 15-minute flight, where you can often see pods of dolphins right underneath you.

Here you’d stay four nights at the wilderness camp. There are just nine private cabins on the island, some of which are built on the shore and some out into the water. In the daytime you can see black bears, and there are grizzlies in September. You can also go dolphin- and whale-watching, and even have a helicopter drop you off on the tip of a glacier for lunch. In the evening, guests gather round a campfire on the beach and are served wine and canapés.

Your last stop is Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Here you’d stay at the stunning Wickaninnish Inn, which is right on the rocks and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You’ll find particularly dramatic weather here – in fact, storm-hunters hunker down each year to watch the lightning and the waves crashing down on the shore. Chesterman Beach arcs off to one side of the hotel, and it’s a lovely spot to really wind down and enjoy your last few days, including the most incredible sunsets.

Make the most of this time together and head to New Zealand and Australia. You can really indulge your sense of adventure here without compromising on comfort.

You’d fly to Auckland and head south to the lakes and forests of the Taupo region. You could take a helicopter over to volcanic White Island, or unwind with a round of golf on your front doorstep, while staying at Kinloch Lodge.

Next, it’s two nights in the Wairarapa Valley. As well as numerous wineries, there’s the wild coast of Cape Palliser, home to seal colonies and the Putangirua Pinnacles – all of which can be explored from the comfort of Wharekauhau Lodge and Estate.

The South Island beckons, with three nights at the Sounds Retreat. This hidden gem is by the famous Queen Charlotte Track, which you can hike or cycle, and you can also kayak on the glorious blue waters.

Next, you’d relax at Annandale on the spectacular Banks Peninsula and stay at Seascape, an ultra-modern retreat on a private bay. If you take to the water you could discover Hector’s dolphins and fur seals.

Your final stop in New Zealand would be Minaret Station, a tented camp in the mountains that’s only accessible by helicopter. You can explore the wild west coast, the incredible landscapes of Fiordland and the pristine glacier fields, then it’s across the Tasman Sea to Australia.

After the lush green valleys of New Zealand, the red earth and vast skies of the outback are a wonderful contrast. For the first three nights, you’d stay at Arkaba Station, a typical Australian homestead set in the beautiful Flinders Ranges of the South Australian outback. You could take a flight over the natural amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, walk through spectacular bush habitats and camp under the stars, or simply watch the emus strut through the paddocks at dusk.

From here it’s just a short flight over to your final destination, Kangaroo Island, which is known as “Australia’s Galapagos”. Blessed with unspoilt beaches and wild forests, you’ll see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and echidnas in their natural habitat, and discover seals and penguins along the wild coasts. This landscape is home to Southern Ocean Lodge, a stylish property perched on a clifftop. With views out across the ocean to the waves and whales beyond, and exceptional food and drink, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic location in which to end to this remarkable adventure.