For nature lovers, Christmas Island National Park provides fantastic opportunities to observe unique plants and animals in their natural habitats. The park covers about two thirds of the island. As an isolated oceanic island, distant from other land masses, Christmas Island is home to a high proportion of endemic species. Several are endangered. The park protects significant ecosystems including much of the island's uniquely structured rainforests and two wetlands of international importance, the Dales and Hosnie's Springs. In and around the national park you will find a host of native sea and forest birds, unique marine life and land crabs — including tens of millions of red crabs, famous throughout the world for their spectacular annual breeding migration.

Balos Beach is a more relaxed and less frequented beach on the south side of the island of Samos, but it is by no means less picturesque than some of the more popular beaches.

This recently renovated cable car route stretches out across the sea for longer than 1.5km, and features cabins with and without see-through flooring. If you're the daring type, opt for the former and be rewarded with incredible views of the water below.